EBF WEEKLY + FINANCIAL REGULATION AGENDA
For the week starting Monday 3 March 2025

An overview of the main financial regulation and banking stories this week and a look ahead to key events for the upcoming week, brought to you by the European Banking Federation.

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FROM THE MEDIA 

The Banker: Four things we learned from the EU’s plan to simplify sustainable finance

The EBF warned that the narrowing of CSRD’s scope risks increasing “bilateral engagement”, as banks will still need essential data for sound business and risk management, reports the Banker. Read more.

POLITICO: Internal backlash saved EU green finance rules from extinction

A controversial proposal to make EU green investment standards voluntary faced significant internal opposition within the European Commission, leading to its rejection, reports POLITICO. Read more.

Risk.net: AI 'lab' or no, banks triangulate towards a common approach

A survey by Risk.net reveals that banks are adopting varied strategies—centralized, decentralized, or hybrid—for AI research and development, yet are converging on similar applications. Read more.

FINANCIAL REGULATION AGENDA for next week

Monday 3 March

• Bank of England: Effective interest rates (Jan. 2025) – data release

• Mobile World Congress (MWC25)

• Bank of England: Money and Credit (Jan. 2025) – data release

• Council Horizontal Working Party on Cyber Issues

• Council Working Party on Financial Services and the Banking Union (Banking Union)

• ECB: Euro area seasonally adjusted HICP flash estimate (Feb. 2025) – data release

Tuesday 4 March

• BIS: Consolidated banking statistics – data release

• Deutsche Bundesbank: China as global creditor Bundesbank Forum – event

• European Banking Authority ‘Public hearing on Regulatory Technical Standards on the calculation and aggregation of crypto exposure values’ – public hearing

• Council Working Party on Financial Services and the Banking Union (Banking Union)

Wednesday 5 March

• EBF ‘Exploring Basel III/IV: Scenarios for Financial Stability and Growth’ online event – webinar

• Bank of England: UK International Reserves (Feb. 2025) – data release

• Governing Council of the ECB: monetary policy meeting

• EIB Group Forum 2025 – event

• ECB: Euro area bank interest rate statistics (Jan. 2025) – data release

• Council Working Party on Financial Services and the Banking Union (Banking Union)

• Coreper II – meeting

Thursday 6 March

• Deutsche Bundesbank: AI – Hype, facts and possible outcomes Bundesbank Forum – event

• Deutsche Bundesbank: The digital Euro: the money of the future? Bundesbank Forum – event

• Bank of England: Monthly Decision Maker Panel data (Feb. 2025) – data release

• Special European Council – meeting

• Council Working Party on Telecommunications and Information Society

• Council Working Party on Financial Services and the Banking Union (Banking Union)

• ECB: Harmonised Competitiveness Indicators (Feb. 2025) – data release

• Bruegel ‘Prospects for reducing sovereign debt while tackling ongoing crises’ panel discussion

• EY ‘Cybersecurity unveiled: Mastering the basics and securing the future’ Decoding the Digital Future webinar series

Friday 7 March

• Bank of England: External business of Monetary Financial Institutions operating in the UK (2024 Q4) – data release

• Coreper I – meeting

• Council Working Party on Financial Services and the Banking Union (Banking Union)

UPCOMING EBF EVENTS

Exploring Basel III/IV: Scenarios for Financial Stability and Growth - March 5 at 4 PM

The implementation of the Basel III/IV capital reforms has become a political issue while banks are in the final straight. The balance between financial stability and competitiveness has taken over priority at a time when international relationships are being redefined. The US administration is re-evaluating its approach to the reforms, while, the UK has postponed the start of their adoption to 2027. Register to attend here
 

European Money Week - March 18 at 9 AM

FROM EBF

The European Banking Federation welcomes the Omnibus package 

The EBF very much welcomes the Omnibus package published yesterday by the European Commission to streamline and simplify the EU sustainability regulatory framework, which goes hand in hand with the anticipated Clean Industrial Deal. These initiatives are important to boost the competitiveness of European companies and support their transitioning efforts. Read more.

Call for Tender: EU-funded project “Shaping generative AI for a sustainable and fair services economy”

Connect Europe, European Banking Federation and UNI Europa are commencing an EU-funded project “Shaping generative AI for a sustainable and fair services economy”. Read more.

LAUNCH OF THE AML ACADEMY

Florence School of Banking & Finance: Anti-Money Laundering Academy - 7 to 9 of April

The Florence School of Banking & Finance, part of the Robert Schuman Centre at the European University Institute, is launching the Anti-Money Laundering Academy, a specialized training program aimed at financial professionals, regulators, and policymakers. The academy provides in-depth knowledge on financial crime prevention, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Participants will engage in expert-led discussions and case studies to develop effective strategies for combating money laundering and strengthening financial integrity. Read more and register here.

FROM EBF MEMBERS

Luxembourg Bankers' Association: Less is more? Sustainability rules are being simplified

ABBL analyzes how the simplification of sustainability rules can benefit financial institutions and improve transparency. Read more.

Czech Banking Association: Hildová – Teachers Also Need Financial Education

CBA highlights the importance of financial education for teachers, emphasizing their key role in improving financial literacy among students. Read more (CZ).

Association of German Banks: Business Financing Update – February 2025

BdB presents its monthly report on business financing in Germany, analyzing key trends and market insights. Read more (DE).

Finance Latvia: FNA Podcast “Financial Dialogue – On the Essentials” – Taxes and Securities

Finance Latvia releases a new episode of its "Financial Dialogue" podcast, discussing taxes and securities. Read more (LV).

FROM THE INSTITUTIONS

European Central Bank: Monetary developments in the euro area – January 2025

The annual growth rate of broad monetary aggregate M3 rose to 3.6% in January 2025, while loans to households and non-financial corporations grew at 1.3% and 2.0%, respectively. Read more.

Bank for International Settlements: How far can digital innovation improve credit to small firms in emerging market economies?

A BIS bulletin examines how big tech and fintech lenders can enhance SME access to credit in emerging markets, though deep-seated challenges remain. Read more.

ABOUT THE EUROPEAN BANKING FEDERATION
 

The European Banking Federation is the voice of the European banking sector, bringing together national banking associations from across Europe. The federation is committed to a thriving European economy that is underpinned by a stable, secure and inclusive financial ecosystem, and to a flourishing society where financing is available to fund the dreams of citizens, businesses and innovators everywhere. Website: www.ebf.eu

European Banking Federation