Vítor Constâncio, the vice-president of the European Central Bank, on Wednesday said a maximum harmonisation of prudential requirements in the euro area would ensure a level playing field for financial institutions.

At the First conference of the Macroprudential Research Network, in Frankfurt, Germany, Constâncio said: "The maximum harmonisation approach aims to ensure a consistent implementation of prudential measures in the single market. It ensures that a level playing field for financial