Main factors for the subdued profitability of significant banks in the Banking Union

There is no “one-size-fits-all” strategy to achieve viable profitability, but all banks need good strategic steering and risk management capabilities to adjust their business mix to changes in the operating environment. Banks have already taken actions to enhance profitability and the room of manoeuvre for the future is not that ample. Policy makers can take further initiatives to fix structural inefficiencies and provide better conditions for banks to enhance profitability. These concerted actions would help reduce the gap between banks’ return on equity and cost-of-equity.