European Central Bank (ECB)
ECB's Trichet on structural reforms in Europe
In the speech 'Structural reforms in Europe' given on 22 May Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the European Union is undergoing an important process of reforms of its socio-economic model so as to adapt it to future challenges.
ECB wants action on reform agenda - Trichet
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet on Monday 22 May called on the EU to implement its structural reform programme which has been revamped.
Rato says more Fed hikes may be needed
International Monetary Fund chief Rodrigo Rato said on Monday 22 May that the Federal Reserve may need to continue raising interest rates depending upon how US economic conditions evolve.
Comment: Issing's parting shot
In his final speech before stepping down as chief economist and member of the executive board of the ECB, Otmar Issing yesterday said the adoption of the euro has prevented damaging currency speculation. He also admitted that he was somewhat of a "euro…
ECB's Target Annual Report 2005
The European Central Bank (ECB) published the TARGET Annual Report 2005 on Friday 19 May. This publication, which is the sixth of its kind, gives an overview of TARGET operations in 2005.
Liebscher says ECB worried on inflation
Austrian national bank governor Klaus Liebscher told reporters Friday 19 May that the European Central Bank is worried about risks to the eurozone's inflation outlook.
EU parliament backs Stark for ECB
MEPs approved the appointment of Jurgen Stark to the Executive Board of the European Central Bank in a vote on Wednesday 17 May.
ECB Convergence Report May 2006
The European Central Bank (ECB) on Tuesday 16 May published a Convergence Report which has been prepared following requests for a country examination from Slovenia on 2 March 2006 and Lithuania on 16 March 2006.
Padoa-Schioppa named as Italian econ min
Romano Prodi, Italy's incoming centre-left prime minister, on Wednesday 17 May named "a team and not a collection of prima donnas" which included former European Central Bank board member Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa as economy minister.
ECB not worried by dollar weakness says Liebscher
The European Central Bank is unperturbed by the dollar's current weakness and may still proceed with an interest rate increase next month, Austrian central bank chief Klaus Liebscher said in a newspaper interview published Tuesday 16 May.
No set course for rates says ECB's Noyer
Bank of France governor Christian Noyer said on Tuesday 16 May that the European Central Bank has not decided on a predetermined direction for eurozone interest rates and will consider the economic data.
ECB's Trichet on two successes of the euro
In the speech 'Two successes of the euro: the single monetary policy and European financial integration' given on 11 May Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said that the central bank is on high alert over inflationary dangers, is exercising "strong vigilance…
How bold a move from the ECB?
According to this article published Friday 12 May, a rate increase at the European Central Bank's upcoming meeting is almost certain, with estimates ranging between 25 and 50 basis points.
Euro critical when Issing goes missing?
Sunday 14 May's Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung contained a portrait of ECB chief economist Otmar Issing under the headline "The preacher". Without Issing the euro could weaken considerably, it said.
ECB's Trichet on European financial integration
In the speech 'The process of European financial integration' given on 11 May Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said European financial integration still lags behind, particularly in retail banking and financial infrastructure services, despite the progress…
ECB pledges price stability, oil risks worsen
The article "ECB bankers pledge price stability, oil risks worsen" published Thursday 11 May says that the oil shock threatens to push up core inflation in the eurozone, a danger the European Central Bank ignores at its peril.
ECB Monthly Bulletin, May 2006
The European Central Bank published its May 2006 Monthly Bulletin on Thursday 11 May. In the report the ECB reiterated its outlook that monetary and credit growth remains very dynamic in the euro area and strong vigilance is needed to ensure price…
Weber charts course for ECB rate rise
European Central Bank council member Axel Weber said in an interview published Tuesday 9 May that interest rates need to be increased by at least a quarter point to curb inflation in the eurozone.
ECB's Bini Smaghi on the growth of pension funds
In the speech 'The growth of pension funds and financial markets: Implications for central banks' given on 4 May (published 8 May) Lorenzo Bini Smaghi of the ECB said financial muscle of the world's pension funds may make it harder for central bank…
Weber on forecasting in eurosystem central banks
In the speech 'Forecasting in eurosystem central banks - Overview and challenges' given on 5 May Axel Weber of the Bundesbank said the European Central Bank's economic forecasts will be based on market expectations for interest rates in future, rather…
Trichet 'not satisfied' with inflation over 2%
Speaking at the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Friday 5 May, Jean-Claude Trichet said the European Central Bank is 'not satisfied' with inflation above 2 pct in the euro zone.
Issing to leave ECB but monetarism lives on
Otmar Issing's legacy is set to continue, despite his retirement from the European Central Bank at the end of the month, according to this article published Friday 5 May.
Comment: Trichet sounds his warning
After having made it clear that an interest rate increase was highly unlikely, the ECB's monetary policy meeting this week was all about how to signal future rate hikes pencilled in for later this year. Jean-Claude Trichet's message yesterday, 3 May, was…
ECB signals June rate rise
At the ECB's post-meeting press conference, after holding eurozone interest rates unchanged, on Thursday 4 May Jean-Claude Trichet said the Governing Council will exercise strong vigilance in order to ensure that risks to price stability over the medium…