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

January 2019

Market infrastructure and payments

Decision on the selection of Eurosystem Single Market Infrastructure Gateway service providers

On 23 January 2019 the Governing Council adopted Decision ECB/2019/2 on the selection of Eurosystem Single Market Infrastructure Gateway (ESMIG) network service providers. This legal act sets out the selection and awarding conditions for granting a concession. It also mandates the Banca d’Italia to conduct the procedure on behalf of the Eurosystem. The Decision is available on the ECB’s website.

Advice on legislation

ECB Opinion on the organisation of the functioning of the central register of bank accounts and financial transactions in Belgium

On 14 December 2018 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2018/57 at the request of the Belgian Ministry of Finance.

ECB Opinion on macroprudential tools in Spain

On 21 December 2018 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2018/58 at the request of the Banco de España, on behalf of the Spanish State Secretary for Economy and Business Support.

ECB Opinion on the legal framework for covered bonds in Estonia

On 3 January 2019 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2019/1 at the request of the Estonian Ministry of Finance.

ECB Opinion on the Central Bank of Malta’s supervision of credit reference agencies and its oversight of payment services in Malta

On 21 January 2019 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2019/2 at the request of the Central Bank of Malta.

Corporate governance

Multilateral agreement on the information exchange between the ECB and the anti-money laundering authorities of the EEA Member States

On 9 January 2019 the Governing Council approved the entry of the ECB into a multilateral agreement on the practical modalities for the exchange of information between the ECB and the competent anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) authorities of EEA Member States. The agreement was signed by the ECB on 10 January 2019 and will be published on the ECB’s website.

Single Code of Conduct for high-level officials

The single Code of Conduct for all ECB decision-makers and high-level officials, which was endorsed by the Governing Council in December 2018, entered into force on 1 January 2019. The new code takes into account the ECB’s specificities as a central bank, a banking supervisor and an EU institution. It is the latest measure undertaken by the ECB to further strengthen and refine its good governance and integrity frameworks and responds to requests from the European Parliament and recommendations of the European Ombudsman. The previous Codes of Conduct for the members of the Governing Council, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board have been repealed. The Code of Conduct for high-level ECB Officials was published on the ECB’s website on 16 January 2019.

Banking supervision

Appointment of temporary administrators

On 1 January 2019 the Governing Council did not object to the proposal by the Supervisory Board to appoint three temporary administrators and a three-member surveillance committee to take charge of Banca Carige and replace its Board of Directors.

Guide to assessment of licence applications

On 3 January 2019 the Governing Council did not object to the proposal by the Supervisory Board to publish a consolidated Guide to assessments of licence applications. The Guide is available on the ECB’s banking supervision website.

Recommendation of the European Central Bank on dividend distribution policies

On 7 January 2019 the Governing Council did not object to the proposal by the Supervisory Board to adopt Recommendation ECB/2019/1 on dividend distribution policies. The Recommendation is available on the ECB’s banking supervision website.