Germany’s economy has been expanding for eight consecutive years now. Enterprises and households alike can borrow cheaply, and market volatility is low. However, there is a danger that low interest rates and the favourable economic conditions in Germany might cause market participants to underestimate risks.

German credit institutions eased their credit standards in the third quarter 2017, according to the latest Bank Lending Survey conducted among banks domiciled in Germany.

All central banks in the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) are strongly committed to supporting and promoting adherence to the Foreign Exchange Global Code of Conduct (the “Code”). Today, 15 of the ESCB central banks, including the Deutsche Bundesbank, simultaneously issued Statements of Commitment to the Code.

At the end of the second quarter of 2017, households' financial assets amounted to €5,723 billion; this figure was just over €45 billion (or 0.8%) higher than in the first quarter of 2017. As valuation losses reduced financial wealth by roughly €8 billion, the rise was solely attributable to the transaction-based acquisition of financial assets

Germany’s net international investment position stood at €1,709 billion at the end of 2016, thus amounting to around 54% of nominal gross domestic product. Year-on-year, the German net external asset position thereby increased by €231 billion.