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Reports, insights, analyses and opinions on Europe's biggest financial market.
No-confidence vote
Even though the far-right parties will continue to have significantly fewer seats in the European Parliament than the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats, the gains in votes to the right of centre indicate that distrust in the EU's ability to solve problems runs deep.
Private equity deal pipeline getting busier
Private equity has had a slow couple of years in Germany, but Lazard and Freshfields expect a busier pipeline for 2024 and 2025. There was plenty to discuss at last week's SuperReturn conference in Berlin.
More consolidation needed on the way towards EU Banking Union
ABN Amro wants to expand its German private banking business with the acquisition of Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe from Fosun International.
McKinsey: AI will have millions looking for new jobs
Millions of workers will have to find new roles by 2030 as AI is phased in, a McKinsey study says. A gigantic retraining strategy is needed.
More money and powers for Brussels?
Following the European elections, numerous fundamental decisions regarding the orientation of policy are looming. These include the size of the EU budget, the Green Deal, and trade agreements.
Cold War on Social Media Platforms
The spreading of misinformation to influence the outcome of the European elections has been widespread. More voters getting their information from social media, and the rise of AI, has made the challenge more complex.
ESG has to be more than just exclusion
The next EU Commission would be well advised to establish a Transition category for sustainable funds. An important impetus has already come from the European Securities and Markets Authority.
Julian Meine is taking care of Enpal's ESG fitness
Julian Meine, ESG Manager at solar energy products company Enpal, recognises the need for updated climate protection requirements. And voluntary industry commitments can also help.
Deciding where the right of centre boundary lies
The makeup of the new EU Parliament will soon be known. The traditional parties of the centre will have to decide where to set the boundaries for right of centre parties with whom they will not cooperate.
German government wants to boost growth and innovation capital in Germany
The WIN initiative aims to provide a better framework for venture capital and private equity investment in the tech and green tech sectors. The German government has a number of proposals in the pipeline.
Claus Döring bids farewell to Börsen-Zeitung
Claus Döring started at Börsen-Zeitung 36 years ago. He was editor-in-chief for 21 of those years. Now he is retiring.
SAFE Institute argues for well organised auctions to sell off troubled banks
The US and Swiss bank collapses in 2023 incurred unnecessary high costs for many stakeholders. The SAFE Institute is calling for better crisis preparation in the EU.
EU election posters not giving away very much
Election slogans like "Efficiency instead of bureaucracy" or "Reason instead of ideology" don't exactly help voters to understand what parties stand for. Especially if they have never even heard of the party.
Interest rates just one factor among several for companies looking at new investment
KfW Chief Economist Fritzi Köhler-Geib discusses how a turnaround in the interest rate cycle will impact investment by corporates and SMEs.
„The ECB is unlikely to take further action in July“
Ingo Mainert, CIO Multi Asset Europe at Allianz Global Investors, views it as unlikely that the ECB would come up with a second rate cut in July. And the Federal Reserve might not cut rates in September.
Tennet's grid expansion in jeopardy
The German unit of transmission company Tennet is short of equity for expansion after a proposed 22 billion euro deal with the federal government fell through. Finding private investors looks challenging.
Roland Boekhout joins de Volksbank as CEO
Roland Boekhout is joining de Volksbank, where he will take over the position of CEO. As CEO of ING Germany between 2010 and 2017, he presided over strong growth in online banking.
Businesses need to publicise salary levels to recruit young talent
The shortage of skilled labour is causing problems in Germany's mechanical engineering sector. Companies need to communicate better to attract young talent, says Jörg Friedrich from industry association VDMA.
Remuneration increasing on German supervisory boards
Leading German companies are substantially boosting compensation for the Chairs of their supervisory boards, bringing pay more in line with global competitors.
Fidelity International shutters direct lending unit
Fidelity International has shuttered its direct lending business before it even properly got started. Many of the 20-plus team members were only hired over the past twelve months.
Stefan Povaly promoted to Co-Head of Global Corporate Banking EMEA at J.P. Morgan
The top management of J.P. Morgan is being reorganised. Stefan Povaly, Head of Germany, has been promoted to Co-Head of Global Corporate Banking EMEA. His successor Alexander Mayer comes from arch-rival Goldman Sachs.
From Qatar via Russia to China
The European Parliament is increasingly becoming the target of influence campaigns by hostile governments. A new ethical standards body is supposed to combat this.
Mixed expectations for economic impact of European Championship
Ahead of the European Football Championship kickoff in Munich on June 14, the retail and hospitality industries in Germany have mixed expectations about the impact on business.
ESMA brings direct supervision into discussion
ESMA can envisage expanding its areas of responsibility, for example through direct supervision of clearing houses or trading platforms.