Central Banking
Thailand encourages e-payment
The Bank of Thailand plans to reduce cash payments and cheque payments by promoting e-payment with consumers and the public and private sectors.
ECB rate setting analysed
This paper, published by the Institute for Monetary and Financial Stability, uses the ordered-probit technique and variables noted in the European Central Bank's (ECB's) Monthly Bulletin to investigate how the central bank sets rates.
Bank of Guyana - Annual Report 2006
Lawrence Williams, the governor of the central bank, said that, after recording a decline of 1.9% in 2005, Guyana's economy rebounded in 2006 to register real economic growth of 4.7%, exceeding the 4.3% target for the year.
Deputy discusses Australian reaction to turmoil
Ric Battellino, deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, spoke about the central bank's handling of the recent bout of market turmoil at the Retail Financial Services Forum on Central Bank Market Operations in Sydney on 28 August.
3rd Islamic banking conference in Karachi
The third international conference on Islamic Banking and Finance Risk Management, Regulation and Supervision will be held in Karachi during April 2008, according to an announcement by the State Bank of Pakistan.
Cost of UK borrowing hits ten-year high
Banks borrowing sterling over a three-month period yesterday found the cost at a near-ten-year high as the major UK financial institutions sought medium-term funding to help them survive the financial volatility in the credit markets.
EU's Almunia expects rates to tighten
Speaking at a conference organised by Nueva Economia, Joaquin Almunia, the EU economic and monetary affairs commissioner, intimated that he expects Eurozone interest rates to tighten further. He also warned that financial market volatility might carry…
Pakistan banking supervision move
The government of Pakistan is planning to take banking supervision away from the central bank and bring banks under the regulatory control of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) through new legislation, the 'Financial Market…
RBI profits soar
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recorded growth of 182% in gross total income to Rs 75,348 crore ($18.4 billion) during 2006-07 from Rs 26,320 crore last year on the back of the sale of State Bank of India (SBI) shares.
New framework for supervision in Nigeria
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) intend to introduce a comprehensive framework for banking supervision and have sent a draft to banks asking for their comments.
Aging, demand and the structure of wages
Substantial shifts in the age distribution of the working population are being brought about by demographic change.
Algeria's unemployment relatively high
This paper considers the determinants of labour market performance in Algeria.
Singapore's capital markets impressive
Kola Luu, executive director of the financial markets strategy department at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, in a speech at the ACI Forum on 3 September 2007, highlighted the good performance of Singapore's domestic capital markets.
Central Bank of Tunisia - Annual Report 2006
The Central Bank of Tunisia has published its 48th annual report. Covering the year 2006, it analyses the main economic and financial trends prevailing in Tunisia and throughout the world and presents the issuing institution's financial statements,…
Bank-run claims "partially misleading": Bundesbank
The Bundesbank has said newspaper claims that Axel Weber, the president of the central bank, compared the current market turmoil to a classic bank run were "partially misleading".
Strauss-Kahn and Tosovsky vie for top IMF job
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former French finance minister, and Josef Tosovsky, the head of the Financial Stability Institute, are the only two candidates for the top job at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Gambia holds rates at 15%
The Central Bank of the Gambia said that an increase in food prices meant that it had to keep its benchmark rediscount rate at 15%.
Paramonova to leave Russian central bank
Tatiana Paramonova, first deputy chairman of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR), is to quit her office in September.
Fed Board's Mishkin writes on housing crisis
In a timely paper, Frederic Mishkin, one of five current members of the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors, has emphasised the importance of the housing industry on the US economy. Mishkin said: "The housing market is of central concern to monetary…
Central Bank of Libya - 2005 Annual Report
Legislation passed in 2005 has led to a more independent Central Bank of Libya. The Banking Law Number 1 allowed the central bank greater autonomy in deciding monetary and credit policy, and banking supervision.
Islamic finance growing fast - Malaysian governor
Tan Sri Dato' Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, said that the Islamic finance industry is expanding by 15% to 20% a year, with demand outstripping supply.
Thailand to hold risk management event
The Bank of Thailand said on Monday that this year's research event will cover 'Managing Financial Risks for the Coming Decade'.
Bernanke keeps markets guessing
In a wide-ranging review of the causes of the turbulence in financial markets and the role of housing finance in triggering it, Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, committed the Fed to take action as needed to promote financial stability.
Australia announces ATM reforms
The Reserve Bank of Australia said it will introduce reforms that will give the public more information on the cost of using ATMs.