Euro-Area Banking At the Crossroads

Author/Editor:

Agnes A Belaisch ; Joaquim Vieira Ferreira Levy ; Laura E. Kodres ; Angel J. Ubide

Publication Date:

March 1, 2001

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper analyses the process of disintermediation, the progress in consolidation, the impact of new technologies, and the role of ownership and control structures for the euro area banking sector. The impact of these trends on competition policy, "too big to fail" concerns, and financial stability is investigated. In this setting, the paper endorses stronger cross-border coordination among supervisory authorities but notes that more formal cross-border arrangements through supranational agencies seem, at this stage, premature. However, an increased capacity to perform centralized market surveillance, building on domestic supervisory information, is needed to ensure the efficiency and stability of euro-area financial markets.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2001/028

Subject:

Bank credit Banking Commercial banks Cooperative banks Credit Financial institutions Loans Money National accounts Personal income

English

Publication Date:

March 1, 2001

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451844665/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0282001

Pages:

75

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