A Banking Union for the Euro Area

IMF Staff Discussion Note SDN/13/01

Koeva Brooks, Petya and Mahmood Pradhan, eds., 2015, "The Mechanics of A Strong Euro Area: IMF Policy Analysis," IMF, Washington, DC.

31 Pages Posted: 22 May 2019

See all articles by Rishi Goyal

Rishi Goyal

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Petya Koeva Brooks

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Research Department

Mahmood Pradhan

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Thierry Tressel

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Research Department

Giovanni Dell'Ariccia

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Research Department; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Ross B. Leckow

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Ceyla Pazarbasioglu

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - International Capital Markets Department

Date Written: February 13, 2013

Abstract

A banking union—a single supervisory-regulatory framework, resolution mechanism, and safety net—for the euro area 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.

Progress is required on all elements. A single supervisory mechanism (SSM) must ultimately supervise all banks, with clarity on duties, powers and accountability, and adequate resources. But without common resolution and safety nets and credible backstops, an SSM alone will do little to weaken vicious sovereign-bank links; they are necessary also to limit conflicts of interest between national authorities and the SSM. A single resolution authority, with clear ex ante burden-sharing mechanisms, must have strong powers to close or restructure banks and be required to intervene well ahead of insolvency. A common resolution/insurance fund, sized to resolve some small to medium bank failures, with access to common backstops for systemic situations, would add credibility and facilitate limited industry funding.

The challenge for policymakers is to stem the crisis while ensuring that actions dovetail seamlessly into the future steady state. Hence, agreeing at the outset on the elements, modalities, and resources for a banking union can help avoid the pitfalls of a piecemeal approach and an outcome that is worse than at the start. The December 2012 European Council agreement on an SSM centered at the European Central Bank (ECB) is an important step, but raises challenges that should not be underestimated. Meanwhile, to delink weak sovereigns from future residual banking sector risks, it will be important to undertake as soon as possible direct recapitalization of frail domestically systemic banks by the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). Failing, non-systemic banks should be wound down at least cost, and frail, domestically systemic banks should be resuscitated by shareholders, creditors, the sovereign, and the ESM.

A banking union is necessary for the euro area, but accommodating the concerns of non-euro area European Union (EU) countries will augur well for consistency with the EU single market.

Keywords: Banking Union, Single Supervisory Mechanism, Direct Recapitalization, European Stabilization Mechanism, Resolution, Deposit Insurance, Common Backstops

JEL Classification: E40, F36, G21, G28

Suggested Citation

Goyal, Rishi and Koeva, Petya and Pradhan, Mahmood and Tressel, Thierry and Dell'Ariccia, Giovanni and Leckow, Ross B. and Pazarbasioglu, Ceyla, A Banking Union for the Euro Area (February 13, 2013). IMF Staff Discussion Note SDN/13/01, Koeva Brooks, Petya and Mahmood Pradhan, eds., 2015, "The Mechanics of A Strong Euro Area: IMF Policy Analysis," IMF, Washington, DC., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3376148 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3376148

Rishi Goyal (Contact Author)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) ( email )

700 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20431
United States

Petya Koeva

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Research Department ( email )

700 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20431
United States

Mahmood Pradhan

International Monetary Fund (IMF) ( email )

700 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20431
United States

Thierry Tressel

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Research Department ( email )

700 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20431
United States

Giovanni Dell'Ariccia

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Research Department ( email )

700 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20431
United States
202-623-8135 (Phone)
202-623-4352 (Fax)

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Ross B. Leckow

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Ceyla Pazarbasioglu

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - International Capital Markets Department ( email )

700 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20431
United States
202-623-5967 (Phone)
202-589-5967 (Fax)

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