Christine Lagarde
Photo: Français : Fonds monétaire international, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
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- Oct 15
Lagarde could be named World Economic Forum chair on 2 November, bringing forward her ECB exit
The World Economic Forum board meets on 2 November and could elect Christine Lagarde as chair, which would bring forward her departure from the European Central Bank ahead of its October 2027 term end.
- Oct 15
Feijóo backs Pablo Hernández de Cos for ECB presidency as Spain heads to a November vote
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of Spain's opposition People's Party, has publicly endorsed former Bank of Spain governor Pablo Hernández de Cos to succeed Christine Lagarde at the European Central Bank, a backing that sits alongside support from the Sánchez government.
- Oct 14
Lagarde says France must solve its debt problem at home as 10-year rate nears 5%
Speaking in Bangkok on Wednesday, 14 October, Christine Lagarde said France must first address its bond market pressure through its budget, cooling talk of an ECB rescue while the 2027 budget faces an uncertain adoption.
- Oct 9
ECB policymakers dampen rate hike bets as Schnabel successor race opens
Euro zone finance ministers opened the process to replace Isabel Schnabel, who leaves the ECB on January 3, 2027, while several ECB policymakers said they are in no rush to raise rates again.
- Oct 1
ECB's Lagarde urges European AI autonomy over financial stability risks
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned at the European Systemic Risk Board conference that artificial intelligence creates systemic financial hazards, urging the European Union to build sovereign capabilities instead of relying on foreign technology.
- Sep 30
Christine Lagarde rejects 2027 French presidential run and clarifies ECB departure plans
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde confirmed she will not contest the French presidency in 2027, noting that any early exit from her ECB mandate would span only a few months.
- Sep 24
ECB board member Isabel Schnabel resigns to join IMF as markets department director
Isabel Schnabel will step down from the European Central Bank Executive Board on 3 January 2027 to become the IMF's financial counsellor and markets director, leaving Frankfurt one year early.
- Sep 21
ECB launches Pontes platform to settle tokenized securities in central bank money
The European Central Bank began live operations of its Pontes system on 21 September 2026, enabling commercial banks to settle tokenized wholesale transactions with central bank money and confirming plans to invest its own reserves in tokenized debt.
- Sep 19
Lagarde hints at early ECB departure while pushing back on interest rate bets in Dublin
At an informal Eurogroup meeting in Dublin, ECB President Christine Lagarde kept open the option of stepping down before October 2027 while rejecting market expectations for several interest rate increases next year.
- Sep 12
Middle East shipping attacks and oil deficit trigger ECB rate hike to 2.5%
Escalating maritime clashes in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb have lifted Brent crude above $104 per barrel, prompting the ECB to raise interest rates to 2.50%.
- Sep 11
ECB raises deposit rate to 2.50% as Middle East crisis drives energy costs higher
The European Central Bank increased its key interest rates by 25 basis points on 10 September 2026, warning that geopolitical conflict and surging oil prices will keep euro area inflation elevated through 2027.
- Sep 10
ECB raises key interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.5% as energy prices surge
The European Central Bank delivered its second rate hike of 2026 in Berlin, warning that consumer price pressures will remain elevated until 2028.
- Sep 10
ECB raises key interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.5% in Berlin
The European Central Bank raised borrowing costs by 25 basis points to 2.5% on 10 September 2026, responding to energy price increases caused by conflict in the Middle East.
- Sep 10
European Central Bank raises deposit rate to 2.5% as energy prices drive inflation
The European Central Bank unanimously raised its key deposit rate by 25 basis points to 2.5%, citing persistent inflation fueled by escalating Middle East energy disruptions.
- Sep 1
German inflation rises to 2.9% in August as energy prices and Rhine shipping issues lift costs
Germany's annual inflation rate rose to 2.9% in August 2026, driven by higher fuel prices, Middle East tensions, and low water levels on the Rhine.
- Jul 24
ECB opens public vote on new euro banknote designs, first full redesign since 2002
Ten designs across two themes, European culture and rivers & birds, are up for public consultation until 21 September 2026, ahead of the first full redesign since the euro's launch in 2002.
- Jul 24
ECB unveils 10 candidate designs for first full euro banknote redesign since 2002, opens public survey until 21 September
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde presented 10 proposed designs for a new series of euro banknotes on 23 July 2026, drawn from two themes: 'European culture' and 'Rivers and birds'. A public online survey runs until 21 September 2026.
- Jul 23
ECB holds rates at 2.25% as energy shock from Middle East conflict clouds inflation outlook
The European Central Bank left its deposit rate unchanged at 2.25% on Thursday, judging that the full inflationary impact of the Middle East conflict and surging oil prices has yet to materialise.
- Jul 23
ECB holds rates at 2.25% but signals September hike as oil hits $100 on Iran war escalation
The European Central Bank left its deposit rate at 2.25% on Thursday but warned that a fresh jump in energy prices, with Brent crude touching $100 a barrel, could force another increase in September.
- Jul 23
ECB unveils finalist designs for new euro banknotes with da Vinci, Beethoven, Callas; public vote open until 21 September
The European Central Bank presented 10 finalist designs for the next series of euro banknotes on 23 July, launching a public consultation that runs until 21 September. The proposals feature cultural icons like Leonardo da Vinci and Maria Callas, or rivers and birds.
