The contraction in terms of staff numbers and branches in the European banking sector continued in 2016, according to figures published by the European Banking Federation (EBS) on Tuesday 12 September.
With the development of digital banking services, European banks have seen their staffing levels fall over the last few years. In 2016, 2.8 million people worked in banks in Europe, compared to 2.85 million one year earlier and 3.26 million in 2008.
Another observation the EBF makes concerns the reduction in the physical presence of banks in Europe. The number of branches of European banks has fallen from 237,701 in 2008 to 189,270 in 2016. Last year alone, more than 9,000 branches are reported to have closed their doors.
The total number of bank brands in the EU has itself been on the decline for eight years in a row. In 2016, the EU had 6,596 banks, compared to 8,525 in 2008. The countries that saw the most closures in 2016 are the Netherlands (113 units), Germany (72) and Austria (63), according to the EBF's figures.
In parallel to these declines, the EBF notes a 1.2% increase in total bank deposits: 1.7% increase for household deposits and 3.7% for businesses. At the end of 2015, total deposits stood at €15.9 billion, including €11.8 billion in the Eurozone. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)