Recent Developments in the Finnish Banking Sector

In this paper we discuss recent developments in the Finnish banking sector. Our specific aim is to examine whether and to what extent recent developments in Finland are broadly in line with the trends common to banking sectors in Europe and also worldwide. We focus on developments in banks' profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and the market structure of the banking sector. In addition, technological developments are surveyed. As regards consolidation, the Finnish banking sector is a trendsetter. The emphasis in structural development has moved to cross-border banking and bank assurance. On the other hand, it turns out that it is difficult to track some of the trends that are believed t…