Opinion
StatsCan miscount adds up to doubts
Following the revelation that Statistics Canada has miscalculated inflation numbers, this article from The Canadian Press, published Thursday 17 August, says experts are now questioning another of the agency's reports.
Yuan volatility may signal appreciation
According to this article published Wednesday 16 August by Reuters, big swings in the dollar/yuan rate over the past three days suggest China's foreign exchange market is becoming freer and more volatile.
Bank of England drafts first 'Dear Gordon' note
This recent article from Bloomberg presents a fictional letter to UK chancellor Gordon Brown written by Mervyn King in the future explaining why the Bank of England exceeded its inflation target by more than 1 percent.
Draghi hauls tarnished central bank into a new era
According to this article published Sunday 13 August by the Financial Times, Mario Draghi's goals at the Bank of Italy will be more openness, accountability and efficiency.
Fed chief wants to improve communication
According to this article from the Associated press, published Sunday 13 August, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke wants to improve the central bank's communication, but it's not clear how he wants to do it.
Being relevant may be IMF's mission impossible
According to this article from Bloomberg, published Wednesday 9 August, several years of global calm have left the IMF with a relevance problem.
Bangladesh Bank's reform agenda: Challenges ahead
According to this article published Wednesday 9 August by The Financial Express, although Bangladesh is an economy with great potential, it is beset with challenges.
Is King readying his pen reluctantly or eagerly?
The UK press has jumped on the admission by Mervyn King that he might soon have to write a letter to the chancellor if inflation climbs above the 3% limit, but such a letter would not be the admission of failure that many imply.
A contrasting tale of two central bankers
According to the article "From Poland to Japan: a contrasting tale of two central bankers" from The Japan Times, published Monday 7 August, Poland's new leaders look set to concentrate the entire spectrum of financial supervisory powers in the prime…
Managing China's forex reserves
This article from The Star Online, published Friday 4 August, looks at the appropriate level for China's increasing foreign exchange reserves which will soon hit the US$1 trillion mark.
Iraq's central bank offers stability amid chaos
According to this article by Reuters, published Wednesday 2 August, the Central Bank of Iraq is offering a beacon of stability in a country on the verge of civil war, but faces many problems.
Comment: BoE brightens silly season slumber
The Bank of England surprised practically everyone on 3 August by raising rates by 25 basis points. The Bank's next Inflation Report, to be released on 9 August, and the minutes from the August meeting will make intriguing reading. The move will also the…
Comment: What can we expect from Singapore
As the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank in Singapore approach, expectations are high for reform, particularly within the Fund. Top of the agenda will be how to make sense of the new multilateral surveillance role outlined at the spring…
Comment: Has Trichet's gambit paid off?
The ECB heads into this week's monetary policy meeting with markets fully expecting a 25 basis point hike. Has the decision to have an unscheduled meeting, which effectively pre-announced the decision, changed the prospects for the course of eurozone…
Comment: Mboweni set to spoil the party
South Africa's central bank governor, Tito Mboweni, remains concerned about imbalances in the South African economy. Markets expect another 50 basis point hike this week.
Comment: Developments in July
Here is a quick look back at development affecting central bank in month of July.
Comment: Transparency in EU bond markets
As a rule, transparency in government activities, in regulation and in financial markets is encouraged and regarded as a positive thing. But when it comes to the way governments sell bonds, the authors of a recent study suggest that increasing…
Comment: RBI sounds warning call
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised interest rates by 25 basis points on 25 July. The central bank warned that the higher oil prices were having a "permanent" effect. Rapid credit growth and rising risk-premia were also top of the list of concerns…
Comment: Central bank governance
Seigniorage revenues have become more important to central banks as many of these institutions are feeling the squeeze financially. How these revenues are spent depend critically on sound governance structures and independence. These are the conclusions…
Comment: Small steps or big bang?
A recent collection of papers published by the Bank for International Settlement (BIS) adopts a cautious line in advocating inflation targeting for poor African countries, which may lack the "preconditions" for the regime.
Comment: Scorecard for the euro
When the single European currency was launched, its expected boost to trade was one of, if not the main, benefits promised. Two recent studies question whether this promise has been met.
Comment: Noyer takes Kroes to task
The Bank of France governor, Christian Noyer, said on 18 July that the European Commission is "playing a very dangerous game" in attempting to break open the European credit card market. How legitimate are his concerns?
Comment: Bernanke focuses on risks
In his remarks following the delivery of the Fed's semi-annual monetary policy to Congress, Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke, adopted an approach very much in keeping with his predecessor, Alan Greenspan. What does this mean for the Fed's inflation targeting…
Comment: Rethinking financial stability reporting
The Bank of England recently unveiled its revamped Financial Stability Report. Starting with the title of the publication, the Bank has taken a new approach to both the presentation of report and its content. The changes are an effort to focus the report…