Has the application of the “fit and proper” regime improved governance structures in the Banking Union?

This paper examines trends in the size and composition of the boards of significant institutions during the 2011-2018 period, comprising several years before and after the ECB started conducting fit and proper assessments in 2014. Throughout this period, there have been trends towards directors who are more qualified, hold fewer other board positions, and are more likely to be female and a foreign national. Unlike in the pre-SSM period, however, more recently the average age of directors has increased, bank boards have become larger, and the share of independent directors has risen. The appointment of additional independent directors in recent years is potentially harmful to financial stability, as especially independent directors could favour riskier bank strategies with a view to increasing shareholder value.