EU bank offices down 2.62%, employees 0.80%; concentration varies

The European Central Bank's updated structural financial indicators for the EU banking sector reveal a persistent trend of reduction in physical presence.

The number of bank offices across the EU fell by 2.62% by the end of 2025, a continuation of previous declines.

This reduction was observed in 23 of the 27 EU countries, with decreases ranging from a modest 0.2% to a substantial 12.16%.

The total number of bank offices in the EU now stands at 122,889, with the majority (86.13%) located within the euro area.

Concurrently, the banking sector also saw a reduction in its workforce, with the number of employees of credit institutions declining by 0.80% at the EU level.

This trend affected 16 of the 27 Member States, indicating a broader adjustment in staffing levels across the bloc.

The structural financial indicators also highlight the persistent disparity in banking sector concentration across EU Member States.

Measured by the share of assets held by the five largest credit institutions, national concentration levels varied significantly.

At one end, the smallest share was 34.37%, while at the other, the largest five institutions held up to 95.2% of total assets in some countries.

The average concentration across the entire EU stood at 69.33% at the close of 2025.

This wide range underscores the varied competitive landscapes and market structures within the European Union's financial system, reflecting different national banking traditions and market dynamics.

The ECB publishes these structural financial indicators on an annual basis.