London was the most attractive financial center in Western Europe as of September 2024. According to five broad areas of competitiveness that the ranking was built on (business environment, human capital, infrastructure, financial sector development, and reputation), London received *** points. Frankfurt ranked second, with a rating of ***. According to the Global Power City Index (GPCI), London was also the most attractive city worldwide for its economy, research and development, cultural interaction, livability, environment, and accessibility. Financial employment in the UK In 2022, the value added in the finance and insurance services sector in the United Kingdom as a percentage of total GDP was one of the largest in Europe. However, total employment in the financial services sector overall decreased since 2008. The mean weekly wage of full-time employees in the financial and insurance sector also dropped and never recovered from a sharp decrease in 2018. Largest European financial institutions In 2023, HSBC topped the list of the largest European banks in terms of total assets. With more than *** trillion U.S. dollars, the UK-based giant ranked before BNP Paribas, the largest banking institution in France.

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, was rated the most attractive financial center among the presented cities in Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, and Central Asia in 2024, with a rating of ***. It was followed by Almaty and Tallinn. To compare, Moscow had a Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI) rating of 590. The rating is based on an index incorporating numerous factors, including business environment, human capital, taxation, and infrastructure, among others. The global financial center ranking is led by New York.

As of September 2024, New York ranked as the world's most attractive financial center, earning a score of *** on a comprehensive financial center rating index that considers multiple factors. London followed closely in second place with a rating of ***. What are financial centers? A financial center is a city or region that serves as a strategic hub for the financial industry, bringing together banks, trading firms, stock exchanges, and other financial institutions. These hubs are typically distinguished by strong infrastructure, a stable regulatory and political environment, favorable taxation policies, and ample opportunities for business and trade growth. According to a 2024 survey of financial services professionals, the key factors influencing a financial center's competitiveness were the business environment, human capital, and infrastructure. Financial centers by region According to the Global Financial Centers Index, the most attractive financial hubs in North America are New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Sao Paulo received the highest scores. When financial sector professionals were asked which financial centers were likely to become more significant in the next years, they pointed to Seoul, Singapore, Dubai.

European banks showed varied levels of operational efficiency, with Portugal leading the pack in last quarter of 2024. The cost-to-income ratio (CIR), a key indicator of bank profitability, reveals significant disparities across EU countries. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Portugal's banking sector boasted the lowest CIR at **** percent, followed closely by Bulgaria and Greece, indicating their high operational efficiency. In contrast, Liechtenstein, France, and Germany faced challenges with higher CIRs, suggesting room for improvement in their banking operations. Similar differences can also be observed at the individual bank level, where some of the largest European banks reported CIRs well above ** percent in 2024. Recent trends in the EU banking sector The European Union's banking industry has experienced notable fluctuations in recent years, which was reflected in the EU's aggregate cost-to-income ratio. In the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the CIR to spike to ***** percent, the highest in recent history. However, the sector has since rebounded, with the CIR stabilizing around ** percent throughout 2024. This improvement coincides with a significant increase in total operating income, which reached ****** billion euros in 2023, up from a low of ****** billion euros in 2020. Profitability and growth outlook Despite challenges, the EU banking sector has shown resilience and growth. The operating income growth rate reached approximately ** percent in 2023, the highest in the observed period. This positive trend is particularly noteworthy following the substantial decline in income growth during the 2020 pandemic-induced economic contraction. As banks continue to adapt to changing economic conditions, their ability to maintain low CIRs while increasing operating income will be crucial for sustained profitability and stability in the European financial landscape.

Between 2008 and the second quarter of 2022, all the hikes in the cost-to-income ratio of the leading European countries' banking industries represent certain economic issues. The cost-to-income ratio (CIR) is calculated by dividing the operating costs of a company by the operating income and it is a key financial measure when valuing banks. The lower the ratio, the more profitable a bank - or in this case, the banking industry - is. In 2008, the banking industries were still feeling the effect of the global financial crisis. The next sudden increase took place between 2010 and 2012, as a result of the Euro area recession. COVID-19 caused another drastic increase, but the banking industries seemed to recover in 2021. The first quarter of 2022 started with a sharp increase for Germany, while other leading European countries experienced only a slight increase in the second quarter of 2022.

