Retail financial markets supervision

In order to supervise retail financial markets, namely housing loans, consumer credit and savings, Banco de Portugal issues regulations and carries out inspections to assess whether institutions are acting in accordance with the legal and regulatory frameworks. The Bank issues specific recommendations or decisions whenever irregular situations are detected, or institutes procedures for breaches of regulations in case of serious violations or recurring non-compliance.

Banco de Portugal oversees the activities of institutions and their compliance with rules and principles in the supply of financial products, namely regarding the accuracy and transparency in advertising, during the pre-contractual stage and during the life of the contract. These rules are also meant to increase switching and competition in retail financial markets.