EU Commission Adopts Communication on Banking Competitiveness
The European Commission has adopted a Communication outlining measures to enhance the competitiveness of the EU banking sector, focusing on strengthening the Single Market for banking. The initiative aims to reduce fragmentation, improve cross-border operations, and support the sector's role in financing the green and digital transitions.
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Euro area annual inflation rises to 3.3% in August 2026
Eurostat's flash estimate puts euro area annual inflation at 3.3% in August 2026, up from 2.9% in July. Energy prices drove the acceleration, while core inflation remained subdued at 2.1% excluding energy and unprocessed food. The release reflects the EA21 composition following Bulgaria’s entry into the euro area in January 2026.
01 Sep 2026
Eurostat: Euro Area Construction Output Falls 1.3% in June 2026
Eurostat's first estimate shows seasonally adjusted production in construction fell by 1.3% in the euro area and 1.0% in the EU in June 2026, compared with May 2026. On an annual basis, euro area construction output declined by 0.7%, while EU output rose by 0.2%. Among Member States, Romania (+4.9%) and Sweden (+2.0%) recorded the strongest monthly gains, while Slovakia (-4.6%) and Hungary (-3.9%) saw the largest declines.
20 Aug 2026
Euro Area Annual Inflation Rises to 2.9% in July 2026
Eurostat reported that annual inflation in the euro area rose to 2.9% in July 2026, up from 2.8% in June, remaining above the ECB's 2% target. The increase was driven mainly by energy and services prices. For compliance officers, the data signal sustained inflationary pressures that may influence prudential provisioning and stress-testing assumptions.
19 Aug 2026