WSBI-ESBG

🚀1 Year in 3 minutes: Relive 2024 with WSBI-ESBG! What a year it has been! From celebrating 100 years of driving financial inclusion and social responsibility to welcoming new members from around the globe, 2024 has been extraordinary. Together, we’ve championed diversity in banking, empowered communities, and advanced sustainability through bold initiatives. This was the year we turned local insights into global solutions, celebrated the timeless power of savings, and proved—yet again—that banking is about more than transactions; it’s about transformation. 🎥Watch the video to relive the highlights that defined this extraordinary year and see what’s next for 2025. #WSBI #ESBG #Responsiblebanking #Financialeducation #Sustainability

🌍 Closing the Gender Financing Gap: WSBI's Journey with the WE Finance Code In October 2023, WSBI became one of the first global signatories of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), a World Bank initiative to bridge the $1.7 trillion financing gap for women-led #MSMEs. In a blog recently published by CGAP‘s Finequity platform, Céline Stevens, Senior Program Manager at WSBI, shares our journey of implementing this groundbreaking initiative. From refining data collection systems to tackling reporting challenges, the blog highlights the strategies we’ve adopted to support our 100+ member institutions in gathering gender-disaggregated financing data. Key insights from our first year reveal persistent barriers for women-led SMEs and underscore the critical role banks and MFIs play in closing this gap. Read the full blog to explore practical solutions and lessons learned: https://lnkd.in/ep4d2Hmy Taking this chance, read our SDG Impact 2024 Report: https://lnkd.in/eH2kdNi5 #InclusiveFinance #FinancialInclusion #GenderEquality #SMEFinance

🎇 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 27𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐒𝐁𝐈 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 & 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬! For those who shared this historic moment with us in Rome, and for those who couldn’t be there, we are delighted to share a little treat as the year draws to a close: the recording of the Hymn of Thrift – 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘰 – performed live on stage on 31st of October. Composed in 1928 by Italian maestro Giuseppe Pietri with lyrics by Gino Valori, this timeless musical treasure has united generations across borders, promoting the virtue of thrift for almost a century. During the centenary celebrations, under the direction of Choir Master Stefano Vasselli, the room resonated with the enchanting voices of the Coro da Camera Italiano and ResAltera Vocal Ensemble, the soaring brilliance of Soprano Rosaria Angotti and Tenore Carlo Putelli, and the refined accompaniment of Francesco Del Fra on piano, alongside the trumpet artistry of Massimo Patella and Beatrice Galli. More than a performance, this was an ode to unity, resilience, and the spirit of savings – values that WSBI and its members hold close as we work to build thriving communities worldwide. As 2024 nears its end, we hope this recording serves as a heartfelt gift to our members, followers, and friends across the globe. May the harmonies of this historic hymn inspire us all to embrace the virtues of thrift, collaboration, and hope as we step into a new year. 🎥 Enjoy the performance and let the music take you back! #WSBI100 #WorldSavingsDay #WSBI2024 #WSBIWorldCongress 🙏 Acri, DSGV - Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband, Cecabank, CaixaBank, OTP Bank Magyarország, Groupe BPCE, Fédération nationale des Caisses d'Epargne, Spuerkeess, DekaBank, Helaba, Al Barid Bank, Banco Caja Social, State Bank of India, ICBA

