Central Banking
IMF's Rato calls for 'market value' yuan
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo Rato on Sunday 8 January said China should take full advantage of its decision last year to introduce more flexibility to its currency regime.
Caruana to leave Basel Committee in July
Jaime Caruana said on Monday 9 January he will step down as chairman of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision when he leaves his post as governor of the Bank of Spain in July this year.
Jean-Pierre Roth to chair BIS Board
The Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) on Monday 9 January elected as its new Chairman Jean-Pierre Roth, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank.
Argentina to buy euros to restock reserves
Argentina's central bank will begin buying euros in the foreign exchange market to help bolster its foreign reserves, which were sharply reduced to pay back the country's debt with the IMF, a central bank official said on Sunday 8 January.
Soros expects global economy slow down in 2007
International financier George Soros said in Singapore Monday 9 January that he expects a global recession in 2007 if the U.S. housing market continues to cool after the Fed halts it rate hike campaign.
Gold rises on central bank buying rumours
The gold price had been lent further momentum by investors anticipating central banks would deliver on comments they would buy gold, Bloomberg News reported.
Danmarks Nationalbank, Monetary Review 4th Q 2005
The Danmarks Nationalbank's Monetary Review for the Fourth Quarter 2005 notes that even though oil prices are very high, momentum in the global economy remains robust.
Norges Bank, Economic Bulletin, December 2005
Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, has published its December 2005 Economic Bulletin. The latest Bulletin includes the article "Norges Bank's role in cash distribution" the major changes Norges Bank has made in its cash operations during the past…
Muto: Price stability, central bank responsibility
In the speech 'Price stability and central banks' responsibility' given on 2 December (published 29 December) Toshiro Muto of the Bank of Japan said he holds a different view from other central bank policymakers who say the bank should end its ultra-easy…
Fed may take pass at Jan. 31 meeting
According to this article published on Thursday 5 January, there's an outside chance the Federal Reserve could pass on raising rates on 31 January following 25-basis-point moves at each of the last 13 meetings. The next move skywards would put the Fed's…
Atlanta Fed names vice president
John Robertson was named vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on Tuesday 3 January.
IMF's Rato to visit Brazil on January 10-11
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, will visit Brazil on January 10-11, 2006, at the invitation of the President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva to mark the nation's early repayment of its outstanding obligations to the Fund.
Euro 'War of the words' continues
Latvia has poured oil on the fire in the standoff over the Eurozone common currency spelling (EURO) and supported Malta for sticking to its principles in wanting to use the spelling which is correct according to its national language.
First woman takes over as SBP chief
The first woman ever to be appointed as the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) took up her position on Monday 2 January.
Interview with ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet
In recent comments European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said that monetary policy "cannot resolve all problems by itself". "We need profound structural reforms to increase our growth potential", Trichet warned.
Bernanke may have to grow up fast
Alan Greenspan's first major test came a mere 10 weeks into his tenure as chairman of the Federal Reserve, with the stock market crash of 1987. This article published on Wednesday 4 January looks at the challenges that could face Ben Bernanke when he…
Are we headed toward one world currency?
This article published on Friday 6 January suggests that we are unlikely to see one world currency in our lifetimes, but that we may see a new currency zone develop in China.
Asian FX intervention may have less bite this time
Asian central banks have made it clear they are not happy with a surge in their currencies as 2006 gets under way, this article published on Friday 6 January notes.
Argentina's Kirchner replaces Lavagna
Argentine President Nestor Kirchner yesterday replaced Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna on Monday 2 January following disagreements between the two with regard to inflation.
Interview with Hans Tietmeyer
Former Bundesbank president Hans Tietmeyer said in comments published Friday 6 January, that it's too early to pass final judgment on the legacy passed down by Alan Greenspan. "He is an impressive personality. He is open to debate. You can use all…
Bundesbank rejects report of 1,500 job cuts
The German government is planning to cut about 1,500 jobs at the Bundesbank by the end of 2007, Der Spiegel magazine reported, quoting a letter Barbara Hendricks, secretary of state to the finance ministry, sent to Volker Wissing, a member of the lower…
BOJ official sees steady progress on deflation
Japan is making steady progress in its fight against deflation as consumer prices appear set to keep rising amid a balanced economic recovery, a senior Bank of Japan official said Friday 6 January.
Korea using all means to weaken currency
South Korea's finance ministry said on Friday 6 January it would mobilise all possible means to curb the won's recent sharp appreciation against the US dollar.
Taiwan says FX turnover no intervention indicator
The Central Bank of Taiwan has urged speculators to stop second-guessing central bank policy actions on the Taiwan dollar on the basis of the forex market's daily turnover.