On November 4th the European Central Bank (ECB) assumes responsibility for the direct supervision of 120 large and systemic banks in the euro-area. To smoothen the transition to the Single Supervisory Mechanism the ECB has conducted a comprehensive assessment over the past 12 months on a wider sample of 130 banks, with the aim of enhancing transparency, bolstering confidence, and if necessary repairing banks’ financial positions. The results as well as the implications of the Asset Quality Review (AQR) and Stress Test belonging to the comprehensive assessment will be discussed at CEPS Lunchtime Meeting on the eve of the SSM.