The possible introduction of a digital euro has been the subject of intensive debate among specialists for some time now. The discussion has been slow to trickle down to consumers, however, as revealed by the findings of a representative study presented by the Bundesbank in its latest Monthly Report. 77% of participants surveyed in April 2021 had never heard of the digital euro.

Laut der Umfrage zum Kreditgeschäft im Euro-Währungsgebiet vom Oktober 2021 blieben die Kreditrichtlinien (d. h. die internen Richtlinien oder Kriterien einer Bank für die Kreditgewährung) für Unternehmenskredite (inklusive Kreditlinien) im dritten Quartal 2021 weitgehend unverändert.

German banks tightened their credit standards somewhat for loans to enterprises and loans to households for house purchase in the third quarter of 2021. At the same time, credit standards for consumer credit and other lending were eased marginally. These are the results of a quarterly survey of German banks on their lending activities. According to the survey, loan demand increased in all the surveyed loan categories, but fell significantly short of banks’ expectations in the previous quarter for loans to enterprises and consumer credit and other lending.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann will lay down his office for personal reasons at the end of the year. “I have come to the conclusion that, after more than ten years, now is a good time to embark upon a new chapter – for the Bundesbank, but also for me personally,” Mr Weidmann explained. He said he owed thanks to his colleagues on the Governing Council of the ECB under the leadership of Christine Lagarde for the open and constructive atmosphere in the - at times - difficult discussions conducted over the past years.