By John O’Donnell
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Unpaid debt from pandemic-stricken borrowers has ravaged profits at Europe’s big banks and kick-started a debate among politicians about whether they may ultimately need state help.
Reflecting on the pandemic impact, many bank executives say the worst is behind them, with Societe Generale CEO Frederic Oudea and BNP Paribas CEO Jean-Laurent Bonnafe predicting an imminent rebound.
“Optimism is … a weapon of war,” Philippe Brassac, chief executive of Credit Agricole said in January, decrying “doom-mongers”. “And this war, we can win.”
All three French lenders saw profits shrink last year and profits at Spain’s Santander and Dutch bank ING also dipped. While executives voice confidence, European officials worry the banks’ problems have barely begun.
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