European banks

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said eurozone inflation is expected to rise in the coming months, but stressed there are no signs yet of it becoming entrenched. The remarks matter for markets and households watching whether the ECB will keep or ease its policy stance, since entrenched inflation would likely force tighter policy for longer.

The European Central Bank is examining new currency safety nets aimed at strengthening the euro's role in the global financial system. The initiative would seek to make the euro a more attractive alternative to the US dollar for international reserves and trade, amid growing discussion in Europe about greater financial autonomy and reducing reliance on dollar-based arrangements.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said the bank's policy of measured interest rate hikes remains appropriate to bring inflation back to target. Her comments, picked up by Reuters and financial outlets, signal the ECB will keep tightening gradually rather than pause or accelerate, as policymakers weigh persistent price pressures against slowing growth in the eurozone.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is maintaining a gradual, measured approach to raising rates as the bank works to bring inflation back to its target. The stance signals the ECB will continue adjusting policy in careful steps rather than large moves, balancing persistent price pressures against risks to eurozone growth.

Inflation in Spain has risen to its highest level in three and a half years, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The surge adds to concerns about mounting price pressures across the eurozone, with economists watching whether the European Central Bank will respond to accelerating consumer prices in the region.

Israel says it intends to shut a consulate on 8 October in response to the sweeping ban on trade with goods from Israeli settlements announced by UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband this month. The move escalates the diplomatic dispute between Israel and Britain over settlement products, drawing attention across European discussions on Gaza, the West Bank and the broader Israel-Palestine conflict.

Attention is on the European Central Bank's upcoming leadership changes, with reporting framing the succession as a contest shaped by political bargaining among EU governments rather than a purely technocratic decision. Key posts at the bank are expected to open up as senior officials' terms near their end, prompting jockeying over which nationalities and candidates fill them. The process matters because the ECB's leadership steers eurozone monetary policy and its balance between hawkish and dovish voices.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said rising bond yields will weigh on economic growth and help bring down inflation, comments that traders and analysts are reading as a signal the ECB may not need to raise rates further. Markets are watching closely for confirmation ahead of the bank's next policy decision.

The European Central Bank took part in a hearing before the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Such hearings typically cover monetary policy, inflation, banking supervision and financial stability, giving lawmakers a chance to question the central bank on its decisions. The exchange matters because Parliament committees scrutinise the ECB's accountability on behalf of EU citizens.

The European Union is moving to develop its own payment infrastructure, reducing reliance on US-dominated card networks and payment processors. The push, linked to projects such as the digital euro and instant payment rules, aims to give Europe strategic autonomy over financial transactions. Discussion centres on whether the EU can build a system to rival Visa and Mastercard, and what sovereignty over payments would mean for consumers and banks.

As solar and wind replace conventional power plants, grids lose the natural inertia that traditionally stabilised electricity systems. UK-based Reactive Technologies is addressing this by sending sonar-like pulses through power networks to measure live grid inertia directly, uncovering stability risks that existing models miss. The company has received €19 million in backing from the European Investment Bank to develop the technology further.