The role of macro-prudential policy in the prevention and correction of divergences in the euro area

The euro area suffers from economic and financial imbalances between its members. Macro-prudential policy can help remedy this in as much as it can be deployed both at euro area level and Member State level. A macro-prudential policy framework to regulate financial cycles at Member State level and improve the resilience of systemic groups at euro area level would improve the economic and financial stability of the euro area and each of its members. Drawing on an inventory of the current practices and the teachings of recent academic work, we have formulated 15 proposals which aim to identify effective macro-prudential instruments to achieve this stability and, in a context of institutional transformation (Banking Union, Brexit, etc.) likely to facilitate changes, to streamline the institutional framework.