Germany: The longest-serving member of Deutsche Bundesbank's executive board, Rudolf Böhmler, will step down at the end of the year, two-and-a-half years before the end of his term.

Böhmler joined the board in 2007, and was appointed to a second five-year term in July 2012. Throughout both terms he has been responsible for controlling, accounting and organisation, human resources, administration and premises, and economic education.

The Bundesbank noted the 68-year-old Böhmler "celebrated 50