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Finance Watch

@financewatch.bsky.social
1.1K followers 923 following 328 posts

Finance Watch is an independent non-profit association dedicated to reforming finance in the interest of citizens. www.finance-watch.org

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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 18h
Finance Watch and civil society organisations are sounding the alarm over the dangerous rise of social media scams. EU and national authorities must act now to enforce the Digital Services Act and the principle of safety by design.
finance-watch.org
Joint Letter – Ensuring a safe digital space now: tackling the growth of scams on social media platforms | Finance Watch
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Today, Finance Watch has launched its latest research report on how financial institutions and social media influencers mislead EU retail investors. Read it here: www.finance-watch.org/policy-porta...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
At #SOTEU von der Leyen addressed the pressing challenge of the climate crisis & insurance gap in the face of rising climate costs. Today only around 25% of catastrophe losses in Europe are currently insured! And too often, the bill ends up with households, businesses, and ultimately taxpayers. 1/3
reuters.com
EU to launch climate insurance scheme after summer of extreme weather
The European Union will ‌create a "climate insurance alliance" to increase cover for extreme weather events, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday, as the bloc emerges f...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
EU financial rules in 2026: what does “sustainable” really mean? When you choose an investment fund, pension product or another financial product labelled as sustainable, how can you know what that actually means? 🧵 1/6
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Europe needs more investment. But weakening the capital safeguards strengthened after the 2008 crisis is not the way to deliver it. @bloomberglp.bsky.social warns against "seeking to match the White House’s ambition in courting a banking crisis” in a bid to compete with the US. 1/2
bloomberg.com
Europe’s Banks Shouldn’t Race America Toward a Crisis
If the European Union wants to compete better with America, there’s a long list of policy options it can pursue. Seeking to match the White House’s ambition in courting a banking crisis shouldn’t be a...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
This summer, damage from climate is up to €19 billion! When insurance isn't prepared, that bill lands on taxpayers. We need a 3-tier safety net to better share the risk: 1️⃣ Ordinary insurance 2️⃣ National schemes 3️⃣ EU solidarity for the biggest disasters Read @ibuscke.bsky.social's piece👇
fr.de
Steigende Klimarisiken: Was passiert, wenn Versicherer sich zurückziehen?
Europas Versicherer können die steigenden Schäden durch Naturkatastrophen nicht mehr stemmen. Ein mehrstufiges System soll nun die Risiken zwischen Versicherern, Staaten und der EU verteilen.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Finance is stuck in a political rollercoaster 🎢 💸Govts loosen rules & weaken supervision as credit expands 💥When the financial crisis hits, taxpayers pick up the bill 🏛️This leads to tighter rules & supervisory bodies 🎢 But protections can get delayed or rolled back once memory fades again 1/2
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
More than half of global financial assets are now held outside regular banks. 💼 Finance Watch’s report “Systemic risk from shadow banking” mapped how stress in non-bank finance can spread to banks and the wider economy.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
🌍 The EU needs massive public investment in climate to protect people & economies! Without fiscal firepower at EU level, member states need more room to invest at the national level. Otherwise, intensifying climate impacts will cause more economic damage and even higher deficits in the future.
politico.eu
Europe must spend billions now or face mounting climate disaster costs, EU warns
A nightmare summer of fires, droughts and heatwaves should force governments to invest in climate proofing, says EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Europe is burning & the climate bill is rising while the insurance gap is widening. As fires & droughts intensify, and more losses become too costly to insure, who pays? Right now, the bill is shifted onto households & taxpayers. Without policy action, the insurability crisis will only grow. 1/2
ft.com
European wildfire costs this year have already surpassed €3bn
Economic toll in worst-hit countries exceeds official estimate of costs to bloc in average year, according to FT analysis
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
There's growing pressure in the EU to simplify banking rules. Our position: simpler rules, yes. Weaker safeguards, no. 🎯 Why it matters: strong banks are better able to keep lending to the real economy and absorb shocks without shifting losses to society. 🔗 www.finance-watch.org/policy-porta...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Young people shouldn't have to navigate a digital environment too often designed to manipulate them into buying unsuitable financial products. That's why this #YouthDay, Finance Watch is calling for a safe & fair digital financial marketplace! 1/2
Digital finance should be fair by design
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
🌱 Greener pensions 💶 Keeping cash alive 💳 A digital euro 🏦 Transparent banks ... kinda chic, if you ask us!
