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
WSBI-ESBG Managing Director discusses Basel IV, CMDI and SVB at the Politico Finance Summit 2023
Politico Finance Summit 2023 held in Paris
WSBI has been endorsing financial education for 100 years
WSBI-ESBG Managing Director Peter Simon held an interview with Colombian financial magazine…
Global retail bank leaders meet in Colombia to discuss trends on sustainable finance, cybersecurity and financial education
The conference was hosted by WSBI President, Mr Isidro Fainé (President at ‘La Caixa’ Foundation)…
Politico LIVE
Europe’s economy is heading into troubled waters. Inflationary pressure, driven by the most acute…
WSBI-ESBG’s Managing Director advocates for proportionate banking supervision at EBI event
The integration of climate risk considerations in banks’ risk management processes will continue to…
WSBI-ESBG Managing Director Peter Simon’s Interview with “Corresponsables”
WSBI-ESBG Managing Director Peter Simon gave an interview to the leading Spanish media outlet…
Interview with ESBG President Dominique Goursolle-Nouhaud: “The Savings Bank model is the model of the future ”
One year after her election as the President of the European Savings and Retail Banking Group…
ESBG co-signs cross-business statement on future corporate due diligence rules
The statement focused on key messages that large parts of the international business sector…
WSBI-ESBG Managing Director Peter Simon appointed EBIC Chair
The EBIC announced today that Peter SIMON was appointed as
The 28th African Regional Group Meeting convenes in Cape Verde
Representing 27 financial institutions from 20 countries, WSBI Africa Regional Group convened in…
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…
ESBG responds to the Commission consultation on defining violations of Union restrictive measures
Restrictive measures are an essential tool for maintaining international peace and
ESBG’s letter to the Commission on the EBA RTS and GL on interest rate risk in the banking book
Whilst we support a revision of the framework capturing interest rate risks for banking book…
ESBG responds to the ESAs call for evidence on greenwashing
Therefore, in the interest of customers, banks, saving banks and issuers of financial products,…
ESBG provides input on technical negotiations of the Artificial Intelligence Act
The definition of AI remains a highly debated issue. According to ESBG members, the proposed
