The conference will explore the domain between consumer protection and the freedom of choice of financial products and services. One possibility to ensure consumer protection is to regulate the products on offer. Another possible measure consists in setting information requirements common to all service providers. It is also argued that ultimately consumers should be responsible for their own financial decisions; this is best achieved with a high level of financial education. Consumer information in the field of mortgages is taken as a concrete case study.
The conference gathers representatives of policy-makers and regulators, as well as representatives of financial institutions and of consumer organisations. Last but not least, an important contribution will come from experts on financial education. Colleagues from the USA will contribute with their specific experiences in the US context, and this in the framework of the EU/US retail banking forum.