Eurozone
Optimal currency shares in international reserves
The ECB Working Paper "Optimal currency shares in international reserves: the impact of the euro and the prospects for the dollar" says that foreign exchange reserve accumulation has risen dramatically in recent years.
NBP's Balcerowicz against euro referendum
The head of Poland's central bank Leszek Balcerowicz told a seminar on Thursday 7 December that a referendum on Poland joining the eurozone is unnecessary.
ECB raises interest rates to 3.5%
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said Thursday 7 December it was essential to act in a "firm and timely manner" to safeguard price stability in the eurozone,after the bank raised interest rates from 3.25pct to 3.5pct.
Illogical rules make Slovenians feel second-class
This article from the Financial Times, published Wednesday 6 December, asks whether Slovenia will be a second-class member of the eurozone with restrictions on the movement of labour from the small state.
ECB's Gonzalez-Paramo on the ageing problem
In the speech 'The ageing problem: its impact on financial markets and possible policy responses' given on 1 December Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo of the ECB said the ECB has repeatedly called on governments to implement comprehensive reforms in public…
Tumpel-Gugerell on financial integration
In the speech 'Financial integration and stability in Europe' given on 1 December Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said effective and efficient banking supervision is essential, both to promote financial integration and to safeguard financial…
ECB issues warning to euro hopefuls
Some of the new members of the European Union lining up to adopt the euro will likely have to wait until the end of the decade, the European Central Bank said Tuesday 5 December.
ECB's Papademos on monetary policy
In the speech 'Monetary policy in a changing world: Commitment, strategy and credibility' given on 1 December Lucas Papademos of the ECB said that the ECB's policy for fighting inflation had been proven successful in the period since Europe adopted a…
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on TARGET2-Securities
In the speech 'TARGET2-Securities: from vision to reality. The Eurosystem's contribution to an integrated securities market' given on 30 November Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB invited national central securities depositaries (CSDs) to discuss the…
IMF ups eurozone growth forecast
The IMF's European department director, Michael Deppler, said on 28 November that the Fund has raised its eurozone growth forecast for both this year and next.
Malta cb's governor says the euro is not enough
Joining the euro will help, said Michael Bonello, the governor of Malta's central bank, but this is not enough to secure faster economic growth.
Europe's new large-value payment system on target
Europe's new large-value payment system is on schedule to go live in 2007 says the European Central Bank in its third annual report on TARGET2.
ECB's Stark on challenges of euro area enlargement
In the speech 'Economic and monetary challenges of euro area enlargement' given on 20 November Jurgen Stark of the ECB said it is crucial that central banks have full independence in the new EU member states, in practice as well as in theory.
Hungary's Jarai calls for new euro plan
A new convergence program is needed for Hungary to be ready to join the eurozone in 2011, Hungary's central bank Governor Zsigmond Jarai said on Thursday 16 November.
Trichet positive on global growth but sees risks
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said Monday 20 November that the global economy is set for dynamic growth in 2007 but central bankers must remain vigilant as oil prices still threaten to stoke inflation.
ECB wants more clarity on Sepa for cards
The European Central Bank said Monday 20 November it has laid down a new set of objectives for payment card schemes to achieve in order to become Sepa-compliant, amid concerns that current provisions would lead to higher prices and a deterioration in…
ECB's Bini Smaghi on ageing and pension funds
In the speech 'Ageing, pension funds and household wealth allocation in the euro area' given on 15 November of the ECB said shifts in households' financial investments and liabilities complicate the ECB's analysis of money and credit growth.
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on SEPA
In the speech 'SEPA - Opportunities by change' given on 13 November Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said it is important to underline that payment instruments will have to adapt to the SEPA environment.
Trichet at the ECB's Central Banking Conference
In his closing speech at the Fourth ECB Central Banking Conference given on 10 November Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said in assessing the success of central bank policy, the historical context always needs to be taken into account.
Noyer: Does money matter? A European perspective
In the speech 'Does money matter? A European perspective' given on 9 November Christian Noyer of the Bank of France said euro zone money supply growth may remain strong because of a structural increase in the demand for money.
Drug linked to disintegrating euros
A mystery substance that caused some euro banknotes in Germany to fall to pieces may be linked to the party drug crystal speed, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Saturday 11 November, quoting regional police.
Eurozone rates "damn low" says ECB's Wellink
European Central Bank council member Nout Wellink said in an interview published Tuesday 14 November interest rates in the eurozone are still ``damn low.''
Financial integration helps avert shocks - Trichet
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said Monday 13 November closer financial integration will raise the eurozone's resistance to external shocks and increase its growth potential.
ECB's Papademos on the conduct of monetary policy
In the speech 'The role of money in the conduct of monetary policy' given on 9 November Lucas Papademos of the ECB said a large and influential body of academic work has disregarded or deemphasised the role of money as a determinant of inflation, even in…