Central Banking
Riksbank's Srejber on the power of transparency
In a speech on 'The power of transparency for macroeconomic discipline' given on 11 November, Eva Srejber of the Sveriges Riksbank said the experience of central banks is that transparency and goals help form expectations and behaviour, enlisting the…
The leak in China's banking system
The People's Bank of China's surprise decision to raise interest rates for the first time in nine years on 28 October prompted much speculation on the reason for the move. Some commentators said it marks the beginning of a liberalized interest-rate…
Korea cuts interest rates to record low
The Bank of Korea unexpectedly cut interest rates to a record low of 3.25 per cent on Thursday 11 November, moving its policy focus to growth from inflation.
Report says Taiwan concerned on hot money
Taiwan's central bank has indicated concerns over hot money inflows to Asia and the impact of an appreciation of currencies in the region, the Economic Daily News reported.
Gonzalez-Paramo says ex rate volatility excessive
Jose Gonzalez-Paramo, a member of the European Central Bank's governing council, said the ECB sees the volatility of the euro/dollar exchange rate as "excessive" after the euro broke the psychologically important 1.3 dollar threshold.
EU, ECB hail Japan's progress on bad loans
The European Union and the European Central Bank on Thursday 11 November celebrated the progress made by Japan's banking sector in reducing its bad loans, which have conspired to keep Japan in an economic downturn following the early 1990s asset price…
Electrician short circuits NY Fed computers
An electrician who was fired after he was caught using a home made electrical testing device on the computer circuit breakers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York then took the NY Fed to court claiming his sacking was a set up.
Changes to New Zealand's `silver' coins?
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced on 11 November details of proposals to modernise New Zealand's `silver' coloured coins. The Reserve Bank emphasised that no decisions have been made, and is now seeking feedback from the public.
Federal Reserve raises rates to 2%
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Wednesday 10 November to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 2 per cent. The FOMC said "Output appears to be growing at a moderate pace despite the rise in energy prices, and…
ECB Monthly Bulletin, November 2004
The European Central Bank published its November 2004 Monthly Bulletin on Thursday 11 November, saying in its regular quarterly 'Survey of Professional Forecasters', that the experts had revised downward their growth forecast for 2005 to 2% from 2.1%…
Trichet on the ECB's use of statistics
In a speech on 'The ECB's use of statistics and other information for monetary policy' given on 11 November, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the ECB has to avoid overreacting to short-term movements in economic data.
ECB's Papademos on the economic outlook
In a speech on 'The economic outlook and the ECB's monetary policy: some key issues' given on 11 November, Lucas Papademos of the ECB said higher oil prices are having a noticeable affect on inflation in the euro zone countries and growth will be hurt if…
IMF's Rato to make first visit to Moscow
IMF director general Rodrigo Rato is set to visit Moscow November 16-18 on his first trip there since taking the helm of the Fund in June, his spokesman said.
Italy suggests joint action to stabilise euro
Domenico Siniscalco, Italy's economy minister, was quoted by several news agencies on Wednesday 10 November as saying of the euro that "a co-ordinated intervention is being talked about again, not a unilateral intervention. That would not help."
Fukui unsure when BoJ can change monetary policy
Governor of the Bank of Japan Toshihiko Fukui said that although the Japanese economy continues to recover, various factors cloud the outlook as to when Japan may emerge from deflation and allow the BoJ to abandon its current ultra-easy monetary policy.
HKMA's Yam says yuan likely fixed for long time
Joseph Yam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, said in a speech that China is unlikely to relax controls that keep its currency tied closely to the US dollar until after it manages a soft landing for its overheated economy.
Jarai says Hungary could miss 2010 euro target
The head of the National Bank of Hungary Zsigmond Jarai said stricter economic policies need to be introduced or Hungary won't be able to adopt the euro at its current target date of 2010.
SARB, Monetary Policy Review, Nov 2004
The South African Reserve Bank has published its Monetary Policy Review for November 2004. Inflation has remained within the target range for the past 13 months. This outcome was achieved through responsible monetary and fiscal policies, improved…
Canada's Longworth on stability & predictability
In a speech on 'The Bank of Canada: Striving for Stability, Predictability, and Confidence' given on 8 November, David Longworth of the Bank of Canada said that, in all of its functions, the Bank of Canada strives for stability, predictability, and…
BNB's Quaden on prospects of the European economy
In a speech on 'Prospects and challenges of the European economy' given on 27 October Guy Quaden of the National Bank of Belgium said the challenges are known and the analyses are completed. "So I believe Europe can implement the Lisbon agenda. The…
Sweden to withdraw some older notes and coins
The Sveriges Riksbank announced on 9 November that the Riksdag (the Swedish parliament) decided on 27 October, following a proposal from the Riksbank, that some older series of banknotes and coins shall cease being legal tender after 31 December 2005.
Bank of England Inflation Report, November 2004
The Bank of England published its November 2004 Inflation Report on 10 November. In the report the Bank cut its forecast for UK economic growth in 2005 to about 2.5 per cent from 3.1 per cent and said that inflation may accelerate less than expected.
PBOC deputy says no timetable for revaluation
People's Bank of China Deputy Governor Guo Shuqing said on Tuesday 9 November, on the sidelines of the G10 meeting in Basel, that China had no timetable for a revaluation of its currency.
ECB's Issing concerned on eurozone inflation
European Central Bank (ECB) chief economist Otmar Issing said in an interview that eurozone inflation is higher than the bank would like it to be, and it is watching inflation developments with concern.