Eurozone
Forecasting ECB monetary policy accuracy
The ECB Working Paper 'Forecasting ECB monetary policy accuracy is (still) a matter of geography' uses a database of surveys of professional ECB policy forecasters in 24 countries, the authors find remarkable differences in forecast accuracy, and show…
Eurosystem central bank staff cuts gather pace
The number of central bankers in the eurosystem stands at 49,559, a fall of 5.3% or 7,237 staff since one year ago, and 11.9% lower than when the euro was launched in 1999, reveals the 2006 edition of Central Banking Publications' Central Bank Directory.
Comment:Euro area central banks begin to modernise
Central banks are busy modernizing themselves - indeed, it has become an important element in building credibility. That process almost always involves staff cuts.
Trichet says ECB's message well understood
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet told a press conference Thursday 12 January that market expectations for further interest rate hikes show that the ECB's position has been well understood.
Unipol considers appeal
The European Commission said it has not yet received a reply from the Italian authorities regarding its legal action against Italy over the involvement of its central bank in the takeover battle for Banca Antonveneta SpA. And Unipol was reported to be…
Lull in hostile criticisms from politicians
The New Year seems to have started on an unusually harmonious note as far as relations between central banks and politicians are concerned. With policy interest rates on hold in the UK and euro areas, and perhaps soon to reach a plateau in the US,…
Europe's central bank must show some backbone
According to this article published on Monday 9 January , political pressure could be responsible for the European Central Bank's 'timid' interest rate move last month.
Central bankers upbeat on world economy
The global economy is growing at a dynamic pace and may even accelerate in 2006, central bankers from major countries said on Monday 9 January.
Interview with ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet
In recent comments European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said that monetary policy "cannot resolve all problems by itself". "We need profound structural reforms to increase our growth potential", Trichet warned.
ECB's message can get lost in translation
On occasions the European Central Bank's monthly news conferences on interest rates can be as much an exercise in linguistic guesswork as a window on the thinking of the world's number two central bank, according to this article published Wednesday 4…
ECB misses inflation target
The European Central Bank failed to hit its inflation target for the sixth year running last year, according to figures from Eurostat.
The Eurosystem, the Union and beyond
The European Central Bank on 27 December published a collection of contributions made on the occasion of the ECB colloquium "The Eurosystem, the Union and Beyond - The single currency and implications for governance", which was held in honour of Tommaso…
ECB paper The timing of central bank communication
This European Central Bank Working Paper explores whether there are systematic patterns as to when members of the decision-making committees of the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the ECB communicate with the public, and under what circumstances…
ECB's Quaden says rates supportive
Eurozone interest rates of 2.25 percent are still supportive of economic growth, European Central Bank Governing Council member Guy Quaden told Belgian magazine Tendances Trends on Thursday 29 December.
Interview with ECB's Otmar Issing
In comments published on Monday 19 December, European Central Bank Executive Board member Otmar Issing said even if it is not in line with the spirit of the Treaty, he expects "voices" on the ECB's policy to continue, although not at the level we have…
Interview with ECB's Lucas Papademos
Lucas Papademos, vice president of the European Central Bank, said in comments published on Monday 19 December that labour market inflexibility meant that Eurozone countries are at risk of inflation accelerating even as unemployment remains …
Review of the international role of the euro
The European Central Bank published its fifth annual review of the international role of the euro on Wednesday 21 December, focusing on developments between mid-2004 and mid-2005.
Trichet defends ECB's rate rise
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet told Der Spiegel magazine that the ECB's recent decision to increase interest rates would increase confidence and encourage investment in the eurozone.
A question, Mr. Trichet. Why is dad out of work?
This article published on Monday 19 December looks at the education kit for schools "Price stability: Why is it important for you?" which was recently unveiled by the European Central Bank. It is simply not good enough to repeat the mantra of price…
Trichet says ECB 'fully respects' Fazio's decision
The European Central Bank "fully respects" the decision of Bank of Italy governor Antonio Fazio to resign, its president, Jean-Claude Trichet, said in a statement.
ECB's Trichet on European financial integration
In the speech 'European financial integration' given on 16 December Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said a lack of integration in eurozone mortgage markets may affect the impact that ECB rate decisions have in different countries.
Garganas says ECB will act on rates if needed
The European Central Bank will raise interest rates in the future if December's hike isn't enough to keep inflation subdued, Bank of Greece governor and ECB Governing Council member Nicholas Garganas said Monday 19 December.
ECBs Papademos calls for action on labour reform
Eurozone countries are at risk of inflation accelerating even as unemployment remains 'disappointingly high' because of labour market inflexibility, European Central Bank vice-president Lucas Papademos said.
Juncker says Stark may not take ECB economist role
Jean-Claude Juncker has suggested that Jurgen Stark might not inherit Otmar Issing's role as Chief Economist at the ECB if he is appointed to replace Issing.