Frequently Asked Questions

The Forum organises regular lunches to foster a dialogue between the European Parliament and the financial services industry. It provides a forum for an open and informal discussion of the policy issues affecting financial services between MEPs and the industry sector. In practice, the political problem is first posed by the MEP Chair to a panel of speakers, and then the experts from the financial industry, the European Commission and consumer/end-user groups within this panel react to the questions arising from Members of Parliament (MEPs). The background briefing which is drafted in preparation for the lunches is made available on this website.

The Forum is not an Intergroup. It is a not for profit organisation under Belgian law which is supported by a wide range of MEPs from most political groups through a Steering Committee, which has an advisory role.

The Steering Committee, currently composed of MEPs from the RE, EPP, ECR, Green and Socialist Political Groups, gives direction to the activities of the Forum.

The Financial Industry Members undertake the task of arranging and inviting speakers, writing short briefing papers, working out a programme, and managing the secretariat.

Members elect an Administrative Committee (AC) of no more than 12 members each year at the Annual General Meeting. The AC has been given responsibility for regular liaison with the Steering Committee on the role of the Forum, the agenda of meetings and the progress on meetings; for managing the business of the Forum; for appointing outside consultants, if needed; for deciding on applications for membership; and for convening meetings.

The Forum also invites five observers to join its events: BEUC (The European Consumers’ Organisation), Better Finance (The European Federation of Financial Services Users), Finance Watch (Association dedicated to making finance serve society), FSUG (Financial Services User Group) and UEAPME (The European Association for Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises).

Organisations wishing to join must send a letter of application to the Chairman of the Financial Industry Members Administrative Committee (AC). If the conditions of membership are fulfilled the organization is invited by the AC to join. The Steering Committee of MEPs is informed of all applications. The Forum’s website contains extensive public information about the activities of the Forum, its objectives and how to join.

The Forum is a not-for-profit organisation. Members’ contributions cover the organisation of the Forum’s activities, including the costs of events, secretariat expenses, the website, as well as printing brochures and other materials for publication. The annual contributions of industry members are set by the General Assembly. Contributions are €8,000 per member.

The events are chaired by a Member of the European Parliament. The Chairman of the Administrative Committee regularly informs MEPs about the upcoming programme. MEPs that are interested in a subject or who are active in the Forum generally volunteer to chair a particular lunch. Efforts are made to involve all Members of the Steering Committee as well as to ensure a broad political balance over the year.