News

An efficient financial service system is indispensable for the functioning of national economies - and therefore also for people in Europe. UNI-Europa Finance is committed to a social and democratic Europe and to the idea that Europe can be shaped socially.

We support the creation of a common market for financial services, but we do not support a corporate Europe!

Competition is not an objective in itself! As the EU Treaty stipulates, competition has to be set into the framework of a social market economy.

We want a level playing field – a market driven by companies competing on providing the best service for their customers, not by making the most profit for shareholders and managers.

We want companies and governments to take into account the social dimension of their actions. Particularly the financial services sector, given its important societal role, bears a central responsibility.

In the long term, European policies cannot succeed unless the citizens of Europe – the consumers and the workers, support them.

For UNI-Europa Finance it is therefore indispensable that, in decisions made by political and business circles, the ethical and social dimension is given much greater attention than has been the case up to now in Europe. This applies to the regulatory and political framework set by the EU and member states. It equally applies to the obligation of companies to live-up to their corporate social responsibility.

UNI-Europa Finance and its affiliates are guided in their activities by the firm believe that the economy is there to serve society. They reject and campaign against the selfish argument that the economy, politics and society must be subject to the rule of competition and an underregulated free market.

UNI-Europa Finance aims are social justice and social security. We work for full employment and a fair participation of all European citizens on the wealth of our societies. We fight against social exclusion and discrimination.

A growing concern for the trade union movement, and one that is shared by more and more stakeholders is the increasing consolidation of the financial market, not least across borders. Many customers believe that the giants on the market are unable to give the customers what they want. Consolidation should not be a political objective per se, but should bring clear benefits to the economy by stimulating growth and encouraging innovation.

The finance industry has a particular importance for economic stability, for employment and decent working conditions at national, regional and global level. Universal access and high quality of affordable financial services for everyone must be guaranteed. It is unacceptable that entire areas or people of lower or no income are excluded from financial services. In particular, banking services are a prerequisite for participating in the economy and society – banks must be obliged to offer a basic current account for everyone.

We want a social Europe – a Europa for the people !