The Bundesbank has a dedicated credit assessment system to assess the credit quality of debtors of non-marketable assets. Credit assessment goes back a long way at the Bundesbank. Counterparties can use the Bank's credit assessment to determine an enterprise's or debtor's eligibility in the context of their monetary policy operations.

Can wage hikes in Germany contribute to a reduction in global trade imbalances? A new study answers this question. Applying a general equilibrium model, it shows that, although wage hikes in Germany reduce the country’s trade surplus, the quantitative effects are relatively small and depend on the European Central Bank’s monetary policy response.

Climate change is a global challenge that requires international policy coordination. This conclusion is also borne out in a recent study on the macroeconomics implications of carbon pricing. Several different scenarios are considered – different regions introduce carbon pricing schemes unilaterally or in cooperation, and in the presence or absence of border adjustment schemes.

Bundesbank Vice-President Claudia Buch believes that the capital markets union helps to make the financial system more stable. Speaking at the 2nd annual conference of the Community of Practice in Financial Research in Brussels, she also highlighted the importance of better access to data and information, improved communication of the benefits of integrated financial markets, and financial literacy.