European Supervisory Authorities on Risk in EU Financial Systems

The bi-annual report of the Joint Committee (JC) of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) – i.e. the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) – has identified a number of risks to financial stability in the EU. These risks include uncertainties in global emerging market economies, an intensified search for yield in a protracted low interest rate environment, prolonged weak economic growth in an environment marked by high indebtedness and the risks related to conduct of business and Information Technologies (IT). Subsequent to the last report in spring 2014, the instant report focuses on the delicate economic recovery within the EU that can be observed in weak balance sheets both in private and public spheres. Presently favourable market conditions may conceal shortcomings in a weak economic environment and the ESAs consider high indebtedness and low private sector credit growth to be particularly testing and they place emphasis on continued structural reforms that drive improvements in competitiveness and revive lending.

On the one hand, the report explains that ongoing asset quality reviews and stress tests in the banking and insurance sector will present a clearer picture of asset quality and help improve the reliability of balance sheets of EU financial institutions. However, on the other hand, the report emphasises that ongoing balance sheet repair and debt restructuring should remain a key priority in moving forward.