European Central Bank (ECB)
ECB paper on emerging market shocks
The ECB Working Paper "The transmission of emerging market shocks to global equity markets" analyses whether, and to what extent, emerging market economies (EMEs) have systemic importance for global financial markets, above and beyond their influence…
ECB rapped by EU privacy regulator over Swift
The EU's data protection supervisor, Peter Hustinx, said Thursday 2 February that it was unacceptable for confidential data to be handed to US authorities and the European Central Bank should do more to control the Swift payment transactions network.
Remarks by the ECB on the oversight of SWIFT
The European Central Bank (ECB) said in a press release Thursday 1 January it would like to note that central banks are responsible for fostering financial stability and promoting the smooth operation of payment and settlement systems.
Stark says ECB policy still accommodative
European Central Bank chief economist Juergen Stark told Boersen-Zeitung in an interview to be published Thursday 1 February that eurozone monetary policy remains accommodative despite the 25 basis point December rate increase.
Germany's Steinbrueck defends 'sacrosanct' ECB
German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck insisted Tuesday 30 January that European Central Bank independence was "sacrosanct" amid calls from some politicians for a more accountable ECB.
ECB's Gonzalez-Paramo on liquidity management
In the speech 'The challenges to liquidity management in the euro area: the perspective of the ECB' given on 25 January Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo of the ECB said we are still investigating the underlying causes for the upward pressure on short-term…
Buba's Remsperger sees German recovery into 2008
Bundesbank executive board member Hermann Remsperger said in an interview with the Financial Times published Monday 29 January Germany's economic recovery has a good chance of continuing beyond 2007 and into next year.
ECB's Trichet sees risk of inflation spiral
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet told French television there is a risk of an increase in inflation in the eurozone and noted that ECB rates are well below those of the US Fed.
ECB's Stark on policy efforts for 2007
In the speech 'Applause for 2006 should not abate policy efforts for 2007' given on 25 January Jurgen Stark of the ECB warned of inflation risks in the eurozone and reiterated that the central bank will act to preserve price stability.
ECB's Weber says rates must keep rising
ECB governing council member Axel Weber said on Friday 26 January must keep withdrawing monetary stimulus from the euro zone economy.
ECB won't tolerate being a political football
According to this article from Reuters, published Wednesday 24 January, the European Central Bank has mounted its strongest defence so far against recent attacks on its independence from politicians.
US imbalances: the role of technology and policy
This ECB Working Paper published Thursday 25 January investigates the role of three likely factors in driving the steady deterioration of the US external balance: US technology developments, changes in the US government fiscal position and the Fed's…
Prodi backing ECB independence
Italian prime minister Romano Prodi said this week the European Central Bank (ECB) should maintain its independence and that it had done a good job in its interest rate policy.
ECB's Weber sees upward risks to inflation
Further European Central Bank action is needed to make sure that eurozone price stability remains in check, European Central Bank Governing Council member Axel Weber said Wednesday 24 January.
Noyer says no conflict on price stability, growth
Bank of France governor and ECB governing council member Christian Noyer told the Liberation newspaper on Tuesday 23 January current monetary conditions are favourable for growth and there is no conflict between price stability and economic growth.
Buba's Fabritius sees German GDP growth down
Bundesbank executive board member Hans Georg Fabritius said in a speech German GDP growth is expected to be 1.75% this year, down from a 2.7% growth rate in 2006.
Bini Smaghi says ECB rate may rise further
ECB board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi told La Repubblica in an interview published Tuesday 23 January that the ECB's rate is "still accommodating" and may have to rise further if growth expectations are confirmed to avoid excess liquidity.
Stark on monetary policy: a view from the ECB
In the speech 'Objectives and challenges of monetary policy: a view from the ECB' given on 19 January Jurgen Stark of the ECB said the ECB retains the freedom to move interest rates whenever it considers it necessary to control inflation pressures,…
Ministers concerned over settlement plan - report
European finance ministers have raised doubts about the European Central Bank's plan to provide its own settlement system for eurozone securities transactions, the Financial Times reported Monday 22 January.
ECB denies Trichet, Juncker, Almunia meetings plan
The European Central Bank denied a report on Monday 22 January which claimed Jean-Claude Trichet, Eurogroup chief Jean-Claude Juncker and EU commissioner Joaquin Almunia had agreed to hold informal meetings on the sidelines of the ECB's monthly press…
Buba's Weber warns on German wage hikes
Bundesbank president Axel Weber warned Friday 19 January that sharp wage increases in Germany could set off a new round of inflation and hinder the European Central Bank's price stability goal.
Bini Smaghi on global capital & monetary policies
In the speech 'Global capital and national monetary policies' given on 18 January Lorenzo Bini Smaghi of the ECB said central banks must be careful not to overreact to declines in real bond yields, which may reflect special factors related to…
Hungary plans central bank independence increase
Hungary's government is proposing an amendment to the country's Central Bank Act to increase the independence of monetary policy makers, a spokesman at the Finance Ministry has said.
ECB Monthly Bulletin, January 2007
The European Central Bank published its January 2007 Monthly Bulletin on Thursday 18 January. In the report the ECB said it will continue to monitor all economic developments very closely to ensure that euro zone inflation remains under control.