Introducing AFME
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Introducing AFME

Learn about who we are, how we work, and our rich history

About Us
The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) is the voice of Europe’s wholesale financial markets, providing expertise across a broad range of regulatory and capital markets issues. We represent the leading global and European banks and other significant capital market players. AFME’s members are the lead under- writers of 89% of European corporate and sovereign debt, and 75% of European listed equity capital issuances.

Mission Statement
We advocate for deep, integrated, and sustainable capital markets which serve the needs of companies and investors, supporting economic growth and benefiting society.

Strategy Statement
AFME works to promote a robust, connected and competitive financial system, in the EU, UK and globally.

  • Advocating for deep and liquid secondary markets. Placing greater focus on the role of well-functioning, diverse and competitive secondary market eco-systems, to build a highly liquid, market-based funding capacity, which can support businesses in raising funds and cost-efficient transactions for investors.

  • Pursuing changes that enable the green and digital transformations Europe needs. The scale of the transitions economies need to undertake demands large-scale mobilisations of capital. Policy makers can help to create the right conditions across Europe’s capital markets so that businesses and investors can benefit from technological developments and decarbonise supply chains.

  • Supporting the completion of the Banking Union and Capital Markets Union. These have the potential to improve financial stability, ensure alternative funding sources are available to finance economic recovery & transformation independently of the economic cycle, and aid in reducing the costs of local ring-fencing facing EU banks.

  • Ensuring, in the EU and the UK, the connectivity of financial markets to the rest of the world. Open, competitive, resilient financial systems thrive, and improve stability through the development of integrated global markets, enabling the provision of efficient services to end-users. Regulatory fragmentation undermines the benefits that come with cooperation and coordination across
    jurisdictions.

Who We Are

How we work

AFME acts as a bridge between the wholesale financial markets, politicians, regulators and the public.
Our core activities consist of:

  • Advocacy - close dialogue with regulators to ensure that the industry's perspective is understood and carries weight
  • Policy development - applying our market expertise to assist formulation of EU and national legislation
  • Education - helping policymakers to understand the markets
  • Communication - developing content, convening debates
  • Co-ordination - bringing market participants and industry bodies to work together on the key issues for the sector
AFME divisions work with members, regulators, and policymakers to help develop a more sustainable and efficient financial industry.

Each division has a Board and/or Committee made up of members who guide its activities and take part in working groups, and informal discussions to respond to regulatory reform proposals and develop best practices.

What makes AFME different

  • Focus on wholesale banking issues
  • Direct participation by member firms, not an association of associations
  • Deep in-house expertise from highly qualified staff with market backgrounds.
Influence and credibility enhanced by:

  • Unique member-led committees that address wholesale financial industry topics from a market, prudential and policy perspective.
  • Expertise in producing evidence-based research and content, including: position papers, publications and events.
Membership