ECB & Bank of England cut rates

March 7, 2009 · Filed Under Economic News, Interest Rates · Comment 

Welcome back!

The ECB and Bank of England both cut rates this week in response to the deterioration of demand and consumer confidence in the European economy.

The 16 country ECB cut rates by 0.50% to 1.50% while the Bank of England took the unprecedented step of of slashing rates in half to a record low of 0.50%.

The future of the European and UK economies are on a knife edge as consumers are failing to spend instead hoarding available cash with expectations the markets will further deteriorate.  This logic however is the worst option as consumers will need to lead the economy out of this malaise. 

With the banking system in tatters and nationalism of UK banks on the government agenda, the Euro zone as a long way to go till they can pick themselves up from this crisis.