News
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.
Indonesian rupiah breaches 11,000 as worries grow
The Indonesian rupiah slid past 11,000 per dollar on Mar 12, 2001, extending early losses after the central bank said it had limited ability to defend the currency.
BoF Fogelholm to head Finnish Bankers' Association
The Finnish Bankers' Association said on Mar 12, 2001 that Markus Fogelholm would replace retiring chief executive Matti Sipila in Sept 2001.
China probes bank loans in stock markets - paper
China's central bank has launched a probe into domestic banks which might have lent money for stock speculation, state media said on Mar 12, 2001.
BoF forecast Finnish inflation above euro-zone avg
Finnish inflation would stay above euro-zone levels and buoyant domestic demand could feed price pressures though the overall inflation outlook had improved, the central bank said on Mar 12, 2001.
Reynders says he not pushing for a 'Mr Euro'
Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders said on Mar 12, 2001 he was not pushing to create a "Mr or Mrs Euro" to speak for the common currency and that controversal reform of the Eurogroup had been put on hold.
New and improved BIS website is launched
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced on Mar 12, 2001 that its redesigned and improved website is now available at www.bis.org.
Korea foreign currency transactions surged in 2000
Foreign exchange transactions by domestic financial institutions, including spot and futures markets, increased sharply in 2000 to $8.9 billion a day, up from $6.9 billion in 1999, the Bank of Korea said on Mar 11, 2001.
Argentine peso peg to include euro,yen-Cavallo
Former Argentine Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo, who reportedly has been offered the job of central bank chief, said in a press interview he favored alterations to foreign exchange policy.
Philippines to improve transparency of cbank
The Philippine government will take measures to further improve transparency and accountability of monetary authorities, according to a news release from the presidential palace on Mar 10, 2001.
China seeks HK expert to join central bank
China's Premier Zhu Rongji is seeking a Hong Kong banker to become a deputy governor of the country's central bank, a move which analysts say shows Beijing is serious about beefing up its regulatory control of the banking sector.