European Economic and Financial Affairs Committee

European Parliament Adopts Resolution on Finalization of Basel III

 

On November 23, 2016, the European Parliament published a provisional version of the text of the resolution it has adopted on finalization of Basel III.

Among other things, in the resolution, the Parliament:

  • Underlines the importance of sound global standards and principles for the prudential regulation of banks and welcomes the post-crisis work of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“BCBS“) in this area. The Parliament notes the BCBS’ ongoing work to finalize the Basel III framework and underlines the need for greater transparency and accountability to enhance the legitimacy and ownership of the BCBS’ deliberations.
  • Stresses that the current revision should respect the principle of not significantly increasing overall capital requirements, while at the same time strengthening the overall financial position of EU banks. The Parliament also underlines the equally important principle to be respected of promoting the level playing field at the global level, by mitigating rather than exacerbating the differences between jurisdictions and banking models, and by not unduly penalizing the EU banking model.
  • Is concerned that early analysis of recent BCBS drafts indicates that the reform package at its current stage might not comply with the principles mentioned above. As a result, the Parliament calls on the BCBS to revise its proposals accordingly, and calls on the European Central Bank (“ECB“) and the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) to ensure respect of the principles in finalizing and monitoring the new standard. The Parliament underlines that this approach would be instrumental in ensuring consistent implementation of the new standard by the Parliament as co-legislator.
  • Calls for dialogue and an exchange of best practices among regulators concerning the application of the principle of proportionality to be established at EU and international levels.
  • Calls on the European Commission to prioritize work on a “small banking box” for the least risky banking models. The Parliament also calls on the Commission to extend this work to an assessment of the feasibility of a future regulatory framework consisting of less complex and more appropriate and proportional prudential rules specifically adapted to different types of banking models.
  • Stresses the importance of the role of the Commission, the ECB and the EBA in engaging in the BCBS’ work, and in providing transparent and comprehensive updates on developments in the BCBS’ discussions. The Parliament calls for this role to be given stronger visibility during meetings of the European Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), and for enhanced accountability to its Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON).

The Parliament has instructed its President to forward the resolution to the Commission.

ECOFIN Discusses Banking Union, CRD IV and RRD

On July 10, the European Economic and Financial Affairs Committee (“ECOFIN”) considered the progress and timings in relation to the work on the banking union, CRD IV and the proposed Recovery and Resolution Directive (“RRD”). The Council of the EU published a press release concerning the matters discussed at the meeting. Press Release.

The press release covers the following areas:

  • Banking Union: The President of the Council has been invited to assist with the development of a specific and time-bound work programme on the banking report.
  • CRD IV: At the meeting, it was explained that negotiations concerning the CRD IV Directive are almost finished, and attention has now turned to the Capital Requirements Regulation. There are several outstanding issues such as bankers’ remuneration, crisis sanctions and the powers to be given to the European Banking Authority.
  • RRD: The press release states that the Council aims to agree a general approach on the proposed RRD by December 2012.