by Neil Esho

I would like to start by thanking the organisers for the invitation to speak at the “TBTF & Financial Stability” Symposium in Zurich. A resilient banking system and financial stability more broadly are largely driven by:

Bank risk management and governance practices; The quantity and quality of capital and liquidity buffers; The effectiveness of bank supervision; and The effectiveness of market discipline.

Continue reading…

For nine years, Risk in Focus has been the trusted resource for internal auditors to shape their risk assessments, annual plans, and audit strategies. The 2025 report reveals a fast-approaching wave of digital disruption, AI advancements, and interconnected risks like never before. Continue reading…

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, will be supporting the European Commission’s objective to simplify and reduce the reporting burden in the financial sector. The ESMA Board of Supervisors discussed in December 2024 how to best contribute to efficient simplification and burden reduction actions, while preserving the main objectives of financial stability, orderly markets and investor protection. Continue reading…

Nearly 20,000 financial promotions were withdrawn or amended in 2024 following intervention from the FCA – nearly double the amount in 2023. The regulator has highlighted concerns with cryptoasset, debt solutions, and claims management company (CMC) promotions. 9,197 CMC promotions were withdrawn in 2024. Many of these promotions were related to housing disrepair and motor finance claims targeted at vulnerable consumers. Continue reading…

Cooperation with countries outside the European Union to fight impunity for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity will be bolstered by a dedicated new project launched today at Eurojust. This should lead to fewer ‘safe havens’ for perpetrators of such core international crimes. The collaboration with civil society organisations (CSOs) and coordination of their efforts can also be strengthened via this four-year National Authorities against Impunity Project (IMPNA). Continue reading…

The Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision (GHOS), the oversight body of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, met on 4 February to endorse the Committee’s work programme and strategic priorities for 2025-26. Continue reading…

In the past month, Rupert Bedell (CEO at Fasthosts) and Georges-Olivier Reymond (Co-founder and Co-CEO at Pasqal), commented on the UK Government AI Opportunities Action Plan. Rupert addresses the critical role data centres play in realising the plan’s ambitions and the importance of embedding sustainability into this infrastructure. Georges-Olivier discusses that, whilst the plan holds promise, it raises concerns about its underlying infrastructure as quantum computing is notably absent from the discussion. You can find the full comments from them below. Continue reading…

The latest Eurobarometer survey on ‘European citizens’ knowledge and attitudes towards science and technology’ released shows more than 8 in 10 citizens (83%) think that the overall influence of science and technology is positive. Two-thirds of respondents (67%) equally agree that science and technology make our lives easier, healthier and more comfortable. Respondents are most likely to think that renewable energies (87%), information and communication technology (79%) and vaccines and combatting infectious diseases (77%) will have a positive effect on our way of life in the next 20 years. Continue reading…

An international investigation spanning several years has led to the arrest of 23 criminals running a sophisticated money laundering scheme. The group acted as a financial service for other criminals to launder their profits. The scheme facilitated the laundering of approximately EUR 100 million. An international coalition of Spanish, Cypriot and German authorities, with support of the French authorities and Eurojust and Europol, was established to dismantle the group. The takedown resulted in the seizure of over EUR 8 million in cash and the freezing of EUR 27 million in cryptocurrencies. Continue reading…

The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) has published its Roadmap 2025-2026, the first under the new IAIS Strategic Plan 2025-2029. The Roadmap outlines the projects and activities the IAIS will undertake in support of its four core objectives – namely to:

Monitor and respond to key risks and trends in the global insurance sector; Set and maintain globally recognised standards for supervision that are effective and proportionate; Support members by sharing good supervisory practices, promoting understanding of supervisory issues and facilitating capacity building; and Assess comprehensive and globally consistent implementation of global standards.

Continue reading…