The European Banking Authority released a 2024 survey of 850 EU banks and investment firms showing that 46% have no women on their executive boards. Women hold only one‑fifth of executive director seats and earn 17 % less than male peers. High‑profile leaders such as Santander’s Ana Botín and Commerzbank’s Bettina Orlopp remain exceptions, and may attract regulator scrutiny.

EBA analysis linked gender balance to profitability: firms with mixed‑gender management reported a weighted average return on equity of 12.8%, versus 7.4 % for single‑gender boards. Yet only 12 % of surveyed institutions named a female chief executive and just over 13 % a female chair. A fifth lacked any formal diversity policy, and a third set no quantitative targets. These firms also face ESG reputational risk.

EU regulators require firms to adopt diversity policies and set measurable goals, but compliance remains uneven. With gender gaps translating into lower returns, investors may pressure boards to accelerate hiring and target setting. Shareholders are already factoring gender metrics into voting decisions. The authority warned national supervisors could intervene if firms persistently ignore the rules, signalling tighter oversight for laggards.