Central Banks
Japanese reform efforts praised by IMF's Rato
The new head of the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday praised Japan's recent economic reforms saying the reforms had paid off and the future can be even brighter.
Weber says ECB concerned on oil price effect
Bundesbank president Axel Weber has said the European Central Bank is concerned about the possible secondary inflationary effects of the higher oil price.
PBOC denies interest rate rumour
The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank, denied media reports on Monday that its research bureau had sent a report proposing an interest rate rise to the State Council, China's cabinet.
Bank of Japan to be restructured
The Bank of Japan faces major restructuring in July, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Tuesday, with reforms to personnel policies and salaries intended to increase efficiency.
All eyes on Ireland
Ireland's single financial services regulator was a year old last month. Unusually for a single regulatory authority, it has been established as a wing of the central bank. Chief executive Liam O'Reilly spoke to Michael Imeson about its achievements so…
Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, Summer 2004
The Bank of England released its Quarterly Bulletin Summer 2004, on 18 June. The Bulletin includes articles titled "Assessing the stability of narrow money demand in the United Kingdom," "Deriving a market-based measure of interest rate expectations," …
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, June 2004
According to the Bank of Japan's June Monthly Report the Japanese economy is "gathering strong momentum" and continues to recover, increased production and corporate profits are having a positive effect on employment, it said.
Broaddus on the economy and monetary policy
In the speech 'Comments on the economy and monetary policy' given on 16 June Alfred Broaddus of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said he was confident U.S. inflation would stay contained, but it was critical to preserve the Fed's credibility for…
Bomb explodes near Iraq central bank
A mortar round exploded near Iraq's central bank on Sunday, injuring 10 people in the capital according to reports.
Greenspan takes oath for fifth term
Alan Greenspan Saturday evening took the oath of office as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a fifth four-year term commencing on June 20, 2004.
ECB's Issing says ECB mandate won't change
Moves by certain eurozone governments to alter the European Central Bank's mandate so that the bank focuses more on growth and less on inflation are doomed to fail, says the ECB's chief economist Otmar Issing in a newspaper interview published Monday.
Bundesbank optimistic for German industry
The Bundesbank said in its June monthly report published 21 June that it is expecting the recovery in the German industrial sector to continue this year.
Hungary leaves interest rates steady
The National Bank of Hungary left interest rates unchanged Monday and issued a warning about inflationary pressures in the economy.
Structural handicaps limiting growth says Trichet
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said in an interview published Monday that structural handicaps such as labour market regulations and high public spending are the main limit to European growth.
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, June 2004
The Federal Reserve released its June 2004 Beige Book survey on 16 June. The report said that economy activity in April and May continued to expand across the United States.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Jun 2004
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, June 2004, expansion continued in the region's manufacturing sector with most indicators improved on their May readings.
Bank of England - Annual Report 2004
The Bank of England has published its Annual Report for 2003/2004. The Bank spent more than £20m last year on defending itself against charges of "misfeasance in public office" relating to the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International,…
Chicago Fed's Moskow on the US economic outlook
In the speech 'U.S. Economic Outlook' given on 17 June Michael Moskow of the Chicago Fed said he believes the Federal Reserve will be able to stick to its pledged "measured" pace of interest-rate hikes, but the Fed will come into action if economic…
Boston Fed's Minehan on US retail payments
In the speech 'U.S. Retail Payments: Opportunities and Challenges' given on 17 June Cathy Minehan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said the Federal Reserve's level of official interest rates is out of step with the strong U.S. economy and the highly…
Fed's Olson on the economic outlook
In the speech 'Economic Outlook' given on 15 June Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said the Fed should be able to raise interest rates gradually, although economic events would ultimately dictate the pace. He also said that although US inflation has…
Richmond Fed names Jeffrey Lacker President
Jeffrey M. Lacker was appointed on 17 June the new President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, effective August 1, 2004. He succeeds J. Alfred Broaddus, Jr., who announced his intention to retire back in November.
Senate vote confirms Greenspan
The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Alan Greenspan for a fifth and final term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, clearing him to serve at the Fed into 2006.