United States
Boston Fed's Minehan on labour markets
In a speech on 'Labour Markets: What We Know and What We Don't' given on 24 March, Cathy Minehan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said the Federal Reserve should not be so patient about keeping the benchmark interest rate low that it allows…
Snow says US making progress on China peg
US Treasury Secretary John Snow told Congress on Thursday 25 March that the Bush administration thinks it's making progress in efforts to get China to stop pegging its currency to the U.S. dollar.
Chicago Fed chief: low inflation to keep rates low
Chicago Fed president Michael Moskow saidon Monday 22 March that concerns that inflation will soon accelerate are "premature" and he was optimistic about the economic outlook.
Broaddus says Fed patience is right
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond president Alfred Broaddus said in an interview that clear evidence of tighter labour markets and higher core inflation will be needed before the Fed can raise interest rates.
OECD says ECB and Fed will raise rates in 04
The Fed and the European Central Bank are likely to start nudging interest rates higher this year, but in historical terms rates will remain low, an OECD report says.
Minutes show Fed wanted increased flexibility
The FOMC was unanimous at their January meeting that they should ditch a pledge to keep interest rates low for "a considerable period" in favour of wording that would increase their flexibility, minutes showed Thursday.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Mar 2004
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, March 2004 activity in the region's manufacturing sector continues to improve.
Greenspan on Banking
In a speech on 'Banking' given on 17 March, Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said US banks are strong and profitable, with "favourable" asset quality, and able to provide financing for a growing economy.
Federal Reserve maintains its patience
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 16 March to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 1 per cent, repeating that it can be "patient in removing its policy accommodation".
Fed policy: steady as she goes
Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan and his colleagues were predicted to keep interest rates stable on Tuesday 16 March as data showed further jobless recovery.
Ex-NY Fed chief McDonough sees no rate hike soon
William McDonough, who until last year held the second most powerful position at the Federal Reserve said in a TV interview Friday it's going to be quite a while before the Federal Reserve raises interest rates.
Woman tries to spend fake $1 million note
A US woman was charged with forgery this week after trying to spend a $1 million bank note in a Georgia supermarket. Staff refused to accept the note or hand over her $998,328.45 in change (if they had it!) and called the manager.
Chicago Fed's 2004 Payments Conference
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's fourth Payments Conference entitled, "An Electronic Supply Chain: Will Payments Follow?" will begin at noon on May 26 and conclude mid-day on May 27 at the Chicago Fed's conference center.
Greenspan on education
In testimony on education given to the House Education and Workforce Committee on 11 March Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said that "employment will begin to increase before long," and that protectionist trade barriers were not the answer to…
Snow says Fed is wise to hold off rate rise
Alan Greenspan and his Federal Reserve colleagues have been "extraordinarily disciplined" and have not overreacted to signs of increased economic growth by raising interest rates, US Treasury Secretary John Snow has said.
Cleveland Fed's Pianalto on interest rates
In a speech on 'A National Voice, A Regional View' given on 5 March, Sandra Pianalto of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland said she can't say when interest rates are going to rise but added, "I know that this is a difficult time we are facing," and…
US's Snow criticises currencies 'on life support'
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow implicitly criticised Japan's continued currency market intervention on Monday 8 March after giving a speech.
Basel regulators press US over accord, say sources
Reports on Monday 8 March said that European regulators have given the US a deadline of 1 April for proposals required to finish the Basel II agreement, with concern from top central bankers that the accord be completed on time.
Paul Sweezy dies at 93
Paul M Sweezy, a Harvard University economist who did much work on the theory of oligopoly, and left academia to become America's leading Marxist intellectual and publisher during the cold war era, died on Saturday 28 February at his New York home.
Guynn on growth in a time of low interest rates
In a speech on 'Growth in a Time of Low Interest Rates' given on 4 March, Jack Guynn of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta said the steep interest-rate cuts of 2001 and 2002 were not neutral monetary policy. Rates were reduced in response to a…
St Louis Fed's Central Banker, Spring 2004
The Spring 2004 edition of the St. Louis Fed's Central Banker magazine has been published. The latest issue carries a report on the new plans for the Little Rock and Louisville branches after the restructurings are complete, and the senior vice president…
Fed says foreign central banks buying record debt
Holdings of U.S. debt by foreign central banks have hit a new record, the Federal Reserve said on Thursday 4 March, the 19th straight week that purchases of Treasury and agency paper have risen.
OECD upbeat on prospects for world economy
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said on Friday 5 March that US economic prospects continue to improve, along with those of all major industrialised economies of the world except Italy.
Greenspan 'Maestro of Chutzpah'
In his New York Times column "Maestro of Chutzpah", Paul Krugman says Alan Greenspan "betrayed his institution, and the nation" by using his office to promote a political agenda.