Euro area regulators have distanced themselves from the approach taken by Swiss authorities to some holders of Credit Suisse bonds.

In a joint statement today, the ECB Banking Supervision, the Single Resolution Board and the European Banking Authority reiterated that when a bank fails in the euro area, shareholders will incur losses first and fully before bondholders.

"This approach has been consistently applied in past cases and will continue to guide the actions of the SRB and ECB banking supervision in crisis interventions," the statement read.

Under the terms of the deal brokered by the Swiss National Bank over the weekend, in which UBS bought out troubled lender Credit Suisse, shareholders received some payment while holders of so-called "Additional Tier 1" bonds suffered losses.

"Additional Tier 1" is a type of bond or investment which normally commands a higher degree of security for investors than shares.

The joint statement goes on to say that "..Additional Tier 1 is and will remain an important component of the capital structure of European banks."

The statement also welcomes the move by the Swiss authorities "to ensure financial stability".

Meanwhile, the Bank of England also said today that shareholders of failed banks should bear losses ahead of holders of Additional Tier 1 bonds after the structure of Credit Suisse's rescue in Switzerland angered bondholders.

The Bank of England confirmed that in Britain, holders of common equity tier 1 instruments - shares - should expect to suffer losses before AT1 bondholders.

"Holders of such instruments should expect to be exposed to losses in resolution or insolvency in the order of their positions in this hierarchy," the bank said in a statement.

The Bank of England said this was the approach used in its resolution this month of Silicon Valley Bank UK.

The European Central Bank remains ready to support euro zone banks with loans if needed, ECB President Christine Lagarde said over the weekend.

She added that the Swiss-brokered rescue of Credit Suisse was "instrumental" for restoring calm to the markets.

Investors have been concerned about the impact of Credit Suisse's debacle on euro zone banks despite the ECB's repeated reassurance that lenders in the 20 countries that share the euro are solid.

Christine Lagarde repeated that euro area banks were "resilient, with strong capital and liquidity positions" but said the central bank was ready to step in if necessary.

"Our policy toolkit is fully equipped to provide liquidity support to the euro area financial system if needed and to preserve the smooth transmission of monetary policy," she said in a statement.

The ECB has in the past provided banks with ultra-cheap, multi-year loans known as Targeted Longer-Term Refinancing Operations, as well as Emergency Liquidity Assistance, which can be provided by the 20 national central banks of the euro zone against a broader palette of collateral.

Lagarde welcomed "the swift action and the decisions taken by the Swiss authorities", which orchestrated Credit Suisse's takeover by rival UBS.

"They are instrumental for restoring orderly market conditions and ensuring financial stability," she said.