Major European lenders are intensifying their engagement with Brussels institutions to influence the upcoming overhaul of the EU banking regulatory framework.
Santander, BNP Paribas, and Société Générale held meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday to discuss the legislative changes expected to be tabled in the first quarter of 2027.
The coordinated outreach signals a strategic shift by the banking sector, which is seeking to shape the rules before they are formally proposed.
The banks aim to ensure that the new regulations balance financial stability with the need for competitive lending capacity across the bloc.
This lobbying effort comes as European banks navigate a period of structural change.
Santander has recently initiated negotiations with trade unions regarding a voluntary early retirement scheme for up to 3,000 employees in its domestic market, reflecting broader cost-optimization trends.