Central Banking
'Brutal' FX moves unwelcome - Trichet
Group of 10 Chairman Jean-Claude Trichet said on Monday 12 January that Europe views volatile and brutal currency movements as unwelcome; however, the subject of foreign exchange did not predominate as the world's top central bankers discussed building…
Pakistan to bring in new bank monitoring system
The State Bank of Pakistan said on 9 January that it is to introduce a new system of surveillance, monitoring and supervision of banks.
Korea considering revaluation, W100,000 notes
Bank of Korea Governor Park Seung said on Sunday 11 January that after the general election in April, the central bank would propose a currency revaluation, and also issue W100,000-bills.
Bank of England court case set to begin
The Bank of England will go to court for the first time in its 300-year history on Tuesday 13 January when it defends its role in the £10bn collapse of the Bank of Credit & Commerce International.
Legal action likely over budget rules fudge
The European Commission is expected to back legal action on Tuesday 13 January against last November's decision by eurozone finance ministers to suspend the single currency's budget rules in the case of France and Germany.
ECB press conference with questions and answers
Speaking on Thursday 8 January, ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet said that available indicators point to an ongoing economic recovery in the euro area and that the assessment has not fundamentally changed but he said the ECB did not like excess…
Bank of Japan semi-annual monetary report
Japan's economic activity remained virtually flat in the first half of fiscal 2003, the Bank of Japan's Semi-annual Report on Currency and Monetary Control showed.
Sources of exchange rate fluctuations in S Africa
IMF Working Paper on the "Sources of Nominal Exchange Rate Fluctuations in South Africa" published December 2003.
Noyer-ECB policy offers best conditions for growth
Christian Noyer, governor of the Bank of France, said on Friday 9 January that the ECB would not give in to external pressure on its strategy and that current monetary conditions in the eurozone offered the best possibilities for growth.
Inflation falls within central bank target- Mexico
A modest rise in inflation in December took the annual rate to 3.98%, just under the central bank's target of a 2 to 4 per cent target range for 2003.
Kansas Fed's Hoenig optimistic on 2004 growth
Kansas Fed President Thomas Hoenig said on Thursday 8 January that he expects robust and sustainable growth for the new year which should help improve employment levels.
Fukui to attend Basel BIS meeting
Toshihiko Fukui is due to attend a meeting of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland, the BOJ said on Friday 9 January.
Russia to issue more secure bank notes
The Central Bank of Russia is planning to issue new-look bank notes later this year in an effort to beat counterfeiters.
Ex Russian c bank chief forecasts dollar recovery
Viktor Gerashchenko, the former Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia, has said that "the exchange rates of the dollar and the euro will align within the next year or year and a half."
Longworth on monetary and financial stability
In a speech given on 9 January, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada David Longworth discusses how the interaction between sound monetary and financial stability policies contributes to solid economic performance.
Venezuelan president threatens to take over c bank
On Wednesday 7 January Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez threatened to take over the country's independent central bank if it did not agree to his demand to hand over $1 billion in reserves to finance farming projects.
Kohn on the United States in the world economy
Fed Governor Donald Kohn said on Wednesday 7 January that China would need more flexibility in its yuan currency "at some point", but acknowledged China faced complex problems.
Bank of England holds rates steady
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted on Thursday 8 January to maintain the Bank's repo rate at 3.75%.
ECB maintains eurozone rates at 2%
The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged on Thursday 8 January as widely expected, defying calls that cheaper money is needed to prevent a strong euro from hurting economic recovery.
Bundesbank head sees threat from euro strength
Bundesbank Vice President Juergen Stark said in a newspaper interview published on Thursday 8 January that the speed and scale of the euro's rise against the dollar could become a possible threat to the German economy.
IMF urges need for balanced budget plan in US
The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday 7 January urged the United States to formulate a clear plan to balance its budget, saying tax cuts had given the economy only a modest lift.
Argentina's World Bank loan plan on hold for IMF
At the request of some of its member countries the World Bank has put consideration of a new lending program for Argentina on hold until the country has completed a delayed review of its IMF program.
Vietnam central bank plans gold purchase
Vietnam's central bank has given the go-ahead for the country to import up to 10 tonnes of extra gold in the first quarter of 2004.
Hungary's future finance chief signals euro delay
Hungary's future finance minister signalled on Thursday 8 January that the country's 2008 target for joining the eurozone may have to be delayed.