Banks
An analysis of the BIS annual report
SWITZERLAND - The Bank for International Settlement's annual report, released today at the bank's annual general meeting in Basle, worked hard to put an optimistic interpretation on global economic prospects. However, amid the positive notes the report…
Answering tough online questions in 11 languages
ARTICLE - The change-over to the euro at the start of this year posed numerous challenges not only for banks and businesses across much of Europe but, as the Financial Times investigated on Wednesday, it also posed problems for the team of writers,…
Japan's experience should warn central banks
LETTER - Letter published in the London Financial Times on 27 June from William Smyth.
Soros says central banks should bailout Brazil
ARTICLE - In the wake of the current economic crisis in Brazil, George Soros has said that leading central banks should open their discount windows and refinance the holders of Brazilian debt. Indeed, he expressed surprise that central banks had not…
Intervention pushes dollar back above 120
UK - The dollar surged back over 120 against the yen on Friday and made headway against the euro after Japan's finance ministry confirmed it had asked other central banks to intervene on its behalf to help weaken the Japanese currency.
Argentine central bank may issue up to 7 bln pesos
ARGENTINA - The central bank's new chairman, Aldo Pignanelli, has drafted a new monetary plan under which the central bank will issue up to 7 bln pesos to rescue commercial banks experiencing liquidity problems, newspaper Clarin reported.
Malaysia to introduce smart cards next year
MALAYSIA - While commercial banks will reimburse those who had money illegally withdrawn from automated teller machines, Bank Negara has directed banks to replace magnetic strips with chip technology from next year.
Geneva meet to debate Islamic mortgages
UK - A Bank of England working party, which includes representatives of commercial banks and the Treasury, is investigating the wider introduction of Shari'ah compliant house mortgages in the UK, according to the UK's Observer newspaper.
Brazil's central bank pays to keep money at home
BRAZIL - Brazil's central bank, seeking to stem an outflow of money from the country, offered banks the ability to swap local currency interest rates for dollar-linked yields.
Federal Reserve Bulletin, June 2002
REPORT - Profits and Balance Sheet Developments at U.S. Commercial Banks in 2001 William F. Bassett and Mark Carlson, released 18 June.
Chinese central banker - card development vital
CHINA - The Vice-Governor of the People's Bank of China Xiao Gang said Tuesday that the increased acceptance of banking cards was vital to raising commercial banks' competitiveness and facilitating daily life for the public.
China's cb says reform needed in commercial banks
CHINA - The governor of the People's Bank of China, Dai Xianglong, has reiterated the need for Chinese state-owned commercial banks to reform their management and risk control practices. He said the banks need to develop and implement business plans that…
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.
European Central Bank Publication
REPORT - Developments in Banks' Liquidity Profile and Management, May 2002.
Papademos to make ECB debut at Eurogroup as No.2
GERMANY - Incoming European Central Bank Vice President Lucas Papademos will make his debut as the bank's number two at the Eurogroup meeting of euro zone finance ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.
Outgoing MPC member raises bank independence fears
UK - The independence of the Bank of England could be at risk if it continues to undershoot its target for inflation, a member of the Bank's monetary policy committee has warned.
Murray Sherwin favourite in poll for RBNZ governor
NEW ZEALAND - Murray Sherwin, a former Reserve Bank of New Zealand deputy governor, is the best person to take the bank's top job according to a poll of New Zealand based economists conducted by Dow Jones Newswires.
Iran to offer euro-denominated bonds
IRAN - For the first time since the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran has signed a deal with two foreign banks to market Iranian revenue bonds on the international market.
Use standard loan documents: MAS
SINGAPORE - The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) yesterday encouraged Singapore banks to adopt standardised templates for loan documentation, saying this would benefit them and borrowers, as well as help in the growth of the loan syndication market.
Brash hits back at dissent on growth policy
FEATURE - Former New Zealand Reserve Bank governor Dr Don Brash has hit back at the view that the bank's approach to monetary policy hobbles economic growth reports the New Zealand Herald on Tuesday.
ECB Press release
PRESS RELEASE - Seminar of the Eurosystem and Latin American central banks held in Madrid on 23 and 24 May 2002, 24 May.
European Central Bank Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Seminar of the Eurosystem and Latin American central banks to be held in Madrid, on 23 and 24 May 2002, 22 May.
Unthinkable that Bank should expect otherwise
LETTER - Sir, While esteeming the Bank of England's quarterly inflation report as "an impressive showcase for the Bank's latest thinking", Observer finds that "it can be a bit samey: the Bank predicts that inflation will be at or close to its target with…
MPC pay rise over inflation at Bank of England
UK - Members of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee saw their pay rise by more than inflation last year, thanks to the standard practice of uprating salaries in line with the government's inflation target. The Bank's annual report also casts…