EBF: Keep momentum to support banks fuelling growth
18 May 2018
The EBF Board reiterated the commitment of the banking sector, in a more favourable economic environment, to support sustainable and equitable growth. More than ever, individual customers, companies as well as the public sector across Europe, need a robust and agile banking industry to support their growth initiatives and finance the European economies.
Regarding more specific files:
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Faced with an ever-increasing intensity of regulatory activities which question the promise of a regulatory pause, the EBF restates its call to reduce regulatory uncertainty and unnecessary burdens while increasing predictability and consistency in EU financial regulation.
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The EBF reaffirmed that regulation should aim at ensuring a global level playing field and a consistent implementation at EU level with the removal of national discretions which do not support further market integration.
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The EBF Board expressed support for the ambitions of the EU leadership to reach agreement on further steps towards the completion of the Banking Union and delivering a true Capital Markets Union.
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The Board took note of the ongoing discussions on the EU Risk Reduction Measures, and urged EU legislators to get the package right. In particular noting the MREL requirement which poses a major threat to the capacity of banks to finance the economy. Therefore, co-legislators should apply a cap to MREL.
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The Board noted the preparatory works in the EU on the transposition of the finalisation of Basel III. Accordingly, for European banks to continue financing the economy to their full potential, it is crucial that the EU implementation of the Basel agreement does not lead to significant increase in capital requirements.
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The EBF board noted the entry into force of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) next week, on 25 May. The GDPR is seen as one of the world’s biggest overhauls of privacy rules in over two decades. The EBF believes the new EU privacy regulation presents an opportunity for banks to build even stronger customer relationships, based at its core on trust. Clients in the banking sector have for long entrusted banks with their data. The sector is committed in making sure that client data is protected.
On the topic of sustainable finance, board members noted the swift steps that are being taken at the EU level, as evidenced by the March 2018 presentation of the European Commission’s action plan. Banks play an essential and pivotal role in financing the global transition towards a sustainable low-carbon economy.
Finally, regarding UK’s membership of the EU, the EBF Board underlined again that banks are keen to see clarity and certainty during the Brexit process so that they can adapt and continue financing the economy while serving customers to the fullest extent possible.
EBF members also agreed to look further at the tax framework in Europe and its impact on the competitiveness of the banking sector in light of recent US tax changes that would benefit US banks and their competitive position in the global economy.
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