Open Banking and Competition: An Intricate Relationship

Open banking – promoted in the European Union by the access to account rule contained in the Directive (EU) 2015/2366 on payment services in the internal market (PSD2) – is supposed to enhance consumer’s welfare and to foster competition. However, many observers are fearful about the negative effects of the entry into the market of the so-called BigTech giants. Unless incumbent banks are able to rise above the technological challenges, the risk is that, in the long run, BigTech firms could dominate the market, by virtue of their great ability to collect data on consumer preferences, and to process them with sophisticated tools, such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques; not to mention the possible benefits arising from the cross-subsidisation. This paper aims at analysing the controversial relationship between open banking and competition. In this framework, many aspects must be clarified, such as the definition of the relevant markets; the identification of the dominant entities; the relationship with the essential facility doctrine. The specific competition problems encountered in the financial sector need to be inscribed in the context of the more general debate around access to data in the digital sphere. The evolving scenario poses a serious challenge to regulators, calling them to strike the right balance between fostering innovation and preserving financial stability. The appraisal intends not only to cover EU law and policy, but also to make a comparison with other legal systems. In this respect, something noteworthy is taking place in the United States where, as of today, consumers’ access to financial data sharing has been largely dependent on private-sector efforts. Indeed, Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (passed in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008) provides that, subject to rules prescribed by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB), a consumer financial services provider must make available to a consumer information, in its control or possession, concerning the consumer financial product or service that the consumer obtained from the provider. This provision, which dates back to 2010, has never been implemented. However, on 22 October 2020, the CFBP has announced its intention to regulate open banking, issuing an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking. In light of their investigation, the authors advocate the adaptation of the current strategies to the modified conditions and, in some instances, the creation of novel mechanisms, more suitable to face unprecedented threats.