The decision to keep rates on hold last week confirms that the ECB remains in wait-and-see mode. With inflation around 2%, there is little justification for a cut next month. The economy is relatively resilient and risks to inflation are balanced.

Scope Ratings has published an update to its Financial Institutions Rating Methodology. No outstanding ratings are impacted.

July collections fell 23% month-on-month, slightly better than the previous three years when average collections were 28% lower. But while July was relatively on trend, actual collections were 35% below the previous three-year average.

The Fed’s expected 25bp rate cut on Wednesday appears premature given the latest increase in headline inflation to 2.9%, an economy still expanding at around 2%, the uncertain effects of higher tariffs and only modest signs of labour market softening.

The planned acquisition of Ceconomy AG by Chinese retailer JD.com could mark an important shift in European consumer-electronics retailing by creating a more formidable, deep-pocketed player in an already highly competitive sector.

Scope has updated its sub-sovereign methodology by integrating ESG factors into the core analytical framework and enhancing the institutional and individual credit profile assessments. No rating changes are expected as a result of this update.

Cyprus’s public debt is set to fall below 60% of GDP this year driven by robust growth and prudent fiscal policy while bad debts on bank balance sheets continue to decline, offsetting risks from a challenging geopolitical and external environment.

Housing, the main collateral for covered bonds, contributes more than a third of Europe’s GHG emissions. Yet while climate change can significantly amplify credit risk in covered bonds, mitigation can add more credit risk than actual climate impacts.

Tuesday, September 30th 2025 - 3:00 PM (CEST)

Europe’s data centres continue to demonstrate strong credit fundamentals and the growth outlook is positive, underpinned by demand and an under-supply of physical space and power capacity.