Things worth reading: the European View

This week's view from Europe, courtesy of Edith Rigler :

Confusion reigns around ‘BIC from IBAN Derivation' Solutions
for Cross-Border SEPA Transactions European
Payments Council, June 2013

The EPC plans to
host a workshop on 24 September 2013 in Brussels to initiate a dialogue on the
minimum requirements for cross-border ‘BIC from IBAN derivation’ solutions.

New proposals on e-invoicing and “end-to-end e-procurement” – European Commission, 26
June 2013

The European Commission proposed a draft directive on
e-invoicing in public procurement, accompanied by a communication setting out
its vision for the full digitisation of the public procurement process,
so-called “end-to-end e-procurement”. Uptake of e-invoicing in Europe is still  very low, accounting for only 4-15% of all
invoices exchanged.

German Bundesbank is stepping up its
communications efforts around SEPA – Deutsche Bundesbank, June 2013

With less than 7 months to go until the regulatory SEPA deadline of 1
February 2014, the German Bundesbank is stepping up its efforts to communicate
potential negative effects should  banks
and corporates not be ready to use SEPA payment instruments. 

Structural reform of the European banking
sector – European
Commission, July 2013

In mid-May the European Commission issued a
consultation paper on the structural reform of the banking sector. The objectives of the reform are to
establish a stable and efficient banking system, increase economic growth
and  enhance the internal market
functioning. The consultation will close in a few days on 11 July 2013.