Central Banking
The Netherlands Bank - Annual Report 2005
According to The Netherlands Bank's Annual Report 2005, in 2005 Dutch gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.1%, half the growth rate realised in the previous year.
FMC's Basel II Update
The Financial Markets Center published a new survey on Monday 24 July indicating that global implementation of Basel II capital standards is occurring at an uneven pace and only a minority of countries will meet the target starting date of January 2007.
Changes to RBNZ's Bond Lending Facility
In consultation with the New Zealand Debt Management Office, The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced Friday 21 July that, as from Monday, it will make the following changes to its Bond Lending Facility.
Bahrain OKs establishment of central bank
Bahrain's Shura Council has approved the setting up of the Bahrain Central Bank, which will replace the Bahrain Monetary Agency but with more powers, according to Mena Report.
Lebanon's Salameh says currency 'stable'
Lebanon's currency is stable and its banks' reserves remain liquid despite the ongoing Israeli bombing campaign, the central bank governor said in an interview with Britain's Financial Times newspaper published Monday 24 July.
China may tighten policy more - report
China will tighten policy more aggressively if measures already taken fail to cool the red-hot economy, a central bank official said in remarks published on Monday 24 July.
SNB's Hildebrand says Middle East a risk
Philipp Hildebrand, a member of the Swiss National Bank's (SNB) governing board said in an interview the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah constitutes a new risk factor.
Noyer concerned over oil, house prices
Bank of France governor Christian Noyer voiced concern in an interview with Le Figaro over the high level of oil prices and the recent strong rise in French house prices.
Comment: Small steps or big bang?
A recent collection of papers published by the Bank for International Settlement (BIS) adopts a cautious line in advocating inflation targeting for poor African countries, which may lack the "preconditions" for the regime.
Central Bank of Namibia - Annual Report 2005
According to the Central Bank of Namibia's Annual Report 2005, following the robust economic growth in 2004, the Namibian economy was estimated to grow at a slower pace during 2005.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Jul 2006
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's July 2006 Business Outlook Survey, activity in the region's manufacturing sector continued to expand in July, but at a somewhat slower pace than in June.
ECB paper on the impact of policy decisions
The ECB Working Paper "The impact of ECB monetary policy decisions and communication on the yield curve" analyses high-frequency changes in the euro area money market yield curve on dates when the ECB regularly sets and communicates decisions on policy…
Monetary policy rules in the pre-EMU era
The ECB Working Paper "Monetary policy rules in the pre-EMU era: Is there a common rule?" analyses the period 1993 to 1998 saying there is no clear agreement regarding the monetary policy pursued in the member countries during the convergence process.
Roseman on coin and currency issues
In testimony 'Coin and currency issues' given on 19 July Louise Roseman of the Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment Systems said a law requiring the Treasury Department to issue new Presidential $1 coin designs every year may not foster…
RBA's Battellino on regional capital flows
In the speech 'Regional capital flows' given on 28 June (published 21 July) Ric Battellino of the RBA said cross-border capital flows are growing and they are having an increased bearing on our work as policy-makers.
BOJ strengthens internal regulations
The Bank of Japan's board approved internal rules on Friday 21 July that ban its leadership from engaging in most types of transaction.
ACU calls for new members
The Asian Clearing Union (ACU) concluded its two-day technical committee meeting Wednesday 19 July calling for the admission of countries beyond the ESCAP Asia/Pacific region.
ECB sets Nov 2007 date for TARGET2
The European Central Bank on Friday 21 July confirmed the starting date for its payment system TARGET2 as 19 Nov 2007.
Muto says BOJ will take its time with rate rises
Bank of Japan deputy governor Toshiro Muto said Friday 21 July the central bank will take its time with future interest rate increases, and the current accommodative conditions are likely to stay for now.
Minutes show Fed unsure on future rate path
Federal Reserve officials were uncertain about future interest rate steps at their last meeting, minutes released Thursday 20 July showed.
Some BOJ members wanted 0.5% hike - report says
Jiji Press reported on Friday 21 July that three Bank of Japan Policy Board members sought a steeper increase in the official discount rate at the central bank's meeting last week.
Comment: Scorecard for the euro
When the single European currency was launched, its expected boost to trade was one of, if not the main, benefits promised. Two recent studies question whether this promise has been met.
Tumusiime-Mutebile on central banking in E Africa
In the speech 'The way ahead for central banking in East Africa' given on 3 July Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile of the Bank of Uganda said though the rationale for the central banking course is as noble today as it was at its inception, the concerns are…
Bank of Mozambique - Annual Report 2005
According to the Bank of Mozambique's Annual Report 2005, despite the shocks the Mozambican economy was exposed to in 2005, the macroeconomic performance stayed within the initial projections.