Governance
Bank of Korea elbows government out of rate decisions
Korean central bank wins battle to keep vice minister out of rate calls; government representative can attend and observe future policy meetings, but must leave before policymakers vote
Former Icelandic governors may face criminal charges over crisis
Icelandic parliamentary committee passes names of three former central bank officials to state prosecutors; may face criminal charges
Markets support Poland’s central bank nominee amid opposition murmurs
Stock market gains as analysts welcome the nomination of former prime minister Marek Belka to head the central bank; confirmation expected despite grumblings from opposition politicians
Angolan central bank loses monetary policy mandate
Parliament votes to change law so central bank can “merely participate” in monetary and exchange rate policy; government will have responsibility while central bank assists in implementation
Ex-Polish PM to head central bank
Poland's acting president nominates former prime minister and IMF European director Marek Belka for post of central bank president
Bernanke says central bank independence essential during periods of QE
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says central bank must retain independence during periods of unconventional policy
IMF flags concern over Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s governance
IMF cites severe governance failings as Zimbabwe’s central bank maintains Gideon Gono as chair of its new governing board.
Shirakawa wants financial stability as primary mandate
Governor of the Bank of Japan believes central banks' key task should be to achieve a stable financial environment; says higher inflation targets would do little good at the zero bound
Philippines' Tetangco applauds microfinance steps
Central Bank of the Philippines' governor Amanda Tetangco says banks must embrace micro lending
Microfinance pioneer laments crisis as missed opportunity
Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus says governments passed up chance to change financial model in a way that would have better served the needs of society
ECB insists eurozone bonds decision was its own
Political pressure played no part in ECB decision to buy bonds, says board member
Philly, Cleveland Fed presidents net inflation-busting pay rises
Federal Reserve's Annual Report shows ten out of 12 regional Fed presidents earned above-inflation salary increases
Securities and Exchange Commission appoints new chief financial officer
SEC's appointment of new chief financial officer follows criticisms last year from the US Government Accountability Office
RBA offshoot used prostitutes and bribes to win contracts: police witness alleges
Former employee of Securency, a Reserve Bank of Australia offshoot, alleges firm used bribes and prostitutes to win contracts to supply polymer substrate to foreign central banks
Iran's central bank faces sanctions squeeze
Iranian central bank's dealings could come under international spotlight if Security Council passes nuclear sanctions package
Hungarian prime minister-elect hints at Simor ouster
Hungary’s incoming prime minister gives clearest sign so far that András Simor’s days as central bank governor could be numbered; party wants a central bank that will stimulate economy
Malta's Bonello: Basel II amendments ambitious and far-reaching
Central Bank of Malta governor discusses new proposals to amend the Basel II requirements following lessons from financial crisis
Hungary’s Simor tells critical government to curb debt
National Bank of Hungary governor András Simor says high external and government debt levels must be corrected; central bank adds that growth cannot be financed through foreign borrowing anymore
Ireland’s Honohan says bank and government partnership key
Central Bank of Ireland governor Patrick Honohan says co-operation between banks and state is essential to credit markets
Philly Fed: trade declines in US recession normal
Philadelphia Federal Reserve study shows that inventories stock created a buffer following declines in post-crisis trade
Bond vote highlights flaws in ECB’s governance: Ex-FSA head Davies
Former head of UK Financial Services Authority Howard Davies says vote on bond purchases underlines flaws in European Central Bank’s one member, one vote policy
Venezuela tightens grip on FX in bid to close down unofficial market
Central Bank of Venezuela to attempt to curb the depreciation of the bolivar by taking control of foreign exchange