Gold
Peru annual report shows declining dollar share of reserves
Greenback’s share of central bank’s reserves declined from 64% to 57% of portfolio in 2011 as a result of diversification strategy
Experts advocate replacing OMTs with gold-backed bonds
Using gold as collateral for sovereign debt could circumvent concerns about fiscal transfers associated with ECB’s OMT programme, panellists say at World Gold Council briefing
Korea boosts gold holdings by 20%
Central bank purchases $780 million of gold; total stock of 85 tonnes worth $3.76 billion
Central bank gold purchases slow in third quarter
Growth of net central bank gold holdings in third quarter remains positive but decelerates compared with similar period in 2011; year-to-date holdings up 9%
Ballooning balance sheet yields further ‘profit’ for SNB
Swiss National Bank’s profits show continued growth in third quarter with the largest contribution from foreign exchange holdings; balance sheet has increased 45% during the year
Dutch gold also unverified
Central banks with second, third and ninth largest gold holdings in the world admit to not physically verifying overseas gold; but some host central banks do not allow external auditors into vaults
Bundesbank reveals specific location details of gold holdings
New details of the Bundesbank’s foreign gold holdings released as Bank of Italy admits also not physically verifying gold held overseas despite having world’s third largest gold reserves
Bundesbank under pressure over $172bn gold inventory
German Federal Court of Auditors calls on Bundesbank to check gold held at Federal Reserve, Bank of England and Banque de France; Bundesbank to move 150 tonnes back to Germany over next three years
Bank of Mauritius to offer gold as public savings tool
Mauritians will soon be able to purchase gold bars from the central bank as part of an effort to promote a 'savings culture' in the country
Central Bank of Malaysia raids ‘Ponzi’ scheme companies
Four gold-trading companies raided by central bank amid charges they were running illegal gold-trading schemes described as ‘Ponzi’ operations, according to the Malaysian central bank
Central banks are major driver of gold prices, says GFMS
Latest Thomson Reuters GFMS gold survey finds central banks are supporting gold prices via large purchases; adverse economic climate and quantitative easing also contributing to price increase
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: Restoring trust in finance
The financial crisis and numerous scandals have shattered confidence in banks and financial markets. What can central bankers do to restore trust in the financial system?
Central banks make “record” gold purchases in Q2
World Gold Council says central banks bought 254.2 tonnes of gold in the first half of 2012; Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Ukraine and Guatemala among the countries that added to reserves
Bank of Korea reveals July gold purchase
Korea adds hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of gold to reserves in July; FX reserves swell by $1.97 billion to $314.35 billion
World Gold Council says disinflation may support gold demand
Statistical commentary argues gold price may increase due to disinflation; says current economic environment ‘supportive’ of gold demand
Russia takes lead in gold purchases in May
Latest World Gold Council figures show Bank of Russia increased gold reserves by largest amount in May; council says emerging markets purchases viewed as a part of ‘broader theme’
Egyptian official recalls emergency planning during unrest
Manager of risk department at the Central Bank of Egypt describes what happened when social unrest took hold of the country; bankers decamped to a hotel in the suburbs to maintain services
Ukraine issues commemorative Euro 2012 coins
National Bank of Ukraine reveals commemorative coins dedicated to the European Football Championship 2012; first ever half-kilo gold coin forms part of the series
South African Mint executives leave company for good
Andile Mvinjelwa and Thomas Davel leave South African Mint Company by mutual agreement following conclusion of investigation into poor-quality krugerrand coins
Bullion coin featuring menorah released in Israel
Third bullion coin in the Jerusalem Gold series is released; issuance in celebration of Jerusalem Day in Israel
Gold demand drops from high 2011 figures
Gold Demand Trends report from World Gold Council notes 5% lower demand in Q1 this year compared with 2011
Bundesbank reveals location of gold holdings
German central bank says gold is held in four countries; kept in the vaults of the trading centres where transfers happened
Hungary issues medieval gold florin coin series
National Bank of Hungary issues first in a series of medieval gold florin commemorative coins; both normal and piedfort versions available
New coins celebrate leadership change in Taiwan
Taiwanese central bank announces minting of gold and silver commemorative coins in recognition of the new president and vice-president