Leading lenders saw net interest income increase despite tricky economic conditions.
Natixis CEO Nicolas Namias outlines his ambitions for the firm, following its recent delisting and acquisition by BPCE.
Pre-tax profits slumped at leading lenders last year as the country’s heavily indebted private sector struggled with the pandemic.
The NPL ratio at Bank of Cyprus, the country’s largest lender, fell from 41% in 2016 to 12.4% last year.
The consolidation drive is expected to continue into 2022, with domestic deals taking the lion’s share of activity.
French banks went into the crisis well prepared, as their performance shows.
Hamburg Commercial Bank is Germany’s best-performer, leading a field that did well under tough conditions.
Banks reacted smartly to Spain’s sharp contraction in growth last year — with the resulting numbers showing that they are nicely positioned for the future.
Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi leads the Turkish banks, whose adaptability has seen them through a tough year in face of currency depreciation and rising inflation.
Well-capitalised UK banks not only weathered the Covid-19 pandemic, but also helped the government support other businesses during it. However, other challenges, such as Brexit, remain.
The country’s three largest banks recorded close to 20% growth in mortgages last year.
ABN Amro increased loan impairment provisions by 285% in 2020, in preparation for the damaging impact of Covid-19.
The 'hub model', which allows five banks to share one premises, is an example of how branch networks are evolving.
The success of fintech Wise’s direct listing in the UK in July makes it certain that other companies will follow suit.
Banks are facing a hangover: after being told to lend money quickly during the Covid-19 pandemic, they now face the challenge of recovering it.
The appointment of César González-Bueno as CEO of Spain’s fourth biggest bank highlights the lender’s focus on digital banking.
The central bank is widely expected to start raising rates at its meeting in September.
Critics argue that a cap on bankers’ bonuses is ineffective and outdated, but the issue remains controversial.
The NPL ratio at National Bank of Greece and Eurobank Ergasias has dropped sharply in the past few years.
The country’s first additional Tier 1 bond proves its banking sector is investible at all capital tiers.