Central Banking
Poole on Economic Growth & the Real Interest Rate
In a speech on 'Economic Growth and the Real Rate of Interest' given on 14 October, William Poole of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said his best guess is that the current stance of policy makes adequate allowance offsetting the risk that the…
Ferguson's testimony before the US Senate
In testimony before the US Senate given on 14 October, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said "During my years on the Board of Governors, I have done my best to contribute positively to all aspects of the Federal Reserve's many responsibilities. I…
Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 11 and 12 September 2003, released 16 October. Members agreed that economic activity still continued to be virtually flat as a whole, although signs of improvement had been observed in such areas…
Deutsche Bundesbank Monthly Report, September 2003
The Deutsche Bundesbank published the English version of its September 2003 monthly report on 21 October. The German economy remained on a path of stagnation in the second quarter of 2003, the report says. Despite a number of positive signals, major…
Israel central bank's Klein to continue rate cuts
Bank of Israel Governor David Klein said on Satueday 18 October that he would continue to cut interest rates for as long as prices and financial markets remained stable, according to a report by Reuters.
Cen bankers: Slovaks, Poles should adopt euro ASAP
The governors of the Slovak and Polish central banks agreed this week, according to Interfax, that both countries should try to meet Maastricht criteria and adopt the European single currency as soon as possible after joining the EU in 2004.
Fukui, local BOJ chiefs voice concern over yen
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Monday October 20 that the central bank will closely watch developments in overseas economies and financial markets, The Japan Times reports. Fukui also said the BOJ is firmly committed to maintaining its…
Snow's remarks on interest rates clarified
Clarification of US Treasury Secretary John Snow's comments on interest rates has been given by a spokesman, who explained, according to the Financial Times, that he was talking about long-term market interest rates, not short-term official rates. Snow…
Exchange-rate reform studied in China
Signs are growing, reports China Daily, that China may embark on a long-awaited programme to reform the country's exchange-rate regime despite its determination not to revalue the yuan. As the first signal of the emerging trend, Chinese President Hu…
Malta c bank chief denies euro stories
The governor of the central bank of Malta, according to Malta Independent, denied stories that Malta, along with a few acceding countries, had begun talks with the European Central Bank about joining the euro. He said the whole story came about after an…
Ghana meets three criteria for single currency
Ghana has met three of the four primary convergence criteria of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) for a single currency by July 2005, according to Ghana Web. The only criterion yet to be met is the single digit inflation rate.
CPA Briefs on Iraqi Currency Exchange
Saddam-free dinars have hit the streets in Iraq. How has this been achieved? This week's CentralBankNet Monday Special Feature gives a fascinating glimpse of the immense logistical challenges faced by the authorities in Iraq. The Central Bank of Iraq has…
Issing on Inflation targeting: prospects, problems
In a panel discussion at the conference "Inflation targeting: prospects and problems" on 17 October Otmar Issing of the ECB said that the differences in the practices of central banks oriented to price stability are in fact relatively limited. "I believe…
Solans: Prices productivity and growth - and money
In a speech on 'Prices, productivity and growth... and money' given on 17 October Eugenio Domingo Solans of the ECB asks If a central bank does not pay due attention to monetary developments, the question is then: who, if anybody, shall do it? The only…
Ferguson at the New England Economic Adventure
In a speech at the opening of the New England Economic Adventure at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston given on 8 October Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said "While I would like to think that all of the Federal Reserve System's economic education…
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletin, Sep 2003
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand published its quarterly Bulletin for September 2003. Among the articles is an annual review of developments affecting New Zealand's financial stability. In the review the RBNZ concludes that New Zealand's financial sector…
Interview with the Governor of the Bank of Korea
In an interview published by The Chosun Ilbo, Governor Park Seung of the Bank of Korea spoke at the central bank building about the problem with rising housing prices. "It is difficult to solve the property speculation issue fundamentally without drastic…
Bank of Estonia Council to be appointed in Nov.
Bank of Estonia chairman Mart Sorg has said it will take a month for the Council's candidates to be cleared by security, according to the Baltic News Service. The candidates include politicians from both the ruling coalition and opposition, Sorg said.
Balcerowicz: 2007 euro entry depends on budget cut
Poland's adoption of the euro will depend on the success of the austerity plan, National Bank of Poland Governor Leszek Balcerowicz has said, according to the PAP news agency. Balcerowicz reiterated that the realistic date for entry to the eurozone is…
Denmark to start electronic trading in gov't bonds
Denmark will begin trading government bonds electronically from 4 November, AFX Europe reports, The Danish central bank said in a statement "Introducing electronic trading is a step forward in developing the Danish market and bringing its facilities in…
Bank Negara payments systems law effective Nov 1
Malaysia's Payment Systems Act 2003 will come into force on 1 November to ensure the efficient functioning and stability of the payments system, according to a report in The Edge Daily. "The Act empowers the central bank to designate payment systems with…
Greenspan to speak in UK at CBI conference
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan will speak by video link to the Confederation of British Industry's national conference which is being held from 16-18 November at the ICC in Birmingham, England, according to a report by Reuters.
Bundesbank expects no solid 2003 upturn
The Bundesbank said in its October monthly report published on Monday 20 October that it forecasts a slight rise in economic performance in the third quarter this year, reports Expatica, but it does not see a sustained upturn in the German economy.
Fed's Bernanke wants public inflation objective
Fed governor Ben Bernanke told the St Louis Fed's inflation targeting conference on Friday 17 October that in the current climate of low inflation, it was important to keep the public informed about the Fed's long-run intentions, according to Reuters…