🌱 Building resilience through health, education, and sustainability 💡We know that investing in health, education, and climate action is essential for long-term prosperity. By focusing on these areas, WSBI-ESBG members are driving real, lasting change across the globe.   In Uganda, Centenary Bank supported the Rotary Cancer Run, providing critical healthcare services to underserved populations. In Hungary, OTP Bank Magyarország expanded its #financialliteracy programs, helping youth gain the skills to succeed in an increasingly complex world. Meanwhile, Groupe BPCE in France has pioneered green #homerenovations, promoting sustainability and reducing carbon footprints.   Postal Savings Bank of China Co., Ltd. is leading the charge in green finance by launching the “Green G Discount” to support low-carbon enterprises, while Bank of Valletta plc in Malta is strengthening community health by renovating the San Blas Drug Rehabilitation Unit. In Indonesia, PT. Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk empowered women through leadership programs like “Srikandi Goes to Campus.”   In the Dominican Republic, Asociación Popular de Ahorros y Préstamos (APAP) invested heavily in secondary and higher education, impacting thousands of students. BancoEstado in Chile supported MSMEs through its Mundo Verde MiPyme platform, promoting green business initiatives, and UGAFODE Microfinance Limited (MDI) in Uganda enhanced the resilience of 200,000 farmers through climate-focused agri-food systems.   👉Through these initiatives, our members are driving tangible, positive change in health, education, and environmental sustainability. 📖 Explore these stories and more in our SDG Report https://lnkd.in/e6mm3krT

📢 Nicolas Namias Elected ESBG President for 2024-2027 We’re delighted to announce the election of Nicolas Namias, CEO of Groupe BPCE, as the new President of the European Savings and Retail Banking Group (ESBG). His leadership will guide our mission of empowering local communities, fostering financial inclusion, and strengthening Europe’s real economy. This milestone was reached during the ESBG Statutory Meetings held on 13 December in Brussels. 👉 Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/egTDEnXJ

💡 Highlights from the 3rd Joint CSN-BTN Meeting in Malta On 5–6 December 2024, WSBI-ESBG members came together in📍Malta for the 3rd joint Cybersecurity Network (CSN) and Banking Technology Network (BTN) meeting. Hosted by the Bank of Valletta plc, the event featured insightful discussions on key topics in security trends like #FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance, Digital Operational Resilience Act (#DORA), and penetration testing. The event kicked off with Björn Ekstedt (Bank of Valletta plc) delivering the opening remarks, setting the stage for productive discussions. 🎙️We were privileged to hear from distinguished speakers: · José Valiño Blanco - (FIDO Alliance) and ABANCA key · Zsuzsanna Bódi (Mastercard Strive) – Innovation Fund Winners in Cybersecurity: Overview of Cresco Cybersecurity, Lupasafe, and Redamp.io · Constantin Vicol (WSBI-ESBG) - Presentation of the new Banking Technology Member Space · Jorij Abraham (Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) – The global state of scams · Mario Prinz (Erste Group) – Identification of critical or important functions critical functions according to DORA · Isaiah Wong (The Bank of East Asia, Limited (BEA)) – Cyber mitigation control for Hong Kong BEA’s banking simulation attack exercise and cloud risk management framework · Madalin Staniu & Alexandru Gugoasa (Black Bullet - On target digital solutions) - Industry trends, emerging threats, and best practices in cybersecurity The meeting concluded with the BTN Chair Danith Valles Reategui (Cecabank) delivering thoughtful closing remarks, reflecting on the key takeaways and emphasizing the importance of ongoing collaboration in shaping the future of banking technology and cybersecurity. Thank you to all participants and speakers for making this event a success! Also, a heartfelt thanks to Bank of Valletta for its warm hospitality and gracious welcome, which provided the perfect setting for this enriching event. We are looking forward to continuing these valuable exchanges and fostering collaboration in the future. 📩 Janine Barten & Ali-Ashraf Rajabli #Cybersecurity #BankingTechnology #Innovation #DORA #FIDOAlliance

🌐 Creating opportunity, driving inclusion At WSBI-ESBG, addressing inequalities is at the heart of what we do. Our members are dedicated to empowering underserved communities by offering innovative, tailored solutions that make a real difference in people's lives. In Yemen, The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) is equipping 50,000 young women and men with tools to build a better future through entrepreneurship. Banco Montepio in Portugal has supported sustainable microbusinesses, creating jobs and tackling long-term unemployment. In Botswana, Botswana Savings Bank invests in financial literacy to uplift marginalized communities, while FEPCMAC in Peru is bringing financial education to rural areas through cutting-edge virtual training. Through these efforts, we are taking meaningful steps toward a fairer, more inclusive world. 💡 Explore the stories behind the numbers in our SDG Report https://lnkd.in/e6mm3krT   #SDG10 #GlobalImpact

