Jens Weidmann: Introductory comments at the press conference to present the annual accounts

Introductory comments by Dr Jens Weidmann, President of the Deutsche Bundesbank and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements, at the press conference to present the annual accounts, virtual, 3 March 2021.

The views expressed in this speech are those of the speaker and not the view of the BIS.

1 Welcome

Ladies and gentlemen,

A very warm welcome to our press conference, at which we will present our annual accounts. Like so many events at the moment, we are holding this press conference virtually this year. The coronavirus pandemic has radically changed all of our everyday lives.

Around the world, the virus has already claimed the lives of well over two million people, with an even greater number falling seriously ill.

People are concerned for their own health and the health of those around them, especially the elderly. The pandemic is, first and foremost, a severe health crisis, which must be overcome as a matter of the utmost urgency.

At the same time, more and more people fear for their jobs, their businesses and their livelihoods. This is also borne out by the numerous letters I have received to this effect.