About us

We are the voice of employees in the Nordic finance sector

This is NFU

NFU represents seven trade unions in the bank, finance and insurance sectors in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

NFU works actively to influence EU regulation that affects the Nordic financial sector and its employees.

nfu-anniversary-conference-2023-c-petri-anttila-e3a4501

Mission

NFU builds cooperation among Nordic financial trade unions and promotes their interests in Europe.

Through a high level of competence and dialogue, NFU contributes to a sustainable financial sector, fundamental for job creation and long-term economic development.
NFU creates value for the affiliates by acting as a knowledge hub among trade unions in the Nordic financial sectors strengthening their cooperation and expertise.

Vision

NFU strives to make the financial sectors prosper in a way that is sustainable for employees, companies, consumers, and societies.

This is done through influencing regulation, framework conditions and business strategies that support job creation, economic growth, gender equality and diversity.

Leadership and Organisation

The Union Council is the highest decision-making body of NFU. The Management Board has the overall responsibility for NFU activities and the implementation of decisions by the Union Council in accordance with the statutes. The Secretariat is led by the General Secretary, Carin Hallerström.

Statutes

The NFU statutes were adopted by the NFU Union Council in 2023.

Policy Platform

The current Policy Platform was adopted in 2023 by the NFU Union Council.

Management Board

Michael Budolfsen

President

mb@finansforbundet.dk

Susanne Lindberg

Vice President

susanne.lindberg@forena.se

Vigdis Mathisen

Board member, Finansforbundet, Norway

vigdis.mathisen@finansforbundet.no

Ari Skúlason

Board member, SSF, Iceland

ari@ssf.is

Rauni Söderlund

Board member, Trade Union Pro, Finland

rauni.soderlund@proliitto.fi

Arne Fredrik Håstein

Board member, Finansforbundet, Norway

arne.fredrik.hastein@finansforbundet.no

Lars P. Øelund Helvard

Board member, Forsikringsforbundet, Denmark

lph@forsikringsforbundet.dk

Ulrika Boëthius

Board member, Finansförbundet, Sweden

ulrika.boethius@finansforbundet.se

Portrait of smiling colleagues standing in office

Seven affiliated unions

NFU serves as the cornerstone for the close-knit collaboration among seven trade unions representing bank and insurance employees across the Nordics.

Our history

1923

First Congress

Nordic bank unions meet in Gothenburg, uniting delegates from the Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish Bank Employees' Unions.

1929

Nordic cooperation

Nordic cooperation established during delegate meeting in Drammen: annual meetings, congress every four years.

Motiv 7 – Helsingfors 1935. Beslut om ekonomiskt st”d vid konflikt. (Reproduktion) Foto ok„nd (beskuren)

1930s

Cooperation advances

Bankers unions establish financial support system for labour disputes. Finnish & Icelandic Bank Employees' Union join.

1944

Nordic Insurance Unions

The Nordic Insurance Union (NIU) is established.

1953

Nordic Bank Unions

NBU is formally established: Council with two members from each country, secretariat in Stockholm.

1968

Long-term programme

NBU adopted a long-term and more ideological programme, including guidelines on the issue of pensions.

1975

Nordic training programme

NBU holds its first Nordic training programme for representatives from its member unions.

1986

Equal rights advocacy

NBU's gender equality programme advocated for job rotation and targeted trainings to break traditional gender roles.

1990

Bank employees strike

Swedish & Finnish bank employees strike for 3 and 5 weeks, respectively; NBU's conflict fund provides financial support.

1999

Nordic Financial Unions

After years of collaboration, Nordic Bank Unions and Insurance Unions merge, establishing Nordic Financial Unions.

2009

NFU & EU Advocacy

After the financial crisis, amid increasing EU regulation efforts, NFU pivots to lobbying and advocacy.

2016

Baltic Organising Academy

NFU signs agreement to support organising in Estonia's finance sectors via Baltic Organising Academy (BOA).

2018

Coping with Compliance

NFU releases report on finance employees coping with EU compliance demands, shedding light on industry challenges.

2023

100th Anniversary

NFU celebrates 100 years of Nordic cooperation with an Anniversary Conference in Espoo, Finland.

Proud Past - Shaping the future

In 2023 NFU celebrated 100 years of Nordic cooperation with an Anniversary Conference.

Together, we celebrated our strong history with a clear vision towards the future.

Connect with our team

Meet the NFU Secretariat and learn about their areas of expertise

Contact us