- Managers of Wealth - Europe - Wealth, private banking and asset management news and opinion

European banks run out of options to protect profits

Negative interest rates, new regulations and sluggish economy mean tougher challenges

Banco Santander sells Puerto Rico unit to FirstBank for €1bn

The transaction is expected to close in the middle of 2020, subject to regulatory approvals.

Efma and Accenture Announce Winners of Customer Insight & Growth Banking Innovation Awards

The winners were selected by a panel of judges comprising senior retail bankers from around the world and by Efma members and non-members from retail institutions who voted online.

Metro Bank launches new game-changing digital insights tool for businesses

The development comes as part of Metro Bank’s efforts to inject much needed competition into the small business banking market following the £120 million funding it was awarded from the Capability & Innovation Fund.

CEO of Greece’s Largest Bank Has a Plan to Move Past Financial Crisis

Bank weighs speeding up securitization plan scheduled for 2021

Tough Times Persist For German Banking

One of the biggest long-term problems faced by German banking is the sector’s proliferation of small lenders.

Estonian bank enters liquidation over money laundering case

Last week, Estonian police found the body of Aivar Rehe, Danske Bank’s head in Estonia in 2006-2015, and confirmed Monday he had committed suicide.

OakNorth Bank sets up £20m Raw Mortgage Fund loan

Tim Parkes, managing director and lead fund manager at Raw Mortgage Fund, said: “OakNorth Bank has done a fair amount of property lending itself so has a great understanding of the sector, the performance of property assets and can structure a facil

Santander launches own digital bank Openbank in Germany

The bank offers German customers a state-of-the-art platform and mobile app, featuring AI and machine learning technology, cloud-based systems and the highest security standards for usability and optimal customer experience.

Commerzbank plans to lay-off thousands in latest restructuring

The lender also aims to shut down 200 branches in Germany, following which, it will operate around 800 offices in the country.

HSBC Looks to Unload French Retail Bank

The move to reduce its footprint in Europe would be one of its first strategic actions under new interim Chief Executive Noel Quinn

BNP Paribas plans bid for Deutsche Bank's equity derivatives

Deutsche Bank plans to auction its equity derivatives portfolio next month having received significant expressions of interest from banks, private equity firms and hedge funds, the sources told Reuters.

The European race to provide real-time payments

As financial services players consider their options for instant payments, reachability will be key.

Deutsche Bank to extend hiring squeeze to thousands of temporary workers

New policy could be 'unwieldy' for a sector that requires flexibility when hiring, says one recruiter

Commerzbank discussing more job cuts: newspaper

Shares in Commerzbank were up 1.3% in early Frankfurt trade.

Lendable launches Luxembourg fund with Credit Suisse

The lending platform said the new structure will target British consumers.

Commerzbank mulls branch closures as part of broader strategy review

The Frankfurt-based bank is weighing the closures as part of a broader strategy review.

Bank of China coming to Greece this year

Bank of China is the world’s fourth largest bank by assets behind three other Chinese banks, with nearly $3 trillion.

Hampden posts first-half growth as uncertainty hits London market

Mr Hartop, who noted Hampden’s client base now stands at around 3,000, said: “I guess part of it is that a lot of jobs will be potentially impacted [by Brexit] and obviously it is a lot more [of a] cosmopolitan population down there.

Woes of Metro Bank show how exposed businesses are to a liquidity trap

There have been sporadic examples of this coming back to bite those who have — unwittingly or not — exposed themselves to greater risk than they might ordinarily want.

Retail Banking