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A transition fund should finance a livable future! 🌍 Allowing fossil fuels as ‘transition’ investments would: ❌ Mislead investors ❌ Undermine trust in #SustainableFinance ❌ Delay the clean energy transition That’s why Finance Watch is calling to keep new fossil fuel projects out 👇
finance-watch.org
Europe must keep fossil fuel expansion out of transition funds | Finance Watch
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
📑 EU financial rules in 2026: climate risk Climate change is not only an environmental issue. It's also a financial stability issue. 🧵 1/4
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
From shadow banking to climate risk, the digital euro to AI governance, the Finance Watch team and our members are sharing the latest perspectives on debates shaping the future of finance every day. Well worth a follow! 🔔
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Climate disasters are making more homes & businesses uninsurable. Now, costs are shifted onto households & taxpayers and people risk losing their homes & livelihoods. Breaking this cycle of insurability requires coordinated environmental, prudential, and fiscal reforms 👉 bit.ly/4vZyGE9
politico.eu
Climate change is turning parts of Europe into an insurance nightmare
Frequent, expensive natural disasters are testing Europe’s ability to protect itself against the cost of global warming.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
New #euros are on the way 💶✨ Cash is universal & available to all. But in the digital age, protecting cash isn’t enough. Now, most day-to-day payments in the EU are made without cash. That's why we advocate for universal access to cash & its digital equivalent, the #digitaleuro.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
The European Parliament has adopted its position on the digital euro. 💼 Finance Watch has advocated for free basic use, wide acceptance, easy access and stronger privacy protections. These issues are now part of the debate ahead of trilogue negotiations. 🧵1/2
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
📢 We’re hiring a Grants Administration Intern in Brussels! Want to help finance serve society and the planet? Join Finance Watch and support our Operations & Projects team. 💼 Learn more & apply 👉 www.finance-watch.org/job/job-offe...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
📢 #JobAlert: We're hiring a (Senior) Research & Advocacy Officer – Public Finance! Work on EU fiscal rules, debt sustainability, climate risks, policy research and advocacy. 💼 Join us in Brussels to make finance serve society. Apply now 🔗 www.finance-watch.org/job/senior-r...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
📢 We’re hiring a Head of Operations & Finance in Brussels. Oversee finance, HR, grants, governance, compliance, IT, and internal operations. Send your CV & motivation letter to 📩 recruitment@finance-watch.org. Subject: Head of Operations & Finance - Vacancy www.finance-watch.org/job/job-offe...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
🚨 Traditional risk models are leaving the financial system driving blind. In our new report, Finance Watch proposes a science-based macroprudential buffer to protect banks from climate chaos and radical uncertainty. Read the full report: www.finance-watch.org/policy-porta... #safetransition
finance-watch.org
Report – Towards a climate-resilient banking sector | Finance Watch
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
If only financial crises came with #heatwave alerts... 🥵 Extreme weather disrupts businesses, damages infrastructure, drives up insurance losses and puts pressure on the economy. The climate is changing. So should financial regulation!
