AE. whereas the EU banking sector remains highly concentrated: 14 European banking groups are SIFIs, and 15 European banks own 43 % of the market (in terms of asset size) and represent 150 % of EU-27 GDP, with individual Member States citing even higher ratios; whereas the ratio of bank size to GDP has tripled since 2000; whereas the ratio of bank size to GDP has quadrupled in Luxembourg, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Great Britain; whereas there is a huge degree of diversity in the European banking sector, both in terms of size and business model;

AE. whereas the EU banking sector remains highly concentrated: 14 European banking groups are SIFIs, and 15 European banks own 43 % of the market (in terms of asset size) and represent 150 % of EU-27 GDP, with individual Member States citing even higher ratios; whereas the ratio of bank size to GDP has tripled since 2000; whereas the ratio of bank size to GDP has quadrupled in Luxembourg, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Great Britain; whereas there is a huge degree of diversity in the European banking sector, both in terms of size and business model;

Where local banking conditions allow for it, imprest related bank accounts opened with financial institutions located outside the Union shall be regularly subject to a competitive survey.

19. Notes that the main types of quantifiable errors detected on project payments were the following: (a) accuracy: calculation errors; (b) occurrence: absence of invoices or other supporting documents for services rendered or goods supplied; (c) eligibility: expenditure incurred outside the implementation period or related to items not foreseen in the contract, undue payment of VAT or non-application of mandatory penalties; notes that the non-quantifiable errors mainly concerned noncompliance with applicable rules on bank guarantees and incorrect calculations of the reimbursement of advances from contractors; notes, however, the rem ...[+++]ark of the Commission which pointed out that all the errors in calculating the reimbursement of advances were rectified before the end of the contract; despite this, calls on the Commission to enhance ex-ante controls to prevent this type of error and possible losses due to non-compliance with the bank guarantee rules;

19. Notes that the main types of quantifiable errors detected on project payments were the following: (a) accuracy : calculation errors; (b) occurrence : absence of invoices or other supporting documents for services rendered or goods supplied; (c) eligibility : expenditure incurred outside the implementation period or related to items not foreseen in the contract, undue payment of VAT or non-application of mandatory penalties; notes that the non-quantifiable errors mainly concerned noncompliance with applicable rules on bank guarantees and incorrect calculations of the reimbursement of advances from contractors; notes, however, the ...[+++]remark of the Commission which pointed out that all the errors in calculating the reimbursement of advances were rectified before the end of the contract; despite this, calls on the Commission to enhance ex-ante controls to prevent this type of error and possible losses as a result of non-compliance with the bank guarantee rules;

Curiously, many of those from the extreme left who reject the agreement, on the grounds that it violates the confidentiality of personal data, are the same people who, in their countries of origin, argue for the end of bank secrecy and the release of all bank details.