Central Banking
Bank of England told to freeze HAMAS assets
The Bank of England, as agent for Her Majesty's Treasury, on Wednesday 24 March directed financial institutions that any funds which they hold for or on behalf of the individuals named below must be frozen.
Welteke sees eurozone recovery scenario intact
Bundesbank President and ECB Governing Council member Ernst Welteke said on Wednesday 24 March that the most likely scenario for Germany and the euro area is a moderate and gradual recovery. He also commented on remarks made by Guy Quaden earlier.
Canada's Duguay on monetary policy, global economy
In a speech on 'National monetary policy in a global economy' given on 22 March, Pierre Duguay of the Bank of Canada discusses the positive contribution of the bank's inflation-control strategy to the Canadian economy and highlights the importance of…
BoE's Large on debt puzzles in today's economy
In ae speech on 'Puzzles in Today's Economy - The Build up of Household Debt' given on 23 March, Andrew Large of the Bank of England said a key economic debate of the day is whether we, as a society, should be concerned about the level of debt borne by…
Padoa-Schioppa on the evolving financial landscape
In a speech on 'The evolving European financial landscape: integration and regulation' given on 22 March, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa of the ECB provides an overview of the role of public policy in fostering integration and stability in the EU financial…
Malta's Bonello on cb views on new challlenges
In a speech on 'Central bankers' view of the new challenges' given on 21 February, Michael Bonello of the Central Bank of Malta said central bankers understand the importance of coherent policies designed to achieve a more efficient allocation and use of…
Chicago Fed chief: low inflation to keep rates low
Chicago Fed president Michael Moskow saidon Monday 22 March that concerns that inflation will soon accelerate are "premature" and he was optimistic about the economic outlook.
Fukui repeats deflation pledge
Toshihiko Fukui told Japan's parliament on Tuesday 23 March that the BoJ would continue with its ultra-loose monetary policy until deflation disappears completely in Japan.
Broaddus says Fed patience is right
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond president Alfred Broaddus said in an interview that clear evidence of tighter labour markets and higher core inflation will be needed before the Fed can raise interest rates.
IMF approves second Argentine loan review
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday 22 March completed the second review of Argentina's performance under a three-year SDR 8.98 billion (about US$13.3 billion) Stand-By Arrangement.
Ireland's Hurley on ECB interest rates
The Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, John Hurley, has told the Irish Financial Markets Association (FMA) that the ECB is monitoring the interest-rate situation very closely.
Philippines set to boost reserves by US $500m
The Philippines central bank said it intends to increase its dollar reserves before the May 10 presidential election through a new 500 million US dollar borrowing.
ECB loses EUR5.6bn on forex holdings in 2003
The weakness of the dollar has hit the European Central Bank hard in 2003, forcing the bank to declare a loss, and claw back dividend payments from its national central bank shareholders.
Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes
Some members of the Bank of Japan Policy Board expressed concerns at a Feb. 4-5 meeting that there were nervous movements in the currency market and that the dollar might depreciate further, according to the meeting's minutes released on Friday 19 March.
Message from Jean-Claude Trichet on Madrid attacks
At Thursday's Governing Council meeting (18 March 2004), Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, relayed to Jaime Caruana, Governor of the Banco de Espaa, the Governing Council's sincere condolences and assured him of its total…
Revision phase of the 'New ECB Premises' project
The ECB has chosen participants for the revision phase of the "New ECB Premises" project, 18 March. The main purpose of the revision phase is to review the design proposals to take account of the recommendations and requirements of the jury.
France supporting EBRD's Lemierre for IMF
Paris and Berlin agreed Monday that a decision should be made quickly on naming a new head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and that, as in the past, the person should be a European. A press report earlier said France would propose Jean Lemierre…
Hungary's central bank cuts base rate to 12.25%
The Monetary Council of Hungary's national bank (MNB) cut its base rate by 25 bp to 12.25% at its Monday meeting. The MNB said as a result of improving external and internal economic developments, the conditions for meeting the end-2005 inflation target…
RBI dep governor: forex reserves 'not in plenty'
India's foreign exchange reserves, at over $109 billion, are not in plenty, the RBI Deputy Governor, Ms K J Udeshi, said on Friday 19 March.
OECD says ECB and Fed will raise rates in 04
The Fed and the European Central Bank are likely to start nudging interest rates higher this year, but in historical terms rates will remain low, an OECD report says.
Hanke urges Bulgaria break from IMF
Professor Steve Hanke has strongly recommended that Bulgaria follow Moscow's example and end its relationship with the International Monetary Fund.
Philippines bank bailouts up to P31bn in 2003
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas could have spent at least P31 billion in 2003 in bailing out banks. Data showed that emergency loans and other advances extended by the BSP amounted to P130.44 billion, up from the P113 billion it reported in 2000.
BOJ governor Fukui's first year
Toshihiko Fukui completed his first year as governor of the Bank of Japan on Saturday 20 March. This article looks at Fukui's first year as governor of the BOJ and says he has made a difference in dealing with the government and the ruling parties…
Ticking clock sees RBNZ evacuated
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand was evacuated on Thursday 18 March after a ticking parcel was found on the 10th floor of the building in Wellington.