The Euro and European financial markets

This study argues that the introduction of the euro would have a more immediate and direct impact on European bond markets than on European banking markets. The single currency would create a single private yield curve in the near term and could also lead to a more integrated government bond market. While the immediate impact of the euro for banking markets would be limited, the switch over time by European corporations from bank debt to bond debt would come on top of the competitive challenge that European banks already face. The need for banks to adjust raises a number of potential issues for public policy in Europe, some of which may have broader international implications.