The monograph presents a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European banking, both at a macro and a micro level. It analyses the impact of the pandemic on bank stability, performance and credit policies, as well as their strategic adjustments to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial chapters analyze the various governmental responses to the pandemic. Topics of discussion include the scale and scope of the wide range of public policies undertaken to mitigate the consequences of the crisis, and their efficiency in limiting the negative impact of the pandemic on the economy. The results suggest that the extensive public interventions have been largely successful in averting the possible disastrous consequences for the financial sector on a macro level. On a micro level, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the restructuring and recovery of the banking industry started after the 2008 crisis which has had a significant impact on economies around the world, arguably leading to a negative long-lasting effect on sustainable development. To examine this, the book focuses on the impact of the pandemic on bank lending policies, bank stability and performance, and on competitive position of the banks vis a vis the FinTech sector. Offering a thorough overview of the issues that banks will have to face as a consequence of pandemic related macroeconomic and industry adjustments, the book will be of interest to scholars, researchers and students of banking and finance as well as banking specialists concerned with the impact of crises on financial markets, risks and resilience.

This book offers a comparative analysis of how post-crisis restructuring has affected the evolution and prospects of small, locally-oriented banks. The discussion focuses specifically on "small" European countries; that is, countries with diversified banking systems, with a strong presence of cooperative and other forms of local banks. Such countries include highly developed economies like Italy and emerging European economies, such as Poland. The authors stress the unique importance of local banks in generating credit for both households and firms, and hence in contributing to overall economic growth. Chapters cohere around the argument that although smaller banks fared better than their larger counterparts the recent financial crisis, they have been directly and indirectly discriminated against in post-crisis restructuring schemes, and, as such, face many operational and strategic challenges today. The contributors are a distinguished group of researchers with expert knowledge of the competitive positions of and opportunities for locally oriented banks, who combine theoretical and empirical perspectives on these topics.

This book discusses the transformation of the banking industry, particularly after a number of recent shocks: 2008 financial crisis, 2012 Euro-sovereign crisis, the pandemic COVID-19 crisis, the technological revolution, and reputational problems in banking due to climate risk and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) metrics. The book emphasizes two post-pandemic issues: the role of financial education and inclusive finance, and responsible banking and ESG priorities. Individual chapters analyse how the pandemic shed new light on social and governance responsibilities: Major issues include the importance and efficiency of financial education, and the impact of ESG programs on firms’ value, banks’ probability of default, bank business models and reputation risk. The book also addresses investors’ behaviour and the factors which may bias financial disclosure and reporting. By addressing whether the post-2008 crisis bank restructuring has effectively created a resilient and sustainable banking system – mostly from the European market’s perspective – the book will be of interest to researchers, academics, policy makers, and professionals of banking and financial institutions.

This book offers a comparative analysis of how post-crisis restructuring has affected the evolution and prospects of small, locally-oriented banks. The discussion focuses specifically on "small" European countries; that is, countries with diversified banking systems, with a strong presence of cooperative and other forms of local banks. Such countries include highly developed economies like Italy and emerging European economies, such as Poland. The authors stress the unique importance of local banks in generating credit for both households and firms, and hence in contributing to overall economic growth. Chapters cohere around the argument that although smaller banks fared better than their larger counterparts the recent financial crisis, they have been directly and indirectly discriminated against in post-crisis restructuring schemes, and, as such, face many operational and strategic challenges today. The contributors are a distinguished group of researchers with expert knowledge of the competitive positions of and opportunities for locally oriented banks, who combine theoretical and empirical perspectives on these topics.