Finance

UniCredit CEO says has 'relatively constructive' approach to digital euro

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 18, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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UniCredit CEO says has 'relatively constructive' approach to digital euro
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MILAN, March 18 (Reuters) - The introduction of the digital euro will have a negative impact on banks' liquidity and profit margins by taking away a portion of retail deposits, which are the cheapest

UniCredit CEO: Digital Euro Could Affect Banks' Liquidity and Margins

Potential Impact of Digital Euro on Banking Sector

Concerns Over Liquidity and Profit Margins

MILAN, March 18 (Reuters) - The introduction of the digital euro will have a negative impact on banks' liquidity and profit margins by taking away a portion of retail deposits, which are the cheapest source of funding, UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel said.

UniCredit's Engagement with the ECB

Dialogue with Central Bank

Speaking at a Morgan Stanley conference in London, Orcel said UniCredit was interacting "significantly" with the ECB to ensure that the central bank can pursue its monetary sovereignty goals through the digital euro without an excessively negative impact on banks.

CEO's Perspective

"We're relatively constructive" Orcel said.

Reporting and Editorial Notes

(Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Gavin Jones)

Key Takeaways

  • UniCredit warns digital euro may hit liquidity and margins by siphoning off cheap retail deposits (Reuters) (marketscreener.com)
  • ECB simulations suggest up to €700 billion in deposits could shift to digital euro in crisis scenarios, though holding limits would soften the blow (businesstimes.com.sg)
  • UniCredit is engaging “significantly” with the ECB to preserve monetary sovereignty while minimizing disruption and remains “relatively constructive” about the digital euro’s rollout (marketscreener.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What concerns does UniCredit have about the digital euro?
UniCredit is concerned the digital euro will negatively affect banks’ liquidity and profit margins by reducing retail deposits.
Who is interacting with the ECB about the digital euro?
UniCredit and its CEO Andrea Orcel are engaging with the ECB to minimize potential negative impacts on banks.
How could the digital euro affect banks' funding?
The digital euro could take away a portion of retail deposits, which are a cheap source of funding for banks.
What is UniCredit's approach to the digital euro?
UniCredit describes its approach as 'relatively constructive,' aiming to work with the ECB to balance interests.

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