European Central Bank (ECB)
Draghi secures German backing for ECB presidency
Angela Merkel offers support for Mario Draghi to become the next president of the European Central Bank; says he is “interesting” and “experienced”
Don’t hand over reins to markets: ECB’s Bini Smaghi
European Central Bank’s Lorenzo Bini Smaghi sets out four reasons why sovereigns’ fates should not be left in the hands of markets
ECB publishes the third edition of monetary policy book
ECB releases comprehensive overview of the ECB's monetary policy
Bini Smaghi favourite to next lead Bank of Italy
Analysts say European Central Bank executive board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi is strong candidate to lead Bank of Italy should current governor Mario Draghi move to Frankfurt
EU governance reform falls short of quantum leap: Trichet
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet calls for less discretion to application of Stability and Growth Pact
ECB’s Tumpel-Gugerell on cost of ex-post crisis measures
European Central Bank executive board member Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell says large costs to clean up asset-price bubbles should lend support to more preemptive policies
Trichet signals no change in June as ECB holds
Rates likely to remain on hold until third quarter
Denmark’s Bernstein: rate hike may dampen growth
National Bank of Denmark governor Nils Bernstein says rate hike will not trigger an economic reversal but may have dampening effect on economy
Bailout package offers hope for Portugal
Lisbon accepts €78 billion bailout as part of deal to reduce deficit to 3% of GDP by 2013; analysts say preliminary terms of deal positive for sovereign
Wellink clarifies position on Greece restructuring
Media reports suggest Netherlands Bank president Nout Wellink is open to a debt restructuring for Greece; central bank spokesperson denies suggestions, says president’s views remain in line with European Central Bank
Euro area SME external financing improves: ECB survey
European Central Bank survey on small and medium-sized enterprises shows moderate improvement in access to external finance in euro area
Central banking both an art and science: Trichet
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet says policymakers need formidable analytical capacities and good judgement
ECB – Euro Area Bank Lending Survey (April 2011)
European Central Bank April 2011 euro area bank lending survey reports moderate tightening of credit conditions in region
Greece deficit revision sparks default concerns from analysts
Eurostat revises Greece’s deficit to GDP upwards by almost a percentage point; analysts reiterate need for Greece to restructure debt
Italy's Draghi seals Sarkozy's support for ECB job
French president Nicolas Sarkozy backs Bank of Italy governor Mario Draghi to succeed Jean-Claude Trichet as head of the European Central Bank
Stress tests motivate Moody’s Ireland downgrade
Moody’s downgrades Ireland two notches to Baa3 after stress tests force Irish government to allocate additional funds to banks
ECB’s González-Páramo urges risk framework overhaul
European Central Bank executive board member José Manuel González-Páramo calls for widespread change to risk control frameworks
ECB’s Bini Smaghi calls for level playing field in prudential supervision
European Central Bank executive board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi says level playing field between European regulators would create more uniform bank resolution regime
ECB’s Stark calls for end to short-term approach to monetary policy
European Central Bank executive board member Jürgen Stark says central banks should not be distracted by attempts to fine-tune economy; calls for refocus on monetary data
Sepa end-dates should be set in stone: ECB
European Central Bank proposes concrete end-dates for migration to Single Euro Payments Area
ECB breaks norm with rate hike
European Central Bank hikes interest rates by 25 basis points after two years at historically low levels; warns on second-round effects from commodity price pressures
Portugal seeks bailout, Trichet confident rate hike will only help
Portugal seeks financial assistance from Brussels; European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet says rate hike will help build confidence in stricken sovereign
Risk Europe: Tension between the ESRB and ECB, says Belgium's Reynders
Europe's new systemic risk watchdog is already clashing with the ECB - but the ESRB's powers may need to be expanded, says Belgian finance minister, Didier Reynders
Europe’s future hinges on member states’ commitment to EMU: Trichet
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet says tackling monetary union issues will determine historical trajectory of Europe