European Securities and Markets Authority
Agency overview | |
---|---|
Formed | 1 January 2011 |
Preceding | |
Jurisdiction | European Union |
Headquarters | Paris, France |
Agency executives |
|
Key document | |
Website |
esma |
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is a European Union financial regulatory institution and European Supervisory Authority,[1] located in Paris.
ESMA replaced the Committee of European Securities Regulators (CESR) on 1 January 2011. It is one of the three new European Supervisory Authorities set up within the European System of Financial Supervisors.
Overview
ESMA works in the field of securities legislation and regulation to improve the functioning of financial markets in Europe, strengthening investor protection and cooperation between national competent authorities.
The idea behind ESMA is to establish a "EU-wide financial markets watchdog". One of its main tasks is to regulate credit rating agencies. In 2010 credit rating agencies were criticized for the lack of transparency in their assessments and for a possible conflict of interest.[2] At the same time, the impact of the assigned ratings became significant not only for companies and banks, but also for states.
Notes
- ↑ "EUROPA – Press Releases – A turning point for the European financial sector". Europa.eu. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ↑ "EU plans new financial regulator for rating agencies". BBC News. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
External links
- European Securities And Markets Authority (official website)
- Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority)
- Larosière report