United States
Fed Reserve Bank of St Louis Review, Jul/Aug 2005
The latest edition of the St Louis Fed's Review for Jul/Aug 2005 includes the proceedings from the 29th economic policy conference of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, "Productivity, labor, and the Business Cycle."
Federal Reserve raises interest rates to 3.25%
The Federal Open Market Committee decided to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3-1/4 percent on Thursday 30 June. In its statement the FOMC maintained its "measured" stance and said that although energy prices have risen…
US Senators delay China currency bill vote
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Lindsey Graham have delayed a vote on their bill to impose tariffs on Chinese imports after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and Treasury Secretary John Snow persuaded them China will make its exchange rate more…
The politics of central bank independence
This New York Fed Staff Report proposes a theory to explain why, and under what circumstances, a politician endogenously gives up rent and delegates policy tasks to an independent agency.
Dallas Fed's Fisher on trade
In the speech given on 14 June Richard Fisher of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said trade with China is helping raise our productivity and lower our prices.
Philadelphia Fed head receives Italian civic honor
The Consul General of Italy recently presented the prestigious Italian recognition of "Cavaliere," an honorary knighthood, to Anthony Santomero, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
Bernanke sworn in as White House adviser
Ben Bernanke was sworn in as chairman of President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers on Tuesday 21 June, leaving his post as a Federal Reserve member.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, May 2005
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for May 2005 was +0.10, up from +0.05 in April. Two of the four broad categories of indicators that make up the index - production and income and consumption and housing - made positive contributions.
Cleveland's Pianalto: Our future in manufacturing
In the speech 'Our future in manufacturing' given on 16 June, Sandra Pianalto of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland said the fundamentals of the US economy are strong and the expansion should continue.
Fed's Olson on regulatory relief
In testimony on 'Regulatory relief' given on 21 June, Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said that Congress should give the Federal Reserve more flexibility in setting reserve requirements and allow it to pay interest on balances held by depository…
Greenspan warns against trade sanctions on China
Fed chairman Alan Greenspan told Congress in testimony on Thursday 23 June that no credible evidence exists that a move by China to revamp its exchange rate system would benefit US manufacturing or jobs.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Jun 2005
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, June 2005, activity in the region's manufacturing sector weakened. This represents a decline from the moderate performance in May.
Fed's Stern sees US rate rises continuing
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Gary Stern sees no reason for the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates now as the economy expands at a desirable pace, a Japanese newspaper reported on Monday 20 June.
Richmond Fed announces promotion
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond this week named Terry Wright vice president, Check Services effective from 1 July.
Finding a new captain for our economic ship
With speculation mounting as to who will succeed Alan Greenspan as chairman of the Federal Reserve, another article published this week comes up with the usual names, but also includes interesting quotes from central bank watching academics and a former…
Hoenig says Fed aiming for neutral rates
The Federal Reserve should raise interest rates toward a neutral level of 3.5 to 4.5 per cent and get there "sooner rather than later" in the face of strong growth, a top Fed official said on Thursday 16 June.
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, June 2005
The Federal Reserve published its June 2005 Beige Book survey on 15 June. According to the report business activity continued to expand from mid-April through May, and overall price pressures were moderate.
Fed's Poole on the term structure of interest rate
In the speech 'Understanding the term structure of interest rates' given on 14 June, William Poole of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said long-term interest rates have stayed steady in the face of rising short-term rates because the economy, and…
Richmond's Lacker on retail financial innovation
In the speech 'Retail financial innovation' given on 14 June, Jeffrey Lacker of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said calls for tighter rules on consumer lending are an inevitable companion to the dramatic rise in the availability of credit but must…
SF Fed says flatter yield curve not a warning
A study published by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco says a sharp flattening in the US Treasury yield curve need not suggest the onset of economic weakness.
Fed's Kohn on managing risk
In the speech 'Managing risk in a changing economic and financial landscape' given on 15 June, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said the US current account deficit and surge in house prices may not be sustainable and urged banks to protect themselves…
Fed's Bies on current regulatory issues
In the speech 'Current regulatory issues' given on 14 June, Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said Federal banking supervisors are concerned that borrowers looking to buy commercial and residential real estate "could become increasingly…
Flexible yuan would help world economy says Snow
US Treasury Secretary John Snow said on Tuesday 14 June that the world economy would benefit from a more flexible Chinese yuan exchange rate.
Philadelphia's Santomero on the economic outlook
In the speech 'Economic outlook and the role of bank directors' given on 11 June, Anthony Santomero of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said he expected US inflation to be well-contained in 2005, allowing the Fed to raise interest rates to a…