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ECB might need mildly restrictive policy, Nagel says - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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ECB might need mildly restrictive policy, Nagel says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 11, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: September 11, 2026

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ECB May Adopt Mildly Restrictive Policy If Energy Prices Continue to Climb

ECB Policy Response to Rising Energy Prices

Interest Rate Hikes and Economic Impact

FRANKFURT, Sept 11 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank might need to raise interest rates further and bring them to a level that mildly curbs the economy if a war-fuelled rise in energy prices continues, ECB policymaker Joachim Nagel said on Friday.

Recent ECB Actions

The ECB raised borrowing costs on Thursday for the second time this year and policymakers expect further policy tightening in the months ahead, with a move possible as early as October, two sources told Reuters.

Comments from Policymaker Joachim Nagel

Nagel said the ECB had brought its key rate, now at 2.50%, to the upper end of a neutral range that neither stimulates nor slows down the economy. But it may still need to go further.

"I will not exclude that we have to go into the mild restrictive territory, but as I said, it's very much dependent on how the energy prices evolve, how the price picture is evolving over the course of maybe the next month," he told CNBC in an interview.

(Reporting by Francesco Canepa; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Toby Chopra)

Key Takeaways

  • ECB recently raised rates to 2.50%, the upper end of its neutral range, and may need to tighten further if energy prices persistently remain high (apnews.com).
  • Nagel emphasised that any further tightening depends critically on how energy and inflation evolve over the coming weeks (investing.com).
  • Markets and Reuters sources suggest policymakers could initiate another rate hike as early as October, though they have shown limited appetite to signal beyond that (newsquawk.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why might the ECB raise interest rates further?
The ECB may raise rates if energy prices, driven by war, continue to rise and pressure inflation.
What policy stance is the ECB considering?
The ECB is considering moving rates into a mildly restrictive territory to curb economic activity if needed.
What is the current ECB key interest rate?
The ECB key rate currently stands at 2.50%, which is at the upper end of the neutral range.
When could the ECB implement further policy tightening?
Further tightening could happen as early as October, according to sources.
What factors will influence the ECB’s next steps?
Energy price developments and overall price trends will influence future ECB decisions.

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