Economic output in Germany was up in the first quarter of 2025, the Bundesbank writes in its latest Monthly Report. Exports of goods, in particular, but probably also investment and private consumption increased. However, the Bundesbank economists expect the economy to more or less stagnate in the second quarter. This is due to the wide range of burdens that persist and the additional headwinds caused by the tightening of US tariff policy.

This year’s Bundesbank symposium “Banking supervision in dialogue” focused on geopolitical risks, artificial intelligence and streamlining bureaucracy. Bundesbank Executive Board member Michael Theurer believes it is important to have a nuanced debate on regulation in order to increase efficiency and reduce “red tape” without lowering standards. The industry meeting in Frankfurt was attended by around 450 supervisors and banking industry representatives.

In a joint interview published by the Süddeutsche Zeitung of Germany and El Mundo of Spain, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel and Banco de España Governor José Luis Escrivá discussed the impact of current US policy on the global economy, ECB Governing Council decisions and Germany’s role in the EU. “The new German government has to contribute actively to the further development of the EU and Europe. And I agree with José Luis Escrivá that Germany has to play its part in leading the EU,” Nagel said.