Italy
Draghi begins tenure at Bank of Italy
The new governor of the Italian central bank, Mario Draghi, formally took over his new job Monday 16 January, the Bank of Italy said.
Eurosystem central bank staff cuts gather pace
The number of central bankers in the eurosystem stands at 49,559, a fall of 5.3% or 7,237 staff since one year ago, and 11.9% lower than when the euro was launched in 1999, reveals the 2006 edition of Central Banking Publications' Central Bank Directory.
Unipol considers appeal
The European Commission said it has not yet received a reply from the Italian authorities regarding its legal action against Italy over the involvement of its central bank in the takeover battle for Banca Antonveneta SpA. And Unipol was reported to be…
Bank of Italy rejects Unipol bid
The Bank of Italy said on Tuesday 10 January it had rejected insurer Unipol's 5 billion euro ($6 billion) bid for BNL. The move marks the second domestic bank takeover offer to fail following the financial scandal that tarnished Italy's image.
Regulators should not be competition authorities
Does the Bank of Italy's rejection of the takeover bid for Banca Nazionale de Lavoro by Italian insurer Unipol mean that the Italian authorities have stopped protecting the Italian banking system?
McCreevy welcomes new Bank of Italy governor
European Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy Tuesday 10 January welcomed Mario Draghi's appointment as the new governor of the Bank of Italy.
Bank of Italy's Draghi to start mid-Jan
The Bank of Italy said on Wednesday 4 January that its newly appointed governor Mario Draghi is expected to take up his job in mid-January.
Scandals spotlight Italy's regulatory cracks
According to this article published on Wednesday 21 December, Bank of Italy Governor Antonio Fazio's resignation has highlighted the deep problems in Italy's regulatory structure - a system of feeble financial controls which Fazio spent his last months…
Size matters and China just got much bigger
According to this article published on Wednesday 21 December, China, an economy few central bankers, economists and pundits thought about three years ago just leapfrogged over the UK, France and Italy to become the world's fourth largest.
Mario Draghi favourite for Bank of Italy governor
A former head of the Italian treasury, Mario Draghi, is favourite to become the next head of the Bank of Italy following the resignation of Antonio Fazio.
Italian Senate approves central bank reforms
The Italian Senate the gave final approval on Friday 23 December to a bill that will reform the Bank of Italy.
Comment: Filling Fazio's shoes
Giulio Tremonti, Italy's finance minister, said in an interview on Wednesday that the person who replaces Antonio Fazio as the governor of the Bank of Italy will "capable, honest and respectable". Here is a brief look at the main candidates that are…
Trichet says ECB 'fully respects' Fazio's decision
The European Central Bank "fully respects" the decision of Bank of Italy governor Antonio Fazio to resign, its president, Jean-Claude Trichet, said in a statement.
Italy agrees central bank reforms
The Italian government approved reforms for the Bank of Italy on Tuesday 20 December, changing the central bank governor's lifetime post to a fixed term.
Bank of Italy's Fazio resigns
Bank of Italy governor Antonio Fazio resigned on Monday 19 December, just days before reforms were set to be put in place to finally force him out. On Friday CentralBankNet reported that rumours Fazio would quit at the weekend were described as "nonsense…
Comment: Fazio steps down
Antonio Fazio's resignation as Bank of Italy governor is welcome, but long-overdue. The way is now open for the implementation of much-needed reforms, as the Bank seeks to regain its lost credibility.
Fazio resignation rumours described as 'nonsense'
Rumours that Bank of Italy governor Antonio Fazio was set to resign this weekend following news that he is being investigated for alleged insider trading were described by the central bank on Friday 16 December as 'nonsense'.
Trichet: Fazio may have infringed ECB rules
Bank of Italy governor Antonio Fazio would have infringed the European Central Bank's code of conduct if press information of improper links with Banca Popolare Italiana CEO Gianpiero Fiorani proved founded, ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet said on…
Fazio may face ECB probe
The European Central Bank may decide at its council meeting Thursday 15 December to open a formal inquiry into Bank of Italy governor Antonio Fazio's links with former Banca Popolare Italiana CEO Gianpiero Fiorani, said Corriere della Sera in an…
Fazio confident despite banker arrest
Bank of Italy Governor Antonio Fazio said he did not break the law, after Gianpiero Fiorani was arrested for suspected embezzlement, but a leading newspaper on Wednesday 14 December called on Fazio to quit.
EU confirms legal action against Italy
The European Commission confirmed in a statement on Tuesday 13 December that it has decided to start legal action against Italy over the involvement of the Bank of Italy in the takeover battle for Banca Antonveneta.
Bianchi appointed to Bank of Italy FX division
Bruno Bianchi has been appointed director general of Ufficio Italiano Cambi, the foreign exchange division of the Bank of Italy.
Buba, BaFin, Bank of Italy sign agreement
The Bundesbank, Germany's financial watchdog BaFin and Italy's central bank Banca d'Italia have signed an agreement to cooperate in the regulation of Unicredito Italiano SpA following its takeover of HVB Group, according to a statement published by BaFin.
ECB's Bini Smaghi says rates could rise
The European Central Bank could raise its official interest rate to 2.25 pct from 2.00, when the bank's governing council meets tomorrow, said ECB executive Lorenzo Bini Smaghi on Wednesday 30 November