Economic activity in Germany continued to cool at the end of 2018. The Federal Statistical Office reported that Q4 GDP remained at roughly the same level as in the previous quarter, which had seen a contraction of 0.2%. According to the Bundesbank’s current Monthly Report, this is due in large part to persistently weak industrial activity.

Cash is a quick and cheap means of payment in the German retail trade sector. On average, cash payments take just over 22 seconds and cost around 24 cent per transaction, according to a study on the costs of cash payments in the retail trade sector which the Deutsche Bundesbank carried out in cooperation with EHI Retail Institute.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann has underscored the importance of central banks’ independence to their success. “In order to defend their independence, central banks should interpret their mandates narrowly and seek the support of the broad public,” he said in a speech he delivered in Pretoria.

11.02.2019: Schriftliche Stellungnahme zur öffentlichen Anhörung des Finanzausschusses am 11. Februar 2019 zu dem Gesetzentwurf der Bundesregierung „Entwurf eines Gesetzes über steuerliche und weitere Begleitregelungen zum Austritt des Vereinigten Königreichs Großbritannien und Nordirland aus der Europäischen Union (Brexit-Steuerbegleitgesetz - Brexit-StBG)“