Interest rates
More banking competition produces mixed results
A u-shaped relationship exists between competition and the risk of bank failure, research published by the Centre for Economic Policy and Research (CEPR) finds.
UK rates "restrictive", says dovish Blanchflower
David Blanchflower, the only member of the Bank of England's nine-strong monetary policy committee (MPC) to back a rate cut earlier this month, has said monetary easing is vital to avoid a recession.
Israel holds rates at 4.25%
The Bank of Israel's rate-setting board voted on Monday to keep rates at 4.25%, despite concern over rising inflation.
Japan cut unlikely after Fukui comments
A slowdown in Japanese growth will not lead to a rate cut, Toshihiko Fukui, the governor of the Bank of Japan indicated on Friday.
Japan's hawk turns dove after building slump
Atsushi Mizuno, the only member of the Bank of Japan to consistently back a rate hike during the second half of last year, changed tack in December due to the poor performance of the construction sector, minutes from the monetary policy meeting reveal.
ECB sticks to inflation line amid OECD cut calls
Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, and fellow members of the rate-setting governing council have defended the central bank's decision to fight inflation, in spite of increasingly vociferous calls for them to cut rates.
New Zealand holds rates at 8.25%
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's rate-setting board voted on Thursday to keep the benchmark official cash rate at 8.25% in spite of high inflation.
Czech deputy Niedermayer says economy set to slow
The pace of economic expansion in the Czech Republic will decline in 2008, Ludek Niedermayer, a deputy governor at the Czech National Bank, warned on Wednesday.
Brazil rates remain at 11.25%
The Central Bank of Brazil's rate-setting board on Wednesday voted unanimously to keep the benchmark Selic rate at 11.25%.
European and US markets fall despite Fed cut
Stocks listed on European and US bourses continued to slide on Wednesday, following the Federal Reserve's emergency 75 basis point cut on Tuesday.
UK's King unlikely to take Fed tack on rate cuts
Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, signalled he would prefer a gradual decline in rates on Tuesday in a speech that noted the risks to inflation as much as those to growth.
Norway keeps rates at 5.25%, warns on prices
The Bank of Norway's rate-setting board on Wednesday left its key policy rate unchanged at 5.25%, despite concern over inflation.
Canadian banks match central bank cut
Canada's biggest banks have lowered lending rates by 25 basis points in spite of speculation before Tuesday's rate cut that they would fail to follow a central bank move.
Banks must be scolded, not helped, by the Fed
Monetary and regulatory policy should be about reinforcing solid conduct in financial markets and punishing bad behaviour. But the recent rate cut from the Fed does little of the sort, says Avinash Persaud, the chairman of Intelligence Capital, a…
UK MPC voted 8 - 1 in favour of rate hold
David Blanchflower was the only member of the nine-strong Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee to object to the decision earlier this month to hold rates at 5.5%, opting instead for a 25 basis point cut.
Fed slashes rates by 75 basis points
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on Tuesday lowered rates by 75 basis points to 3.5%, the biggest cut since autumn 1984.
Canada cuts rates by 25 basis points to 4%
The Bank of Canada's rate-setting board opted on Tuesday to lower its benchmark overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4%.
Japan keeps rates at 0.5%
The Bank of Japan's rate-setting board opted on Tuesday to hold rates at 0.5%.
Mexico holds rates at 7.5%
The Bank of Mexico's rate-setting board voted on Friday to keep rates at 7.5%.
Banking risks must be considered together
The impact of credit and interest rate risk, the two most important dangers faced by commercial banks, must be measured jointly, research published by the Bank of England finds.
Fisher urges Fed to avoid "trigger-happy" cuts
Having an itchy trigger finger with monetary policy risks shooting everyone in the foot, said Richard Fisher, the president of the Dallas Federal Reserve.
British MPC faces tough choices warns deputy Gieve
The Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) faces difficult decisions in the months ahead because of the dual threat of slowing growth and rising inflation, said Sir John Gieve, the deputy governor responsible for financial stability.
Turkey continues to cut rates
The Central Bank of Turkey's monetary policy committee voted on Thursday to lower its benchmark overnight borrowing rate by 25 basis points to 15.5%.
Fed must "respond pragmatically" to poorer outlook
Policymakers must be prepared to respond pragmatically to a recent bout of worse-than-expected data on the United States economy, said Dennis Lockhart, the president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve and a non-voting member of the Federal Open Market…