According to the current Monthly Report, access to cash in Germany is currently largely secure despite the progressive reduction in ATMs and bank branches. For example, the majority of the population has access to an ATM or bank counter within five kilometres, although urban areas are noticeably better served than rural areas. The Bank’s experts write that, in order for the freedom of choice between cash and digital means of payment to endure, infrastructure for the supply of cash must remain intact in future. 

By way of majority, the National Cash Forum advocates rounding up or down to the nearest 5 euro cent for cash payments in Germany. The Federal Ministry of Finance is called upon to advocate for, and press ahead with, a binding statutory rounding rule in Germany. The rounding rule should be applied across Europe as uniformly as possible.

The Bundesbank is expanding its reform proposals for central government’s debt brake. With regard to the debt ratio, Germany is doing well by international standards. Our reform proposal for the debt brake preserves sound public finances whilst at the same time facilitating urgently needed investment, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said. The concept supports measures needed to strengthen infrastructure and defence whilst ensuring sustainable public finances over the long term, in line with European rules.

According to the current issue of the Bundesbank’s Monthly Report, German economic output fell surprisingly significantly in the fourth quarter of 2024. The main reasons for this were declining exports and weak industrial output, especially in the automotive sector, while private and government consumption expenditure rose. The labour market outlook also suggests a continued cooldown.