Central Banking
Fed cuts rates by half a point
The Federal Open Market Committee voted on Wednesday to lower rates by 50 basis points to 3%.
IMF lowers growth outlook
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday that it expects global growth to slow to 4.1% this year, down from 4.9% in 2007.
Markets expect half-point cut from Fed
The majority of analysts expect the Federal Reserve to cut rates by a further half-a-percentage point on Wednesday.
Fed auction reveals relative interbank calm
Money market tensions in the United States showed further signs of abating on Tuesday as the Federal Reserve published the results of its latest Term Auction Facility operation.
Spot trades strengthen dominance of FX market
The amounts traded in spot foreign exchange markets have shot up, central bank research reveals.
Malaysia keeps rates at 3.5%
Bank Negara Malaysia's rate-setting monetary policy committee voted to hold its benchmark overnight policy rate at 3.5% on Monday in spite of concern over inflation.
Glum findings in latest FSA report
Financial markets could be more vulnerable to external shocks in 2008, the latest risk outlook published by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the British single regulator, finds.
More banking competition produces mixed results
A u-shaped relationship exists between competition and the risk of bank failure, research published by the Centre for Economic Policy and Research (CEPR) finds.
The FSA Handbook: a Practical Guide and Update
With the focus of markets on the regulatory response to the current crisis, the launch of this tenth guide to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) handbook, to be held in London on 6 February, is expected to be a popular event.
Central Bank of Mauritania - Annual Report 2006
Inflation plummeted in 2006, falling from 12.1% the previous year to 6.2%.
UK regulator held responsible for bank run
The Financial Services Authority (FSA), the British regulator, failed in its duty to properly supervise Northern Rock, the beleaguered mortgage lender, an eagerly awaited report by lawmakers finds.
UK rates "restrictive", says dovish Blanchflower
David Blanchflower, the only member of the Bank of England's nine-strong monetary policy committee (MPC) to back a rate cut earlier this month, has said monetary easing is vital to avoid a recession.
Europe's single payments area goes live
Eurozone banks and customers received a boost on Monday as the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) went live.
Ex-Polish deputy responds to Pruski criticism
Krzysztof Rybiski, the deputy governor of the National Bank of Poland who resigned at the start of this month, has rebuffed criticisms of the central bank made by his fellow deputy, Jerzy Pruski, who quit last week.
Israel holds rates at 4.25%
The Bank of Israel's rate-setting board voted on Monday to keep rates at 4.25%, despite concern over rising inflation.
New Zealand's Bollard warns on inflation risks
A number of international price shocks are posing a threat to price stability in New Zealand, said Alan Bollard, the governor of the central bank.
Fukui reviews Japanese monetary policy
Japan's economy is expected to continue expanding moderately, although for the time being the pace of growth is likely to slow because of sluggish housing investment, said Toshihiko Fukui, the central bank governor, paving the way for possible rate hikes.
Factors behind income growth are hard to fathom
Assessing the factors involved in income growth is difficult because small changes in the relative fit of certain models can lead to substantial differences regarding growth determinants, research published by the European Central Bank finds.
ECB Monthly Bulletin - January 2008
Inflation reached 3.1% in December 2007, confirming the strong upward pressure on prices in the short-term, stemming mainly from strong increases in oil and food prices in recent months.
Second Polish deputy resigns, slams governor
Jerzy Pruski, a deputy governor at the National Bank of Poland, has resigned, citing differences with Slawomir Skrzypek, the governor of the central bank. Pruski's departure follows that of his fellow deputy, Krzysztof Rybiski, earlier this month.
IMF calls on top state funds to make the rules
The International Monetary Fund has called on sovereign wealth funds in Singapore, Norway and Abu Dhabi to develop a set of benchmarks for transparency.
Japan cut unlikely after Fukui comments
A slowdown in Japanese growth will not lead to a rate cut, Toshihiko Fukui, the governor of the Bank of Japan indicated on Friday.
Canada will not slump despite slight slowdown
Though the likelihood of a recession in the United States has increased greatly, the Canadian economy will continue to grow, said David Dodge, the outgoing governor of the Bank of Canada.
Cyprus and Malta join gold agreement
Cyprus and Malta, the two newest members of the eurozone, have signed up to the Central Bank Gold Agreement, which limits the amount of gold cooperating institutions can sell.