Central Banking
Press release on UK Financial Stability, 3 Mar
PRESS RELEASE - Bank of England, HM Treasury and FSA, IMF "UK Financial Stability Policy Framework is at the Forefront Internationally" 3 March.
St. Louis Fed wears many banking hats
ARTICLE - This article takes a look inside the St Louis Federal Reserve Bank and examines its operations including payment systems.
Swedish gov't moves for trade union EMU support
In a bid to reduce opposition to the euro, a report says the Swedish government is preparing to set aside money to protect jobs, in exchange for trade union votes in the upcoming referendum.
Greenspan on the Home Mortgage Market
SPEECH - In the speech 'Home Mortgage Market' Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said borrowing against home equity has been a staple of household finance for decades, but that it has been only in the past decade or so that such practices have been…
Bank of Canada Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Bank of Canada raises overnight rate target by 1/4 percentage point to 3 per cent, 4 March.
Australia's Costello silent on RBA chief's future
With Ian Macfarlane's term ending in September, speculation has begun on whether the RBA chief will seek another term. Treasurer Peter Costello was tight lipped on the matter but said the governor had performed very well.
Afghan market stable - Central Bank official
In an interview Abdul Fitrat of Afghanistan's central bank said the Afghani is likely to stabilise against foreign currencies after the central bank decided to limit supply.
Bundesbank may opt to sell gold reserves - report
Mr Welteke, president of the Bundesbank, was reported as saying that the Bundesbank may become a party to the upcoming agreement among gold-holding central banks of Europe to sell part of their gold reserves. The new agreement may allow for increased…
Incoming BOJ Gov. Fukui mustn't be an also-ran
ARTICLE - This article provides some background on the new governor of the Bank of Japan Toshihiko Fukui. At one time, it says, Fukui was at the forefront of moves to reform the central bank, which had been disparagingly described as "nothing more than a…
Ukrainian leader urges c bank/ cabinet cooperation
Leonid Kuchma, the Ukrainian president, has said decisions must be coordinated, particularly between the National Bank of Ukraine and the government.
BoE's George- pound fall cuts euro entry obstacles
Sir Edward George suggested on Tuesday that the Bank of England's recent surprise cut in interest rates would be "seen as quite dangerous by the ECB". He also suggested the ECB could benefit from a technical subcommittee to make interest rate…
Feature - new faces at the Bank of England
SPECIAL FEATURE - There has been some surprise at the recent appointments at the Bank of England. The Bank is to be graced with its first female deputy governor in its 300-year history, who happens to have spent 27 years of her lifetime at the Bank's…
ECB Press Release, 28 Feb
PRESS RELEASE - Annual publication of the List of Monetary Financial Institutions and institutions subject to minimum reserves as at end-December 2002, 28 February.
RBNZ Press Release, 3 Mar
PRESS RELEASE - Reserve Bank personnel changes - The Reserve Bank today announced two impending changes in the Bank's senior management team.
If the ECB cuts rates it should do so boldly
ARTICLE - This article says the case for an ECB rate reduction this week is overwhelming. But any cut must be decisive otherwise it will have very little effect on the euro-zone economy. "If you are going to hit it, hit it hard."
Mexico central bank net assets fall, reserves rise
Mexico's central bank reported increased reserves but also announced a decline in its net assets due to factors including expenditures from federal government operations of $624 million.
Ukraine central banker upholds currency stability
Serhiy Tyhypko has said the central bank will work to maintain a stable exchange rate for the hryvnya, the Ukrainian currency, and wont submit to the demands of exporters.
Kazakh central bank lists economic union stages
The National Bank of Kazakhstan has listed the stages necessary for creating an economic zone between Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Chairman of the Bank Grigoriy said the move will undoubtedly benefit Kazakhstan from growing trade between the…
Netanyahu wants better relations with central bank
Benjamin Netanyahu took office on Sunday as Israel's new finance minister, and vowed better cooperation with the central bank. Netanyahu and Meir Sheetrit met Israel's central bank chief David Klein on Sunday to discuss cooperation between the Finance…
Carr to leave RBNZ as Adrian Orr comes in
Deputy governor Rod Carr will leave the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in July to take a job with a Software Corporation. Adrian Orr will become Assistant Governor and Head of the Reserve Bank's new Financial Stability Department.
Bank of Japan warned on asset holdings
Having made significant stock purchases as part of its policy against non-performing loans outgoing governor of the Bank of Japan Masaru Hayami has said further falls in asset prices could leave the Bank dangerously exposed.
St Louis Fed's Poole - Whither Investment?
SPEECH - In the speech 'Whither Investment?' William Poole of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said questioned whether monetary policy can encourage investment spending in the current environment. In terms of risk premiums and incentives to postpone…
OCC Press Release on Basel Capital Accord
PRESS RELEASE - Comptroller Hawke Highlights Importance of New Basel Capital Accord But Says Important Issues Must be Resolved Before OCC Will Issue Rules, 3 March.
OCC blow to Basel II timing
Hopes of finalising the new Basel capital accord in 2003 took a blow Monday as US Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke said in a speech that the OCC would insist on changes to the accord if, after a round of public consultation, US banks were not…