Central Banking
Bahrain - Annual Report 2007
The Central Bank of Bahrain introduced many regulatory changes in 2007, according to its latest annual report.
FOMC: blue chips and unemployment key indicators
Federal Open Market Committee members are more concerned with so-called "blue-chip" inflation expectations than with lagged actual inflation or analysts' inflation expectations, a new paper form the Dallas Federal Reserve finds.
Dollar pegs should be reconsidered: King
Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, warned on Wednesday that it would become "increasingly important" for countries to discuss abandoning their dollar pegs in the coming years.
Bank's outlook wintry for UK economy
The Bank of England gave a dismal forecast for the British economy on Wednesday, predicting inflation to rise to about three percentage points above its target and growth to fall sharply.
Central bank action removed liquidity threat: BoE
Senior Bank of England officials on Wednesday said liquidity tensions in global credit markets had diminished on the back of central banks' efforts.
IMF to change exchange-rate surveillance methods
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday is to alter the way in which its monitors members' exchange-rate policies.
Norwegian rates likely to stay high
Norwegian rates, now at their highest level since January 2003, look set to remain at least as steep in the coming months.
Bahrain: Islamic finance rulings lack consistency
There is a lack of consistency in the regulation of Islamic finance, said Rasheed Al Majar, the governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain.
Colombia fights above-target inflation
The board of directors of the Banco de la Republica Colombia were unanimous in deciding to raise the central bank's benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 10%, the minutes of the 25 July meeting show.
Asia's reserves lower borrowing costs
Asian economies benefit from reduced spreads on their privately-held external debt because of their large holdings of foreign-exchange reserves, according to new research from the International Monetary Fund.
UK inflation soars to more than double BoE target
The Bank of England will publish its quarterly Inflation Report on Wednesday with annual inflation at more than double its 2% target.
US and European central banks too transparent
Major central banks such as the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank (ECB) may be too transparent, new research finds.
High demand for longer-term Fed funding
The results of the Federal Reserve's first Term Auction Facility (TAF) operation to offer 84-day credit highlight the banking sector's demand for longer-term financing.
Tough times ahead for US borrowers: Fed poll
Lending standards have tightened and are set to become more stringent still, the Fed's latest lending survey shows.
Chinese inflation falls for third-straight month
Chinese consumer price inflation fell to a ten-month low of 6.3% in the year to July.
Botswana - Annual Report 2007
Financial services and public access to banking services significantly improved last year, said Linah Mohohlo, the governor of the Bank of Botswana, in the latest annual report.
Singapore - Annual Report 2007
Singapore's economic growth may ease in the coming quarters as the global economy weakens and as inflationary pressures persist, said Goh Chok Tong, the chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, in the institution's latest annual report.
RBA looking to lower rates
The Reserve Bank of Australia has reiterated that it will soon cut its key rate, now at a 12-year high, on signs that high borrowing costs are now curbing domestic demand.
US inflation and unemployment to rise: poll
US economic growth in 2008 will be slower than in 2007, with inflation staying high and unemployment rising, according to a survey of participants at the Chicago Fed's annual Automotive Outlook Symposium.
Singapore's Heng: people must plan ahead
Singapore's maturing population needs good retirement planning services to remain financially independent, said Heng Swee Keat, the managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Simpsons cartoon hero coined on euro
A Spanish shopkeeper has found a defaced euro coin bearing the head of Homer Simpson, the star of the Simpsons cartoon series.
Egypt fears second-round effects, raises rates
The Central Bank of Egypt has increased its three key rates in a bid to contain the impact of soaring food costs.
Fed carrying out covert liquidity tests - report
The Federal Reserve is subjecting the biggest investment banks to stringent liquidity tests, say reports.
Afghan governor warns of food shortages
Abdul Qadeer Fitrat, the governor of the Bank of Afghanistan, has said that Kabul will have to buy significant quantities of food to avoid shortages throughout the war-torn country.