Carlo Messina, the Chief Executive Officer of Intesa Sanpaolo, has received the prestigious title of European Banker of the Year for 2024. The award was formally presented during a ceremony in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 18, 2025.
A Prestigious Honor in European Banking
The accolade was conferred by The Group of 20+1, an international association comprised of leading financial and business journalists from major European media outlets. The award was first announced in June 2025 and was officially presented during the high-profile Euro Finance Week.
The event brought together a significant audience, including more than 200 representatives from the institutional, banking, and political spheres of the European financial community.
Leadership Philosophy and Social Impact
Upon accepting the award, Carlo Messina articulated his vision for modern banking. "This recognition honors a model of banking that combines strength with purpose," he stated. "At Intesa Sanpaolo, we believe profitability and social impact are complementary — and that turning savings into confidence, and confidence into growth, is the mission of a bank worthy of trust."
The selection committee highlighted a powerful combination of factors behind Messina's win. These included the bank's long-term performance, strategic consistency, and his own forward-looking leadership vision.
A Track Record of Success and Vision
Under Messina's stewardship since 2013, Intesa Sanpaolo has demonstrated strong and resilient financial results. A key metric of this success is the fact that the Group’s market capitalization has more than tripled during his tenure.
The jury placed significant emphasis on Messina's commitment to areas beyond pure finance. His ongoing dedication to social impact and the green transition was noted as reflecting a broader, more modern definition of leadership within the European banking sector.
Sergio P. Ermotti, Group CEO of UBS Group AG and the previous year's award recipient, introduced Messina at the ceremony. He described him as "a leader driven by passion, guided by deep expertise and a strong, forward-looking vision."
Albrecht F. Schirmacher, Chairman of The Group of 20+1, provided further context. "Carlo Messina is one of the longest-serving CEOs in European banking. His achievements go well beyond financial results; it’s far more than banking. Intesa Sanpaolo has strongly embraced its social responsibilities," he stated.
The award was presented in the historic Kaisersaal (Emperors' Hall) of Frankfurt’s Römer, a fitting venue for an honour that recognizes not just outstanding performance, but a comprehensive vision for a bank's role in society.
