Central Banking
When is US bank lending to emerging mkts volatile?
CENTRAL BANK RESEARCH - In a New York Fed staff report, Linda S. Goldberg, finds out what causes fluctuations in lending by US banks to emerging markets. Goldberg finds the most important influence is the state of the US economy - when US growth is…
Financial mkt implications of the US debt paydown
CENTRAL BANK RESEARCH - The dwindling supply of US treasuries is worrying not only the financial markets but also Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenpsan, one of the reasons he has given his support for Bush's $1.6 trillion tax cuts. In a New York Fed…
Role of subordinated debt in market discipline
IMF RESEARCH - This new working paper by the IMF puts the last nail in the coffin regarding the use of mandatory subordinated debt in enhancing market discipline in emerging markets. It says the preconditions for its success are not fulfilled in emerging…
Computer support for reserves managers-Nugee
RESERVE MANAGEMENT - Deciding on the right level of computer support for reserve managers in a world of fast changing technology often makes it preferable to outsource some IT provision, says John Nugee, former head of reserve management at the Bank of…
Ex-Bundesbank chief Poehl - time ripe for ECB cut
EUROPE - Former Bundesbank President Karl Otto Poehl thinks the European Central Bank should cut interest rates in the face of slowing economic growth, he told a Swiss newspaper in an interview published on Mar 28, 2001.
Euro-MP says Czechs must change central bank law
CZECH REPUBLIC - The chairwoman of a European Parliament committee said on Mar 28 that a new Czech law increasing politicians' influence over the central bank must be amended to bring it into line with European Union treaties.
CBR asks government to repay its debts
RUSSIA - Bank of Russia recorded a pretax profit of about R4bn for 2000, Governor Viktor Gerashchenko reported, but the government still needs to repay its debt to the central bank.
Bank of Greece searches for Milosevic millions
GREECE - The Bank of Greece is investigating several Greek banks suspected of receiving funds laundered by Slobodan Milosevic, the former president of Yugoslavia.
Irish cbank sees 2001 growth slowing to 7%
IRELAND - Ireland's central bank said on Mar 28, 2001 it expected the booming Irish economy to experience a slowdown in 2001 GNP growth to around 7.0%, compared to growth of 9.75% in 2000.
RBA launches newly designed website
AUSTRALIA - The Reserve Bank of Australia has launched a major redesign of its website at www.rba.gov.au, increasing the quality and quantity of information, and the ease of access.
BoK criticises govt for interfering in mon policy
SOUTH KOREA - The Bank of Korea has criticized the government for its regular interference in the country's monetary polices.
Asian forum Manila Framework Group meets in China
CHINA - The Manila Framework Group regional financial forum started a two-day meeting in Beijing on Mar 28, 2001 to discuss a range of issues including the impact of the slowing U.S. economy, organisers said.
Former Philippine c. bank chief made consultant
PHILIPPINES - Former Philippine central bank governor Gabriel Singson has been appointed presidential consultant on banking and foreign loans, a presidential palace statement said on Mar 28, 2001.
Outgoing Slovenia c.banker warns against inflation
SLOVENIA - Slovenia's outgoing central bank governor France Arhar said on Mar 28, 2001 the country should limit the growth of wages to battle high inflation.
BOE Julius to leave central bank in 2 months-FT
UNITED KINGDOM - DeAnne Julius, one of the most dovish members of the Bank of England's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee, is poised to leave the central bank in two months.
Poland cuts interest rates by 100 bp
POLAND - Poland's Monetary Policy Council (MPC) cut its interest rates on Mar 28, 2001 by 100 basis points to between 17 and 21 percent, the National Bank of Poland said in a statement.
Fitch cuts Czech currency rating, crown hit
CZECH REPUBLIC - International rating agency Fitch on Mar 28, 2001 cut the Czech Republic's long-term local currency rating, knocking the crown off recent historic highs, though analysts said the currency's firming trend remains.
S.Africa govt says gradual reduction of NOFP best
SOUTH AFRICA - South Africa's Treasury said on Mar 28, 2001 it was committed to steadily reducing its uncovered forward foreign exchange exposure and would not borrow massively abroad to do so.
Malaysia's cbank annual report-growth 6% in 2001
MALAYSIA - Malaysia's economy will expand by around 6% in 2001 with the help of the new 3 billion ringgit supplementary budget announced Mar 27, 2001, the central bank said in its annual report Mar 28.
US Fed urges bankers to disclose more
SUPERVISION - In an advisory letter on Mar 23, 2001, the Federal Reserve Board urged large banking organizations to adopt a high-level, private-sector working group's recommendations for broader and more frequent public disclosures as a way to improve…
New measure of core inflation in the UK-BoE paper
CENTRAL BANK RESEARCH - The Bank of England's monetary policy committee research unit has published a paper which addresses the usefulness of measures of core inflation. The paper, commissioned by external MPC member DeAnne Julius, uses an 'improved'…
ISRAEL-New government's first steps-Klein speech
SPEECH - David Klein, governor of the Bank of Israel, gave a speech on Mar 23, 2001 titled "Economic Policy: The New Government's First Steps". He warns the new government to take heed from lessons from the past and not to expect too much from monetary…
G10 payment systems 1999 statistics-BIS report
BIS REPORT - The Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems at the Bank for International Settlements has published "Statistics on Payment Systems in the Group of Ten Countries: Figures for 1999". This is an annual publication that provides data on…
Fed survey: US banks growing wary of lending
UNITED STATES - A special survey conducted by the Federal Reserve reveals that credit terms from US banks have continued to tighten since January