We use money every day, taking it for granted in our daily lives. At the same time, money is one of the most important business areas for any central bank. But what exactly is money? What forms does it take, and what are the characteristics that turn something into money? We answer these and other questions in the following animation film.

The Bundesbank celebrated its 60th anniversary by hosting an open day in Frankfurt am Main on 1 and 2 July. Around 28,000 visitors eager to gather their own impressions of the Bundesbank flocked to the bank’s Central Office and its Regional Office in Hesse to experience a rich variety of informative and entertaining attractions.

The Deutsche Bundesbank was founded on 1 August 1957. For sixty years it has ensured a stable currency. In 2017, the Bundesbank is commemorating this anniversary with a variety of public events.

The September 2014 edition of the Monthly Report discusses general trends and changes in the ownership structure in the German equity market that occurred during the financial crisis and also contains an article on the reform of federal financial relationships. A further article analyses the performance of German credit institutions in 2013.

The new €20 banknote provides for even greater security in cash payments. Its new security feature - a window in the hologram stripe - would be very difficult to forge, says Bundesbank Executive Board member Carl-Ludwig Thiele. The new banknote was launched on the 25th of November.

Around 1.4 million people celebrated the 25th anniversary of German reunification at a huge public festival from 2 to 4 October in Frankfurt. Thousands of people visited the exhibition organised by the Bundesbank and the City of Frankfurt to learn about German monetary union.