(29.12.2006) The indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 14.8 per cent in the twelve months to end-November, up from 14.6 per cent to end-October. The money supply (M2) grew by 13.1 per cent in the twelve months to end-November, up from 12.3 per cent to end-October.

(29.12.2006) In January, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 570 million per day for the Government Pension Fund – Global.

(20.12.2006)

Today, Norges Bank published the auction calendar and plan for government bonds and Treasury bills in 2007. Twelve auctions of Treasury bills and seven auctions of government bonds are scheduled in 2007. Circular no. 8 of 20 December 2006 provides information concerning announcement, auction and settlement dates.

(19.12.2006) In 2003, Norges Bank decided to discontinue operations at Norges Bank’s Printing Works in 2007 and to purchase banknotes from other printing works. Norges Bank has entered into agreements for the delivery of banknotes with De La Rue International Limited in the UK and Francois-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire in France. These large and well reputed printing works print banknotes for very many other countries. The contracts apply for the period 2007 – 2012.  The first deliveries will probably be made in 2008.

(14.12.2006) Summaries of reports from Norges Bank's regional network are now available.

(13.12.2006)

Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to raise its key policy rate by 0.25 percentage point to 3.50 per cent with effect from 14 December 2006.

Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian)

(13.12.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(11.12.2006)

Norges Bank’s monetary policy decision and an account of the background for the decision will be released on our website at 2 pm on 13 December. A press conference regarding the monetary policy decision will be held at 2.45 pm. The press conference will be webcast live on our website (in Norwegian).

(06.12.2006)

Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a speech at a seminar arranged by Maritim Forening at Søre Sunnmøre on Wednesday, 6 Desember. The speech is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 1 November, and previous speeches.

(05.12.2006)

Overall, the outlook for financial stability is considered to be satisfactory. Households' financial position is strong. At the same time, household debt is growing rapidly and the ratio of debt to income has never been higher. The sustained rapid rise in debt accumulation and property prices may be a source of future instability in the economy, higher losses and weaker results in the banking sector. Against this background, the uncertainty surrounding the longer-term financial stability outlook may have increased somewhat compared with that prevailing six months ago.

Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian)

(30.11.2006) Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo gave a speech at a seminar arranged by Norges Bank's regional network in Kristiansund on Thursday, 30 November. The speech is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 1 November, and previous speeches.

(30.11.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 14.6 per cent in the twelve months to end-October, down from 15.0 per cent in the 12 months to end-September. The money supply (M2) grew by 12.3 per cent in the twelve months to end-October, up from 11.4 per cent to end-September.

(30.11.2006)

Norges Bank will not purchase foreign exchange for the Government Pension Fund - Global in December.

(29.11.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(24.11.2006) Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a speech at a seminar arranged by Norges Bank's regional network in Lillehammer on Friday, 24 November. The speech is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 1 November, Inflation Report 3/06 and previous speeches.

(21.11.2006)

The value of the Government Pension Fund - Global increased by NOK 207 billion in the third quarter, to NOK 1 712 billion. The Fund is now the largest pension fund in Europe.

Webcast of press conference (In Norwegian).

(20.11.2006) Invitation to government bond auctions is now available on our website.

(09.11.2006)

Norges Bank and Statistics Norway have decided that the activities of Norges Bank's Statistics Department will be transferred to Statistics Norway, with effect from 1 January 2007. Some of the statistical information which is currently published by Norges Bank will be published on Statistics Norway's website: www.ssb.no

(09.11.2006) Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a speech in Oslo for Norges Bank’s regional network on Thursday, 9 November. The speech is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank’s press conference following the Executive Board’s monetary policy meeting on 1 November and Inflation Report 3/06.

(07.11.2006)

Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a presentation of Inflation Report 3/06 and the monetary policy assessments at a seminar hosted by Morgan Stanley in New York on Tuesday, 7 November. See the charts used in the presentation (pdf).

(07.11.2006) Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo gave a speech at the Norwegian Savings Banks Conference hosted by Fox-Pitt, Kelton in London on Tuesday, 7 November. The speech is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank’s press conference following the Executive Board’s monetary policy meeting on 1 November and Inflation Report 3/06.

(02.11.2006) Knut N. Kjær gave a speech at Norwegian Polytechnic Society on 2 November. The following questions were discussed. What is the financial logic in transferring oil wealth to a portfolio of international financial assets? What portion of the Fund should be invested in equities and how much should be allocated to other assets? What are the conditions necessary for ensuring that the operational implementation of management provides a positive contribution to return?

