Central Banking
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, September 2005
The Federal Reserve published its September 2005 Beige Book survey on 7 September. U.S. business activity increased across the country from mid-July through August even as energy costs rose, according to the report.
Reserve Bank of Australia - Annual Report 2005
The Reserve Bank of Australia published its Annual Report for 2005 on 8 September. The period covered by the report was a period of relative calm as Australia's economic expansion continued into its 14th year, RBA Governor Ian Macfarlane said in the…
King's cricket connection
Mervyn King spent Thursday 8 September watching England play Australia at the Oval in the last Ashes cricket Test. But the Bank of England governor doesn't just watch the game, he is also involved in a campaign to bring more cricket to state schools in…
Interview with IMF's Rodrigo de Rato
In an interview published this week IMF managing director Rodrigo de Rato warns that high oil prices could halt Korea's economic recovery. He also says sluggish export growth could put a brake on the recovery.
OECD needs reform says Japan's candidate
Japan's candidate to become the next secretary-general of the OECD says the group needs to be more responsive to developing countries to avoid losing its importance as an international organization, the Financial Times reports in its international…
Caruana's potential replacements named
According to a report by Expansion this week, there are four names in the hat to replace Jaime Caruana as governor of the Bank of Spain when he steps down in Summer 2006.
Dookeran may lead Trinidad party
The former governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Winston Dookeran, may become leader of the main opposition party in Trinidad after the incumbent announced he would not be running for the post again.
Kyrgyzstan's central bank chief under house arrest
The governor of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ulan Sarbanov, has been placed under house arrest, accused of abuse of power during the rule of deposed president Askar Akayev.
SNB's Hildebrand says rate hikes may be needed
Swiss National Bank board member Philipp Hildebrand said it may be necessary to increase interest rates further if it becomes clear that a 'sustainable improvement of economic prospects' is occurring.
Central banker says China won't revalue yuan again
People's Bank of China deputy governor Ma Delun said the country won't revalue the yuan again after scrapping its peg to the dollar and will buy and sell currencies to prevent "excessive" movements in the exchange rate.
ECB's Trichet sees need for Asian FX rise
European Central Bank President Jean Claude Trichet said on Friday 9 September that in order for the global economy to work better a further appreciation of Asian currencies is needed.
ADB predicts higher GDP growth for China, India
The Asian Development Bank published a report Thursday 8 September forecasting higher GDP growth for China and India, but expressing concerns for Asian countries of higher oil prices.
Snow sees % GDP impact from Hurricane
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow told Bloomberg Television on Friday 9 September that U.S. economic growth would probably dip by closer to 1/2 percentage point in the second half of 2004 because of the Hurricane Katrina.
Berlusconi says government can't force Fazio out
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said Friday 9 September the government can not force Bank of Italy governor Antonio Fazio to resign and only the European Central Bank can intervene.
Comment: Time for central banks to modernise
During the last 20 years, most central banks have been given much more policy autonomy and independence. Along with this have come pressures for more accountability and transparency. This is entirely appropriate as independence and accountability should…
Asia can fight speculators without its own IMF
The Indonesian authorities plan to seek $6 billion in standby funds from Japan to bolster the country's depleting foreign reserves has seen the Indonesian currency slump to a four-year low, this article published on Tuesday 6 September reports.
SARB's Mboweni on the Annual Economic Report 2005
The South African Reserve Bank published its Annual Economic Report 2005 on 24 August. In his address to the shareholders of the Bank, Tito Mboweni said he was pleased to be able to report on another successful year for the South African Reserve Bank…
BIS's Knight on challenges to financial stability
In the speech 'Challenges to financial stability in the current global macroeconomic environment' given on 6 September, Malcolm Knight of the BIS said the global financial system of today is vastly more efficient and resilient to small or moderate shocks…
Chicago's Moskow on the U.S. economic outlook
In the speech 'U.S. economic outlook' given on 7 September Michael Moskow of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said the Federal Reserve will face "a number of judgment calls" in assessing the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the U.S. economy.
ECB Monthly Bulletin, September 2005
The European Central Bank published its September 2005 Monthly Bulletin on Thursday 8 September. The ECB said it needs to exercise 'particular vigilance' on risks to eurozone inflation following the recent increase in oil prices.
Italy's Fazio to miss EU talks on Friday
The Bank of Italy said on Thursday 8 September that its governor Antonio Fazio will not attend the European finance meeting in England which begins on Friday.
Report says Fed rate pause 'not ruled out'
Federal Reserve officials say they are watching to see how financial markets and the economy react to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina before deciding on what action to take at their policy-setting meeting on Sept. 20, the Wall Street Journal…
Uganda upgrades foreign reserve management
The Bank of Uganda (BOU) plans to upgrade its foreign reserve management operations by installing a software system worth one million US dollars.
BOK will 'seriously' consider rate hike next month
Bank of Korea governor Park Seung said the central bank may raise its benchmark interest rate as early as next month as it needs to act before a full economic recovery.