The branches of the Bundesbank supply the economy with euro banknotes and coins, and offers private customers the opportunity to exchange D-Mark banknotes and coins free-of-charge and with no fixed deadline.

German economic output probably grew somewhat more slowly in the second quarter than expected, the Bundesbank writes in its latest Monthly Report. According to the Bundesbank, temporary hopes of an end to the weakness in the industrial sector were not realised, as industrial output declined sharply in May. In contrast to this, the recovery in the services sector continued, buoyed in part by private consumption. The inflation rate was somewhat lower again in June. Bundesbank economists believe that economic activity is likely to strengthen somewhat in the third quarter, but could fall a little short of the expectations expressed in the Bundesbank’s June forecast for Germany.