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One week, three central bank meetings

Jul 29, 2024
In meetings this week, central bankers will consider cutting interest rates in the U.S. and U.K., while rate hikes could be on the table in Japan.
While goods price inflation has fallen in the U.K., services prices remain very sticky.
Yui Mok/POOL/AFP

Was the Bank of England largely to blame for the UK’s inflation?

Aug 1, 2023
A new British pressure group is calling for the UK’s central bank to “lose the power to create unlimited amounts of money out of thin air.”
A new pressure group blames Britain’s central bank and its quantitative easing program for much of the problem in the United Kingdom.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Why central banks operate with a pack mentality

Jun 22, 2023
Traditionally, central banks have more or less unofficially moved in concert with each other when it comes to tackling monetary policy.
Above, U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Group mentality is part of central banking culture, says Peter Conti-Brown of the Wharton School.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

After raising rates to combat inflation, the Bank of England is buying bonds to bring rates down

Sep 28, 2022
The BoE seeks to restore stability after U.K. bond markets reacted badly to a government plan to cut taxes and go deeper into debt.
The BoE is navigating complicated economic conditions, including inflation, bond market instability, a sinking currency and the government's tax policy.
Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

Why investors are bailing on the UK

Sep 26, 2022
Bond yields hit highs not seen in decades, and the pound fell to a record low against the dollar. What is going on in the UK?
The premises of the Bank of England, which is trying to rein in inflation. British bonds and the national currency are having difficulty finding buyers.
Isabel Infantes/AFP via Getty Images

Top central bankers: Economy needs help despite vaccine news

Nov 13, 2020
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Congress “may need to do more” to cushion the blow from the pandemic.
Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell testifies during the Senate's Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs hearing examining the quarterly CARES Act report to Congress on Sept. 24, 2020, in Washington.
Drew Angerer/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Bank of England, U.K. government take policy action over COVID-19

Mar 11, 2020
On Wednesday, just hours before the U.K. government will outline new spending plans, the Bank of England announced the cuts.
Mark Carney (left), governor of the Bank of England, and Andrew Bailey, governor-designate of the Bank of England, arrive to attend a news conference on March 11, 2020.
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Bank of England involved in Libor scandal, reports the BBC

Apr 10, 2017
The BBC has obtained a secret recording that links the bank to Libor rigging.
Carl Court/AFP/GettyImages

New five pound notes contain traces of tallow

Nov 29, 2016
Vegetarians and other groups petition to have the animal fat derivative taken out.
Bank of England Gov. Mark Carney poses with a new polymer five pound note in London in September.
Stefan Wermuth - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Bank of England to make it easier for banks to lend money

Jul 5, 2016
Following the recent Brexit vote, England's central bank says it will use financial tools for stability.
A Bank of England sign is displayed outside the bank in London, England. 
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images