Jean-Claude Trichet: The integration of the single market for financial
services - the Eurosystem perspective
Keynote speech by Mr Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, at the CESR
Conference "Europe's single market in financial services: under construction or fully integrated", Paris,
6 December 2004.
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Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to be here at the first Committee of European Securities Regulators' (CESR)
conference with such a distinguished audience. This is certainly the right place to address our
common objective of fully developing a "European single market".
The process of financial integration is a very challenging and complex endeavour which results from
the effective interplay between public and private action. Public authorities, both national and
European, do play an important role in ensuring that basic conditions are in place for market
participants to expand their cross-border activities. These conditions include an adequate framework
of regulation, supervision and financial stability. Whereas public action is necessary, the concrete
realisation of financial integration rests eventually on the initiatives of market participants to exploit the
opportunities offered by the institutional framework.
In this context, we can assert that significant progress has been achieved in the pursuit of financial
integration in Europe so far but the final goal of a single financial market has not been fully achieved
yet: On the side of market participants a fully fledged pan-European dimension of market activities
remains to be achieved. On the side of public authorities the basic components of the institutional
framework are already in place, but they need time before fully producing the desirable results.
I would like to focus my contribution on the integration of the European securities markets,
emphasising the priorities for further public action from a Eurosystem perspective.
The interest of the Eurosystem in the integration of securities markets
The Eurosystem has a clear interest in the integration of securities markets. First of all, an efficient and
well-integrated financial system is crucial for the smooth transmission of monetary policy in the euro
area. Securities market is a particularly relevant area, since the Eurosystem's monetary policy
operations need to be fully collateralised. The harmonisation of national laws and practices in the field
of securities - which is one important element to further integration in the securities markets -
enhances the effectiveness of the Eurosystem's collateral policy.
Second, the Eurosystem's monetary policy operations also rely heavily on the smooth delivery of
securities. Securities settlement systems should ensure that such a smooth delivery both at a national
level and on a cross-border basis. At the same time, safety and soundness of securities clearing and
settlement systems is equally important from a central banking perspective. In this regard, I want to
mention the recently published standards on securities clearing and settlement systems, which have
been jointly developed by the ESCB and the CESR. These standards provide a benchmark for
regulators, supervisors and overseers to adapt their practices to a commonly accepted approach in
the field of securities settlement. I would recall that such standards are based on the current market
situation and legal framework, which is not harmonised at the EU level. Should a Directive on clearing
and settlement be finally adopted at the EU level, it is clear that the standards would have to be
assessed for their conformity with the provisions of the Directive and, if necessary, amended
accordingly.
Third, the Eurosystem's interest also stems from the relationship between integration of securities
markets with financial stability. Central banks have a natural role in this area, confirmed by the Treaty,
which states that the Eurosystem should contribute to the smooth conduct of policies relating to the
stability of the financial system. An important task of the Eurosystem in this respect is the systematic
monitoring of sources of vulnerabilities for the euro area financial system and the assessment of its
degree of resilience to potential shocks. In this context, I would like to announce that the ECB will start
publishing the output of this activity in the form of a financial stability review, with the first issue already
scheduled to be published on 15 December. Another task of the ECB in this area is the provision of
advice on draft Community and national legislation in the financial field either through formal opinions
or through its participation in the relevant regulatory (level 2) and supervisory (level 3) committees. In
particular, the ECB follows closely the work of the European Securities Committee (ESC) and the
CESR which play an important role in assisting the Commission in shaping the regulatory framework
in the securities field.
Priorities in the areas of financial regulation and supervision
The level of integration of securities markets, including market infrastructures in both the trading and
post-trading areas, has increased significantly since the introduction of the euro. Given this
substantive progress, it is important that integrated markets develop on the basis of a sound
framework for financial regulation and supervision. The CESR has a crucial role to play in this regard.
