European Financial Services Round Table

Publications & Research - Competitiveness/G20

STRENGTHENING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE EUROPEAN FINANCIAL SECTOR

European and G20 reform agenda
The EFR supports Europe's and the G20's policy goals to strengthen the global financial system by enhancing prudential oversight, improving risk management, promoting transparency and reinforcing supervisory cooperation. However, it is important to ensure that the competitiveness of European financial institutions is not damaged and a global level playing field maintained.

The ongoing regulatory reform projects in the financial sector will have a deep impact on the business models of financial institutions in Europe. It is paramount to ensure that the cumulative and cross-sectoral implications of the reforms are well understood and assessed.

Divergent regulatory action by individual governments might lead to competitive distortions and unintended side effects, and should therefore be avoided. Timetables of the reforms between Europe and the non-European G20 members, particularly the United States, should be aligned to forestall the fragmentation of financial markets.

Regulatory & market access issues
Markets outside of Europe are increasingly important for European financial institutions. The EFR therefore supports the European Commission-led regulatory dialogues taking place between the European Union and key trading partners such as the US, China, Russia, India, Japan and Brazil as well as Argentina. These dialogues provide an opportunity to identify and discuss the obstacles of primary concern to European financial services providers conducting business in those countries.