Newsroom
We are increasingly hearing that Europe must choose between tightening government finances and creating growth. Naturally, growth sounds friendlier than austerity. Not so long ago, the financial markets wanted budget consolidation. Without a fiscal pact with budget discipline, the European Central Bank (ECB) was unable to lend to banks to prevent credit tightening and to stabilise the situation. Now, when the financial markets are calmer - and recession is a fact - growth is wanted instead.
14-05-2012 15:28
Blog
In our latest Swedbank Economic Outlook, we forecast that global GDP will grow by 3.1% this year and by 3.4% next year. This would also mean an improvement in Sweden where GDP shrunk more than expected at the end of last year.
Tags:
Economic Outlook
26-04-2012 11:00
Blog
During Easter, global financial markets got a shock on learning about the weak labour market figures in the US. A mere 120 000 jobs were created compared with the expected 205 000.
13-04-2012 10:20
Blog
Recently, economic commentators and journalists have been presenting how the EMU should be dissolved i.e. how it should be done in practice. The main reason for this is that southern European countries and Ireland would recover more quickly outside the EMU than in.
Tags:
EMU
05-04-2012 12:09
Blog
Houdini, the innovative Swedish sportswear company, has succeeded in pulling the sustainable growth rabbit out of the hat, and so astonished and delighted us at Swedbank that on 28 March we gave them our Sustainability award.
03-04-2012 12:53
Blog
The paradox is obvious clear. During an election year, interest in the economic policy conference organised by the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) is significant - this year saw record attendance with over 600 participants - at the same time as the invited speakers were tongue-tied and clearly had difficulties in focusing on the policy issues that really concern Americans.
30-03-2012 14:17
Blog
On Saturday evening I will join hundreds of millions of people, governments and businesses (including Swedbank!) around the globe in homes, offices and places of business when I turn off my lights, power down my computer and disconnect from social media. No, it’s not downsizing or cost cutting. It’s Earth Hour, the hour when we say together that we know we have to take care of our planet. During World War II the British used blackouts to avoid attention – we’re using ours to call attention.
30-03-2012 10:54
Blog
It is only in close cooperation we can provide the service that gives relevant value to the customer. Whether it is one of our senior customers who need to learn to use a card, a young family embarking on their first house or a corporate customer running the business expanding into new markets and needing finance as well as payment services. our customers and the businesses they run.
26-03-2012 15:07
Blog
While the west is licking its wounds after the financial crisis, recession and the ongoing deleveraging , the BRIC countries ought to be able to enjoy a more comfortable time. While India's public debt is relatively high and China’s debt is possibly far higher than the official statistics say, there is not the same urgency for crisis management as in the Euro zone. However, the question is whether the BRIC countries are under performing in various ways in terms of economic policy given the circumstances.
22-03-2012 17:08
Blog
The stock markets reacted very negatively to the news that China is revising down its growth targets, something the country had flagged its intentions to do much earlier and which therefore should not have been news.
Tags:
analysis
13-03-2012 13:21
Blog
An appetite for risk has returned in recent times, stock exchanges and commodities prices have climbed, while at the same time, the situation on the credit market has improved somewhat in Europe. The central bank printing presses are running hot, and since the European Central Bank, the ECB, has also chosen to give its balance sheet a big boost, financial institutions have begun to breathe a bit more easily.
Tags:
ECB,
Cecilia Hermansson,
euro zone,
depression
29-02-2012 10:09
Blog
A decision is in the process of being made on a second major rescue package for Greece. The political parties have reached agreement on cuts, parliament has said yes and we are now awaiting the approval of the Euro countries and write-offs by the private lenders.
14-02-2012 06:35
Blog
There is a saying, “Charity begins at home”, but it doesn’t have to end there, at least not for Swedbank’s and the Savings Banks’ clients. For many reasons Tuesday the 14th of February is a red letter day for Swedbank and its clients. True, Swedbank will be making public and explaining its year-end figures and, well, everyone knows that the 14th of February is Valentine’s Day, and Swedbank employees and clients have loved ones just like everyone else, but what I’m talking about goes beyond that. Because on the 14th of February our investors are donating 33 million Swedish Crowns to the charities of their choice. Let me explain.
13-02-2012 09:30
Blog
The EU countries have agreed on a fiscal pact. Only Britain and the Czech Republic have chosen to opt out. Sweden is expected to join the pact as it is already clear there is a parliamentary majority in favour of voting yes now that the Social Democrat terms for this have been met.
02-02-2012 15:22
Blog
This is a story about giving and receiving. It’s also a story about the past and the future and children. That gives it a little depth, doesn’t it? And finally, it’s about the internet and social media - because everything else is, right?
31-01-2012 12:53
Blog
In our latest report on the global and Swedish economies, we have revised growth downwards, in both Sweden and abroad, compared with our October forecast.
Tags:
growth,
economy,
forecast
26-01-2012 12:56
Blog
Standard and Poor’s downgrading of the credit rating of nine Euro zone countries did not come as a surprise. For France and Austria, having the highest credit rating is no longer something they can boast about. The question is more about the consequences this downgrading will result in and if it really is as unfair as the Euro politicians claim.
Tags:
credit rating,
downgrading
17-01-2012 14:26
Blog
Economic policy is often divided into fiscal policy, monetary policy and structural policy. Fiscal policy is primarily about reducing and increasing taxes and expenditure, while monetary policy in recent times has focused on using the key rate to meet more or less clear inflation targets.
12-01-2012 16:39
Blog
In 2011, we have witnessed growing tension between rich and poor countries. This has been particularly apparent when it comes to negotiations on trade and climate change. It can also be seen in association with regulation of the finance sector and cooperation on economic policy.
Tags:
multilaterism
03-01-2012 14:07
Blog
2011 is drawing to a close. The year opened with continued recovery all round the world, but has since been marked by ever graver debt crises, falling stock markets, rising risk premiums and growing economic gloom. Gazing into the crystal ball for 2012 is a challenge. There is a risk that the economic year will not be as good as the headlines suggest.
Tags:
structural policy,
economic year,
ECB
22-12-2011 15:30
Blog
