Why Europe's Corporate Bond Market Is Overtaking Banks

Lucas and Luna unpack a quiet revolution in European finance: corporate bond issuance has surpassed new bank lending for the first time in the eurozone's history. Drawing on ECB data showing €185 billion in net corporate bond issuance in Q1 2026 versus €120 billion in new bank loans, they explore what this shift means for businesses, investors, and the continent's banking model. They discuss the role of the ECB's corporate purchase program hangover, the rise of green bonds, and why southern European firms are leading the charge. The conversation also touches on the implications for the European Capital Markets Union and whether this trend is durable. No hot takes — just a clear, data-driven look at a structural change that's happening beneath the surface of Europe's markets. #EuropeanEconomy #CorporateBonds #ECB #CapitalMarketsUnion #BankLending #Eurozone #GreenBonds #Finance #Economics #InvestmentGrade #HighYield #DebtMarkets #Euro #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #May2026 #StructuralShift Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo