The European Banking Authority (EBA) announced on 10 April 2026 a major simplification of EU supervisory reporting, proposing to reduce the number of data points across harmonised reporting by approximately 50%. The proposals, unveiled by incoming EBA Chair François-Louis Michaud, aim to cut unnecessary burden on banks while preserving the quality of information needed by supervisors. The package includes a public consultation on revised Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) on supervisory reporting and benchmarking, open until 10 July 2026, with separate deadlines for IFRS 18-related changes.
Building on prior simplification efforts
The announcement follows a series of EBA initiatives to streamline reporting and reduce administrative burden. On 30 March 2026, the EBA published revised Regulatory Technical Standards on material model changes for Internal Ratings Based (IRB) approaches, reclassifying many changes as non-material to reduce prior supervisory approval requirements. On 9 April 2026, the EBA announced it would regularly publish a list of known issues related to its data point model (DPM) framework to improve transparency and reduce reporting burden. The new simplification package also builds on the EBA's 2021 study on the cost of compliance and its 2025 Report on the efficiency of the regulatory and supervisory framework.
Key proposals and trade-offs
The envisaged revisions would reduce data points by around 50% despite adding new requirements related to IFRS 18, ESG, and the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB). Separate EU-wide stress test and supervisory benchmarking data collections would be integrated into regular reporting, reducing overlaps and increasing consistency. Proportionality would be strengthened, particularly for small and non-complex institutions (SNCIs). The EBA will also develop an EU-wide public repository of supervisory data requests and issue guidance on best practices. The proposed changes would apply from September 2027.
Impact on stakeholders
For EU banks, the 50% reduction in data points and integration of stress test collections into regular reporting represent a significant decrease in compliance costs and administrative burden, especially for SNCIs. However, the addition of new ESG and FRTB reporting requirements may offset some savings for larger institutions. National competent authorities will benefit from more streamlined and consistent data, but may face transitional costs in adapting to the new frameworks. EU consumers and taxpayers stand to gain indirectly from a more efficient banking sector, though the primary impact is on reporting entities. The EBA itself will need to invest in the new DPM 2.0 standards and DPM Studio to support the integrated reporting system.
Expected institutional follow-up
The EBA will hold public hearings on 5 May 2026 (supervisory reporting ITS) and 24 June 2026 (benchmarking ITS), and a workshop on 4 June 2026. Responses to the consultations will be published unless confidentiality is requested. The final ITS will be submitted to the European Commission for adoption as implementing regulations. The simplification measures align with the broader EU focus on reducing regulatory burden, as highlighted in the Savings and Investments Union proposals by Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque on 26 March 2026.