Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bank relents on access to money market funds

John Eisenhammer
Wednesday 11 May 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE GERMAN government is shortly expected to give legislative approval for the creation of money market funds, following the withdrawal of Bundesbank opposition, writes John Eisenhammer.

This will give savers access to much higher short-term interest rates than are available under the present system, in which deposit rates are strictly controlled.

To obtain rates comparable to those available to banks in the money markets, Germans have had to deposit their savings outside the country. For the first time, domestic investors will benefit from the full range of investment funds.

The Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, plans to incorporate approval of money market funds into its second financial markets law, scheduled to pass this summer.

Rolf Breuer, board member of Deutsche Bank and chairman of Deutsche Borse, the holding company that runs the Frankfurt stock exchange and groups together regional bourses, welcomed the impending change as the final step of deregulation that would thrust Germany's financial centre into the international front-line.

Until now, the Bundesbank had steadfastly opposed the creation of money market funds, fearing that they would undermine the effectiveness of its minimum reserve instrument. While term deposits are subject to minimum reserve requirements, money market funds would not be.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in