“Cash in times of turmoil” – it was under this banner that the Bundesbank held its fifth International Cash Conference. Executive Board member Johannes Beermann was joined at the virtual, English-language event by a number of experts, including ECB Governing Council member Fabio Panetta.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann feels that the introduction of central bank digital currency (CBDC) needs careful consideration. The various risks suggest that a prudent design and cautious approach would be essential, he said at the Bundesbank’s virtual autumn conference. CBDC is not necessarily needed to provide the general public with quick, secure and cheap payment methods.

In April 2021, Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €21.3 billion, down €8.7 billion on the previous month’s level. This was driven by the decrease in the goods account surplus and a narrowed surplus on invisible current transactions, comprising primary and secondary income as well as services.