The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) have published a joint statement calling for scaling up EU equity markets by focusing on competition and innovation rather than rebalancing volumes towards incumbent exchanges. They note that Recast Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (2014/65/EU) (MiFID II) reforms opened access to new trading mechanisms, creating a more diverse equity market ecosystem with improved execution outcomes and lower trading costs for investors. AFME and EFAMA warn that restricting access to alternative trading mechanisms risks unwinding this positive momentum and harming investor outcomes, stressing that investor choice in how and where transactions are executed is essential for efficient price formation and competitive trading conditions.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) have welcomed the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)'s Policy Statement (PS24/14) which aimed towards providing greater clarity for the bond and derivatives markets. PS24/14 outlines the UK's post-trade transparency framework for the highly awaited consolidated tape, boosting the UK's trade infrastructure in both domestic and international bond markets. It serves to timeously refine transparency in terms of price formation and proof of best execution as well as provide substantial protection to investors and liquidity providers in these financial markets.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) submitted a joint response to the European Commission's consultation on amendments to the Taxonomy Delegated Acts. They called for the removal of mandatory Green Asset Ratio reporting for credit institutions, elimination of Taxonomy disclosures from Pillar 3 ESG requirements, and removal of certain key performance indicators. AFME and ISDA argued the proposed amendments do not sufficiently address reporting burdens and recommended prioritising template simplification over introducing materiality thresholds.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) have published a joint position paper regarding the European Commission’s proposed revision to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR 2.0). AFME and ISDA both welcome the introduction of a product categorisation system and simplified disclosures. However, they recommend seven key changes. These include ensuring that non-SFDR products with sustainability features can be offered under the MiFID and packaged retail and insurance-based investment products frameworks, aligning implementation timing across regulations, and refining Article 7 criteria to facilitate transition finance.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and PwC UK published a report examining AI's impact on cyber threats facing capital markets. Based on summer 2025 roundtables with senior banking executives, the report identifies that AI is intensifying the scale and pace of cyber attacks while creating conflicting regulatory expectations for multinational banks. AFME advocates for an outcomes-based compliance approach to address overlapping supervisory requirements.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and Financial Times Live have announced their 29th Annual Global ABS Conference, scheduled for 10-12 June 2025 in Barcelona. The event aims to gather approximately 5000 structured finance professionals, including regulators, law firms, and market participants, for discussions on developments in securitisation markets. The conference serves as the primary European securitisation market event, facilitating deal-making and industry networking across three days at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) has supported the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) proposals in its Quarterly Consultation CP25/24 to extend DEPP’s penalty policy to the PISCES regime and to align notification deadlines under the UK Listing Rules with the Buy-back and Stabilisation Regulation. In its 15 October 2025 response, AFME agreed that the current UKLR 9.6.6R reporting requirements are unduly burdensome and endorsed a seven-business-day disclosure window. The association also encouraged the FCA to amend UKLR 9.7.3R for consistency, citing efficiency gains and reduced regulatory duplication for issuers.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) has published a response to the European Commission's call for evidence on the EU Securitisation Framework, challenging the Joint Committee's December 2022 conclusions. AFME presents evidence that Solvency II capital charges reduce EU insurers' securitisation investments to 1.60% of portfolios versus 25.04% for US insurers. The analysis suggests framework adjustments could unlock €132bn-€210bn in additional investment capacity. AFME contends that the existing calibration inadvertently encourages insurers to invest in riskier tranches and discourages investment in simple, transparent, and standardised securitisations.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) has published its annual review for 2024, ‘Developing European Capital Markets in a Period of Geopolitical Changes’. The review highlights AFME’s efforts to initiate policies that strengthen overall market stability and economic growth, whilst maintaining investors’ trust.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) has responded to the initial set of consultations addressing Bond Transparency, Consolidated Tape Provider and Reasonable Commercial Basis by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). In its response, AFME acknowledges the progress made by ESMA but proposed several amendments to address the deficiencies in the drafts and assist ESMA in aligning with its objectives.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) has highlighted an increasing urgency to transform the EU’s existing capital markets into a globally competitive, well-functioning and scaled-up single capital market. AFME shares four key areas to secure Europe’s long-term economic prosperity and competitiveness: (i) bringing retail savings to the EU market, whether directly or indirectly, (ii) EU to enhance its rule-making agility in wholesale capital markets, (iii) greater emphasis should be placed on improving market liquidity, and (iv) adjusting the regulatory framework for securitisation.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) has introduced a new semi-annual report series analysing the global adoption of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in capital markets.  The inaugural report reveals significant growth in DLT-based fixed income issuance, reaching €3bn in 2024, a 260% increase from 2023. Europe and Asia led issuance, with European Central Bank and Swiss National Bank trials driving substantial volume.