Central Banking
IMF optimistic on Japanese economy
The International Monetary Fund upgraded its economic outlook for Japan on Wednesday 11 Augustand said it expects price deflation there to end next year.
Japanese buy up record US bonds
Japanese investors bought a record amount of foreign bonds last week, Reuters said. Data released on Thursday 12 August showed Japanese investors bought a net 1.859 trillion yen ($16.8 billion) of foreign bonds in the week of Aug. 2-6, in the run-up to…
RBI launches new trading system
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to launch electronic anonymous screen-based trading in government securities on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS).
Guan on Singapore's economy and financial sector
In a speech on 'Review of Singapore's economy and financial sector' given on 21 July, Koh Yong Guan of the Monetary Authority of Singapore said the MAS continues to be focused on supporting non-inflationary economic growth, developing the financial…
Brazil's Cavalheiro on regulation and Basel II
In a speech on 'Regulation of capital and financial stability' given on 12 July, Paulo Sergio Cavalheiro of the Central Bank of Brazil said supervisors still have a lot of work to be done in order to implement Basel II. The next steps include the…
Are there too many yes men on the MPC?
This article reports that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has remained significantly more consensual than their predecessors, with an average "maverick rating" of just under three compared with nearly five among previous members. This…
Fed sees stronger pick up in growth
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 10 August to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 1-1/2 percent. In its press release the FOMC maintained its stance that policy accommodation could be removed at a…
RBNZ's Bollard on supervising overseas-owned banks
In a speech on 'Supervising overseas-owned banks: New Zealand's experience' given on 11 August, Alan Bollard of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said the Reserve Bank is "seeking to reinvigorate the regulatory arrangements for New Zealand's banking system…
Bank of England forecasts falling inflation
The Bank of England published its August 2004 Inflation Report on 11 August. According to the report UK inflation will hit its 2% target in two years, as long as interest rates rise in line with the gradual upward path the market currently expects.
Polish central banker Rybinski warns on rates
Deputy governor of the National Bank of Poland Krzysztof Rybinski said on Wednesday 11 August that the central bank may have to be more aggressive in raising interest rates to contain inflation.
PBOC reports money supply growth slowdown
Money supply and credit loans growth rates dropped in July as a result of the government's effective macro-economic control policy, China's central bank said on Wednesday 11 August in its monthly report on financial performance.
Norway leaves interest rates unchanged
Norway's central bank said on Wednesday 11 August that key interest rates may stay low for longer than it had forecast after keeping its key deposit rate unchanged at 1.75 percent.
Monthly reports to increase transparency-Argentina
Argentine banks are now required to submit a monthly report to the central bank outlining their costs, interest rates and other indicators, local press reported.
Nigeria's Soludo on consolidating banking industry
In a speech on 'Consolidating the Nigerian banking industry to meet the development challenges of the 21st century' given on 6 July, Charles Soludo of the Central Bank of Nigeria said the Central Bank will collaborate with other institutions - the NDIC,…
Fofana on Sierra Leone's post-conflict economy
In a speech on 'Managing Sierra Leone's post-conflict economy' given on 12 July, Mohamed Fofana of the Bank of Sierra Leone said that there is a need to ensure that West African countries stay the course in their commitment to achieve economic…
Fukui says BOJ watching oil price impact
Toshihiko Fukui told a news conference on Tuesday 10 August that the Bank of Japan is closely watching the impact of record high oil prices on the Japanese economy.
Argentina to honour IMF debts
Argentina will honour its multi-billion dollar debts to the IMF to the end of the year despite an impasse in loan negotiations, Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernandez said Monday.
Fed expected to lift US interest rates
The Federal Reserve was expected to raise interest rates on Tuesday 10 August for the second time this year, despite weak US employment growth statistics.
Bulwarks against chaos
The sixtieth anniversary of the Bretton Woods agreement has prompted comment in the media and provided a peg for a number of conferences. At least two of these were held last month in beautiful surroundings in Italy. The Editor of Central Banking journal…
Watanagase on the Thai financial sector
In a speech on 'Thai financial sector and the challenges ahead' given on 8 July, Tarisa Watanagase of the Bank of Thailand said that so far, the Thai financial system has shown signs of resilience with promising prospects for the future. But we will…
Roi on banking in Mauritius
In a speech on 'Banking in Mauritius' given on 8 July, R Basant Roi of the Bank of Mauritius said banking, as we are all aware, involves risk. No banker, anywhere in the world, is absolutely certain that money lent out will be fully repaid in time. The…
RBA Statement on Monetary Policy, August 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia published its August 2004 Statement on Monetary Policy on 9 August. Economic developments over recent months point to continued good growth of the Australian economy. The global upswing has maintained its momentum since the…
CNB's Frait on convergence criteria
A paper 'Convergence Criteria - How Tight a Constraint under Inflation Targeting?' was presented on 23 June by Jan Frait of the Czech National Bank. The paper focuses on how tight a constraint are the convergence criteria for the conduct of inflation…
HP and CMA to deliver payment system to Montenegro
HP and CMA Small Systems AB announced on Friday 6 August that they will provide the Central Bank of Montenegro with a new automated inter-banking payment system, supporting Montenegro's economic momentum-building efforts.