Central Banking
Colombia researches ratings
The Bank of Colombia has published a paper that estimates transition matrices for the ratings on financial institutions.
Central Bank of Ireland 2006 annual report
The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland has published its 2006 annual report.
Real effective exchange rates in WAEMU
A new paper from the IMF investigates the long-run equilibrium paths of the real effective exchange rates (REERs) of countries in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).
Central Bank of Oman - annual report 2007
Oman's economy grew at 15.6% in 2006 the central bank reports in its annual report for 2006.
New Zealand central bank defends policy framework
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published its submission to the government's inquiry into the future monetary policy framework.
Calls for New Zealand to drop inflation target
The New Zealand stock exchange operator, New Zealand Exchange (NZX), has called for on the country's central bank to abandon its strict inflation target. Michael Cullen, the finance minister, called the suggestion "very interesting and very well…
Singaporean wealth fund warns of protectionism
One of Singapore's state investment companies, Temasek Holdings, says it is concerned about the threat of protectionist backlash against sovereign wealth funds.
Mboweni dismisses calls for intervention
The governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Tito Mboweni, dismissed the suggestion of a group a renowned economic advisors to the government.
Peruvian rates on hold
Peru's central bank kept interest rates unchanged on 2 August, after last month's unexpected rate rise.
Bank of Korea to restrict foreign borrowing
The Bank of Korea is about to impose new restriction on the amount of foreign currency borrowing South Korean companies can undertake.
Central Bank of Nigeria 2006 annual report
The Central Bank of Nigeria notes in its annual report for 2006 that macroeconomic stability was achieved through non-accommodating monetary policy and prudent fiscal policies by the federal government.
Trichet signals September hike
The European Central Bank (ECB) today left interest rates unchanged at 4%. In a surprise press conference after the announcement, Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the central bank, dropped a strong hint that rates will rise at the next meeting in…
Bank of England leaves rates unchanged
The Bank of England today announced that it would leave its benchmark interest rate at 5.75%. The decision to hold rates steady was widely expected, though most economists expect rates to rise to 6% before the end of this year.
Poole says Fed should not react to volatility
William Poole, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, says there is no need for the Fed to react immediately to recent volatility in the financial markets.
Malawi makes first rate cut in three years
The Reserve Bank of Malawi, the country's central bank, reduced its bank rate to 17.5% from 20% yesterday, encouraged by falling inflation and a strong economic turnaround.
Bernanke's prudent investments
Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, is a cautious investor, which a portfolio of financial assets consisting of mostly US Treasury securities, mutual funds and annuities.
Chinese capital controls
This working paper by the Bank for International Settlements finds that China's capital controls have allowed the authorities to retain some degree of short-term monetary autonomy, despite the fixed exchange rate.
Randall Kroszner testimony
In testimony during his confirmation hearing, Randall Kroszner, a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, said the central bank has achieved much success in reducing and stabilising inflation and inflation expectations over the quarter…
Explaining inflation differentials
This working paper by the International Monetary Fund suggests that some central banks may aim at comparatively high inflation rates mainly to make up for, and to perhaps exploit, lagging internal and external liberalisation in their economies.
Banque de France - annual report 2006
Christian Noyer, the governor of the Banque de France, today presented the central bank's annual report to the country's president.
Italian government eyes reserves for debt payment
The Italian government is proposing to use part of the central bank's gold and currency reserves to pay down national debt, which is currently at 107% of the country's gross national product. The country's parliament has approved a resolution calls for…
Bank of Japan plans gradual share sale
The Bank of Japan is considering ways to limit the market impact of its move to start selling shares in the country's commercial banks, bought between November 2002 and September 2004, by October this year.
Thailand mulls external reserves managers
Tarisa Watanagase, the governor of the Bank of Thailand, says the central bank may outsource the management of part of its $73 billion reserve holdings to maximise investment returns.
China plans deposit insurance
The People's Bank of China is looking into the establishment of a deposit insurance scheme to protect depositors should a bank collapse.