Central Banking
Debating and preparing for the Payments Future
FEATURE - In a rare set of predictions on how the U.S. payments system's transaction mix will evolve, The Nilson Report in the American Banker says that in about 10 years debit cards will overtake credit cards, cash will remain king, and paper checks…
Thailand eases bank credit-card rules
THAILAND - Thailand's central bank Friday announced it has eased rules and regulations governing commercial banks' credit-card services in order to promote competitiveness and improve the quality of service.
Internet banking users top 12 million in Korea
SOUTH KOREA - The number of subscribers to Internet banking services reached 12.41 million at the end of March in South Korea, up 9.7 percent from 11.31 million at the end of last year, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said Monday.
Bundesbank's new board members approved
GERMANY - The constitution of the Deutsche Bundesbank's new board was settled Friday, a month after lawmakers agreed to adapt the central bank's structure to the era of the European single currency.
Interview with Russian central bank First Deputy
FEATURE - Interview with central bank first deputy chairman Oleg Vyugin with Vesti RTR News Program, 23 April.
Outgoing chief warns on Greek competitiveness
GREECE - In the Greek central bank's annual report released on Monday the governor warned that his country was losing competitiveness in the eurozone in spite of high levels of investment driven by transfers from EU structural funds.
ECB stands in contrast to Bank of England
FEATURE - Tuesday's London edition FT reports on the difficulties central banks can face in identifying and maintaining ideal inflation targets.
ECB gold reserves declined to 26 April
GERMANY - The European Central Bank said Tuesday that the Eurosystem's net reserves in gold and gold receivables declined by EUR306 million to EUR139.5 billion in the week ended 26 April.
Speech by David Dodge of Bank of Canada, 26 Apr
SPEECH - In a speech titled 'The Interaction Between Monetary and Fiscal Policies' Dodge said that Canadian monetary and fiscal policies both went badly off course just over 25 years ago. It then took 15 to 20 years to establish the appropriate focus for…
ECB Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Publication of 'The single monetary policy in the euro area: General documentation on Eurosystem monetary policy instruments and procedures', 26 April.
The single monetary policy in the euro area
REPORT - The single monetary policy in the euro area: General documentation on Eurosystem monetary policy instruments and procedures, (update of the November 2000 edition), European Central Bank, April 2002.
RBNZ News Release
NEWS RELEASE - RBNZ Board begins process for finding new Governor, 29 April.
Speech by A Santomero of Philadelphia Fed, 25 Apr
SPEECH - Santomero said on Thursday in a speech titled 'The Reluctant Recession: Why Was the Recession So Mild?' that it is too soon to tell when the U.S. economy will be strong enough for the U.S. central bank to consider raising interest rates.
Argentine Peso will not be fixed, says Lavagna
ARGENTINA - Argentina's banks and exchange markets will open today for the first time in nine days, as the new economy minister, Roberto Lavagna, attempts to calm fears of a wholesale collapse of the financial system.
NZ central bank has six months to replace Brash
NEW ZEALAND - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand said in a statement released Monday that it will advertise the position of governor locally and overseas - a decision that leaves the door open for an external candidate to fill the role vacated by Don Brash…
Central banker may become road sweeper in Russia
RUSSIA - After more than a decade running the Russian Central Bank, Viktor Gerashchenko says he'll try his hand as a street sweeper if his pension payments don't come through soon.
Dep gov, Thomopoulos, interested in becoming chief
GREECE - Bank of Greece's depupy-governor, Panagiotis Thomopoulos, on Friday expressed his interest in replacing Mr Lucas Papademos at the central bank's head.
Ireland asks - Please be gentle with your euros
IRELAND - The new euro notes are taking a battering in Ireland. Despite being in circulation only four months some of them have deteriorated to such an extent that they will have to be replaced.
Duma votes for second reading on c bank law
RUSSIA - The Russian State Duma at its Friday plenary meeting voted unanimously (with 366 votes) to return amendments to the law on the Central Bank for a second reading.
RSA to delist from Securities Exchange on 2 May
SOUTH AFRICA - The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will delist from the JSE Securities Exchange from the start of business on 2 May after the required number of shareholders voted in support of the move, it said on Friday.
Gold's backers want to polish up its image
FEATURE - It isn't just the war against terrorism, or the growing violence in the Middle East. It isn't just increased Japanese demand or the Enron scandal's effect on the equity markets. Rather, gold's 10% rally this year, to a recent two-year high of…
Speech by W. McDonough, New York Fed Bank, 25 Apr
SPEECH - In the speech 'Bank Supervision and Credit Standards under Basel II - Perspectives for SMEs' McDonough said "it is an honor to join your discussion on the efforts of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to ensure that the international…
Speech by Wim Duisenberg, ECB President, 24 Apr
SPEECH - Duisenberg, echoing comments from other ECB members, said in a speech on Wednesday that the bank's supervisory committee should play a key role in improving EU banking supervision.
Speech by William Poole, St Louis Fed Bank, 25 Apr
SPEECH - Poole warned on Thursday in a speech titled 'As Easy as P.I.E.: Productivity, Innovation and Education' that policymakers must be on guard and said low and stable inflation was key to keeping the current U.S. economic expansion strong and long…