Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK banks slow in preparing for euro

Jill Treanor
Thursday 27 February 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

UK retail banks are significantly behind their continental competitors in preparing for the introduction of the euro, the single European currency, according to a survey by Coopers & Lybrand, the accountancy firm. "Based on the results of the survey, UK banks have a lot to do over the next five years," said David Sayer, partner in Coopers & Lybrand's retail banking consultancy.

The survey, conducted in conjunction with the European Financial Management and Marketing Association (EFMA), showed that the banks are placing a far greater emphasis on the implications for the practical conversion to the euro rather than on the strategic impact on retail banking activities.

In total, 22 banks from the UK, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and France participated in the survey, which represented 60-70 per cent of the retail banking markets in these countries. A third of the respondents are developing plans for conversion, with a further minority implementing plans already. Coopers and Lybrand said 14 per cent of them had not yet started to think about the possible strategic impact of the single European currency. Jill Treanor

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in