6 tips to survive the next heatwave
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Last month, a small but historic win: member states can spend an extra 0.3% GDP on an ‘energy buffer’. It shows that: 🩵 Fiscal rules are political choices 🩵 If Europe can find fiscal space for #defence, it can do so for energy security, climate resilience, and ending our dependence on fossil fuels!
ft.com
EU to relax budget rules to allow energy spending
Proposed buffer would help governments offset higher costs triggered by Iran war without breaching deficit limits
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Alongside civil society including @triodosuk.bsky.social, @febeaethicalfin.bsky.social, & @germanwatch.bsky.social, we affirm that #simplification must not mean lower capital requirements, weaker buffers or a rollback of the safeguards introduced after the 2008 financial crisis. Read the letter 👇
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
A historic step for Europe's monetary sovereignty! 🇪🇺 💶 The @europarl.europa.eu backed the #DigitalEuro, bringing public money into the digital age & reducing Europe’s dependence on foreign payment giants. That makes Europe’s payments more inclusive, sovereign & resilient.
euractiv.com
‘A historic day’: European Parliament backs digital euro | Euractiv
Supporters say scheme is crucial to reduce Europe's dependence on US payment providers
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
🎉 Thank you to everyone who joined us for #FWConference2026! 15 years after Finance Watch was founded in the wake of the global financial crisis, the conversations in Brussels demonstrated that the need for robust, forward-looking financial regulation remains as important as ever.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Our secretary general @ibuscke.bsky.social joins commissioner for financial services and the savings & investments union Maria Luís Albuquerque for a fireside chat during the #FWConference2026 at the national bank of Belgium.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
During our panel session, Verena Ross from ESMA, MEP Jonás Fernández from @socialistsanddemocrats.eu & Rebecca Christie from @bruegel.org debate the topic of financial resilience in uncertain times. #FWConference2026
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Géraldine Thiry, director at the National Bank of Belgium, addresses the debate around simplification during her speech: "We must recast the conversation as one of robustness over fragility." #FWConference2026
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Our secretary general @ibuscke.bsky.social just opened Finance Watch’s 15th anniversary conference at the National Bank of Belgium to discuss the future of financial regulation in uncertain times. She asserts that "resilient banks are a life insurance for our way of life." #FWConference2026
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
📣 TODAY: Finance Watch is kicking off its 15th anniversary conference at the National Bank of Belgium. We'll talk about how the EU can ensure that its financial system supports European long-term objectives. Stay tuned for the sharpest insights & most memorable quotes as the conversations unfold!
Financial resilience in uncertain times
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
🌍 🚨 Big banks like JP Morgan are increasingly concerned about the irreversible impacts of #ClimateChange... yet they’re still financing fossil fuel expansion! That’s why regulators must step in to make sure banks capture the scale of climate disruption & stop fueling a climate financial crisis.
Misleading climate risk forecasts give financial markets a false sense of security
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
100+ members. 20+ European countries. One shared goal: making finance serve society. 📑 Finance Watch’s 2025 Annual Report reflects both the work we do and the network that makes it possible. 🔗 Discover the full report 👇 www.finance-watch.org/blog/finance...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Trust in the #DigitalEuro requires clear information on its design. That’s why public debate matters. Online payments work like today’s. Offline payments keep transaction details private. Cash stays. The digital euro adds choice, not replacement. Learn more 👉 www.finance-watch.org/blog/the-dig...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Gen Zifying the digital euro wasn’t on our bingo card, but here we are! 🫡 The #DigitalEuro could let people across the eurozone pay electronically with greater accessibility, control & peace of mind. Learn more about what the digital euro could change (or not) 👉 bit.ly/49Uj7Fs
Euro entering its digital glow up era
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
A level playing field for US & EU banks would mean *higher capital requirements* for Europe. 👀 That's right! There is no systemic evidence that EU banks have too much capital & the US too little. Nor is there evidence that lower requirements are what allow US banks to invest more in innovation.
fr.de
Bankenlobby fordert gelockerte Kapitalvorschriften – EZB widerspricht
Die EU überprüft ihre Bankenregeln. Die Lobby verspricht 1,7 Billionen Euro mehr Kredite. Doch das Versprechen ist falsch.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
How can financial regulation support EU strategic autonomy in an unstable world?🏦 Join Finance Watch for its 15th anniversary high-level conference in Brussels! 📅 10 June | 17:00 - 19:00 (followed by a networking reception) Programme & registration👇 www.finance-watch.org/event/confer...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Digital payments are routine across Europe. But they don’t work equally for everyone. The #DigitalEuro could add another payment option alongside cash and existing services, making payments more accessible. 🔗 Read more in our blog: www.finance-watch.org/blog/the-dig...
