Pictet reported significant momentum in its private banking business in Spain, boosted by the influx of Latin American clients and growing demand for alternative assets.
BaFin has dismissed the complete management board of private bank Berenberg Bank due to alleged violations of corporate governance regulations. The regulator has taken immediate action, and a successor is now managing the institution.
Starling Bank Ltd. is reducing its board size following several board member departures. The restructuring increases the control and influence of the bank’s largest shareholder, McPike, over the institution’s governance.
The Swiss National Bank holds its key interest rate at zero percent while other central banks raise rates, seeking to prevent the Swiss franc from strengthening
Spanish investment services firms experienced a two-speed sector performance in Q1 2026, with overall profitability declining significantly compared to the prior year period, with agencies particularly hard hit.
Spanish bank BBVA is expanding its attack on the German retail banking market by launching a credit card offering cashback rewards and zero fees, intensifying competition in the highly competitive retail banking sector.
Citi Islamic Investment Bank was recognized as North America’s best sukuk house in 2026 after arranging over $31 billion in sukuk issuance in 2025. Operating through a regional hub in the UAE with a specialist presence in Malaysia, the bank provided Islamic finance solutions across sovereign, financial institution, and corporate issuers, including landmark transactions for Saudi Aramco, Public Investment Fund, and DP World. The bank also expanded its role in sustainable Islamic finance.
Standard Chartered Saadiq was recognized as the Middle East’s best Islamic project finance house in 2026 by Euromoney. The bank is highlighted for its role in expanding sustainable Islamic finance, particularly through its involvement in Tabreed’s $700 million green sukuk issuance in March 2025, which was the first green bond from a pure-play district cooling services provider. Standard Chartered acted as joint global coordinator and joint lead manager, combining sustainable finance standards with Islamic capital markets execution.
HSBC Holdings Plc announced a strategic partnership with Google Cloud to implement artificial intelligence solutions across its global banking operations. The bank expects individual AI projects to generate more than $100 million in additional revenue or operational savings.
SIX announced the immediate departure of Rafael Moral Santiago, who headed the Securities Services division and sat on the management committee. He had held the position for approximately one year. Marion Leslie will temporarily lead the Securities Services business unit while SIX conducts a search for a permanent replacement.