Interest rates
Global events motivated Turkey's 50bp cut
The global economic slowdown expected to follow the credit crunch was behind the Turkish central bank's decision to cut its benchmark rate by 50 basis points earlier this month, minutes of the monetary policy meeting, published on Friday, reveal.
Why Poland's MPC held rates
According to minutes published on Friday, Poland's Monetary Policy Council (RPP) decided at its meeting on 25 and 26 September that as the medium term probability of inflation running above the inflation target (2.5% year-on-year) had fallen there was no…
Colombia holds rates at 9.25%
The Banco de la Republica decided on Friday to keep its benchmark rate at 9.25%.
Inflation behind first Brazil hold in two years
Fears that economic growth could lead to inflation were behind the Central Bank of Brazil's decision to hold rates for the first time since July 2005 earlier this month, minutes published on Thursday reveal.
Czechs hold rates at 3.25%
The Czech National Bank decided on Thursday to keep its benchmark two-week repo rate at 3.25%.
New Zealand leaves rates at 8.25%
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand decided on Thursday to hold its benchmark official cash rate at 8.25%.
Australian inflation stats make rate hike likely
A November rate hike looks a near certainty after Reserve Bank of Australia data showed a higher-than-expected percentage-point jump in inflation.
Polish governor was sole dissenter on rate vote
Slawomir Skrzypek, the governor of the National Bank of Poland, was the only member of the monetary policy council to vote against the decision to raise the benchmark interest rate to 4.75% in August.
EMU leads to bond-market convergence
Economic and monetary union in Europe has led to substantial convergence in euro-area sovereign bond markets, according to research published by the San Francisco Federal Reserve.
Japan's Muto reiterates commitment to tightening
The Bank of Japan will raise rates as the economy improves and inflation picks up Toshiro Muto, a deputy governor at the Bank of Japan said on Friday.
Brazil holds rates at record low
The Central Bank of Brazil decided to keep its benchmark Selic rate at 11.25% today as growth and inflation accelerated. It is the first time in 18 meetings that the central bank has voted against a rate cut.
Fed speculation prompts new dollar-euro low
The dollar fell to a record $1.432 against the euro on Thursday as poor macroeconomic data and results from one of the US's biggest banks prompted futures traders to speculate that the Federal Reserve will cut rates.
Does monetary policy impact banking spreads?
The nominalisation of interest rates has led to a breakdown in the relationship between banking spreads and monetary policy in Chile, argues a paper from the central bank.
Canada keeps rates at 4.5%
The Bank of Canada said on Tuesday that it would hold its target for the overnight rate at 4.5%.
September's cut has helped markets, says Bernanke
Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, said that September's 50-basis point cut has alleviated the credit crunch.
China hikes reserve requirements to curb lending
The People's Bank of China said on Saturday that it is raising its reserve requirement ratio in order to limit loan growth and inflation.
Chile holds rates at 5.75%
The Central Bank of Chile's policy board voted to keep its benchmark rate at 5.75% despite mounting concern over rising inflation.
Korea holds rates at highest level for six years
The Bank of Korea's rate-setting board decided to leave its benchmark rate at a six-year high of 5% on Thursday.
Japan holds rates at 0.5%
The Bank of Japan's rate-setting committee voted eight to one in favour of maintaining their benchmark rate at about 0.5% on Thursday.
South Africa hikes rates by 50 basis points
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) surprised markets on Thursday, pushing its benchmark rate up by half a percentage point to 10.5%.
Fed unanimously supported 50 basis point cut
All ten members of rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) were in favour of 50 basis point cut, the minutes of the 18 September meeting reveal.
Kenya holds rates at 8.75%
The Central Bank of Kenya decided on Thursday to hold its benchmark rate at 8.75%.
Philippines cuts rates
The Central Bank of the Philippines surprised the markets on Thursday by deciding to lower its key policy rates by 25 basis points to 5.75%, for the overnight borrowing rate, and 7.75% for the overnight lending rate.
Turkish governor explains September rate cut
Durmus Yilmaz, the governor of the Central Bank of Turkey, on Friday explained why the central bank decided to make a surprise rate cut in September.