Central Banking
Portugal increase growth forecast
The Bank of Portugal has raised its forecast for economic growth this year owing to a higher-than-expected increase in internal demand, central bank Governor Vitor Constancio said.
NBP urges faster spending cuts for euro in 2009
Poland should move ahead quicker with its spending-reduction plan to cut the budget deficit and allow the largest new European Union member to adopt the euro before 2009, deputy governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP) Krzysztof Rybinski said.
PBOC's Zhou says China won't loosen loan controls
The People's Bank of China will not loosen control over loan extension despite complaints from local businesses about cash flow problems, according to Governor Zhou Xiaochuan of the People's Bank of China.
Finland missing 1.45bn markka after euro switch
Close to 1.45 billion Finnish markka, equivalent to 244 million euros, have yet to be exchanged for euros two and a half years after Finland switched to the euro, a Bank of Finland official said.
Reports of Russian bank crisis in progress
Pravda reported Friday a Russian banking crisis in progress, causing a rapid appreciation of the US dollar against the ruble. But a former government official said the situation could hardly be called a crisis.
Fed's Roger Ferguson on productivity:
In a speech on 'Productivity: Past, Present, and Future' given on 7 July, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said the recent increase in U.S. inflation should not be sustained but the Fed is ready to act if that view proves wrong.
Japan: FATF recommendations, anti-money laundering
Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes on the FATF Recommendations for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism for Japan. Prepared by a staff team of the IMF as a background documentation of the periodic consultation with…
Central banking in New Zealand
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has updated one of its brochures, entitled "Central Banking in New Zealand", which is a generic description of the Reserve Bank's functions and its governance arrangements.
Lessons from the past productivity booms
Distinguished lecture on economics in government: Lessons from past productivity booms by Roger Ferguson and William Wascher. The experience in the US suggests that extended periods of strong productivity growth are characterized by innovations in…
ECB Monthly Bulletin, July 2004
The European Central Bank published its July 2004 Monthly Bulletin on 8 July. The high unemployment rate in the eurozone is likely to limit pressure for wage increases and thus prevent the recent rise in oil prices spilling over to other consumer prices…
RBI's Mohan says rates unlikely to change
the RBI's deputy governor, Rakesh Mohan, said on Thursday 8 July that he saw no change in the country's official interest rate policy following the new government's federal budget, presented earlier in the day.
Zimbabwe expulsion from IMF delayed
The International Monetary Fund has delayed Zimbabwe's possible expulsion for unpaid debt, giving the southern African country six months to turn around its economy, the state-run Herald newspaper said on Thursday 8 July .
Czech cb divided on June rate rise
The Czech central bank's decision to raise interest rates in June was supported by three board members and opposed by two, the central bank said on Thursday July 8.
Sarkozy calls for more transparency at ECB
French finance minister Nicolas Sarkozy has called on the European Central Bank (ECB) to publish records of its debates and votes when setting interest rates, in the interests of transparency.
Bank of England holds rates unchanged
The Bank of England decided against a third consecutive monthly rise in interest rates on Thursday 8 July , in a move which was widely expected.
St Louis Fed's Regional Economist, July 2004
The Quarterly Review of Business and Economic Conditions, The Regional Economist, July 2004 edition from the St Louis Fed includes the article "Fannie, Freddie and the FHLB". These government-sponsored enterprises continue to make headlines because of…
Asian central banks see increasing role for euro
This article looks at the growing trend of Asian central banks shifting part of their assets into euros, though the US$ remains the major reserve currency, it says.
Caruana at the 'Basel Sessions 2004'
In a speech at the 'Basel Sessions 2004' given on 6 July, Jaime Caruana of the Bank of Spain said the recent publication of the text of Basel II marks the end of an important phase in our work. "But, let me repeat T.S. Eliot's words that to make an end…
Taiwan combining regulators to bring in investors
Taiwan is combining its insurance, securities and banking regulators, reducing the watchdog role of the central bank and the Ministry of Finance, to help lure overseas investors and reduce conflicts of interest. The convergence of institutions is seen in…
'The Region' from the Minneapolis Fed, June 2004
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has published its regular magazine, The Region, for June 2004. The issue includes 'Prospects for economic expansion' in which Gary Stern speaks on the concepts of resilience, flexibility and productivity. In …
Weber says no plan for ECB rate increase
Although the Federal Reserve recently raised US interest rates, the European Central Bank does not see a change in eurozone interest rates in the foreseeable future, ECB Governing Council member and Bundesbank president Axel Weber said on Tuesday 6 July.
Broaddus US economy strong, inflation contained
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Alfred Broaddus said on Tuesday 6 July that the U.S. economy looks strong, and inflation does not appear to be a problem but the Federal Reserve will "walk the walk" to ensure price stability.
Viet Nam sees increased used of non-cash payments
Non-cash payments have become more popular in Viet Nam, accounting for 79 per cent of all payments at banks in the first six months of the year as against 77 percent in 2003, according to VNA.
BSP chief calls for improved government finances
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Rafael Buenaventura said on Wednesday 7 July that the government should work harder to improve its fiscal performance to prevent a credit rating downgrade that would increase foreign borrowing costs.