(38)In order to assess the application of this Directive, the Commission should, in close cooperation with EBA, monitor the development of covered bonds in the Union and report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the level of investor protection and the development of the covered bond markets. The report should also focus on the developments regarding the assets collateralising the issue of covered bonds. As the use of extendable maturity structures has been increasing, the Commission should also report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the functioning of covered bonds with extendable maturity structures and the risks and benefits deriving from the issue of such covered bonds.