European Central Bank (ECB)
Numbers of central bankers continue to rise
The 2008 edition of Central Banking Publications's Central Bank Directory, the annual guide to the world of central banking, estimates the number of central bankers in the world at 348,865, a marginal 0.2% increase over last year. This maintains last…
Financial crisis has affected eurozone stability
Uncertainty surrounding financial stability in the euro area has heightened as a result of the recent financial turmoil, Lucas Papademos, the vice president of the European Central Bank, confirmed on Thursday.
Officials praise central bankers' collaboration
Central bankers and politicians across the globe offered swift and unanimous approval for Wednesday's concerted effort to inject liquidity in a bid to counter dogged interbank tensions.
Joint effort failing to counter interbank tension
Interbank rates stayed high and markets plummeted on Thursday in spite of the collective action launched by five of the most powerful central banks on Wednesday.
Cooperation can't get to root cause of crunch
The central banks' coordinated attempt to bring interbank rates down may alleviate liquidity pressures, but not the mistrust the lies at the core of the crunch, says Avinash Persaud, the chairman of Intelligence Capital, a financial advisory firm.
ECB Financial Stability Review - December 2007
The European Central Bank (ECB) noted that with financial systems undergoing a process of de-leveraging and re-intermediation, the uncertainty surrounding the financial stability outlook for the euro area has heightened and could persist for a…
Central banks collaborate to ease interbank woe
In one of the most significant co-operative central banking efforts of modern times, five of the world's most powerful monetary authorities joined forces in a bid to restore order in the interbank markets.
Rock raises lender of last resort issue for EU
One important aspect of the Northern Rock crisis in the UK has been to make market participants wonder what would happen if a similar-sized institution got into difficulties in a small or medium-sized EU member state.
Padoa-Schioppa urges haste on EU supervision
Europe must act decisively to enhance its supervisory structures, said Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, Italy's economy and finance minister, on Tuesday.
Finland's Liikanen warns of dual threat
Erkki Liikanen, the governor of the Bank of Finland, said on Monday that the downside risks to growth have risen and inflation was set to accelerate.
Cyprus holds rates at 4.5%
The Central Bank of Cyprus's rate-setting monetary policy committee voted on Monday to keep its benchmark rate at 4.5% in its last scheduled decision.
ECB keeps rates at 4%
The European Central Bank's (ECB) rate-setting Governing Council held its benchmark rate at 4%. The vote contrasts with decisions in recent days to cut rates from the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.
Central banks failing to calm interbank markets
Interbank borrowing costs in the sterling, euro and dollar money markets shot up on Monday in spite of attempts by central bankers last week to alleviate end-of-year jitters.
Injections pose no moral hazard risk: ECB member
In spite of the Bank of England's claims to the contrary, moral hazard should not be an issue in deciding whether or not to inject extra funds into the money markets, a member of the European Central Bank's (ECB) executive board said on Monday.
Trichet pushes for regulatory convergence
Progress towards more consistent EU banking rules and cross-border information sharing is absolutely critical, Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, said on Monday.
ECB makes new bid to calm end-of-year fears
The European Central Bank (ECB) responded to panic in the interbank markets on Friday by pledging to lend over longer periods.
HK's Yam on ominous central bank injections
Joseph Yam, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, said on Tuesday that the continued need for central banks to inject extra funds was "not a good sign."
Old Lady changes tack and steps in with £10bn
The Bank of England said on Thursday that it would lend an extra £10 billion ($20.7 billion) at its benchmark bank rate to allay fears that interbank borrowing costs will shoot up over December.
ECB lends extra €30 billion
The European Central Bank injected an additional €30 billion ($44 billion) into eurozone money markets in a bid to ease recurring tensions in interbank lending.
Trichet warns on adverse impact of globalisation
Interlinkages in the global economy mean no country can insulate itself from events, says Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank.
ECB to counter new tensions with extra funds
The European Central Bank (ECB) said on Friday that it will inject more liquidity into the eurozone money market in a bid to allay "the re-emerging risk of volatility."
Trichet blames complexity for ratings reliance
Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, said on Friday that the complicated nature of many structured products had led to an over-reliance on credit ratings.
ECB loans show illiquidity in longer-term lending
The results of this month's European Central Bank (ECB) three-month open market operation reveal liquidity tensions remain for longer-term interbank lending.
Spain's Ordoez upbeat on eurozone growth
Sound fundamentals and robust global growth should support relatively favourable medium-term economic conditions in the eurozone, says Miguel Fernandez Ordoez, the governor of the Bank of Spain.