The ECB’s Future Agenda: Resilience, Sustainability, and Digital Innovation

ECB’s Supervisory Priorities for 2024-2026: A Vision by Dr. Thomas Gstädtner

In the esteemed eff European Finance Forum, Dr. Thomas Gstädtner, Head of Division, DG Micro-Prudential Supervision II at the European Central Bank (ECB), took the stage to elaborate on “The supervisory priorities of the ECB for 2024 to 2026”. With a robust career that spans over a decade at Deutsche Bank in London and a significant tenure at the ECB overseeing major French banks and Commerzbank, Gstädtner’s insights carry substantial weight in the financial sector. His role also extends to leading the coordination team for supervising all major French banks, demonstrating his pivotal role in shaping banking oversight in Europe.

Before embarking on his journey with the ECB, Gstädtner’s career was rooted in legal, tax, and HR roles in an asset management company in Munich, further broadening his multifaceted expertise. His academic background in law and business administration from Munich, London, and Saarbrücken, coupled with his legal practice in Germany and solicitorship in England and Wales, provide him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the European banking sector.

Gstädtner’s analysis of the banking landscape reveals a stark observation: “When you speak with rating agencies, they say that there really are no truly European banks.” This comment underscores the fragmented nature of the market and the unmet expectations of a consolidation wave among European banks. He highlights the challenges of cross-border banking services, contrasting the sale of German cars in Spain with offering German banking services.

Dr. Gstädtner’s roadmap for the ECB’s supervisory efforts from 2024 to 2026 presents a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the resilience, sustainability, and digital agility of the European banking system. His vision underscores the necessity of addressing immediate risks while preparing for the challenges of the future, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of banking supervision in Europe.