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5/5/2020

Joint U.S.- EU Financial Regulatory Forum Joint Statement

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Press Center

Joint U.S.- EU Financial Regulatory Forum Joint Statement
7/25/2016
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. and EU participants in the Joint Financial Regulatory Forum (“Forum”) met on July 18 and 19, 2016 in Washington, D.C. to exchange views on financial
regulatory developments as part of their ongoing dialogue previously characterized as the U.S.-EU Financial Markets Regulatory Dialogue.
U.S. participants included staff of the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury), including the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), and independent regulatory agencies, including the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Each U.S. participant discussed and expressed positions on
issues in its respective areas of responsibility.
EU participants included representatives of the European Commission, the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), and the Single
Resolution Board (SRB).
This was the first meeting of the Forum since the U.S. Treasury and the European Commission decided on enhancements to the dialogue. Jacob J. Lew, Secretary of the Treasury, and
Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, joined the meeting at its outset
to deliver opening remarks welcoming the understanding on the new Forum.
Issues Discussed by the Forum
Banking
Participants took stock of bank capital and liquidity issues, including legislative and rulemaking plans for the net stable funding ratio and the leverage ratio. Participants exchanged
views on the upcoming steps in finalizing the international regulatory reform agenda in banking, and its potential impact on the overall capital and liquidity requirements across the
banking sector.
Bank Resolution
Participants noted the continued progress made to date on cross-border bank resolution and reaffirmed the deep cooperation between the European Commission, EBA, SRB, FDIC,
Federal Reserve, and Treasury on technical aspects of resolution. The relevant U.S. and EU participants provided an update on U.S. rulemaking and EU legislative proposals for their
respective domestic implementation of the Financial Stability Board’s international minimum standard on total loss absorbing capacity (TLAC). They look forward to more in-depth
discussions on potential cross-border implementation approaches.
Central Counterparty (CCP) Resolution
Participants exchanged views on CCP resolution to understand respective approaches and to identify potential cross-border considerations in advance. Discussions covered various
issues, including those under discussion in international workstreams.
OTC Derivatives
EU and CFTC participants discussed the importance of engaging in discussions regarding the equivalence of U.S. swaps trading platforms under the EU’s Markets in Financial
Instruments framework. In response to concerns expressed by CFTC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, and U.S. Treasury participants regarding the delay in the EU to issue implementing rules
requiring margin for uncleared derivatives beyond the international deadline of September 1, 2016, the EU participants indicated that the relevant technical standards will be issued as
soon as possible.
Fund Issues
ESMA reported that it is issuing its advice to the European Commission regarding the extension of the EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) passport to U.S.
fund managers. Participants noted recent useful exchanges to help clarify the effect of the Volcker Rule on foreign private funds. Participants committed to continue discussions to
review outstanding concerns, with a view to finding solutions as soon as possible.
Insurance
The European Commission and Treasury welcomed the continuation of negotiations for a covered agreement on prudential insurance and re-insurance matters between the United
States and the EU. Both sides expressed support for completing negotiations in a timely manner.
Audit
The PCAOB and European Commission participants acknowledged the progress being made on transatlantic cooperation in audit oversight that has already produced an arrangement
on joint inspections, including certain forms of reliance, and a commitment to avoid unnecessary duplication of work. Participants took note of ongoing efforts to more clearly define
approaches to cooperation, including the prospect of further degrees of reliance in the future to the extent justified. The participants also welcomed the European Commission’s renewal
of the Adequacy Decision for a longer term, thus bringing greater stability to this cooperation.
Data Protection

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5/5/2020

Joint U.S.- EU Financial Regulatory Forum Joint Statement

Following on constructive discussions in recent months, participants expressed support for continuing data transfers between Europe and the United States for regulatory, supervisory
and enforcement purposes in the context of a changing data protection landscape. Authorities’ need for timely and complete access to information is critical, among other things, for
regulatory oversight and for the effective investigation and prosecution of misconduct. Both sides acknowledged the importance of continuing these discussions.
G-20 Financial Regulatory Reforms
Participants highlighted their support for G-20 efforts to build a stronger and more resilient financial system, and their continued desire to work with other G-20 members to finalize the
remaining core elements of the financial regulatory reform agenda. Given recent financial market volatility, both sides emphasized the importance of implementing the G-20 financial
regulatory reforms.
The next Forum meeting will take place in Brussels in February 2017.

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