Europe
Challenges for central banks in an enlarged EMU
A new book analyses the challenges that lie in front of the EU as it used to be, the hurdles that have to be cleared by possible candidates, and the impact of these developments on important economic sectors like the financial markets.
ECB Paper on hedge funds and financial stability
The ECB Paper "Hedge funds and their implications for financial stability", published on 26 August, provides an overview of the hedge fund industry, mainly from a financial stability and European angle.
Modest pay, one term 'best' for central bankers
A new study says that Europe's central bank chiefs should receive only modest pay and serve just a single term in office to avoid self interest creeping into interest rate decisions. It also found that limited terms and confidential interest rate…
Interview: Kenneth Clarke
In this interview Kenneth Clarke, Britain’s chancellor of the exchequer from 1993 to 1997, calls on the ECB to rethink its role and communications.
Time for the ECB to intervene
Charles Goodhart makes the case for Europe’s central bank to sell the euro.
Trichet at the memorial service for Wim Duisenberg
In a speech during the memorial service for Wim Duisenberg given on 6 August Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB called Duisenberg a great European and friend.
Kosovo's BPK unlikely to become central bank
The head of Pillar IV has said the Banking and Payment Authority of Kosovo (BPK) will not be denominated as the central bank.
Wim Duisenberg
This obituary for former European Central Bank president Wim Duisenberg, who died on Sunday 31 July, contrasts his rough ride at the ECB with the high reputation he had enjoyed among fellow central bankers during his tenure as governor of the…
Trichet says ECB's 2% rate is appropriate
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet defended the decision to maintain interest rates in the euro zone at 2% in a radio interview Friday 5 August describing them as "appropriate".
ECB 'Blue Book' on payment and settlement systems
The European Central Bank published the latest addendum to the June 2001 report entitled "Payment and securities settlement systems in the European Union" (third edition) on Tuesday.
ECB rates on hold a while longer says Stark
The ECB's decision not to change rates at its meeting on Thursday 4 August was foreshadowed in a newspaper interview with Bundesbank Vice President Juergen Stark who said muted price pressures allow rates to remain on hold for a while longer.
Basel Committee corporate governance practices
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has issued for public comment revised guidance to help promote the adoption of sound corporate governance practices by banking organisations.
ECB paper on large-value payment systems
The ECB Working Paper "Incorporating a 'public good factor' into the pricing of large-value payment systems" considers optimal pricing rules for a public large-value payment system (LVPS) that produces a public good (like prevention of systemic risk) but…
ECB sued over euro note security
A company that specialises in anti-counterfeiting technology filed a lawsuit against the European Central Bank on Monday 1 August claiming the euro common currency infringes on a patent issued in 1999.
ECB statement on Wim Duisenberg's death
The European Central Bank released a statement on Sunday 31 July following news of the death of former ECB president Wim Duisenberg.
Former ECB president found dead
Wim Duisenberg, former president of the European Central Bank, was found dead on Sunday 31 July at his villa in the south of France.
Systemic risk in alternative payment system design
This European Central Bank Working Paper analyses the consequences of an isolated, sudden and unexpected failure of a bank in alternative interbank payment system designs.
ECB's Paramo says Q2 growth likely below Q1
European Central Bank Executive Board Member Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo said in an interview published on Monday 25 July that the eurozone economy probably grew slightly less in the second quarter of this year than in the first, but longer term it…
Trichet on the financial services policy 2005-2010
In the speech 'Financial services policy 2005-2010: the ECB's view' given on 18 July, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said that international agreement would be needed before regulations are imposed on the hedge fund industry.
ECB's biannual information on euro counterfeiting
In the first half of 2005, 293,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation, the European Central Bank said on 15 July.
Gonzalez-Paramo on outlook for financial stability
In the speech 'The outlook for financial stability in the euro area' given on 14 July, Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo of the ECB said there is still a risk of a disruptive correction of the large US current account deficit.
Wellink does not expect ECB rate cut
Dutch central bank president Nout Wellink said in an interview he does not expect the European Central Bank to have to cut interest rates.
ECB publishes statistical classification
The European Central Bank published a "Statistical classification of financial markets instruments" for the first time on Tuesday 12 July.