The 27th WSBI World Congress celebrated WSBI’s 100th anniversary and World Savings Day, bringing global leaders together under the theme “100 Years Forward Together” to promote responsible banking. Key discussions focused on financial inclusion, digitalization, and sustainable practices, with over 400 million people benefiting from WSBI’s financial education in 2023. Leaders emphasized the importance of savings for economic stability and integrating ESG principles into banking for a more inclusive future.

The 26th WSBI World Congress, held in Paris, reunited global leaders from savings and retail banks for the first time since 2018, focusing on sustainability, social responsibility, and financial education. Key discussions centered on sustainable banking practices, digitalization, and the essential role of banks in economic recovery and financial inclusion. Notable speakers, including environmentalist Reinhold Messner and EBA Chair José Manuel Campa, highlighted how banks can support a sustainable economy. The event also featured panels on green innovation, policy impacts, and digital transformation in banking, emphasizing the unique, socially responsible approach of WSBI members.

The WSBI World Congress aims at bringing WSBI and ESBG members and all interested retail bankers together to discuss the topics that define the future of the retail banking sector and to bring a powerful message to the worldwide policymaking community. This message is that local banks need an adapted regulation, based on their specific business model. The congress features speakers and panellists from WSBI’s membership as well as experts from the banking sector around the world. It offers attendees insights during high-impact panel discussions. The WSBI World Congress of Savings and Retail Banks is an excellent opportunity to create and strengthen business relationships and to promote your products and services to an international audience of retail bankers and policy makers. The programme focuses on the opportunities brought by globalisation and the need to not leave anyone behind, financial inclusion through digitisation, data confidentiality, rural and local growth – topics that have a direct influence on your work environment.

WSBI World Congress is a great occasion to explore and discuss the pivotal influence of digital technology on your business and financial institution. Our impressive programme of speakers and panellists – from banking leaders to technology specialists – will impart expert insights into banking in a digitised world, providing a thought-provoking narrative for the event. You will also have the opportunity to meet with savings and retail bankers from all over the world – with executives from more than 100 financial institutions and representatives from international organisations attending – in an environment aimed at facilitating joint projects and encouraging knowledge-sharing and the exchange of best practices. The programme will focus on big data, data confidentiality, digital workforce, digitization, – topics that will have a direct influence on your work environment in the near future. In fact, much sooner than you might think.