EBA launches consultation to revise its Guidelines on internal governance

The European Banking Authority (EBA) launched today a public consultation to revise its Guidelines on internal governance This review takes into account the amendments introduced by the fifth Capital Requirements Directive (CRD V)  and the Investment Firms Directive (IFD) in relation to credit institutions’ sound and effective governance arrangements. The consultation runs until 31 October 2020.

Combating money laundering and terrorist financing is crucial for maintaining stability and integrity in the financial system. Therefore, uncovering any involvement of credit institutions and investment firms in money laundering and terrorist financing can have an impact on the viability and trust in the financial system. In this context, these Guidelines clarify that identifying, managing and mitigating money laundering and financing of terrorism risk is part of sound internal governance arrangements and credit institutions’ risk management framework.

These draft Guidelines further specify and reinforce the framework regarding loans to members of the management body and their related parties. Those loans may constitute a specific source of actual or potential conflict of interest and, therefore, specific requirements have been explicitly included in the Directive 2013/36/EU (CRD). In the same way, other transactions with members of the management body and their related parties have the potential to create conflicts of interest and, therefore, the EBA is providing guidance on how to properly manage them.

Finally, in line with the requirement to have a gender-neutral remuneration policy, the consultation paper contains new guidance on the code of conduct to ensure that credit institutions take all necessary measures to avoid discrimination and guarantee equal opportunities to staff of all genders.

Consultation process

The EBA invites comments solely on the amendments to the EBA Guidelines on Internal Governance as shown in the tracked changes version. Comments to this consultation can be sent to the EBA by clicking on the "send your comments" button on the consultation page. Please note that the deadline for the submission of comments is 31 October 2020.

A public hearing will take place via conference call on 1 October 2020 from 14: 00 to 16:00. All contributions received will be published following the end of the consultation, unless requested otherwise.

Legal basis and next steps

These draft Guidelines have been developed on the basis of Article 74 of Directive 2013/36/EU, which mandates the EBA to further harmonise credit institutions’ governance arrangements, processes and mechanisms across the EU.

The EBA Guidelines will apply to Competent Authorities across the EU, as well as to credit institutions on a solo and consolidated basis. Once the revised Guidelines will enter into force, the 2017 Guidelines will be repealed.