There criteria are: 1) technical efficiency, 2) accessibility and non-discrimination, 3) efficient and cost-based pricing, 4) operational stability with contingency plans in case of problems, and 5) international compatibility. 1  This issue was briefly discussed in the final report of EC Conference titled “Emerging challenges in retail finance and consumer policy”, 18.11.2014, Brussels. This document can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/conferences/2014/1118-retail-finance/docs/141118-retail-finance-finalreport_en.pdf.
Although there is a risk of an abrupt correction in the level of long-term interest rates as a result of the impact of other developments, this is not the likely outcome on the basis of currently available information. Is there a risk of house price bubbles bursting?