Central Banking
UBS shareholders uneasy with SWF investment
Shareholders at UBS, the Swiss bank, are threatening a revolt over capital injections worth Sfr 13 billion ($11.2 billion) from two sovereign wealth funds.
Basel II procyclicality concern must be mitigated
The elements of Basel II built into the framework to mitigate procyclicality must be properly used, especially in the current climate, said Jaime Caruana, the director of the International Monetary Fund's monetary and capital markets department.
Rate setters act on inflation not job location
Little evidence exists of any systematic differences in the voting habits of internally- and externally-appointed members of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee, research published by the Bank finds.
Bank of Haiti - Annual Report 2006
The Haitian economy expanded by 2.3% in 2006, the highest rate of growth since 1999.
Bank of Finland - Financial Stability Report 2007
The Finnish financial system is stable and would likely withstand even considerable disruptions in the operating environment, the 2007 edition of the Bank of Finland's financial stability report says.
China lifts rates in new bid to halt inflation
The People's Bank of China on Thursday hiked rates for the sixth time this year in an effort to curb inflation now at an 11-year peak.
Japanese board all back 0.5% rate hold
The Bank of Japan's rate-setting board voted unanimously in favour of keeping its benchmark uncollateralised overnight call rate at 0.5% on Thursday.
Joint action lessening interbank spreads
In a sign that central banks' concerted action aimed at easing money market tension is doing just that, banks' borrowing costs fell further on Thursday.
Philippines cuts rates to 5.25%
The Central Bank of the Philippines's rate-setting board voted on Thursday to reduce its benchmark overnight borrowing rate to 5.25%. The decision marks the third rate cut in a row for the central bank.
Taiwan hikes rates to 3.375%
The board of the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on Thursday opted to raise its benchmark discount rate by 12.5 basis points to 3.375%.
Central Bank of Lesotho - Annual Report 2006
Lesotho's economy expanded by 6.2% in 2006, boosted by the strong performance of the manufacturing industry.
East Asian integration must be monitored: Fukui
East Asia's growing economic and financial integration must be closely monitored to avoid negative side effects, said Toshihiko Fukui, the governor of the Bank of Japan.
Currency flexibility needed for China's success
China will need exchange rate flexibility and, eventually, convertibility with open capital markets if it is to carry on succeeding as a large and diverse economy, says Maurice Obstfeld, an academic based at the University of California, Berkeley.
Renminbi revaluation would help dampen inflation
An appreciation of the renminbi against the greenback should lead to the Chinese authorities having more control over inflation, but would have little effect on the size of the United States trade deficit, says Marvin Goodfriend, an academic based at…
Bank of England committee unanimously backed cut
All nine members of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee voted in favour of cutting rates to 5.5% earlier this month, minutes published on Wednesday reveal.
Federal Reserve hardens rules on subprime lending
The Federal Reserve on Tuesday issued a set of proposals for firmer regulations on subprime lending practices aimed at protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive home mortgage lending and advertising.
China SWF invests $5 billion in Morgan Stanley
The China Investment Corporation (CIC) became the latest sovereign wealth fund to capitalise on commercial banks' subprime losses on Wednesday, injecting $5 billion into Morgan Stanley, an American financial services group. The deal could lead to CIC…
Central bank injections reduce borrowing costs
Central banks' attempts to narrow the spread between their benchmark and money market rates by offering funds at attractive costs have met with some success.
Riksbank holds rates at 4%
The Riksbank's rate-setting board voted on Wednesday to keep its benchmark repo rate at 4% despite higher-than-predicted inflation.
SWF stakes should be limited: SNB's Hildebrand
Sovereign wealth funds' stakes in foreign companies must be significantly below the threshold of a controlling minority to avoid a resurgence of state ownership, said Philipp Hildebrand, the vice chairman of the Swiss National Bank.
Fed's Lacker "troubled" by US inflation
Jeffrey Lacker, the president of the Richmond Federal Reserve, said on Wednesday that he was uncomfortable with the inflation picture in the United States.
Globalisation adds importance to monetary policy
A stronger case exists for central banks maintaining price stability as the impact of financial globalisation grows, research by the International Monetary Fund finds.
National Bank of Poland - Annual Report 2006
The Polish economy expanded by 6.1% in 2006, placing it among the most rapidly developing EU states.
ECB adds an extra €170 billion
The European Central Bank (ECB) on Tuesday injected about €170 billion-worth ($245 billion) of extra funds into eurozone money markets after saying on Monday night that it would offer eurozone banks an unlimited amount of two-week loans at below…