Overview publications

The idea of a Banking Union emerged in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Ten years on, two of its three pillars, the Single Supervisory Mechanism and the Single Resolution Mechanism, have proven to be a success with regard to financial integration and stability. In this Policy Brief, experts from the Deutsche Bundesbank explain why, in times of structural change, it is crucial to complete the Banking Union and advance the Capital Markets Union.

Governments around the world are increasingly turning to nudges to improve tax collection. Simple reminders, tax morale and disincentives significantly improve tax compliance.

In recent years, the EU has significantly shaped framework conditions in areas such as data protection, consumer health and safety, environmental protection, the supply chain, and antitrust law. However, the EU’s overregulation in some areas is seen not as beneficial, but as a detrimental factor limiting innovation, competition and growth. The EU now needs better, evidence-based regulation ensuring that its legislation is drafted in a transparent and inclusive manner and is as simple and targeted as possible to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy burdens and costs.

Against the backdrop of the current debate about phasing out the internal combustion engine (ICE) in Germany and in order to observe where the industry is heading, job advertisements are analyzed that provide insights into the ongoing strategic shifts in the automotive sector.

Analyses on the return intentions of Ukrainian refugees based on survey data show that most of them still plan to return, but that the proportion of those who want to settle outside their country has risen steadily over time.

Low market integration is a key barrier to European competitiveness in the digital economy. International collaboration of knowledge workers could help realize market size advantage. European digital single market policymaking should address production-side barriers.

This Policy Report shows that reducing barriers and better harmonizing regulations within the EU would deepen the integration of the EU internal market for trade in services. This would lead to gains in value added across all sectors, strengthening Europe's economy and competitiveness and generating substantial welfare gains.

Defense spending above the NATO target of 2 percent of gross domestic product would be necessary for Europe to be able to defend itself without the protective umbrella of the United States. This is the conclusion of the new EconPol Policy Brief. European countries would have to significantly increase their efforts to catch up with an adequate defense capability, as defense budgets and military investments have been too low for years. Europe must compensate for higher real military costs than, for example, in Russia or China.

How do German firms view the upcoming US election and a possible second Donald Trump presidency? As part of the ifo Business Survey in September 2024, more than 2,000 German manufacturing firms were asked about the US election. 44 percent of German manufacturing firms anticipate negative impacts on their business situation if Donald Trump wins the election, compared to a potential Kamala Harris presidency.

The downfall of Credit Suisse should serve as a lesson that supervisory board competence determines the long-term risk of a bank. In Germany, this idea is also enshrined in law. But this study of German banks shows, there is still a long way to go.