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ECB President Christine Lagarde is on a rare visit to China

China eyes stronger co-operation with ECB

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the European Central Bank, including on reforming the international monetary system, Premier Li Qiang told ECB President Christine Lagarde at a meeting in Beijing today.

Business • 12 Jun

ECB chief Christine Lagarde is one of the world's most influential central bankers

Lagarde slams 'coercive trade policies' in Beijing visit

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde warned today that "coercive trade policies" risked harming supply chains and the global economy, and called for a de-escalation of a tariff standoff that has wiped billions off markets.

Business • 11 Jun

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde's term runs until October 31, 2027

ECB's Lagarde 'determined' to complete her term

Christine Lagarde is determined to complete her eight-year term as president of the European Central Bank, the ECB said today after the Financial Times reported that she held talks about leaving early to lead the World Economic Forum.

Business • 28 May

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde

Euro could become the dollar's alternative, Lagarde says

The euro could become a viable alternative to the dollar, earning the 20-nation bloc immense benefits, if governments could only strengthen the bloc's financial and security architecture, ECB President Christine Lagarde said today.

Business • 26 May

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said a 'trade war creates only losers'

Trade war must prompt Europe 'independence' - ECB chief

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said today that Europe should move towards economic independence as US President Donald Trump prepares to unleash a new wave of tariffs.

Business • 31 Mar

ECB President Christine Lagarde said today that the 20-nation euro area was 'particularly exposed to shifts in trade policies'

ECB's Lagarde warns US-EU trade war may hit growth

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde warned today that a trade war between the US and Europe could shave half a percentage point off eurozone growth and push up inflation.

Business • 20 Mar

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde

Trump's trade war is 'wake-up call' for Europe - Lagarde

A full-scale global trade war would hurt the US in particular and could re-energise Europe's push towards unity, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said today.

Business • 14 Mar

Trade, defence shocks risk amplifying inflation - Lagarde

The euro zone economy is facing exceptional shocks from trade, defence and climate issues, possibly amplifying inflation volatility and raising the risk that price growth becomes more persistent, ECB President Christine Lagarde said today.

Business • 12 Mar

The ECB had been expected to continue to reduce borrowing costs to 2% this year

ECB cut: Good news for borrowers but will there be more?

The news that the European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the sixth time in the past 12 months is a positive development for Irish consumers and businesses.

Analysis and Comment • 07 Mar

'The de facto independence of central banks is being called into question in several parts of the world,' Christine Lagarde said today

ECB president warns of loss of central bank independence

Central bank independence is being questioned in parts of the world and greater political influence over policy could undermined their ability to keep inflation down, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said today.

Business • 27 Jan

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva (l) and ECB President Christine Lagarde in Davos today

IMF chief tells Europe to take page out of US book

With the European economy lagging behind the US, the head of the International Monetary Fund had a piece advice for the continent on Friday: "Believe in yourself."

Business • 24 Jan

Lagarde moves markets with a frown, Draghi with a smile

The European Central Bank's President Christine Lagarde can move financial markets with a frown, while her predecessor, Mario Draghi, used a smile to reinforce his message, a new study has found.

Business • 16 Jan

ECB President Christine Lagarde has been named as the latest recipient of the Sutherland Leadership Award

ECB's Lagarde to receive Sutherland Leadership Award

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has been named as the latest recipient of the Sutherland Leadership Award.

Business • 14 Jan

Lagarde flags more rate cuts if inflation keeps easing

The European Central Bank will cut interest rates further if inflation continues to ease towards its 2% target as restricting economic growth is no longer necessary, ECB President Christine Lagarde has said.

Business • 16 Dec 24

The latest ECB rate cut is in response to moderating inflation across the countries that use the euro

ECB cuts rates again, keeps door open to further cuts

The European Central Bank cut interest rates for the fourth time this year today, by quarter of a percentage point, and kept the door open to more as growth is hit by political instability at home and the threat of a fresh US trade war.

Business • 12 Dec 24

ECB President Christine Lagarde said the geopolitical environment has become less favourable, with growing threats to free trade from all corners of the world - but she did not directly refer to Donald Trump

ECB's Lagarde renews integration call as trade war looms

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has renewed her call for economic integration across Europe, arguing that intensifying global trade tensions and a growing technology gap with the US create fresh urgency for action.

Business • 22 Nov 24

Christine Lagarde, ECB President addressed the IMF meeting in Washington today

Euro zone disinflation on track, Lagarde says

Euro zone inflation is "well on track" to hit the European Central Bank's 2% target next year, ECB President Christine Lagarde said today, repeating the bank's most recent guidance.

Business • 25 Oct 24

The ECB has been cutting rates quickly this year but policymakers have so far said the goal is a 'neutral' setting

ECB starting to debate if rates have to go below neutral

European Central Bank policymakers have begun to debate whether interest rates need to be lowered enough to start stimulating the economy, ending years of economic restriction, conversations this week with half a dozen sources indicate.

Business • 23 Oct 24

The ECB cut rates from record highs twice already this year and markets now expect even quicker policy easing with moves in October and December fully priced in

ECB will probably cut rates in October - Villeroy

The European Central Bank will probably cut interest rates on October 17 as economic growth is weak and this raises the risk that inflation will undershoot its 2% target, French Central Bank Chief Francois Villeroy de Galhau told an Italian newspaper.

Business • 07 Oct 24

Europe needs bigger banks to compete with US rivals

Europe needs bigger and stronger banks that can compete with their US and Chinese rivals, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said today, just as Italy's UniCredit was looking to possibly take over Germany's Commerzbank.

Business • 30 Sep 24

The ECB cut interest rates in June and is almost certain to ease again in September in a nod to slowing price growth

ECB policymakers at odds over downturn's impact: sources

European Central Bank policymakers are increasingly at odds on the outlook for growth, a rift that could shape the rate cut debate for months with some fearing a recession and others focusing on lingering inflation pressures, sources close to the debate said.

Business • 02 Sep 24

Christine Lagarde spoke to Miriam O'Callaghan for Prime Time

Lagarde: Data awaited but 'strong likelihood' of ECB rate cut

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde, has told RTÉ that there is a 'strong likelihood' of an ECB interest rate cut in the coming weeks "if the data that we receive reinforces the confidence level that we have."

Prime Time • 21 May 24

ECB's Lagarde says inflation more likely to ease

Euro zone inflation is likely to decline further and the European Central Bank may cut interest rates if its long-standing price growth criteria are met, ECB President Christine Lagarde said today.

Business • 22 Apr 24

ECB can't commit to rate path even after first cut

The European Central Bank cannot commit to a pre-set number of interest rate cuts even after it starts reducing borrowing costs as that will depend on incoming data, ECB President Christine Lagarde said today.

Business • 20 Mar 24

The President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, speaking today as the ECB kept euro zone rates steady

ECB takes small step towards rate cut as inflation slows

The European Central Bank kept borrowing costs at record highs today but took a first, small step towards lowering them, saying inflation was easing faster than it anticipated only a few months ago.

Business • 07 Mar 24