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Bundesbank Reports Record €19.2 Billion Loss, First Deficit Since 1979

The historic loss, driven by the ECB's aggressive interest rate hikes to combat inflation, underscores ongoing financial challenges for the German central bank.

Im Geschäftsjahr 2023 war die Bundesbank nur wegen milliardenschwerer Rückstellungen an einem Verlust vorbeigeschrammt
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Das Foto zeigt den Präsidenten der Bundesbank, Joachim Nagel
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Overview

  • The Bundesbank recorded a €19.2 billion loss for 2024, its largest ever and the first deficit since 1979.
  • The loss was primarily caused by the European Central Bank's (ECB) sharp interest rate increases starting in 2022, which raised borrowing costs while reducing returns on long-term assets.
  • The Bundesbank's reserves have been significantly depleted, leaving only €0.7 billion to absorb future losses, though its gold reserves have increased in value to €267 billion.
  • No profits have been transferred to the German federal budget for five consecutive years, impacting government finances that traditionally relied on these funds.
  • Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel stated that annual losses are expected to decline moving forward, with inflation in Germany projected to stabilize at 2% by 2026.