Latest news with #Belfius
Reuters
10-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Belgian government may decide soon to sell part of Belfius to increase defence spending
BRUSSELS, July 10 (Reuters) - The Belgian government may decide to sell part of state-owned bank-insurer Belfius before the summer recess begins on July 21, Belgian newspaper De Tijd reported Thursday, citing sources. The government is considering selling a 20% to 30% minority stake in Belfius as part of efforts to raise billions of euros for defense spending. Also according to the newspaper, the exact method of the sale, either an IPO or a direct sale, has not yet been determined, as discussions are still in the early stages. The Belgian government has committed to increase defence spending to 2% of its GDP adhering to current NATO norms by 2029. Defence spending is currently around 1.3% of Belgian GDP, and has never reached the 2% level before. In June, NATO allies agreed to increase overall defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The Belgian government did not immediately reply to emailed requests for comment, while Belfius said it wouldn't comment on the news report. Belfius bank was created after the state bought the Belgian banking arm of Franco-Belgian lender Dexia in 2011 for 4 billion euros($4.69 billion) in the aftermath of the financial crisis. ($1 = 0.8520 euros)
FF News
26-06-2025
- Business
- FF News
Meniga's Raj Soni & Belfius' Jonathan Neubourg on the Real Impact of AI in Everyday Banking
Raj Soni from Meniga and Jonathan Neubourg from Belfius talk about how banks are changing their plans around AI, not just to keep up with tech trends but to adapt to the way customers are behaving. Soni mentions that since tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek have become popular, people now have different expectations for service. As users get used to asking questions and getting quick answers in a chat format, they start to want the same experience from their banking apps. He imagines a future where people can just ask their banking apps simple questions about their finances, like, 'What did I spend this week?' instead of scrolling through complex menus. He believes traditional banks have an advantage because they have a lot of historical data and strong relationships with customers, allowing them to provide personalised experiences that new digital banks might struggle to offer. Neubourg adds that Belfius has been using AI for a while, even before the recent hype. He breaks down their strategy into three main points. First, AI allows banks to be available all the time, automate tasks, and respond quicker. Second, fraud detection and security, where machine learning helps maintain customer trust. Lastly, user experience, especially through chat interfaces – Neubourg thinks we're moving toward smarter, AI-based personal assistants that really engage with customers using their data, moving away from basic chatbots. Companies In This Post Meniga Belfius
Reuters
18-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Belgian financial firm Belfius to invest in NATO defence companies
BRUSSELS, March 18 (Reuters) - Belgium's state-owned financial firm Belfius said on Tuesday it would invest in defence companies headquartered in NATO countries, as fund managers tap into Europe's race to re-arm itself in light of the Russia-Ukraine war. "By focusing on investments in defence companies headquartered in NATO countries, Belfius intends to offer a clear framework. NATO includes Europe's main strategic allies in terms of defence," said Belfius in a statement. "In this way, Belfius is ensuring that it supports an industry that is essential to the Alliance's defence capabilities, while avoiding opening the door to players whose interests might diverge," it added. Belfius' move comes as many European asset managers reconsider policies on investing in defence, after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded more military spending from European NATO states, and as Europe in turn has aimed to become less reliant on the United States' military help. The EU's spending boost has sent European aerospace and defence stocks including Germany's Rheinmetall ( opens new tab and Italy's Leonardo ( opens new tab to record highs along with the sector index (.SXPARO), opens new tab, while the VanEck Defense UCITS exchange traded fund is up nearly 23% since the start of the year. Belfius, which has nearly 200 billion euros ($218.6 billion) worth of savings and investments, declined to say how much it was targeting in terms of its defence-related investments but said it was backing the EU's military spending plan. "Belfius supports the European Commission's European Defence Industrial Strategy," it said. ($1 = 0.9147 euros)
