Bank of Korea Governor Nominee Warns of Action if Korean Won Weakens Further 
Bank of Japan Faces Rate Uncertainty Amid Middle East Oil Shock 
Federal Reserve Probes Big Banks Over Private Credit Exposure Amid Growing Systemic Risk Concerns 
Australia Bans Card Payment Surcharges Starting October 2025 
Food prices are already high in Canada. Will the Iran war make them worse? 
Want to cut your energy bills? Here’s how five experts are doing it 
Bank of Japan Signals Rate Flexibility Amid Yen Volatility 
The Reserve Bank of Australia, on April 1, 2025, said it would keep the cash rate steady at 4.10%, as expected by markets following a February rate cut. The RBA reiterated that underlying inflation is coming down from its peak in 2022 and emphasized the importance of observing sustained inflation returning to the 2-3% target band.
Even accepting inflation has run out of steam, the RBA is wary of the unknowns of what lies ahead for the economy and inflation and is moving cautiously. The RBA considers monetary policy stance as at the moment tight and ready to move interest rates if conditions warrant, due to international developments and domestically within the economy.
The RBA will pay attention to changing data and risks and use them in future monetary policy, closely following world economic trends and maintaining its watchful eye over domestic demand. The move comes as the Australian government remains in caretaker mode ahead of the May 3, 2025, election, which may shape economic psychology and deliberation over policy.
