The Board of Supervisors of the European Banking Authority (EBA) has elected Kristīne Černaja-Mežmale as its Vice-Chair for a duration of two and a half years. Ms Černaja-Mežmale will take up her new role on 1 November 2026 when the current EBA Vice-Chair, Helmut Ettl starts his new role as Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Ms Černaja-Mežmale is a Member of the Council of Latvijas Banka and has been a voting member of the EBA Board of Supervisors since 2023, representing Latvia. She has also been serving on the EBA’s Management Board since July 2023.
The EBA Chair, François-Louis Michaud, expressed his warmest thanks to Helmut Ettl for his dedication and contribution to the EBA and welcomed Kristīne Černaja-Mežmale as the Authority's new Vice-Chair. He said:
“I would like to thank Helmut Ettl for his outstanding contribution to the EBA over the years and most recently during his tenure as Vice-Chair. I wish him all the best in his next responsibilities. His experience, commitment and support have been invaluable to the Authority. I am also delighted to welcome Kristīne Černaja-Mežmale as our new Vice-Chair and grateful for her willingness to take on this important role. Her extensive supervisory experience will be a great asset as we continue to foster supervisory convergence, stability and resilience in the EU-27 financial sector.”
Kristīne Černaja-MežmaleMember of the Council of Latvijas BankaAt a time of rapid change for the financial sector, I look forward to working closely with the Chair, the Management Board and national competent authorities to promote a strong, risk-based and proportionate supervisory framework that safeguards financial stability while supporting innovation and competitiveness across the European Union.
As he concludes his term as EBA Vice-Chair, Mr Ettl reflected on his time at the Authority and welcomed his successor:
“It has been a privilege to serve as EBA Vice-Chair. I would like to thank colleagues across the EBA for their cooperation and commitment over the years, and I wish Kristīne every success as she takes on this important role.”
Alongside her new role at the EBA, Kristīne Černaja-Mežmale will continue serving as a Member of the Council of Latvijas Banka.