The March 2018 Monthly Report sheds light on Germany’s balance of payments for 2017 and provides an insight into demand for euro banknotes at the Deutsche Bundesbank. It also includes an article on the design, regulation and use of contingent convertible bonds.

This conference once again brought together central bankers and the academic community of cash researchers. It covered a wide range of current topics with renowned experts discussing interesting aspects.

The Bundesbank posted a profit of €2.0 billion for the 2017 financial year, compared with €1.0 billion one year earlier. Following an allocation to the reserves, the remaining distributable profit of €1.9 billion.

The February 2018 edition of the Monthly Report comments on the economic situation in Germany in winter 2017/2018. 

The information contained in the study is of interest to all market participants affected by the payment behaviour of private individuals, most notably retailers, credit institutions, card issuers and, last but not least, the Deutsche Bundesbank itself. Players wishing to foster more innovation in the field of payments need to offer a genuine advantage over established schemes and procedures and, in particular, to heed users’ perceived security needs.