Since 2021, you have hosted the EFI (European Financial Integration) conference in Frankfurt. Why did you choose the financial centre and how important is the connection to the regulators and businesses there?
Frankfurt has long had an important role as one of Europe’s principal financial centres. Known for its dynamic business environment, it has served as a hub for numerous financial institutions, including the European Central Bank and several other major banks. By convening in Frankfurt, the EFI conference leverages this ecosystem to facilitate meaningful interactions between industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, all while highlighting the importance of European financial integration.
In 2017, AFME established its own office in Frankfurt as a base for our outreach activities in Germany. Being situated in Frankfurt allows us to maintain and develop strong relationships and appropriately represent our members in this important financial centre.
With the recent announcement of Frankfurt as the new host city of the EU Anti Money Laundering Authority and Frankfurt’s overall proximity to key regulators and industry stakeholders, we believe significant value is added to the conference and this proximity fosters insightful discussions and enables deeper collaboration between policymakers, regulators, and businesses, ultimately enhancing the efficacy of financial integration initiatives.
What is the focus of the EFI conference and could you give an overview of the goals and mission of the AFME conference?
For the last few years, AFME and OMFIF’s EFI conference has served as a platform for influential policy-makers, regulators and business leaders to convene and deliberate on issues pertaining to financial integration within Europe. The primary goals of the EFI conference are to facilitate constructive dialogue, share best practices, and drive forward initiatives aimed at deepening European capital markets. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the conference aims to foster collaboration, identify challenges, and explore opportunities to enhance the efficiency, stability, and resilience of Europe’s financial system.
AFME represents a broad array of participants in Europe’s wholesale financial markets, which means that the conference also has a distinct focus on the capital markets landscape within Europe. Hence, the goals and mission of the conference is to promote stable, competitive and sustainable capital markets, advocate for balanced regulation that supports market liquidity and efficiency, and facilitate the development of deep and liquid capital markets across Europe.
How will geopolitical and economic developments shape the financial markets of the future? What does this mean for the work of the AFME?
This year’s conference is set against the background of persistent political and economic challenges and a crucial phase in the process leading to the EU institutional changeover and definition of the main priorities for the new policy and legislative cycle. Recent economic developments, such as changes in monetary and fiscal policy, inflation and rising interest rates, have had profound implications for financial markets. Further to this, technological advancements, including the proliferation of fintech innovations, digitalisation of financial services, and the rise of cryptocurrencies, are also reshaping the financial landscape.
Our recent report on the role of capital markets in Germany shows that a more mature and developed capital market is required in order to finance the energy transition. The German government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Germany by at least 65% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, under the Climate Protection Act. As it currently stands, there is an annual funding gap of EUR 175 billion needed to achieve the German government’s ambitious climate targets and there is increasing acknowledgement with respect to the role strong capital markets can, and need to play in the German financial system.
At AFME, these significant developments continue to underscore the necessity of our work – to promote fair, orderly, and efficient markets across Europe. We will continue to advocate for the development of deep and liquid capital markets that can withstand external shocks and support economic growth. In light of this, our engagement with policymakers and regulators will continue to focus on enhancing market stability, deepening market liquidity, as well as fostering collaboration among market participants to address cybersecurity threats, and promoting initiatives that support market transparency, liquidity, and investor confidence.