News
Balcerowicz says NBP's independence is at risk
National Bank of Poland governor Leszek Balcerowicz said in a television interview on Friday 1 September that the government poses an ``unprecedented'' threat to central bank independence.
ECB keeps rates steady
The European Central Bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3% as expected.
Brazil surprises with half-point cut
Brazil's central bank slashed its interest rates by a larger-than-expected 0.5% on Wednesday.
Fed seeks to reassure over housing slowdown
Overall rises in disposable income should offset a possible increase in the saving rate due to a softening housing market, Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, said in a letter to a congresswoman released on Wednesday 30 August.
Indian rates may not rise-former governor
India's central bank may hold back on further interest rate hikes this year, according to a former Reserve Bank of India governor, Bimal Jalan.
Sweden raises rates
Sweden's central bank raised it benchmark interest rate by 0.25% in a move anticipated by the market.
Fed minutes indicate a "close call"
Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee showed a 9-1 vote on 8 August in favour of keeping interest rates on hold.
IMF boost for developing countries
China, South Korea, Turkey and Mexico seem set to win increases in their IMF quotas at the expense of some European countries.
Nigeria plans an oil investment fund
The Central Bank of Nigeria said it is working on a national investment fund that will manage a proportion of its external reserves.
Tunisia holds rates
Tunisian interest rates were unmoved after the monthly meeting of the central bank's executive board on Tuesday.
Iran unafraid of sanctions
Iran will be prepared for the economic consequences of UN sanctions, the governor of the country's central bank, Ebrahim Sheibani, said on Friday.
Hungary raises interest rates
The Hungarian central bank surprised markets with a half-point rate hike on Monday.
Italian banks' merger breakthrough
Two of Italy's biggest banks are to merge to form Europe's 10th largest bank with a market value of €55bn ($80bn).
Interest rates round-up
A brief round-up of recent interest rate decisions in central banks in emerging markets.
Jackson Hole attendees stick to the script
Central bankers and academics at the Fed's annual Jackson Hole conference in the United States discussed the impacts of globalisation at length, but gave away little on immediate policy directions.
Thai central bank wins appeal against ex-governor
A recent decision by Thailand's Supreme Administrative Court clears the way for the central bank to press for damages against former governor, Rerngchai Marakanond.
Japan's inflation lower than expected
Japanese core CPI for July showed a smaller than expected rise in inflation of 0.2% year on year.
Czech central bank holds rates
Thursday's meeting of the Czech National Bank's governing board ended with rates being held at 2.25%, a spokeswoman said.
Value in money laundering doubles in China
The amount of money involved in money laundering in China has more than doubled in 2005 from RMB4bn ($500m) to RMB10bn ($1.25bn), the central bank said on Thursday 24 August.
Governor Hou criticises politicians' pay rise
The governor of the central bank of the Solomon Islands, Rick Hou, has criticised the timing of a recent pay rise awarded to local politicians.
Macfarlane says world can cope with oil shocks
The world economy is surprisingly good at absorbing price pressures from rising oil prices, said Ian Macfarlane, the outgoing governor of Australia's central bank.
Korea changes inflation target measure
Korea will target a new measure of inflation for 2007-2009, the central bank has said.
Russia raises reserve requirements
Russia's central bank has increased minimum required reserves on foreign bank deposits from 2% to 3.5% in an effort to combat inflation.
Botswana's productivity "embarrassingly low"
Research at the Bank of Botswana, suggests the country's competitiveness and productivity is "embarrassingly low", said the governor, Linah Mohohlo.