The European Systemic Risk Board–governance and early experience

Abstract

The European Systemic Risk Board is charged with the macroprudential oversight of the financial system in the European Union. We compare and contrast the ESRB with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, which some scholars proposed as a role model for systemic risk management. There are parallels and some differences between these organisations. Neither institution has direct regulatory power, which could paradoxically be beneficial as it may help preserve their independence and objectivity in the long run. We also review the ESRB’s activities after it started in 2010 and assess the effect of its first public recommendation.