Central Banking
BIS promotes solid bank audits in wake of scandals
SWITZERLAND - Accounting scandals that have plagued the U.S. corporate scene have highlighted the need for banks to have rigorous internal audit functions, the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) said on Wednesday in a report.
RBA Annual Report shows net profit down $1bn
AUSTRALIA - The Reserve Bank of Australia's net profit slumped more than $1 billion in 2001/02 after falls in earnings from its interest and foreign investment portfolio. The figure was revealed as the Bank published its 2002 Annual Report on Wednesday.
China to advise North Korean central bankers
UK - North Korea has sent a delegation of central bank officials to study China's financial system and commercial banking in one of the first signs that Pyongyang may be considering much needed financial reform.
Poland: Fin Min, central bank want fast euro entry
POLAND - A joint finance ministry and Polish National Bank team that is preparing an exchange rate strategy before Poland's entry to the European Union, agreed that Poland should join the euro zone as a matter of urgency, Deputy Finance Minister Ryszard…
Fraga says meeting with int'l bankers a success
BRAZIL - Brazilian central bank chairman Arminio Fraga said his meeting with international bankers in New York Monday was successful, Brazilian daily O Globo reported. Finance minister Pedro Malan was also present and said Brazil is prepared to honour…
Russian central banker warns on spending plans
RUSSIA - Oleg Vyugin, first deputy chairman of Russia's central bank, said the stability of the country's economy could be adversely affected if government carries out its plan to increase spending next year.
ADB, Uzbek central bank discuss future cooperation
UZBEKISTAN - A delegation of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) board of directors is visiting Uzbekistan. It is headed by Julian Payne, executive director of the bank, BBC Monitoring reported Wednesday.
Speech by David Carse of the HKMA, 23 Aug
SPEECH - Carse used the speech titled 'Anti-Money Laundering and the Role of Supervision' to highlight some of the issues being addressed during a review of the HKMA's 1997 anti-money laundering guidelines in the light of recent developments.
Speech by William Poole, St Louis Fed Bank, 26 Aug
SPEECH - In the speech titled 'Taking Stock: the State of the Business Recovery' Poole said it was unlikely the US economy would slip back into recession, noting that a "double-dip" recession has only occurred once since WW2. He credited strategies by…
Reserve Bank of Australia Media Release
MEDIA RELEASE - Reform of credit card schemes in Australia, 27 August.
Bank of Botswana - Annual Report 2001
ANNUAL REPORT - The Bank of Botswana has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2001.
Bank of Cape Verde - Annual Report 2001
ANNUAL REPORT - The Bank of Cape Verde has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2001.
Cayman Islands Monetary Authority - An Report 2000
ANNUAL REPORT - The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2000.
Central Bank of Costa Rica - Annual Report 2001
ANNUAL REPORT - The Central Bank of Costa Rica has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2001.
Central Bank of Iran - Annual Report 2000-2001
ANNUAL REPORT - The Central Bank of Iran has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2000-2001.
Interest rates unlikely to fall soon, Mboweni
SOUTH AFRICA - South Africans should not expect a drop in interest rates for the remainder of the year, Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni said on Tuesday. He also said he opposed the government's plans for a single banking regulator, and believed that…
Sweden moves a step closer to joining the euro
SWEDEN - Sweden's prime minister, Goran Persson, on Friday removed another obstacle towards membership of the euro single currency.
New currency expected soon to replace the Afghani
AFGHANISTAN - A new Afghan currency printed in Germany and resembling the Euro is being introduced shortly to replace the almost valueless Afghani, reported Gulf News on Monday.
Ireland's central bank staff win euro bonus
IRELAND - Employees at Ireland's Central Bank have won a £1,300 bonus for working during the change-over to the common European currency last New Year's day.
Report suggests Argentina's Pignanelli may stay on
ARGENTINA - Argentina's central bank chairman Aldo Pignanelli has decided not to resign despite his strong differences with Economy minister Roberto Lavagna, Argentine daily Clarin reported, quoting spokespersons from the central bank.
Russian c bank adopts looser rules for for ex sale
RUSSIA - At its session on Friday, the Russian Central Bank's board of directors agreed to liberalise the obligatory sale of foreign currency revenues by exporters, the bank's PR department reported.
Bank Italia to out source some activities
ITALY - Italian central bank Bank Italia has decided to authorise the outsourcing of over-the-counter banking activities. Banks may use their own branches or call in outside firms specialising in call centre management.
Spanish yet to return 2.4bn euros worth of pesetas
SPAIN - 2.4bn euros in notes and coins is yet to be changed into euros, according to Spain's central bank.
South African Reserve Bank Media Release
MEDIA RELEASE - Mr Tito Mboweni, the South African Reserve Bank Governor, launches the Johannesburg World Summit Coin series, 22 August.