London was the most attractive financial center in Western Europe as of March 2024. According to five broad areas of competitiveness that the ranking was built on (business environment, human capital, infrastructure, financial sector development, and reputation), London received 747 points. Geneva ranked second, with a rating of 738. According to the Global Power City Index (GPCI), London was also the most attractive city worldwide for its economy, research and development, cultural interaction, livability, environment, and accessibility.
Financial employment in the UK
In 2022, the value added in the finance and insurance services sector in the United Kingdom as a percentage of total GDP was one of the largest in Europe. However, total employment in the financial services sector overall decreased since 2008. The mean weekly wage of full-time employees in the financial and insurance sector also dropped and never recovered from a sharp decrease in 2018.
Largest European financial institutions
In 2022, HSBC topped the list of the largest European banks in terms of total assets. With more than 2.86 trillion euros, the UK-based giant ranked before BNP Paribas, the largest banking institution in France. In the same year, HSBC also performed better than any other European bank in terms of pre-tax profit.
