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Reports, insights, analyses and opinions on Europe's biggest financial market.

EU Commissioner makes clear statement on euro clearing

EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness is pleased that Europe's legislators have agreed on new rules for clearing. However, she believes that these requirements are nowhere near strict enough. She is therefore preparing market participants for her authority to propose a tightening of the rules in two years' time.

Financial market regulation

by Detlef Fechtner

Klarna could be an icebreaker for fintechs

Things are happening again in the fintech sector. In addition to Klarna, Stripe and Monzo are also seeing rising valuations. This cycle is likely to manifest itself in the spring. Will Klarna then go public earlier?

OpinionInitial public offering

by Björn Godenrath

No cause for celebration

Industry and trade argue that the failure of the EU Supply Chain Act has averted legal uncertainty. This is a very idiosyncratic interpretation.

OpinionEU supply chain act

by Detlef Fechtner

Nokia's business "has never been so dependent on the macroeconomy"

Nokia's customers have recently been changing their investment plans for new network technology during the year, "which they don't normally do", said Nokia CFO Marco Wirén in an interview with the Börsen-Zeitung at the Mobile World Congress.

CFO-Interview with CFO Marco Wirén

"The old pillars of the banking industry are crumbling"

N26 Supervisory Board Chairman Marcus W. Mosen expects that the neobanks will soon benefit from a further digitalisation push. He also believes that a N26 IPO is possible in the near future.

A conversation withMarcus W. Mosen, Chairman of the N26 Supervisory Board

by Angela Wefers and Andreas Heitker

"Failure is not an option"

Heike Hausfeld, Head of the Works Council and Deputy Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board at Bayer, has already experienced several corporate crises. With the new organizational model called Dynamic Shared Ownership, she once again has to oversee an extensive job reduction program.

Bayer Works Council Chairwoman Hausfeld

by Annette Becker

"With existing customers, you end up running after the data"

CSRD reporting poses a massive problem for banks, says Marco Lenhardt, Partner at KPMG. But time is of the essence. The institutes have to deliver by the end of the year.

A conversation withMarco Lenhardt, KPMG

by Wolf Brandes

The difficult search for successors

Since the turn of the year, only half of the Bundesbank's Executive Board has been filled. Even if there is still a lack of official nominations, there are several possible candidates.

AnalysisBundesbank Executive Board

by Martin Pirkl, Detlef Fechtner and Angela Wefers

"We are the leading stock market retail stock in Germany"

Allianz's new dividend policy focuses on private investors. CEO Oliver Bäte and CFO Claire-Marie Coste-Lepoutre elaborate on the new approach.

Interview withOliver Bäte and Claire-Marie Coste-Lepoutre, Allianz

by Michael Flämig

The right step for climate policy

The German government's green light for underground CO₂ storage comes late – but is vital for the survival of some industries.

OpinionCO2 storage

by Andreas Heitker

EQT launches one of the largest buy-out funds ever

The private equity industry as a whole is struggling to raise new capital commitments. But EQT has now raised EUR 22 billion for its new fund. This makes it one of the largest buy-out funds of all time.

Despite a difficult fundraising market

by Christoph Ruhkamp

TeamBank increases risk provision

As inflation and economic downturn strain certain borrowers' financial capabilities, TeamBank raised its risk provision last year. This is putting pressure on the profit of the DZ Bank subsidiary.

A conversation withFrank Mühlbauer

by Tobias Fischer

The weal and woe of the location depends on education policy

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the job market. Whether Germany ends up among the winners will be determined by education policy, not just investments or regulations. In the era of AI, the fate of the entire location depends on it.

EditorialArtificial intelligence

by Stephan Lorz

A regular on the Bullshit Bingo list

There is a lot of talk about the Capital Markets Union – but little is happening. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has now made a proposal. Some elements of it are not convincing. But at least Le Maire is focussing attention on one crucial point.

OpinionCapital Markets Union

by Detlef Fechtner

Taking the delivery service game to the last level

Living above a supermarket makes everyday shopping much easier. However, some tenants optimise convenience even down to the very last metre. After all, the discounter also offers a delivery service.

Noted inFrankfurt

by Lutz Knappmann

The ECB's dilemma

The ECB bases its monetary policy on the economic data for the entire eurozone. The situation sometimes differs significantly depending on the euro country. This poses a problem for the central bank.

AnalysisMonetary policy

by Martin Pirkl

The gap within Europe's financial stability

The agreement on Euro clearing is at best a hopeful prospect. The European Union must exert stronger pressure to ensure the relocation of Euro interest rate contract clearing within its jurisdiction.

EditorialEuro clearing

by Detlef Fechtner

Hopefully new brooms do indeed sweep better

Airlines can only achieve a better eco-balance with more sustainable aviation fuel. The new Executive Board will not be able to change much about the current bottleneck.

OpinionLufthansa

by Lisa Schmelzer

The legend of the AfD

AfD MEP Gunnar Beck claims to have been the only MEP to vote in favour of Frankfurt as the seat of the anti-money laundering authority. The message that resonates is that without him, the AMLA would never have come to Frankfurt. That is nonsense.

Noted in BrusselsAnti-money laundering authority

by Detlef Fechtner

Concerns about the emergence of an AI proletariat

It is not yet clear how many jobs will be lost or created as a result of AI. The restructuring phase poses new questions for tax and economic policy. And there is a risk of social unrest if no countermeasures are taken.

Artificial intelligence

by Stephan Lorz

"We are the Trade Republic for the impact investing generation"

Foundations for everyone, fully digital and with social media elements on one platform. This is how Bcause founder Felix Oldenburg wants to bring donations and impact investing to the centre of society.

A conversation withFelix Oldenburg, Bcause

by Björn Godenrath

FMC makes progress in its transformation

Following its demerger from the Fresenius Group, dialysis specialist Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) is stepping up its efforts to reduce costs and streamline its portfolio. The MDax company is also aiming to make significant gains in its operating performance in the current year.

Medical technology

by Sabine Wadewitz

The uncertain game of price forecasts

The Bundesbank is only vague about the future course of property prices, as markets rarely stick to forecasts. Uncertainty has a high price.

OpinionReal estate market

by Jan Schrader

More than just prestige

Frankfurt has emerged victorious in the competition for the EU's anti-money laundering authority. Yet, this outcome isn't akin to a sports match; rather, it signifies a pledge to EU partners and represents a substantial gain for the financial hub.

OpinionEU Anti-Money Laundering Authority

by Detlef Fechtner