Luis de Guindos: Deepening financial integration to support Europe’s prosperity Keynote speech by Mr Luis de Guindos, Vice-President of the European Central Bank, at the joint conference of the European Commission and the European Central Bank “European Financial Integration…
26″, Frankfurt am Main, 7 May 2026. It is an honour to speak to you today on a topic that lies at the core of Europe’s economic resilience and future growth: financial integration
In an era of geopolitical fragmentation, technological change and economic uncertainty, ensuring that the European Union’s financial system is robust and competitive is not just an economic imperative – it is a strategic necessity. With a well-integrated financial system, the EU can weather external shocks, foster sustainable growth and strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive global landscape, while also allowing businesses to access capital more easily, facilitating cross-border investment and providing Europeans with better financial products and services. In short, financial integration is crucial to the prosperity, stability and competitiveness of the Economic and Monetary Union.
The savings and investments union is at the heart of this vision, reflecting the essence of the EU project itself: unity, cooperation and shared prosperity. Today, I would like to begin by taking stock of the progress that has been made in financial integration, before highlighting the reforms – particularly of market integration and supervision – that are now within our reach. I will then outline how we can simplify and strengthen our regulatory framework to support a truly competitive and resilient European financial system.