Male dominance continues among Europe’s highest-paid bankers

Anabelle Colaco
17 Apr 2026, 15:43 GMT+10

A surge in high-paying banking jobs across Europe has done little to close the gender gap at the top of the financial sector, with men continuing to dominate the highest-earning roles
A report from the European Banking Authority (EBA) showed that nearly nine out of 10 bank employees earning at least 1 million euros (US$1.2 million) annually in 2024 were men
The findings underscore the limited progress in improving gender balance in senior roles, despite years of regulatory focus and industry commitments to diversity

LONDON, U.K.: A surge in high-paying banking jobs across Europe has done little to close the gender gap at the top of the financial sector, with men continuing to dominate the highest-earning roles.

A report from the European Banking Authority (EBA) showed that nearly nine out of 10 bank employees earning at least 1 million euros (US$1.2 million) annually in 2024 were men. The disparity was even more pronounced in investment firms, where 97 percent of top earners were male.

The findings underscore the limited progress in improving gender balance in senior roles, despite years of regulatory focus and industry commitments to diversity.

The number of high earners at banks and investment firms rose 9 percent to 2,554, supported by strong profitability driven by higher interest rates, robust trading activity during volatile market conditions, and a rebound in dealmaking.

However, the increase in million-euro earners has not translated into meaningful change in representation.

At credit institutions such as banks, men accounted for just over 89 percent of those earning seven-figure salaries, broadly unchanged from previous years. Investment firms recorded an even wider gap, even as the number of top earners grew sharply.

The EBA has repeatedly warned that progress at senior levels remains slow, and the latest data reinforces concerns that structural imbalances persist across Europe's financial system.

The regulator said improving gender balance, particularly in higher-paid and leadership roles, remains a key priority for both firms and policymakers.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Malaysia Sun.

More Information

Southeast Asia

Section

Rwanda to host inaugural ICC Women's T20I Challenge Trophy from April 18

Kigali [Rwanda], April 17 (ANI): Kigali is set to witness a significant step forward in the growth of women's cricket as the International...

SC rejects Pawan Khera's plea to extend transit bail, asks Assam Court to decide case independently

New Delhi [India], April 17 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Congress leader Pawan Khera's plea seeking to extend transit...

Bangladesh to connect nuclear power to national grid this year amid energy crisis

Dhaka [Bangladesh], April 17 (ANI): Bangladesh has announced that it will begin connecting nuclear power to the national grid within...

Diplomatic momentum builds as Lebanon truce boosts prospects for renewed U.S.-Iran talks

ISLAMABAD, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Diplomatic momentum is gaining pace in United States-Iran tensions after a ceasefire between Israel...

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan to embark on two-day visit to Sri Lanka

New Delhi [India], April 17 (ANI): The Vice President, CP Radhakrishnan, is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka...

Pakistan's cotton crisis deepens amid policy failures and seed quality concerns

Sindh [Pakistan], April 17 (ANI): As Pakistan's cotton sector faces a steady decline, experts have urged urgent collective action to...

Business

Section