18-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Global financial institutions make progress in gender balance amid anti-DEI steps: report
Global financial institutions remain less than halfway towards the goal of achieving gender balance in their workforce, despite recording the biggest improvement since at least 2021 amid a backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in North America, according to a report.
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Their average score rose to 42 this year from 37 in 2024 in the Gender Balance Index (GBI) compiled by Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum, a London-based platform for central banking, economic policy and public investment.
The report, published in partnership with US money manager Franklin Templeton, tracks representation of women in 335 institutions including central banks, commercial banks, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.
Commercial banks led the charge, with 58 per cent of them scoring higher than in 2024, likely as a result of policies and efforts dedicated to empowering the initiatives over the past decade. Three institutions – Banco Central de Chile, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Norges Bank Investment Management – achieved perfect scores of 100, the report showed.
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Female athletes and executives join Angel Ng of Prudential at Women Aces in Leadership
Female athletes and executives join Angel Ng of Prudential at Women Aces in Leadership
While the GBI scores improved, 'the talent pipeline only shows modest gains', the report said, adding that anti-DEI moves in the US may cause contagion globally. 'Even more concerning is that this modest progress is at risk, given the political climate in 2025 and growing backlash against [DEI] efforts.'