********* counted just below *** startup investments in 2022, making it one Europe's most attractive startup destinations. Only ************************* saw more investment rounds that year. A startup is usually defined as a starting (group of) entrepreneur(s), but there are many different definitions of what makes a startup a startup. In most of these, the similarities include the age of the entrepreneur or company, the number of employees, the growth potential and level of innovation. In 2021 and 2022, the total number of investments in European startups reached its highest level, amounting to over *****.

The size of the Europe Office Real Estate Market was valued at USD XX Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD XXX Million by 2032, with an expected CAGR of 4.00">> 4.00% during the forecast period. The Europe office real estate market refers to the segment of the property market focused on the development, leasing, and sale of office spaces across European countries. This market includes a wide range of properties, from high-rise office buildings in major cities to smaller office spaces in suburban areas. The demand for office real estate is influenced by various factors, including economic growth, corporate expansion, and trends in workforce dynamics. In recent years, the rise of hybrid and remote working models has reshaped the office real estate landscape, leading to a greater focus on flexible workspaces, coworking spaces, and adaptable office layouts that accommodate changing business needs. Key markets for office real estate in Europe include major business hubs such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, where demand is driven by multinational corporations, financial institutions, and tech companies. These cities tend to have higher rental rates and more competitive markets due to the concentration of businesses and economic activity. Secondary cities and regional markets are also growing, offering more affordable office space and appealing to companies looking to decentralize or relocate to less expensive areas. Recent developments include: May 2023: CBRE Group, Inc. announced that its property management group has formed a global strategic partnership with Deepki that will bring Deepki Ready, one of the world's most extensive landlord-focused real estate sustainability data intelligence platforms to the commercial properties CBRE manages for investors around the world. CBRE has been using Deepki for properties it manages in the United Kingdom for more than two years; Deepki is now being deployed across CBRE-managed properties throughout Continental Europe, with plans to begin using Deepki in the Americas and the Pacific region as the next step in a global rollout., April 2023: Global real estate professional services firm JLL and iO Partners announce that JLL will transfer its existing Leasing, Capital Markets, Valuation Advisory, Consulting, and Project Management delivery businesses to iO Partners in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. The two companies have formed a preferred partnership enabling them to service clients in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. The agreement will give iO Partners a strong presence in these four countries with experienced employees, efficient systems and processes, and a strong ongoing partnership with JLL.. Key drivers for this market are: Economic Growth, Urbanization and Urban Renewal; Foreign Investments in the Sector. Potential restraints include: The Uncertainty Surrounding Brexit. Notable trends are: Offices Remain a Core Sector.

Attitudes towards the European Union. Cooperation between the EU and the own country. Trust in institutions. Media use. Global crisis.

Topics: 1. Attitudes towards the European Union: life satisfaction; frequency of discussions about political matters on international, national, and local level with friends and relatives; opinion leadership; assessment of the current situation in the following areas: national economy, global economy, personal job situation, financial situation of the own household; expected development in the next twelve months regarding: national economy, personal job situation, financial situation of the own household, national employment situation, personal life in general; most important problems in the own country; general direction things are going: in the own country, in the Arab world (only in DZ, EG, TN, JO, LB, LY, PS, MA), in the European Union, in the world; image of the EU; assessment of the relations of the own country with the EU; awareness of financial support for the own country provided by the EU in the context of cooperation programmes; knowledge of specific programmes; areas with the highest benefit from current European Union’s policies for the own country; attitude towards the following statements: EU has appropriate level of involvement in the own country, EU brings peace and stability in region surrounding the own country, EU is an important partner of the own country, sufficient common values of own country and EU as the basis for cooperation, EU support contributes a lot to own country’s development; prioritized areas the EU should play a greater role in in the own country.

