Central Banking
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, March 2007
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for March 2007, published 23 April, was +0.01 in March, up from -0.11 in February.
European Central Bank - Annual Report 2006
According to the European Central Bank's Annual Report 2006, in 2006 the euro area economy expanded robustly.
Papademos on the ECB's Annual Report
In a speech given on 23 April Lucas Papademos of the ECB said with regard to structural reforms, euro area countries have become increasingly aware in recent years of the need to adjust to the challenges of increased global competition.
Philippines' Tetangco on harnessing credit
In the speech 'Harnessing credit for a better life for all' given on 19 April Amando Tetangco of the Central Bank of the Philippines said access to credit is an important element of economic development.
Sweden's Ingves on central bank communication
In the speech 'Communication - what demands are made of an independent central bank?' given on 24 April Stefan Ingves of the Sveriges Riksbank said ever since the inflation target was introduced, transparency has been a guiding principle for Sweden's…
ECB member positive on low eurozone inflation
ECB Executive Board member Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell said in an interview with Viennese daily Der Kurier that Europe's growth prospects remained "very positive" and eurozone inflation will probably stay below 2% this year.
ECB's Weber says inflation outlook requires data
European Central Bank Governing Council member Axel Weber said in an interview published Tuesday 24 April that the ECB should not neglect longer-term inflation risks.
King says UK inflation may dive
Bank of England governor Mervyn King said Tuesday 24 April that he expects the CPI annual inflation rate to fall back sharply in the next 4-6 months.
Ex-central bank chief named Mauritania's PM
Mauritania's President Sidi Mohammad Ould Cheikh Abdallahi named former central bank governor Zein Ould Zeidane prime minister late on Friday 20 April.
Bank of Canada holds rates unchanged
The Bank of Canada announced Tuesday 24 April that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 4 1/4 per cent. The bank said Canadian economic growth has been roughly in line with its expectations.
Zhou Xiaochuan, the one million dollar man
What can you do in one minute? Add $1 million to China's currency reserves, according to this recent article from Bloomberg. 'Simply stunning,' according to one economist who predicts big problems if things don't change.
Interview with Dallas Fed's Fisher
In an interview with USA Today, published Monday 23 April, Dallas Fed president Richard Fisher says gaining a better knowledge of globalisation may help the Fed tackle inflation.
Debit card and cash usage: Cross-country analysis
This Chicago Fed Working Paper finds that while check usage declined and has almost disappeared in some countries, the stock of currency in circulation has not declined as fast.
Fed's Mishkin on the U.S. economic outlook
In the speech 'The U.S. economic outlook' given on 20 April Frederic Mishkin of the Federal Reserve said 'elevated' core inflation should come down if US interest rates stay at current levels.
Deutsche Bundesbank Monthly Report, March 2007
The Deutsche Bundesbank published the English version of its March 2007 Monthly Report on Friday 20 April. The report said the German economy continued to grow at a robust pace in the fourth quarter of 2006.
SF Fed's Yellen on community development
In the speech 'Community development: Opportunities in low-income and minority communities' given on 19 April Janet Yellen of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco said community development efforts still face gaps in access to credit and capital for…
Richmond's Lacker on inflation and unemployment
In the speech 'Inflation and unemployment' given on 11 April Jeffrey Lacker of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said the centrality of inflation expectations in the modern Phillips curve reinforces the importance of consistency and credibility in…
Garganas says press reports wrongly quote him
Bank of Greece governor and European Central Bank committee member Nicholas Garganas issued a press release Monday 23 April denying making a statement in press reports that a stronger euro may mean the ECB doesn't have to raise interest rates again.
China's Fan says FX can't solve imbalances alone
People's Bank of China adviser Fan Gang said Saturday 21 April that China's external imbalances will not be solved by varying the yuan exchange rate alone.
Kate Barker reappointed to Bank of England's MPC
Kate Barker, who recently completed the Barker Review of Land Use Planning, was reappointed to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) for a further three-year term on Monday 23 April, becoming the first external member to serve a third…
Bini Smaghi pushing IMF reform
After the recent report on reforming the IMF and criticism of it from Mervyn King, among others, European Central Bank executive board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi said in an article in the FT that emerging economies should accept that the IMF needs a…
Is Reddy ready to raise rates?
With inflation rising in India, this article from Moneycontrol asks whether the Reserve Bank of India will tighten policy when it meets on Tuesday 24 April.
Is the IADB becoming irrelevant?
Alternative lenders could make the Inter-American Development Bank increasingly obsolete if it does not find a niche for itself, this article from Latin America Press published Monday 23 April says.
Hungary's Simor wants clearer communication
The recently appointed governor of Hungary's central bank (NBH), Andras Simor, told a press conference on Monday 23 April that the NBH's Monetary Council must improve its communication.