Finance
Europe's Top Banker Pay Rises, Men Still Dominate
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 16, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 16, 2026
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The EBA report shows that in 2024 nearly 90% of Europe’s bankers earning over €1 million were men, with men making up 97% of top earners at investment firms—highlighting persistently skewed gender distribution at the highest pay levels.
Europe’s Million-Euro Banker Pay Rises, but Men Still Dominate Top Roles
Gender Disparities Among Europe’s Top-Earning Bankers
By Lawrence White
Overview of EBA Report Findings
LONDON, April 16 (Reuters) - Europe's highest-paid bankers remain overwhelmingly male despite a growing pool of million-euro earners, a report from the European Banking Authority showed on Thursday.
Nearly nine out of 10 bank staff earning at least 1 million euros ($1.2 million) a year in 2024 were men, the EBA said. The imbalance was even starker at investment firms, where 97% of top earners were male.
Slow Progress in Gender Balance
The findings highlight the slow pace of change in gender balance across the financial sector, echoing earlier EBA warnings that progress at the top levels remained limited.
Trends in High Earner Numbers
The number of high earners at banks and investment firms rose 9% to 2,554, buoyed by strong profitability from higher interest rates, robust trading in volatile markets and a rebound in dealmaking.
But the increase did little to shift entrenched disparities.
Breakdown by Institution Type
At credit institutions such as banks, men accounted for just over 89% of seven-figure earners, broadly unchanged from previous years. Investment firms showed an even wider gap, despite a sharp rise in the number of top earners.
Regulatory and Industry Response
The EBA said achieving gender balance, particularly in senior and higher-paid roles, remained a priority for regulators and firms across Europe's financial system.
($1 = 0.8486 euros)
(Reporting by Lawrence White. Editing by Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Despite a 9% rise in million‑euro earners, gender balance remains stuck—men account for ~89% in banking and ~97% in investment firms.
- •The climb in high earners is driven by strong profitability from higher interest rates, trading volatility, and revived deal‑making.
- •Broader EBA data confirms a persistent gender pay gap, with women significantly underrepresented in top roles (only ~33% in banks, ~13% in investment firms).
Frequently Asked Questions about Europe's top banker pay rises, men still dominate
1What percentage of Europe's top-paid bankers are men?
Nearly nine out of ten bank staff earning at least 1 million euros per year are men.
2Has the number of high earners in European banking increased?
Yes, the number of high earners at banks and investment firms rose 9% to 2,554.
3Is there a gender balance among top earners at investment firms?
No, 97% of top earners at investment firms are male, highlighting an even starker gender imbalance.
4Why did the number of high-earning bankers increase?
The rise was driven by strong profitability from higher interest rates, robust trading, and a rebound in dealmaking.
5What are regulators doing about gender imbalance in banking?
Achieving gender balance in senior and higher-paid roles remains a priority for European regulators and firms.
