Hellenic Capital Market Commission
Encyclopedia
The Hellenic Republic Capital Market Commission (or Greek Capital Market Commission) is one of two regulatory
bodies for the financial industry in Greece
, the other being the Bank of Greece
.
It is the competent authority for supervising securities laws, including tender offers.
, ensuring compliance with capital market legislation.
Due to problems caused by the financial crisis that blew up in 2010, the commission banned short selling of shares listed in the Athens Exchange effective 28 April 2010, to remain in force until 28 June 2010.
The HCMC set up the Committee on Corporate Governance in April 1999, which issued the Mertzanis Report in October 1999, entitled Principles on Corporate Governance in Greece: Recommendations for its Competitive Transformation.
This functioned as a voluntary code.
In November 2000 the HCMC issued the mandatory Code of Conduct for Companies Listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, which requires listed entities to establish an internal audit unit to monitor the company's audit process, reporting to the board of directors.
Law No. 3016 of 2002 regulating corporate governance went into force on 20 June 2003, and allows the HCMC to impose sanctions for non-compliance, but the law has been criticized for lacking detail.
The chairman of the commission from 1996 to 2004 was Stavros Thomadakis
, who went on to become first chairman of the Public Interest Oversight Board
in March 2005.
As of June 2011 the chairman was Anastassios Gabrielides.
Financial regulation
Financial regulation is a form of regulation or supervision, which subjects financial institutions to certain requirements, restrictions and guidelines, aiming to maintain the integrity of the financial system...
bodies for the financial industry in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, the other being the Bank of Greece
Bank of Greece
The Bank of Greece is the nationalcentral bank of Greece, located in Athens on Panepistimiou Street, with several branches across the country. Founded in 1927...
.
It is the competent authority for supervising securities laws, including tender offers.
Mandate
The commission is responsible for monitoring compliance with the provisions of capital market law, and is funded by fees paid by the supervised entities. These include Investment Firms, Mutual Fund Management Firms, Portfolio Investment Companies, Real Estate Investment Companies and Financial Intermediation Firms. The HCMC also oversees companies listed on the Athens Stock ExchangeAthens Stock Exchange
The Athens Stock Exchange or ASE or ATHEX is a stock exchange located in Athens, Greece.-History:The Athens Stock Exchange started trading in 1876. The Athens Stock Exchange is a subsidiary of Hellenic Exchanges S.A., whose shares are listed in ATHEX...
, ensuring compliance with capital market legislation.
Due to problems caused by the financial crisis that blew up in 2010, the commission banned short selling of shares listed in the Athens Exchange effective 28 April 2010, to remain in force until 28 June 2010.
Legal framework
Until 2000, there were no laws covering corporate governance in Greece.The HCMC set up the Committee on Corporate Governance in April 1999, which issued the Mertzanis Report in October 1999, entitled Principles on Corporate Governance in Greece: Recommendations for its Competitive Transformation.
This functioned as a voluntary code.
In November 2000 the HCMC issued the mandatory Code of Conduct for Companies Listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, which requires listed entities to establish an internal audit unit to monitor the company's audit process, reporting to the board of directors.
Law No. 3016 of 2002 regulating corporate governance went into force on 20 June 2003, and allows the HCMC to impose sanctions for non-compliance, but the law has been criticized for lacking detail.
The chairman of the commission from 1996 to 2004 was Stavros Thomadakis
Stavros Thomadakis
Stavros Thomadakis is a Greek economist who served as chairman of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, Professor of Finance at the University of Athens and chairman of the Public Interest Oversight Board.-Academic career:...
, who went on to become first chairman of the Public Interest Oversight Board
Public Interest Oversight Board
The Public Interest Oversight Board is an international body that oversees the International Federation of Accountants and seeks to improve the quality and public interest focus of the IFAC standards in the areas of audit, education, and ethics....
in March 2005.
As of June 2011 the chairman was Anastassios Gabrielides.