Evaluating the Bank of England density forecasts of inflation

We consider evaluating the UK Monetary Policy Committee's inflation density forecasts using probability integral transform goodness-of-fit tests. These tests evaluate the whole forecast density. We also consider whether the probabilities assigned to inflation being in certain ranges are well calibrated, where the ranges are chosen to be those of particular relevance to the MPC, given its remit of maintaining inflation rates in a band around per annum. Finally, we discuss the decision-based approach to forecast evaluation in relation to the MPC forecasts

Identification of forged Bank of England £20 banknotes using IR spectroscopy

Bank of England notes of £20 denomination have been studied using infrared spectroscopy in order to generate a method to identify forged notes. An aim of this work was to develop a non-destructive method so that a small, compact Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) instrument could be used by bank workers, police departments or others such as shop assistants to identify forged notes in a non-lab setting. The ease of use of the instrument is the key to this method, as well as the relatively low cost. The presence of a peak at 1400 cm−1 arising from νasym () from the blank paper section of a forged note proved to be a successful indicator of the note’s illegality for the notes that we studied. Moreover, differences between the spectra of forged and genuine £20 notes were observed in the ν(OH) (ca. 3500 cm−1), ν(CH) (ca. 2900 cm−1) and ν(CO) (ca. 1750 cm−1) regions of the IR spectrum recorded for the polymer film covering the holographic strip. In cases where these simple tests fail, we have shown how an infrared microscope can be used to further differentiate genuine and forged banknotes by producing infrared maps of selected areas of the note contrasting inks with background paper.

An address to the proprietors of bank stock, the London and country bankers and the public in general, on the affairs of the Bank of England.

Colophon: Gunnell and Shearman, printers, Salisbury Square.

An essay on the general principles and present practice of banking, in England and Scotland : with observations upon the justice and policy of an immediate alteration in the charter of the Bank of England, and the measures to be pursued in order to effect it /

Supplementary observations to the third ed. of An essay on the general principles and present practice of banking ... 20 p. at end.

Facts and fallacies in the evidence taken by "The committee on banks of issue" ; exhibiting aggressions in the Bank of England, and oppressions on the British community : to which are added extraordinary suggestions of currency remedies, for town and country bankers, in a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mode of access: Internet.

An attempt to explain from facts the effect of the issues of the Bank of England upon its own interests, public credit, and country banks.

Mode of access: Internet.

An examination of the evidence taken before the committee of secrecy,on the Bank of England charter.

Mode of access: Internet.

A copy of the correspondence between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Bank of England : relative to the renewal of the charter.

Mode of access: Internet.

Report of the Lords' committee of secrecy: order of council, 26th February 1797, relating to the Bank [of England] ...

H.C.P. 17, 1810.

The trade of banking in England: embracing the substance of the evidence taken before the Secret Committee of the House of Commons, digested and arranged under appropriate heads. Together with a summary of the law applicable to the Bank of England, to private banks of issue, and joint-stock banking companies.

Mode of access: Internet.

An account of the public funds transferrable at the Bank of England, and of the stocks of some of the principal companies in London ...

First edition published 1795 under title: The stocks examined and compared.

An essay on the general principles and present practice of banking in England and Scotland : with observations upon the justice and policy of an immediate alteration in the charter of the Bank of England, and the measures to be pursued in order to effect it /

Goldsmiths'-Kress no. 23550.

Thoughts on the separation of the departments in the Bank of England.

Printed for private distribution.

The Bank of England and the country bankers : three letters addressed to the editor of the Tyne Mercury, under the signature of Alfred, pointing out the danger to be apprehended from the provincial establishments of the Bank of England ...

Goldsmiths'-Kress no. 25532.