Israel
Fischer says Frenkel will face ‘completely different' world
In his departing press conference at the Bank of Israel, Stanley Fischer highlights many changes that Jacob Frenkel will find when he returns; Frenkel still faces investigation over improper payments
Frenkel to rejoin Bank of Israel as Fischer replacement
Former Bank of Israel governor nominated to replace Stanley Fischer; decision surprises some as deputy governor Karnit Flug appeared to have Fischer's backing for the role
Israel's Fischer says he used casting vote to avoid ‘signs of a crisis'
Outgoing Bank of Israel governor regrets his MPC never outvoted him, but feels recent moves to stem the shekel's rise have met with success
Fischer urges peace in the Middle East
Bank of Israel governor Stanley Fischer tells state finance committee to find ‘partners for peace’; endorses high defence spending in state budget
Israel cuts rate for second time in two weeks
Bank of Israel cuts benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points for second time this month as global monetary easing ‘accelerates’
Israeli committee split over rate cut, minutes reveal
Governor Stanley Fischer used casting vote to keep May rate cut to 25bp after half the monetary committee called for a sharper reaction to tackle the appreciating shekel
Israel cuts rates and buys forex in moves to ward off ‘Dutch disease'
Unscheduled monetary policy decision by Bank of Israel cuts base rate 25bp as central bank launches a forex purchase programme to hold the shekel down after gas finds
Fischer defends Bank of Israel over house prices
Bank of Israel governor tells parliamentary committee the central bank's interest rate cannot serve the interests of the housing market alone
Bank of Israel director says central banks can 'overdo' liquidity
Andrew Abir identifies difficulty in providing the right amount of liquidity; says the risk of impairing market function was one worth taking
Israel annual report sees growth and inflation fall
Growth rate declines by 1.5% in 2012 but unemployment remains stable; inflation falls below target as schooling and mobile phone prices fall
Nalm 2013: Bank of Israel’s Abir challenges credit risk assumptions in reserve management
Head of market operations Andrew Abir asks how bonds and equities can be consolidated under one reserve management framework; insists credit rating agencies remain valuable
Bank of Israel likely to hold rates throughout 2013
Staff at Israeli central bank forecast steady growth and inflation over next year; say benchmark interest rate would remain unchanged
Stanley Fischer hints at successor as candidates emerge
Fischer says Bank of Israel deputy governor Karnit Flug was chosen on the basis she would be able to ‘function as governor’ when necessary; other potential candidates speak to CentralBanking.com
Bank of Israel paper advocates inflation sacrifice when wages are rigid
Research says controlling inflation requires a greater sacrifice of economic output and employment when there are frictions in the labour market
PMA annual report shows economic mismatch between Gaza and West Bank
Palestine Monetary Authority says growth in Gaza Strip ran four times faster than in the West Bank in 2011, but economic gap between regions persists
Bank of Israel unveils details of new shekel banknotes
New banknote series to include security features that are ‘among the world’s most advanced’; first notes due to be introduced in second half of 2013
Business cycle mirrors stock market turning points, Israel study says
Research published by the Bank of Israel finds stock market turning points can be used to forecast economic activity; seven-month delay before impact becomes evident
Bank of Israel moves to educate youth
An Israeli financial education programme has widened to include younger people; central bank says this will help strengthen the future position of the consumer in the financial sector
Bank of Israel optimistic on economic activity
A report on economic developments in Israel shows growth has continued at a moderate pace, increasing in the second quarter of the year, as other indicators paint a positive picture for future economic activity
Bank of Israel renovates website to improve user experience
Israeli central bank unveils a new website aimed at making information more easily available; content now available in Arabic for the first time
Bank of Israel report warns of further downward revision to growth
Monetary policy report for first half of 2012 shows continuation of moderate growth but says if current indications of a slowdown do not change, the forecast will have to be revised down
Israel’s Fischer expresses hope that living standards will overtake the West
Stanley Fischer says growth in Israel remains reasonable and above that of the West; warns government must press ahead with agreed fiscal measures to create ‘position of strength’
Bank of Israel warns of ‘lack of clarity’ in government fiscal policy
Report assesses domestic and external economic conditions affecting the Bank of Israel’s interest rate decision; low CPI, weak shekel and fiscal policy uncertainty contribute to rate hold
Fischer calls for Israeli government action on deficit
Bank of Israel governor says government’s decision to increase its fiscal deficit instead of raising taxes will hurt future generations; impact will be most acute should eurozone fragment