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European Union

European Central Bank Reports Decline in Bank Offices Across EU Countries

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Central Bank (ECB) has updated its dataset of structural financial indicators for the banking sector in the European Union (EU), revealing a further decline in the number of bank offices across Member States. The total number of offices in the EU decreased by an average of 3.41% across Member States, with 25 countries experiencing a decline. The ECB's dataset also shows that the number of employees at credit institutions fell in 13 countries, while increasing in 14, with an overall average increase of 1.05% across all countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of bank offices in the EU declined by an average of 3.41% across Member States, with 25 countries experiencing a decline, ranging from -0.71% to -12.48%.
  • The total number of offices in the EU was 127,264 at the end of 2024, with 82.09% located in the euro area.
  • In 2024, the number of employees at credit institutions fell in 13 countries, while increasing in 14, with an overall average increase of 1.05% across all countries.
  • The degree of banking sector concentration continues to vary significantly between EU Member States, with the share of total assets of the five largest credit institutions ranging from 34.1% to 96.01% at the end of 2024.
  • The EU average was 68.61% at the end of 2024, indicating a significant concentration of assets in the hands of a few large credit institutions.
  • The structural financial indicators published by the ECB have shown a general trend of decline in the number of employees at credit institutions since 2008, but this trend has levelled off in 2024, with a small overall increase in the number of employees.
  • The ECB updates its database of structural financial indicators for the banking sector in the EU on an annual basis.

Statistics:

  • Average decline in bank offices across EU Member States: 3.41%
  • Total number of offices in the EU at the end of 2024: 127,264
  • Percentage of offices located in the euro area: 82.09%
  • Average increase in number of employees at credit institutions: 1.05%
  • Number of countries where number of employees at credit institutions fell: 13
  • Number of countries where number of employees at credit institutions increased: 14
  • EU average share of total assets held by the five largest credit institutions: 68.61%
  • Share of total assets of the five largest credit institutions in countries with highest concentration: 34.1% to 96.01%

Sources:

  • European Central Bank (ECB)

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