Monetary Policy
Unions call for action at the Bank of France
Following the French central bank's announcement of plans for a radical reduction in the number of its branches, unions representing staff at the Bank of France have called for strike action from Monday.
Central bank aims to halt slide of Jamaican dollar
The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has taken additional steps aimed at halting the slide in the value of the Jamaican dollar against its United States counterpart.
Ukrainian central bank to fight money laundering
The National Bank of Ukraine expects to make another decision to fight money laundering schemes and stop unlawful money transfers abroad by the end of this week, the head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Serhiy Tyhypko, said Monday.
Monetary Policy Committee or Puzzle Committee?
ARTICLE - Perhaps the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee should be re-named the Monetary Puzzle Committee suggests Stephen King in an article. For him the B of E's decision to reduce interest rates last week after Sir Edward George criticised…
Single currency for West Africa "well on course"
The West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) says the planned convergence of a single currency by member countries of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is well on course. "Following the landmark decisions in Bamako, Mali, in December 2000, establishing…
Roth: SNB will intervene to control franc level
Jean-Pierre Roth, the chairman of the governing board of the Swiss National Bank, said in a speech Tuesday that the central bank would intervene if necessary to prevent the appreciation of the Swiss franc.
Greenspan testimony questions stimulus for economy
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Tuesday that uncertainties over a possible war with Iraq posed "formidable barriers" to business spending and made it tough to gauge the U.S. economy's health.
Further problems of inflation targets
For inflation targets to work the public must have faith in official statistics. The trouble is they often don’t.
St Helena’s forgotten currency board
St Helena’s small but perfectly formed currency board provides an example to the rest of the world, argue Steve Hanke and Matt Sekerke.
The politics of the Eurosystem
Constitutional discussions in Europe have steered clear of the ECB, but may yet impact on Europe’s only federal institution, argues Graham Bishop.
New directions for the ECB
Enlargement, a new president and a review of policy have far-reaching implications for Europe’s central bank, says Philip Lane.
CentralBankNet Monday Special Feature
SPECIAL FEATURE - Interest rate setting is abit like gambling with players weighing up the odds and placing their bets. The ECB's announcement last week that it intends to formally recommend a new voting system for its Governing Council will change the…
Lars Heikensten on Sweden's road to EMU
SPEECH - Riksbank governor Lars Heikensten says that direct changeover to the euro from 2006 is good news for the financial sector and will lessen the risk of payment system disturbances. He also emphasised the importance of creating a transparent, clear…
Jarle Bergo on monetary policy in Norway
SPEECH - Jarle Bergo, Deputy Governor of Norges Bank, speaks about the role of monetary policy within Norway's economic policy. The speech was given at the Confederation of Vocational Unions on 7 February 2003.
What role for inflation targeting?
ARTICLE - Former executive director of the Reserve Bank of India, A. Vasudevan, asks whether inflation targeting or multiple objective targeting should be of concern only to central banks. He argues that, generally speaking, monetary policy needs to be…
Australian interest rates to remain stable
The Reserve Bank of Australia's quarterly statement on monetary policy said the global economy had lost momentum in late 2002 and that had weakened the case for rate rises this year.
Egypt cb says forex market more stable
The governor of the Central Bank of Egypt Mahmud Abu-al-Uyun told bankers that, 10 days after the liberalization of foreign exchange, the forex market is becoming increasingly stable.
Dinkic best candidate to head Serbia's cb
Outgoing governor National Bank of Yugoslavia, Mladjan Dinkic, is seen to be the best candidate to head the new National Bank of Serbia.
Israel cb criticises govt over deficit dangers
Israel's central bank has criticised the government over its handling of the budget. The Bank of Israel said the Israeli government needed to make substantial cuts to the budget to reach its 2003 budget deficit target.
Philippines to revise inflation target downwards
The Philippines has set a 4 to 5 percent average inflation rate target for next year, slightly lower than this year's target of 4.5 to 5.5 percent.
Inflation-target sentiment seen growing inside Fed
ARTICLE - This article weighs up Federal Reserve policy-makers current positions on the issue of inflation targeting. The board appears split with governors putting the case for and against a target and Chairman Alan Greenspan coming down on the side of…
McTeer on making the case for markets
SPEECH - In the speech 'Problems Making the Case for the Market: Good Intentions or Good Results' Bob McTeer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said he was happy to report that the evils of inflation are greatly diminished, and considerable progress…
BIS Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Central banks to collect more in-depth statistics on banks' country risk exposures, 7 February.
Financial Services Policy Committee Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Federal Reserve Banks Announce Changes to Increase EfficiencyIn Check Services as Check Volumes Decline Nationwide, 6 Feb.