Commerzbank AG CEO Bettina Orlopp has called for more aggressive deregulation of European banks, warning that current proposals fall short of addressing the bloc's declining competitiveness. Speaking ahead of an EU leaders' summit on the topic, Orlopp emphasized the need for swift action to prevent further erosion of Europe's position in global financial markets.

Her comments come as European banks face mounting pressure from their US counterparts, which benefit from lighter regulatory frameworks and stronger capital markets. The timing is particularly significant, with EU leaders set to discuss regulatory reform at their upcoming meeting. Orlopp's intervention adds weight to calls for a comprehensive review of banking regulations across the bloc.

The debate over deregulation has intensified as European financial institutions struggle to compete globally. Orlopp's stance reflects growing frustration within the industry about the pace of regulatory reform. Her call for more substantial changes suggests that incremental adjustments may be insufficient to address the competitive gap with US banks.