Central Banking
Philippines steps up anti-counterfeiting drive
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) launched an intensified campaign against counterfeit money on Tuesday 6 April, with the promise of rewards to whistleblowers with information that would lead to the arrest of counterfeiters.
Fund focus on regulatory governance
After five years investigating national financial systems under its FSAP programme, the International Monetary Fund has decided that poor regulatory governance - how regulatory authorities themselves are governed - is undermining financial stability.
RBNZ foreign exchange intervention principles
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand on 30 March released a letter from the Bank to the Minister of Finance outlining how it intends to undertake foreign exchange market interventions.
The Japanese Economic Model: JEM
This Bank of Japan Working Paper sets out the Japanese Economic Model, a large macroeconomic model of the Japanese Economy. Although the JEM is a theoretical model it can be used for both projection and simulation analysis.
Bernanke: Financial education and Jump$tart survey
In the speech 'Financial education and Jump$tart survey' given on 1 April Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said the Federal Reserve is involved with financial education on many fronts. Reserve Banks around the country conduct workshops for teachers…
BoJ's Haru: deflation unlikely to end this year
Bank of Japan (BOJ) Policy Board member Hidehiko Haru has suggested that Japan is unlikely to overcome deflation by the end of 2004, saying greater increases in consumption holds the key to a full economic recovery.
Report says ECB rate cut 'blocked'
A UK newspaper has reported that the ECB was effectively blocked from cutting interest rates last week after German and Dutch governors resented political pressure to ease eurozone monetary policy further.
Bank of Korea admits system crash
The Bank of Korea has confirmed that its computer network suffered an unprecedented five-hour crash on Friday reducing the central bank to executing transactions with faxes.
Italy calls for stability pact revamp
Italy has demanded a revamp of the EU Stability and Growth Pact to devote more attention to nurturing economic growth than curbing deficits.
Poland says to adopt euro by 2007
Poland, which on May 1 will become a member of the European Union, should adopt the euro as its national currency by 2007, the country's central bank chief said.
Silver euro unveiled to mark EU expansion
The European Union's Irish presidency unveiled a special 10-euro silver coin on Saturday minted to commemorate the bloc's upcoming historic enlargement.
Bundesbank chief Welteke pays disputed bill
The president of the Bundesbank sought to head off calls for his resignation on Monday by agreeing to pay back a controversial luxury-hotel bill which was covered by a private bank.
IMF agreement close as Lemierre pulls ahead
EU finance ministers hope to thrash out agreement on Europe's choice for the next head of the International Monetary Fund at weekend talks, the EU's Irish presidency said this week.
Gaddafi calls for African central bank
The Libyan "Leader of the Revolution" Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has called for the establishment of an African Central Bank.
Hearing set for ECB Board candidate
A hearing for the nominee for a position at the Executive Board of the ECB will take place on Tuesday 6 April.
Ex cb chief banned from leaving Haiti
Haiti's new justice minister has barred 37 members of the former government from leaving the country. Included is former central bank governor Venel Joseph.
HKMA releases pay review details
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has announced the result of its annual pay review for staff of the HKMA in 2004.
A hyperactive central banker who needed an anchor
The Dallas Fed has introduced a special section to its website "Rhymes with No Reason" listing some of Bob McTeer's classic poems. As well as prose from the 'lonesome dove' it contains various stories including how he apparently saved a dog's life.
But Fund staff hit out at selection process
The perceived carve up of the IMF and World Bank top jobs between the US and Europe provoked a grassroots revolt among staff at the Washington-based Fund this week.
Greenspan well, but has he upset the White House?
Rumours that Alan Greenspan had a heart attack were soon dismissed but a report this week says the Fed chairman is out of favour with the White House following the release of Paul O'Neill's book.
Kate Barker reappointed to MPC
The UK Chancellor Gordon Brown announced the reappointment of Kate Barker to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Friday 2 April for a second term of three years.
Fire alarm halts ECB press conference
The ECB's monthly news conference in its Eurotower headquarters on Thursday 1 April was interrupted temporarily by a fire alarm.
Liikanen may bid for governorship of Finland cb
Erkki Liikanen, the European Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society, says that he is considering applying for the post of Governor of the Bank of Finland.
Fed's Kohn:Rate-hike "burden of proof" not yet met
In a speech on 'Monetary Policy and Imbalances' given on 1 April, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve rejected the argument that the Fed should start raising rates sooner rather than later because "keeping the funds rate so low and signalling that it will…