Monetary Policy
EU banking sector stability report
REPORT - The European Central Bank (ECB) released on 24 February a report on the stability of the EU banking sector. The report was prepared by the Banking Supervision Committee of the European System of Central Banks, which comprises representatives…
Sveriges Riksbank Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Agreement between the Riksbank and Finansinspektionen on the division of labour with regard to financial stability, 24 February.
Economic Perspectives, First Quarter 2003
REPORT - The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has published its regular quarterly journal of in-depth articles reporting on the Bank's economic research for the Fourth Quarter 2002. This edition includes an article 'Inflation and monetary policy in the…
Fukui appointed BoJ governor
Toshihiko Fukui was today nominated to replace Masaru Hayami as governor of the Bank of Japan. Prime Minister Koizumi's decision to appoint a conservative figure like Fukui has already been criticised for showing a lack of commitment to tackle deflation.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Feb 2003
REPORT - Activity in the region's manufacturing sector was mostly flat, according to firms surveyed for February's Business Outlook Survey. Although one-third of firms reported higher new orders in February, one-fifth reported lower orders, and other…
Sveriges Riksbank Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Sweden in the European economy, 19 February. Deputy Governor of the Riksbank Lars Nyberg today spoke at Commerzbank Securities' capital market conference about Sweden's role in the European economy and the Riksbank's role in the EMU…
Minutes from the Sveriges Riksbank Board meeting
MINUTES - Minutes of the Sveriges Riksbank Executive Board meeting on 6 February, published 20 February. The Board voted unanimously to leave the repo rate unchanged at 3.75%. The Board concluded that economic developments continue to be marked by the…
Gjedrem on economic perspectives
SPEECH - In the speech 'Economic perspectives' Svein Gjedrem of Norges Bank said in response to heightened uncertainty and fears of war, traditional safe havens for capital, such as the Swiss franc and gold, have become increasingly attractive. Gold…
Report says Israel's Sharon to oust central banker
An Israeli press report on Friday cast further doubt on David Klein's chances of remaining as governor of the Bank of Israel. The report says Israel's prime minister is likely to ask the governor to withdraw from his position in the next few days.
Tanzania's forgery proof notes finally copied
After Tanzania's central bank confidently claimed their new bank notes were impossible to forge one eye has inevitably been kept on the country's paper money. Now the BBC reports that that fakes are turning up in Dar-es-salaam.
China to remain major foreign capital destination
The People's Bank of China says that although the risks challenging global economic recovery will have a negative impact on China's economic growth the country will retain its position as a major centre of foreign investment.
Mexico cen bank sees inflation expectations ease
After a tightening of monetary policy Mexico's central bank has said inflation expectations have eased. The easing was sought before various wage bargaining negotiations began.
Garganas on the International role of the euro
SPEECH - In the speech 'International role of the euro' Nicholas Garganas of the Bank of Greece said the euro has emerged as the world's second most important international currency. But the evidence also confirms that the dollar is still far ahead of…
Kennedy on restoring confidence - post bubble
SPEECH - In the speech 'Restoring Investor Confidence After the Bubble Bursts' Sheryl Kennedy of the Bank of Canada talks about asset price "bubbles" in the economy and the efforts underway to restore investor confidence following the collapse of…
Bank of Canada Review, Winter 2002-2003
REPORT - The Bank of Canada published its Review for Winter 2002-2003 on 19 February. The Review contains articles titled Recent Changes to Canada's Financial Sector Legislation, Exchange Rate Regimes in Emerging Markets, Transparency and the Response of…
Hurley on monetary policy in the Eurosystem
SPEECH - In the speech 'The monetary policy and operational framework of the Eurosystem' John Hurley of the Central Bank of Ireland said as regards the conduct of monetary policy, the Governing Council has a good record in maintaining price stability…
Fixing a forecasting model that ain't broke
ARTICLE - The Bank of England is due to start using a new forecasting model from June this year onwards. This article suggests that while it is good to keep up with the latest developments in economics, the new model has not been fully tested and that…
War is no excuse for European profligacy
ARTICLE - Bundesbank vice-president, Jurgen Stark, says the "never ending" debate over the stability and growth pact has damaged its credibility but the rules of the Pact must not be relaxed. Such a relaxation, called for by the UK and Germany, would,…
Origin and Procedures of Central Banking
BOOK - The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Central Bank Institute has published the introduction to a new book called "Origin and Procedures of Central Banking". The papers in the accompanying volume were first presented at the Institute's first…
The Art of Targeting Inflation
RESEARCH - The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Central Bank Institute has published the paper "The Art of Inflation Targeting" by Lars Heikensten and Anders Vredin. The paper describes the Riksbank's transition to inflation targeting and explains how…
Norges Bank's accounts for 2002
PRESS RELEASE - Norges Bank's annual accounts for 2002, released 20 February, show a deficit of NOK 24.1 billion, compared with a deficit of NOK 4.7 billion in 2001. No transfer will be made to the Treasury from the Transfer Fund.
Choosing the new Bank of Japan governor
ARTICLE - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is due to announce by the end of this month his choice for governor of the Bank of Japan, the central bank of the world's second-largest economy. He will also pick two deputy governors. The article…
Japan's Ito repeats call for BOJ inflation target
An academic linked to the race for top spot at Japan's central bank reiterated on Thursday his view that the bank should adopt a controversial policy targeting inflation to reverse Japan's steadily falling prices.
EU's Solbes: ECB reform proposals not ideal
The European Central Bank's proposals to change the voting system for its governing council have not been received warmly. The Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pedro Solbes has described the proposals as "not the ideal solution".