Monetary Policy
Dissent inside the Eurotower
ARTICLE - This article suggests that even if the ECB cuts interest rates on Thursday, the move will do little to satisfy critics pressing for a reappraisal of the bank's policymaking framework. The article suggests tensions between key ECB officials…
Norges Bank Press Release, 5 Mar
PRESS RELEASE - Norges Bank has decided to reduce the interest rate on banks' deposits with Norges Bank, the sight deposit rate, by 0.50 percentage point with effect from 6 March. The interest rate on banks' overnight loans will also be reduced by 0.50…
Bank of Japan Press Release, 5 Mar
PRESS RELEASE - Decision from the Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting, 5 March.
Kenya president appoints new central bank governor
President Kibaki of Kenya has officially received and accepted the resignation of Nahashon Nyagah as the governor of Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). Dr Andrew Mulei has been appointed as his replacement. The CBK confirmed to CentralBankNet that Dr Mulei's…
Serb central banker would refuse Hague testimony
Serbian central bank chief Mladjan Dinkic said Tuesday he would refuse an approach for him to give testimony in the Hague because, he said, "I do not know what the purpose of my appearance before that tribunal would be".
Norway central bank cuts interest rates
Norges Bank, the Norwegian central bank, lowered key interest rates Wednesday by a half-percentage point. The Bank hinted that further reductions may be necessary.
Fed's Parry: Fed has room to ease again
San Francisco Fed president Robert Parry has said there may still be room to reduce interest rates, if it were called for, as the risk of sparking an inflation increase was low.
RBA leaves rates steady
The Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates on hold Wednesday for the ninth month in a row.
Background on Kenya's new central bank head
FEATURE - The new Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Dr Andrew Mulei, is currently the Executive Director of the African Centre for Economic Growth. This feature provides some background details on the new CBK chief.
Deutsche Bundesbank Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Statement by Edgar Meister in response to media enquiries, 4 March. Meister says that the issue of bonds by HVB Bank to raise capital is not necessary as the Bundesbank views the bank's solvency as "assured" and there are no supervisory…
Press release on UK Financial Stability, 3 Mar
PRESS RELEASE - Bank of England, HM Treasury and FSA, IMF "UK Financial Stability Policy Framework is at the Forefront Internationally" 3 March.
St. Louis Fed wears many banking hats
ARTICLE - This article takes a look inside the St Louis Federal Reserve Bank and examines its operations including payment systems.
Swedish gov't moves for trade union EMU support
In a bid to reduce opposition to the euro, a report says the Swedish government is preparing to set aside money to protect jobs, in exchange for trade union votes in the upcoming referendum.
Greenspan on the Home Mortgage Market
SPEECH - In the speech 'Home Mortgage Market' Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said borrowing against home equity has been a staple of household finance for decades, but that it has been only in the past decade or so that such practices have been…
Bank of Canada Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Bank of Canada raises overnight rate target by 1/4 percentage point to 3 per cent, 4 March.
Australia's Costello silent on RBA chief's future
With Ian Macfarlane's term ending in September, speculation has begun on whether the RBA chief will seek another term. Treasurer Peter Costello was tight lipped on the matter but said the governor had performed very well.
Afghan market stable - Central Bank official
In an interview Abdul Fitrat of Afghanistan's central bank said the Afghani is likely to stabilise against foreign currencies after the central bank decided to limit supply.
Bundesbank may opt to sell gold reserves - report
Mr Welteke, president of the Bundesbank, was reported as saying that the Bundesbank may become a party to the upcoming agreement among gold-holding central banks of Europe to sell part of their gold reserves. The new agreement may allow for increased…
Incoming BOJ Gov. Fukui mustn't be an also-ran
ARTICLE - This article provides some background on the new governor of the Bank of Japan Toshihiko Fukui. At one time, it says, Fukui was at the forefront of moves to reform the central bank, which had been disparagingly described as "nothing more than a…
Ukrainian leader urges c bank/ cabinet cooperation
Leonid Kuchma, the Ukrainian president, has said decisions must be coordinated, particularly between the National Bank of Ukraine and the government.
BoE's George- pound fall cuts euro entry obstacles
Sir Edward George suggested on Tuesday that the Bank of England's recent surprise cut in interest rates would be "seen as quite dangerous by the ECB". He also suggested the ECB could benefit from a technical subcommittee to make interest rate…
Feature - new faces at the Bank of England
SPECIAL FEATURE - There has been some surprise at the recent appointments at the Bank of England. The Bank is to be graced with its first female deputy governor in its 300-year history, who happens to have spent 27 years of her lifetime at the Bank's…
RBNZ Press Release, 3 Mar
PRESS RELEASE - Reserve Bank personnel changes - The Reserve Bank today announced two impending changes in the Bank's senior management team.
If the ECB cuts rates it should do so boldly
ARTICLE - This article says the case for an ECB rate reduction this week is overwhelming. But any cut must be decisive otherwise it will have very little effect on the euro-zone economy. "If you are going to hit it, hit it hard."