Has the global harmonisation of banking regulation led to an overly universal approach? International and EU policy-makers should consider introducing less complex regulations for small, low-risk institutions.
Western Europe
Latest articles from Germany
Germany sticks to the script
July 1, 2015Many German banks had their fingers badly burnt in the financial crisis, having disastrously expanded into areas such as Spanish real estate and global shipping. As a result, the country's private banks, sparkassen and landesbanken have largely reverted to type, happy with unspectacular but predictable growth in an oversaturated domestic market.
Commerzbank's old hand with a fresh outlook
July 1, 2015Commerzbank corporates and markets chief Michael Reuther has nearly 30 years of banking experience, yet his appetite for innovation still burns strongly, as his work to 'industrialise' the German lender's investment bank shows.
Germany takes bold step into inflation market
July 1, 2015The German government chose a period of heightened eurozone bond volatility to issue its first 30-year inflation-linked bund, but exceeded expectations in what was an unfamiliar market.
Germany shares responsibility for Greek failure
February 6, 2015With Greece and Germany at stand off since the former elected the anti-austerity Syriza party to power, Brian Caplen looks at the actions of the Germans and the European Commission that led to this situation.
The fundamental rules for new regulation
October 1, 2014For new regulation to be effective, it must be adaptable to new innovations, strike the balance between simplicity and complexity, and be coherent across sectors and regions, according to Andreas Dombret of the Deutsche Bundesbank.
Good timing sees Talanx through choppy waters
September 1, 2014German insurer Talanx closed its longest ever bond issue in a very narrow window of opportunity as market volatility intensified in July. Joanne Hart reports.
Reforms bring challenges for Germany’s public banking pillar
July 1, 2014Caught up in European regulation, Germany’s public banks are trying to adapt to new challenges. Across all three banking pillars in the country, financial institutions are particularly struggling with increased competition in retail banking and low profitability.
Commerzbank seeks to hit 2016 targets
July 1, 2014Commerzbank has had a difficult few years, but with a vigorous cost reduction programme helping the bank meet some of its 2016 strategy targets early, those within the bank have high hopes that the German lender has turned a corner.
European IFCs compete for renminbi issuance
June 2, 2014International finance centres in Europe are battling it out to become the leading destination for offshore renminbi issuers, with both Frankfurt and Luxembourg registering successes on this front in recent months.