Central Banks
Japan's former economy minister wins seat
Former Japanese economy minister Heizo Takenaka won his first parliamentary election this week and said on Monday 12 July that he aims to get Japan's growth back on track.
Fed's Bies on business financial conditions
In a speech on 'Business financial conditions and relationships with bankers' given on 15 July, Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said the economic expansion is now broad based, and the financial strength of businesses should help provide the…
BoJ's Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes, 14/15 June
The Bank of Japan released the minutes from its 14 and 15 June Monetary Policy Meeting on 16 July. Members said that many economic indicators released since the previous meeting were relatively strong for Japan, and agreed that the economy continued to…
EMEAP - Eurosystem high level seminar in Singapore
Eleven Central Bank Governors from the Executives' Meeting of East Asia-Pacific (EMEAP), the President of the European Central Bank and twelve Governors from the Eurosystem National Central Banks held a joint high-level seminar in Singapore on 16 July.
Austria's Liebscher on Bretton Woods institutions
In a speech on 'The importance of the Bretton Woods institutions for small countries' given on 21 June, Klaus Liebscher of the Austrian National Bank said he is a firm believer in the value of the Bretton Woods Institutions for the global economy as a…
Brazil to propose central bank autonomy in 2005
Brazils government will present a proposal to grant the Central Bank autonomy by 2005, Finance Minister Antonio Palocci was quoted as saying in the Friday July 16 edition of the Financial Times.
Trichet confident Asian growth remains on track
ECB chief Jean-Claude Trichet was in Singapore on Friday 16 July for a meeting with East Asia-Pacific central bank governors. Trichet said he is confident that the global interest rate environment remains benign and regional growth, led by China, is…
Japan 'half way' to overcoming deflation
While deflation has shown signs of easing in Japan, rising raw material prices still haven't affected consumer goods, signalling that price declines will continue, Japan's Cabinet Office said in its white paper on the economy.
Eurozone inflation eases to 2.4% in June
Eurozone inflation fell slightly in June to 2.4 percent on a 12-month basis from 2.5 percent in May, final data from the EU's statistical office Eurostat showed on Friday 16 July.
Polish finance minister resigns to join IMF
Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka said that Finance Minister Andrzej Raczko was leaving the government for a post at the International Monetary Fund and would be replaced on Wednesday by the economist Miroslaw Gronicki, AFP reported Friday.
Central bank staff may okay job action in Israel
The Bank of Israel labor union will meet next week to officially approve "lengthy strikes," Haaretz reported Friday 16 July. Central bank employees struck for one day last May.
Meyer's book lifts lid on life inside the Fed
Former Federal Reserve governor Laurence Meyer's new book reveals some insights on life inside the Fed. This review says Meyer was advised against saying anything in a speech that might move financial markets. In the book, Meyer writes that Chairman Alan…
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, July 2004
The Bank of Japan released the English version of its monthly report on 15 July. Japan's economy continues to recover, with the increase in production and corporate profits exerting positive effects on employment, the central bank said.
BIS paper on management of interest rate risk
As part of its ongoing efforts to address international bank supervisory issues, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued a paper on principles for the management of interest rate risk in September 1997. This revised version is being issued to…
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank- Annual Report 2003
In a speech on the 2003/04 Annual Report 'A broadbrush picture of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank' given on 21 June K Dwight Venner of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank said the year 2003/2004 was a very challenging, but productive year. The Bank…
Hildebrand on the new investment policy of the SNB
In a speech on 'The new investment policy of the Swiss National Bank' given on 17, June Philipp Hildebrand of the Swiss National Bank said the management of the monetary reserves has gained in importance. The National Bank Act requires the National Bank…
Issing says ECB must check inflation expectations
European Central Bank Chief Economist Otmar Issing said it's important for the bank to prevent expectations of inflation from rising excessively, the Nihon Keizai newspaper said, citing an interview with Issing.
Bank of France raises growth forecast
The Bank of France raised its forecast for growth in the second and third quarters as June retail sales surged, manufacturers lifted production, and executives' confidence was its highest in more than three years.
RBA says credit card reforms working
Shopkeepers stood to save $430 million a year from lower credit card costs after the Reserve Bank stepped in to regulate fees, the RBA said in its July Bulletin released Thursday.
Book - 'A term at the Fed' by Laurence H. Meyer
In his new book, A Term at the Fed: An Insider's View, Laurence Meyer displays a certain frankness in discussing his performance as a central-bank policymaker from 1996 to 2002, this book review says. He's candid about the mistakes he made and even…