Global financial crisis and the debt crisis in the eurozone contributed to the initiation of profound changes in the banking systems of the EU countries. The aim of these changes is to increase the security and competitiveness of banks in the era of globalization. Bank capital and liquidity requirements have been raised, supervision of banks has been tightened, and the countries of the eurozone have created the essential foundations of a banking union. All these changes lead to rising costs in banks, which forces them to reduce employment, close part of the bank branches, and weaker banks to merge with stronger banks. Changes in the banking sector are also enforced by new technologies and strong competition from the shadow banking institutions. This study focuses on the analysis of the new banking regulations and structural changes in the banking sector in the EU. The author also presents major challenges faced by the banks in the EU countries.

Global financial crisis and the debt crisis in the eurozone contributed to the initiation of profound changes in the banking systems of the EU countries. The aim of these changes is to increase the security and competitiveness of banks in the era of globalization. Bank capital and liquidity requirements have been raised, supervision of banks has been tightened, and the countries of the eurozone have created the essential foundations of a banking union. All these changes lead to rising costs in banks, which forces them to reduce employment, close part of the bank branches, and weaker banks to merge with stronger banks. Changes in the banking sector are also enforced by new technologies and strong competition from the shadow banking institutions. This study focuses on the analysis of the new banking regulations and structural changes in the banking sector in the EU. The author also presents major challenges faced by the banks in the EU countries.