iReF

iReF (International Reference Framework) is a standardised data model developed by the European Banking Authority (EBA) to support regulatory reporting across Europe. It is designed to replace various ECB statistical datasets related to banks - including Balance Sheet Items (BSI), Monetary Financial Institutions (MIR) statistics, Securities Holding Statistics (SHS), and AnaCredit - by providing a consistent framework for defining and organising reference data. This includes information on financial instruments, counterparties, and classifications that banks and other financial institutions must use when preparing regulatory submissions. 

iReF helps firms align with regulatory expectations by ensuring that their reported data is accurate, harmonised, and comparable across different reporting frameworks, such as CRD, CRR, and MiFID. By using a single, standardised set of reference definitions, institutions can reduce duplication, improve data quality, and simplify regulatory compliance.

iReF is a key part of the broader move towards integrated, streamlined regulatory reporting in the European financial sector.

For more information see our "Guide to Navigating ECB's iReF", or speak to a Suade member today!