Černaja-Mežmale takes Vice-Chair role on November 1
Kristīne Černaja-Mežmale will become Vice-Chair of the European Banking Authority (EBA) on November 1, 2026, following her election by its Board of Supervisors. Her term will last two and a half years.
Latvia's representative takes the role
Kristīne Černaja-Mežmale succeeds Helmut Ettl, who starts his new role as Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on November 1, 2026.
A member of the Council of Latvijas Banka, she has represented Latvia as a voting member of the EBA Board of Supervisors since 2023.
She has also served on the EBA Management Board since July 2023.
EBA Chair François-Louis Michaud thanked Ettl for his contribution, experience and support during his tenure and welcomed his successor.
Ettl thanked colleagues across the EBA for their cooperation and commitment and wished Černaja-Mežmale success in her new role.
The EBA announced the appointment on October 23, 2026.
From bank supervision to leadership
Before joining Latvijas Banka, Černaja-Mežmale served on the Board of Latvia's Financial and Capital Market Commission (FCMC) from 2019 to 2022.
She previously held senior supervisory roles at the FCMC and worked in banking before entering public service.
Michaud said her supervisory experience would support the EBA's work on supervisory convergence, stability and resilience across the EU-27 financial sector.
He also expressed gratitude for her willingness to take on the Vice-Chair role.
Proportionality remains on the agenda
Černaja-Mežmale set out a risk-based and proportionate supervisory agenda.
She plans to work with the Chair, Management Board and national competent authorities to safeguard financial stability.
Her stated priorities also include supporting innovation and competitiveness across the European Union.