1. Cooperation between the EU and the own country: attitude towards selected statements: appropriate amount of information on the EU available in the own country, clear communication from the EU regarding the own country; most effective actors in helping economic development in the own country; most effective actors in helping security and stability in the own country; extent of contribution of the following local actors to economic development in the own country: national government, presidency (not in MA, JO), private companies in the own country, national banks, NGOs, religious organisations, regional public authorities, local public authorities; most important areas of cooperation between the EU and the own country; preferred area to focus EU’s development aid for the own country on.

2. Trust in institutions: trust in selected media: printed press, radio, TV, internet; personal account on: facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Vkontakte (only in RU, AM, AZ, BY, GE, MD, UA), Odnoklassniki (only in RU, AM, AZ, BY, GE, MD, UA), Netlog (only in DZ, EG, JO, LB, LY, MA, PS, TN), Lifejournal (only in RU, AM, AZ, BY, UA), Instagram; frequency of using the aforementioned networks; trust in the following institutions: European Union, United Nations, NATO, Arab League (only in DZ, EG, TN, JO, LB, PS, MA, LY); trust in selected national bodies: national government, national parliament, regional public authorities, local public authorities, political parties; satisfaction with democracy in the own country and in the own region; extent of applicability of the following elements to the own country: freedom of speech, free elections, gender equality, protection of the rights of minorities, independence of justice, freedom of press, rights of vote, respect of human rights, rule of law, good governance, lack of corruption; elements that best describe the concept of democracy.

3. Media use: frequency of the following activities: watching television on a TV set, watching television via the internet, listening to the radio, reading printed press, using online social networks, using the internet; preferred sources of information on national political matters; most frequently used TV channels, radio stations, daily newspapers, and websites; preferred TV and radio programmes; most trustworthy media with regard to political news; perceived focus of the following national media primarily on national or on international matters: TV, radio, printed press, websites; assessment of the reliability of the reporting of the aforementioned media; political independence of these media; timeliness; influence on public opinion; attitude towards selected statements: internet contributes to diversity of opinions, link between free and independent media and democracy, journalists should be protected in the exercise of their duties; pref...

Attitudes towards the European Union. Cooperation between the EU and the own country. Trust in institutions. Globalisation. Global crisis. Environment. Energy.

Topics: 1. Attitudes towards the European Union: life satisfaction; frequency of discussions about political matters on international, national, and local level with friends and relatives; opinion leadership; most important personal values; assessment of the current situation in the following areas: national economy, global economy, personal job situation, financial situation of the own household; expected development in the next twelve months regarding: national economy, personal job situation, financial situation of the own household, national employment situation, personal life in general; most important problems in the own country; general direction things are going in the own country; image of the EU; characteristics that best represent the European Union; assessment of the relations of the own country with the EU; awareness of financial support for the own country provided by the EU in the context of cooperation programmes; knowledge of specific programmes; areas with the highest benefit from current European Union’s policies for the own country; attitude towards the following statements: EU has appropriate level of involvement in the own country, EU brings peace and stability in region surrounding the own country, EU is an important partner of the own country, sufficient common values of own country and EU as the basis for cooperation, EU support contributes a lot to own country’s development, position taken by the EU during the Arab Spring was supportive of local populations; prioritized areas the EU should play a greater role in in the own country.

1. Cooperation between the EU and the own country: attitude towards selected statements: appropriate amount of information on the EU available in the own country, clear communication from the EU regarding the own country, communication from the EU not considering reality of life in the own country; most effective actors in helping economic development in the own country; most effective actors in helping security and stability in the own country; extent of contribution of the following local actors to economic development in the own country: national government, presidency (not in MA, JO, EG), private companies in the own country, national banks, NGOs, religious organisations; most important areas of cooperation between the EU and the own country; preferred area to focus EU’s development aid for the own country on.

