Central Banking
IMF working paper on the Estonian currency board
RESEARCH - This IMF working paper reviews the introduction of the Estonian kroon under a currency board arrangement. It examines the economic impact of its introduction and its role in the early success of Estonia's transition to a market economy.
IMF response to Lerrick-Meltzer proposals
REPORT - The IMF responds to the Lerrick-Meltzer proposal to involve the private sector in the resolution of financial crises. It ultimately concludes that their proposals 'would not be a valuable addition to the existing instruments of the Fund'.
US inflation low says Fed nominee Donald Kohn
USA - Federal Reserve Board nominee Donald Kohn said on Thursday that US inflation was "pretty darn low" and that the economy was looking healthy: "we are getting awfully close to some zone of price stability if we are not probably already in it".
Argentina and IMF talks on loans to begin at last
USA - Argentina and the International Monetary Fund will begin talks next week on new loans to revive the economy. IMF spokesman Thomas Dawson remarked on Argentina's "substantial progress" in meeting conditions for the new talks, saying they "have been…
Blejer considers resignation after IMF agreement
ARGENTINA - Argentina's central bank president Mario Blejer is considering resigning once he designs a new monetary programme, implements a plan to convert deposits into bonds and helps obtain a loan from the International Monetary Fund, according to a…
Russia to crack down on bank supervision
RUSSIA - The Central Bank of Russia has vowed to put harsh new measures in place to crack down on supervision over Russia's banks. This move by the central bank, which has recently overhauled its leadership, may cause a large number of banks to shut down.
Japan enjoys strongest growth for two years
TOKYO - Japan's economy has at last emerged from recession, enjoying its strongest growth for two years. The economy has rebounded from three straight quarters of contraction, growing 1.4% in the first quarter, which is an annualised rate of 5.7%.
ECB keeps rate rise on hold as expected
GERMANY - The European Central Bank on Thursday left interest rates unchanged as expected since euro zone recovery remains limp as well as the euro's rally helping to stifle inflation. The ECB's key refinancing rate remains at 3.25 percent, unchanged…
Speech by John Hawke, US Treasury Dept, 6 June
SPEECH - John D. Hawke, Jr., Comptroller of the Currency of the US Treasury Department and one of America's leading bank regulators, delivered a contraversial speech today titled 'The Road to Basel II: Good Intentions and Imposing Challenges' to the Risk…
Bundesbank to close 56 branches by 2007
GERMANY - The Deutsche Bundesbank has committed itself to cutting back on its operations which will involve shedding over 10% of its staff. It announced on Thursday that it would close down 56 of its smaller branches within the next five years, partly…
Bank of England leaves rate unchanged at 4%
UK - The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has left its key lending rate unchanged at four percent for the seventh month running as it awaits concrete signs that the economy has shaken off its downturn.
Law passed on Russian cb to weaken banking system
RUSSIA - The Russian State Duma has approved a revised version of the bill on the Central Bank of Russia (CBR). This decision will weaken the entire banking system according to finance minister Alexei Kudrin, since it does not allow the CBR to implement…
Single currency for Russia and Belarus agreed
RUSSIA - Senior central bankers and politicians of Russia and Belarus have signed an agreement on cooperating towards the introduction of a single currency by 2005.
Duisenberg flag furore
NETHERLANDS - The public furore about Gretta Duisenberg's apparent support for the Palestinian cause continues to escalate. After Mrs Duisenberg, the wife of Wim Duisenberg, the president of the ECB, displayed the Palestinian flag in her home in the…
John Hawke puts question mark over Basel Accord
USA - The Basel committee's attempts to finalise a new capital accord have been thrown into doubt in a speech by John Hawke, US Comptroller of the Currency, one of the US representatives on the committee. Speaking to a conference of commercial-sector…
Speech by former Fed chairman Paul Volcker, April
SPEECH - Paul Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, gave a speech titled 'Monetary Policy Transmission: Past and Future Challenges' to a conference on 'Financial Innovation and Monetary Transmission' sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of…
IMF Research Bulletin, June 2002
RESEARCH - The report includes summaries of IMF research on the empirical analysis of exchange rates and on pension reform, a country study on Brazil, as well as coverage of conferences on National Poverty Reduction Strategies and Macroeconomic Policies…
New York Fed research on inventory volatility
RESEARCH - The latest edition of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Current Issues in Economics and Finance, Volume 8 Number 5, titled "Has Inventory Volatility Returned? A Look at the Current Cycle".
Riksbank leaves repo rate unchanged at 4.25%
PRESS RELEASE - At its meeting on Wednesday, 5 June, the Executive Board of the Riksbank decided to leave the repo rate unchanged at 4.25 per cent. This decision, which will apply with effect from Wednesday, 12 June, is based on the picture of future…
Riksbank Inflation Report, June 2002
REPORT - Sweden's Riksbank has released its Inflation Report for June 2002. It provides a basis for monetary policy decisions and to make the Riksbank's deliberations known to a wider public.
Bank of England maintains interest rates at 4.0%
PRESS RELEASE - The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain the Bank's repo rate at 4.0%. The minutes of the meeting will be published at 9.30am on Wednesday 19 June.
Wim Duisenberg on ECB's interest rate decision
STATEMENT - Wim Duisenberg, president of the ECB, made an introductory statement to a press conference in Frankfurt on 6 June concerning the ECB Governing Council's decision to leave interest rates unchanged.
ECB monetary policy decision, 6 June
PRESS RELEASE - The ECB made its decision on monetary policy on 6 June, leaving rates unchanged.
Speech by Fed Governor Mark Olson, 31 May
SPEECH - In a speech titled 'The Dual Banking System and the Current Condition of the Banking Industry', Federal Reserve Board Governor Mark W. Olson talks to the Conference of State Bank Supervisors in Salt Lake City about the historic and continuing…