European Central Bank (ECB)
Buba's Stark says ECB should meet less often
The European Central Bank should hold council meetings once a month rather than every two weeks, Bundesbank Vice President Juergen Stark said in remarks published on Feb 8, 2001. Stark, who is not a member of the ECB's council and has no say in ECB…
ECB slams banks over cross-border payment charges
The European Central Bank on Feb. 8, 2001 accused commercial banks of persistently overcharging retail customers for cross-border payments and said it may have to step in unless fees are cut substantially this year. The ECB said in its February report…
Communications plays key role in mon policy - ECB
Communication policy plays a vital part in supporting the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy by helping the central bank achieve its price stability goal and in assuring public acceptance of policy decisions, the ECB said in its report for…
ECB's Trichet - European growth to continue strong
European Central Bank council member and Bank of France governor Jean-Claude Trichet said on Feb. 7, 2000 growth in Europe will continue "at a reasonable, strong pace." There were, however, downside risks to real gross domestic product growth, he told a…
Reserves plan bad for euro system - Austria c.bank
The Austrian National Bank warned on Feb. 6, 2001, that the finance minister's efforts to get the government's hands on central bank currency reserves could undermine the credibility of the euro system. "The Austrian National Bank believes that resorting…
Noyer -2001 GDP growth slightly less than forecast
Euro-zone growth will be "slightly less rapid" in 2001 than predicted a few months ago, European Central Bank Vice President Christian Noyer said Feb. 6. Noyer, speaking at the Robert Schuman University, said growth this year will be "close to 3%"…
Belgium finalises euro note, coin switchover plans
Belgium announced on Feb 6, 2001, its final plans for the switch to euro notes and coins in 2002, a mammoth logistical task which is set to mobilise all 12 euro zone countries in the second half of this year. Belgium's "Euro Commission" said banks and…
ECB Trichet-solid euro in interests of Europe -CNN
European Central Bank council member and Bank of France Governor Jean-Claude Trichet reiterated on Feb. 5, 2001, that a solid euro is in Europe's bests interests. "We call for a solid euro. A solid euro is in the interests of Europe," Trichet said in an…
'Econ pol coordination in the Europe' by P Jacquet
"Economic policy co-ordination in the Euro zone: What has been achieved? What should be done?"In this pamphlet, French policy advisors Pierre Jacquet and Jean Pisani-Ferry review economic policy co-ordination since the Euro was launched and recommend…
Cash launch to boost public support for euro-Noyer
European Central Bank Vice President Christian Noyer said on Feb. 2 that public support of the single currency would grow with the introduction of euro notes and coins from January 1, 2002. Echoing earlier comments from other ECB officials, Noyer said it…
IMF says ECB right to wait for more info on rates
The European Central Bank should wait for more information about core inflation in the euro zone and the growth outlook for the U.S. economy before cutting interest rates, the International Monetary Fund said. In a statement on euro-zone economic…
'European Central Bank' by Georg Schweiger
As befits a man with his background, Schweiger's book primarily deals with the legal and institutional framework of the European Central Bank (ECB). Although the jacket claims the book focuses on the personalities behind the bank, this is better left to…
Duisenberg slams plan to curb Buba oversight role
European Central Bank President Wim Duisenberg on Feb. 1, 2001, attacked German government plans to strip the Bundesbank of its banking watchdog duties, saying the move may make it harder to supervise the financial system. In unusually strong tones even…
Lack of confidence shouldn't slow eurozone-Vanhala
Finland's central bank governor said on Feb. 1 he hoped "reasons of confidence and psychology" would not slow euro zone growth more than real economic conditions justify. Matti Vanhala was speaking after the European Central Bank's governing council, of…
New ECB website on introduction of euro notes, coin
The European Central Bank on Feb. 1, 2001, unveiled a new website as part of its campaign to prepare the public in the 12 euro-zone states for the introduction of notes and coins from January 1, 2002.The website, with the address www.euro.ecb.int, has…
ECB Duisenberg says Irish budget out of line
European Central Bank President Wim Duisenberg on Feb. 1 said he shared the European Commission's critical assessment of Ireland's expansionary budgetary policies. The Commission has asked EU finance ministers to issue an unprecedented formal reprimand…
Current role of national central banks in the ESCB
This paper by Eduard Hochreiter describes in some detail the tasks currently performed by the national central banks of the Eurosystem, using the Oesterreichische Nationalbank as an example. it does so against the background of the regime shift to the…
Speech: Pedro Solbes at Euroclear Euro Conference
Pedro Solbes, the Member of the EU Commission Economic and Monetary Affairs, gives a speech to the Euroclear conference titled 'Preparation for the euro cash changeover: state of play and tasks ahead'.
ECB-forex reserves almost unchanged at 260.9 bln
The European Central Bank said on Jan. 30, 2001, foreign currency reserves of the euro zone central banks in the week ending January 26 were "virtually unchanged," while its gold holdings were also unchanged. The net position of the ECB and euro zone…
ECB rates on hold for now, Fed moves key - Welteke
The European Central Bank's interest rate policy is on hold for the time being, though another sharp cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve would force European policymakers to carefully assess their stance, Bundesbank President ECB board member Ernst Welteke…
Buba tells Euro politicians to keep hands off ECB
Germany's central bank warned European finance ministers on Jan. 24 not to interfere with the European Central Bank after signs that some politicians were lobbying for more policy influence.The Bundesbank said in its January monthly report that the Euro…
ECB has achieved price stability - Duisenberg
The European Central Bank (ECB) has achieved its overriding goal of achieving price stability in the euro area, reflecting a "substantial accomplishment," ECB President Wim Duisenberg said Jan. 24, 2001. The main focus of the ECB's monetary policy in the…