Latest articles from Western Europe

Swedbank

Swedbank’s social bond marks milestone in Nordic banking

September 22, 2023

Swedbank has broken the ice by issuing the first social bond among Nordic banks. Could this be a turnaround for the asset class?

SVB queues

Six months after SVB collapse, ‘banks need a new playbook’

September 22, 2023

Despite the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, some banks are seeing deposits rise, including the UK’s ClearBank.

Hakan Aran

İşbank puts sustainability at heart of its operations

September 19, 2023

Ahead of İşbank’s centenary celebrations next year, CEO Hakan Aran emphasises the focus on social responsibility and environmental commitments, and outlines what the bank of the future will look like.

Umbrella over piggy bank

How banks can better anticipate and support vulnerable customers

September 12, 2023

With talk of an ‘FQ’ for measuring financial literacy, and improving AI and data analysis tools, can banks become more proactive than reactive? 

Diverse backgrounds

Is socio-economic background a new key concern in UK financial services?

September 4, 2023

UK financial services regulators will publish a Consultation Paper to drive diversity and inclusion improvement in September — and socio-economic status is likely to be at its core.

APP fraud victim

APP scams: prevention benefits us all

September 1, 2023

While reimbursement for APP fraud is generally regarded as a positive step, it is crucial to recognise the profound impacts that go beyond the mere restoration of funds.

Christos Megalou

How Greece’s Piraeus Bank solved its NPL problem

August 30, 2023

Piraeus Bank’s market cap is now around €4bn, compared with €1bn just a year ago. CEO Christos Megalou says he is determined to do everything in his power to ensure it stays there.

Robot arm clutching money

High interest rates hinder AI adoption

August 25, 2023

Banks on both sides of the Atlantic are struggling to invest in tech, but US lenders are at risk of falling behind.

UK high street bank signs

Will the UK’s Consumer Duty improve customer perceptions of banks?

August 24, 2023

The UK’s new Consumer Duty is bringing in new rules that should help to address the distrust and dissatisfaction that retail banking customers feel towards their banks.

Leafy lightbulb

Opinions differ on how to achieve net zero

August 16, 2023

A Greenpeace report takes issue with the ECB’s net-zero actions. 

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