Interest rates
Fed's Olson on state of the US economy
Federal Reserve Governor Mark Olson spoke on Monday 15 November about the state of the US economy, and issued a warning to expect more rate rises as the economy recovers.
The leak in China's banking system
The People's Bank of China's surprise decision to raise interest rates for the first time in nine years on 28 October prompted much speculation on the reason for the move. Some commentators said it marks the beginning of a liberalized interest-rate…
Korea cuts interest rates to record low
The Bank of Korea unexpectedly cut interest rates to a record low of 3.25 per cent on Thursday 11 November, moving its policy focus to growth from inflation.
Romanian central bank lowers rates
Romania's central bank has announced that it has lowered its key interest rate by 0.5 percentage points to 18.25%.
Interview with Philadelphia Fed's Santomero
In an interview published last Friday, 22 October, Philadelphia Fed President Anthony Santomero said that the Federal Reserve will be able to slow down the pace of interest rate rises if the economy grows less rapidly than it expects.
China's central bank raises interest rates
The People's Bank of China on Thursday 28 October raised interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade to guide its heated economy to a path of slower growth.
How Reserve Bank of Fiji conducts monetary policy
This article outlines how the conduct of monetary policy in Fiji is transmitted from the Reserve Bank of Fiji's (RBF) policy indicator rate (PIR) through to interest rates in the economy and finally to economic activity and its impact on inflation and…
BOJ's Fukui says prices just one hurdle
Core consumer prices at zero percent is only one hurdle the Bank of Japan will need to clear when deciding whether to stop its policy of keeping interest rates at almost zero, Governor Toshihiko Fukui said.
Brazil raises rates for second month in a row
Brazil's central bank raised interest rates on Wednesday 20 October for the second consecutive month amid concerns about high oil prices and growing domestic demand.
Bank of England MPC Minutes, 6&7 October
The minutes from the 6 and 7 October meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England were released on 20 October. All nine MPC members voted to keep interest rates unchanged at 4.75 percent this month, while there seemed to be no…
Asian central banks should follow S Korea's lead
The more Asian central banks try to convince the markets that their judgment on interest rates isn't clouded by political interference, the less anyone believes them, this article says. It suggests policy makers from Jakarta and Manila to Bangkok and…
US rates 'still simulative' says Fed's Santomero
Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Anthony Santomero said on Saturday 16 October that US interest rates remain simulative but as the expansion continues they should return to "more normal levels".
Fed's Stern says data won't change Fed tack
Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Gary Stern said on Friday 8 October in an interview that the weaker than expected gains in the labour market are not enough to change the Fed's plan to gradually raise interest rates.
Fed could pause on weak data says McTeer
Dallas Fed President Robert McTeer said on Thursday 7 October that the Federal Reserve's decisions to raise short-term interest rates will depend on incoming economic data for the US.
Minutes show Fed banks favoured hike by August
All of the 12 Federal Reserve regional banks had expressed support for raising short-term interest rates in August, minutes of the Fed's discount rate meetings released on Thursday 30 September showed.
China's Wen says no plan for imminent rate rise
China's Premier Wen Jiabao has ruled out the possibility of an imminent rise in interest rates and added that the country would consider its own macroeconomic situation and inflation before making any decision on rates.
Federal Reserve raises US rates
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 21 September to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 1-3/4 percent. In its press release the FOMC said despite the rise in energy prices, inflation and inflation…
Norges Bank keeps interest rates unchanged
Norges Bank's Executive Board decided on Wednesday 23 September to leave interest rates unchanged. Norges Bank's key interest rate, the sight deposit rate, therefore remains at 1.75 per cent. The overnight lending rate also remains unchanged.
Bank of England voted 9-0 to hold rates in Sept
The Bank of England said on Wednesday 22 September that it voted 9-0 to hold rates at 4.75 per cent in its 8 and 9 September MPC meeting. The Bank noted that recent labour market data was "surprisingly weak," though inflationary pressures were still…
Brazil hikes interest rates to 16.25%
Brazil's central bank interest rate setting Copom committee increased interest rates on Wednesday 15 September for the first time since February 2003, saying that it hoped to rein in inflation without disrupting the country's economic recovery.
China eyes capital market reforms
China has succeeded in curbing investment and credit growth, and the priority now is to free up interest rates, People's Bank of China deputy governor Li Ruogu said in remarks that may signal long-awaited capital market reforms are drawing nearer.
Former RBA chief criticises PM on rates
Former Reserve Bank of Australia governor Bernie Fraser said in an interview he expects interest rates to rise straight after the election, partly because of what he sees as the lax budgetary policies of the Howard government.
Bank of Canada raises interest rates 0.25%
The Bank of Canada announced on Wednesday 8 September that it would raise its key overnight interest rate by one-quarter of a percentage point to 2.25 per cent, a move widely expected by financial markets. In a press release the bank said with the…
PBOC's Zhou says rates on hold for now
The People's Bank of China will not consider changing the interest rates until August's statistics are released, according to PBOC Governor Zhou Xiaochuan.