World Savings and Retail Banking Institute
Helping savings and retail banks around the world to thrive
European Savings and Retail Banking Group
The voice of savings and retail banks at the heart of EU decision making
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.

69
COUNTRIES

96
MEMBERS

1.4
BILION CUSTOMERS

6400+
SAVINGS AND RETAIL BANKS
18/09/2023
WSBI’s MD Peter Simon opens the G20 side event panel “Gender equity and SME financing in a digital landscape” at the SME Finance Forum in Mumbai
The World Savings Bank Institute (WSBI-ESBG), with the substantial support of its Indian member,…
11/09/2023
WSBI-ESBG Extend Solidarity and Call for Continued Support in the Aftermath of Morocco Earthquake
Continued Support in the Aftermath of Morocco Earthquake
04/08/2023
EU Spanish Presidency: WSBI-ESBG Spanish member, CECA’s contributions and proposals
The ESBG appreciates the potential transformative impact of these proposals on the resilience and
30/06/2023
WSBI-ESBG Managing Director: Retail Investment Strategy, an advancement but still missing critical aspects
On 29 June 2023, a public hearing on the Retail Investment Strategy took place in the ECON…
28/06/2023
ESBG’s first reactions on EU single currency package, open finance and payments as published today
The ESBG appreciates the potential transformative impact of these proposals on the resilience and
26/06/2023
WSBI welcomes two new Latin American members
BancoEstado (Chile) and Banco Nacional de Credito (Venezuela) to become new members of the World…
26/06/2023
European industry associations call for payments in the Digital Identity Regulation to be non-mandatory
We believe that the proposal will incentivise Member States to be more expedient in developing e-ID…
26/06/2023
WSBI members get ESG update in first study visit
WSBI held its first ever study visit from 5 to 9 June with the title « Deep dive into sustainable…
06/06/2023
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…
01/06/2023
News from South Asia
BRAC Bank emerged in 2001 with the vision to deliver banking for the unbanked small and medium…
14/09/2023
ESBG’s new position paper on the digital euro highlights pivotal open issues to be addressed by the legislators
Digital Finance | Following the publication of a proposal for a Regulation on the establishment of…
14/09/2023
ESBG advocates for further clarity and consistency in IFRS 9 Impairment requirements
Financial Reporting | On 13 September, ESBG responded to the European Financial Reporting Advisory
14/09/2023
ESBG provides overall assessment on clients’ sustainability preferences under the current framework by replying to the ESMA’s Call for Evidence
Sustainable Finance/ On September 13, the ESBG submitted its response to the European Securities…
13/09/2023
ESBG’s response to the Commission’s consultation on withholding tax procedures
Position Paper | Auditing, Accounting And Reporting
05/09/2023
ESBG responds to Commission’s call for feedback on its legislative package on CMDI
On 31 August, ESBG shared its feedback with the European Commission on the legislative package…
29/08/2023
ESBG responds to the European Commission consultation on the Retail Investment Strategy (RIS) legislative package
On 4 August 2023, the ESBG, by replying to the Have-your-Say consultation launched by the European…
29/08/2023
ESBG responds to the Commission’s call for evidence on the 2014-2020 EU consumer programme
On 22 June 2023, ESBG submitted its response to the consultation launched by the European…
04/08/2023
ESBG has recently submitted its response to the EBA consultation on its draft Guidelines on resubmission of historical data
The objective is to establish a standardized approach for financial institutions to resubmit…
03/08/2023
ESBG’s response to the Commission call for feedback on its proposal for the regulation on the transparency and integrity of ESG rating activities
On 3 August 2023, ESBG responded to the Commission call for feedback on its ESG ratings proposal.…
25/07/2023
ESBG submits its response to the IASB consultation on Amendments to the Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments
On 19 July, ESBG submitted its response to the IASB’s consultation on its Exposure Draft (ED) on…