Finance and Monetary Affairs in the EU

Latest business news about the Financial Policy in the European Union.

An overarching policy and strategy in financial services and financial markets ensures coherence and consistency between the various policy areas, such as banking, insurance, securities and investment funds, financial markets infrastructure, retail financial services and payment systems.

FACT SHEETS

General Information

• Financial Services in the EU - General Policy
• Regulatory Capital in the EU
• Investment Funds in the EU
• Useful Information
• Contacts

Banking

• Banking policy in the EU
• Banking: Key EU directives

LATEST NEWS

Greece a problem for every eurozone member: Juncker — 16 March 2010, 23:37 CET

Every member of the eurozone will have to rise to the occasion in case Greece needs a bailout to emerge from its debt crisis, the head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers said Tuesday.

British row over leaked EU deficit report — 16 March 2010, 23:33 CET

Britain's Labour government came under fire from opposition Conservatives on Tuesday as a leaked European Commission report suggested that the public deficit needs cutting faster than anticipated.

Greek bonds yields fall after credit rating reprieve — 16 March 2010, 23:38 CET

Pressure eased on Greek sovereign bonds on Tuesday after an international credit ratings agency lifted its threat of an imminent downgrade of Greece's debt rating.

EU moves to simplify VAT payments through e-invoices — 16 March 2010, 23:55 CET

European finance ministers on Tuesday agreed in principle to simplify sales tax (VAT) invoicing, particularly online, leading to up to 18 billion euros of savings for businesses.

Main results of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council 16 March 2010 — 16 March 2010, 18:16 CET

The Ecofin Council has adopted conclusions on financial exit, exit strategies for crisis-related measures in labour and product markets, on the financing of climate change and on Europe 2020.

Greece wants details on eurozone aid plan: spokesman — 16 March 2010, 17:46 CET

Greece wants its eurozone partners to provide more details of a potential aid plan for Athens during a European Union summit later this month, a Greek government spokesman said on Tuesday.

Eurozone mess forces hand of economic government — 16 March 2010, 17:48 CET

The mess the eurozone finds itself in, with an unprecedented contingency plan now drawn up to bail out wayward countries like Greece, has forced Europe to sketch out a new form of cross-border economic government.

Franco-German spat fuels EU economic debate — 17 March 2010, 00:01 CET

An economic policy dispute between France and Germany threatens to distract the eurozone as it faces fierce competition from Asian rivals, analysts and German media warned on Tuesday.

EU backs Greece not to need last-resort rescue — 16 March 2010, 23:32 CET

Europe insisted Tuesday that a contingency plan to save Greece from bankruptcy with emergency loans was only prudent foresight and unlikely to be enacted, as Athens pushed for concrete details.

EU pulls hedge fund curbs, amid British opposition — 17 March 2010, 00:00 CET

Plans for European finance ministers to vote through new laws curbing highly speculative investment fund managers were ditched at the last minute on Tuesday amid opposition from Britain, officials said.

Portugal announces mass privatisation to fight rising debt — 16 March 2010, 18:18 CET

Portugal, under strong EU pressure to correct its public finances, announced sweeping privatisation measures affecting its airline, rail transport, postal, energy and paper industries, on Tuesday to fight a rise in debt.

S&P decides against Greek debt downgrade for now — 16 March 2010, 18:05 CET

Standard & Poor's on Tuesday lifted its threat of an immediate downgrade of Greece's debt rating but warned the credit score could fall in the medium term if Athens failed to carry out budget cuts.

EU to cooperate on fighting tax evasion — 17 March 2010, 00:39 CET

At a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council today, finance ministers adopted a draft EU directive on strenghtening mutual assistance between Member States in the recovery of taxes.

EU eyes last-resort Greek rescue scheme — 16 March 2010, 12:34 CET

European finance ministers were on Tuesday poring over last-resort eurozone plans to rescue Greece if necessary with billions of euros in crisis loans at dissuasively high interest rates.

EU hedge fund curbs delayed: presidency — 16 March 2010, 11:47 CET

Plans for European finance ministers to vote on controversial new laws curbing the hedge fund industry on Tuesday were dropped at the last minute, the EU's Spanish presidency says.

Eurozone inflation drop to 0.9 per cent confirmed — 16 March 2010, 11:48 CET

Annual inflation fell slightly in the 16-nation eurozone to 0.9 per cent in February, the first drop since last summer, official figures confirmed on Tuesday.

EU commissioner defends German economy — 16 March 2010, 10:53 CET

European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger weighed in Tuesday in a spat between his country, Germany, and France over the German trade surplus.

Euro nations agree on plan to rescue Greece — 16 March 2010, 10:46 CET

Euro finance ministers on Monday agreed to terms under which they would offer a multi-billion-euro rescue for Greece, whose debt crisis has presented risks for the European single currency.

German neighbours complain about competition — 16 March 2010, 10:52 CET

As European countries seek to emerge from economic crisis, France accused Germany Monday of trying to boost business on the back of Berlin's eurozone partners by squeezing salaries and pushing exports.

German neighbours complain about competition — 16 March 2010, 10:11 CET

As Europe seeks to emerge from economic crisis, France accused Germany Monday of trying to boost trade at the expense of Berlin's eurozone partners by squeezing salaries and pushing exports.

EU, US agree to work together on derivatives markets — 16 March 2010, 10:52 CET

EU and US officials agreed Monday to work together to improve the transparency of derivatives markets, favoured by speculators, after Washington warned Brussels against over-regulating hedge funds.

Eurozone crisis calls for joint efforts: analysts — 16 March 2010, 10:51 CET

A growing dispute between France and Germany threatens to split the eurozone even as it endures a historic crisis, but analysts say only cooperation between the old rivals can help heal Europe.

Polish economy to grow 2.75 pct in 2010: IMF — 16 March 2010, 10:50 CET

Poland, the only member of the 27-nation European Union to have enjoyed growth in 2009, should see its economy expand by 2.75 per cent this year and 3.25 per cent in 2011, the IMF said on Monday.

Germany defends export model from criticism — 16 March 2010, 10:49 CET

Germany and France clashed over the German export juggernaut on Monday as Paris accused Berlin of squeezing salaries to boost its trade surplus at the expense of eurozone partners.

Berlin takes aim at fiscal laggards as EU seeks Greek bailout deal — 15 March 2010, 23:38 CET

The German government said Monday that countries which fail to keep their finances in order should be kicked out of the eurozone, as EU ministers prepared to discuss a rescue package for debt-laden Greece.