Governing Council

Early last month, the ECB's 23-member Governing Council decided to begin buying Italian government bonds to prevent a disastrous jump of their yields, overriding the opposition of a small minority of council members who felt this compromised the central bank's monetary policy.

Europe faces week of challenges in debt crisis Reuters 2011

The first ECB source said it would require a further decision of the Governing Council to authorize the purchase of Italian and Spanish bonds, but this could be taken quickly by teleconference if the conditions were met.

Exclusive: ECB split over whether to buy Italy bonds: sources Reuters 2011

Early last month, the ECB's 23-member Governing Council decided to begin buying Italian government bonds to prevent a disastrous jump of their yields, overriding the opposition of a small minority of council members who felt this compromised the central bank's monetary policy.

Europe faces week of challenges in debt crisis Reuters 2011

ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet declined to endorse the gloomier view, saying he had "nothing to add or to withdraw" from his comments last Thursday, after the Governing Council decided to keep its key interest rate at 4% -- that policy makers would act "pre-emptively" to prevent a rise in oil and food prices from spilling into wages and other prices.

ECB Official Offers Darker Outlook 2008

In a speech in Madrid, Mr. Trichet said, "I consider it possible that the Governing Council would decrease interest rates once again at its next meeting" on Nov. 6.

ECB's Trichet Signals a Rate Cut for Next Week 2008

ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet said some members of the central bank's Governing Council pushed for a rate increase in December, but the majority argued for unchanged rates.

Diverging Euro Zone Economies 2008

Although the ECB was widely perceived to have softened its hawkish stance after it left its main interest rate at 4% last week, several Governing Council members have since stressed that the bank remains more concerned about high inflation than economic growth.

Euro-Zone Output Falls, 2008

Like many of his Governing Council colleagues, Mr. Noyer stressed the primacy of inflation and inflation expectations in the ECB's decisions.

ECB Gives Banks a Buffer 2008

ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet has said some members of the central bank's Governing Council pushed for a rate increase in December, but the majority argued for no change.

ECB Struggles to Build 2008

The ECB's 21-member Governing Council decided Thursday to offer the six-month funds not only to help ease banks 'fears about having enough cash on hand but also with an eye toward resolving tensions that tend to crop up toward the end of the year, when banks scramble for cash to make their financial accounts look as strong as possible.

ECB Will Offer Six-Month Loans 2008