Two years ago, Germany introduced legislation to give everyone access to a basic bank account. How was the EU’s Payment Accounts Directive implemented in Germany, and what effect has the new legislation had on social justice? The law also includes provisions that help consumers to switch banks, which has intensified competition among credit institutions.

On 29 June 2018, the IMF concluded this year’s Article IV consultation with Germany. Praising the impressive performance of the economy and public budgets in Germany, the IMF noted rising employment levels and the ongoing positive trend on the labour market. The Fund also stated that private and public investment will be necessary to safeguard jobs in the future.

Germany’s current account surplus has been garnering criticism for years. Taking on this criticism coming from home and abroad the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Affairs published a joint position paper that explains the reasons behind Germany’s current account surplus and outlines the fiscal and economic policy options.

On the margins of this year's Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group in Washington, D.C. on 12/13 October 2017 the G7 finance ministers and central bank governors adopted the  report on the G7 Fundamental Elements for Effective Assessment for Cybersecurity in the Financial Sector.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) regularly analyses and evaluates the economic and fiscal policies of its member states based on Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement. This year’s Article IV consultation with Germany was carried out from 4 to 15 May 2017. The IMF’s provisional conclusions were presented to the press in Berlin on 15 May 2017.