On 13 September 2023, the European Commission published an initiative setting out a draft Delegated Directive that will amend the thresholds in the Accounting Directive for determining the size category of a company to account for the impact of inflation. Since 2013, the size thresholds have remained unchanged. An increase will result in micro, small … Continue Reading
Following their call for evidence in November 2022, on 1 June 2023, the European Supervisory Authorities (“ESAs”) published their first progress reports on greenwashing (the “Reports”) to better identify the phenomenon and to assess which areas of the sustainable investment value chain (“SIVC”) are more exposed to greenwashing risks. In the Reports the ESAs have … Continue Reading
To all of our global readers we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will resume posting material following the festive period on 9 January 2023 although if there are any significant developments we will endeavour to provide an update.… Continue Reading
On 22 September 2022, the following decisions amending Annex IX (Financial services) to the EEA Agreement were published in the Official Journal of the EU: Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 138/2022 of 29 April 2022 amending Annex IX (Financial services) to the EEA Agreement [2022/1582] Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 139/2022 … Continue Reading
On 11 May 2022, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published its annual report on convergence of supervisory practices for 2021. Among other things the annual report notes: Member State competent authorities (NCAs) made progress in the implementation of the EBA Guidelines on supervisory review and evaluation process (SREP). There needs to be more harmonised practices … Continue Reading
On 9 May 2022, the FMSB announced that it was changing its name from FICC Markets Standards Board to Financial Markets Standards Board.… Continue Reading
To all of our global readers we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Easter. We will resume posting material on 26 April although if there are any significant developments we will endeavour to provide an update.… Continue Reading
On 5 April 2022, the Council of the EU adopted conclusions on strategic autonomy of the European economic and financial sector. The Council’s conclusions focus on: Strengthening the international role of the euro. A strong, competitive and resilient European financial sector servicing the real economy, avoiding risks arising from excessive reliance on third-country financial institutions … Continue Reading
On 23 March 2022, the European Commission published a framework laying down practical arrangements to implement EU-Japan cooperation on financial regulation under Annex 8-A to the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. The framework is between the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union and the Financial Services Agency of Japan. It … Continue Reading
To all of our global readers we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will resume posting material following the festive period on 6 January 2021 although if there are any significant developments we will endeavour to provide an update.… Continue Reading
On 19 October 2021, the European Commission adopted its 2022 Work Programme which sets out an agenda for the next steps towards a post-COVID-19 Europe that is greener, fairer, more digital and more resilient. The Work Programme delivers on President Ursula von de Leyen’s six headline ambitions which were published in the Political Guidelines for … Continue Reading
On 18 October 2021, the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) both published sectoral reports on the supervisory independence of Member State competent authorities (NCAs). Both European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) will use the findings in the reports to consider how to further develop the monitoring and fostering of supervisory … Continue Reading
On 15 October 2021, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) issued a press release stating that its next chair will be Verena Ross. Ms Ross will take up her position on 1 November 2021. … Continue Reading
On 5 October 2021, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published its annual work programme for 2022, describing its activities and tasks as well as key strategic areas of work for next year. For 2022, the EBA has set five vertical priorities: Monitoring and updating the prudential framework for supervision and resolution. Revisiting and strengthening the … Continue Reading
On Thursday, 21 January, the Portuguese presidency of the Council holds its first working group on the review of the European Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on digital operational resilience for the financial sector (DORA). The Council is still in its initial phase of examining the proposal. The Council Presidency Is taking an issue-by-issue approach, … Continue Reading
On 15 October 2019, the European Commission (Commission) and the Financial Services Agency of Japan (JFSA) published a joint statement (dated 11 October) on the inaugural meeting of the joint EU-Japan regulatory forum held in Tokyo. Senior officials present at the meeting included representatives from the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the European … Continue Reading
On 10 September 2019 the President-elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the list of Commissioner-designates and the allocation of their respective portfolios. Under a new structure of the College of Commissioners with its eight Vice-Presidents, the responsibility for DG Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA) will remain … Continue Reading
On 19 March 2019, Consob (the Italian competent authority for the supervision on markets and listed companies) published a discussion document about initial coin offerings (ICOs) and crypto-assets exchanges (the “Document”), that may lead to the introduction of specific regulation in this field. The Document summarises the main items Consob is considering in the development … Continue Reading
On 24 January 2019, the Ministry of Economic and Finance issued a press release to inform the market that the Italian Government is preparing the necessary measures to ensure the continuity of markets and intermediary business should a hard Brexit occur (i.e. exit with no deal). The press release is available at this link (in … Continue Reading
On 20 December 2018, European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) issued a public statement stating that it is ready to review UK central counterparties’ (CCPs) and Central Securities Depositories’ (CSDs) recognition applications for a no-deal Brexit scenario. ESMA states that it aims to recognise UK CCPs in a timely manner, where the four recognition conditions … Continue Reading
Markus Ferber, a German MEP, has been elected the new whip for the European People’s Party in the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON). Mr Ferber previously was the first vice chair of the ECON committee and succeeds Burkhard Balz who is leaving the Parliament to join the board of German Bundesbank … Continue Reading
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel Committee) has published a consultative document that is intended to provide a forward-looking perspective on Fintech and its potential impact on the banking industry. The consultative document combines historical research, analysis of current media and industry periodicals, surveys on Basel Committee members’ activities, Fintech product analysis and scenario … Continue Reading
