European Central Bank (ECB)
ECB refinancing, 6 Mar
PRESS RELEASE - Monetary policy decisions. The minimum bid rate on the main refinancing operations will be reduced by 0.25 percentage point to 2.50%, starting from the operation to be settled on 12 March 2003.
Issing on monetary policy strategies
SPEECH - In the speech 'Considerations on monetary policy strategies for accession countries' Otmar Issing of the European Central Bank said central banks in accession countries can do a lot to facilitate a smooth and sustainable accession process. Their…
Dissent inside the Eurotower
ARTICLE - This article suggests that even if the ECB cuts interest rates on Thursday, the move will do little to satisfy critics pressing for a reappraisal of the bank's policymaking framework. The article suggests tensions between key ECB officials…
If the ECB cuts rates it should do so boldly
ARTICLE - This article says the case for an ECB rate reduction this week is overwhelming. But any cut must be decisive otherwise it will have very little effect on the euro-zone economy. "If you are going to hit it, hit it hard."
Issing on the euro - a stable currency
SPEECH - In the speech 'The euro - a stable international currency' Otmar Issing of the European Central Bank said the brief history of the ECB is already a success story.
ECB reassures Germany over crisis fears
The European Central Bank on Tuesday sought to allay fears of a banking crisis in Germany amid reports that the government and senior bankers had discussed emergency measures to bail out the financial system.
McCreevy set to support Austrian ECB candidate
Ireland is likely to support Austrian central bank deputy governor Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell's candidacy for a place on the ECB board, reports the Irish Times.
Race to head European Central Bank heats up
Christian Noyer has apparently intimated he is willing to take on the job of president of the European Central Bank when Wim Duisenberg retires in July, says Forbes magazine.
Edward George says ECB slow on rate cuts
Sir Edward George, governor of the Bank of England, speaking in London today hinted that the ECB had been slow to cut interest rates when he remarked that the ECB is "less proactive" in monetary policy terms than the UK's central bank. CentralBankNet was…
Duisenberg: ECB may cut rates further
Speaking at the weekend Wim Duisenberg suggested the ECB could cut interest rates further and said a weakened outlook for the euro zone economy could reduce inflationary pressures.
EU banking sector stability report
REPORT - The European Central Bank (ECB) released on 24 February a report on the stability of the EU banking sector. The report was prepared by the Banking Supervision Committee of the European System of Central Banks, which comprises representatives…
Solans on financial innovation and monetary policy
SPEECH - In the speech 'Financial innovation and monetary policy' Eugenio Domingo Solans of the European Central Bank said financial innovation can help to increase the efficiency of the financial system, facilitating the operation of monetary policy…
Finland opposes changes to ECB voting system
Planned changes to the voting system of the European Central Bank may be delayed due to opposition from Finland.
France to insist on ECB presidential role
France looks set to insist that the post of European Central Bank president goes to a French candidate despite the setback for its leading contender for the job, Bank of France governor Jean-Claude Trichet, EU sources said.
Musical chairs at the ECB
ARTICLE - The plan to alter the ECB's voting council gets some attention here. The article says even if Europe's finance ministers agree to the rotation plan they should revisit the issue soon. Competency, not nationality, should be the key qualification…
Austria's Tumpel-Gugerell tipped for ECB post
A report said the Austrian government is expected to officially submit Austrian central bank vice-governor Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell's name in the next few days as the country's candidate to succeed Finland's Sirkka Hamalainen on the ECB's Executive Board.
Duisenberg may have to extend stay at ECB
There have been calls for European Central Bank (ECB) president Wim Duisenberg to extend his stay at the head of the bank due to questions over the fate of his successor.
European Parliament Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - ECB - steady as she goes despite uncertainty, says Wim Duisenberg, 17 February.
Duisenberg testimony at the European Parliament
SPEECH - In testimony before the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament Wim Duisenberg of the European Central Bank said said Monday that the ECB's already accommodative monetary policy will help support an expected…
Noyer mentioned as potential ECB candidate
CentralBankNet learns that former European Central Bank vice president Christian Noyer may be in line to take over from Wim Duisenberg as president of the ECB in July if Jean-Claude Trichet is unable to take up the position.
ECB Monthly Bulletin, February 2003
REPORT - The European Central Bank published its February 2003 Monthly Bulletin on 13 February. This issue contains two articles. The first addresses the interactions between the single monetary policy and fiscal policies in the euro area. The second…
ECB concerned by eurozone growth prospects
The European Central Bank on Thursday fuelled speculation about a possible interest rate cut by highlighting concerns about growth across the eurozone area, although it reiterated its stance that its current monetary policy is "appropriate".
ECB's Papademos-Higher inflation target won't help
European Central Bank Vice President Lucas Papademos has said that raising the central bank's inflation target to 3 or 4 percent will not provide more room for growth in the euro area.
European parliament Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - ECB Governing Council reform : "I would prefer a really pro-european approach". The Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Christa RANDZIO-PLATH (PES/Germany) today expressed dissatisfaction…