ECB - The number of monetary financial institutions in the euro area and in the EU decreased further in 2011

16 January 2012 - The number of monetary financial institutions in the euro area and in the EU decreased further in 2011

"On 1 January 2012 the total number of monetary financial institutions (MFIs) ^[1] in the euro area stood at 7,533. This is a net decrease of 332 units (4%) in comparison with the situation a year ago. With a few minor exceptions, the decline was spread across the whole of the euro area. There were 9,587 MFIs in the European Union (EU) as a whole, a net decrease of 334 units..."

[Mrt: It would be nice to see in the same time how many new gold dealers/retailers have started their businesses.]

Source: http://www.ecb.int/press/pr/date/2012/html/pr120116_1.en.html