In the aftermath of the recent financial crisis, the G20 has committed to leave no area of the financial markets unregulated. As a result, a sweeping wave of regulatory initiatives has made policy research on European capital markets even more important. The European Capital Markets Institute (ECMI) conducts original research into European capital markets, thereby informing current debate and policy-making. Through its various activities, ECMI acts as a focal point for interaction between market participants, policy-makers and academics.

ECMI was established as an independent non-profit organisation in 1993, in a collaborative effort by the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS), the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) and the International Capital Market Association (ICMA). Membership of the institute is composed of private firms, regulatory authorities and university institutes. Since 2005, ECMI has been managed and hosted by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), a highly reputed, independent think-tank in Brussels.

Through the publication of commentaries and policy briefs, ECMI analyses the latest regulatory developments and puts forward proposals at the vanguard of regulatory debates. ECMI also produces detailed research reports on key policy issues and market developments. In addition to conducting in-house research, ECMI responds to calls for proposals from external entities and publishes contributions from high-profile external researchers.

ECMI regularly organises workshops, seminars and task forces on a variety of issues facing European capital markets. Participation in ECMI events offers the chance to meet senior business representatives and regulators on critical themes; to size up market developments that will shape the future of European capital markets and to network with academics and the regulatory community.

In addition, ECMI compiles a yearly statistical package with a substantial set of charts and tables that trace the evolution of European capital markets over time. Bond, equity and derivatives markets are also covered in the package, together with asset management-related data. This gives members a ‘one-stop shop’ or broad snapshot of where European capital markets stand. The package compares trends across asset classes, market segments and countries, so as to track market growth, integration and convergence. All data is presented in intuitive and visually appealing forms.

ECMI also produces a quarterly newsletter, which purpose is to inform members of recent and upcoming research projects, task forces, conferences and meetings, together with other relevant information on European capital markets.