(01.11.2006)

Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to raise the sight deposit rate by 0.25 percentage point to 3.25 per cent with effect from 2 November 2006. The interest rate on banks' overnight loans is also being raised by 0.25 percentage point.

Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian)

(01.11.2006) The Inflation Report presents an assessment of the monetary policy outlook. The report contains projections for developments in the Norwegian economy, boxes in which particular themes are dealt with more fully, and a summary of Norges Bank’s regional network reports.

(01.11.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(31.10.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 15.0 per cent in the twelve months to end-September, up from 14.7 per cent to end-August. The money supply (M2) grew by 11.4 per cent in the twelve months to end-September, down from 11.9 per cent to end-August.

(31.10.2006)

In November, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 910 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

(11.10.2006)

The Nordic-Baltic representative on the IMF Executive Board has published his half-yearly report concerning key issues dealt with by the Board since April 2006. The report describes the work on a strategic review of the IMF’s activities, with particular emphasis on reform of the quota and voting rights system and monitoring of the economic situation of member countries.
The report in PDF (67 kB)

 

(09.10.2006) Invitation to government bond auctions is now available on our website.

(06.10.2006) Speech by Governor Svein Gjedrem for Norges Bank’s regional network in Vats, Tromsø, Sortland and Trondheim 2, 4, 5 and 6 October 2006 The speeches are based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank’s press conference following the Executive Board’s monetary policy meeting on 27 September, Inflation Report 2/06 and previous speeches.

(02.10.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 14.7 per cent in the twelve months to end-August, up from 14.4 per cent in the 12 months to end-July. The money supply (M2) grew by 12.2 per cent in the twelve months to end-August, up from 12.0 per cent to end-July.

(29.09.2006)

In October, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 890 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

(28.09.2006) Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo gave a speech at Østfold University College in Sarpsborg on 28 September. The speech is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank’s press conference following the Executive Board’s monetary policy meeting on 27 September, Inflation Report 2/06 and previous speeches.

(27.09.2006) Summaries of reports from Norges Bank's regional network are now available.

(27.09.2006)

Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to leave the interest rate unchanged. Norges Bank's key interest rate, the sight deposit rate, thus remains at 3.00 per cent. The overnight lending rate was also left unchanged.

Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian)

(25.09.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(18.09.2006) Governor Svein Gjedrem addressed a seminar in Singapore on Monday 18 September on the occasion of the 2006 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.

(18.09.2006)

On Sunday 17 September 2006, the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee held its twelfth meeting in Singapore. Finland's Minister of Finance, Eero Heinäluomas, who currently represents the Nordic-Baltic constituency on this committee, made a statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries. Mr. Stefan Ingves, Governor of Sveriges Riksbank, made a statement at the IMF's Annual Meeting on Tuesday, 19 September.

(15.09.2006)

Governor Svein Gjedrem attended a panel discussion on "Investing a Nation's Wealth" on September 15. The discussion was part of the Raffles Forum on Good Governance and the Wealth of Nations, which took place in Singapore.

(13.09.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(04.09.2006) Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo gave a speech for the Norwegian Shipping Club in Oslo on Monday 4 September. The address was based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 16 August, Inflation Report 2/06 and on previous speeches.

(04.09.2006) Address by Governor Svein Gjedrem on 4 September in Sandnessjøen for Norges Bank's regional network, arranged by Kunnskapsparken Bodø. The address is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 16 August and Inflation Report 2/06.

(04.09.2006) Invitation to government bond auctions is now available on our website.

(01.09.2006)

Siv Meisingseth joined Norges Bank as Director of Communications on 1 September.

(31.08.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 14.4 per cent in the twelve months to end-July, unchanged from end-June. The money supply (M2) grew by 12.3 per cent in the twelve months to end-July, down from 13.0 per cent to end-June.

(31.08.2006) In September, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 850 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

(30.08.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(28.08.2006)

The central banks of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have jointly written and published a report that describes the structures of Nordic banking markets.

(22.08.2006)

(22.08.2006)

(22.08.2006)

(22.08.2006)

(22.08.2006)

(22.08.2006)

(22.08.2006)

(22.08.2006)

(22.08.2006)

(22.08.2006)

International equity markets declined in the second quarter, particularly in Japan and emerging markets. The return on the international equity portfolios managed by Norges Bank was negative 3.3 per cent. Higher international interest rates resulted in a decline in bond prices.
Webcast of press conference (In Norwegian)

(16.08.2006)

Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to raise the sight deposit rate by 0.25 percentage point to 3.00 per cent with effect from 17 August 2006. The interest rate on banks' overnight loans is also being raised by 0.25 percentage point.
Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian). (Web-TV)

(31.07.2006) In August, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 410 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

(31.07.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator for credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 14.4 per cent in the twelve months to end-June, up from 13.7 per cent to end-May. The money supply (M2) increased by 13.1 per cent in the twelve months to end-June, up from 12.0 per cent to end-May.

