CEBS ADOPTS ITS PEER REVIEW MECHANISM

15 October 2007

The Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) is publishing today the Protocol and Methodology for a peer review mechanism. A group dedicated to conducting peer reviews – the Review Panel - is being set up and CEBS is now implementing ‘peer review’ as a powerful tool for convergence.

As set out in the rules and related procedures, the Review Panel is mandated to assess the degree of convergence reached by CEBS members in the implementation of a given supervisory provision or practice. To do so, CEBS relies on self-assessments conducted by its members against clear and objective implementation criteria, and independent reviews conducted by the Review Panel. Consistent with the so-called ‘comply or explain’ approach, should a member have not implemented a given supervisory provision or practice, then it will have to explain why.

The credibility and the effectiveness of the mechanism are assured by the independence of the Review Panel, by a clear and objective methodology, and by the transparency of the process.

CEBS has benefited from the experience of CESR when designing its mechanism. The protocol and methodology is published under: standards


Press contact:
Ms. Efstathia Bouli
Tel: +44 20 7382 1780
efstathia.bouli@c-ebs.org
www.c-ebs.org

Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) is comprised of high level representatives from the banking supervisory authorities and central banks of the European Union. CEBS main tasks are to advise the Commission in the field of banking activities, to contribute to the consistent implementation of Community Directives and to the convergence of supervisory practices and to enhance supervisory co-operation. The Committee is chaired by Ms Kerstin af Jochnick. The CEBS Secretariat is based in London. The Secretary General of the Committee is Mr. Arnoud Vossen.