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A number of economic/financial articles about the banking and financial activities are made freely available on a periodic basis. The articles are published in their original language.

  • Thursday 14/3/2024

    One thing is certain: the global economy is in question. Investors, companies and governments must rethink their approach in the face of soaring inflation, the ongoing climate crisis and an ageing population. They also have to deal with the highest ever peacetime debt mountain, disruptive innovation and the effects of multi-globalisation. In their book “De nieuwe wereldeconomie” (“The new world economy”) macroeconomist Koen De Leus and market strategist Philippe Gijsels take an in-depth look at the machinery of our economy. What are the main trends that will dominate our lives and the economy for the next 40 years ?

  • Thursday 14/3/2024

    Stricter climate legislation is initially harmful to productivity, especially for high-emission firms, but spurs innovation and productivity growth in the long run. Success in green technology innovation depends on the type of firm and the regulatory framework. Market-based tools are less disruptive but may not drive innovation, unlike R&D subsidies. The transition to a carbon-neutral economy must be planned carefully in order to avoid lingering productivity costs.

  • Thursday 14/3/2024
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    The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) hosted a high-level international conference on the topic of financial education at its premises in Brussels on 20 February 2024. This conference was organised jointly with the European Commission and had a particular focus on resilience and inclusion in this area. More than 500 people attended the conference, half of whom were present on site and the other half followed via a livestream.

  • Thursday 14/3/2024

    Supported by strong and timely policy response, the Belgium economy has been resilient to a series of shocks. Still, the pandemic and energy crisis increased already-high public debt and structural fiscal deficits. At the same time, an aging population and the climate transition are putting pressure on public finances while low productivity and labour participation are dampening potential growth. Policies should continue to address this confluence of cyclical and structural challenges. Sustained and, ideally, front-loaded fiscal consolidation is needed to support disinflation, restore buffers, reduce debt, and preserve Belgium’s social model. Macroprudential policy tightening is welcome, as systemic risks are rising and additional strengthening of the financial policy framework will further insulate the economy from macro-financial shocks. Structural reforms in labour and product markets and further progress in green transition will boost potential growth and help address medium-term challenges.

  • Wednesday 14/2/2024

    In this article we look back at developments in the real estate market in 2023, focusing on the issue of affordability. Affordability has deteriorated significantly in 2023, due to the combined effect of rising interest rates and the continued rise in house prices. We also give our short-term forecasts for prices. Given the sharp deterioration in affordability, we believe that the market needs to rebalance, which will weigh on price dynamics over the next two years. Finally, we mention two major structural shocks that not only represent major challenges for the real estate and construction sector but could also lead to divergent price trends for different types of property: demographics and the energy transition.

  • Wednesday 14/2/2024

    The Société wallonne du crédit social is a public service which positions itself as an alternative to the traditional banking system. By borrowing funds on the financial market and benefiting from aid and support from the Walloon Region, it offers mortgage credits and 0% loans to those who cannot, or have difficulty, turning to banks. These two types of loans make it possible to meet the needs of Walloon households in terms of housing, whether it involves becoming an owner, renovating their home or even accessing rentals.

  • Wednesday 14/2/2024

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping finance, automating tasks like risk assessment and fraud detection for enhanced efficiency and its widespread adoption reflects its undeniable impact across industries. ChatGPT's success underscores AI's user-friendly applications, transforming consumer and enterprise experiences alike. Embracing AI promises a future of innovation, personalized services, and streamlined operations in finance, marking a pivotal shift in the industry's landscape.

  • Wednesday 14/2/2024

    In today's business world, sustainability has evolved from a noble aspiration to an indispensable element in business operations. One company that stands out in this sustainable revolution is Encon, a consulting firm specializing in sustainability. Their unique approach focuses on making companies more sustainable from the inside out, resulting in significant impact. Encon balances financial choices with environmental and social considerations, automatically inclining companies toward more environmentally and climate-oriented solutions. Their commitment to continuity transforms sustainability from a one-time investment to an intrinsically motivated, self-directed process. Encon goes beyond consulting; with their unique approach, Lean Sustainability ©, they integrate sustainability into the core of business processes. By supporting business leaders in formulating sustainable strategies, Encon combines hands-on experience with project implementation to achieve real results. This guidance ensures that companies are prepared for tomorrow's challenges and become more resilient. Ultimately, sustainability becomes a self-directed process as companies become intrinsically motivated. Find out more about Encon's approach in the article below.

  • Wednesday 14/2/2024
    • New experimental statistics show the unequal distribution of household net wealth
    • Richest 10% own more than half of net wealth in Belgium
    • Inequality in Belgium has fallen slightly over the past five years, as measured by the percentage of wealth held by the richest 10% - or the Gini coefficient

    For the first time the NBB publishes experimental statistics on the distribution of the net wealth of Belgian households, the so-called Distributional Wealth Accounts (DWA). At the same time, the ECB publishes the comparable data for the euro area and the different euro countries. The DWA were developed partly to support the ECB's monetary policy and following a recommendation under the G20 Data Gaps Initiative.

  • Monday 22/1/2024

    The importance of aligning AI's technological advancements with market needs and human contexts, underscoring AI's potential and complexity in transforming industries and everyday life.

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