With these far-reaching measures, the Commission is delivering on the Council's Action Plan to address the high stock of NPLs and prevent their possible future accumulation. It builds on ongoing efforts by Member States, supervisors, credit institutions and the EU: this has led to stocks of NPLs declining in recent years across banks and EU countries.
Despite good progress, however, more needs to be done to address remaining stocks of NPLs and their possible build-up in the future. These measures aim to put the EU banking sector on an even sounder footing for future generations, with rock-solid banks that perform their indispensable role in financing the economy and supporting growth. The package complements work on the Capital Markets Union and is an essential step towards the completion of the Banking Union, one of the immediate priorities agreed by EU leaders to strengthen Europe's Economic and Monetary Union.
In addition, the Commission is also presenting its second progress report on the reduction of NPLs in Europe, showing that the decline of NPL stocks is continuing.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, said: “As Europe and its economy regain strength, Europe must seize the momentum and accelerate the reduction of NPLs. This is essential to further reduce risks in the European banking sector and strengthen its resilience. With fewer NPLs on their balance sheets, banks will be able to lend more to households and businesses. Our proposals build on the significant risk reduction already achieved in recent years, and must be an integral part of completing the Banking Union through risk reduction and risk sharing.”
This package sets out a comprehensive approach with a mix of complementary policy actions that target four key areas:
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Ensuring that banks set aside funds to cover the risks associated with loans issued in the future that may become non-performing.
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Encouraging the development of secondary markets where banks can sell their NPLs to credit servicers and investors.
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Facilitating debt recovery, as a complement to the insolvency and business restructuring proposal put forward in November 2016.
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Assisting Member States that so wish in the restructuring of banks, by providing non-binding guidance – a blueprint – for establishing Asset Management Companies (AMCs) or other measures dealing with NPLs.
Press release
Remarks by Valdis Dombrovskis
© European Commission
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