European Savings and Retail Banks Group Overview

Author

Reads 12.7K

A classic Studebaker pickup truck is parked on a sunlit cobblestone street outside a bank in Europe.
Credit: pexels.com, A classic Studebaker pickup truck is parked on a sunlit cobblestone street outside a bank in Europe.

The European Savings and Retail Banks Group is a significant player in the European banking sector, with a rich history dating back to 1994. It was formed by the merger of several savings banks and retail banks.

The group operates in 12 European countries, offering a wide range of financial services to its customers. Its member banks are known for their commitment to serving local communities and promoting financial inclusion.

The group's member banks have a combined customer base of over 30 million people, and they manage assets worth over €1 trillion. This scale of operation allows them to provide a wide range of financial services, including retail banking, asset management, and insurance.

About ESBG

The European Savings and Retail Banking Group, or ESBG, is a European banking association that represents the interests of its 26 members. These members come from various countries, including Albania, Austria, Belgium, and many more, as seen in the list of ESBG members.

Credit: youtube.com, #12 - RegTalks with Alessia Benevelli, WSBI-ESBG

The ESBG was founded in 1963 as the 'Savings Banks Group of the European Economic Community' and has since changed its name to its current one in 2013. It works closely with its members through committees and task forces to facilitate dialogue on various topics.

ESBG's main goal is to represent the interests of its members vis-à-vis the EU Institutions, with a focus on retail banking issues. The association delivers detailed research on the evolution of legislation and the retail banking market in Europe, comparing it with other regions of the world.

History

The European Savings and Retail Banking Group has a rich history that spans over five decades. It was founded in 1963 as the Savings Banks Group of the European Economic Community.

The association went through a name change in 1988 to European Savings Banks Group, and again in 2013 to its current name. This name change reflects the organization's evolution over the years.

Credit: youtube.com, ESB International Our History

ESBG is the sister organization of the World Savings and Retail Banks Institute, which is also managed in Brussels. This close relationship allows for collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two organizations.

Since 1999, ESBG has been supporting an international competition called the Stock Market Learning. This competition aims to educate pupils about the stock market and the economic and financial world.

Company Description

ESBG is a European banking association that represents the interests of its 26 members.

It defines and expresses the position of its members in all matters related to the European financial services industry.

ESBG delivers detailed research into the evolution of legislation and the retail banking market in Europe, comparing it with other regions of the world.

The association is also a forum for cooperation between its members, proposing cooperation projects and assisting them in identifying consortium partners.

It provides technical consultancy in partnership with multilateral agencies and offers training to its members to increase their operational efficiency.

ESBG works closely with its members through a series of committees and task forces that facilitate a permanent dialogue on all topics.

Membership and Aims

Credit: youtube.com, ESBG presents: Meet our members

The European Savings and Retail Banks Group, also known as ESBG, is a collective of savings and retail banks from various European countries. ESBG has a diverse membership of 31 banks from 22 countries.

Here are some of the ESBG member banks from different countries:

  • Albania: Banka Kombetare Tregtare (BKT)
  • Austria: Österreichischer Sparkassenverband
  • Belgium: Coordination of Belgian Savings and Network Banks
  • Czech Republic: Česká spořitelna
  • Denmark: Lokale Pengeinstitutter
  • Finland: Säästöpankkiliitto (Finnish Savings Banks Association)
  • France: Groupe BPCE, Fédération Nationale des Caisses d'Epargne (FNCE) (National Federation of Savings Banks)
  • Germany: Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband (German Savings Banks Association)
  • Hungary: OTP Bank Nyrt
  • Iceland: Samband Islenskra Sparisjóda
  • Italy: Associazione di Fondazioni e di Casse di Risparmio SpA
  • Luxembourg: Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat (BCEE)
  • Malta: Bank of Valletta Group
  • Netherlands: SNS Bank
  • Norway: Finance Norway (FNO)
  • Portugal: Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Montepio
  • Slovakia: Slovenská sporiteľňa AS
  • Spain: CaixaBank, CECA
  • Sweden: Sparbankernas Riksförbund (Swedish Association of Savings Banks and Savings Bank Foundations), Swedbank
  • United Kingdom: Lloyds Banking Group

ESBG's main aim is to represent the interests of savings and retail banks at the European level, making their position known to European policymakers.

ESBG Members

The European Savings Banks Group (ESBG) has a diverse membership base, comprising banks from various European countries.

Albania's Banka Kombetare Tregtare (BKT) is an ESBG member, as is Österreichischer Sparkassenverband from Austria.

The Coordination of Belgian Savings and Network Banks is another ESBG member, highlighting the organization's commitment to cooperation and networking.

In the Czech Republic, Česká spořitelna is an ESBG member, showcasing the group's presence in Central Europe.

Lokale Pengeinstitutter from Denmark is also part of the ESBG, demonstrating the organization's reach across European countries.

