Eurozone banks request additional ECB liquidity amid high fixed‑term deposit rates

The European Central Bank’s recent policy shifts have left the euro area with elevated interest rates. Inflation in Germany was 2.9 % in April 2026, and banks are offering fixed‑term deposit (Festgeld) rates up to 3.5 % per annum for ten‑year maturities, with shorter terms yielding slightly lower rates.

In this environment, banks in the euro zone asked the ECB for an extra €0.232 billion of liquidity in the weekly main refinancing operation, signalling continued demand for central‑bank funding despite the higher policy rates.

Both developments highlight how the ECB’s rate decisions are influencing savings products and banks’ short‑term funding needs across the region.