Founded in 1967, the European Mortgage Federation is the voice of the mortgage industry at EU level. Promoting the interests of European mortgage lenders, it deals as much with the retail aspect of mortgage lending as with the funding of loans, an element which is becoming increasingly important. The Federation groups both national associations and individual lenders from the 15 long-standing European Member States, as well as representatives from the New Member States. Together, its members grant over 75% of residential and commercial mortgage loans in Europe. These include mortgage banks, commercial banks, savings banks, co-operative banks, building societies, umbrella companies and insurance companies.
The Federation is the key-talking partner of the European Commission, the Banking Advisory Committee, the European Central Bank and the Basel Committee on all questions relating to the European mortgage industry.
Committees
The Federation has four main Committees, which prepare its position papers and carry out its studies, and which report to the Executive Committee (Economic Affairs, Legal Affairs, Statistics and Valuation Committees).
Publications
The EMF regularly publishes data, statistics, studies and newsletters which provide information on developments, strategies and the latest trends related to the mortgage industry. The following are examples of some of the publications available:
Factsheets
Indicators and trends of mortgage and housing markets in individual countries: Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The indicators include:
Available here.
Hypostat
The main source of statistical information with regards to recent developments in housing and mortgage markets in Europe.
Available here.
Mortgage Info
The Mortgage-Info is a newsletter, specifically designed for those who monitor developments at European level. This information service facilitates analysis of the impact of European affairs and initiatives in the area of mortgage lending. It reports on progress made in the main issues currently under discussion in Brussels.
Available here.
Annual Report
Available here.
Annual Conference
The European Mortgage Federation also holds an Annual Conference which is a unique event bringing together in constructive dialogue the Industry’s key players, its regulators and its stakeholders. For more information please visit the Annual Conference website.
The European Covered Bond Council is a European platform for covered bonds, which brings together covered bond issuers, credit analysts, investment bankers, rating agencies and other interested market participants, and was created by the European Mortgage Federation in November 2004. The European Covered Bond Council focuses on the developments shaping the economic and regulatory environment of covered bonds at EU level. The goal is to enhance the visibility of covered bonds at European and global level. As of April 2009, the Council has over 95 members, ranging from 16 different European countries and different market segments. The ECBC represents over 95% of Covered Bond issuers in the EU.