AFB Seminar: The EU Simplification Agenda – Progress, Themes and Implications for Foreign Banks

The regulatory landscape for financial institutions operating in Europe is entering a new phase with the European Commission’s drive towards simplification. 2025 saw a wide‑ranging set of legislative proposals, through so-called ‘omnibus packages’ designed to harmonise supervisory practices, strengthen consumer protections, and enhance the resilience of the EU financial system. Once implemented, the various proposals will have direct and indirect implications for AFB members, particularly those with EU‑facing business lines, cross‑border services, or group‑wide compliance obligations.

Understanding these changes at the early stage will be essential to help influence the outcome of the process, identify opportunities and prepare to implement any necessary changes.

AFB has organised a seminar in partnership with A&O Shearman that will review the progress of the various packages, consider key provisions, and outline practical impact on both branches and subsidiaries of foreign banks in the UK.

Why attend?

• Understand cross‑border regulatory impacts: Gain clarity on how the packages affect UK‑based entities that provide services into the EU or utilise EU‑regulated group structures
• Prepare for supervisory changes: Learn how the changes may influence reporting, governance, risk management, and consumer‑protection requirements
• Assess operational and strategic implications: Identify areas where your UK operations may need to adjust policies, processes, or oversight frameworks
• Benchmark your readiness: Understand how peer institutions are preparing

Who should attend?

This session is aimed at the heads of branches and subsidiaries, compliance officers and regulatory affairs specialists, legal and governance professionals, and regulatory reporting teams.

Speakers

Bob Penn, Partner, Global Co-Head of Financial Services Regulatory

Bob advises banks, asset managers, market infrastructure providers and other financial institutions on a wide range of national and international regulations. He has led A&O Shearman’s work on the UK and European financial services reform agenda, including prudential reforms, the introduction of recovery and resolution plans and retail ring-fencing for banks, and the Brexit and post-Brexit regulatory agenda.

Kirsty Taylor, Knowledge Counsel

Kirsty maintains a wide-ranging practice of core regulatory advice across banks, securities firms and market infrastructure businesses.

She has particular experience in advising on and managing significant regulatory change including post financial crisis sector reform, Brexit and the current UK smarter regulatory framework. Kirsty frequently works with industry bodies and trade associations to support industry response to regulatory and legislative proposals.

Please note you will receive a confirmation of your booking via email within 24 hours. Should you not receive a confirmation, please contact AFB to double-check if your booking was successful.

Logistics

Fee:        Included in AFB membership

Location: A&O Shearman, One Bishops Square, London, E1 6AD

Date:        Tuesday 3 March 2026

Time:       09:00 – 10:30 (registration and light breakfast from 08:30 – 09.00)   

There will be ample opportunity for questions throughout the seminar. However, if you would like to submit a question in advance or have any specific questions or areas that you would like the session to address, please send them to AFB at secretariat@foreignbanks.org.uk You will receive details on how to join this in-person session a week before the event.