Though the number of banks has declined, the number of bank branches has increased. Besides commercial banking, other components of the financial service industry have experienced some consolidation in recent years.
It’s about putting the crisis behind us for good, resolving the conflicts and arriving at a happy ending. In my speech, I have talked a lot about how we can deal with risks in the euro area. But it’s not just about risks and stability, of course. It’s also about opportunities; it’s about growth and prosperity. Here too, Europe offers the best possible conditions.