Banking on Europe

The IMF has published a new policy paper on banking supervision in Europe as part of its Staff Discussion Note series. The paper, titled "A Banking Union for the Euro Area," argues that a union is the logical conclusion of the idea that integrated banking systems require integrated prudential oversight.

The case for a banking union for the euro area is both immediate and longer term. 

Moving responsibility for potential financial support and bank supervision to a shared level can reduce fragmentation of financial markets, stem deposit flight, and weaken the vicious loop of rising sovereign and bank borrowing costs. In steady state, a single framework should bring a uniformly high standard of confidence and oversight, reduce national distortions, and mitigate the buildup of concentrated risk that compromises systemic stability. "Time is of the essence," the paper argues.

Read an article in IMF Survey magazine