Risk Management of Financial Institutions

“In today’s world, not having access to a basic bank account makes it difficult and more expensive to participate in everyday life – paying the electricity bill or receiving a salary for example. Today’s agreement brings us a step closer to finally giving all European citizens access to a basic bank account, enabling them to participate fully in society and take advantage of the benefits of the Single Market”. Statement by Commissioners Barnier and Mimica.

The European Commission has adopted a package of Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) needed to implement important provisions of the Capital Requirements Regulation and Directive (CRR/CRD). The nine RTS adopted today define the ways in which competent authorities and market participants must handle disclosures linked to securitisation instruments, measure potential losses from derivative positions and counterparty failure, as well as specifying the types of instruments that can be used for paying bonuses.

“Banking union depends on having its second pillar, the single resolution mechanism, in place”. Statement by Commissioner Barnier following the meeting of 10 March between ministers of finance and European Parliament representatives and introductory remarks at the ECOFIN Council of 11 March.

“Although the worst of the financial and economic crisis is behind us, we still have a social and political crisis. The time has come to set out a new vision for Europe, to deepen the integration of the euro area, relaunch the co-ownership of the single market, invest jointly in our future, and give Europe the means to really count on the world stage.”. Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the 12th annual Financial Services Conference.

The European Commission has proposed new rules to stop the biggest and most complex banks from engaging in the risky activity of proprietary trading. The new rules would also give supervisors the power to require those banks to separate certain potentially risky trading activities from their deposit-taking business. The Commission has also adopted accompanying measures aimed at increasing transparency of certain transactions in the shadow banking sector. “Today’s proposals are the final cogs in the wheel to complete the regulatory overhaul of the European banking system” said Commissioner Barnier. “The proposed measures will further strengthen financial stability and ensure taxpayers don’t end up paying for the mistakes of banks”.