Speaking at the 34th European Banking Congress in Frankfurt am Main, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel stressed the need for a united Europe in order to meet the many challenges it faces. In a joint appeal with François Villeroy de Galhau, Governor of the Banque de France, the pair highlighted the importance of strengthening Franco-German dialogue as a tool for European progress.

Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €14.4 billion in August 2024, down €3.3 billion on the previous month’s level. This was chiefly attributable to a smaller goods account surplus.

At an event held in honour of former Bundesbank President Karl Otto Pöhl, incumbent President Joachim Nagel spoke about strengthening the foundation of the euro so that stable prices can be ensured even in turbulent times. He emphasised the importance of sound public finances, integrated markets and public confidence in central banks.

German economic output rose unexpectedly in the third quarter of 2024, according to the Monthly Report. However, none of the key demand components currently give any cause to expect a marked recovery in the short term. “The industrial sector is faced with a difficult environment and is under high pressure to adapt,” the economists write. In addition, the labour market is becoming increasingly gloomy owing to the protracted bout of economic weakness.

In his speech at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel highlighted the importance of the European single market. He said that it was truly a source of prosperity and could help to more effectively overcome future challenges. He called for greater efforts to deepen the integration of the single market, particularly in the areas of services, digitalisation, and the capital market. Furthermore, he stressed that credible fiscal rules were essential for monetary union.