Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Financial stability is a cornerstone of the EU’s economic resilience, especially in an era marked by significant geopolitical uncertainty, heightened market volatility, and structural changes. Recent events, such as energy market disruptions, geo-military tensions, trade wars, and financial market turmoil, have demonstrated the urgent need to address emerging risks and vulnerabilities before they escalate into systemic crises.

A well-functioning and fully integrated Capital Markets Union (CMU) is critical for both the stability and future growth of the EU. While deeper market integration can enhance investment flows and economic resilience, your Rapporteur believes that it is at least equally important to balance these benefits with adequate safeguards to mitigate potential risks. He highlights the importance of moving forward with reforms along the lines of those proposed in the Draghi and Letta reports to ensure that the EU’s capital markets are competitive but also stable.

The draft report also identifies several macro-financial risks, including rising sovereign debt levels, exposure to external shocks, and vulnerabilities in the non-bank financial intermediation (NBFI) sector. High asset valuations, the growing influence of decentralised finance, and the risks posed by margining practices are all factors that require careful regulatory attention. In addressing these concerns, your Rapporteur stresses the need for robust crisis preparedness mechanisms to safeguard the EU’s financial system.

Finally, it is crucial that financial supervision across the EU be enhanced to reflect the increasingly complex and interconnected global financial environment. Effective coordination between macro-prudential supervisors, access to granular data, and an ability to respond quickly to emerging risks are fundamental for safeguarding financial stability. Your rapporteur also highlights the need for stronger cooperation with international financial bodies to manage cross-border risks and ensure a coordinated response to financial instability.