Eurozone
Comment: None the wiser
The ECB has raised interest rates as expected, but its explanations for the much-criticised decision reveal little on its motivations or the future path of rates.
ECB's Bini Smaghi says rates could rise
The European Central Bank could raise its official interest rate to 2.25 pct from 2.00, when the bank's governing council meets tomorrow, said ECB executive Lorenzo Bini Smaghi on Wednesday 30 November
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on SEPA
In the speech 'SEPA: making the dream become a reality' given on 15 November Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said the ECB acts as a helping hand to create, out of the many different national payment schemes, one pan-European scheme for each of the…
ECB's Trichet on European financial integration
In the speech 'The state of European financial integration' given on 28 November Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said further EU financial integration would be positive for economic growth.
Comment: Fierce criticism of the ECB
The European Central Bank's recent indication of its intent to raise interest rates has prompted a wave of fierce press criticism, and not only from within the eurozone.
Interview with ECB's Quaden
In an interview published on Tuesday 22 November, European Central Bank Governing Council member Guy Quaden said the ECB needs to tackle the problem of negative real interest rates in Europe, but this does not mean slamming the brakes on growth.
Interview with ECB's Trichet
In an interview published on Thursday 24 November, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said he doesn't foresee "repeated" rises in eurozone interest rates.
EU's Almunia sees gradual rise in euro area demand
European Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said on Thursday 24 November he expects a gradual rise in domestic demand to boost recovery in the European Union economy next year.
ECB's Issing on mortgage markets & monetary policy
In the speech 'Mortgage markets and monetary policy: a central banker's view' given on 23 November Otmar Issing of the ECB said the ECB will be able to avoid sharp rises in interest rates if markets have faith in its ability to keep inflation under…
ECB's Trichet on Eurasia: Bull meets tiger
In the speech 'Eurasia: Bull meets tiger - Panel III - Financial markets: Shared responsibility' given on 18 November Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the experiences of Europe and the Asia-Pacific region with regard to regional surveillance present…
Comment: ECB's strategy risks confusion
Jean-Claude Trichet's recent comments have effectively shifted the debate from whether or not the ECB will raise interest rates, to how aggressive and how persistent future rate hikes will be. The ECB's strategy raises a number of questions.
Gonzalez Paramo calms mood after Trichet comments
European Central Bank board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez Paramo has sought to play down Jean-Claude Trichet's recent comments that an increase in Eurozone interest rates could come at its next meeting on 1 December.
Trichet says ECB set to 'moderately augment' rates
In testimony given on 21 November Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the bank isn't planning a string of interest- rate increases, vowing to lawmakers not to stifle economic growth.
Britain probably better off in euro says Trichet
Speaking at a conference in Berlin on Saturday 19 November, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said Britain would probably be even better off if it joined the euro.
Comment: ECB signals its move
ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet on Friday 18 November dropped his strongest hint yet that interest rates will be increased at the governing council meeting on December 1.
Trichet gives strong hint on ECB rate rise
Speaking at the Frankfurt European Banking Congress on Friday 18 November the president of the ECB provided a much more explicit hint than he has on the need for an imminent rise in eurozone interest rates.
Trichet on developing the work and tools of CEIOPS
In the speech 'Developing the work and tools of CEIOPS: the views of the ECB' given on 16 November Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB warned that pension funds and insurers could be sources of vulnerabilities that could spread "contagion" in the wider…
EU's Almunia calls for respect of ECB independence
EU economic and monetary affairs commissioner Joaquin Almunia on Thursday 17 November called on the European Commission and member states to respect the independence of the European Central Bank.
ECB's Issing on addressing global imbalances
In the speech 'Addressing global imbalances: the role of macroeconomic policy' given on 4 November Otmar Issing of the ECB said structural reforms in Europe and Japan may help to promote growth and resilience and are in the countries' own best domestic…
Comment: Unresolved collateral issues remain
The news that the ECB will only accept sovereign debt with an A- rating or higher as collateral for repurchase agreements and other collateral financing trades with commercial banks will help to instil fiscal discipline on member countries in the long…
ECB's Target 2 delayed
The ECB has announced that the launch of Target 2 has been further delayed. The first group of countries will move to the EU's new large-value payment system on 19 November 2007, 11 months later than originally planned.
ECB Monthly Bulletin for November
The ECB's Monthly Bulletin for November was released yesterday, 9 November. In addition to its regular discussion of economic development in the eurozone, the report contains articles on price-setting behaviour, developments in corporate finance and…
Comment: Activism the ECB way
Yesterday, 9 November, Jean-Claude Trichet explained how the ECB's decision to leave interest rates unchanged for more than two years should not be equated to non-activist monetary policy.
ECB's Weber sees inflation risks
Bundesbank president and ECB governing council member, Axel Weber, told reporters at a news conference on 8 November that risks to price stability have increased in the eurozone in recent weeks, primarily due to a rebound in economic growth, soaring oil…