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ECB Seen Extending and Boosting Stimulus to Battle Longer Crisis

  • Economists expect more asset purchases, cheap credit for banks
  • Survey suggests 500 billion-euro bond-buying boost next week
Outside the European Central Bank headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

Outside the European Central Bank headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg

The European Central Bank will extend two key stimulus programs through the end of next year to support the economy until vaccines are widely enough available to entrench the recovery, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

Respondents predict policy makers will add six months and 500 billion euros ($608 billion) to their 1.35 trillion-euro emergency bond-buying program when they meet virtually on Dec. 10. The Governing Council is also expected to offer new long-term loans to banks, and lengthen the period in which they get extra incentives for keeping credit flowing to companies and households.