THE euro area is mired in recession and unemployment in the single-currency zone continues to scale new heights, reaching 11.8% on figures out this week, up from 10.6% a year earlier. But the European Central Bank did nothing to help today, leaving its key interest rates unchanged. The governing council took the decision unanimously, ECB … Continue reading
Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank, spoke with Brian Blackstone, Matthew Karnitschnig and Robert Thomson of The Wall Street Journal on Feb. 22 about the importance of austerity in Europe, the Greek bailout deal and the ECB’s recent decision to exempt its Greek bond portfolio from losses. WSJ: What inning are we in … Continue reading
Italy’s central bank chief on Saturday predicted that the eurozone’s third-largest economy will see a return to growth next year, but he confirmed forecasts that 2012 will be a “year of recession.” Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco also described Italian banks as being sound in terms of having adequate capital, but cautioned that the … Continue reading