Claudia Buch Meets Students: A Dialogue on European Banking Supervision

Reading time 2 minutes

Published on 23/02/2026

In the context of her regular visits to the National Competent Authorities, on 29 January 2026, Claudia Buch, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), met with civil society at the Azeglio Ciampi Conference Centre in Rome, engaging in a discussion with students from several fourth- and fifth-year classes of Liceo Cavour in Rome and Liceo Cicerone in Frascati, accompanied by their teachers.

The meeting offered students the opportunity to attend a lecture on European banking supervision, explaining its purpose and how it operates. Claudia Buch outlined what the SSM is and why it is a fundamental pillar of financial stability in the euro area, highlighting the central role of banks in supporting the real economy by providing credit to households and businesses. She emphasized how effective supervision helps reducing the probability of crises, strengthen trust in the banking system, and how resilient banks contribute to sustainable economic growth and employment. The topics were presented in an accessible way, linking theoretical concepts to their concrete impact on citizens' daily lives, particularly those of younger generations.

The students - who had been prepared by their teachers using financial education materials on European banking supervision developed by Banca d'Italia - actively participated, asking numerous questions on digitalization, cyber risks, artificial intelligence, crypto‑assets, and the contribution of European supervision to financial system stability. The discussion revealed strong interest in how European institutions operate and in the main challenges the banking sector will face in the coming years.

The exchange on the skills required to work in banking supervision was particularly appreciated. In addition to economic and financial knowledge, Claudia Buch stressed the importance of legal and IT skills, especially in light of the growing relevance of cybersecurity and technological innovation in the financial sector.

At the end of the meeting, the students and teachers thanked the SB Chair for the open and stimulating dialogue; in turn, Claudia Buch expressed her appreciation for the students' preparation and engagement. Banca d'Italia thanks the teachers and students who took part in the event, and will continue to promote such initiatives in the future, convinced that involving young people in key issues shaping society's future has a dual purpose: strengthening economic and financial literacy and bringing younger generations closer to the workings of European institutions and the mechanisms that support economic stability.