By Lawrence White LONDON, April 16 (Reuters) - Europe's highest-paid bankers remain overwhelmingly male despite a growing pool of million-euro earners, a report from the European Banking Authority
Europe’s Million-Euro Banker Pay Rises, but Men Still Dominate Top Roles
Gender Disparities Among Europe’s Top-Earning Bankers
By Lawrence White
Overview of EBA Report Findings
LONDON, April 16 (Reuters) - Europe's highest-paid bankers remain overwhelmingly male despite a growing pool of million-euro earners, a report from the European Banking Authority showed on Thursday.
Nearly nine out of 10 bank staff earning at least 1 million euros ($1.2 million) a year in 2024 were men, the EBA said. The imbalance was even starker at investment firms, where 97% of top earners were male.
Slow Progress in Gender Balance
The findings highlight the slow pace of change in gender balance across the financial sector, echoing earlier EBA warnings that progress at the top levels remained limited.
Trends in High Earner Numbers
The number of high earners at banks and investment firms rose 9% to 2,554, buoyed by strong profitability from higher interest rates, robust trading in volatile markets and a rebound in dealmaking.
But the increase did little to shift entrenched disparities.
Breakdown by Institution Type
At credit institutions such as banks, men accounted for just over 89% of seven-figure earners, broadly unchanged from previous years. Investment firms showed an even wider gap, despite a sharp rise in the number of top earners.
Regulatory and Industry Response
The EBA said achieving gender balance, particularly in senior and higher-paid roles, remained a priority for regulators and firms across Europe's financial system.
($1 = 0.8486 euros)
(Reporting by Lawrence White. Editing by Mark Potter)