First, the completion of the Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP) will provide the "Single European
Securities Market" with a strong impetus. It is however important to note that most of the FSAP
directives in the securities field are designed in line with the Lamfalussy framework. Let me mention in
that context the Market Abuse Directive, the Prospectuses Directive, the Transparency Directive and
the Directive on Markets for Financial Instruments. These directives warrant the adoption of a number
of Level 2 implementing measures by the Commission for their full implementation. The preparation of
technical advice of good quality on the content of Level 2 rules is one of the CESR's main
achievements to date, also under tight deadlines.
In this respect, the message I would like to convey to the CESR is to strive to continue the good
practice of providing timely and good quality technical advice with extensive consultation practices.
The recommendations of the Inter-Institutional Monitoring Group in this context are to be supported.
For instance, as recently requested by the Commission, instead of a more general contribution, CESR
could formulate its advice as close as possible to the content of a Level 2 measure. This will both
facilitate and increase the transparency of the Lamfalussy regulatory process.
As regards the Level 2, I would consider further efforts for optimising the content of this component of
the Lamfalussy framework as of critical importance. In particular, the distinction between Level 1 and
Level 2 legislation, with due consideration of the applicable legislative procedures, could be better
refined. The aim would be to achieve a flexible and consistent set of securities regulations among
Member States, which can further enhance cross-border transactions. The good experience gained so
far with the implementation of the Lamfalussy approach should allow a wider scope for Level 2 than it
has been the case.
Second, the fact that integration has progressed more in the securities field than in other segments of
the financial sector, makes the issue of effectiveness of supervisory convergence particularly relevant.
This implies that Level 3 needs to be further developed with regard to the supervision of securities
markets.
The CESR is providing a contribution in this field by promoting strategic reflections on the key
challenges surrounding supervisory convergence. I am referring to the recently published report by
CESR, commonly called the "Himalaya Report". I understand that these reflections mirror the fact that,
in comparison with other level 3 committees, the CESR has already gained some experience and is a
position to start developing strategic considerations about its future role.
On this issue, I would like to emphasise my conviction of the soundness and potential of the
Lamfalussy framework. This framework provides an appropriate institutional set-up to achieve both a
more flexible regulatory process and consistent supervision for integrated financial markets. This
conviction has been substantially reinforced by the good experience gained so far in the securities
field. Therefore, I have confidence that the extension of the Lamfalussy framework to the banking and
insurance sectors will reveal the same positive experience.
Looking ahead, I believe that one of the main objectives in the context of what is commonly referred to
as "the post-FSAP strategy" is to attempt to exploit to the maximum possible extent the potential which
is inherent in the Lamfalussy framework to improve the regulatory and supervisory process. This is
one of the main challenges for the Level 3 committees but it is also one of the main factors on which
the success of these committees will be measured. I am aware that all the Level 3 committees are
already working hard to meet the challenges posed by the Lamfalussy process.
Therefore, I am in full agreement with the conclusion of CESR in the Himalaya report that the
experience so far is a success and is in the right path. The priority is indeed to implement the existing
and potential supervisory tools within the FSAP and Lamfalussy frameworks. And the objective is and
should be to achieve a good co-ordination among authorities in the implementation and enforcement
of securities regulation across the EU.
In this respect, while acknowledging the limitations of the voluntary nature of Level 3, I would tend to
think that certain "soft" tools, some of those already used by the CESR, may enhance the prospects
for such co-ordination among authorities. First of all, increased transparency of CESR's activities,
including consultation and reporting practices, may also enhance in my view CESR's accountability.
Second, tools such as peer pressure and supervisory disclosure may provide appropriate incentives to
co-ordinated efforts among authorities without changing the nature of the Level 3 Committees. In this
respect, I would be happy to hear more concrete details of the CESR's proposal for a mediation
mechanism of an advisory nature among national regulators. This has the potential to enhance the
dialogue among CESR members on specific supervisory issues, therefore also enhancing their
co-ordination and mutual understanding. This is a good example of instruments to exploit to the
maximum extent the opportunities offered by the Lamfalussy framework.
Priorities in the area of financial stability
After addressing regulation and supervision, let me now turn to the third component of the public policy
framework for financial markets: financial stability.
