ECB Annual Report on supervisory activities

Since 2016 the <strong>ECB</strong> has published
extensive data on the European
banking sector
The <strong>ECB</strong> produces regular supervisory statistics, key risk indicators, reports and
dashboards for end-users. Additionally, aggregated banking data 51 covering
significant institutions at the highest level of consolidation have been published on
the <strong>ECB</strong>’s banking supervision website since 2015. In 2016 these data were
extensively enhanced in terms of additional statistics and more in-depth breakdowns
(e.g. by geography and bank classification); public disclosure is also now quarterly
(see also Section 7).
Data handling and dissemination within the SSM – IMAS
The IMAS system continues to be a crucial element in supporting central SSM
processes and ensuring a harmonised supervisory approach across all euro area
countries. In 2016 IMAS significantly evolved not only by covering SSM supervisory
processes such as the SREP, on-site inspections, operational planning and
authorisation procedures more widely, but also by making its interface more userfriendly,
reinforcing the capacity for information analysis and generally enriching the
contents available.
With regard to the functioning of IMAS, the <strong>ECB</strong> maintains <strong>Report</strong>ing Instructions
(e.g. on the transmission and quality of ITS data, usage of the database and how to
search for specific information) and provides technical support to end-users.
Box 3
Efforts towards more transparency
Since the <strong>ECB</strong> took over its new supervisory tasks it has faced questions as to whether it is
sufficiently transparent and accountable. Transparency implies delivering a clear and timely
explanation of the <strong>ECB</strong>’s policy decisions and procedures; accountability refers to the <strong>ECB</strong>’s
responsibility for its actions vis-à-vis EU citizens and their elected representatives. Transparency
provides the public with the means to assess the <strong>ECB</strong>’s performance against its objectives. For this
reason, in 2016 greater efforts towards increasing the transparency of <strong>ECB</strong> Banking Supervision
were made.
<strong>ECB</strong> Banking Supervision has been increasingly engaged in communicating with the general public:
on 23 March 2016, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board held the first annual press
conference, explaining how the <strong>ECB</strong> carried out its supervisory activities in 2015. Moreover, <strong>ECB</strong>
Banking Supervision published the SREP methodology booklet, disclosing its supervisory
approach. Policy messages were conveyed through 42 speeches and 18 interviews given by the
Chair, Vice-Chair and <strong>ECB</strong> Representatives of the Supervisory Board and published on the <strong>ECB</strong>’s
banking supervision website. In 2016, the Chair’s and Vice-Chair’s meetings calendars were
regularly disclosed, and <strong>ECB</strong> Banking Supervision provided information and sought feedback from
lawmakers and the general public in the context of:
• 7 public consultations launched;
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See “European banking sector in figures”. Please also refer to SSM Banking Statistics.
<strong>ECB</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on supervisory activities 2016 − Organisational set-up of <strong>ECB</strong> Banking
Supervision 63