Integrating Retail Financial Markets in Europe: Between Uncertainties and Challenges

The financial crisis has damaged consumer confidence in the financial services market. Trillions of euro in losses and government bail-outs have partially been borne by taxpayers, small investors and retail customers in several member states. Against this background, this new book by CEPS Senior Fellow Rym Ayadi argues that European policy-makers ought to rethink their approach to financial market integration in order to continue the construction of the internal market for retail financial services. Urgent efforts should be taken to ensure financial safety for retail consumers and to enhance consumer protection at the EU level. To restore market and consumer confidence in retail financial services, she calls for the implementation of , European frameworks for financial safety, regulation and consumer protection.