Los grandes banqueros piden a la UE flexibilizar la regulación para crecer más

Eleven of Europe's largest banks have called for the EU to relax regulations in order to stimulate growth and bolster the economy. In a letter addressed to the presidents of their main institutions, the CEOs of the 11 major European banks have requested measures to enhance the sector's ability to finance the economy. The letter, sent this Thursday to EU authorities, is signed by Ana Botín (Santander), George Elhedery (HSBC), Sergio Ermotti (UBS), Olivier Gavalda (Crédit Agricole), Slawomir Krupa (Société Générale), Jean Lemierre (BNP Paribas), Nicolas Namias (BPCE), Steven van Rijswijk (ING), Christian Sewing (Deutsche Bank), C.S. Venkatakrishnan (Barclays), and Bill Winters (Standard Chartered).

In line with these requests, the sector is asking Europe to advance on two main fronts: halting the increase in capital requirements and streamlining the regulatory environment. Given that the EU banks' ability to absorb losses is at historic highs—2.5 trillion euros and rising—there is a need to curb the growing wave of capital and supervisory requirements.

The banks urge an immediate and temporary moratorium on additional increases, whether regulatory or supervisory, until long-term reforms are implemented, allowing the banks to allocate capital generation towards financing Europe instead of retaining it. The entities also call for simplification to be a permanent objective, not a temporary solution.

Europe must focus unwaveringly on what truly protects stability and have the discipline to eliminate what does not. Supervisors should have the secondary obligation to consider competitiveness and growth; deeply ingrained risk aversion should be questioned. European companies must be able to grow and compete globally on equal terms, the letter states.