Central Banking
Monthly inflation falls in Brazil, yearly rate up
Brazilian inflation slowed for the second straight month in February despite interest rates remaining at an all-time low.
Central banks announce second joint effort
The Federal Reserve will accept banks' mortgage-backed securities as part of a raft of liquidity measures announced by five of the world's most powerful monetary authorities on Tuesday 11 March.
Japanese opposition vetoes Muto
The Democratic Party of Japan, the country's main opposition party, has rejected the government's nomination of Deputy-Governor Toshiro Muto to succeed Toshihiko Fukui at the helm of the Bank of Japan.
Chinese inflation hits fresh high
Inflation in China soared to a new 12-year high last month, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed on Tuesday 11 March. Prices rose by 8.7% in the year to February from 7.1% the previous month, with food costs up by 23.3%.
UK homeowners fail to benefit from Bank cuts
Cuts to the Bank of England's benchmark rate have had little impact on mortgage rates for some British consumers, data published by the Bank reveals.
UAE makes dollar loans following supply shortage
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates lent dollars on Monday 10 March after expectations that the authorities would revalue the dirham's peg against the greenback led to a currency shortfall. Media reports have also said that the central bank is…
Sound risk management essential: Fed's Kroszner
The current financial market turbulence underscores the importance of getting the fundamentals of sound risk management right and being ever vigilant about their consistent application, execution, and improvement in light of new data and experiences,…
Research indicates racial bias in lending
Issuers are providing less credit to consumers in Black neighbourhoods than those living in predominantly white areas with similar credit scores, research published by the Boston Federal Reserve finds.
Price stability is best aim for policy
Low and stable inflation remains the best contribution monetary policy can make to growth and macroeconomic stability, said Svein Gjedrem, the governor of the Bank of Norway.
China would prosper from currency appreciation
China would benefit from moving to a flexible exchange rate regime and allowing the People's Bank of China greater independence to control inflation, research published by the Bank of Canada indicates.
Rapid deterioration led Fed to go it alone: Kohn
The deterioration in money markets was so rapid that the Federal Reserve last Friday did not have time to coordinate a joint announcement of liquidity measures with other central banks in the same way as last December and which had such a favourable…
Trichet notes exchange-rate instability fears
Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), has acknowledged that he is concerned about exchange rate volatility given the current value of the euro.
Former NY Fed director to succeed White at BIS
Stephen Cecchetti, a former director of research at the New York Federal Reserve, is the new head of the Bank for International Settlements' (BIS) monetary and economics department.
Vietnam extends dong band to curb inflation
The State Bank of Vietnam widened the dong's trading band on Monday 10 March in a bid to counter double-digit inflation.
Taiwan set to raise rates
Fai-Nan Perng, the governor of the Central Bank of China (Taiwan), has told the country's parliament that he will carry on hiking rates to dampen inflationary pressures.
The BIS must become the global central bank
Last year's attempts at central bank coordination fell short, says Krzysztof Rybinski, a former deputy governor at the National Bank of Poland. A global forum is needed.
Fed's Hoenig notes monetary policy's limits
Thomas Hoenig, the president of the Kansas City Federal Reserve, said he has been struck by the heavy burden placed on monetary policy to cope with the current crisis and its potential spillover effects.
Research on the benefits of information dispersal
Cross-border information sharing allows policymakers to respond more appropriately to common shocks, research published by the Bank of England indicates.
IMF's Portugal on liquidity provision
Central banks should continue to provide liquidity as needed to assure the smooth functioning of markets, said Murilo Portugal, a deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Fed to add funds as liquidity pressures re-emerge
The Federal Reserve is set to pledge up to $140 billion in extra funds in a bid to soothe the third wave of rising money market tensions since August.
Japanese government backs Muto for governor
Yasuo Fukuda, Japan's prime minister, on Friday 7 March nominated deputy governor Toshiro Muto to replace Toshihiko Fukui at the helm of the central bank despite fears that the country's main opposition party will reject the nomination.
Brazil bank robber gets 49 years
The leader of a gang that stole $67.8m from the Central Bank of Brazil has been sentenced to almost half a century in jail.
Japan maintains 0.5% target as Fukui steps down
The Bank of Japan opted to keep rates on hold for the 15th straight vote.
Greek strike ruled illegal
A court ruled the walkout at the Central Bank of Greece illegal.