Why supervision and resolution matters to banks
The Banking Union and the Single Supervisory Mechanism have fundamentally reshaped European banking supervision. For banks to operate effectively across borders, supervisory practices must be consistent, risk-based and less resource intensive for both banks and supervisors. Clear and proportionate supervisory practices reduce administrative burden while maintaining financial stability.
The EBF supports the EU initiative for a Banking Union built on the pillars of a SSM and a Single Resolution Mechanism - as instrumental in achieving an integrated European Banking system. The implementation of a new supervisory and resolution culture requires coordination, effective communication, and mutual understanding between all parties.
Completing the Banking Union
The EBF supports the EU initiative for a Banking Union built on the pillars of a Single Supervisory Mechanism and a Single Resolution Mechanism - as instrumental in achieving an integrated European Banking system. The implementation of a new supervisory and resolution culture requires coordination, effective communication, and mutual understanding between all parties.
Solution-oriented approach to supervisory practices
We believe that supervisory practices can be made more risk-based and less resource intensive for both banks and supervisors. The EBF collaborates with the ECB in identifying and solving problems and addressing circumstances that deserve special attention from banks and supervisors.
EBF's expert group engagement
The EBF actively contributes to SSM consolidation through a multi-level dialogue platform including the CEO Roundtable with the largest banks, the Boardroom Dialogue with all Significant Institutions and numerous bank expert groups. The platform is steered by the SSM Strategy Group, made of representatives from the banking associations of SSM-supervised countries and the 12 largest banks of the Eurozone.
Some of the issues discussed: Stress test, reporting and statistics, targeted review of internal models, on-site inspections, SREP, SSM risk map, SSM supervisory priorities, and other relevant topics.
Key EBF positions
The EBF has supported the Banking Union project since the beginning, collaborating with the ECB in the development of the Eurozone asset quality review that preceded the takeover of supervisory responsibilities by the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) from the National Competent Authorities.
The EBF has decisively contributed to the SSM consolidation through a multi-level dialogue platform including the CEO Roundtable with the largest banks, the Boardroom Dialogue with all Significant Institutions and numerous bank expert groups. The platform is steered by the SSM Strategy Group, made of representatives from the banking associations of SSM-supervised countries and the 12 largest banks of the Eurozone.
Featured publications:
- EBF Response on EBA Consultation on the revised SREP Guidelines - February 2026
With the explosion of data requirements to banks by European and national authorities, the EBF has been the leading voice in the industry in advocating for enhanced cooperation among competent authorities with a view to establishing a single European reporting framework. Such a framework would enable consistent and streamlined reporting across jurisdictions and data domains, with the dual objectives of (i) improving data quality and (ii) reducing the reporting burden on reporting institutions.
The EBF works jointly with all relevant authorities to promote the development of a fully-integrated EU reporting system based on the principles of define once, report once, share information, and enhance governance.
Featured publications:
- EBF press release on simplification of reporting - July 2025
- EBF press release on ESCB’s on Integrated Reporting Framework - December 2024
- EBF press release on ECB and EBA efforts towards data reporting - March 2024
- EBF comments to EC call for evidence on reporting requirements - December 2023
- EBF Workshop with BaFin - October 2022
- EBF response to EBA regarding an integrated reporting system - June 2021
- EBF on ESCB report on integrated reporting system - October 2020
- EBF on data reporting - October 2018
- EBF participation on annual ESCB banking industry dialogue - 2018-onwards
The EBF has worked closely with authorities and banks since the inception of the stress test exercises, which are designed to assess how banks would perform under hypothetical adverse scenarios. The results have consistently confirmed the resilience of banks, reflecting the effectiveness of a long-standing strategy to strengthen the resilience of EU banks.
The EBF will continue to engage with authorities on the necessary methodological enhancements to ensure that the exercise remains relevant and aligned with its risk-based objectives. In parallel, the EBF will continue working with European banks to further strengthen their resilience and enhance the competitiveness of the European banking sector.
Featured publications:
- EBF press release on EBA stress test - August 2025
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