EBF NEWSLETTER
Friday, 20 December 2024

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FROM THE MEDIA

FT: Europe must decide on the banking union

Accoring to Financial Times (FT), “Europe is disappearing.” So said Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel Securities, earlier in December. “It’s lethargic compared to the United States,” he added. “Their economy is not growing. Their per capita numbers are horrific.” When America’s top financiers make that kind of assessment about our continent, it is time to wake up and respond. Read more

Risk.net: Thirteen EU banks face loan losses of more than 16% from green switch

The European Union’s ‘Fit-for-55’ climate stress test showed that the financial system was broadly resilient to transition risk barring any shocks – but for 13 banks, the baseline scenario would result in losses on loan portfolios equal to more than 16% of their exposures in scope, writes Risk.net. Read more

The Banker: Banks dial back public climate targets as Trump prepares for office

The year 2024 will be remembered not only for shattering climate records, with temperatures exceeding the 1.5C threshold outlined in the Paris agreement, but also for raising questions about the role banks can play in the green transition, reports The Banker. Read more

Politico: Von der Leyen’s mission: Stop Europe’s 'slow agony' of decline

When Americans visit Europe, it’s usually to gawk at the monuments of the past: the classical ruins of Italy and Greece, the Enlightenment-era wonders of Paris and Vienna; the trenches and memorials of the continent’s two world wars can be read in today's Politico. Read more

FROM EBF MEMBERS

Febelfin: Use of cash continues to decline

Digital payments have significantly increased in recent years, while cash usage is decreasing. This trend has been visible for several years across Europe and in Belgium, and is confirmed by a study by the European Central Bank published today. Despite changing customer behaviour and declining cash usage, the banking sector continues to ensure access to cash for all citizens, partly thanks to an adapted network of ATMs. Read more

UK Finance: Men sentenced for using SIM farm to steal over £220,000 from banking customers

Three men from London have been sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to a combined six years and nine months for using a SIM farm to send out masses of fraudulent texts and calls, conning victims out of an overall sum of £223,183.53. Read more

VÖB (Association of German Public Banks): Eckhardt Forst: "The EU could help with housing construction"

VÖB President Eckhard Forst expressed a generally positive view in an interview with Börsen-Zeitung regarding the EU's new initiative to promote housing construction. "The EU could help with housing construction," Forst said – including by making European funds available. Read more (DE)

FROM THE INSTITUTIONS

ECB: ECB appoints Karin Turner-Hrdlicka as Director General On-site and Internal Model Inspections

Karin Turner-Hrdlicka will be responsible for on-site inspections and internal model investigations of directly supervised banks across European banking supervision She will contribute to the identification of risks and supervisory priorities. Read more

EIOPA: EIOPA revokes previous guidelines to avoid duplications and overlaps with DORA

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) announced that it will withdraw two previously published Guidelines and amend an Opinion – all related, at least in part, to the use of information communication technology (ICT) by undertakings. This decision comes in anticipation of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) coming into application. Read more

EC: Joint press release: Commission and European Investment Bank clear an additional €2.7 billion from emissions trading revenues for cleaner energy systems via the Modernisation Fund

Following an assessment by the European Investment Bank under the Modernisation Fund, the European Commission has disbursed €2.7 billion to support 39 investment projects in eight beneficiary Member States. This includes the very first investment confirmed in Slovenia under the Fund, a Member State which became beneficiary in 2024. Read more

FROM EBF

Facts&Figures 2024

The European Banking Federation (EBF) has published Facts & Figures 2024, its annual update on the banking sector in Europe. Building on 2023 data from the European Central Bank (ECB), the statistical publication provides users with a unique perspective on the structure, performance, lending, and deposit trends in European banking alongside a country-by-country overview. Read more

New Report of the C-ESG Risk Roundtable Data Workstream

The latest report from the Data Workstream of the C-ESG Risk Roundtable explains how climate change and biodiversity- and ecosystems-related disclosures from non-financial corporates under the CSRD can be utilized by banks for risk management purposes. It serves as a starting point for fostering better dialogue between banks and non-financial corporates, ultimately contributing to key processes such as customer due diligence, customer risk assessments, and credit ratings. Read more

New EBF Vacancies! Work with us!

Visit our Vacancies page to learn more about the opening positions at the EBF. Read more

Happy Holidays!

EBF’s Morning Brief and Financial Agenda are taking a holiday break!

We will return on Monday, 6th of January, to bring you more updates from the European Banking Federation and the banking sector.

Wishing you a joyful Christmas, a wonderful holiday season, and a prosperous New Year!

ABOUT THE EUROPEAN BANKING FEDERATION

The European Banking Federation is the voice of the European banking sector, bringing together national banking associations from across Europe. The federation is committed to a thriving European economy that is underpinned by a stable, secure and inclusive financial ecosystem, and to a flourishing society where financing is available to fund the dreams of citizens, businesses and innovators everywhere. Website: www.ebf.eu

European Banking Federation