Topics: Germany’s balance of payments in 2013, Shadow banking in the euro area: outline and monetary policy implications, Manufacturing enterprises in Germany: their vulnerability to crises ̶ findings of a risk analysis using year-end data

In the first quarter of 2014, the financial assets of households rose by €54 billion on the quarter, climbing to €5,207 billion. The transaction-related acquisition of financial assets accounted for a relatively large share of this increase (€49 billion), while valuation gains played only a minor role (just under €5 billion).

The German economy has recovered more quickly than expected from the cyclical lull in the middle of last year and has returned to a growth path that is underpinned by domestic and foreign demand. Domestic economic activity is benefitting from the favourable labour market situation and the substantial wage increases.

Prof. Dr. Axel A. Weber, President of the Deutsche Bundesbank, Mais Lecture, Cass Business School