Banks | Bruegel

Blog Post

Boosting the resilience of Europe’s financial system in the coronavirus crisis

Europe has a heavily bank-based financial structure, but bank-based financial structures are associated with higher systemic risk than market-based financial structures. The higher level of systemic risk in Europe suggests caution when pursuing policies that stimulate risk taking and debt creation by banks, especially in the wake of COVID-19. Priority should be given to financial diversification and equity finance.

By: Joost Bats, Aerdt Houben and Dirk Schoenmaker Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Date: July 17, 2020

Podcast

Banks and loan losses in the pandemic turmoil

The current pandemic is shaking the financial system. How can banks react ? Is a consolidation of the financial system in Europe needed in order to respond to this crisis ? Will our economies suffer from this pandemic as much as they did in 2008 ? This week, Giuseppe Porcaro is joined live by Guntram Wolff and Nicolas Véron to discuss banks and loan losses in the pandemic turmoil.

By: The Sound of Economics and Bruegel Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Date: March 25, 2020

Blog Post

Banks in pandemic turmoil

The banking system is critical to society and requires attention and support. In doing so, however, tough love is preferable to complacency.

By: Nicolas Véron Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Date: March 24, 2020

External Publication

Impediments to resolvability of banks

This paper gives an overview of the seven aspects of resolvability defined in 2019 by the Single Resolution Board, and then assesses progress in two key areas, based on evidence gathered from public disclosures made by the 20 largest euro-area banks. The largest banks have made good progress in raising bail-in capital. Changes to banks’ legal and operational structures that will facilitate resolution will take more time. Greater transparency would make it easier to achieve the policy objective of making banks resolvable.

By: Alexander Lehmann and Bruegel Topic: European Parliament Date: December 18, 2019

Blog Post

Bank regulation in the European Union neighbourhood: limits of the ‘Brussels effect’

The EU model of financial market regulation is increasingly copied by third countries. In this context, the EU’s efforts to promote its model beyond its borders should take into account the underdevelopment of financial markets in many partner countries, and the often insufficient capacity of regulators and supervisors.

By: Alexander Lehmann and Bruegel Topic: European Macroeconomics & Governance, Finance & Financial Regulation Date: November 20, 2019

Policy Contribution

Crisis management for euro-area banks in central Europe

Euro-area bank integration has decreased as post-financial crisis national rules require banks to hold more capital at home. It might be undermined further by bank resolution planning. Either a Single Resolution Board takes the lead for the entire banking group or independent local intervention schemes need to be developed for crisis resolution.

By: Alexander Lehmann and Bruegel Topic: European Macroeconomics & Governance, Finance & Financial Regulation Date: November 19, 2019

Opinion

Upbeat outlook from Chinese banks' profits masks growing problems for small banks

The performance of Chinese banks has been resilient so far, despite decelerating growth. While the performance of large banks remained steady, the rebound came from small banks. Why have small banks rebounded and is the rebound sustainable?

By: Alicia García-Herrero, Gary Ng and Bruegel Topic: Global Economics & Governance Date: November 12, 2019

Opinion

Scholz's improved plan to complete the banking union

The head of German Finance has written in the Financial Times defending the need to deepen the banking union, now London is about to leave

By: Rebecca Christie and Bruegel Topic: European Macroeconomics & Governance Date: November 8, 2019

Opinion

Why investors should temper optimism over a China trade rally

The economy is in worse shape than in 2015 and policies to boost growth are not as effective as they once were

By: Alicia García-Herrero and Bruegel Topic: Global Economics & Governance Date: November 6, 2019

Opinion

Politics, not policy will help Lagarde save the eurozone

Her success at helm of Europe’s central bank will depend on her ability to mend fences with hawkish policymakers.

By: Guntram B. Wolff, Rebecca Christie and Bruegel Topic: European Macroeconomics & Governance Date: November 4, 2019

Podcast

How not to spend it

Buying a car, a house or a cryptocurrency has never been easier: with a simple click, digital banking has made financial operations accessible to everyone. But, while Fintech has become widespread, financial literacy does not seem to keep up the pace. This week Maria Demertzis and Nicholas Barrett are joined by Annamaria Lusardi, Denit Trust Endowed Chair of Economics and Accountancy from George Washington University School of Business to discuss financial literacy.

By: The Sound of Economics and Bruegel Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Date: October 31, 2019

Past Event

Bank resolution: consistency and predictability

Closed-door workshop on various aspects of bank resolution.

Speakers: Rebecca Christie, Jon Cunliffe, Martin J. Gruenberg, Elke König, Pamela Lintner, Martin Merlin, Maria Velentza, Nicolas Véron, Guntram B. Wolff and Bruegel Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Location: Bruegel, Rue de la Charité 33, 1210 Brussels Date: October 29, 2019