Interest rates
Interview with former Fed governor Larry Meyer
In an interview with BusinessWeek published this week former Federal Reserve governor Laurence Meyer said he still isn't convinced the inflation evidence is strong enough for the Fed to rush through a rate hike, but he does believe that it could well…
Canada's Dodge sees global rates rise in 2005
In his opening statement to the Senate Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee on 20 April David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said the main uncertainty for the outlook continues to relate to how the Canadian economy adjusts to global developments. But…
BOJ's Suda says must tolerate rate rises
Bank of Japan Policy Board member Miyako Suda said on Wednesday 21 April that small rises in interest rates need to be tolerated because they reflect Japan's recovering economy.
Too early to judge inflation trend- SF Fed's Parry
Outgoing San Francisco Federal Reserve President Robert Parry said on Wednesday 14 April that the Fed will have to raise interest rates "at some point" to head off inflation, but rising prices are not a concern yet.
Bank of England leaves rates unchanged
The Bank of England made no statement to explain its thinking after its MPC meeting on Thursday 8 April left interest rates unchanged at 4%. Much speculation preceded the meeting with many analysts predicting a rate increase.
Guynn: Rates must return to neutral
Low US interest rates must be brought back to a more neutral level and if they stay down for too long financial market excesses can build, Atlanta Fed chief Jack Guynn said on Tuesday 30 March.
Bank of England's Nickell sees rapidly rising debt
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Stephen Nickell said on Monday 29 March that most UK borrowers can afford the burden of "rapidly" growing mortgage debt, signalling it may see room for higher interest rates.
Broaddus says Fed patience is right
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond president Alfred Broaddus said in an interview that clear evidence of tighter labour markets and higher core inflation will be needed before the Fed can raise interest rates.
Ireland's Hurley on ECB interest rates
The Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, John Hurley, has told the Irish Financial Markets Association (FMA) that the ECB is monitoring the interest-rate situation very closely.
Hungary's central bank cuts base rate to 12.25%
The Monetary Council of Hungary's national bank (MNB) cut its base rate by 25 bp to 12.25% at its Monday meeting. The MNB said as a result of improving external and internal economic developments, the conditions for meeting the end-2005 inflation target…
Minutes show Fed wanted increased flexibility
The FOMC was unanimous at their January meeting that they should ditch a pledge to keep interest rates low for "a considerable period" in favour of wording that would increase their flexibility, minutes showed Thursday.
Bank of England MPC Minutes 3/4 March
Minutes of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee Meeting were released on 17 March for the meeting of 3 and 4 March 2004. All nine members of the MPC voted to keep interest rates steady earlier this month, but their arguments may suggest…
Federal Reserve maintains its patience
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 16 March to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 1 per cent, repeating that it can be "patient in removing its policy accommodation".
Fed policy: steady as she goes
Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan and his colleagues were predicted to keep interest rates stable on Tuesday 16 March as data showed further jobless recovery.
Cleveland Fed's Pianalto on interest rates
In a speech on 'A National Voice, A Regional View' given on 5 March, Sandra Pianalto of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland said she can't say when interest rates are going to rise but added, "I know that this is a difficult time we are facing," and…
Bank of Canada cuts rates by quarter point
The Bank of Canada announced on Tuesday 2 March that it is lowering its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of one percentage point to 2 1/4 per cent.
Poland's Monetary Policy Council hold rates
Poland's Monetary Policy Council kept interest rates on hold on Wednesday 25 February . The decision was expected due to the recently completed council changeover, but the council suggested rates were more likely to rise than fall.
BOJ's Iwata: Inflation at 1-2% would be stable
Deputy Governor of the bank of Japan Kazumasa Iwata said in an interview that the BOJ will probably keep interest rates near zero until consumer prices rise about 1 to 2 per cent.
Gjedrem says further rate cuts possible
Giving his annual "state of the economy" speech on Thursday 19 February, Norges Bank Chief Svein Gjedrem said he did not exclude the possibility of even further interest cuts this year.
Padoa-Schioppa: Lower rates would not boost growth
ECB executive board member Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa was quoted in an interview as saying that the central bank's current monetary policy can't be blamed for slow growth in the eurozone and lower interest rates are not the answer.
Bank of England raises rates to 4%
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted on Thursday 5 February to raise the Bank's repo rate by 0.25 percentage points. In a statement the MPC highlighted the 'more broadly based' world economic recovery but judged the change was need to…
ECB press conference with questions and answers
At the ECB's press conference on Thursday 5 February, after leaving eurozone interest rates on hold, Jean-Claude Trichet said he saw no need to amend the European Stability and Growth Pact and that the bank would not rush into any decision that impacted…
RBA holds rates unchanged
The Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday 4 February, pausing after two increases in November and December.
Strong euro does not require rate cut - Buba
According to Hermann Remsperger, the Bundesbank's chief economist, the ECB does not need to cut eurozone interest rates to stimulate domestic demand. The ECB's rate-setting Governing Council is due to meet on Thursday 5 February.