Central Banking
ECB's Weber sees upward risks to inflation
Further European Central Bank action is needed to make sure that eurozone price stability remains in check, European Central Bank Governing Council member Axel Weber said Wednesday 24 January.
Ingves on Sweden's inflation target
In the speech 'Swedish experiences of monetary policy with an inflation target' given on 19 January Stefan Ingves of the Sveriges Riksbank said it is difficult to say anything else than that the changeover in economic policy in Sweden at the beginning of…
BoE's King on UK inflation and monetary policy
In a speech given on 23 January Mervyn King of the Bank of England said inflation in the UK could fall quite sharply this year and that there was room for reasonable people to disagree about the timing or level of interest rate changes. On Wednesday the…
Redrado on monetary policy in Argentina
In the speech 'Overview of monetary and financial policy in Argentina' given on 20 December Martin Redrado of the Central Bank of Argentina said the main obstacle to implementing inflation targeting is the small size of the financial system.
General principles for intl remittance services
The Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) and the World Bank issued a report Tuesday 23 January which provides an analysis of the payment system aspects of remittances, to assist countries that are seeking to improve the market for…
Belgium's Quaden on structural reforms in Europe
In the speech 'Structural reforms in Europe - harmonisation or decentralisation?' given on 12 January Guy Quaden of the National Bank of Belgium said structural reform applies to existing situations which differ radically from one country to another,…
Minutes show BoE split 5-4 on rate increase
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted 5-4 in favour of the surprise rate hike on 11 January, minutes of the meeting published Wednesday 24 January showed.
BoJ policymakers say rate rise is likely
A few Bank of Japan policymakers said the central bank should raise interest rates in January if it were to gain confidence about the economic outlook, according to minutes of the policy board's December meeting, which were released Tuesday 23 January.
More on China's new finance strategy
Following the new strategic guidelines announced by the Chinese prime minister, Wen Jiabao, following the crucial meeting of the Central Financial Committee last weekend, CentralBankNews.com understands that a more detailed document will be published…
Moskow sets retirement, leaving fourth Fed opening
This article published Monday 22 January by Bloomberg notes that Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago president Michael Moskow's departure will leave a fourth high-level opening at the central bank.
China aiming for 'basic balance' in payments
The head of China's currency regulator SAFE said Sunday 21 January that it will ease rules for capital to flow out of the country this year while making it harder for money to enter.
Report says Deloitte's Simor set to be join NBH
Andras Simor, CEO of the Hungary branch of Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu, is most likely to be the next governor of the Hungarian central bank (NBH), business daily Napi Gazdasag said on Tuesday 23 January, citing sources close to the government as saying.
Noyer says no conflict on price stability, growth
Bank of France governor and ECB governing council member Christian Noyer told the Liberation newspaper on Tuesday 23 January current monetary conditions are favourable for growth and there is no conflict between price stability and economic growth.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, December 2006
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for December 2006, published 22 January, was +0.04 in December, up from -0.30 in November. Three of the four broad categories of indicators in the index made negative contributions.
IMF chief calls for flexible yuan, warns BoJ
The head of the International Monetary Fund said Monday 22 January that greater flexibility in China's exchange rate will help Asian economies cope with potential risks from sharp capital inflows.
Buba's Fabritius sees German GDP growth down
Bundesbank executive board member Hans Georg Fabritius said in a speech German GDP growth is expected to be 1.75% this year, down from a 2.7% growth rate in 2006.
Bini Smaghi says ECB rate may rise further
ECB board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi told La Repubblica in an interview published Tuesday 23 January that the ECB's rate is "still accommodating" and may have to rise further if growth expectations are confirmed to avoid excess liquidity.
SF Fed's Yellen on the US economy in 2007
In the speech 'The US economy in 2007: Prospects and puzzles' given on 22 January Janet Yellen of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco said the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy is about right even as a "gangbusters" labor market may fuel…
BIS' Knight on challenges of monetary policy
In the speech 'Objectives and challenges of monetary policy' given on 19 January Malcolm Knight of the BIS said a number of central banks intent on preventive action have actually turned to the use of supervisory instruments to promote credit restraint.
Bies on the economic outlook, mortgage market
In the speech 'Economic outlook and developments in mortgage markets' given on 18 January Susan Bies of the Federal Reserve said weakness in U.S. home building appears not to have spilled over to other sectors, while a slowing in broader price rises is…
Rato on ten years after the Asian currency crisis
In the speech 'Ten years after the Asian currency crisis: Future challenges for the Asian economies and financial markets' given on 22 January Rodrigo de Rato of the IMF said Asian countries are more prepared to handle risks stemming from volatility in…
Why Oman pulled out of the single currency
According to this article from Gulf News, published Sunday 21 January, unique economic challenges mean that recent talk that the GCC monetary union is not necessarily possible could be right.
RBNZ's Spencer to switch to financial stability
Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Alan Bollard announced Tuesday 23 January that assistant governor, head of economics, Grant Spencer, will move to become head of financial stability.
Chicago Fed's Moskow announces plans to step down
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago president Michael Moskow confirmed on Monday 22 January he will retire on 31 August.