Events

27Nov
2008

The Credit Crunch and Late Payments: Policy perspectives to looming recession

Published in 
Seminars
Thursday, 27 November, 2008 - 12:30 to 15:00
CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies 1 Place du Congrès / Congresplein 1000 Brussels

One major concern in the aftermath of the financial crisis is the damage caused to the businesses, in particular to the SME sector which is the most important source of growth and employment creation in the EU. The weakening of SME finances will not only be caused by bank financing shortage but also by the cash flow damage from payment delays on outstanding invoices. What can policy makers do to mitigate this problem?

05Nov
2008

PSD and SEPA. Designing the Way Forward for European Payments

Published in 
Seminars
Wednesday, 5 November, 2008 - 12:15 to 17:15
CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies 1 Place du Congrès / Congresplein 1000 Brussels

The Payment Services Directive (PSD) was published in late 2007, constituting the legal basis for the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). The industry initiative launched on 28 January 2008 is aiming at replacing fragmented national markets for payment services with one integrated system.

16Oct
2008

Good Practices of Consumer Protection in Financial Services

Published in 
Workshops
Thursday, 16 October, 2008 - 12:15 to 16:45
CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies 1 Place du Congrès / Congresplein 1000 Brussels

The World Bank is a major driver of good practices in consumer protection in financial services. It has prepared an initial set of good practices in financial consumer protection as a diagnostic tool for identifying priorities for future reform in financial consumer protection.

15Sep
2008

Over-Indebtedness in Europe. Defining Measures and Designing Policy Responses

Published in 
Seminars
Monday, 15 September, 2008 - 08:45 to 12:00
CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies 1 Place du Congrès / Congresplein 1000 Brussels

The provision of increasing amounts of new and innovative financial products as well as the expansion of access to credit and financial services is expected to prove beneficial to European consumers. However, the lack of financial education and literacy paired with insufficient information and advice may cause consumers to take unreasonable transaction decisions, potentially leading to financial difficulties and over-indebtedness.

07Feb
2008

Integration of Retail Banking in Europe: New Technologies. New Opportunities?

Published in 
Workshops
Thursday, 7 February, 2008 - 09:00
CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies 1 Place du Congrès / Congresplein 1000 Brussels

New technologies change retail banking. For consumers such technologies allow the conduct of financial transactions regardless of location and time. For banks, information technologies improve productivity as well as revenues.

16Oct
2007

Harmonisation of Credit Reporting Systems in Europe

Published in 
Roundtables
Tuesday, 16 October, 2007 - 09:00
CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies 1 Place du Congrès / Congresplein 1000 Brussels

Credit reporting - the collection of financial information on households and companies - is crucial for the sound functioning of credit markets in Europe.However, credit reporting systems and information collections are still not harmonised.

08May
2007

Financial Exclusion and Over-Indebtedness

Published in 
Workshops
Tuesday, 8 May, 2007 - 08:00 to 18:00
CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies 1 Place du Congrès / Congresplein 1000 Brussels

Throughout Europe, more and more households are financing their purchases with credit. This development has led to worries that it might result in over-commitment of consumers (over-indebtedness) and cause a rise in the number of households in financial difficulties.

21Nov
2006

Latest Developments of European Household Indebtedness

Published in 
Roundtables
Tuesday, 21 November, 2006 - 10:00
CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies 1 Place du Congrès / Congresplein 1000 Brussels

Household indebtedness is rising all over Europe and especially fast in the new EU member countries. The household debt-to-assets ratio for the Euro area has reached historical levels with 33 percent in 2004 (European Central Bank, June 2006). Indebtedness continues to increase from already historical levels.

27Jun
2006

Consumer Financial Capability

Published in 
Workshops
Tuesday, 27 June, 2006 - 09:00
CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies 1 Place du Congrès / Congresplein 1000 Brussels

In a market place with increasing variety and complexity of financial products, the consumer's information and education are essential. Empowered European consumers will be able to better compare products and to make better informed financial choices.

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