Central Banking
Kenya addresses currency concerns
Central Bank of Kenya to expand number of commercial banks with access to foreign currency window in bid to end speculative trading
Fed less positive but leaves rate unchanged
FOMC statement less optimistic than last month's; in second-ever press conference, chairman Bernanke faces questions on Greece
Chile governor warns on Europe and US
Central Bank of Chile governor says Europe in “trouble” and US at risk of waking up from “lethargy” too slowly
Fitch upgrades Colombia and Philippines
Fitch upgrades Colombia and Philippines one notch each as emerging markets bolster public finances; outlook reflects solid macroeconomic policies and strong public finances
Draghi's fate in European Council’s hands
European Council set to decide on nomination of Mario Draghi for ECB presidency; Lorenzo Bini Smaghi yet to announce decision regarding position on executive board
Bank considers further QE
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee minutes reopens debate on further quantitative easing; new external MPC member Ben Broadbent votes to hold rates
Barroso confirms European finance ministers agree to EFSF fund rise
European Council set to meet in Brussels to discuss economic policy change and the Greek crisis; Barroso reveals finance ministers agree to raise European Financial Stability Facility fund
Carstens laments four fundamental weaknesses at IMF
IMF releases Agustín Carstens’ statement to the executive board following interview; describes four fundamental weaknesses he wants to address
IMF urges further Spanish reforms
IMF mission to Spain says authorities have implemented strong fiscal and structural reforms to aid recovery, but plans need to be strengthened
Canada unveils polymer banknotes
Canada unveils new polymer banknotes; changes to combat counterfeiting
China ups gold coin production
People’s Bank of China more than doubles issuance of gold panda coins for 2011; demand outstripping minting
Bank of Finland highlights threat of dual imbalance in China
Bank of Finland study shows large external imbalances in China’s current and capital account risk creating asset bubbles
Israel’s Fischer highlights risk of Israeli housing bubble
Bank of Israel governor Stanley Fischer voices concerns over rapid rise of house prices in Israel
RBA minutes say further rate hike will be necessary
Reserve Bank of Australia monetary policy minutes show members of Reserve Bank Board voted to keep rates on hold; signals further tightening in future
Economic models not a panacea for policymaking: Bank’s Fisher
Bank of England executive director Paul Fisher highlights limitations of economic models for forecasting and monetary policy
Panellists' ‘shock’ at lack of investigation of BoE failings
Panellists giving evidence to the Treasury Committee expressed shock at absence of high-level investigation into the Bank of England’s actions in the financial crisis
IMF warns European contagion is resurfacing
IMF Global Financial Stability Report highlights growing concern over debt sustainability of European periphery countries; advanced economy downward growth revision signals two-speed recovery
Carstens and Lagarde in Washington for interviews
Interviews happening this week; decision still on course for June 30
West Africa central bank to audit Ivory Coast offices: reports
Central Bank of West African States wants audit of Ivory Coast offices
FPC member gets call to Bank’s governing body
External Financial Policy Committee member Michael Cohrs appointed to Court of the Bank of England
IMF paper identifies risk of low reserve adequacy in Central America
Fund study shows Central American countries are vulnerable from low international reserve accumulation
Bank of Italy paper examines Italian labour market adjustments
Bank of Italy study shows Italian firms reduced working hours and employment to address shortfall in demand post-crisis
Central Bank of Oman - Annual Report (2010)
Central Bank of Oman 2010 Annual Report highlights economic impact of political uprising in Middle East
BoJ’s Nishimura highlights demography link to asset bubbles
Bank of Japan deputy governor Kiyohiko Nishimura says asset market bubbles are correlated to demographic changes