Central Banking
BoJ poised to leave rates unchanged - report
The Bank of Japan is expected to keep interest rates unchanged next week in its final policy board meeting for 2006, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Wednesday 13 December, without citing sources.
SNB raises interest rates by 25 basis points
Swiss National Bank (SNB) president Jean-Pierre Roth told a half-yearly press conference on Thursday 14 December the SNB will continue to pursue its strategy of gradual normalisation of monetary policy if the economy behaves as expected.
Bundesbank to cut another 800 jobs
The Bundesbank said Wednesday 13 December it is to cut an additional 800 jobs over the next six years.
Slovenia 'well prepared' for euro
Slovenia has entered the final phase of preparations for the launch of the euro on New Year's Day, and is ready for the switchover, a central bank official said Thursday 14 December.
Paulson calls on China for looser yuan
U.S. treasury secretary Henry Paulson, called on China to reduce currency controls and clamp down on software piracy in the first round of talks held Thursday 14 December.
Uganda cb optimistic on 2007 growth
The central bank of Uganda is positive about the projected 6% gross domestic product (GDP) growth is within reach next year The New Vision website reported Wednesday 13 December.
Bank of Japan's headwinds complicate recovery
According to this article from Bloomberg, published Tuesday 12 December, there is probably no one more disappointed than Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui about Japan's slow growth.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletin, Dec 2006
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand published the December 2006 issue of its Bulletin on 13 December. The first article of this issue considers the role of core inflation statistics and outlines a range of possible calculation methods.
'The Region' from the Minneapolis Fed, Dec 06
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has published its regular magazine, The Region, for December 2006. The latest edition carries an interview with University of California, Berkeley economist David Card, on immigration, labor supply, minimum wage…
Fischer on the openness of Israel's economy
In the speech 'The openness of Israel's economy to the global economy and the importance of Israel's joining the OECD' given on 11 December Stanley Fischer of the Bank of Israel said it is important that Israel's membership of the OECD remain high on the…
Fullani on the Bank of Albania's progress
In the speech 'Bank of Albania - progress during 2006' given on 8 December Ardian Fullani of the Bank of Albania said that we are carefully evaluating the degree to which the preconditions are met before shifting to fully fledged inflation targeting in…
Liikanen on Finland, EMU and euro
In the speech 'Finland, EMU and euro' given on 1 December Erkki Liikanen of the Bank of Finland said all in all, in its early years, Finnish EMU membership seems to have fulfilled most of its promises and avoided most of its risks.
Polish president proposes surprise NBP candidate
Polish President Lech Kaczynski named economics professor Jan Sulmicki as his candidate for governor of the National Bank of Poland, the president's office said in a statement on Tuesday 13 December.
US Fed keeps benchmark rate unchanged
The U.S. Federal Reserve held key interest rates steady at 5.25 percent for a fourth straight meeting on Tuesday 12 December, while renewing a warning that risks from inflation remain.
Bank of France sees rebound in Q4
The French economy will bounce back in the last three months of 2006 after stalling in the third quarter, according to a Bank of France survey released on Wednesday 13 December.
'Still low' says Mersch on ECB rates
Luxembourg central bank governor Yves Mersch said Wednesday 13 December the European Central Bank's interest rates are "still low".
Norges Bank raises rates to 3.50%
The Norwegian central bank said Wednesday 13 December it has decided to raise the sight deposit rate to 3.50 pct from 3.25 pct, effective from Thursday.
Promoting effective and accountable central banks
According to this article from the Bangkok Post, published Saturday 9 December, authorities must ensure consistency between the objectives of a central bank, its authority, degree of autonomy and accountability.
RBA's Stevens on finance and economic development
In the speech 'Finance and economic development' given on 12 December Glenn Stevens of the RBA said leveraged buyout activity could become a more prominent issue for the nation's financial system over the next five years.
BoE's Tucker on asset prices and uncertainties
In the speech 'Asset price and financial system uncertainties' given on 11 December Paul Tucker of the Bank of England said an interest rate rise in November was needed to ensure that inflation expectations remained well-anchored ahead of the January pay…
Canada's Dodge on financial system efficiency
In the speech 'Improving financial system efficiency: The need for action' given on 11 December David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said Canada's macroeconomic policies are second to none in supporting financial system efficiency, but work is needed to…
Papademos on the ECB's Financial Stability Review
In opening remarks to the ECB's Financial Stability Review press conference given on 11 December Lucas Papademos of the ECB said robust growth of credit to the euro area private sector could pose an upside risk to price stability.
ECB's Financial Stability Review, December 2006
The European Central Bank published its December 2006 Financial Stability Review on 11 December. In the report the ECB said the euro area financial system has proven resilient to adverse disturbances.
Side effects for ECB transparency
This article from the Financial Times, published Monday 11 December, says that a mixture of good luck and good judgment has made this a good year for the ECB.