Driven by the three "R's"
With roots in 1924, WSBI-ESBG members enjoy a long history of socially responsible banking around the world. Although organizational structures vary from country to country, they each share certain values in their business models, embedded within the three “R”s.
Social responsibility is a core value of our members, towards their clients, employees, communities and the environment. Unlike Wall Street players, WSBI members are Main Street players.
Retail
Actively providing financial services for people – individual consumers and their households – as well as for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and local authorities.
Regional
Deploy broad distribution networks rooted within the communities they serve, including local and regional outreach in both urban and rural areas. Savings mobilized locally support the local economy. Members offer both digital solutions but they also keep the human touch through extensive branch networks.
Responsible
Social responsibility is a core value of our members, towards their clients, employees, communities and the environment. Unlike Wall Street players, WSBI members are Main Street players, serving all segments of population. Savings and retail banks follow a balanced approach for financial sustainability and a return to society. Profits make a sustainable bank; profit maximization should not be the ultimate goal. ESBG member banks rather give back part of locally made profits by reinvesting in the communities they serve, such as via philanthropic projects and foundation work.
Together WSBI and ESBG...
WSBI ESBG
WSBI ESBG Charter for Responsible and Sustainable Business
A signatory of the United Nations Global Compact since 2006, WSBI-ESBG follows the 10 Principles within it. These principles describe fully social and environmental responsibility commitments to follow. WSBI-ESBG is supportive of the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, which range from ending world poverty to fighting climate change by 2030.
67
COUNTRIES
88
MEMBERS
1.4
BILION CUSTOMERS
6400+
SAVINGS AND RETAIL BANKS
Joint Industry Statement on the EU Retail Investment Strategy
On 24 May 2023, the European Commission unveiled the most extensive reform of the EU legislative…
News from South Asia
BRAC Bank emerged in 2001 with the vision to deliver banking for the unbanked small and medium…
ESBG’s official statement on the recently issued Retail Investment Strategy package
ESBG is fully committed to actively support the development of retail investment in the EU
ESBG and 36 business associations, sign a letter on CSDD ahead of the EP Plenary voting
The European economy, including SMEs which will be impacted even if formally out of the scope, need…
ESBG addresses Commissioner McGuinness on the review of the second Payment Services Directive
On 26 May, ESBG, in cooperation with other banking associations, sent a joint letter to…
Social Partners call for Parliamentary support in review of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Framework
On 26 May, 35 European Social Partners from a wide range of sectors requested support from the…
Joint Statement on the Review of the Distance Marketing of Financial Services Directive
On 25 May, ESBG, in cooperation with other financial service associations including the European…
Joint statement on the Data Act-Access to data by public bodies
In times of crisis, companies stand ready to do their part and help public bodies by sharing
ESBG holds a record number of 22 sideline meetings during the Eurofi conference in Stockholm
As part of the Eurofi conference that took place from 26-28 April in Stockholm, WSBI-ESBG Managing…
ESBG submits its response to ESAs on the exchange of information relevant to fit and proper assessment
On 28 April, ESBG submitted its response to the European Supervisory Authorities’ (ESAs’)…
Social Partners call for Parliamentary support in review of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Framework
On 26 May, 35 European Social Partners from a wide range of sectors requested support from the…
ESBG responds to the Commission’s consultation on its Taxonomy Environmental Delegated Act
On 3 May, ESBG responded to the Commission’s consultation on its new set of EU taxonomy criteria…
ESBG revises its position paper on the CSDDD in accordance with the recent negotiations
Given the developments of the recent political negotiations, ESBG has decided to update its…
ESBG responds to SRB consultation on its future strategic review
ESBG has recently shared its feedback with the Single Resolution Board (SRB) on its future…
A Digital Euro: what does it mean for savings and retail banks?
Since its inception, ESBG has been taking an active role in Digital Euro-related discussions and…
ESBG submits its response to the EBA consultation on the overall recovery capacity in recovery planning.
On 14 March, ESBG submitted its response to the consultation launched by the European Banking…
ESBG submits its response to the EBA consultation on its data collection for the benchmarking exercise in 2024
On 28 February, the ESBG submitted its response to the European Banking Authority (EBA)…
ESBG responded to the ESMA consultation about the use of ESG terms in funds’ names
On 17 February, ESBG submitted its response to the ESMA consultation about the use of ESG terms in…
ESBG responds to EBA consultation on the effective management of money laundering risks when providing access to financial services
In December 2022, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published draft Guidelines on the effective…
ESBG submitted its response on resolvability testing to the EBA consultation
On 14 February, ESBG submitted its response to the consultation launched by the European Banking…
