Senior Berenberg Bond Strategist Bettinger Joins Hamburg Funds Boutique
Christian Bettinger, who managed more than one billion euros in fixed‑income assets at Berenberg, is moving to a new funds boutique in Hamburg.
Banking
Sparda-Bank Berlin Bucks Sector Trend with Eastern Germany Branch Expansion
Facing competition from neo‑banks and digital direct banks, the traditional regional lender Sparda‑Bank Berlin has launched an unusual strategy of opening and investing in new branches in the eastern part of Germany, contrary to the trend of branch closures elsewhere.
ProCredit Bank Kosova Named Best Retail Bank in 2026 Awards for Excellence
ProCredit Bank Kosova won the 2026 Awards for Excellence as Kosovo’s best retail bank, citing a 40% increase in new retail customers thanks to fully digital onboarding, a revamped mobile app, Apple Pay, a new credit card, and targeted product packages.
Dutch Central Bank Relocates Gold Holdings from New York to London Amid Geopolitical Concerns
De Nederlandsche Bank decided to move its gold holdings from New York to London, arguing that the geopolitical situation makes New York less stable and that London offers better tradability for gold.
Bankhaus Metzler Unveils Comprehensive Brand Overhaul After 350 Years
Bankhaus Metzler, a historic German private bank, refreshed its 350‑year‑old brand with a new look, marking the third strategic direction set by the current generation of the family‑owned institution.
Erste Group to Increase Stake in Polish Subsidiary Following Market Entry
Erste Group, Austria’s largest bank, entered the Polish market last year and now intends to raise its ownership in its Polish subsidiary. Its chief executive, Peter Bosek, said hostile takeovers in the banking sector are problematic.
Societe Generale acquires Drahi’s stake in German fiber venture OXG from Vodafone partnership
Societe Generale agreed to buy the half‑ownership held by billionaire Patrick Drahi in OXG, a German fiber‑optic infrastructure joint venture with Vodafone, as Drahi continues to divest telecom assets.
JPMorgan Chase’s Profit More Than Double HSBC’s, Widening U.S.-Europe Banking Gap
The article points out that while Europe’s biggest banks have performed well, they are still far behind their U.S. rivals. JPMorgan Chase’s profit is reported to be more than double that of HSBC, underscoring the competitive pressure from U.S. banks on Europe’s large banking sector.
Asian Data Centre Lending Surge Forces Banks to Tighten Credit Standards
Barclays senior bankers say the surge in borrowing to build data centres across Asia is pushing banks to the edge of their credit capacity, forcing them to tighten lending standards for such projects.
NRW.Bank Chief Calls for Independence as Development Lender Warns on European Growth Finance Gap
NRW.Bank chief Gabriela Pantring emphasized the need for the development bank to stay free from foreign ownership, noted that its portfolio has retained all companies so far, and warned that insufficient large‑scale financing for European growth companies could damage innovation and the region’s competitiveness.