Festival on future of finance expected to contribute £1m to Scottish economy

A festival on the future of finance is expected to contribute £1 million to the Scottish economy when it takes place this summer.

The Edinburgh Finance Festival is due to draw 3,000 attendees in June.

The inaugural event took place last year.

This year’s festival will mark the 250th anniversary of philosopher Adam Smith’s famous work The Wealth Of Nations, a fundamental pillar of economic theory.

Delegates from finance, technology and energy companies will also examine new trends in the economy, climate, geopolitics and society.

Organisers at the Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) said the festival, which runs between June 8 and June 20, could generate more than £1 million in gross value added for the economy as delegates stay in the Scottish capital and beyond.

Dame Susan Rice, chairwoman of the global steering group at the GEFI, said: “Following the resounding success of our inaugural event last year, the 2026 Edinburgh Finance Festival returns to tackle the most critical challenges facing the global economy today.

“This year’s programme will once again bring together brilliant minds across finance, technology and energy to drive meaningful action on climate change, social equality, and sustainable growth.

“Scotland has a long, proud history of financial innovation, and this event further strengthens our position as a global centre for responsible and ethical finance.

“By providing a collaborative platform for policymakers and industry leaders, we can share the practical solutions needed to ensure finance remains a powerful, driving force for good.

“As global economic and environmental pressures continue to mount, it has never been more important for us to unite and build a fairer, greener financial system for everyone.”

The festival’s programme includes the 25th World Conference of Banking Institutes in St Andrews and the Ethical Finance Global summit, now in its 11th year.