EBA strengthens AML/CFT supervision in the EU through revised Guidelines and enhanced cooperation

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today its revised Guidelines on risk-based supervision of credit and financial institutions’ compliance with anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations. The Guidelines set out the steps supervisors should take to ensure adequate AML/CFT oversight of their sector and support the adoption, by credit and financial institutions, of effective ML/TF risk management policies and procedures.  The EBA decided to update and strengthen these Guidelines in light of the findings from its ongoing work to review competent authorities’ approaches to AML/CFT supervision. These findings suggest that some competent authorities found the implementation of the risk-based approach to AML/CFT supervision challenging.

EBA issues final Guidelines on cooperation and information exchange between prudential supervisors, AML/CFT supervisors and financial intelligence units

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today its final Guidelines setting out how prudential supervisors, anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) supervisors and financial intelligence units (FIUs) should cooperate and exchange information in relation to AML/CFT, in line with provisions laid down in the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD).

The EBA’s feasibility study on integrated reporting system provides a long-term vision for increasing efficiencies and reducing reporting costs

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today its final Report on the feasibility study of an integrated reporting system (IRS).  This Report is the outcome of over two years of effort and active engagement of both national and European authorities, as well as interaction with financial institutions, professional associations and specialised service providers. This study is part of a broader strategy of the European Commission to improve and modernise EU supervisory reporting while minimising the aggregate reporting burden for all parties.

EBA publishes  amended technical standards on credit risk adjustments

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today its final report on the draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) amending its  RTS on credit risk adjustments in the context of the calculation of the Risk Weight (RW) of defaulted exposures under the Standardised Approach (SA) of credit risk. The proposed amendments follow up on the European Commission’s Action Plan to tackle Non-Performing Loans (NPL) in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which indicated the need for a revision of the treatment of purchased defaulted exposures under the SA. This revision is necessary to ensure that the prudential framework does not create disincentives to the sale of non-performing assets by banks.

EBA issues revised list of ITS validation rules

​​​​​​​The European Banking Authority (EBA) issued today a revised list of validation rules in its Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) on supervisory reporting, highlighting those, which have been deactivated either for incorrectness or for triggering IT problems. Competent Authorities throughout the EU are informed that data submitted in accordance with these ITS should not be formally validated against the set of deactivated rules.

EBA consults on liquidity requirements for investment firms

The European Banking Authority (EBA) launched today a public consultation on its draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on specific liquidity measurement requirements for investment firms and draft Guidelines on liquidity requirements exemptions for small and non-interconnected investment firms. The draft RTS and draft Guidelines aim to ensure consistent supervisory practices with regards to the application of liquidity requirements for investment firms across all EU Member States. The consultations run until 10 March 2022.

EBA consults on new remote customer onboarding guidelines

The European Banking Authority (EBA) launched today a public consultation on its draft Guidelines on the use of remote customer onboarding solutions. These Guidelines set out a common understanding by competent authorities of the steps financial sector operators should take to ensure safe and effective remote customer onboarding practices in line with applicable anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation and the EU’s data protection framework. Once adopted, these Guidelines will apply to all financial sector operators that are within the scope of the Anti-money Laundering Directive (AMLD). This consultation runs until 10 March 2022.

EBA report highlights shortcomings in the application of its Guidelines on the remuneration of sales staff

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today a Report on the application of its Guidelines on the remuneration of sales staff in force since 2016. The EBA’s assessment revealed that financial institutions focus more on prudential requirements and commercial interests than on meeting the interests of consumers. However, the EBA also identified good practices that are considered to be compliant with the Guidelines.

EBA consults on draft technical standards setting requirements for crowdfunding service providers

The European Banking Authority (EBA) launched today a consultation on draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) specifying the information that crowdfunding service providers shall provide to investors. The proposed requirements cover the method used for the calculation of credit scores and loan prices, the factors that the providers need to consider when carrying out a credit risk assessment and conducting a valuation of a loan, and the underlying policies and governance arrangements. The consultation runs until 8 March 2022.

EBA updates on monitoring of CET1 capital instruments

​​​​​​​The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today an updated list of Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) instruments of EU institutions. This list is accompanied by an updated CET1 Report, which includes information on the underlying objectives of the monitoring as well as on the consequences of including or excluding instruments in or from the CET1 list.  The EBA's monitoring of capital instruments contributes to the enhancement of the quality of institutions' capital across the EU. The EBA will continue to update the Report on a regular basis to give account of new developments in CET1 issuances and practices.

EBA risk assessment shows improvements in EU banks solvency, profitability and liquidity, but asset price corrections remain a key threat

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today its annual risk assessment of the European banking system. The report is accompanied by the publication of the 2021 EU-wide transparency exercise, which provides detailed information, in a comparable and accessible format, for 120 banks across 25 EEA / EU countries. Fears about potential asset quality deterioration have not materialised, except for the sectors most affected by the pandemic. Looking ahead, banks as well as micro and macro prudential authorities need to be prepared in case of a deterioration in the economic outlook or in case inflationary pressure translates into further rising rates.

EBA consults on interest rate risk arising from non-trading book activities

The European Banking Authority (EBA) launched today three consultations specifying technical aspects of the revised framework capturing interest rate risks for banking book (IRRBB) positions. The first on draft Guidelines on IRRBB and credit spread risk arising from non-trading book activities (CSRBB); the second on draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on the IRRBB standardised approach; and the third on draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on the IRRBB supervisory outlier test. The consultations run until 4 April 2022.

The ESAs renew their Board of Appeal

The three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) – the EBA, EIOPA and ESMA announced today the new composition of their Board of Appeal. The new members and alternates take up their positions as of today, 1 December 2021.

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