(30.06.2006) Summaries of reports from Norges Bank's regional network are now available.

(30.06.2006)

In July, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 500 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

(29.06.2006)

Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to leave the interest rate unchanged. Norges Bank's key interest rate, the sight deposit rate, therefore remains at 2.75 per cent. The overnight lending rate was also left unchanged.
Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian). (Web-TV)

(29.06.2006) The Inflation Report presents an assessment of the monetary policy outlook. The report contains projections for developments in the Norwegian economy, boxes in which particular themes are dealt with more fully, and a summary of Norges Bank's regional network reports.

(29.06.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 13.7 per cent in the twelve months to end-May, unchanged from end-April. The money supply (M2) grew by 11.9 per cent in the twelve months to end-May, up from 11.5 per cent to end-April.

(28.06.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(14.06.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(12.06.2006)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) carries out an assessment of the Norwegian economy at regular intervals. In the period 7 - 12 June, a delegation from the IMF visited Norway to gather information about the economic and financial situation and to discuss economic policy.

(09.06.2006)

Oslo børsNorges Bank's settlement system, NBO, will be open as normal. Banks with access to SWIFT can send transactions directly to Norges Bank. Banks without access to this channel must use standard back-up routines (telefax). The telefax routine be used for transactions involving CLS.must

(07.06.2006) Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a speech at a symposium in Bergen on 7 June. The symposium was held in honour of Professor Victor D. Norman at the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration to celebrate Norman's forthcoming 60th birthday.

(06.06.2006) Invitation to government bond auctions is now available on our website.

(06.06.2006) Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a speech for the Centre for Monetary Economics/BI in Oslo on Tuesday 6 June 2006. The address was based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 31 May, Inflation Report 1/06 and on previous speeches.

(06.06.2006)

The overall outlook for financial stability is considered to be satisfactory, said Deputy Governor of Norges Bank Jarle Bergo in connection with the presentation of the Financial Stability 1/2006 report on Tuesday, 6 June. There seems to be little risk of a crisis in Norway's financial system in the next few years. Because of the long period of strong debt growth and asset price inflation, however, the uncertainty as to the outlook for financial stability in the longer term is somewhat larger than it was six months ago.
Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian)

(31.05.2006)

Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to raise the sight deposit rate by 0.25 percentage point to 2.75 per cent with effect from 1 June 06. The interest rate on banks' overnight loans is also being raised by 0.25 percentage point.
Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian). (Web-TV)

(31.05.2006)

In June, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 570 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

(31.05.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 13.7 per cent in the twelve months to end-April, down from 13.9 per cent in the 12 months to end-March. The money supply (M2) grew by 9.9 per cent in the twelve months to end-April, up from 9.3 per cent to end-March.

(31.05.2006) The Annual report on payment systems 2005 is now available on our website.

(29.05.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(23.05.2006)

Total assets under management by NBIM, the investment management arm of the Norwegian central bank, rose to NOK 1715 billon (USD 260 billion) at the end of first quarter 2006. The largest fund under management, The Government Pension Fund - Global, increased by NOK 85 billion during the quarter to NOK 1484 billion.
Webcast of press conference (In Norwegian)

(22.05.2006) The Governor of Norges Bank appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs of the Storting (Norwegian parliament) on 22 May at an open hearing on the conduct of monetary policy.

(16.05.2006)

Siv Meisingseth, Chief Information Officer, SAS Braathens Airline, has accepted the position of communications director at Norges Bank, commencing on 1 September.

(12.05.2006) Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a speech at the conference entitled Næringseiendom 2006 in Bergen on 12 May. The address is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 26 April, Inflation Report 1/06 and on previous speeches.

(12.05.2006) Norges Bank's Annual Report 2005 is now available on our website.

(10.05.2006) Governor Svein Gjedrem addressed a Nordic CFO-seminar hosted by Nordea in Stockholm on 10 May. The address was based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 26 April, Inflation Report 1/06 and on previous speeches.

(09.05.2006) Executive Director Jan F. Qvigstad spoke at the conference entitled "The ECB and Its Watchers VIII" in Frankfurt on 5 May 2006. The speech provides the background for developments in Norges Bank's communication on monetary policy.