Financial sector calls on EU policymakers to reassess the Financial Data Access (#FiDA) Regulation to ensure innovation, security, and competitiveness. Today, Europe’s insurance, banking, and asset management industries issued a joint statement urging co-legislators to uphold their commitments to boost European competitiveness. The signatories stress that the Financial Data Access (FiDA) Regulation should not be finalized before a thorough assessment of its impact across the entire value chain is completed. The statement warns that rushing into implementation without addressing key concerns could undermine both European competitiveness and data protection. The joint statement highlights the need for: 👉 Evidence-backed policymaking to prioritize customer benefits and market demand. 👉 Stronger safeguards for data privacy and security, ensuring new data-sharing entities (FISPs) are held to the same regulatory standards as financial institutions. 👉 Legal clarity to build a workable framework that drives Open Finance in Europe. While supporting the ambition to foster data-driven innovation, the signatories emphasize that any framework must carefully consider its broader impact on consumers, businesses, and the financial ecosystem. The statement was co-signed by the AFME (Association for Financial Markets in Europe), the European Association of Co-operative Banks, the European Banking Federation, EFAMA, WSBI-ESBG and Insurance Europe 📩 Ali-Ashraf Rajabli

On Wednesday, the 7th meeting of the Sustainable Finance Committee united ESBG members in Brussels, underscoring our shared commitment to a sustainable financial future. Key discussions included potential integration of SMEs into the #EUTaxonomy, #SFDR developments, EFRAG’s updated standards, the #CSDDD, Deforestation Regulation, and progress on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (#EPBD) and ESG risk management. Participants also shared thoughts on the upcoming #OmnibusDirective and the #CleanIndustrialDeal. With the contributions of Chair Sophie Asselot and our dedicated members, we reaffirmed ESBG’s commitment to EU policies that balance ambition with practicality, ensuring a fair, impactful transition for all. 📩 Adrien Boudet

🗞️ Breaking news: our flagship publication, the Financial News&Views is now available! ⏯️ News Headlines: The end-of-year edition highlights the remarkable 27th #WSBIWorldCongress and Centenary Celebrations, held in📍Rome this October and revisits an incredible week filled with exchanges, networking, study visits, and celebrations marking 100 years of #ResponsibleBanking. Inside, explore the newly-released SDG Report, which showcases how WSBI-ESBG members contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs). Discover insights into the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) Code, an exclusive interview with WSBI Vice President Diego Prieto on Banco Caja Social’s commitment to financial inclusion, and Republic Bank Ghana’s impactful social initiatives. Finally, delve into key updates from the EU , featuring perspectives on sustainable finance and the Savings & Investment Union 🇪🇺. Don’t miss it! 🌐 Discover our newspaper in four languages 👉 English https://lnkd.in/egXMsmv3 👉 Spanish https://lnkd.in/e9tgXsr9 👉 Italian https://lnkd.in/es9Xv2eD 👉 French https://lnkd.in/eMX_Z86e 👏 Special thanks to our contributors, members and advisors: Dima Al-Khatib, Gelsomina Vigliotti, cynthia ikponmwosa, Fernando Vega Holm, Stefanie Christina Huber, al-amine nejjar, Sultan AlHamidi, Erik Ljungberg, Daniel Hojman, Diederik Bruggink, Chanda Chime - Katongo, Karolin Schriever, Jay Khairil, Jean Pesme, Pere Nebot, Laszlo Bencsik, Frédéric BURTZ, Fatine Dinia, Adrian Li, Dr. Ulrich Reuter, Jacques Beyssade, Shashi Kandambi, Giovanni Azzone, LBBW, Ines Scacchi, Adrien Boudet, Benjamin Dzoboku, Daniela Craciun, Nihan Çevirgen & Thomas Van de Leemput