Central Banking
Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting, 11 June
The Bank of Japan announced unchanged guidelines at the end of its two day meeting on 11 June.
Greenspan on natural gas supply and demand issues
In testimonyto the Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House of representatives, on 'Natural gas supply and demand issues' Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said high natural gas prices are likely to last into next year, and could weaken some key…
Duisenberg on structural reform and mon policy
In a speech on 'Structural reform and its implications for monetary policy' Wim Duisenberg of the European Central Bank said labour market reforms are urgently needed if euro zone economic growth is to recover strongly as some countries are hampered by…
Santomero-Flexible commitment or inflation target?
In a speech on 'Flexible Commitment or Inflation Targeting for the U.S.?' Anthony Santomero of the Philadelphia Fed said "I believe the (Federal Open Market Committee) should seriously consider inflation targeting".
Central Bank of Turkey - Annual Report 2002
The Central Bank of Turkey has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2002. In spite of the political uncertainty and the November elections, the financial stability maintained throughout the year supported economic recovery, the report says.
Fed Reserve Bank of Dallas - Annual Report 2002
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2002. Following the 2001 recession, the report says, economic activity expanded throughout 2002, but not vigorously enough to sustain or promote employment growth…
Japan's central bank to buy securities
The Bank of Japan has decided to buy asset-backed securities, according to a Reuters report. Before this it had restricted its purchases to government bonds, which carry less risk than securities. The bank said the scheme could start as early as next…
Germany's inflation falls to 0.7 percent
Inflation in Germany fell to 0.7 percent in May, the lowest rate in over 3 years, according to Associated Press. The figures released on Wednesday June 11 showed the rate fell by 0.3 percent from 1 percent in April.
Chikaura set to take over as RBZ governor
The acting governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Charles Chikaura, may take over as a permanent replacement to Leonard Tsumba who resigned last week amid the country's bank note crisis. The Daily News reported that candidates from the private…
Bankers say Lebanon not ready for Basel II
Delegates from Lebanese and Arab banks speaking at a bank conference said on Tuesday 10 June that financial institutions in the region need to invest more to comply with the rules of the Basel II agreement, according to the Daily Star.
Luxembourg's Mersch visits Malta central bank
The governor of central bank of Luxembourg visited Malta's central bank on Monday June 9 as part of a networking policy, designed to establish close working relationships with the central banks of both EU member States and accession countries, according…
"Too important for central bankers"
Central banks' ruthless pursuit of price stability holds back economic growth and boosts unemployment, says Joseph Stiglitz in an article published in the Guardian on Tuesday June 10.
NZ's Bollard boosts inflation guidelines
Appearing before a parliamentary select committee Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Alan Bollard said the changes made to the bank's inflation targeting guidelines last year may have helped the RBNZ begin its easing of interest rates in April,…
Malaysia PM - Reserve level up to central bank
Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has said that the level of reserves the country's central bank holds is up to it to decide. "I think Bank Negara is managing its reserves very well," he said, as reported by the New Straits Times.
Bulgaria delays election of central bank governor
The Bulgarian parliament has delayed its decision to appoint a new governor to the central bank by a week, according to BG News. The decision made on Tuesday 10 June was blamed on disagreements in the ruling coalition on whom to nominate for the post.
Fed and Bank of Mexico announce clearing system
The Federal Reserve and the Banco de Mexico on Tuesday 10 June announced a new clearing-house system that will lower transaction costs for banks handling an estimated $200bn in commercial payments and remittances each year, according to a report in the…
Santomero - FOMC should consider inflation target
Philadelphia Fed president Anthony Santomero said on Tuesday 10 June that with inflation at its current levels "Inflation targeting makes sense in principle for the U.S.", according to a Bloomberg report.
Fed Reserve Bank of Boston - Annual Report 2002
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2002. In the report President Cathy Minehan said information learned in 2002 through new Federal Reserve research that the use of checks is declining faster than had…
Macfarlane on prospects for the world economy
In his opening statement to House of Representatives I.J. Macfarlane of the Reserve Bank of Australia said the international environment has not yet improved in the way we had hoped, and the changing fortunes of the US dollar throw an additional…
RBNZ Monetary Policy Statement, June 2003
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published its Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for June 2003. New Zealand's economic growth has been strong and comparatively stable for an extended period, but it is now slowing to a more modest pace, the report said…
European Parliament response to UK euro decision
Christa Randzio-Plath, Chair of the European Parliament's Committee of Economic and Monetary Affairs, called the UK's decision on the euro politically motivated and said it was "unimaginable" for the UK to remain outside the single currency indefinately.
Solomon Is's Hou cites govt interference
Rick Hou, the soon to depart governor of the central bank of the Solomon Islands, has suggested it might be difficult to find a candidate to replace him as government interference may put people off from the job, according to Radio Australia
China's banking credit system takes shape
The People's Bank of China said on Monday 9 June that the country has made important advances in establishing the banking credit registration and consulting system, according to the People's Daily.
Bundesbank cuts growth forecast
The Bundesbank has cut its growth forecast for 2003 to between 0.1 and 0.2 per cent, down from 0.5 per cent, Reuters reports. The move follows weak growth for the first three months of this year.