This paper examines the recent behavior of sovereign interest rates in the euro area, focusing on the 10 year yield spreads relative to Germany for Italy and other euro area countries. Both previous analyses and the new evidence presented in the paper suggest that, in recent months, for several...

An environment of low growth and low inflation in the euro area does not foster swift private sector deleveraging. Yet, reviving growth is critically dependent on how quickly excessive levels of debt can be reduced, particularly in sectors that remain unprofitable. This is essential to support a...

In the "new normal" for monetary policy, central bank balance sheets are likely to be larger and used more actively than before the Global Financial Crisis. Those who manage assets for central banks should take account of the asset and liability choices of many other policy-makers - those...

The in-house credit assessment systems (ICASs) developed by euro area national central banks (NCBs) are an important source of credit risk assessment within the Eurosystem collateral framework. They allow counterparties to mobilise as collateral the loans (credit claims) granted to non-financial...