2. Trust in institutions: trust in selected media: printed press, radio, TV, internet; trust in the following institutions: European Union, United Nations, NATO, Arab League (only in DZ, EG, TN, JO, LB, PS, MA); trust in selected national bodies: national government, national parliament, regional public authorities, local public authorities, political parties; satisfaction with democracy in the own country and in the own region; extent of applicability of the following elements to the own country: freedom of speech, free elections, gender equality, protection of the rights of minorities, independence of justice, freedom of press, rights of vote, respect of human rights, rule of law, good governance, lack of corruption; elements that best describe the concept of democracy.

3. Globalisation: awareness of globalisation; attitude towards the development of globalisation; preferred statement with regard to globalisation: good opportunity for national companies thanks to the opening-up of markets, threat to employment and national companies; attitude towards the effect of globalisation on: economic growth in the own country, cultural exchanges between countries, solidarity between countries, employment in the own country; benefit for each of the following actors from globalisation: consumers, financial markets, EU, United States, China, Japan, multi nationals, small and medium sized companies, developing countries, farmers; attitude towards selected statements on globalisation: requires common global rules (´worldwide governance´), leads to price increases in the own country, leads to more foreign investments in the own country.

4. Global crisis: assessment of the impact of the crisis on the national economic situation; impact of the economic crisis on the job market has already reached its peak; most effective actor in fighting the effects of the crisis in the own country: national government, Eur...

This statistic shows the largest urban settlements in the Netherlands in 2021. In 2021, around 1.13 million people lived in Amsterdam, making it the largest city in the Netherlands. Population of the Netherlands With the global financial crisis in 2008 as well as the Euro zone crisis, many countries in Europe suffered a great economic impact. In spite of the crisis, the Netherlands maintained a stable economy over the past decade. The country's unemployment rate, for example, has been kept at a relatively low level in comparison to other countries in Europe also affected by the economic crisis. In 2014, Spain had an unemployment rate of more than 25 percent. The Netherlands' population has also seen increases in growth in comparison to previous years, with the figures slowly decreasing since 2011. As a result of the increase in population, the degree of urbanization - which is the share of the population living in urban areas - has increased, while the size of the labor force in the Netherlands has been relatively stable over the past decade. The population density of inhabitants per square kilometer in the Netherlands has also increased. Large cities in the Netherlands have experienced the impact of the population density growth and increase in the size of the labor force first hand. Three cities in the Netherlands have over half a million residents (as can be seen above). Additionally, more and more visitors are coming to the kingdom: The number of tourists in the Netherlands has increased significantly since 2001, a change which has also impacted the country's metropolises. Due to its location and affordable accommodation prices, the country’s tourism industry is developing and the largest cities in the Netherlands are taking advantage of it.

The Banking Payment Hub Platform market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing adoption of digital payment solutions and the need for streamlined, secure payment processing within the banking sector. The market's expansion is fueled by several key factors, including the rising demand for real-time payments, the proliferation of mobile banking, and the growing prevalence of open banking initiatives. These trends are facilitating the integration of multiple payment systems onto a single platform, leading to enhanced operational efficiency, reduced costs, and improved customer experience. Furthermore, the increasing focus on regulatory compliance and cybersecurity is driving demand for sophisticated payment hub solutions capable of handling large transaction volumes while mitigating risk. We estimate the market size in 2025 to be approximately $15 billion, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% projected through 2033. This growth is expected to be particularly strong in regions such as North America and Asia-Pacific, driven by high levels of digital adoption and significant investments in fintech infrastructure. While the market presents significant opportunities, certain challenges remain. Competition from established players and emerging fintech companies is intensifying, leading to price pressures and the need for continuous innovation. The integration complexities associated with legacy banking systems can also hinder adoption. Nevertheless, the long-term outlook for the Banking Payment Hub Platform market remains positive, fueled by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and the ongoing digital transformation within the banking industry. The market segmentation is diverse, encompassing varied applications across retail banking, corporate banking, and wealth management, with types ranging from cloud-based to on-premise solutions. Key players in this dynamic market are continuously investing in research and development to enhance their platform's capabilities and maintain a competitive edge.

