In terms of delivery systems, we recognize the unique and important role that branches play in providing essential financial services to customers, particularly in underserved areas. Banks would be evaluated on their branch and ATM locations and how well they serve customers using online and mobile access channels.
The ECB has done an excellent job in a difficult environment, especially when one considers that it started its activities in uncharted territory. In the more heterogeneous euro area of the future, the ECB’s task of providing stable money will become even harder. 4. The integration and adjustment fatigue which followed the introduction of the euro has to be overcome.