Banking thrives in a calm and stable environment. After the global financial crisis of 2008, however, governmental authorities undertook a range of necessary measures that had an enormous impact on the funding and the reporting requirements imposed on financial institutions, systemic and specialized institutions alike. The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has further deepened the negative effects of the low interest rate environment, and forces all banks to think broadly, continue to digitalise their businesses, and seek for more alternative income. Smaller banks face the same challenges as their systemic counterparts but continue to believe in their strength to work close to their customers and find tailor-made solutions for their demands.
