European Central Bank (ECB)
Euro makes rapid progress in Cyprus and Malta
Euro banknotes already account for 50% of the total in circulation in both Malta and Cyprus, the two Mediterranean islands that adopted the single currency on Tuesday.
ECB could hike rates, says Orphanides
The European Central Bank's rate-setting governing council will not rule out raising interest rates, Athanasios Orphanides, a member of the council and governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus, said on Thursday.
Interbank rates plummet as year-end passes
Pressure on the banking industry eased on Wednesday with spreads between money market and central banks' benchmark interest rates narrowing as the end-of-year liquidity panic passed. The falls indicate that the central banks' efforts to alleviate some of…
The blame game
The decision of many central banks, most notably the Federal Reserve, to lower rates in the wake of the dotcom crash, has drawn criticism from some quarters post-credit crunch. But, Claire Jones, editor of Central Bank News, argues blame for the crisis…
Time has proved us right, says Trichet
The European Central Bank's (ECB) decision to inject hundreds of billions of extra euros into the money markets to alleviate tensions looks to be the correct one, says Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the central bank.
Cyprus cuts rates before eurozone entry
The Central Bank of Cyprus's rate-setting board on Friday unexpectedly slashed rates by 50 basis points to 4% to match the European Central Bank's benchmark rate.
Central bank injections reduce borrowing costs
Central banks' attempts to narrow the spread between their benchmark and money market rates by offering funds at attractive costs have met with some success.
ECB adds an extra €170 billion
The European Central Bank (ECB) on Tuesday injected about €170 billion-worth ($245 billion) of extra funds into eurozone money markets after saying on Monday night that it would offer eurozone banks an unlimited amount of two-week loans at below…
Numbers of central bankers continue to rise
The 2008 edition of Central Banking Publications's Central Bank Directory, the annual guide to the world of central banking, estimates the number of central bankers in the world at 348,865, a marginal 0.2% increase over last year. This maintains last…
Financial crisis has affected eurozone stability
Uncertainty surrounding financial stability in the euro area has heightened as a result of the recent financial turmoil, Lucas Papademos, the vice president of the European Central Bank, confirmed on Thursday.
Officials praise central bankers' collaboration
Central bankers and politicians across the globe offered swift and unanimous approval for Wednesday's concerted effort to inject liquidity in a bid to counter dogged interbank tensions.
Joint effort failing to counter interbank tension
Interbank rates stayed high and markets plummeted on Thursday in spite of the collective action launched by five of the most powerful central banks on Wednesday.
Cooperation can't get to root cause of crunch
The central banks' coordinated attempt to bring interbank rates down may alleviate liquidity pressures, but not the mistrust the lies at the core of the crunch, says Avinash Persaud, the chairman of Intelligence Capital, a financial advisory firm.
ECB Financial Stability Review - December 2007
The European Central Bank (ECB) noted that with financial systems undergoing a process of de-leveraging and re-intermediation, the uncertainty surrounding the financial stability outlook for the euro area has heightened and could persist for a…
Central banks collaborate to ease interbank woe
In one of the most significant co-operative central banking efforts of modern times, five of the world's most powerful monetary authorities joined forces in a bid to restore order in the interbank markets.
Rock raises lender of last resort issue for EU
One important aspect of the Northern Rock crisis in the UK has been to make market participants wonder what would happen if a similar-sized institution got into difficulties in a small or medium-sized EU member state.
Padoa-Schioppa urges haste on EU supervision
Europe must act decisively to enhance its supervisory structures, said Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, Italy's economy and finance minister, on Tuesday.
Finland's Liikanen warns of dual threat
Erkki Liikanen, the governor of the Bank of Finland, said on Monday that the downside risks to growth have risen and inflation was set to accelerate.
Cyprus holds rates at 4.5%
The Central Bank of Cyprus's rate-setting monetary policy committee voted on Monday to keep its benchmark rate at 4.5% in its last scheduled decision.
ECB keeps rates at 4%
The European Central Bank's (ECB) rate-setting Governing Council held its benchmark rate at 4%. The vote contrasts with decisions in recent days to cut rates from the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.
Central banks failing to calm interbank markets
Interbank borrowing costs in the sterling, euro and dollar money markets shot up on Monday in spite of attempts by central bankers last week to alleviate end-of-year jitters.
Injections pose no moral hazard risk: ECB member
In spite of the Bank of England's claims to the contrary, moral hazard should not be an issue in deciding whether or not to inject extra funds into the money markets, a member of the European Central Bank's (ECB) executive board said on Monday.
Trichet pushes for regulatory convergence
Progress towards more consistent EU banking rules and cross-border information sharing is absolutely critical, Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, said on Monday.
ECB makes new bid to calm end-of-year fears
The European Central Bank (ECB) responded to panic in the interbank markets on Friday by pledging to lend over longer periods.