European Central Bank (ECB)
Dollar fall to hit central bank profits
The strength of the euro against the dollar is proving a double-edged sword for Europe's central bankers. The decline in the value of the dollar against the euro is likely to eat into the earnings of the central banks of Germany, Austria and the…
ECB release forex rules for acceding central banks
The European Central Bank has released a paper which spells out how accession country central banks must manage their currencies in the run up to joining the euro.
ECB Monthly Bulletin, December 2003
The European Central Bank published its December 2003 Monthly Bulletin on 11 December. The ECB maintained its forecast for 2003 inflation at 2.1pc, but lowered its forecast for 2005 inflation to 1.6pc from 1.7pc. But it repeated that official interest…
ECB's Solans on importance of MFI interest rates
In a speechon 'The importance of MFI interest rates for the Eurosystem and the general public' given on 10 December, Eugenio Domingo Solans of the ECB said the aim of the new set of MFI interest rate statistics is to provide a comprehensive, detailed and…
IMF sees US growth sprinting ahead of eurozone
IMF chief economists Raghuram Rajan has told a German newspaper that the International Monetary Fund had increased its previous forecast for US growth by 0.1 percentage points to 4.0 percent, according to an AFP report.
Britain announces new inflation measure
UK chancellor Gordon Brown announced to parliament on Wednesday 10 December that Britain will in future use the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) to measure inflation, reports EU business. The new measure, which is already used by the European…
ECB monetary policy decision
At Thursday's meeting the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the minimum bid rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 2.00%, 3.00% and 1.00%…
ECB's Trichet on financial stability
In a speech on 'Financial stability' given on 26 November, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the issues generated by the fast evolution of the financial system are very complex and demanding for public authorities. He added that some elements of the…
Tumpel-Gugerell on ECB's monetary policy issues
In a speech on 'ECB's Monetary Policy Issues in the Run-up to Enlargement' given on 14 November, Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said the ECB is interested in assisting acceding countries on their way to monetary integration the best way it can. The…
Trichet testifies before European Parliament
In testimony before the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament given on 1 December Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said since Wim Duisenberg's last testimony in September data have confirmed the ECB's main scenario, which is…
Trichet: ECB monetary policy strategy after May 03
In a speech on 'The ECB's monetary policy strategy after the evaluation and clarification of May 2003' given on 27 November, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said EMU is based on the conviction that Europe can derive strong benefits from a "culture of…
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on capital markets in Europe
In a speech on 'ECB-CFS Research Network on capital markets and financial integration in Europe' given on 21 November Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said the ECB clearly supports the view expressed among others by the Lamfalussy Committee of Wise…
ECB statement on ECOFIN budget conclusions
Statement of the European Central Bank Governing Council on the ECOFIN Council conclusions regarding the correction of excessive deficits in France and Germany, 25 November. The ECB's press release warns: "The Conclusions adopted by the ECOFIN Council…
Italy wants ECB chiefs chosen by majority
Italy, the current holder of the EU presidency, has made a proposal to change the way top officials at the European Central Bank are appointed, Reuters said. A draft compromise circulated to EU member states said the ECB's six top officials should be…
Trichet on the ECB's monetary policy strategy
In a speech on 'The ECB's monetary policy strategy after the evaluation and clarification of May 2003' given on 20 November, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said in the field of fiscal policies the arguments in favour of the Stability and Growth Pact are…
Trichet on Europe at the crossroads
In a speech on 'Europe at the crossroads' given on 20 November, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the euro has become a strong symbol of Europe. It makes the world "identify Europe" and helps Europeans to identify with Europe. I am grateful, Trichet…
ECB's Papademos on European monetary policy
In a speech on 'Challenges for monetary policy in Europe' given on 13 November, Lucas Papademos of the ECB quoted from the American writer Joshua J. Marine: "Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." In…
Reinventing euro-area central banks
Central banks of the euro area have the challenge of redefining their national roles. Maxwell Watson suggests approaches that build on their existing authority and expertise.
The Duisenberg years
Is the ECB's reputation in the markets for poor communication of a poor strategy justified? Charles Wyplosz reflects on Wim Duisenberg's time as president.
How will Trichet speak?
Staff writer Benedict Mander contemplates the outlook for Jean-Claude Trichet's eight-year term as president of the ECB from the point of view of the public relations challenges he faces.
ECB's Solans on changeover to the euro currency
In a speech on 'The changeover to the euro currency' given on 13 November, Eugenio Domingo Solans of the ECB said based on the positive experience we have so far made with the euro and its smooth introduction, we can be confident that we will cope with…
ECB Monthly Bulletin, November 2003
The European Central Bank published its November 2003 Monthly Bulletin on 13 November. This issue of the Monthly Bulletin contains three articles. The first reviews the main developments in the debt financing of the euro area private sector over recent…
Tumpel-Gugerell: Institutions in Financial System
In the speech 'The Role of Institutions in the Financial System' given on 11 November Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said an integrated European supervisory framework enhances the ability to react quickly, effectively and more transparently to any…
ECB press conference with questions and answers
At his first press conference since taking over from Wim Duisenberg, Jean-Claude Trichet said on 6 November that the stability and growth pact provided "an appropriate framework" for ensuring fiscal discipline. He said the budget deficit limit of 3 per…