UniCredit Accelerates Generational Turnover with New Hiring Plan

UniCredit is set to accelerate its generational transition through a new union agreement. The plan includes 505 exits and 494 hires over the three years spanning 2026-2028. A key focus is on supporting women who are victims of violence, including children of femicide victims.

New Agreement Details

The agreement was reached with labor organizations Fabi, First, Fisac, Uilca, and Unisin. It reaffirms the full implementation of the ABI Protocol, which supports women who are victims of violence and was signed in November 2025. Of the new hires, 58 positions are dedicated to this category, with the first 20 hires planned for 2026.

Voluntary Exits and New Hires

The voluntary departures, totaling 484 full-time positions, are part of the complementary initiatives of the Unlocked industrial plan. These exits will be offset by 436 hires in professionalizing apprenticeships, aimed at securing permanent contracts. These positions are reserved for young graduates under 30 and will strengthen the bank's commercial network.

According to Fabi, the total number of new hires will reach 494, with a replacement rate of 102%, and no reliance on mixed employee/self-employed contracts.

Focus on Innovation and Dialogue

The agreement also introduces a new tool for advance bargaining through the creation of a permanent committee for dialogue and discussion on company activities. This body will simplify internal procedures and enhance the bank's digital path, offering a stable platform for discussion between management and labor organizations.

Ilaria Dalla Riva, Head of People & Culture Italy and CEO of Unicredit Italia, explained that the agreement allows the company to continue investing in its people and commercial network, focusing on both the customer and human capital.

Strategic Shift

Under the new governance introduced by CEO Andrea Orcel, UniCredit has initiated a structural change centered on customers and people. The proportion of employees under 35 has risen from 7% to 15%, confirming the ongoing generational turnover.

To support these changes, UniCredit has launched reskilling and upskilling programs for employees. Here’s a breakdown of employee distribution:

Employee Development Programs

These training courses, developed in collaboration with UniCredit Corporate University, aim to strengthen commercial, relational, and digital skills. The new organizational model has altered the balance between central functions and the commercial network, with 70% of resources now in the network and 30% in central functions, reflecting a more customer-oriented approach.

Strategic initiatives include job rotation for over 35% of staff and automation of back-office activities, freeing up the equivalent of 2,500 people's time to focus exclusively on customer relations.

Union Response

The labor organizations have responded positively to the agreement.

Stefano Cefaloni, coordinator of Fabi at Unicredit, speaks of "new and good employment to a significant extent, with concrete attention to women victims of violence".

Sabrina Brezzo (First Cisl) highlights the 12% of hires reserved for women victims of violence as an important achievement, while Uilca and Fisac emphasize the value of the agreement in the context of a rapidly changing sector.

Reskilling and Upskilling Initiatives

UniCredit is investing in its employees through comprehensive reskilling and upskilling programs. Here are some key areas of focus:

Impact of Organizational Changes

The shift in UniCredit's organizational model has significantly altered the distribution of resources between central functions and the commercial network. The current allocation is:

This realignment underscores UniCredit's commitment to a more customer-centric approach. Further details on the strategic initiatives are outlined below:

Key Strategic Initiatives

Here is a summary of the agreement's planned impact on staffing levels:

Staffing Level Changes

Here are some statistics on the recruitment of women victims of violence:

Recruitment Target Statistics

Commitment to Supporting Women

The agreement demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting women in vulnerable situations. The plan to dedicate a portion of new hires to women who are victims of violence is particularly noteworthy. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the financial sector.

Enhancing Digital Capabilities

In addition to supporting employees and promoting diversity, UniCredit is also focused on enhancing its digital capabilities. The introduction of a permanent committee for dialogue and discussion on company activities highlights the importance of staying ahead of technological advancements in the banking industry.

The creation of a permanent committee for dialogue is designed to streamline processes and enhance the bank's digital capabilities. Here are the key objectives of this committee:

Objectives of Dialogue Committee