In early 2025, a significant development took place in the European financial sector — Spanish bank Banco Santander SA $SAN surpassed Swiss banking giant UBS Group AG $UBS in terms of market capitalization. This milestone highlights crucial shifts among the leading banking institutions in continental Europe and reflects the ongoing dynamics within the region’s financial industry.
Recent reports indicate that the total compensation for Sergio Ermotti, CEO of UBS, reached 14.9 million Swiss francs (approximately 16.9 million dollars) last year. This figure raises pressing questions about the regulatory framework governing executive compensation amid ongoing political debates and public scrutiny.
Within the ever-evolving global financial market, European banks like Barclays Plc $BCS, BBVA $BBVA, and UBS Group AG $UBS are capitalizing on the opportunity to engage with the US dollar-denominated bond market. By issuing Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds, designed to absorb losses during financial disruptions, these banks aim to bolster their capital reserves. In recent years, the AT1 bond market has gained traction as European banks actively pursue opportunities to raise capital.
