The Institute for Financial Studies, having as institutional partner the Financial Supervisory Authority, is pleased to invite you to the European Conference of Financial Services – ECFS 2026, FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND THE MATURATION OF FINANCIAL MARKETS ADAPTED TO OECD ACCESSION CRITERIA, 10th Edition, taking place on March 19–20, 2026, in Brașov, at Hotel Kronwell.
The event brings together professionals from the financial sector, academia, and regulatory authorities who will debate topics such as:
- The role of financial education in strengthening the financial market;
- Aligning financial markets with OECD standards and best practices;
- The maturation of financial markets and strengthening trust in the financial sector;
- Adapting financial markets to governance, transparency, and financial inclusion criteria.
This year’s topics include, among others:
- Financial education – an essential condition for Romania’s convergence with OECD standards
- Consumer protection and alternative dispute resolution
- Governance and transparency: OECD benchmarks for stable financial markets
- The maturation of non-banking financial markets: insurance, capital markets, and private pensions
- Human capital and financial skills for advanced economies
- Romania in the OECD context: strategic directions and confirmation of progress
Organizing Committee
Prof. PhD Marian SIMINICĂ, University of Craiova; Executive Director, Institute of Financial Studies, Bucharest
Cătălin CÂMPEANU, Secretary General, Institute of Financial Studies, Bucharest
Prof. PhD Adrian MICU, Scientific Director, Institute of Financial Studies, Bucharest
Prof. PhD Raluca Georgiana LĂDARU, Bucharest University of Economic Studies; Institute of Financial Studies, Bucharest
Ieronim ȘTEFAN, Financial Education Department Coordinator, Institute of Financial Studies, Bucharest
Access to the event will be granted exclusively to individuals who complete the registration form. Places are limited.
Registration deadline: March 12, 2026, 12:00 PM.
Event Agenda
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026
09:30–10:00 Participant Registration
Plenary Session: FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND THE MATURATION OF FINANCIAL MARKETS ALIGNED WITH OECD ACCESSION CRITERIA
10:00–12:30 Session in which special guests will address topics related to digitalization, sustainability, financial education, and OECD accession criteria in the financial field within the global economic context.
OPENING SESSION: Alexandru PETRESCU, President, Financial Supervisory Authority
Prof. PhD Leonardo BADEA, First Deputy Governor, National Bank of Romania*
Gabriel AVRĂMESCU, First Vice-President, Financial Supervisory Authority
Prof. PhD Nicolae ISTUDOR, Rector, Bucharest University of Economic Studies*
Prof. PhD Liviu MAHA, Rector, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași*
Radu HANGA, President, Bucharest Stock Exchange*
Horia GUSTĂ, President, Association of Fund Administrators
Alexandru CIUNCAN, President and Director General, UNSAR
Prof. PhD Ioan Vasile ABRUDAN, Rector, Transilvania University of Brașov*
Prof. PhD Daniel BREAZ, Rector, “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia
Assoc. Prof. PhD Eng. Alin DINIȚĂ, Rector, Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiești*
Dorel DUȚĂ, President, UNSICAR*
Viorel VASILE, President, PRBAR*
Valentin IONESCU, President, Institute of Financial Studies
Marian SIMINICĂ, Executive Director, Institute of Financial Studies
12:30–14:00 – LUNCH
ACADEMIC PANEL – On-site / Online
14:00–15:30 (Under update)
15:30–17:00
Panel – Consumer Protection and Alternative Dispute Resolution
14:00–15:30 The panel includes a debate on consumer protection mechanisms and the role of alternative dispute resolution in strengthening trust in non-banking financial markets. Discussions will address the applicable legislative and institutional framework, the effectiveness of amicable dispute resolution procedures, the level of consumer information and financial education, as well as challenges generated by digitalization and the diversification of financial products.
The panel will bring together representatives of regulatory authorities, alternative dispute resolution entities, professional associations, industry practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders.
Agenda – under update
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026
Academic Panel – Online
09:30–11:00
11:00–11:30 – Conference Conclusions
Presentations of scientific papers (in .pdf or .ppt format) to be delivered at this event must be sent by March 12, 2026 to the following email address: evenimente@isf.ro. The selected articles will be published in the Financial Studies Review. In order for these papers to enter the peer-review process, the final version must be submitted in English, in accordance with the formatting requirements by April 7, 2026, via email to: revista@isf.ro
Termene
Confirmation of participation / abstract submission: March 6, 2026 – by completing the registration form
Presentation submission (.pdf, .ppt): March 12, 2026 – to: evenimente@isf.ro.
Final paper submission for publication: April 7, 2026 – to: revista@isf.ro
