European Banks Supervision Division Director Thijs van Woerden appointed at the ECB

At the ECB, Thijs Van Woerden will be responsible for the strategic direction and management of all horizontal supervision activities. He will also represent the ECB in various partnerships within European banking supervision and other international organisations and forums.

The ECB's Directorate General Horizontal Line Supervision carries out horizontal supervisory tasks as part of European banking supervision. In particular, it supports the Joint Supervisory Teams (JSTs) by providing expertise on credit risk, capital markets, non-financial risks, business models, capital planning, crisis management, stress testing, supervisory policy and supervisory methodologies. The Directorate General also develops benchmarks and conducts industry-wide assessments, such as thematic reviews.

Thijs van Woerden's response

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working at DNB in various roles since 2005. After five years as director of the EUBA division, I see this move to the ECB as a wonderful opportunity, and I look forward to contributing to the robust supervision of the European banking system there as Director General Horizontal Line Supervision," Thijs says. 

Klaas Knot's response

“I am proud that Thijs has been appointed to this important position. In his new role, he will hold a key position within European banking supervision," says Klaas Knot.

European banking supervision

The ECB supervises the 109 largest banks from the 20 euro area countries, together with national banking supervisors. The main objective of European banking supervision is to ensure the safety and soundness of the European banking system and consistent supervision across the euro area.

The Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), which includes the ECB and the national banking supervisors, is one of the three pillars of the European banking union. As the banking supervisory authority of the Netherlands, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) is also part of the SSM.

Thijs van Woerden’s career

Thijs studied Business Economics at the University of Amsterdam. He started his career at DNB in 2005, where he has held various management positions in the areas of pension funds, insurance and banking supervision.