Question for written answerE-007202-14to the CommissionRule 130Georgios Kyrtsos(PPE)(26 September 2014)Subject: Linkages and improved European financial services

The Commission has recently been stepping up the regulation of financial services against the backdrop of the international and European economic crisis:

In view of this:

1.

Can the Commission indicate the exact extent (or number) of cross-border linkages between financial institutions based in the Member States? Is there any comparative statistical data to indicate that linkages between financial institutions based in the EU Member States are being facilitated by a stronger European regulatory framework?

2.

What immediate measures will the Commission take regarding cross-border linkages between European financial institutions to facilitate payments and, in particular, protect the users of financial services and products?