Central Banking
DNB's Wellink on Duisenberg's legacy
In a speech at Wim Duisenberg's memorial service given on 6 August Nout Wellink of the DNB said his open manner of communicating was enhanced by another quality: his ability to delegate and bestow trust, even on very young employees.
Is Japan ready for 50-year debt?
The Japanese government bond market is the world's biggest, but also among the least international, according to this article published on Monday 8 August. Perhaps the U.S. Treasury's move to issue new 30-year debt early next year will encourage Japan to…
IMF's Rato concludes Ukraine visit
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, issued a statement Friday 5 August at the conclusion of his visit to Kiev. The IMF chief said he was confident on Ukraine's economic outlook.
Economist says China should resist yuan pressure
A senior Chinese economist and government advisor has said China should not give in to further US pressure to change the value of the yuan following last months shift.
Malaysia reports reserve increase
The international reserves of Bank Negara surged to RM298.7 billion (US$78.7 billion) as at 29 July. This was a RM12.89 billion increase from the 15 July figure, the BNM said.
Kosovo's BPK unlikely to become central bank
The head of Pillar IV has said the Banking and Payment Authority of Kosovo (BPK) will not be denominated as the central bank.
Study says euro could be top reserve by 2022
A paper published this week says the euro could replace the dollar as the world's dominant reserve currency within 20 years if Britain and other EU countries adopted the unit and the US currency continues to slide.
The future of EMU: one size fits none?
According to the forthcoming edition of Central Banking, inflation and output gap differentials have grown between European states since the inception of the EMU in 1999. If these continue to worsen, the resulting tensions would put a big strain on…
Italy's Fazio on economic developments
In the speech 'Economic developments and the banking system' given on 13 July Antonio Fazio of the Bank of Italy said there are signs that the world economy is slowing down with respect to its exceptional expansion last year, but growth remains robust.
MAS's Keat on the 2004/2005 Annual Report
In a speech given on 22 July Heng Swee Keat of the Monetary Authority of Singapore said the Singapore economy grew by a robust 8.4 percent in 2004 supported by buoyant global economic conditions, with broad-based growth across all major sectors.
Christopher Cox sworn in as SEC chairman
With his wife Rebecca standing at his side, Christopher Cox took the oath of office to become the 28th Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission from Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan on Wednesday 3 August.
Wim Duisenberg
This obituary for former European Central Bank president Wim Duisenberg, who died on Sunday 31 July, contrasts his rough ride at the ECB with the high reputation he had enjoyed among fellow central bankers during his tenure as governor of the…
Rwandan Fin Min named to African Development Bank
Rwandan Finance Minister, Mr Donald Kaberuka (54) has been elected President of the African Development Bank Group (ADB) during the extraordinary Meeting of ADB Governors held on 21-22 July 2005 in Tunis.
Progress toward regional integration in the WAEMU
The IMF Working Paper "Ten years after the CFA franc devaluation: Progress toward regional integration in the WAEMU" takes stock of the achievements toward integration in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) 10 years after the 1994…
Fed's Gramlich to join University of Michigan
The University of Michigan has selected Professor Edward Gramlich to serve as interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, effective 1 September, with approval from the university's board of regents.
White House may be considering Lindsey for Fed
The White House is expanding its search for a successor for Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, according to a report Thursday, including former Bush adviser Lawrence Lindsey among the candidates.
Where does Greenspan keep HIS money?
Financial disclose forms released by the Federal Reserve recently show that chairman Alan Greenspan plays it safe when it comes to his own investments.
South Africa cuts dollar buying in July
Data released by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on Friday 5 August showed that it had lowered its dollar purchases in July.
SARB's Mboweni at G20 seminar on economic growth
In a speech given on 3 August Tito Mboweni of the South African Reserve Bank said the Reserve Bank has been making an important contribution to macroeconomic stability, creating a stable framework for growth.
BOJ's Fukui on new trends in financial services
In the speech 'New trends in financial services: Creation of innovative retail services' given on 21 July (published 4 August), Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said with the Japanese financial system is regaining its stability, the BOJ has taken a…
Trichet says ECB's 2% rate is appropriate
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet defended the decision to maintain interest rates in the euro zone at 2% in a radio interview Friday 5 August describing them as "appropriate".
G20 seminar on economic growth begins
The central banks of South Africa, Mexico and China are co-hosting a seminar in Pretoria to find ways of sustaining economic growth, particularly for the developing world.
Shocks may pose threat to China, says Nobel winner
Edward Prescott, the Nobel 2004 economics prize laureate, told an economics conference in Singapore on Friday 5 August China's fast growth rate may mean the economy is vulnerable to external shocks.
Study says rupee almost pegged to dollar
A study presented to the Singapore Economic Review Conference on Friday 5 August suggests the Indian rupee is virtually pegged to the US dollar, despite the RBI saying it adopts a "managed float" for the currency.