Central Banking
Sveriges Riksbank Economic Review 4th Quarter 2005
The Sveriges Riksbank has published its Economic Review for the 4th Quarter 2005. The latest edition contains four articles, 'The past ten years - experiences and conclusions,' 'Monetary policy and unemployment,' 'The future relationship between…
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, November 05
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for November 2005 was +0.35, down from +1.02 in October. Three of the four broad categories of indicators that make up the index made positive contributions, while the remaining category made a neutral contribution.
Ireland's Hurley on the central bank & Eurosystem
In the speech 'The central bank and the Eurosystem' given on 6 December John Hurley of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland said the introduction of the single currency has been an historical landmark.
Mario Draghi favourite for Bank of Italy governor
A former head of the Italian treasury, Mario Draghi, is favourite to become the next head of the Bank of Italy following the resignation of Antonio Fazio.
Richmond's Lacker says rate decisions more complex
The president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said Thursday short-term U.S. interest rates probably won't reach a plateau and then remain steady as financial markets now predict.
LDP's Nakagawa says nominal GDP also BOJ target
A senior Liberal Democratic Party executive expressed concern on Thursday 22 December over the Bank of Japan's move to end its policy of quantitative monetary easing as early as next spring.
Italian Senate approves central bank reforms
The Italian Senate the gave final approval on Friday 23 December to a bill that will reform the Bank of Italy.
China says economic growth no threat
China has repeated its intentions to rise peacefully as a global power, insisting that its new found economy would be beneficial to the world.
Bundesbank to decide on gold reserves next year
Germany's Bundesbank will decide next year whether to dispose of its gold reserves, the Financial Times Deutschland reported.
Senate approves former regulator to Chile cen bank
Chile's senate has approved the appointment of former banking regulator Enrique Marshall as the new central bank director for the next 10 years, local press reported.
Padoa-Schioppa to join IASB
Paul Volcker is to be replaced by Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa as head of the trustees who oversee international accounting standards.
White House moving quickly on Fed vacancies
White House Spokesman Scott McClellan has said that the administration is moving "as quickly as we can" to fill the two current vacancies on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Germany nominates Stark for ECB Board
The German government has nominated Bundesbank Vice-President Juergen Stark to join the European Central Bank's Executive Board when its chief economist, Otmar Issing, retires next year.
IMF Paper: Debt overhang or debt irrelevance?
The IMF Working Paper 'Debt overhang or debt irrelevance? Revisiting the debt growth link' published December 2005 asks whether Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) suffer from a debt overhang. Is debt relief going to improve their growth rates, it…
Canada's Dodge on protecting economic integrity
In a speech given on 25 October, and published 20 December, David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said Canada is at risk of becoming a safe haven for white collar crime.
BOJ's monetary policy
This article published on Tuesday 20 December addresses the question of when the Bank of Japan should end its exceptionally easy credit policy which, it says, is stirring a bitter debate among policy-makers.
Richmond's Lacker on the economic outlook for 2006
In the speech 'The economic outlook for 2006' given on 21 December Jeffrey Lacker of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said the US economy appears set for a soft economic landing in which growth is solid, inflation low, and workers and businesses…
Central Bank of Ireland, Quarterly Bulletin 4/2005
The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland has published its Fourth Quarterly Bulletin for 2005. In its latest Bulletin the central bank said that the broad picture for the Irish economy is generally good, despite a high degree of…
Fukui sees strong chance of core CPI rising
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said in a speech on Thursday 22 December that there is a good chance that Japan's core consumer price index will increase steadily as the world's second-largest economy starts beating deflation.
Trichet defends ECB's rate rise
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet told Der Spiegel magazine that the ECB's recent decision to increase interest rates would increase confidence and encourage investment in the eurozone.
Argentina to pay off IMF debts at start of 2006
Argentine President Nestor Kirchner said on Wednesday 21 December that his country will clear its debt with the International Monetary Fund on 2 January next year, instead of the previously announced next Thursday.
Deloitte awarded contract at Irish central bank
Deloitte and Touche has been awarded a contract to carry out an external audit at the Irish central bank.
Thailand to speed up adoption of e-payment
The Bank of Thailand plans to accelerate the adoption of electronic payment in place of cash and cheque settlement to cut financial costs and ensure efficient and quick services.
Comment: The benefits of Basel II's colleges
How efforts to implement the new Basel accord are yielding unexpected benefits, with supervisors finding that through their meetings in "colleges", they are learning more about each other's business, how they approach their work and what they need from…