* * * I am very happy to appear again in person before this Committee to present the ECB’s Annual Report for 2021.1 The last time I joined you here in Brussels physically was 1 April 2019 and many things have happened since then. The Annual Report and today’s hearing are an important pillar of the ECB’s accountability relationship with this Parliament.
They will only be willing to deal with banks that provide a sense of security while also offering returns on the funds entrusted to their keeping. They will also select only those banks that understand their needs and are able to provide a wide range of conveniences in their services. These are the criteria that indeed will build and strengthen public confidence.