A substantial share of bank loans of euro area banks is secured with real estate. In a new study, we examine whether, in the low interest rate environment, banks invested more in foreign real estate-backed lending. Our results suggest that regulatory differences between the bank’s home country and possible destination countries matter for banks’ search for yield.

The monetary policy tightening seen in the euro area since the beginning of 2022 has led to changes in bank interest rates in Germany, the Bundesbank’s economists write in the latest Monthly Report. For the most part, interest rates on loans to enterprises have risen as strongly as expected, while those on loans for house purchase have increased more strongly than they were expected to. The interest rate on time deposits was raised rapidly and by as much as expected, while that on overnight deposits was adjusted upwards only marginally.

Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €24.3 billion in December 2022, up €6.9 billion on the previous month’s level. While the surplus in the goods account actually decreased, the surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, experienced a considerably stronger increase.

The euro has proven to be a stable currency. The Bundesbank, together with the other central banks in the euro area, makes sure of this. But why is a stable currency so important? The Bundesbank has created an animated film to illustrate why it is important that prices do not rise or fall sharply overall and which role the central bank plays in safeguarding price stability.

Stable money is a precious public good. It protects savers and income earners from the erosion of wealth while promoting growth and employment. The primary objective of monetary policy in the euro area is therefore to ensure price stability. The President of the Bundesbank is involved in making monetary policy decisions as a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. The Bundesbank is charged with implementing these decisions in Germany.

Germany’s current account posted a surplus of €5.0 billion in July 2022, down €9.3 billion on the previous month’s level. This was primarily caused by the shift into a deficit in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income. There was also a smaller surplus in goods trading.

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) has decided today to launch the investigation phase of a digital euro project. Following the decision, the President of the Eurogroup Paschal Donohoe joined the meeting, congratulated the Governing Council and expressed his full support for the project.

The German current account recorded a surplus of €20.8 billion in February 2022, up €8.4 billion on the previous month’s level. This was mainly attributable to an increase in the goods account surplus. Conversely, the surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, contracted slightly.