Judging by its largest banks, you’d hardly know Europe was in the grip of a worsening pandemic.
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Bonuses, Dividends Pit Banks Against Europe’s Economic Guardians
Judging by its largest banks, you’d hardly know Europe was in the grip of a worsening pandemic.
Ten of the biggest banks in the region set aside in the third quarter the least amount of money for doubtful loans since the onset of the coronavirus -- at a combined $7.2 billion, it’s a fifth of the $36.7 billion provisioned in the first half. At the same time, banks including Spain’s Banco Santander SA are touting financial strength to lobby regulators to restart dividends while the likes of Deutsche Bank AG are making a case for bigger bonuses for bond traders who raked in bumper revenue.
The tone struck by Europe’s lenders is in stark contrast with a deteriorating backdrop of new infections and restrictions that threatens to bring more economic pain.