Indeed, the process of pursuing further financial integration also needs to be accompanied by the
strengthening of the framework for maintaining financial stability. The emergence of pan-European
banking groups and the growing integration of financial markets and market infrastructures increase
the potential scope for systemic risk in the EU. Systemic disturbances are likely not to be confined to
one Member State, thus cross-border contagion may spread more easily.
Many initiatives have been or are being taken at the EU and national level to reinforce the set-up for
maintaining financial stability and managing financial crisis. First, the monitoring of the stability of the
financial system is being further developed. More and more central banks are developing a more
systematic monitoring of the stability of their domestic financial systems. This is reflected also in the
tasks of the Eurosystem which, as I already mentioned, has established a systematic monitoring of the
stability of the euro area financial system. This analysis includes all the relevant components of the
financial system, notably banks, non-bank financial institutions, financial markets and financial
infrastructure and reviews all possible sources of vulnerability for the system. This activity of the
Eurosystem benefits from the monitoring of banking stability in the EU conducted since long by the
Banking Supervision Committee, one of the ESCB committees where central banks and supervisory
agencies are represented. In this connection, I acknowledge that the Level 3 committee in the
insurance field, the CEIOPS, has recently activated a systematic monitoring of the stability of the
insurance sector in the EU very much along the lines of the BSC work. I would thus see merit in the
involvement of CESR in this area by developing a systematic monitoring of developments in financial
markets from a financial stability angle.
Second, additional measures are being considered to strengthen the effectiveness of supervisory
action in a more integrated financial market. For the banking sector let me mention the revised EU
capital requirements framework for banks and investment firms where enhanced responsibilities are
attributed to the consolidating supervisor. Indeed, along with the responsibility of being held
accountable for the approval of sophisticated approaches to calculate capital requirements for the
group as a whole, the consolidated supervisor is also responsible for coordinating activities and
exchanging relevant information in crisis situations. Hence, in my view, the role of the consolidating
supervisor does not undermine but rather underpins the crucial need to reinforce supervisory
cooperation and strengthen the interplay between the home and the host supervisor for the
supervision of groups operating on a cross-border basis. Strengthening of co-operation is critical for
effective prudential supervision of all financial institutions. As to securities supervision - which is the
main domain of CESR - I recognise that the main challenges are related to the fact that the principle of
home country control finds a narrower application and that securities commissions have very different
powers across countries.
Third, in the area of financial crisis management, the main initiatives are in the form of promoting
multilateral or bilateral agreements among the relevant authorities so that they are prepared in case of
a financial crisis with cross-border dimension. The main idea behind these agreements rely on the
assumption that the management of a financial crisis having a cross-border dimension is a complex
endeavour which requires a clear ex-ante understanding of the role and procedural steps for all
authorities involved. Such agreements are expected to be a useful tool helping to a certain extent the
management of a crisis, if it were to happen, though it should be recognised that each crisis has its
own unique features and therefore it is impossible to foresee its dynamics. In this context, I should
mention the MoU agreed in 2003 by the EU central banks and banking supervisors for the
co-operation and exchange of information between them in crisis situations. The MoU - prepared by
the BSC - defines general principles for co-operation and can be used as a basis for more specific
agreements amongst the authorities. More recently, the ECOFIN has agreed that another agreement
should be reached at the EU level between central banks, banking supervisors and Finance Ministries
for the interplay among the three authorities in crisis situations. At a certain stage, I think, the issue
that will have to be addressed would be to also involve other categories of supervisors, in particular
securities and insurance supervisors, given that a crisis of a cross-border dimension may well cover
also financial institutions falling within their competence.
Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me finish by reiterating that the "European single market" is still under construction.
Notwithstanding the significant progress achieved so far, the attainment of an optimal level of
integration requires an effective interplay between market forces, and both collective actions and
public action. Nevertheless, an exclusive and essential responsibility of public authorities remains the
establishment of an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework. Regulatory and supervisory
convergence represent the main elements in this process. Indeed, convergence will only be effective
and produce its intended benefits if both CESR members and market participants can fully rely on a
consistent set of practices across the EU. This constitutes the pre-condition - which has not been
present so far - for workable mutual recognition among authorities and expansion of cross-border
activities by market players.
Thank you very much for your attention.