Wednesday, May 23, 2012 4:42 PM SAST

European Central Bank

Overview

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the institution of the European Union (EU) tasked with administrating the monetary policy of the 16 EU member states taking part in the Eurozone. It is thus one of the world's most important central banks. The bank was established by the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1998, and is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. The current President of the ECB is Jean-Claude Trichet.

Headlines Around the Web

Options for banks face daunting hurdles

8:07 pm - Financial Times

Marsh on Monday: Pressure mounts on a reluctant ECB to save euro

May 21 - MarketWatch

EU, ECB drawing up Greek eurozone exit plans

May 18 - Financial Post

Outside the Box: Europe deposits hope in a central bank

May 18 - MarketWatch

Trichet, in US, defends euro's success

May 18 - France24

Here's the staggering cost of a Greece eurozone exit

May 17 - Financial Post

ECB halts operations with some Greek banks: sources

May 16 - Financial Post

Long-running Frankfurt 'Occupy' camp cleared

May 16 - France24

ECB cuts back on support for Greek banks: report

May 16 - MarketWatch

Bundesbank boss tells Hollande to leave EU fiscal pact alone

May 12 - France24

'Vital' Spain do more to shore up banks

May 10 - France24

Greece eurozone exit no longer a taboo subject

May 09 - Financial Post

ECB policymakers face protesters

May 04 - Independent

TSX closes near lowest point of 2012 as commodities fall

May 03 - Financial Post

European Central Bank offers no new stimulus

May 03 - CBC

European Central Bank holds rates steady

May 03 - France24

ECB holds rates at record 1pc lows

May 03 - Independent

ECB leaves rates unchanged; Draghi awaited

May 03 - MarketWatch

Indications: U.S. stock futures steady ahead of results, data

May 03 - MarketWatch

Europe Markets: Europe stocks rise ahead of ECB meeting

May 03 - MarketWatch

Articles About European Central Bank

Euro Searches For Support, EU Summit To Provide Little Relief

By DailyFX

The Euro bounced back from a fresh yearly low of 1.2614 amid the renewed effort to address the sovereign debt crisis, but the threat of a Greek exit may continue to drag on the single currency as European policy makers continue to move in their own interest. (4:39 pm)

MORE TOPICS: TWITTER, BANK OF ENGLAND, MANAGEMENT, QUANTITATIVE EASING

Exclusive: New euro bailout fund may not have sufficient staff

By Reuters

An external consulting firm charged with evaluating the structure of Europe's new permanent rescue facility has raised questions about whether it will have enough staff to function effectively, according to documents seen by Reuters. (2:21 pm)

Can the Franco-German Partnership That Has Held the EU Together Weather Their Differences Tackling Austerity?

By IBTimes UK

At the heart of the European Union is a pact that was first formed by two European leaders who were determined to lay to rest for good, the past enmity between their two countries. Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor of West Germany from 1949 to 1963, made ... (12:23 pm)

MORE TOPICS: GERMANY, MANUFACTURING, EUROPEAN UNION, GDP

The governments' man when creditors bay

By Reuters

If any other European countries were to follow Greece into a debt default, Athens can recommend a lawyer. (7:14 am)

MORE TOPICS: IRAQ, PORTUGAL, ARGENTINA, ICELAND, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA

Shares retreat as caution replaces hopes before EU summit

By Reuters UK

Asian shares retreated on Wednesday as hopes for fresh measures to tackle euro zone debt faded and caution set in ahead of a meeting of European leaders, with renewed fears Greece would leave the euro bloc dampening appetite for riskier assets. (2:56 am)

MORE TOPICS: CHINA, GOLD, BARCLAYS, EUROPEAN UNION, JAPAN, BANK OF JAPAN

European Central Bank Propping Up Greece With Secret €100 Billion 'Emergency Liquidity Assistance': Financial Times

European Central Bank Reportedly Propping Up Greece With Secret €100 Billion Emergency Aid

By IBTimes

The European Central Bank (ECB) is propping up Greece with a secret infusion of €100 billion ($126 billion) in "emergency liquidity assistance" (ELA) funds, the Financial Times reported Tuesday. (1:23 am)

Germany, France draw battle lines over eurozone bonds

By Reuters

Germany dismissed a French-led call for euro zone nations to issue common bonds, a day before a European Union leaders' summit which investors are looking to for new measures to counter the bloc's debt crisis. (May 22)

MORE TOPICS: BNP PARIBAS, PORTUGAL, GERMANY, EUROPEAN UNION, ELECTIONS, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

Greeks embrace some new myths about life with the euro

By Reuters UK

In a land of ancient myths, modern Greeks have created some of their own about their near-bankrupt country's future as an integral part of a Europe that will never kick them out. (May 22)

MORE TOPICS: IMF, EUROPEAN UNION, ELECTIONS, EARTHQUAKE, DISASTERS, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

Obama sketches four-pronged strategy for Europe, sees EU consensus

By Reuters UK

U.S. President Barack Obama urged Europe on Monday to strengthen its defences against financial market turmoil and recapitalize its banks as part of a four-pronged strategy for tackling the euro zone crisis. (May 22)

MORE TOPICS: BARACK OBAMA, GERMANY, EUROPEAN UNION

Gold: The World’s Friend for 5,000 Years

By U.S. Global Investors Inc.

Facebook's highly anticipated initial public offering today helped the company raise $16 billion, a record for tech IPOs. It's refreshing to see investor excitement rally around the stock, as the U.S. needs innovative businesses to thrive and attract capital. (May 21)

MORE TOPICS: GOLD, EUROPEAN UNION, JAPAN, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, INVESTMENT, PRECIOUS METAL