Das Bundesverfassungsgericht hat klar zum Ausdruck gebracht, dass es das OMT-Programm der EZB für verfassungswidrig hält. Dieser Beitrag zeigt, dass der Beschluss wesentlich darauf beruht, dass die Richter der Theorie effizienter Märkte und den sich daraus ergebenden geldpolitischen...

Large increases in TARGET2 balances in the euro area since 2008 have led to concern and debate about the appropriate interpretation and policy reaction – in particular in TARGET2 creditor countries such as Germany. Against this background, we examine the main drivers of the increases and...

Im November 2014 wird die Europäische Zentralbank (EZB) die Bankenaufsicht im Euroraum übernehmen. Die vorliegende Arbeit skizziert den bisherigen Weg zur einheitlichen Bankenaufsicht und beschreibt kurz die Kernpunkte der entsprechenden Verordnung. Es werden dann die Vor- und Nachteile einer...

This paper presents an analysis of the impact of the Bank of Japan's low-interest rate policy on the banking sector in the wake of the 1998 Japanese financial crisis. We show how the low-cost liquidity provision as a means to stabilize banks has created a growing gap between deposits and loans...

The paper analyses the role of fiscal and monetary policy for the development of the current account imbalances in the euro area, including the most recent developments during the coronavirus crisis. Several financial transmission channels such as international bank lending, changes in TARGET2...

The interest rate sensitivity of investment has often played an important role in macroeconomic models. However, many vector autoregressive (VAR) models do not include investment to the list of variables. In this paper, we empirically investigate the size and the evolution of the interest rate...

Currency debasement, defined as a loss of precious metal content (intrinsic value) of the circulating penny currencies over time, was a common feature in the monetary history of Europe, c. 1400–1900. Over the centuries the loss rate was sustained; between 1400 and 1900 A. D. the (south) German...

This theoretical contribution analyzes remaining monetary policy tools and their ability to reestablish sound macroeconomic conditions in the euro area. Motivated by the observation of a lack of investment in the macroeconomy and subdued inflation, we review current monetary policy challenges...

The ECB is formally independent of instructions from any government. During and after the financial crisis and the acute sovereign debt crisis in the euro area, the ECB has used new instruments and has taken on new tasks and responsibilities. This has led to discussions about the independence of...