Central Banking
Comment: The IMF ducks challenges
The meeting of the IMF, the World Bank and G7 finance ministers and central bankers have as usual afforded influential international policymakers the opportunity to reflect on the role of these international institutions. Key is the role of the IMF.
Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, Autumn 2005
The Bank of England released its Quarterly Bulletin Autumn 2005 on Monday. The Bulletin includes the article "Assessing the MPC's fan charts" which says the Bank's use of fan charts has given a 'reasonably good guide' to the risks surrounding the outlook…
Fed's Olson on challenges for the banking industry
In the speech 'Business trends and management challenges for the banking industry' given on 16 September Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve called on U.S. lenders to use care with "non-traditional" types of home mortgages such as interest-only and…
RBA Financial Stability Review, September 2005
The Reserve Bank of Australia published the September 2005 edition of its Financial Stability Review on Monday 26 September. The Australian financial system remains in good shape, according to the latest Review.
NY Fed's Rutledge on bank supervision
In the speech 'Bank supervision and financial center development' given on 1 September William Rutledge of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said the Federal Reserve's efforts as a supervisor have contributed to the strength and resiliency of our…
BOJ's Fukui on the global economy
In a speech given on 25 September Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan emphasized the central bank's commitment to eradicating deflation.
Riksbank reallocates gold and for ex reserves
Sweden's Riksbank said it intends to sell up to 10 tonnes of the gold reserve in the period from 27 September 2005 to 26 September 2006.
Communique from G10 ministers and governors
The Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the countries of the Group of Ten met in Washington, D.C. on 25 September.
ECB to give opinion on reforms, Fazio in 1-2 weeks
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said in an interview in La Stampa Sunday 25 September that the ECB will give its opinion on Italian government plans to reform the Bank of Italy, and on current governor Antonio Fazio's conduct, within…
Zhou says yuan rate need not reflect trade
China's exchange rate should not reflect its large trade surplus with the United States, People's Bank of China chief Zhou Xiaochuan said in a interview published on Saturday 24 September.
Eurozone rates appropriate says Weber
ECB governing council member Axel Weber said on Sunday 25 September ECB interest rates were appropriate, despite a rise in German consumer prices.
Italy's Fazio loses World Bank role
Italy's government stripped Bank of Italy governor Antonio Fazio of his ability to represent the country at a World Bank meeting. The move came after Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called on the ECB to help oust Fazio.
G7 worry over high oil prices
Finance ministers from the G7 richest nations said that sky-high oil prices were a worry and warned fuel costs could hit global economic growth.
Comment: Chinese gradualism
The invitation of China's finance minister and central bank governor to the G7 meeting in Washington this week would have dispelled any suggestion that "yuan politics" would not be a major talking point. But has anything new actually been said? The…
Interview with ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet
In an interview published on Wednesday 21 September, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet called for determined economic reforms from the next German government as well as other European nations.
Paraguay's banking regulator chief resigns
Paraguay's banking regulator Rodrigo Ortiz has resigned from his post, a central bank source confirmed, according to Bnamericas. Ortiz had been head of the banking regulatory agency since 2003.
No rest for RBA governor in final year
According to this article published on Thursday 22 September, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Ian Macfarlane has one last tricky year to negotiate before bowing out as arguably the country's most successful central bank chief.
St Louis Fed names new first vice president
David A. Sapenaro, 42, has been named first vice president and chief operating officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
No formula for selecting Fed chair
With the US Senate having to confirm a new chair of the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors soon, this article published on Tuesday 20 September asks what is more important to formulating successful monetary policies, profound study of economics or…
Central Bank of Iceland appoints new chairman
The Central Bank of Iceland has appointed Davi Oddsson governor and chairman of the Board of Governors. The move followed Birgir sleifur Gunnarsson's decision to retire.
Phil Fed's Santomero on the evolution of payments
In the speech 'The evolution of payments in the US: Paper vs. electronic' given on 10 September Anthony Santomero of the Philadelphia Fed said credit and debit cards are rapidly replacing paper checks as the most popular means of payment in the United…
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, August 2005
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for August 2005 was +0.10 down from +0.28 in July. Three of the four broad categories of indicators that make up the index - employment, consumption and housing, and sales, orders, and inventories - made positive…
Canada's Dodge on financial system efficiency
In the speech 'Financial system efficiency: Getting the regulatory framework right' given on 22 September David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said that the inflation rate can be expected to rise in coming months, thanks largely to high energy costs, which…
Fed's Olson on regulatory relief
In testimony 'Regulatory relief' given on 22 September Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said federal regulators see no evidence of significant funding difficulties or problems with balance sheet management at banks in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.