The decline in the number of bank branches continued in most EU countries, on average by 7.5%. Also the number of bank employees decreased, on average by 2.3%. The degree of concentration of the banking sector differs across national markets very widely, with the share of assets of the five largest banks at national level […]
The composite cost-of-borrowing indicators for new loans to corporations [1] and for new loans to households for house purchase [2] remained broadly unchanged in April 2019, at 1.62% and 1.75%, respectively. In the same month, the euro area composite interest rate for new deposits from corporations and for new deposits from households also remained broadly unchanged at 0.11% and 0.37%, […]
Despite some promising efforts to address the growing problem of plastic waste like banning plastic shopping bags or straws, specific prevention targets for different plastic waste are still not widespread in Europe, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment published today. Only nine countries have explicit targets in place for plastic waste prevention.
Total assets of euro area insurance corporations amounted to €8,246 billion in the first quarter of 2019, €362 billion higher than in fourth quarter of 2018 Total insurance technical reserves of euro area insurance corporations rose to €6,243 billion in first quarter, up €293 billion from fourth quarter Total assets of euro area insurance corporations increased to €8,246 billion […]
Spread between €STR and EONIA is calculated at 0.085% (8.5 basis points) Spread is based on methodology recommended by Working Group on euro risk-free rates Spread is to be used by EMMI in new EONIA methodology as of 2 October 2019 ISIN assigned to €STR is EU000A2X2A25 (FISN: ECB/EUR EURO SHORT-TERM RATE IR) The European […]
Total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) increased by 0.7 % in 2017, according to latest official data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Less coal was used to produce heat and electricity but this was offset by higher industrial and transport emissions, the latter increasing for the fourth consecutive year.
Survey results consistent with moderation in growth momentum Availability of skilled labour and difficulty finding customers dominant concerns for SMEs SMEs’ financing conditions and access to finance still favourable despite somewhat higher financing costs and increased macroeconomic uncertainty For the period from October 2018 to March 2019 the net percentage of euro area SMEs reporting […]
Materialisation of downside risks to economic growth could spark greater financial market volatility Persistent downside risks to growth reinforce the need to strengthen balance sheets of highly indebted firms and governments Bank profitability prospects subdued given slow progress in addressing structural issues “If downside risks to the growth outlook were to materialise, risks to financial […]
Last Saturday, Pope Francis celebrated Mass Saturday at a 16th century Marian pilgrimage site in Transylvania.
Former Belgian King Albert II has submitted a DNA sample to avoid fines of €5,000 (£4,370) a day over claims he fathered a love-child in the 1960s.
