In 2025, for the first time, people in Germany used cashless means of payment to pay for their day-to-day purchases more frequently than cash. According to the Bundesbank’s latest study on payment behaviour, 55 % of all recorded purchases were settled without cash in 2025. The trend towards cashless payments is continuing, explained Executive Board member Burkhard Balz at the presentation of the results.

According to the Bundesbank’s latest climate-related disclosures, the Bank further expanded its climate-related and nature-related work in 2025. This work includes analysing the financial system’s vulnerabilities to climate-related risks, for example. In its annual climate-related disclosures, the Bundesbank discloses the climate performance of its own financial investments. For the first time, the report analyses the financed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of commercial banks whose bonds the Bank holds in its euro portfolio.

The war in the Middle East is weighing on the German economy and will initially slow down the recovery that began in the winter half-year, the Bundesbank’s latest Forecast for Germany states. Nevertheless, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel is confident: Economic activity will gain traction again over our forecast horizon up to 2028, he said when presenting the Bundesbank’s new Forecast for Germany. The forecast projects that the inflation rate will rise to almost 3% in 2026 and 2027, only returning to just below 2% in 2028.

Special honour: Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel has been appointed Knight of the French Legion of Honour. This honour strengthens my commitment to Franco-German friendship and a strong, united Europe, said Nagel at the presentation by François Villeroy de Galhau, Honorary Governor of the Banque de France, on 12 July in Berlin.