(09.05.2006)

Address by Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo 9 May for Norges Bank's regional network, arranged by Agderforskning og Sparebanken Pluss, Kristiansand. The address is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 26 April, Inflation Report 1/06 and on previous speeches.

(08.05.2006) Invitation to government bond auctions is now available on our website.

(05.05.2006) Summaries of reports from Norges Bank's regional network are now available.

(03.05.2006) Address by Governor Svein Gjedrem on 3 May for Norges Bank’s regional network, arranged by the Centre for Economic Research at NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. The address is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank’s press conference following the Executive Board’s monetary policy meeting on 26 April, Inflation Report 1/06 and on previous speeches.

(03.05.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(03.05.2006)

Changes in the use of different payment instruments have resulted in a further increase in the efficiency of the Norwegian payment system, said Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo when he presented the at a press conference today. The use of electronic means of payment continues to increase, while paper-based methods are used less and less. There is a pronounced increase in the use of Internet banking and payment cards, but growth is strongest for electronic invoicing.Annual Report on Payment Systems

(02.05.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 13.9 per cent in the twelve months to end-March, up from 13.8 per cent in the 12 months to end-February. The money supply (M2) grew by 9.3 per cent in the twelve months to end-March, down from 9.6 per cent to end-February.

(28.04.2006)

In May, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 570 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

(27.04.2006)

The document "Principles for Responsible Investment" was published today. The principles were developed by an international group of major institutional investors, on the basis of an initiative by the UN. Norges Bank has participated in this work at the invitation of the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

(26.04.2006)

Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to leave the interest rate unchanged. Norges Bank's key interest rate, the sight deposit rate, therefore remains at 2.50 per cent. The overnight lending rate was also left unchanged.
Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian)

(24.04.2006)

On Saturday, 22 April 2006, the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee held its semi-annual meeting in Washington D.C. The Finnish Minister of Finance, Mr Eero Heinäluoma, who currently represents the Nordic-Baltic constituency on this committee, made a statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries.

(21.04.2006) The Nordic-Baltic representative on the IMF Executive Board has published his half-yearly report concerning key issues dealt with by the Board since September 2005. The report covers four types of issue: work on a strategic review of the IMF's activities, global economic developments, debt relief and the IMF's organisation and finances.

The report in pdf (120 kB)

(06.04.2006) About 90 guests attended the annual address to the diplomatic corps at Norges Bank on Thursday 6 April. The event is organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The address is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 16 March, Inflation Report 1/06 and on previous speeches.

(31.03.2006)

In April, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 310 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

(31.03.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 13.8 per cent in the twelve months to end-February, up from 13.3 per cent in the 12 months to end-January. The money supply (M2) grew by 9.6 per cent in the twelve months to end-February, down from 10.1 per cent to end-January.

(30.03.2006)

On Thursday 30 March, Norges Bank arranges a monetary policy conference in connection with the publication of Chapter 1 "Monetary policy" in Norges Bank's Annual Report for 2005. Rachel Lomax (Bank of England) and Willem Buiter (London School of Economics) will be among the guest speakers on the evaluation of monetary policy. The Governor of Norges Bank, Svein Gjedrem, will present an assessment of monetary policy in Norway in 2005.

Welcoming address by Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo

"Monetary policy in Norway" by Governor Svein Gjedrem

(29.03.2006)

Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo gave a speech in Sogndal at a meeting hosted by Sparebanken Vest on 29 March. The address is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 16 March and Inflation Report 1/06.

(29.03.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(23.03.2006) Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo addressed a seminar hosted by Swedbank Markets Oslo/First Securities at Gardermoen on 23 March 2006. The address was based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank’s press conference following the Executive Board’s monetary policy meeting on 16 March, Inflation Report 1/06 and on previous speeches.

(23.03.2006) Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a speech in India this week on Norwegian experiences in balancing economic development with macroeconomic stability. The speech does not contain assessments of the economic situation or the monetary stance.

(20.03.2006) Invitation to government bond auctions is now available on our website.

(17.03.2006) Summaries of reports from Norges Bank's regional network are now available.

(17.03.2006)

Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a speech in Stavanger at a meeting hosted by Sparebank 1 SR-Bank on 17 March. The address is based on the assessments presented at Norges Bank's press conference following the Executive Board's monetary policy meeting on 16 March, 1/06 and on the address "Economic perspectives", given on 16 February 2006.

(16.03.2006) The Inflation Report presents an assessment of the monetary policy outlook. The report contains projections for developments in the Norwegian economy, boxes in which particular themes are dealt with more fully, and a summary of Norges Bank's regional network reports.

