In the first half of 2012, the Bundesbank detected approximately 19,000 counterfeit euro banknotes in German payments. This means that the number of counterfeits fell by 5% compared with the second half of 2011.

The Deutsche Bundesbank calculates the basic rate of interest pursuant to section 247 (1) of the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) and publishes its effective level in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) pursuant to section 247 (2) of the German Civil Code.

The German economy is currently in a difficult environment. Nevertheless, in its new projection for 2012 and 2013, the Deutsche Bundesbank expects the upturn to continue.

The Direct investment according to the balance of payments statistics, which were published today, provide an insight into direct investment flows between Germany and the rest of the world from 2008 to 2011 as they feature in the balance of payments, broken down by country and economic sector.

The Deutsche Bundesbank relaunched its website today.The revised website aims to better meet the needs of its users. The new layout and modern appearance enable the website to better fulfil its role as the central source of information about the Bundesbank.

Despite significant price losses on the capital markets, the financial assets of households in Germany rose in 2011 to a total of €4,715 billion at year-end. At the same time, households’ debt increased slightly to around €1,550 billion. Non-financial corporations’ acquisition of financial assets grew by roughly €209 billion and thus surpassed the increase in their external financing, which amounted to just under €190 billion.