The different legal and operational structures of banking groups in the euro area, and their impact on banks' resolvability : in-depth analysis

This paper discusses the legal and operational structure of the 129 banking groups in the euro area, which meet the test of SSM significance. Following a brief consideration of some key definitional and theoretical aspects, the paper analyses the data available from those 129 groups under a tri-dimensional taxonomy (considering their institutional, organizational, and operational structure). Based upon such data and taxonomy, the paper poses a number of questions or issues that the Single Resolution Board might consider in their resolvability assessments in the light of the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive and the SRM regulation. The paper outlines avenues for further research since greater clarity is needed to understand both legal and operational structures of banking groups in the euro area.