The European Banking Federation (EBF) published a statement welcoming strong engagement by several EU Member States, notably the E6 group, to advance the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) and strengthen Europe’s capital markets. It called for sustained political ambition at EU and national levels, with a clear focus on simplification and practical outcomes. The EBF highlighted three priority areas. First, reforms to broaden retail participation in capital markets should remain central, and negotiations on the Retail Investment Strategy should deliver a proportionate, well-calibrated Level 1 text, with targeted adjustments to address implementation challenges such as the Value for Money concept and the new Inducement Test. Second, it pointed to the Market Infrastructure Package as an enabler for EU equity market scale, transparency and efficiency, and prioritised delivery of a consolidated tape including five layers of best bid and offers, while cautioning against rushed decisions that would limit alternative trading mechanisms or favour a specific market model. Third, it supported the EU simplification agenda, urging streamlined rules, reduced unnecessary burdens, and constraints on national fragmentation and gold-plating.
European Banking Federation 2026-03-31
European Banking Federation backs Member State drive on the Savings and Investments Union and presses for proportionate retail investment rules and a consolidated tape
The European Banking Federation welcomed renewed political engagement, particularly by the E6 group, to advance the Savings and Investments Union and strengthen EU capital markets, while calling for sustained ambition focused on simplification and practical outcomes. It identified three priorities: a proportionate Retail Investment Strategy Level 1 text that addresses implementation issues such as the Value for Money concept and the new Inducement Test, a Market Infrastructure Package that delivers a consolidated tape without constraining alternative trading mechanisms, and an EU simplification agenda that streamlines rules, reduces unnecessary burdens and limits national fragmentation and gold-plating.