Banking reform in the EU: a conversation with Frank Elderson

How should the EU balance banking reform, risk and competitiveness?

Time and location: 22 April 2026 09:00-10:00 Bruegel, Rue de la Charité 33, 4th floor, 1210 Brussels REGISTER TO JOIN ON-SITE OR ONLINE
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Format: Public, Hybrid, On the record, Livestreamed
Contact: Katja Knežević

Speakers

Frank Elderson

Member of the Executive Board, Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board, European Central Bank

Agenda

Check-in & breakfast

8:30-9:00

Agenda

Discussion

9:00-9:45

Chair: Rebecca Christie, Bruegel Senior Fellow
Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board, Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board, European Central Bank
Nicolas Véron, Bruegel Senior Fellow

Agenda

Q&A

9:45-10:00

Ask your question on Sli.do #bankingreform

Banking system reform comes back on the EU policy agenda in 2026, with a much-awaited report from the European Commission that will set a renewed legislative agenda for the sector. The EU faces four interrelated challenges: (1) the banking union remains unfinished, which hampers single market integration and leaves the euro area unnecessarily fragile, (2) the banking rulebook has grown more complex over time and is increasingly seen as weighing on competitiveness, (3) banking deregulation and de-supervision in the United States adds to the perception of competitive pressure, all while (4) systemic risk is arguably rising fast with the deterioration of Europe’s external environment. How can the EU, and the ECB as its central banking supervisory authority, manage the corresponding trade-offs?