The Centre for European Policy Studies and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP co-hosted on 26 June 2006, a high level conference on “Cross-Border Consolidation in the Financial Services Industry in Europe: Developments, Obstacles & Policy Initiatives”. The event brought together policy-makers, academics and high-level industry representatives to discuss the state of financial services consolidation in Europe; its economic rationale and implications; the remaining obstacles to cross-border consolidation and integration; the alternative strategies to external growth across borders and the policy initiatives taken –or to be taken in response to these developments.