EBA and ESMA publish guidelines on suitability assessment for management body members and key function holders

On 26 September 2017, the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published their joint Guidelines to assess the suitability of members of management bodies and key function holders. These Guidelines aim to harmonise and improve suitability assessments within EU financial sectors, and to ensure sound governance arrangements in financial institutions in line with the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD IV) and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II). The Guidelines highlight the importance for institutions to consider whether candidates have the knowledge, qualification and skills necessary to safeguard proper and prudent management of the institution. The Guidelines also foster more diverse management bodies and, therefore, contribute to improved risk oversight and resilience of institutions.