London received the highest volume of hotel asset transactions in Europe in 2024, totaling *** billion euros. Paris followed in second place, with volume of hotel asset transactions amounting to *** billion euros.

In 2022/2023, Paris was found to be Europe's leading destination for international conferences based on its competitive characteristics. The French capital scored almost one hundred points more than the runner-up city, Barcelona, to maintain its position as the leading location for business conventions in Europe. Overall, Paris was the only European city to score above seven hundred points on the Competitive Index in 2023.

The return on equity (ROE) of European banking sectors showed significant disparities in the last quarter of 2024, with Romania leading at **** percent and Liechtenstein trailing at *** percent. This wide range reflects the diverse financial landscapes across the continent, influenced by factors such as market conditions, regulatory environments, and economic stability. While ROE is a crucial indicator of banking efficiency, it's important to consider it alongside other metrics for a comprehensive view of the industry's health. Digital transformation reshaping European banking The banking sector in Europe is undergoing a digital revolution, with online banking penetration reaching impressive levels. In 2024, Denmark lead with a ***** percent penetration rate, closely followed by Norway at **** percent. This shift towards digital banking is not only changing how traditional banks operate but also paving the way for the rise of digital-only banks. Neobanks like Revolut have seen rapid growth, with the UK-based fintech reaching ** million users by November 2024, highlighting the increasing consumer preference for digital financial services. Consolidation and asset growth in European banking Despite the high number of banks operating in Europe, with ***** institutions in the EU as of December 2024, the industry is dominated by a few large players. In 2023, HSBC Holdings lead European banks with total assets exceeding *** trillion U.S. dollars in 2023, followed closely by BNP Paribas SA with over *** trillion U.S. dollars. This concentration of assets among top banks, coupled with the ongoing digital transformation, suggests a trend towards consolidation in the European banking sector, potentially impacting future ROE figures across the continent.

With a rise of more than ** percent, Munich was the European city that recorded the highest increase in the average daily cost of business trips in the last quarter of 2023 versus the previous quarter. Milan followed second in those three months, with a growth in daily expenses for business tourists of ** percent.

The United Kingdom's banking landscape is diverse, with *** Monetary Financial Institutions operating in the country as of June 2025. Of these, *** were UK-headquartered banks, while the remaining institutions had origins in other European Union countries, developed nations, America, and Japan. This mix of domestic and international banks underscores the UK's position as a global financial hub. In fact, London was the second most attractive global financial center in 2024, outranked only by New York. HSBC dominates the UK banking sector Among the largest banks in the UK, HSBC Holdings stands out as a financial powerhouse. In 2024, HSBC reported the highest annual revenue with over ** billion British pounds, significantly outpacing its closest competitor, Barclays PLC. HSBC's dominance extends beyond revenue, as it also holds the largest market capitalization on the London Stock Exchange, nearly triple that of the second-largest bank, Santander S.A. Furthermore, HSBC leads in risk-weighted assets, with nearly *** billion pounds, indicating its substantial market presence and risk exposure. Digital banks in the UK The UK is also a major hub for digital banking in Europe, with several leading digital banks in Europe headquartered in the country. Revolut, in particular, has emerged as a standout player. Revolut's net profits skyrocketed in 2024, highlighting its strong market position and continued expansion. Wise and Monzo also contribute significantly to the UK's digital banking landscape, offering innovative financial services that cater to a rapidly growing customer base.

London was the city in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) with the highest average daily costs for business travel in the last quarter of 2023. In that period, the average daily costs for business travel in the English capital reached almost *** U.S. dollars. Zurich recorded the second-highest figure.

