As in every modern economy financial markets have a crucial role to play in the EU. Banks and insurance companies, for instance, are essential when it comes to the provision and allocation of scarce capital and thus have a decisive impact on productivity and growth in our economy.

The European Union is pursuing its goal to "establish a single market" (Art. 2 EC Treaty) also in the area of financial services.

This declared goal along with the establishment of the European Monetary Union, both stimulated an ever closer intertwining of financial markets in the EU.

Therefore, financial services are increasingly being regulated by the European Union. Not only abstract subjects - such as the stability of financial markets or the supervision of banks - are affected by regulatory measures, but also business transactions with private customers - such as the acquisition of insurance policies or investment funds - are now subject to regulation.

New:

• Criminal Sanctions for Insider Dealing and Market Manipulation: Proposal for a Directive COM(2011) 654

2011:

• Financial Transaction Tax: Proposal for a Directive COM(2011) 594
• Capital Requirements (Basel III): Proposal for a Regulation COM(2011) 452, Proposal for a Directive COM(2011) 453
• Insurance Guarantee Schemes: White Paper COM(2010) 370
• Mortgage Loans: Proposal for a Directive COM(2011) 142
• Omnibus II: Proposal for a Directive COM(2011) 8
• Future Audit Policy: Green Paper COM(2010) 561

2010:

• Resolution of Financial Institutions: Communication COM(2010) 579
• OTC Derivatives: Proposal for a Regulation COM(2010) 484
• Deposit guarantee schemes: Proposal for a Directive COM(2010) 368
• Credit Rating Agencies: Proposal for a Regulation COM(2010) 289
• Prospectus Directive: Proposal for a Directive COM(2009) 491
• European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, ESMA and EIOPA): Proposal for a Regulation COM (2009) 501, 502, 503

2009:

• European Systemic Risk Board: Proposal for a Regulation COM(2009) 499
• Derivatives Regulation: Communication COM(2009) 563
• Completing SEPA: a Roadmap for 2009-2012: Communication COM(2009) 471
• Revised Capital Requirements for Banks (Basel II): Proposal for a Directive COM(2009) 362
• European Financial Supervision: Communication COM(2009) 252
• Remuneration Policies in the Financial Service Sector: Recommodation C(2009) 3159
• Alternative Investment Funds: Proposal for a Directive COM(2009) 207
• Investment Products for small investors: Communication COM(2009) 204
• Financial Supervisory Committees: Proposal for a Decision COM(2009) 14

  
2008:

• Credit Rating Agencies: Proposal for a Regulation COM(2008) 704
• Capital requirements for banks: Proposal for a Directive COM(2008) 602
• Cross-Border Payment: Proposal for a Regulation COM(2008) 640
• Deposit guarantee schemes: Proposal for a Directive COM(2008) 661 
• Electronic money: Proposal for a Directive COM(2008) 627 

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2008:

• European framework for the financial crisis: Communication COM(2008) 706 (in German only)
• UCITS-investment funds: Proposal for a Directive COM(2008) 458 (in German only)
  
• Europe's financial system: Communication COM(2008) 122 (in German only)
• A common European approach to sovereign wealth funds: Communication COM(2008) 115 (in German only)

 
2007:

• Investments by venture capital funds: Communication COM(2007) 853 (in German only)
• Mortgage credit markets: White Paper COM(2007) 807 (in German only)
• Solvency II: Proposal for a Directive COM(2007) 361 (in German only)

• Financial services policy: White Paper COM(2005) 629 inventory (in German only)

Here you will be directed to an overview of our policy briefs