News/Governance
Woman tries to spend fake $1 million note
A US woman was charged with forgery this week after trying to spend a $1 million bank note in a Georgia supermarket. Staff refused to accept the note or hand over her $998,328.45 in change (if they had it!) and called the manager.
Developing nations seek IMF top job
While the smart money is increasingly moving towards Spanish Finance Minister Rodrigo Rato as Horst Kohler's successor at the IMF, developing countries have waded into the debate and staked their claim to the Fund's top job.
Serbia's Jelasic moves into office
The new governor of the National Bank of Serbia, Radovan Jelasic, officially took control of the bank on Monday 1 March.
Kazakhstan appoints new deputy
According to a decree from President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Askar Yelemesov was appointed deputy president of the National Bank of Khasakhstan on Wednesday 3 March.
ECB board member confirmation hearing in April
The European Parliament said on Wednesday 3 March that it will hold a confirmation hearing with the nominee for the ECB's soon to be vacant seat. It spoke of a broadening of backgrounds which "would come from board members with an academic or…
Paul Sweezy dies at 93
Paul M Sweezy, a Harvard University economist who did much work on the theory of oligopoly, and left academia to become America's leading Marxist intellectual and publisher during the cold war era, died on Saturday 28 February at his New York home.
Court upholds immunity of former BSP chief Laya
The Third Division of the Philippines Sandiganbayan Court has upheld the immunity granted to former Central Bank governor Jaime Laya by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and dismissed the $65 million graft case against him.
Three BI insiders proposed for senior dep governor
President Megawati has proposed three names from within Bank Indonesia as candidates for the post of senior deputy governor, reflecting the government's intention to pick someone who is already familiar with the central bank's working environment.
IMF contenders line up after Kohler's shock exit
Horst Kohler's decision on Thursday 4 March to step down a year early from the IMF to accept a nomination to become German president has seen various names enter the fray as possible successors, including UK chancellor Gordon Brown.
The bad news - Greenspan must go!
Chairman Greenspan's busy week of testimony and speeches didn't go without its critics. Republican Senator Bernie Sanders sent a letter to President "Dubya" asking for Greenspan's removal.
The good news - White House wants Greenspan again
The White House repeated on Tuesday that President George W. Bush will support another term for Alan Greenspan as Federal Reserve Chairman.
Bank of France unions call for worker walk-out
Six unions representing employees at Banque de France, the French central bank (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFTC, SIC and SNA), called staff out on a one-hour work stoppage on Tuesday 24 February.
Fazio faces fraud investigation
Governor Antonio Fazio of the Bank of Italy is under investigation in connection with a probe of alleged fraud in the sale of securities by an Italian bank.
Spain enters race for ECB seat
Spain has entered the frame proposing a candidate for a place on the governing council of the European Central Bank against both Ireland and Belgium, who have already thrown their hats into the ring.
Gerashchenko lashes Russian central bank
Former Russian Central Bank Chairman Viktor Gerashchenko has said he would sack the current management of the bank if he could. Appearing on Russian breakfast TV he said they did many things wrong because they are non-professionals.
Bill McDonough to get FPA gong
William McDonough, chairman of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and former president of the New York Fed will be awarded the Foreign Policy Association Medal next week.
RBI staff strike over strike ban
Around a million workers of state-run Indian banks including the Reserve Bank of India went on strike Tuesday 24 February to protest against a Supreme Court decision prohibiting government employees from going on strikes.
Mel Gibson's father: 'Greenspan should be lynched'
Well-known Hollywood Actor Mel Gibson is about to release a new movie, but in a bizarre interview his father has made some outrageous comments, including a mention for Alan Greenspan.
Bank Indonesia seeks replacement deputy governor
President Director ECW Nelloe of Bank Mandiri said on Wednesday (18 Feb) that he was not prepared to be nominated for the post of senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia.
Poor Don Brash splattered with mud
Don Brash planned to take his message direct to the people after recent problems saw him accused of "Maori bashing". But all was not plain sailing for the former RBNZ chief.
'Toshihiko Goldilocks' world's top central banker
According to The Economist this week, Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui is the world's best central banker. Fukui was prised for steering monetary policy in the right direction while his counterparts at the ECB and Fed came in for criticism.
BI aims for skills increase in staff
Supervisory staff at Bank Indonesia will be required to receive competence certificates under new measures to improve the banking industry.
Gerashchenko to co-chair of Russians Regions Party
Former chief of the Russian Central Bank Viktor Gerashchenko was elected co-chairman of the Russian Regions Party on Monday (15 Feb). The decision was made by the party's congress, after Sergey Glazyev was booted from the post.
Cleveland Fed's Pianalto reveals basketball link
Visiting a school recently, Cleveland Fed President Sandra Pianalto was mobbed for autographs by the schoolchildren who crowded round her.