Trust in Dutch financial sector solid, despite growing concern about health of institutions

Trust in Dutch public institutions down  

Trust in financial institutions remained stable over the past year. More than half (52%) of households surveyed say they have fairly high or very high trust in financial institutions while the remaining 48% had little or no trust. Trust in the business sector is at a similar level as last year.

In contrast, trust in public institutions has fallen. Trust in national politics, for instance, fell to 18%, and trust in the civil service to 36%. Trust in DNB is still high at 70%, although this figure is slightly lower compared to last year. Declining trust among Dutch households in public institutions is part of a general trend: in 2025, only 53% of households say they have fairly high or very high trust in public institutions, compared to 62% in 2024. Trust in the European Central Bank (ECB) is at a similar level as last year.

Trust in financial sector remains stable

Share of respondents with fairly high or very high trust

Note: Public trust in financial institutions reflects the average level of trust in banks, insurers and pension funds. Source: DNB 

Increased concerns about health of financial institutions

The survey also shows that Dutch households' trust in the financial health of banks, insurers and pension funds is edging down. In 2025, 66% of survey respondents said they were confident that banks would be able to repay the money entrusted to them at all times. The confidence level stood at 60% for insurers being able to fulfil their contractual obligations to policyholders. In 2024, these levels were 71% for banks and 63% for insurers.

Trust in pension funds saw the most marked decline. Whereas 57% of those surveyed in 2024 were confident that funds can meet their commitments to pensioners, the figure is now 51%. Confidence that one's own pension fund will meet commitments is slightly higher, at 57%.

Financial position remains stable

The decline in trust in the financial health of banks, insurers and pension funds is striking, considering that no noteworthy changes have taken place. The financial position of pension funds and insurers has remained stable over the past year and it has been at a relatively high level for several years.

Banks are also in a strong financial position. They have seen their profitability increase in recent years, buoyed by higher interest rates and a well-performing domestic economy, although falling interest income put some pressure on their profit margins last year.

Trust in financial sector remains stable

Despite declining confidence in the financial health of institutions, overall trust in the financial sector remains stable, which indicates that financial health is not the main reason why people trust financial institutions. Survey respondents mainly cite their own experiences, supervision of the sector and their overall sentiment as the basis for their level of trust.

Public trust in the financial health of financial sector down

Share of respondents with fairly high or very high trust

Source: DNB