The EBA's work programme for 2026 focuses on three main priorities: developing an effective regulatory framework, enhancing risk analysis capabilities, and improving technological capacities for stakeholders. It includes activities such as policy development, supervisory convergence, and financial stability analysis. This document serves as a guide for regulatory and supervisory authorities within the framework of…
The document "EBA Work Programme 2026" is a report published by the European Banking Authority (EBA) in 2025. It presents the EBA's work programme for the year 2026, within the framework of the Single Programming Document (SPD) 2026-2028. The scope covers regulatory activities, supervision, risk analysis, technological innovation, and consumer protection in the European banking and financial sector, including new responsibilities related to DORA, MiCA, and EMIR. The document is based on recent European legislative developments and co-legislators' priorities, with particular attention to simplification and efficiency of the regulatory and supervisory framework.
The EBA's 2026 work programme sets priorities and activities for the year, consistent with the SPD 2026-2028. The main focus is the continued development and implementation of the Single Rulebook, improving risk analysis capabilities, and strengthening supervisory and oversight functions related to new responsibilities (DORA, MiCA, EMIR). These priorities address resilience, efficiency, and innovation challenges in the European financial single market. Key findings include: the need for simplification and better efficiency of the regulatory framework, increased importance of convergence of supervisory practices, and integration of emerging risks related to technology and geopolitics. The EBA plans to intensify work on reducing reporting costs, supervising critical third parties, validating initial margin models, and monitoring crypto-assets. Recommendations call for adopting a more proportionate and simplified approach, strengthening ex post convergence, and developing technological capabilities, notably in artificial intelligence. The programme details 269 deliverables divided into seven main activities, with precise allocation of human and financial resources. The document also highlights the need for close coordination with national and European authorities, as well as flexibility to adjust the programme according to regulatory and economic developments (p. 4-25).
This document was drafted to define the EBA's priorities and activities in 2026, in accordance with its legal mandate and European regulatory developments. It responds to the need to adapt the regulatory and supervisory framework to current challenges, notably the integration of new responsibilities related to DORA (critical ICT third parties), MiCA (crypto-assets), and EMIR (initial margin models). The context is marked by geopolitical risks, rapid technological transformations, and increased expectations regarding simplification and efficiency of the prudential framework. The objective is to ensure an efficient, resilient, and sustainable European financial single market, while strengthening convergence of supervisory practices and integrating technological innovations. The scope covers all EBA activities, including regulatory policy, convergence, risk analysis, supervision, data management, governance, and operations. The document also specifies limitations related to resource availability and priorities set by the Board of Supervisors (p. 1-5).
Priority 1 – Single Rulebook:
- The EBA aims to develop a unique, simple, efficient, and proportionate regulatory framework, fostering a resilient and sustainable financial single market.
- Simplification and efficiency are central, with a methodology for assessing the materiality of level 2 and 3 mandates, and a targeted revision of rules on credit, governance, ESG risks, and supervisory processes (p. 5-8).
- The programme includes finalizing mandates related to the Banking Package (CRR3, CRD6), notably on credit risk, operational risk, governance, and capital requirements.
- The EBA is also preparing implementation of new rules on third-country branches, crisis management (BRRD, DGSD), and revision of the securitization framework.
- Supervisory convergence will be strengthened, with a refocus towards ex post convergence, via peer reviews, independence assessments, and monitoring of IRRBB and liquidity risks (p. 8-9, 28-33).
Priority 2 – Risk Assessment and Supervision:
- The EBA will develop its risk analysis capabilities, notably by preparing the 2027 European stress test, integrating climate risks and the non-bank financial sector (NBFI).
- Risk analysis will consider geopolitical tensions, cyber and ICT risks, and economic vulnerabilities (p. 9-11).
- The EBA will exercise its new supervisory and oversight functions:
- DORA: joint supervision of critical ICT third-party providers, with inspections and thematic assessments.
- MiCA: supervision of significant crypto-asset issuers.
- EMIR: centralized validation of initial margin models (IMM) (p. 21-22).
- Data management will be optimized through integration of reporting, a 25% reduction in reporting costs, and development of a common data dictionary and IT tools (EUCLID, DPM Studio) (p. 11-13, 22-23).
Priority 3 – Innovation and Consumer Protection:
- The EBA will continue monitoring financial innovations, focusing on artificial intelligence, crypto-assets, DLT technology, and evolving value chains.
- It will lead the European Forum of Innovation Facilitators (EFIF) and support the Digital Finance Academy.
- The EBA will contribute to implementing the AI Act in banking and payments sectors, assessing AI-related risks and cooperating with supervisory authorities (p. 12-13).
- On consumer protection, the EBA will address issues of excessive indebtedness, de-risking, and financial education, assessing compliance with European directives and publishing retail risk indicators and payment fraud data (p. 13-14).
Cross-cutting Activities:
- The programme details seven main activities: policy development, convergence and supervisory enforcement, risk analysis, oversight and supervision, data management, governance, and operations.
- These activities include 269 deliverables, with precise allocation of human resources (274 FTEs) and financial resources (€66.5 million), including positions funded by industry fees for DORA, MiCA, and EMIR (p. 15-27).
- The EBA plans an internal reorganization to strengthen governance, coordination, and communication, as well as increased digitalization of HR and IT processes, with enhanced use of AI (p. 23-25).
Findings:
- In 2026, the EBA will assume new supervisory and oversight responsibilities related to DORA, MiCA, and EMIR, in addition to its traditional missions.
- The programme includes 269 deliverables, of which 126 are recurring and 143 have legal or self-imposed deadlines.
- A methodology for assessing the materiality of mandates has been established to prioritize regulatory work.
- The EBA aims for a 25% reduction in reporting costs for financial institutions.
- Human resources are allocated across seven activities, totaling 274 FTEs and a budget of €66.5 million.
Assumptions:
- The evolution of geopolitical, economic, and technological contexts will influence risks to monitor and supervisory priorities.
- Effective implementation of new responsibilities (DORA, MiCA, EMIR) will depend on cooperation with national and international authorities.
Interpretations:
- The strengthening of oversight and supervisory functions reflects a willingness to adapt to emerging risks and increasing complexity of the financial sector.
- The focus on simplification and efficiency responds to criticisms regarding the complexity and cost of the regulatory framework.
Uncertainties:
- The precise impact of geopolitical tensions on the banking sector remains uncertain, notably regarding credit, liquidity, and operational risks.
- Adoption and effectiveness of convergence and ex post supervisory measures will depend on national authorities' commitment.
- Rapid technological developments, notably in AI and crypto-assets, may generate unforeseen risks requiring continuous adaptation.
The EBA concludes that 2026 will be a pivotal year marked by consolidation and extension of its missions, notably in supervising critical ICT third parties, crypto-assets, and initial margin models. It recommends:
- Continuing simplification and efficiency of the Single Rulebook, applying a rigorous prioritization methodology and strengthening proportionality.
- Strengthening ex post convergence of supervisory practices through peer reviews, independence assessments, and enhanced monitoring of key risks.
- Intensifying data integration and reporting cost reduction, developing common IT tools and a harmonized data dictionary.
- Developing technological capabilities and monitoring innovations, notably in AI and crypto-assets, in collaboration with European and national authorities.
- Enhancing consumer protection through better monitoring of indebtedness, de-risking, and payment fraud risks.
- Ensuring close coordination with national and European authorities, adapting the work programme to regulatory and economic developments.
The document provides a detailed action plan with precise deadlines for the 269 deliverables, as well as resource allocation adapted to ensure effective implementation of priorities (p. 4-27, 28-33).
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