Central Banks
Hungary cuts as critical opposition sweep to power
National Bank of Hungary trims rates by 25 bps as opposition election victory puts central bank on collision course with incoming government; former governor expected to be named finance minister
China must choose either stable prices or currency: PBoC adviser
Newly-appointed Chinese central bank adviser Zhou Qiren says the central bank cannot have a dual mandate of price and exchange-rate stability
Ex-Sarb Governor Mboweni joins Goldman Sachs
Former South African Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni becomes the latest former official to join the investment bank
Israel welcomes new law, no sign of rate-setters yet
Bank of Israel law creating a six-member Monetary Committee officially passed and governor Stanley Fischer thanks those who contributed, government has not yet begun search for external members
RBA’s Stevens: Australia’s recovery investment led
Reserve Bank of Australia’s governor also flags the role of intra-region exports
Bank of Canada: Monetary Policy Report April 2009
Bank maintains its benchmark interest rate steady, but report signals plans to begin to lessen the degree of monetary stimulus as the need for extraordinary policy passes
Shirakawa slams inflation-targeting 'fixation'
Bank of Japan governor blames single-minded use of inflation targets for the growth of credit bubbles, says price levels alone do not show health of the economy
Poland succumbs to political pressure and pays more into state coffers
National Bank of Poland could pay almost twice the amount originally offered
US Senate finds rating agencies influenced by banks
Inquiry says conflict of interest between agencies and their customers did influence ratings of mortgage-backed securities
Initial optimism on Greek bailout may falter
Marco Annunziata, the chief economist at UniCredit, examines the reaction to, and implications of, the Greek bailout
Abandon your ‘furious’ lobbying: Obama to banks
Obama warns banks’ lobbyists off descending on the Hill; laments Republican attacks
Cross-border lending extends slump: BIS
Bank for International Settlements says international lending fell by $385 billion in last three months of 2009, figures reveal fifth consecutive quarterly drop
Elderfield: bank recapitalisation costs manageable
Central Bank of Ireland head regulator suppresses fears over banking costs
Plosser slams Senate proposals on Fed reforms
Philly Fed president Charles Plosser criticises recent Senate bill for politicising Fed appointments
BOE policy on hold on downside risks in Europe
Bank of England minutes shows its Monetary Policy Committee left rates on hold amid continued economic uncertainty in Europe
Israel flags speedy recovery
Bank of Israel Annual Report shows GDP grew 0.7% in 2009; outpacing other advanced economies
Fed profits leap by 50%
Federal Reserve's profits shoot to $53.4 billion allowing record transfer of $47.4 billion to US Treasury; value of Maiden Lane vehicles climbs $5.6 billion after 2008 loss
ECB annual report flags uncertainty over recovery
2009 report shows fiscal debt troubles weighed down on growth last year
BoJ's Nishimura: we can escape deflation
Deputy governor Kiyohiko Nishimura confident of dealing with chronic deflation
Hungary discovers further risks to economy
National Bank of Hungary report identifies stability threats
Don't raise rates too late, ECB's Bini Smaghi warns
ECB board member Bini Smaghi offers recommendations to policymakers on strategy towards tightening policy
US authorities reveal new souped-up $100 note
Tilt security features for first time; Benjamin Franklin still the face of hoarders' favourite