The World Savings and Retail Banking Institute published an update on a Spotlight Event in Brussels at which the European Savings and Retail Banking Group launched its report, "Competitiveness is Now." The report calls for a future-proof EU banking framework built around more coherent, risk-sensitive regulation, greater supervisory predictability and accountability, and less reliance on one-size-fits-all rules. Its central message is that reducing unnecessary regulatory burden would free banks' lending capacity to support small and medium-sized enterprises, innovation and households. Discussions at the event focused on regulatory simplification, the level playing field, the future prudential framework and the role of savings banks. Speakers argued that the EU framework has accumulated layers of post-2008 legislation and reporting requirements, and they highlighted two recommendations from the report: a regulatory moratorium to create space for revising the current framework, and incorporating competitiveness into the mandate of supervisory authorities so they can be held accountable for measures that hinder growth. The update said the report is intended to feed into the European Commission's competitiveness review and the 2027 legislative agenda.
World Savings and Retail Banking Institute2026-06-19
World Savings and Retail Banking Institute launches report urging simpler EU banking rules and a competitiveness mandate for supervisors
The World Savings and Retail Banking Institute highlighted the launch of ESBG's "Competitiveness is Now" report, which calls for a more coherent, risk-sensitive EU banking framework and less one-size-fits-all regulation. Recommendations discussed at the event included a regulatory moratorium and adding competitiveness to supervisors' mandates. The report is intended to inform the European Commission's competitiveness review and the 2027 legislative agenda.