Gold
Bank of Mauritius to offer gold as public savings tool
Mauritians will soon be able to purchase gold bars from the central bank as part of an effort to promote a 'savings culture' in the country
Central Bank of Malaysia raids ‘Ponzi’ scheme companies
Four gold-trading companies raided by central bank amid charges they were running illegal gold-trading schemes described as ‘Ponzi’ operations, according to the Malaysian central bank
Central banks are major driver of gold prices, says GFMS
Latest Thomson Reuters GFMS gold survey finds central banks are supporting gold prices via large purchases; adverse economic climate and quantitative easing also contributing to price increase
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: Restoring trust in finance
The financial crisis and numerous scandals have shattered confidence in banks and financial markets. What can central bankers do to restore trust in the financial system?
Central banks make “record” gold purchases in Q2
World Gold Council says central banks bought 254.2 tonnes of gold in the first half of 2012; Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Ukraine and Guatemala among the countries that added to reserves
Bank of Korea reveals July gold purchase
Korea adds hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of gold to reserves in July; FX reserves swell by $1.97 billion to $314.35 billion
World Gold Council says disinflation may support gold demand
Statistical commentary argues gold price may increase due to disinflation; says current economic environment ‘supportive’ of gold demand
Russia takes lead in gold purchases in May
Latest World Gold Council figures show Bank of Russia increased gold reserves by largest amount in May; council says emerging markets purchases viewed as a part of ‘broader theme’
Egyptian official recalls emergency planning during unrest
Manager of risk department at the Central Bank of Egypt describes what happened when social unrest took hold of the country; bankers decamped to a hotel in the suburbs to maintain services
Ukraine issues commemorative Euro 2012 coins
National Bank of Ukraine reveals commemorative coins dedicated to the European Football Championship 2012; first ever half-kilo gold coin forms part of the series
South African Mint executives leave company for good
Andile Mvinjelwa and Thomas Davel leave South African Mint Company by mutual agreement following conclusion of investigation into poor-quality krugerrand coins
Bullion coin featuring menorah released in Israel
Third bullion coin in the Jerusalem Gold series is released; issuance in celebration of Jerusalem Day in Israel
Gold demand drops from high 2011 figures
Gold Demand Trends report from World Gold Council notes 5% lower demand in Q1 this year compared with 2011
Bundesbank reveals location of gold holdings
German central bank says gold is held in four countries; kept in the vaults of the trading centres where transfers happened
Hungary issues medieval gold florin coin series
National Bank of Hungary issues first in a series of medieval gold florin commemorative coins; both normal and piedfort versions available
New coins celebrate leadership change in Taiwan
Taiwanese central bank announces minting of gold and silver commemorative coins in recognition of the new president and vice-president
Sarb investigation finds low-quality proof Krugerrand coins
Investigation into SA Mint Company uncovers low-quality proof Krugerrand coins may have been casted between April 2011 and May 2011; dealers offered chance to return coins
'Heavy' gold purchases expected to continue in 2012
GFMS report says emerging economies will continue to turn to gold as they diversify reserves away from US dollar; "trivial" official sector gold sales recorded in 2011
UK chancellor unhappy about past gold sales
George Osborne issues thinly veiled attack on Gordon Brown over gold sales a decade ago; minutes from latest BoE meeting reveal two votes for more QE
Bernanke delivers first student lecture
Fed chairman recounts origins of central banks and stresses their importance in first lecture to US students; lecture series takes place at key time as fierce Fed critic Ron Paul runs for president
South Africa records increase in value of gold reserves
SARB reveals $186 million rise in value of gold reserves; overall reserves value up $438 million
Reserve Bank of India working paper studies gold prices
Research looks at the links between gold prices and financial stability in India
EU freezes assets of Syrian central bank
Council of the European Union announces freeze on central bank assets among string of sanctions; EU “increasingly appalled” by situation in the country, says council
IMF approves conditional distribution of gold profits
International Monetary Fund agrees to distribute $1.1 billion of profits from gold sales; member countries must first pledge contributions to Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust