A study program in  Brussels and  Washington,  DC

August 29 -  September 2, 2011

Since the onset of the financial crisis big steps have been taken on both sides of the  Atlantic to reform regulation of financial markets. Aimed at fixing the weaknesses in the financial system, new guidelines have been introduced to reduce moral hazard, promote financial stability and protect taxpayers.

The US and  Europe have both adopted strong reform agendas and continue to work together to promote financial stability at a global level. Prominent examples of reform are the landmark Dodd-Frank Act in the  US and the creation of three new European Supervisory Authorities as well as the European Systemic Risk Board in EU. They reflect the prominence given to institutional reform and protection of the taxpayer by both the  US and  Europe, on top of stricter capital and liquidity requirements.

The ongoing changes to the regulatory and supervisory landscape are the focus of a new APEP study program in  Brussels and Washington  DC, which will take place August 29-  September 2, 2011. Our aim is to put together a senior-level delegation of policymakers, executives, regulators, financial experts and politicians, which will be led by Klaas Knot, Director of Financial Markets and Deputy Treasurer General at the Ministry of Finance as well as Professor of Money and Banking at the University of Groningen. Three Members of the Tweede Kamer have already confirmed their participation.

The program will offer an intensive agenda of face-to-face meetings with key players in  Brussels and  Washington and provide an excellent networking opportunity. Its main themes are:

§       The creation or strengthening of supervisory bodies for banks, insurers, pension funds and the financial markets;

§       Re-regulation of the financial sector: corporate governance, capital requirements, guidelines for hedge funds and derivatives, etc.;

§       Crisis management and resolution: bailout funds, too-big-to-fail debate, legal framework.

Naturally, the program will offer a great opportunity to compare the European and American approaches and discuss the international dimension of regulatory reform (coordination or competition?).

Participants are expected to make their own way to  Brussels, where the program will begin in the afternoon of Monday, August 29. The program ends in  Washington in the evening of Friday, September 2, with arrival in  Amsterdam the next day. 

Please find a tentative program overview here, and a registration form here.

For further information please contact Robin Doeswijk, robin.doeswijk(at)apep.nl / 010-411 45 88