Central Banking
SNB's Roth sees risk from low inflation
Swiss National Bank president Jean-Pierre Roth told the bank's general meeting of shareholders Friday 27 April that the SNB will raise interest rates if necessary but expects inflation to remain moderate.
Hedge funds pose financial stability risks - Noyer
Bank of France governor Christian Noyer said in a speech at a Bundesbank conference Friday 27 April financial innovation is partly to blame for the unstable growth in eurozone M3 money supply.
Fed's Fisher sees reduction in inflation trends
President of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, Richard Fisher, said on Thursday 26 April that the US seems to be reducing inflationary fears but the proof is not there yet.
Fukui says rates must adjust if necessary
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Friday 27 April after the policy board left rates unchanged, that the BOJ must raise interest rates once prices are clearly rising and secure growth is seem.
Nepal plans new banking law
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is set to introduce the Bank and Financial Institution Act to allow mergers and acquisitions amongst financial institutions, an NRB official told reporters Friday 27 April.
RBNZ raises OCR to 7.75 percent
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand said Thursday 26 April its Official Cash Rate (OCR) will increase by 25 basis points to 7.75 percent.
ECB's Mersch says rates in tightening phase
European Central Bank Governing Council member Yves Mersch said in an interview with Boersen-Zeitung newspaper published Thursday 26 April that the ECB's phase of interest rate increases isn't over yet.
Greenspan paper: home equity loans raise spending
According to a paper co-authored by former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, US spending could have been raised by about 3 percent a year in recent years with home owners using equity from their properties.
Slovak PM visits ECB
The Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico, visited the European Central Bank (ECB) Thursday 26 April.
Alice in Wonderland riddles not for Dodge
As David Dodge says he will not seek a second term as governor of the Bank of Canada (see our other item on this today), this article from Reuters, published Thursday 26 April, says he was a central banker of refreshing clarity and gained the markets'…
ECB launches consultation on TARGET2
Following its announcement on 8 March, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank decided on Thursday 26 April to launch a public consultation on the general principles and the set of high-level proposals defining the nature and scope of TARGET2…
Kiang on the property sector in Singapore
In the speech 'Review of the property sector in Singapore and Asia' given on 23 April Lim Hng Kiang of the Monetary Authority of Singapore said general positive sentiments suggest that 2007 and the years ahead will be exciting for Asia and its property…
Fed's Kohn on industrial loan companies
In testimony 'Industrial loan companies' given on 25 April Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said called on Congress to close a loophole that encourages the rapid growth in U.S. specialty banks owned by financial companies and retailers.
Bank of England Financial Stability Report, Apr 07
The Bank of England published its latest Financial Stability Report for April 2007 on Thursday 26 April. The report said the U.K.'s financial stability is facing a greater threat than it did in July from low corporate lending rates and growth in markets…
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, April 2007
The Federal Reserve published its April 2007 Beige Book survey on Wednesday 25 April. The report said there were few signs of a pickup in the U.S. economy in the early days of the second quarter.
BoE's Tucker on financial system developments
In the speech 'A perspective on recent monetary and financial system developments' given on 26 April Paul Tucker of the Bank of England suggested that UK interest rates are nearing levels at which they will really cut into economic activity.
Dodge will not seek second term
Bank of Canada governor David Dodge has informed the Board of Directors and the Minister of Finance that he will not seek a second term as governor, the bank said Thursday 25 April. See our other item on this today: 'Alice in Wonderland riddles not for…
Central Bank of Liberia - Annual Report 2006
According to the Central Bank of Liberia's Annual Report 2006, the economic outlook for the country seems bright and favorable because of the consolidation of peace and the economic reform measures that are being designed.
Liikanen on the growth of Finland
In the speech 'The growth of Finland - from a small, underdeveloped country to one of the world's high tech elite' given on March 26 Erkki Liikanen of the Bank of Finland said there are significant risks and policy challenges in the horizon for the…
Hungary's Simor on the road to the euro
In the speech 'On the road to the euro - good governance and effective partnership' given on 19 April Andras Simor of the Central Bank of Hungary said at the central bank, as in every organisation, a balance needs to be created between corporate and…
Italy's Draghi on employment and development
In the speech 'Employment and development - the legacy of Giorgio Gagliani' given on 26 March Mario Draghi of the Bank of Italy said the repercussions of population ageing have already begun to be felt in the Italian labour market.
Akhtar on an effective Islamic financial system
In the speech 'Building an effective Islamic financial system' given on 27 March Shamshad Akhtar of the State Bank of Pakistan said proper and sequenced development of Islamic Finance (IF) would be critical for this industry to emerge as an effective…
Gono is the only ace in Zimbabwe's house of cards
As Zimbabwe's collapse goes from worse to worse with record inflation and a wrecked economy, this article from New Zimbabwe, published Monday 23 April, says only Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono holds the key to Zimbabwe's recovery.
Fed's Bernanke on financial education
In a speech given on 25 April Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said the increase in financial products means that consumers have to be increasingly more financially sophisticated.