A measure of the effective interest rate prevailing in the euro interbank overnight market. It is calculated as a weighted average of the interest rates on unsecured overnight lending transactions denominated in euro, as reported by a panel of contributing banks.

The exchange rate arrangement which provides the framework for exchange rate policy cooperation between the euro area countries and the EU Member States not participating in Stage Three of EMU.

One pillar of the ECB’s framework for conducting a comprehensive analysis of the risks to price stability, which forms the basis for the Governing Council’s monetary policy decisions. The economic analysis focuses mainly on the assessment of current economic and financial developments and the implied short to medium-term risks to price stability from the perspective of the interplay between supply and demand in goods, services and factor markets at those horizons. In this respect, due attention is paid to the need to identify the nature of shocks affecting the economy, their effects on cost and pricing behaviour and the short to medium-term prospects for their propagation in the economy (see also monetary analysis).

This committee consists of the Treasury directors, the persons who are second in command of the national central banks of the European Union, two representatives from the European Central Bank and two from the European Commission (34 members altogether). It is responsible for preparing the meetings of the EU Finance Ministers and those of the Eurogroup.

The Maastricht Treaty describes the process of achieving EMU in the European Union (EU) in three stages. Stage One of EMU started in July 1990 and ended on 31 December 1993; it was mainly characterised by the dismantling of all internal barriers to the free movement of capital within the EU. Stage Two of EMU began on 1 January 1994. It provided for, inter alia, the establishment of the European Monetary Institute (EMI), the prohibition of financing of the public sector by the central banks, the prohibition of privileged access to financial institutions by the public sector and the avoidance of excessive government deficits. Stage Three started on 1 January 1999 with the transfer of monetary competence to the ECB and the introduction of the euro. The cash changeover on 1 January 2002 completed the process setting up EMU.

The position of the economy in the economic cycle, which is characterised by phases of expansion and recession in activity, varying in duration and intensity.

An electronic store of monetary value on a technical device that may be widely used as a prepaid bearer instrument for making payments to undertakings other than the issuer, without necessarily involving bank accounts in the transactions.

The market in which claims to a share in the ownership of a business are issued and traded. A major difference between equity and debt is that the former does not have to be repaid by the issuer.

The rate at which a prime bank is willing to lend funds in euro to another prime bank. The EURIBOR is calculated daily for interbank deposits with a maturity of one week and one to 12 months as the average of the daily offer rates of a representative panel of prime banks, rounded to three decimal places.

The name of the European single currency adopted by the European Council at its meeting in Madrid on 15 and 16 December 1995.

The 20 EU countries that have adopted the euro form the euro area. In accordance with the Maastricht Treaty, they conduct a single monetary policy under the responsibility of the ECB’s Governing Council. In 2023, the euro area comprises Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. The microstates of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican have also adopted the euro by virtue of a formal agreement concluded with the European Community. Montenegro and Kosovo also use the euro, but without any formal agreement.

A securities depository undertaking responsible for exchanging and completing transactions concerning international securities and cross-border transactions concerning national securities.

Informal grouping bringing together those members of the ECOFIN Council who represent the euro area countries. It meets on a regular basis (usually prior to meetings of the ECOFIN Council) to discuss issues connected with the euro area countries’ shared responsibilities for the single currency. The European Commission and, when appropriate, the ECB are invited to take part in these meetings.

The ECB lies at the centre of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and the Eurosystem and has legal personality under Community law. It ensures that the tasks conferred upon the Eurosystem and the ESCB are implemented either through its own activities or through those of the national central banks, pursuant to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank. The ECB is governed by the Governing Council and the Executive Board, and, as a third decision-making body, by the General Council.

The institution of the European Community which ensures the application of the provisions of the Maastricht Treaty. The Commission develops Community policies, proposes Community legislation and exercises powers in specific areas. In the area of economic policy, the Commission recommends broad economic policy guidelines (BEPGs) and reports to the Council on economic developments and policies. It monitors public finances within the framework of multilateral surveillance and submits reports to the Council.

Provides the European Union with the necessary impetus for its development and defines the general political guidelines thereof. It brings together the Heads of State or Government of the Member States and the President of the European Commission.

On 24 April 1972, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands decided that, in future, the exchange rates of their currencies must not diverge from one another by more than 2.25%. This system was known as the “snake”.

A temporary institution set up at the start of stage II of Economic and Monetary Union on 1 January 1994. The EMI was dissolved in 1998 when the European Central Bank (ECB) was established.

Between March 1979 and January 1999, the countries of the European Community formed the European Monetary System (EMS). The exchange rate mechanism of the EMS was based on a system of agreed central rates between participating currencies. In accordance with the Maastricht Treaty, the EMS was transformed into the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in 1999.

Composed of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks (NCBs) of all EU Member States, i.e. it includes, in addition to the members of the Eurosystem, the NCBs of those Member States that have not yet adopted the euro. The ESCB is governed by the Governing Council and the Executive Board of the ECB, and, as a third decision-making body of the ECB, by the General Council.

The European System of Financial Supervision’s purpose is to ensure supervision of the European Union’s financial system. Besides the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB), the ESFS comprises the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and the competent or supervisory authorities in the Member States.

The Eurosystem comprises the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of the countries that have adopted the euro (see also euro area). It is governed by the ECB’s Governing Council and Executive Board. The Eurosystem is the monetary authority that makes all decisions for the entire euro area, after which each national central bank must apply these decisions in its own country.

One of the decision-making bodies of the ECB. It comprises the President and the Vice-President of the ECB and four other members appointed by common accord by the Heads of State or Government of the countries that have adopted the euro.