The global Covid-19 pandemic led to the worst economic downturn in Germany in decades during the first half of 2020.

The Bundesbank published its annual Financial Stability Review on 25 November 2021. The review documents relevant developments as well as vulnerabilities in the German financial system and highlights risks to its stability.

The Bundesbank published its annual Financial Stability Review on 24 November 2022. In the review the Bundesbank explains vulnerabilities in the German financial system and highlights risks to its stability.

Germany’s financial supervisory authority is carefully and continuously monitoring the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the financial sector. BaFin has summarised what actions BaFin, the European Central Bank and the European supervisory authorities are taking in response to Covid-19 on the BaFin website.

The semi-annual Financial Stability Review finds that financial stability risks from the pandemic have lessened in the near term, but vulnerabilities are building up ahead.

According to the ECB’s May 2022 Financial Stability Review, the war in Ukraine has increased the risks to financial stability. However, the European banking system has proved resilient. Challenges could also arise in relation to debt sustainability.

According to the ECB’s May 2023 Financial Stability Review, the risks to financial stability have remained elevated since November 2022. Although euro area growth expectations for 2023 have been revised upwards, risks to inflation and other risks are still tilted to the upside. Targeted macroprudential measures are contributing strongly to the stability of the financial system.

According to the ECB’s November 2022 Financial Stability Review, the risks to financial stability have risen further since May 2022. The probability of recession has increased substantially. Macroprudential buffers are contributing to the financial system’s stability.

The European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) has published a second report on macroprudential policy issues arising from the low interest rate environment in the financial system of the European Union (EU). Looking beyond recent cyclical developments, the coronavirus (COVID-19) shock may have increased the likelihood and persistence of a “low for long” scenario.

The assessment of the macroprudential stance may support policymakers in deciding how to address systemic risks, aid communication of macroprudential policy decisions and increase accountability.