Central Bank


ECB Hikes Rates by 25bp as Staff Raises Inflation, Growth Forecasts

ECB Hikes Rates by 25bp as Staff Raises Inflation, Growth Forecasts

By Marta Vilar – BERLIN (Econostream) – The European Central Bank’s Governing Council on Thursday raised its key interest rates by 25bp, while updated staff projections showed higher headline and core inflation in the coming years alongside stronger economic growth.

10 September 2026
ECB Insight: OMFIF’s Villeroy Case Raises More Questions Than It Answers

ECB Insight: OMFIF’s Villeroy Case Raises More Questions Than It Answers

By David Barwick – FRANKFURT (Econostream) – An OMFIF commentary published Tuesday on the race to succeed European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is curious in more ways than one, starting with its treatment of what is arguably the most important information it contains: that Lagarde is expected to announce after Thursday’s Governing Council meeting in Berlin that she intends to leave the ECB early next year.

9 September 2026
Econostream ECB Survey: Economists See September as End of Current Hiking Cycle, 2.50% Through End-2027

Econostream ECB Survey: Economists See September as End of Current Hiking Cycle, 2.50% Through End-2027

- All 24 respondents expect a 25bp September hike 
- 2.50% dominant rate call at end-2026, end-H1 2027 and end-2027 
- 58% of those expecting 2.50% at end-2027 see risks as balanced
- 2027 HICP projection seen 0.2pp higher at 2.5% 
- Core inflation seen at 2.5% through 2027; growth outlook slightly stronger 
- Majority expects Lagarde to retain mild tightening bias beyond September

8 September 2026
ECB Insight: Schnabel Exit a Loss for Council Hawks, May Help Nagel at Margin

ECB Insight: Schnabel Exit a Loss for Council Hawks, May Help Nagel at Margin

By David Barwick – FRANKFURT (Econostream) – A possible early departure of European Central Bank Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel for the International Monetary Fund looks entirely plausible despite her previous declaration that she intended to serve out her term. It would constitute a significant loss for the hawkish wing of the Governing Council.

4 September 2026
ECB’s Schnabel in Talks Over Senior IMF Post, Says Handelsblatt

ECB’s Schnabel in Talks Over Senior IMF Post, Says Handelsblatt

By David Barwick – FRANKFURT (Econostream) – European Central Bank Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel is in talks with the International Monetary Fund about taking over its Monetary and Capital Markets Department, German financial daily Handelsblatt reported Thursday.

3 September 2026
ECB Insight: Nagel Works on French Appeal as ECB Succession Looms

ECB Insight: Nagel Works on French Appeal as ECB Succession Looms

By David Barwick – FRANKFURT (Econostream) – European Central Bank Governing Council member Joachim Nagel appears understandably intent on broadening his appeal in France as the contest to succeed ECB President Christine Lagarde heats up, with a strategic interview in French daily Le Monde providing the latest evidence.

2 September 2026
ECB’s Nagel: September Hike Clearly Warranted, Cautious on What Comes Next

ECB’s Nagel: September Hike Clearly Warranted, Cautious on What Comes Next

By David Barwick – FRANKFURT (Econostream) – A European Central Bank interest rate hike next week is clearly justified by inflation around 3% and the assumptions underlying the ECB’s June projections, though the policy path beyond September remains uncertain, ECB Governing Council member Joachim Nagel said on Wednesday.

2 September 2026
ECB’s Makhlouf: Must Be Ready to Raise Rates Further If Inflation Risks Worsen

ECB’s Makhlouf: Must Be Ready to Raise Rates Further If Inflation Risks Worsen

By David Barwick – FRANKFURT (Econostream) – The European Central Bank must be prepared to raise interest rates further, including into restrictive territory, if inflation risks shift significantly upward, ECB Governing Council member Gabriel Makhlouf told the Financial Times in an interview published Wednesday.

2 September 2026