Europe
ECB on collision course over plan to regulate EU
EUROPE - The European Central Bank has put itself on a collision course with European financial regulators, including Britain's Financial Services Authority, over the ECB's ambitions to play a role in banking supervision.
ECB head predicts harmonisation call
EUROPE - Wim Duisenberg, European Central Bank president, yesterday forecast the introduction of euro notes and coins would lead to public demand for more harmonisation in the European Union, with particular focus on taxes.
Reform of EU securities rules moves a step closer
EUROPE - The European parliament yesterday took a decisive step towards acceptance of the Lamfalussy plan for speeding the reform of European Union securities market regulation.
A question of balance at the ECB
ARTICLE - Although the European Central Bank is independent and sets policy on a eurozone-wide basis, a huge effort is made to keep representation of the constituent nations in balance.
European Commission predict eurozone rebound
EUROPE - The eurozone economy may have shrunk during the last three months of 2001, but it is due for a rapid rebound, the European Commission has calculated.
Shoppers and forgers move to euro
EUROPE - Two weeks after the launch of euro notes and coins, more than 90% of transactions in Ireland are being made in the currency, the country's official changeover body said.
ECB chief: Prices safe from euro launch
EUROPE - Fears of rising prices across Europe as retailers cash in on the change to the euro have been confounded, according to the head of the European Central Bank.
Treasury publishes annual update on convergence
The Treasury last week published, and submitted to the European Commission,the UK's 2001 Convergence Programme, "Maintaining Economic Stability".This is the fourth annual update to the UK Convergence Programme publishedin line with the EU Stability and…
Singing the euro's praises
EURO - The achievement of introducing the euro received praise from the IMF and tinges of regret have been observed in countries choosing not to be part of it. In the eurozone itself measures were being taken to combat over-eagerness for the new currency.
Eddie George doubtful on euro
UK - Sir Edward George, the governor of the Bank of England, has pitched into the ongoing debate about potential British entry into the euro, saying that a single economic policy across Europe was a "disadvantage".
Euro notes seek forgery protection
EUROPE - Two of Europe's biggest chip developers may be working with the European Central Bank (ECB) to include tiny radio transceivers in high-value euro banknotes.
5m euros are stolen in three months
EUROPE - Armed gangs and other criminals have stolen Euros 5m ( £3.1m) in the three months since minting and printing of euro notes and coins began, and the situation is set to worsen, European police have warned.
Euro Profits Bonanza
CENTRALBANKNET SPECIAL REPORT - Europe's national central banks stand to profit to the tune of billions of euros as a result of retiring Europe's existing paper currencies and introducing a single currency.
IMF Koehler says political unity crucial to euro
US - International Monetary Fund Managing Director Horst Koehler said Friday that "sorting out" to process of political integration in Europe will be key to reviving a persistently weak euro.
Profits deal means euro will not be backed by gold
SPECIAL CBNET REPORT - One result of the deal to distribute the profits of the euro is that the euro will be an almost entirely paper-backed currency.
Distribution of euros to start tomorrow
GERMANY - The mass distribution in Europe of new cash in euros begins tomorrow, when France, the Netherlands and Ireland begin to sell packets of euro coins to the public. Other countries will follow in the days ahead.
ECB holds rates steady
EUROPE - The European Central Bank (ECB) has left its key interest rate unchanged at 3.25% on Thursday at its last meeting before the introduction of euro notes and coins in January.
ECB gold reserves unchanged 30 November
EUROPE - The Eurosystem's net reserves in gold and gold receivables was unchanged at EUR128.23 billion for the week ended 30 November, the European Central Bank said Tuesday.
Greenspan says little doubt euro a sound currency
US - A belief that U.S. productivity, or output per worker, will continue to outstrip Europe's accounts for more robust demand for dollars over euros, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said in a speech on Friday.
Speech by Ernst Welteke, Bundesbank President
SPEECH - Speech by Ernst Welteke, Prasident der Deutschen Bundesbank delivered to the Japanese Bankers' Association in Tokyo, 28 November.
Speech by the Governor of Austria's central bank
SPEECH - Luncheon speech by Klaus Liebscher Governor of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank, at the East-West-Conference, Vienna, 6 November.
Speech by John Townend of the Bank of England
SPEECH - Speech by John Townend, Director for Europe at the Bank of England at the Institute for International Monetary Affairs Euro Symposium in Tokyo on 16 November.
Cash transfer move falters in Europe
EUROPE - The European Commission's 12-year attempt to reduce charges for cross-border money transfers in Europe is in danger of collapsing because of last-minute opposition from several European Union members and fierce lobbying by banks.
Three cheers for the euro?
The euro received three notes of approval today from the the People's Bank of China, the IMF and the OECD.