Decorative cardboard appliques of hand with euro coin above jar representing money saving process on blue background
Credit: pexels.com, Decorative cardboard appliques of hand with euro coin above jar representing money saving process on blue background

Säästöpankkiliitto (Finnish Savings Banks Association) from Finland is an ESBG member, underscoring the group's focus on savings banking.

Groupe BPCE and Fédération Nationale des Caisses d'Epargne (FNCE) (National Federation of Savings Banks) from France are ESBG members, indicating the organization's strong presence in Western Europe.

Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband (German Savings Banks Association) is an ESBG member, further emphasizing the group's commitment to savings banking.

OTP Bank Nyrt from Hungary is also an ESBG member, highlighting the organization's global reach.

Here is a list of ESBG members from various European countries:

  • Albania: Banka Kombetare Tregtare (BKT)
  • Austria: Österreichischer Sparkassenverband
  • Belgium: Coordination of Belgian Savings and Network Banks
  • Czech Republic: Česká spořitelna
  • Denmark: Lokale Pengeinstitutter
  • Finland: Säästöpankkiliitto (Finnish Savings Banks Association)
  • France: Groupe BPCE, Fédération Nationale des Caisses d'Epargne (FNCE) (National Federation of Savings Banks)
  • Germany: Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband (German Savings Banks Association)
  • Hungary: OTP Bank Nyrt
  • Iceland: Samband Islenskra Sparisjóda
  • Italy: Associazione di Fondazioni e di Casse di Risparmio SpA
  • Luxembourg: Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat (BCEE)
  • Malta: Bank of Valletta Group
  • Netherlands: SNS Bank
  • Norway: Finance Norway (FNO)
  • Portugal: Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Montepio
  • Slovakia: Slovenská sporiteľňa AS
  • Spain: CaixaBank, CECA
  • Sweden: Sparbankernas Riksförbund (Swedish Association of Savings Banks and Savings Bank Foundations), Swedbank
  • United Kingdom: Lloyds Banking Group

Luxembourg's Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat (BCEE) is another ESBG member, demonstrating the organization's presence in smaller European countries.

Credit: youtube.com, BSI Membership – Meet our members

In the United Kingdom, Lloyds Banking Group is an ESBG member, highlighting the organization's global reach.

SNS Bank from the Netherlands is also an ESBG member, underscoring the group's commitment to savings banking.

Finance Norway (FNO) is an ESBG member, further emphasizing the organization's presence in Northern Europe.

Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Montepio from Portugal are ESBG members, showcasing the group's commitment to savings banking in Southern Europe.

Slovenská sporiteľňa AS from Slovakia is an ESBG member, highlighting the organization's presence in Eastern Europe.

Swedbank and Sparbankernas Riksförbund (Swedish Association of Savings Banks and Savings Bank Foundations) from Sweden are ESBG members, demonstrating the group's commitment to savings banking in Northern Europe.

Aims

Membership in this organization allows individuals to represent the interests of savings and retail banks at the European level.

By joining, members can make their position known to European policy makers, particularly those within the European Union institutions.

The primary goal of this membership is to ensure that the voice of savings and retail banks is heard and taken into account when making decisions that affect the industry.

This focus on representation helps to promote the interests of savings and retail banks in a way that is both effective and influential.

Press Releases

Credit: youtube.com, WSBI ESBG Teaser 1, Entering a new Digital Era

The European Savings Bank Group (ESBG) has been actively releasing press statements on various topics since 2008. The group's press releases cover a range of subjects, including finance, competition, and innovation.

One notable example is their stance on the financial crisis. In a press release dated November 2, 2011, ESBG suggested that the financial crisis could be tackled without harming the sound retail banking model, drawing inspiration from the legendary archer William Tell.

The group has also expressed its views on the importance of financial inclusion. In a press release from June 1, 2011, WSBI (World Savings Banks Institute) aimed to create 10 million sustainable and affordable savings accounts for the poor, doubling savings accounts for the poor.

ESBG has also discussed the topic of SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) Direct Debits. According to a press release from May 11, 2011, SEPA Direct Debits will only be a success with interchange.

A piggy bank and pink gerbera daisy rest on colorful illustrated books, symbolizing savings and creativity.
Credit: pexels.com, A piggy bank and pink gerbera daisy rest on colorful illustrated books, symbolizing savings and creativity.

Here are some key press releases from ESBG:

ESBG's press releases demonstrate their commitment to sharing their views and expertise on various financial and economic topics.

Antoinette Cassin

Senior Copy Editor

Antoinette Cassin is a seasoned copy editor with over a decade of experience in the field. Her expertise lies in medical and insurance-related content, particularly focusing on complex areas such as medical malpractice and liability insurance. Antoinette ensures that every piece of writing is clear, accurate, and free of legal and grammatical errors.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.