The current overhang of NPLs in Europe is not exceptional in a historical perspective. However, despite the wealth of experience in NPL resolution accumulated after earlier crisis episodes, resolving Europe’s NPL problem continues to be a thorny issue. Difficulties reflect the chronic nature of the NPL malaise this time round but also the widely differing perceptions about the upside that NPLs may still present. For these reasons, NPL stocks are unlikely to decline fast and the costs of delayed action continue to accumulate. A number of promising resolution schemes – involving specialised asset management companies, specialised servicers, and/or securitisations – have been put forward. To be effective, these schemes will require hard policy choices to be made.
The Banking Union: a Panacea for Eastern Europe?
This Q&A Section starts with the evolution of Multinational Banking in Europe and discusses the effectiveness of the actual regulatory framework in favouring the transition to the Banking Union in Europe. What are the main challenges ahead, and is the three-pillar strategy sufficient to favour the implementation of the single banking market?