The European Commission’s proposals for implementing the new tighter capital requirements for banks are a topic of public debate. Critics say the additional requirements will hit small and medium-sized enterprises in particular. The Bundesbank, meanwhile, sees no impediments to SME funding. Executive Board member Joachim Wuermeling says the legislative proposal would not involve any changes for most of the 1,300 institutions.

The devastating flooding last year hit people hard. Since then, employees at the Bundesbank have been processing numerous notes and coins from flood-affected areas – most of them by hand. More than 1.5 million banknotes and 1.2 million coins have been submitted to the Bundesbank so far, explained Bundesbank Executive Board member Johannes Beermann at a press conference in Mainz. “In total, the Bundesbank has replaced cash worth more than 100 million euro.”

Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €23.9 billion in December 2021, up €5.4 billion on the previous month’s level. The surplus in the goods account declined, but the surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, increased considerably more strongly.

Individuals contribute significantly to carbon emissions. A recent Bundesbank discussion paper shows that providing information on combating climate change motivates individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. Presenting the information as the result of scientific research is just as effective as framing it as the behaviour of other people, the study finds. Both approaches led to the survey respondents stating that they wish to make more environmentally friendly choices.

Am deutschen Rentenmarkt war die Emissionstätigkeit im Dezember 2021 – wie häufig zum Ende eines Jahres – schwächer als im Vormonat. Insgesamt wurden inländische Schuldverschreibungen für 84,1 Mrd € emittiert, verglichen mit 135,2 Mrd € im November.