Japan's RTGS to go live Jan 4 as planned: The Bank of Japan said Jan 2 it would launch its new real-time gross settlement system for bond and money market trading on Thursday, as planned. The BOJ made the announcement after earlier conducting a last-minute systems test to make sure all connections were in place. 

Brazil Central Bank sees 2001 inflation below 4%: Brazil's key IPCA inflation index will end 2001 below the government's target of four percent, the country's central bank said in its quarterly inflation report released on Dec 29.

China central bank researchers urge wide yuan band: Researchers at China's central bank are urging a sharply wider trading range for the yuan of 10 to 15 percent up or down, the first time anyone connected to the bank has offered a specific band width for the Chinese currency. 

Paraguay inflation ends 2000 at 8.6 pct: Paraguay achieved its goal of posting single-digit inflation for the second year in a row as the consumer price index ended 2000 at 8.6 percent, the Central Bank said Dec 29, 2000. 

Euro recovery likely to continue, says ECB European Central Bank: President Mr Wim Duisenberg reaffirmed Dec 29 that ECB interest rates were on hold for some time and said the euro's recovery was likely to continue. Mr Duisenberg said that the risks to price stability were not very "concrete" at present and therefore did not allow any firm conclusions. 

Ecuador inflation slows in Dec 2000 to 2.5 pct: Ecuador's consumer price inflation slowed to 2.5 percent in December 2000 compared with 5.6 percent a year earlier, the Institute of Statistics (INEC) said on Dec 29. 

Italian bank group slams govt rule on mortgages: Italy's top bank association on Dec 29 criticised a government decision to curb interest payments on fixed rate loans as creating instability in the banking sector and consumer groups slammed it as unfair. 

RBI outlines universal banking roadmap: The Reserve Bank of India has warned against any dilution of prudential and supervisory norms for banking business, while suggesting a consolidated approach towards supervision and regulation. 

Venezuela president sees fixed rate for bolivar: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez predicted the country's currency, the bolivar, will be fixed against the dollar some time in the future, according to a report Dec 29 in local daily El Universal. 

Bank of Israel reiterates objection to min. wage: The Bank of Israel issued on Dec 28 a report which recommended pegging the minimum wage to the median salary and replace the current system in which it is linked to the average salary. 

Central Bank of Nigeria held 224 clearing sessions: The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Kano has this year held 224 clearing sessions, during which 275,681 instruments valued at about N181 billion were cleared, the CBN Kano branch controller, Mr. Okun Folami, has said.

U.S. slowdown to hit Britain-BoE's: George Bank of England governor Eddie George has warned that fallout from an economic slowdown in the United States will affect Britain in 2001 but will not bring a "nightmare scenario", the BBC said on Dec. 29, 2000. 

Asean members sign new swap agreement: The 10 Asean members signed a new Asean Swap Arrangement (ASA) in November, providing a total of US$1 billion of financial support, said Bank Negara Malaysia in a statement on Dec 29, 2000. 

Putin says cbank needs to pick up pace of reform: President Vladimir Putin said Dec 29 Russia needs to reform its moribund banks, and he criticized the central bank for failing to develop the banking system. The International Monetary Fund and other foreign lenders have long urged Russia to overhaul its banks, but Mr. Putin didn't provide any details of what reforms he had in mind. 

US in economic slowdown but far from recession-IMF: The International Monetary Fund has said that the United States is facing a slowdown in growth that will curb the global economic expansion. But the US economy is far from a recession and is nowhere near contracting, added the IMF's first deputy managing director, Stanley Fischer. 

Philippine c.bank to tap its forex reserves: The Philippine Central Bank said it will tap its foreign-exchange reserves to pay maturing obligations in the first half of 2001. At the same time, the central bank said it will postpone indefinitely a plan to borrow funds from a group of local and foreign banks. Central Bank Gov. Rafael Buenaventura said the bank must pay maturing obligations of $400 million in February 2001 and $425 million in April 2001. 

Bank of Israel cuts interest rates by 0.2%: The Bank of Israel lowered its key lending rate for January by a moderate 0.2 percent to 8% Dec 28, in line with economists' expectations. This is the lowest interest rate in a decade. 

Swaziland introduce law against money laundering: Swazi finance minister John Carmichael is expected to table in parliament the long awaited criminal and money laundering bill that would empower prosecutors world-wide to extradite suspected criminals against Swazi laws to stand trial in Swaziland, the local media reported Dec 28, 2000. 

