Macro-Prudential Tasks in the Framework of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM): An Analysis of Article 5 of the SSM Regulation

The aim of this paper is to provide an analysis of the macro-prudential tasks assigned to the ECB within the context of the ‘Single Supervisory Mechanism’ (SSM), which is a major building block of the European Banking Union. It is structured in two (2) sections. Section 1 provides a general overview of the specific supervisory tasks conferred upon the ECB in relation to credit institutions and other supervised entities incorporated in participating Member States, as well as those concerning branches in participating Member States by credit institutions incorporated in non-participating Member States. Section 2 outlines, in particular, the specific macro-prudential tasks conferred upon the ECB under the provisions laid down in Article 5 of the Council Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013, which constitutes the main legal source of the ‘Single Supervisory Mechanism’ (known as the ‘SSM Regulation’).