Asset quality deteriorated as a slowing economy continues to weigh on lenders. Banks' profits are suffering pressure on narrowing net interest margin, lower pricing capability, and rising provisions. Although the interconnectedness between banking and the shadow banking system has increased, the room for upside is limited.
The culmination of the banking union: a German proposal
Following the financial crisis that led to a European sovereign crisis in 2012, the European Commission developed a roadmap for the creation of the banking union, based on three key pillars: the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), the Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM) and the Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS).
Although the non-performing loan ratio remained stable and the capital adequacy ratio still sufficient to meet financial needs, there is a diverging trend between large and small commercial banks. Some small banks are subject to capital shortfall amid deteriorating asset quality and persistent regulations on shadow banking.
What will be the trends in financial regulation in 2019?
In 2018, the financial regulatory reform approved after the crisis by the G20 and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) was considered virtually complete and the focus was supposed to be on implementing the reforms already initiated.
The Spanish banking industry made profits of 3.106 billion euros in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the losses posted in 2017, which were prompted by the sale of Banco Popular. Cleaning of bank balance sheets is gathering pace, while deleveraging of the private sector is ongoing. The efficiency and profitability of th…
The recent European summit of Heads of State and Government focused on discussing the huge problem of illegal immigration to Europe, devoting very little time to discussing what just a few weeks ago was supposed to be the central theme of this meeting: the deepening of the monetary union.
The way the European Central Bank modulates its tone with each announcement has recently become an important tool for keeping track of monetary policy. This has come about since central banks have added specific commitments and credible and transparent communication to their toolbox.