Summary：Dutch watchdogs sound alarm, push EU banks to counter US tech power **Introduction** Amsterdam‑bas

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Dutch watchdogs sound alarm, push EU banks to counter US tech power

**Introduction**
Amsterdam‑based regulators warned on Friday that individual European banks lack the clout to negotiate fair terms with American technology giants. The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) urged policymakers to encourage a coordinated approach among EU lenders, arguing that collective bargaining could blunt the growing influence of US‑based cloud, payment and data‑analytics firms. The recommendation arrives as Brussels debates new rules on digital markets and financial stability, highlighting a widening gap between Europe’s banking sector and the tech platforms that increasingly shape everyday commerce.

**Key Developments**
The watchdogs’ report, released after a closed‑door meeting with finance ministry officials, cites several recent incidents where banks struggled to impose reasonable fees on API access from Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. In one case, a mid‑size Dutch lender faced a 30 % price hike for essential data‑storage services after refusing to sign a non‑negotiable contract. The regulators note that isolated complaints have little effect, whereas a joint stance—potentially backed by a European clearinghouse for tech‑service contracts—could compel providers to offer transparent, cost‑based pricing. The report also recommends creating a shared database of contract terms to improve market transparency and enable banks to benchmark offers collectively.

**Industry Analysis**
Analysts say the warning reflects a broader structural imbalance: US tech firms enjoy economies of scale, deep pockets and a regulatory environment that favors rapid innovation, while European banks are hampered by fragmented national rules and legacy IT systems. A coordinated bank coalition could shift the negotiation dynamic, but success hinges on overcoming internal competition and data‑sharing concerns. Some experts caution that antitrust scrutiny may arise if banks appear to collude on pricing, suggesting any collective framework must be designed with clear compliance safeguards. Nonetheless, the push