Governor of Yugoslavia cbank on visit to Slovenia Governor of National Bank of Yugoslavia Mladjan :Dinkic arrived to Slovenia on an invitation of the Governor of the Bank of Slovenia, France Arhar, on afternoon of Dec 27. Representatives of both banks discussed currency rate policy and a number of other issues related to the past, banking systems and succession, Arhar told a press conference on Dec 28. 

IMF has nothing against CBR, says Paramonova: The International Monetary Fund has no complaints about the actions of the Central Bank of Russia, Tatyana Paramonova, a first deputy chairman at the Central Bank, said. 

Surprise as David Dodge heads Bank of Canada: Deputy minister for health David Dodge, 57, has been named the new governor of the Bank of Canada, a surprise choice within financial circles, which had been expecting the central bank's senior deputy governor Malcolm Knight to succeed Gordon Thiessen, who will retire in January. 

Slovenia c.bank eases portfolio investment rules: The Bank of Slovenia said on Dec 22 it would from January 2001 ease restrictions for foreign portfolio investment, part of its programme to harmonise regulations with those of the European Union by the end of 2002. 

Zambia technical group to probe kwacha weakness: Zambian Finance Minister Katele Kalumba said on Dec 22 the government had appointed a technical committee to study the kwacha's weakness and recommend ways to stabilise the currency.

No radical policy changes at Bank of Canada: The Financial Post's Madelaine Drohan says in this article that anyone who thinks Canada's monetary policy is going to change dramatically with David Dodge at the Bank of Canada is dreaming in technicolour. It just isn't going to happen. Printed in the Financial Post. 

Polish refomer Balcerowicz new central bank: Polish refomer Balcerowicz new central bank chief Poland's best known reformer, Leszek Balcerowicz, admired and despised in equal measure for his rigorous free market beliefs, has again returned to guiding his country's economic transition, this time as central bank chief. 

Euro lessens Emu dependence on US - BoF: Trichet Europe's economy has become less dependent on U.S. developments since the launch of the euro in January 1999, Bank of France Governor Jean-Claude Trichet, a member of the European Central Bank's (ECB) Governing Council, said in an interview published Dec 22. 

China cbank spokesman on management of gold: A spokesman for the People's Bank of China (PBOC) said Dec 22 that without authorization from the State Council and ratification of the PBOC, no institutions or organizations are allowed to organize gold trading market. 

Havel challenges new central bank law in court: Czech President Vaclav Havel called on the country's top court on Dec 22 to strike down several key passages in a new legislation on the central bank (CNB), saying they violated the constitution. 

Indonesia c.bank, dealers discuss forex rules: Indonesia's central bank met dealers from foreign and local banks on Dec 22 to discuss forex trading rules but little was decided, one banking source at the meeting said.

BOJ's Hayami highlights risks to Japan economy: Japan's central bank governor said on Dec 22 the deflation risks that have hamstrung economic recovery for years were back in the picture, while the top economic planner hinted that growth may have already contracted.

IMF Koehler praises Turkey govt: IMF Koehler praises Turkey govt, but action needed Horst Koehler, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, stressed on Dec 21 that the $7.5 billion in new financing the IMF is providing Turkey is a short-term measure to ensure a liquidity crisis in the banking sector doesn't derail wider reforms by the government. 

Trichet backs disputed BIS share: Trichet backs disputed BIS share buyback plan Bank of France governor Jean-Claude Trichet said on Wednesday that he believed a disputed plan by the Bank for International Settlements to buy out private shareholders was fair. 

UK's MPC split 7-2 for steadIMF Koehler praises: UK's MPC split 7-2 for steadIMF Koehler praises Turkey govt, but action needed Horst Koehler, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, stressed on Dec 21 that the $7.5 billion in new financing the IMF is providing Turkey is a short-term measure to ensure a liquidity crisis in the banking sector doesn't derail wider reforms by the government.  y rates in Dec Britain's central Bank was split 7-2 in favour of leaving interest rates unchanged at 6.0% earlier this month, minutes of the meeting showed on Wednesday. 

IMF asks to take part in Bank Indonesia bill talks: The International Monetary Fund has asked to participate in the process of amending Indonesia's central bank law, a legislator said. 

Nigeria cbank closely monitors forex transactions: The Central Bank of Nigeria has intensified its monitoring of the interbank foreign exchange market with a view to unraveling the cause of the unusual high demand for foreign exchange. 

China c.bank says gold exchange venue not set: China's central bank said on Tuesday it had not decided where to set up the first national gold exchange, denying a newspaper report it would be located in Shanghai. 

Trichet backs disputed BIS share buyback plan: Bank of France governor Jean-Claude Trichet said on Wednesday that he believed a disputed plan by the Bank for International Settlements to buy out private shareholders was fair. 

