Monetary Policy
BOJ minutes show concern over banks stock holdings
Minutes from the Bank of Japan's policy board meeting released Tuesday showed members deliberated the need to help commercial banks reduce stock holdings and cut share-investment losses.
ECB to discuss setting 1% base on inflation target
As part of the ECB's strategy review, the Financial Times reports, it will discuss the possible introduction of a 1 per cent lower boundary to its inflation target at its rate-setting meeting this week.
ECB's Papademos seeks Commission role on pact
The ECB's vice-president has said the weakest aspect of the Stability and Growth Pact is the arrangement for enforcing it, the Irish Times reported. 'It is essential that greater flexibility and pragmatism in the implementation of the Stability and…
Saddam's son took $1bn from central bank pre war
A report in the New York Times said that just before the war in Iraq began US$1bn in cash was removed from the central bank by one of Saddam Hussein's sons. Three tractor-trailers were needed to cart the money off, an Iraqi official said and it took a…
Philippine c bank chief returns to work
After spending the last two months in the US for medical treatment Governor Rafael Buenaventura of the Philippines central bank will return to work this week, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
The price Britain faces for delay on euro entry
In an article supporting Britain's entry to the euro, Professor David Begg says that maintaining a 'wait and see' policy on the euro may have a significant price for the UK and the real issue is when not if Britain will join the euro.
Brazil debates intervention in currency market
A debate has emerged in Brazil regarding the central banks intervention in the currency market after the government said last week it would not be desirable for the real to strengthen further.
Poole on booms and recessions
In the speech 'Booms, Recessions, and the Economically Disadvantaged' William Poole of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said I hope soon but do not know for sure, the economy will be expanding again and employment will grow. The U.S. Economy is…
No to the euro will cost the UK
The costs are certain for the UK in delaying joining the euro - but the benefits are not - argues a report by 11 world-renowned economists published today. CentralBankNet reports from the presentation.
Gramlich on loan guarantee programs
In a speech on 'Loan Guarantee Programs' Edward Gramlich of the Federal Reserve said though political motives undoubtedly are involved in the creation of loan guarantee programs, an economic rationale could be involved as well. Some social value, which…
McDonough at the New York Bankers Association
In a speech to the New York State Bankers Association William J. McDonough of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York focused on the theme of technology and the constancy of change in the economy and financial system. Technology, McDonough said, has helped…
Efficacy of central bank interventions - Australia
An RBA discussion paper "Identifying the Efficacy of Central Bank Interventions: Evidence from Australia" says the endogeneity of exchange rates and intervention has long plagued studies of the effectiveness of central banks' actions in foreign exchange…
Blair's euro ambitions in danger
A article in the Financial Times suggests that Tony Blair's euro ambitions are in danger from the five economic tests and the latitude given to the chancellor of the exchequer by the prime minister.
Strike in Israel disrupts central bank operations
A cut in interest rates by the Bank of Israel will not come into affect until bank business resumes as the country is currently gripped by a national strike Reuters reports.
Bundesbank's Stark unconcerned about euro rise
In an interview Vice President of the Bundesbank reported by Reuters, Juergen Stark said the global economy was not heading towards a major crisis and pointed to the fact that a strong euro made imports - particularly oil - cheaper, stimulating the…
Hurley welcomes new Irish regulator body
Address by John Hurley, Governor, Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland, 1 May, at the launch of Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority.
Swedes become more hostile to the euro
Four polls since 15 April suggest opponents of the euro outnumber supporters in Sweden by an average of 8 per cent, according to report by Bloomberg. This compares with six months ago when pro-euro campaigners led by 3 percentage points.
Norway's plans to sell Royal Mint stir up storm
Norway's central bank has said that by 2007 it will not be economically feasible to print notes and mint coins in the country, according to Aftenposten, but the move has caused controversy with many saying that printing notes and coins has "symbolic…
Brazil's Copom resisted April rates cut
Minutes of Brazil's central bank Copom meeting released on Friday 2 May showed that the bank resisted cutting interest rates in April as although inflation slowed in March, it failed to ease at the pace predicted, according to AE Brazil.
BoJ chief ignores bank share pressure
Speaking on Friday 2 May, Bank of Japan chief Toshihiko Fukui said the central bank cannot take limitless risk, which is a job that only the government can do. His comments, reported by Associated Press, were a response to government pressure to step up…
Greenspan's testimony to Congress
In a follow-up to the semiannual monetary policy report to Congress Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said the consensus of economic forecasters is that a material rebound in economic activity will develop in the second half of this year, and…
Senior appointment at the RBA
The Reserve Bank of Australia announced on Wednesday April 30 that its head of economic analysis, Guy Debelle, will take a year's leave at MIT and be replaced by Dr Philip Lowe.
Statement by David Dodge to the Senate Committee
In his opening statement to the Senate Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee David Dodge said the Canadian economy should strengthen towards the end of 2003, partly thanks to a pickup in U.S. economic activity with average annual growth in Canada is…
ECB opinion on appointment to the Executive Board
ECB Opinion on the appointment of a member of the Executive Board of the ECB, 30 April 2003.