Home » Topics

Protected: Diversity in the financial services industry – fad or economic necessity?

Every year in June, companies around the world celebrate Pride Month by coloring their logos in rainbow colors and try to demonstrate their commitment to diversity in society and the world of work with varying degrees of authenticity. Time and again, this raises a question that leads to heated and controversial discussions: does diversity really play a relevant role or isn’t it more of a fad driven by marketing departments in order to make their companies appear open-minded in times of cancel culture and anti-wokeism?

Well, if a company does nothing more than recolor its own logo once a year and participate in a CSD parade with a large float decorated in rainbow colors, then this is “pinkwashing” in the truest sense of the word.

In this topic article, we would like to explore how relevant the supposed hype surrounding the topic of diversity actually is for companies in the financial services industry and what it takes to bring about effective change.

Is there a way around diversity?

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

[1] BankingHub (2023): Shortage of skilled workers – an existential threat to banks and insurance companies.
[2] IAS (2023): Markenkommunikation im Zeitalter von Diversität und Inklusion (Study downloadable in German).
[3] zeb: Diversity has many facets. Do you, too?, last accessed: October 8, 2024.
[4] Charta der Vielfalt: The seven dimensions of diversity, last accessed: October 8, 2024.

Feel free to contact us!

Silas Kropf / author BankingHub

Silas Kropf

Manager Office Berlin
Pascale Ullmann / author BankingHub

Pascale Ullmann

Consultant Office Berlin

Articles on the topic

Young woman looking at an abstract data screen as metaphor for wealth management and the new generation’s securities business

Wealth management and the new generation’s securities business

What’s special about the investment behavior among Gen Z? Which success factors should wealth managers consider in this context? In this interview, Mr. Thienel, Director Product Core Banking, Universal Banking, at Finastra, answers these and many more questions about wealth management and the securities business of the new generation.

Weiterlesen »
Skyscraper in construciton with green plants bottom-up as metaphor for the ESG Study 2024: Europe’s banks under the microscope

ESG Study 2024: Europe’s banks under the microscope

In cooperation with the Liechtenstein Bankers Association, zeb asked 36 European financial institutions, including large, state/cantonal and domestic-oriented banks, to self-assess their ESG status quo. The outlook for the institutions surveyed is sobering: the majority still face significant challenges on their path to sustainable transformation.

Weiterlesen »
skyscrapers overgrown with green trees as metaphor for the ESG transformation advancing

ESG transformation advancing but still in progress

Every quarter, zeb.market.flash provides an overview of the performance of the world’s largest banks (measured by market capitalisation). This issue (#49 – July 2024) deals in detail with our special topic “ESG transformation advancing but still in progress”.

Weiterlesen »
interest rate risk conundrum

The interest rate risk conundrum

What is behind the alleged discrepancy between the banks’ negative IRRBB exposures and the observed increase in profitability? Which hedging strategies should banks use in the changed environment?

Weiterlesen »
Start into a potentially challenging year 2024f or banks

A splendid start into a potentially challenging year

Every quarter, zeb.market.flash provides an overview of the performance of the world’s largest banks (measured by market capitalisation). This issue (#48 – April 2024) deals in detail with our special topic “CRE in turmoil and vulnerability of Western European banks”.

Weiterlesen »
Daniel Valenzuela, Head of Impact at World Fund

Impact investing: World Fund interview

We had the opportunity to discuss the topic of impact investing with Daniel Valenzuela, Head of Impact at World Fund, a venture capital company that was founded in 2021 and specializes in funding climate tech start-ups.

Weiterlesen »
Abstract space concept image as metaphor for electronic securities and the choice of register solution

Electronic securities and the choice of register solution

How is the market for electronic securities and technical solutions developing? Is scalability the main differentiator? In cooperation with tokenforge, we take a look at the current development of the market for electronic securities and technical solutions for maintaining a crypto securities register.

Weiterlesen »
Abstract cloud computing and network as metaphor for ECB guidelines on risk data aggregation

New ECB guidelines on risk data aggregation and risk reporting

Ever since the ECB’s announcement of its supervisory priorities for 2023–2025 in December 2022, followed by Andrea Enria’s keynote speech during the Annual Conference on Banking Supervision in March 2023, it has become clear that banks will have to revisit the compliance gaps in their risk data aggregation and risk reporting processes. Implications for G-SIBs and opportunities for smaller banks.

Weiterlesen »
Marina Fleischhauer and Daniel Werther

Construction financing: the path to success

In an interview with Marina Fleischhauer, head of the ecosystems department, and Daniel Werther, head of sales for construction financing at Volksbank Mittelhessen, we talked about opportunities for change, the transformation process “from construction financing specialist to home construction and improvement advisor”, and experiences gained to date.

Weiterlesen »
Cover whitepaper: Private Banking Study Germany 2022

Private Banking Study Germany 2022

The assets of German private banking customers are growing steadily: in 2022, they already amounted to EUR 7.2 trillion and are expected to increase to EUR 10.3 trillion by 2027. In our Private Banking Study Germany 2022, we have comprehensively analyzed the German private banking market. In this article, we provide an insight into the results.

Weiterlesen »

Crypto crisis: the end of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies or a wake-up call for stronger regulation?

The crypto debate: Is the crypto crisis the end of Bitcoin & other cryptocurrencies, or a call for stronger regulation? In this interview, Dr. Nils Bulling, Head of Strategic Innovation, Ecosystem & Digital Assets at Avaloq, shares his personal view on the current crisis in the crypto market and his predictions of how cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin could develop in the future.

Weiterlesen »

Comments

BankingHub-Newsletter

Analyses, articles and interviews about trends & innovation in banking delivered right to your inbox every 2 weeks