Central Banks
Taiwan banks ordered to stop forex forward trading
Taiwan's central bank has ordered three foreign banks and one domestic bank, which were allegedly engaged in foreign currency manipulation, to suspend their foreign currency forward transactions, according to banking sources.
IMF Koehler praises Turkey govt, but action needed
Horst Koehler, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, stressed on Dec 21 that the $7.5 billion in new financing the IMF is providing Turkey is a short-term measure to ensure a liquidity crisis in the banking sector doesn't derail wider…
Govt has no control over currency trading says MAS
The Monetary Authority of Singapore said the government does not exercise any control over currency trading in Singapore. Currency values are determined by market forces and the banks which trade them are merely "intermediaries" which allow them to find…
Venezuela slows depreciation rate of currency band
Venezuela's central bank said on Dec 21 2000 it would slow the depreciation of the central parity rate of the bolivar currency next year to 7.00 percent annually, from about 12 percent this year.
Cuba to aim for 5 percent economic growth in 2001
Cuba set a 2001 economic growth target of 5 percent on Dec 21 but said one of its strategic priorities would be reducing its swelling current account deficit.
ECB plays down danger of eurozone price difference
The European Central Bank said Dec 21 said diverging eurozone inflation rates were not a flaw of a one-size fits all monetary policy, provided that the differences proved to be only short-lived.
Welteke-far too soon to signal lower ECB rates
Bundesbank President Ernst Welteke said on Dec 21 Europe was well equipped to withstand an economic slowdown in the United States and that it was far too soon to signal lower interest rates in the euro zone.
No change in Cyprus rates post deregulation-c.bank
Interest rates in Cyprus are expected to remain steady in the immediate future as the economy dismantles the rigid rate control regime from January 1 2001, the island's central bank governor said on Dec 21 2000.
Mauritius automates banking settlement system
Mauritius' central bank on Dec 21 2000 launched an automated real time clearing and settlement system for the country's banking sector.
Bank of Portugal says 2000 growth 2.75% to 3.25%
The Bank of Portugal envisages that the country should register economic growth in 2000 of between 2.75 per cent and 3.25 per cent.
CNB Bank Board leaves interest rates unchanged
The Bank Board of the Czech National Bank CNB, which Dec 21 discussed the 12th status report on monetary and economic development, made no changes in the interest rates, spokesman Milan Tomanek told reporters after the session. The repo rate thus…
Australia's central bank supported A$, worst over
Australia's central bank intervened to support the local dollar to the tune of A$860 million in November as the currency plumbed record lows, the Reserve Bank said on Dec 21.
UK's MPC split 7-2 for steady rates in Dec
Britain's central Bank was split 7-2 in favour of leaving interest rates unchanged at 6.0% earlier this month, minutes of the meeting showed on Wednesday.
BOT to launch daily liquidity forecasts
The Bank of Thailand will soon launch a daily liquidity forecast - a new tool designed to control short-term market rates.The forecast would tell financial institutions roughly how much liquidity there would be on the following day, BOT assistant…
Nigeria cbank closely monitors forex transactions
The Central Bank of Nigeria has intensified its monitoring of the interbank foreign exchange market with a view to unraveling the cause of the unusual high demand for foreign exchange.
China c.bank says gold exchange venue not set
China's central bank said on Tuesday it had not decided where to set up the first national gold exchange, denying a newspaper report it would be located in Shanghai.
France helps Niger bolster economy after IMF deal
France's AFD aid agency has granted Niger 4.0 billion CFA francs ($5.5 million) to help rebuild its economy and public finances, official sources said.
Anglo sees no immediate impact of Zambia controls
Mining giant Anglo American Plc said on Wednesday its business interests in Zambia would not be affected immediately by the country's decision to impose limited foreign exchange controls.
Swedish c.bank says one member opposed rate hike
Sweden's central bank, the Riksbank, said one of its six board members did not support this month's increase of Sweden's key repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 4.00 percent.
UK govt climbdown on payment system regulation
The UK government on Wednesday dropped plans for a new banking regulator to monitor the payments system, and handed responsibility to the Office of Fair Trading, which has general responsibilities for promoting competition.