Europe
Banking and finance news from the United Kingdom, European Union, and broader Europe
Hesse premier sets Frankfurt conditions for UniCredit in talks over Commerzbank takeover
UniCredit confirmed that Chief Executive Andrea Orcel met Hesse Minister-President Boris Rhein to discuss Commerzbank, with the state demanding a Frankfurt headquarters, German corporate status and no transfer of its corporate client business to HypoVereinsbank.
US Senate Judiciary Committee presses UBS with 62 questions on Credit Suisse Nazi-linked accounts
The Senate Judiciary Committee demanded fresh answers from UBS on Credit Suisse's Nazi-era accounts, with chairman Charles Grassley putting 62 questions to the Swiss lender in a previously undisclosed July letter.
Banco Santander reaches 85% of 2030 green finance target with EUR 188 billion mobilised
Banco Santander said it has raised or facilitated EUR 188 billion in green finance since 2019, over 85% of its EUR 220 billion 2030 target.
Germany's Aareal Bank places EUR 300 million green senior non-preferred bond with 5-year tenor
Aareal Bank has issued a EUR 300 million five-year green Senior Non-Preferred bond under its Green Finance Framework – Liabilities to finance or refinance environmentally sustainable properties and energy efficiency measures.
The new bank is a settlement network: what the OCC's 23-of-40 digital-asset signal means for stablecoin competition
The OCC says 23 of the 40 charter applications it received in about 18 months involve digital assets, and its approvals point to charters built for custody, settlement and stablecoin reserves before the GENIUS Act takes effect.
Monte dei Paschi launches €34 billion all-share bids for Banco BPM and Banca Generali
Italy's Monte dei Paschi launched all-share offers worth about €34 billion for Banco BPM and Banca Generali, with a €4 billion extraordinary distribution proposed to shareholders.
Spain's Banco Santander completes $12.3 billion acquisition of Webster Financial Corporation
Santander closed its $12.3 billion acquisition of Webster Financial, issuing 329.8 million new shares and giving Webster holders close to 2.2% of the enlarged group.
Sveriges Riksbank holds policy rate at 1.75% in August, keeps possibility of hike this year
Sweden’s Riksbank left its policy rate at 1.75% on 20 August and said the probability of a rate increase later this year remained after summer inflation came in above its forecast.
UK's Barclays names Bank of America's Mike Joo co-CEO of investment bank alongside Adeel Khan
Barclays appointed former Bank of America banker Mike Joo as co-CEO of its Investment Bank alongside Adeel Khan, effective February 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
HSBC’s $4.9bn debt tender: capital recycling meets a more releasable buffer regime
HSBC agreed to repurchase senior notes for $4.9bn after upsizing its tender cap to $6.75bn, funded by new issuance due 2032 and 2037, as the Bank of England moves towards capital buffers that can be released in stress.
Norges Bank holds policy rate at 4.25%, says a further hike may still be needed
Norway's central bank left its key policy rate at 4.25% on 13 August and said it may still become necessary to raise the policy rate, while noting inflation had been lower than projected.
Netherlands' ABN AMRO Q2 2026 net profit jumps 29% to €781 million as ROE hits 12.1%
ABN AMRO reported a 29% year-on-year rise in second-quarter net profit to €781 million, with return on equity improving to 12.1%.