BOT to launch daily liquidity forecasts: The Bank of Thailand will soon launch a daily liquidity forecast - a new tool designed to control short-term market rates.The forecast would tell financial institutions roughly how much liquidity there would be on the following day, BOT assistant governor Thirachai Phuvanart-naranubala said. 

China c.bank says gold exchange venue not set: China's central bank said on Tuesday it had not decided where to set up the first national gold exchange, denying a newspaper report it would be located in Shanghai. 

Trichet backs disputed BIS share buyback plan: Bank of France governor Jean-Claude Trichet said on Wednesday that he believed a disputed plan by the Bank for International Settlements to buy out private shareholders was fair. 

UK's MPC split 7-2 for steady rates: UK's MPC split 7-2 for steady rates in Dec Britain's central Bank was split 7-2 in favour of leaving interest rates unchanged at 6.0% earlier this month, minutes of the meeting showed on Wednesday. 

IMF asks to take part in Bank Indonesia bill talks: The International Monetary Fund has asked to participate in the process of amending Indonesia's central bank law, a legislator said. 

Nigeria cbank closely monitors forex transactions: The Central Bank of Nigeria has intensified its monitoring of the interbank foreign exchange market with a view to unraveling the cause of the unusual high demand for foreign exchange. 

China c.bank says gold exchange venue not set: China's central bank said on Tuesday it had not decided where to set up the first national gold exchange, denying a newspaper report it would be located in Shanghai. 

BoJ preparing for RTGS start on January 4: The Bank of Japan has been preparing for the introduction of the new RTGS system to the BOJ-NET, the Bank's on-line system for the settlement of funds and the Japanese government securities. 

Fed policy shift stirs debate on economic policy: The Federal Reserve's warning on Tuesday that the economy was rapidly losing steam stirs the pot in a simmering debate between the Clinton administration and President-elect George W. Bush's team about whether a new prescription for growth is needed. 

Bank of Israel- No need to import hi-tech workers: The Bank of Israel said yesterday it objects to bringing engineers and software technicians from India to Israel in attempt to fill the shortage in skilled workers in the hi-tech industry. 

Canada's Martin mum on central bank: chief Canada's finance minister Paul Martin on Tuesday refused to shed any light on who the government will choose as the next governor of the country's central bank. 

MAS can ease rupiah woes, says Gus Dur: Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid said that he disagreed with Singapore's senior minister Lee Kuan Yew over the role the Monetary Authority of Singapore could play in stopping commercial banks from speculating on the rupiah. 

Guatemala considers legalising limited dollar: Guatemala considers legalising limited dollar use Weeks after El Salvador adopted the dollar as one of its currencies, Guatemala's Congress was considering a similar plan Monday, the Associated Press reported. 

Twelve central bankers have been threatened: Twelve central bankers have been threatened with legal action by a Paris-based shareholders' group unless they vote against terms offered by the Bank for International Settlements to buy back the 13.73% of its shares in private hands. 

ECB publishes updated Target information guide: The European Central Bank said it is publishing Monday an updated version of the information guide for credit institutions using the euro-zone's Target payment system. 

Interview: State Bank of Vietnam's Le Duc Thuy Vietnam's central bank governor Le Duc Thuy discussed plans to develop the country's banking system in an interview with the local Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberation Saigon) Daily newspaper. 

BOJ board keeps monetary policy unchanged: The Bank of Japan said on Friday its policy board decided to continue its policy of driving the key overnight call rate to 0.25%, a decision widely expected by financial markets. The decision was by a majority vote. 

Fed unlikely to cut rates: - Washington Post Faced with slowing economic growth and an uncertain short-term economic outlook, a number of Federal Reserve officials have concluded that the risk of serious weakness in the economy is as great as the risk that inflation will get worse, the Washington Post reported Friday. 

Dariusz Rosati defends Poland's monetary policy: Dariusz Rosati, former finance minister and member of the central bank's monetary policy council (RPP), responded in a recent issue of the current affairs weekly Polityka to a critical article by Professor Andrzej Sopocko.

Hayami says to supply ample funds for RTGS start: Bank of Japan governor Masaru Hayami said on Friday the central bank would supply ample funds to the money market to prepare for the adoption of the Real-Time Gross Settlement system on January 4. 

Bank Aspac director Hendrawan Haryono had misallocated Rp 583 billion: Two Bank Indonesia officials said on Thursday that former Bank Aspac director Hendrawan Haryono had misallocated Rp 583 billion (US$61.4 million) out of the Rp 1.5 trillion Government Liquidity Support Funds (BLBI) it had received from the central bank.