News
ECB agrees 10% increase of euro notes production
The European Central Bank on Mar 15, 2001 said it approved a 10 percent increase in the production of euro banknotes to create an additional reserve and help smooth the changeover to euro cash.
Turkey's banking watchdog seized control of bank
Turkey's banking watchdog seized control of a mid-sized private bank early on Mar 15, 2001 in a sign the government is determined to clean up a crisis-ridden banking sector that threatens the entire economy.
BOJ Hayami says structural reform indispensable
Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami said on Mar 15, 2001 that structural reform in the Japanese economic system and industry is needed to make monetary policy fully effective.
Argentine cbank chief testifies, quotes Kafka
Argentina's embattled central bank president Pedro Pou testified before a congressional commission on Mar 14 to defend himself from allegations he turned a blind eye to money laundering.
Gaby Fiszman made economic adviser to Israeli PM
New Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon appointed on Mar 13, 2001, a Bank of Israel official as his economic adviser, a statement from his office said.
Serdengecti appointed Turkish cbank governor
Turkey's president Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved on Mar 13, 2001 a decree regarding appointment of Sureyya Serdengecti as the central bank governor.
Brash says no rate cut could have sent NZ $ down
New Zealand's Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash said on Mar 14, 2001 that not cutting the official interest rate may have had the paradoxical effect of bringing easier monetary conditions through a lower exchange rate.
Academic to replace BOJ board 'hawk' Shinotsuka
A leading supporter of higher interest rates on the Policy Board of Japan's central bank is expected to be dropped when her term ends this month.
ECB plans statement on banking supervision - paper
The European Central Bank plans to issue an official warning to governments not to curb the role of central banks in banking supervision, a German newspaper reported on Mar 14, 2001.
Indonesia says postpones c.bank law debate to May
Indonesia said on Mar 14, 2001 it had postponed hearings on controversial central bank law changes, a move that could help break a deadlock in negotiations with the IMF.
Botswana cbank says no timetable for foreign loans
Botswana's central bank governor said on Mar 14, 2001 there was no timetable for seeking foreign loans after a rating by Moody's Investor Services this week.
BOI sees worse than expected 2001 global slowdown
World economic growth could slow down in 2001 by more than expected, the Bank of Italy warned in its half-yearly economic bulletin on Mar 14, 2001.
Settlement failures triple in Feb bond trading-BoJ
The Bank of Japan found 296 cases of settlement failure in Japanese government bond trading in February, the central bank said on Mar 14, 2001.
Dutch cbank and Euronext offer real time DvP
The Nederlandsche Bank, the Dutch central bank, and Euronext Amsterdam are to offer real-time DvP from Mar 19, 2001, the central bank has announced.
Lithuania boosts cbank independence in law
The Lithuanian parliament on Mar 13, 2001 approved amendments to the law on the central bank aimed at cementing its independence and giving the institution more freedom to shape monetary policy.
Basel Accord major challenge for Asia banks-HKMA
Recent proposals aimed at strengthening the global financial system pose a major challenge for banks and regulators in Asia, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said on Mar 13, 2001.
Thailand, Japan close to currency swap deal-paper
Thailand and Japan are close to concluding a bilateral currency swap agreement in the next few months as part of a regional arrangement to support Asian currencies in crisis, the Nation newspaper said on Mar 13, 2001.
Argentine cbank head asks judge to suspend probe
Argentina's Central Bank President Pedro Pou asked a federal judge on Mar 12, 2001 to stop a congressional commission investigating charges he turned a blind eye to money laundering from voicing its conclusion.
MAS liberalises SGD swap rules for offshore banks
Following its recent decision to liberalise trading in Singapore dollar swaps, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said Mar 13, 2001 that effective March 1 it has allowed offshore banks to enter into currency swaps of any amount with non-banks.
Communist Laos admits failures in managing economy
The secretive communist Laotian government said on Mar 13, 2001 it had mismanaged the economy over the past five years, triggering hyperinflation and a tumbling currency.
Greenspan to appear at Al Gore's journalist class
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is scheduled to appear before Columbia University journalism students on Mar 21, 2001 as a part of former vice president Al Gore's journalist course on covering national affairs.
Recent US data 'quite encouraging' - BoE George
Central bankers from the Group of l0 industrialized nations believe a pick-up in the U.S. economy during the second half of this year "remains the most likely outcome," Eddie George, current chairman and head of the Bank of England, said on Mar 12, 2001.
BIS sets up Asia-Pacific consultative council
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) said on Mar 12, 2001 it had set up an Asian Consultative Council comprising governors of its central bank members in the region.
Financial supervisory body under Bank of Estonia
After a hard fought battle, the Estonian parliament has decided by a majority of votes to place the integrated financial supervisory body under the Bank of Estonia.