15/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The December edition of Fin-Focus, the European Commission newsletter on financial services, carries information on the code of conduct that the banking sector is to draw up for mid-2008 to make it easier to switch banks. It should contain two parts: the first introducing a “switching service” available in every member state to make it easier to transfer bank accounts; the second being made up of a “commitment” from banks “a commitment not to discriminate between customers on the basis of nationality or residence when opening bank accounts cross-border”. The Commission will provide the banking industry with benchmarks, based on existing best practice, and retains the right to consider legislative measures if the code of conduct is not produced. Retail financial services make up one of the major thrusts of the review of the European internal market strategy. (M.B.)