EUROPA

Summaries of EU legislation

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Financial services: general framework

The integration of financial markets means that capital can be allocated more efficiently and makes for better long term economic performance. The European Union has established a legislative framework geared to strengthening the financial services sector, in particular in order to improve the performance of financial operators and boost liquidity, competition and financial stability.
European policy on financial services shares some concerns with that on the free movement of capital when it comes to facilitating, and improving the security of, financial activity. Such issues stem in particular from the cross border character of this activity, but also from the massive growth in services based on new technologies.
Financial services policy covers three main sectors: the banking system, insurance and securities. Apart from laying down rules for operators and investors (banks, insurance and securities), the Union also intends to give greater protection to consumers in specific areas such as retail financial services.

• Financial crisis and taxation of the financial sector
  • Financial transaction tax
  • Taxation of the financial sector
  • Framework for crisis management in the financial sector
  • Reforming the financial system
• Financial supervision
  • European Systemic Risk Board
  • European Banking Authority (EBA)
  • European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA)
  • European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)
  • European financial supervision
• General provisions
  • Community programme to support financial services, financial reporting and auditing (2010-2013)
  • Markets in financial instruments (Proposal)
  • Markets in financial instruments (MiFID) and investment services
  • International accounting standards (IAS)
  • Agreement on the European Economic Area
  • Framework for actionArchives
  • Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP)Archives
  • White Paper on Financial Services Policy (2005-2010)Archives
  • Review of the Lamfalussy processArchives
• Specific provisions
  • OTC derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories
  • Derivatives
  • Packaged retail investment products
  • Investment research and financial analysts
  • World Trade Organisation
  • Financial education
  • The prevention of and fight against organised crime in the financial sector
  • Distance contracts for financial services
  • Corporate and financial malpracticeArchives
• Remuneration policies
  • Remuneration policies in the financial services sector
  • Regime for the remuneration of directors of listed companies
• Financial conglomerates
  • Financial conglomerates
• Institutions for occupational retirement provision
  • Institutions for occupational retirement provision