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The @ec.europa.eu is rewriting EU banking rules. 🏦💶 In a new Euractiv op-ed, Finance Watch reflects on Europe’s banking rules, why they were introduced, and the arguments defining reform now.
euractiv.com
Who still believes in the post-2008 financial crisis banking reforms? | Euractiv
18 years on from the largest financial crisis in living memory, the prudential lessons are being lost
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Reposted by Finance Watch
Green Central Banking @greencb.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Europe’s ambitious sustainable finance legislation risks becoming a greenwashing loophole due to fragmented enforcement and a lack of oversight, undermining the green transition and misallocating capital, says @axelle-vw.bsky.social . 
greencb.co
Europe’s green finance rules need teeth to be enforceable
Strong oversight and real sanctions are needed to avoid derailing the transition and keep the market fair and reliable, says Axelle Van Wynsberghe of Finance Watch.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Why is everyone suddenly talking about #PrivateCredit? 👀 Since 2008, the new model has exploded in size, but without the same rules, transparency, or safety buffers that banks have. A 🧵 on what’s actually inside these funds and why they pose a risk to the global financial system… 1/3
Why the exponential growth of private credit is a looming threat.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Conference: How should financial regulation evolve to support Europe’s strategic objectives? 🏛️ Book your seat now to hear from an exceptional line up of leading policymakers and experts. 🗓️ 10 June | Brussels 🔗 Registration: www.finance-watch.org/event/confer... #15yearsOfFinanceWatch
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
The EU needs its own digital cash to ensure Europeans remain in control of their financial future. That's why Finance Watch backs the #DigitalEuro! 💶 As @pnorwood.bsky.social states: "Cash is a public good. That is what the digital euro is meant to preserve in the digital age."
euronews.com
Why is Europe's break from Visa and Mastercard facing resistance?
The digital euro could arrive by 2029 — but a bitter battle between Brussels and the banks stands in the way.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Much of finance today consists of non-bank financial institutions (or #NBFIs) constantly lending to each other & banks - but regulation hasn't caught up. That’s why we need: 🏦 Stronger EU supervision of NBFIs 🔍 Better tools for systemically important NBFIs 🌡️ System-wide stress tests to locate risk
Shadow banking poses a risk to global financial stability.
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
In 2026, financial stability means looking at the whole system, not just the banks. 👀 Today, #NBFIs manage over half of global financial assets, yet regulation still focuses too narrowly on banks. If risk has moved, regulation needs to move with it! Read our new report:
finance-watch.org
Report – Systemic risk from shadow banking | Finance Watch
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
📣 This #MayDay, protecting workers starts with *preventing* financial crises, not just responding to them. To ensure that financial regulation is the first line of defense for workers, Finance Watch is calling for safeguards like higher capital requirements, and limits on excessive risk-taking!
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Non-bank financial institutions #NBFIs now manage over 51% of global financial assets, yet rules haven't kept up. ⏰ The assumption that risk can be redistributed to the non-bank sector & absorbed is false. Stress is transmitted through many connections with the wider system when confidence falters.
finance-watch.org
Banks are only part of the story. Where is the risk in today’s financial system? | Finance Watch
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Finance Watch @financewatch.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Most electronic payments today rely on private money. With key votes on the #DigitalEuro coming up in the European Parliament, a public alternative could change how everyday payments work. What’s at stake.👇
How does the money you use every day actually work when you pay? Public money explainedWhen you're paying digitally, you're using private moneyIf access depends on private providers, it's not guaranteed for everyone
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