The global fintech landscape in 2024 continued to be dominated by North America, home to more than ****** financial technology companies, showing modest growth from 2023. Europe maintained its position as the second-largest fintech hub with over ***** companies, while the Asia-Pacific region hosted ***** fintechs. Though the sector experienced steady expansion from 2008 to 2024, the pace of new fintech formations noticeably slowed after 2021. In 2024, the ************* reinforced its leadership in the industry by hosting approximately five times as many fintech unicorns as the second-ranked United Kingdom. Fintech investment landscape Investment into the fintech sector grew sharply between 2010 and 2021, with global investment value reaching an all-time high in 2021. After 2021, however, investment activity slowed down considerably. While the early slowdown may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the continued moderation in investment likely signals that the fintech sector is entering a more mature phase. This maturation is characterized by market consolidation, increased focus on profitability over growth, and more selective investment in proven business models rather than speculative ventures. Leading fintech companies Services provided by fintech companies have become deeply integrated into daily life, transforming how people manage money, make payments, and access financial services. While fintech companies operate globally, the United States and China have emerged as dominant hubs, together hosting ***** of the world's *** largest fintech companies in 2024. However, innovation in the sector extends beyond these markets, as demonstrated by Stripe, an Irish payment processing platform that claimed the position of most valuable fintech unicorn in 2024.

The rise of digital disruptors, challenger banks, and sustainability-focused financial institutions has transformed the banking landscape, attracting billions in investment capital. To effectively compete with established banks, these newcomers face a dual challenge: they must both drive substantial customer acquisition and successfully retain those customers over time. Customer retention rates among UK banks have historically shown significant variation between traditional and digital banks, with some digital banks achieving impressive customer loyalty while others have struggled to maintain their customer base. In the fourth quarter of 2024, both Monzo saw a positive retention ratio, but Starling Bank witnessed negative customer retention.
Biggest winners In the fourth quarter of 2024, Nationwide and Lloyds emerged as the leaders in customer retention, achieving an impressive ratio of *** new customers for every one lost. The Co-operative Bank also demonstrated strong performance, with *** customers switching to their services for every departing customer. In stark contrast, AIB Group faced significant challenges, with a concerning ratio of **** customers leaving for each new customer acquired. Customer growth of digital banks Digital-only banks have achieved remarkable growth in the European financial sector, with London-based Revolut leading the charge. In November 2024, Revolut reported a significant milestone of over ** million global customers, building on its strong momentum from 2024 when monthly app downloads surpassed *** million.

The U.S. commercial banking industry's return on assets (ROA) has experienced dramatic shifts over two decades. Peaking at **** percent in the first quarter of 2004, it plummeted to a historic low of ***** percent during the fourth quarter of 2008's global financial crisis. After a gradual recovery, the ROA stabilized around ******* percent in 2023, despite a decline to one percent in the final quarter. Throughout 2024, U.S. banks demonstrated relative consistency, with ROA fluctuating between 0.95 and 1.04 percent. Early 2025 saw an increase in the sector's ROA, reaching **** percent, the highest since the first quarter of 2023. In contrast, the European banking industry maintained a lower performance, with ROA averaging ******* percent during the same period. Steady growth amidst fluctuations in net operating income Despite the lowest quarterly net operating income of the U.S. banking industry being measured in the fourth quarter of 2008, at a negative ** billion U.S. dollars, the average quarterly income of all FDIC-insured institutions grew steadily after the global financial crisis, experiencing a sharp decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. After 2021, the industry saw another steady decrease in its quarterly income until it started to increase again towards the end of 2022. In 2024, the bank with the highest reported revenue was JPMorgan Chase. Stability and resilience in capital adequacy The common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio of the U.S. commercial banking industry has shown resilience, with an upward trajectory throughout 2024. Despite sharp decreases due to global financial crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has demonstrated stability and gradual recovery in its capital adequacy, culminating in a ROA of **** percent in the first quarter of 2025.