Top Bankers Head To Alps For Imc

The world's premier commercial and central bankers will gather in the Swiss Alps next week for the International Monetary Conference (IMC), an annual forum where bankers mix business with pleasure.

Around 130 bankers, representing the world's major banks, and central bank governors from leading nations will meet from June 2 to 4 in Interlaken, in the shadow of the Jungfrau mountain, to candidly discuss the challenges facing the banking industry.

But it is as a forum for networking on a global scale that distinguishes the IMC from other conferences and assures the continued attendance of bankers from all over the world. For financial markets the highlight of IMC is on Wednesday when leading central bankers step into the limelight.

But the clash between the German government and Bundesbank over a revaluation of gold reserves could steal the show with Chancellor Helmut Kohl addressing the conference on Monday. Although the actual business sessions are closed to the press, briefings take place immediately thereafter.

Wednesday's briefing features Alan Greenspan, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Hans Tietmeyer, president of the Bundesbank, Eddie George, governor of the Bank of England and Jean-Claude Trichet, governor of Bank of France.