Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €23.9 billion in December 2021, up €5.4 billion on the previous month’s level. The surplus in the goods account declined, but the surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, increased considerably more strongly.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann welcomes the common stance agreed by the ECB Governing Council for sustainable and responsible investment principles for the euro-denominated non-monetary policy portfolios of Eurosystem central banks, emphasising that the Bundesbank is already working on incorporating these principles into its investment practices and disclosures.

Bundesbank Vice-President Claudia Buch believes that the capital markets union helps to make the financial system more stable. Speaking at the 2nd annual conference of the Community of Practice in Financial Research in Brussels, she also highlighted the importance of better access to data and information, improved communication of the benefits of integrated financial markets, and financial literacy.