(16.03.2006)

Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to raise the sight deposit rate by 0.25 percentage point to 2.50 per cent with effect from 17 March 2006. The interest rate on banks' overnight loans is also being raised by 0.25 percentage point.
Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian)

(09.03.2006) In connection with the presentation of the "Norges Bank Watch 2006" report on Thursday 9 March at 10 a.m., Governor Svein Gjedrem gave a speech in which he commented on some of the issues discussed in the report.

(08.03.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.

(08.03.2006) Statistics on foreign exchange transactions provide information about the participants that have been active in the foreign exchange market and the types of contracts entered into. The statistics are based on daily transaction data for the purchase and sale of NOK against foreign currency from the largest banks and are published weekly every Wednesday.

(03.03.2006)

On Thursday 30 March, Norges Bank is holding a monetary policy conference in connection with the publication of Norges Bank's Annual Report for 2005. Rachel Lomax (Bank of England) and Willem Buiter (London School of Economics) will be among the guest speakers on the evaluation of monetary policy. The governor of Norges Bank, Svein Gjedrem, will present an assessment of monetary policy in Norway in 2005.

(28.02.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 13.4 per cent in the twelve months to end-January, up from 13.2 per cent in the 12 months to end-December. The money supply (M2) grew by 9.9 per cent in the twelve months to end-January, up from 9.7 per cent to end-December.

(28.02.2006)

In 2005, the return on the Government Pension Fund - Global was 11.1 per cent measured in international currency and 14.3 per cent measured in NOK. The return on the equity portfolio was 22.5 per cent, whereas the return on the fixed income portfolio was 3.8 per cent. During the last three years, the total return on the Fund has been 32.6 per cent, equivalent to approximately NOK 300 billion. The high return is mainly attributable to a sharp rise in equity prices.
Webcast of press conference (In Norwegian)

(28.02.2006)

In March, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 280 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

(16.02.2006)

On Thursday 16 February, the Supervisory Council of Norges Bank will hold its annual meeting, at which the Bank's annual accounts are adopted. At 6 pm on the same day, Governor Svein Gjedrem will deliver his annual address to the members of the Supervisory Council and specially invited guests. An English translation of the address will be available on our website from 6 pm. Webcast of the address (in Norwegian) .

(16.02.2006)

Norges Bank's annual accounts for 2005 show a surplus of NOK 21.3 billion, compared with a surplus of NOK 1.1 billion in 2004. The surplus has been transferred to the Adjustment Fund. No transfer will be made to the Treasury from the Transfer Fund.

(08.02.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website. With effect from 1 February 2006, primary dealers have the exclusive right to submit bids at auctions of government securities.

(31.01.2006)

Norges Bank's indicator of credit from domestic sources (C2) rose by 13.3 per cent in the twelve months to end-December, up from 12.3 per cent in the 12 months to end-November. The money supply (M2) grew by 9.7 per cent in the twelve months to end-December, up from 8.7 per cent to end-November.

(31.01.2006)

In February, Norges Bank will purchase foreign exchange equivalent to NOK 190 million per day for the Government Pension Fund - Global (previously the Government Petroleum Fund).

(27.01.2006) Deputy Governor Jarle Bergo gave a speech on January 27 at the Foreign Exchange Seminar of the Association of Norwegian Economists at Sanderstølen. The speech does not contain new assessments of the economic situation or of current interest rate setting.

(26.01.2006) A new topic about payment systems has been added to the menu on the left-hand side. Norges Bank has important responsibilities in this area. The Financial stability pages have also been updated. New and more detailed information is available here and the pages have been organised so that it should be easy for different user groups to find what they are looking for.

(25.01.2006)

Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to leave the interest rate unchanged. Norges Bank's key interest rate, the sight deposit rate, therefore remains at 2.25 per cent. The overnight lending rate was also left unchanged.
Webcast of press conference (in Norwegian)

(23.01.2006) Invitation to government bond auctions is now available on our website.

(09.01.2006)

Norges Bank is issuing a 20-krone special edition circulation coin to commemorate the Ibsen year.

(06.01.2006) In a letter to the Ministry of Finance, Norges Bank has provided a more detailed account of corporate governance activities in the Government Pension Fund - Global (formerly the Government Petroleum Fund). Corporate governance activities will be a key component in the Bank's work to ensure the long-term return on the Fund and will also contribute to strengthening the ethical dimension of portfolio management.

(04.01.2006) Invitation to Treasury bill auction is now available on our website.