News
Fed's FOMC likely to hold US interest rates
The US economy is in fairly good shape despite the flagging housing and auto industries, suggesting the Federal Reserve will leave US interest rates unchanged at its meeting Tuesday 12 December.
SBP's Akhtar warns speculators of punitive steps
The governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Dr Shamshad Akhtar, announced on Sunday 10 December that while the SBP would not intervene to stabilise the rupee exchange rate, it would take punitive action against market speculators.
BoE to launch credit conditions survey
The Bank of England announced Monday 11 December it will launch a quarterly survey of credit conditions in the UK covering mortgage lending, unsecured lending to households and corporate lending.
Brian Lang retires from RBNZ
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced Monday 11 December that Brian Lang will be retiring from the Bank on 15 December. Lang joined the Bank in 1962 and has filled a wide range of senior positions.
Belgium's Quaden says don't panic on rate levels
Belgian National Bank governor Guy Quaden said Monday 11 December eurozone countries have no cause for alarm over interest rates and currency levels.
Oman not ready for single currency
Oman has confirmed it will not be joining the GCC currency union by 2010. The move presents a big setback for the proposed Gulf single currency.
China to look positively on Paulson talks
China promised on Monday 11 December to respond positively to the US in talks this week but said its exchange rate is a matter of national sovereignty.
SNB's Roth warns on appetite for risk
Swiss National Bank president Jean-Pierre Roth said Friday 8 December he does not feel comfortable with recent developments seen in global financial markets.
PBOC not considering wider yuan/dollar band
The People's Bank of China is not currently considering a widening of the trading band for the yuan against the dollar, the head of the bank's research department said Friday 8 December.
Brazil central bank considered rate cut
Brazil's central bank said Thursday 7 December in minutes from its last Copom meeting that it doesn't expect an eventual pick up in economic activity to stoke inflation.
Zimbabwe's Gono says he is unpaid
In reply to a question to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono on the New Zimbabwe.com web chat on Wednesday 6 December, Gono revealed he has not been paid since taking up the post at the central bank.
NBP's Balcerowicz against euro referendum
The head of Poland's central bank Leszek Balcerowicz told a seminar on Thursday 7 December that a referendum on Poland joining the eurozone is unnecessary.
Robert Mclean joins Australia's PSB
Australia's treasurer Peter Costello has appointed academic and businessman Robert McLean as a part-time member to the central bank's Payments System Board (PSB) for a five-year term.
PBOC sees risks if dollar slides
The People's Bank of China said in a report published Thursday 7 December that it is concerned over a possible slide in the US dollar if there is a widespread move to sell off dollar assets.
Gulf currency union may face delay
Plans by GCC member states to launch a single currency by 2010 face delays because some countries won't be able to make legal changes in time, the governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait said in an interview Tuesday 5 December.
Top prosecutor says Kozlov murder solved
The murder of Andrei Kozlov, first deputy chairman of the Russian central bank, has been solved, the Russian Prosecutor General said Tuesday 5 December.
ECB raises interest rates to 3.5%
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said Thursday 7 December it was essential to act in a "firm and timely manner" to safeguard price stability in the eurozone,after the bank raised interest rates from 3.25pct to 3.5pct.
Polish PM dismisses Gilowska NBP link
Poland's prime minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has dispelled rumours of deputy PM and finance minister Zyta Gilowska leaving his cabinet in order to become head of the National Bank of Poland (NBP).
BoJ's Iwata says fair competition important
Bank of Japan deputy governor Kazumasa Iwata on Thursday 7 December underscored the need to ensure fair competition between two subsidiaries of Japan Post when the 10-year postal privatisation process begins in October.
BoJ's Nishimura concerned over slow consumption
Bank of Japan board member Kiyohiko Nishimura said in a speech on Wednesday 6 December further interest rate hikes by the BoJ are expected to be "gradual" as far as inflation expectations remain low, adding he is "greatly concerned" about slow domestic…
Zambia converting debt into marketable securities
The Zambian government has converted part of its long term debt owed to the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) into short-to-medium term marketable government securities in a move to boost the central bank's scope for liquidity management in the economy, the Times of…
China plans RMB option market launch - report
The Chinese government plans to launch an option market for its currency, the Renminbi (RMB), to help its banks avoid risks incurred by the partial flotation of exchange rates according to the Beijing News.
Garganas looks to reform of banking regulation
Greek central bank governor Nikos Garganas told a banking forum on Tuesday 5 December that he wanted to see reform of banking regulation.
RBZ chief out of presidential race
Zimbabwe's central bank governor has ruled himself out of the race to succeed President Robert Mugabe in a web chat with New Zimbabwe.com.