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Decisions taken by the Governing Council of the ECB (in addition to decisions setting interest rates)

January 2016

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Market operations

Annual review of acceptable non-regulated markets and issuers classified as agencies in haircut category II

On 18 December 2015 the Governing Council reviewed the list of acceptable non-regulated markets for assets eligible as collateral for Eurosystem monetary policy operations. Accordingly, it decided to accept the Alternext Lisbon and the Alternext Paris as acceptable non-regulated markets. The updated list of acceptable non-regulated markets is available on the ECB’s website. Furthermore, the Governing Council reviewed the list of issuers classified as agencies in haircut category II. Accordingly, it decided to add Bpifrance Financement SA and Agence Française de Développement to the list, and to remove Société de financement de l’économie française (SFEF) from the list. The updated list of issuers classified as agencies in haircut category II is available on the ECB’s website.

Further clarification of acceptance criteria for credit rating agencies

On 30 December 2015 the Governing Council decided to clarify the acceptance criteria for External Credit Assessment Institutions (credit rating agencies) in the Eurosystem Credit Assessment Framework. It decided to publish minimum coverage requirements in terms of rated assets, rated issuers and rated volume diversified across the asset classes that are eligible as collateral in monetary policy operations and across euro area countries. The detailed requirements are available on the ECB’s website and will be included in a forthcoming update of Guideline ECB/2014/60 on the implementation of the Eurosystem monetary policy framework.

ECB contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation on covered bonds in the European Union

On 18 January 2016 the Governing Council approved the ECB’s reply to the European Commission’s public consultation on covered bonds in the European Union, in particular on how to achieve a more integrated European covered bond market. The reply will be shortly made available on the ECB’s website.

Advice on legislation

ECB Opinion on discharge of mortgage-backed debts through transfer of title over immovable property in Romania

On 18 December 2015 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2015/56 on its own initiative.

ECB Opinion on certain amendments to Banka Slovenije’s institutional framework

On 18 December 2015 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2015/57 at the request of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.

ECB Opinion on balance of payments and cross-border provision of services reporting in Austria

On 23 December 2015 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2015/58 at the request of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank.

ECB Opinion on a tax for certain financial institutions in Poland

On 12 January 2016 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2016/1 at the request of the Polish Parliament.

ECB Opinion on supervision of activities of cash handlers and imposition of administrative measures and penalties in Lithuania

On 20 January 2016 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2016/2 at the request of the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance.

ECB Opinion on the deposit guarantee scheme in Greece

On 21 January 2016 the Governing Council adopted the Opinion CON/2016/3 at the request of the Minister of Finance of the Hellenic Republic.

Statistics

ECB Decision on non-compliance with statistical reporting requirements

On 18 December 2015 the Governing Council adopted Decision ECB/2015/50 amending Decision ECB/2010/10 on non-compliance with statistical reporting requirements in order to align Decision ECB/2010/10 with amendments made to Regulation ECB/2013/33 and Regulation ECB/2013/34, and in order to reflect the reporting requirements set out in Regulation ECB/2013/38, Regulation ECB/2013/40 and Regulation ECB/2013/39 in Decision ECB/2010/10. Decision ECB/2015/50 will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and made available on the ECB’s website.

Corporate governance

ECB Decision on the framework for joint Eurosystem procurement

On 23 December 2015 the Governing Council adopted Decision ECB/2015/51 amending Decision ECB/2008/17 laying down the framework for joint Eurosystem procurement. The Decision widens the ability to participate in tender procedures managed by the Eurosystem Procurement Coordination Office (EPCO) beyond ESCB central banks. Upon invitation by the Governing Council, (i) national authorities of Member States, (ii) Union Institutions and bodies, and (iii) international organisations will also be able to participate in EPCO procedures under similar conditions and for fulfilling needs common to those of the central banks. In addition, the updated legal act implements the introduction of a financial envelope concept that streamlines budgetary procedures. The Decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union and is available on the ECB’s website.

Banking Supervision

SSM supervisory priorities 2016

On 22 December 2015 the Governing Council approved the publication of the SSM supervisory priorities 2016 that will guide ECB Banking Supervision in its work for the next twelve months.

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