Sascha Titze

Having studied Economics and Business for my undergraduate, I then joined the European Institute in order to focus on European integration from an interdisciplinary political economy angle – which is exactly what I got at the LSE.

During my MSc I concentrated on some of the currently most debated topics of EU integration: such as how to fix the design flaws of the Eurozone, or trade policy. In the monetary integration course with Waltraud Schelkle (Professor in Political Economy at the EI) I dealt extensively with the academic debate surrounding the creation of the Banking Union within the EU, and its rationale to break the diabolic loop between banks and sovereigns. I was particularly thrilled to study the economic and political factors which led to the creation of Banking Union, which is arguably the most significant leap forward in EU integration post-Maastricht. This also inspired me to dedicate my dissertation to the topic: From banking nationalism to centralization – Europe’s radical shift in Banking Supervision.

After the LSE I joined the European Central Bank’s Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) Traineeship program. This aims at fostering a new generation of banking supervisors with a truly European perspective. In this program, I had the chance to rotate with different assignments – each lasting several months – between the ECB and Banco de España as a member of a Joint Supervisory Team (JST) supervising two significant banks. The SSM Traineeship not only provided me with an invaluable intercultural experience but also introduced me to different supervisory practices and traditions in the National Central Banks.  Subsequently, I was offered an Analyst position at the ECB, and I am excited to continue contributing to foster a sound and resilient European banking system. Skills I cultivated at the European Institute, such as drafting in a clear and concise language, and the ability to think outside the box, are vital assets that I now leverage in my daily tasks at the SSM.

Interacting closely not only with some of the most distinguished scholars in their field, but also with fellow students that all share a genuine passion for the European project, has truly broadened my horizons. The European Institute with its multidisciplinary approach is undoubtedly a stimulating learning environment that has shaped my future.