Artificial intelligence is projected to reshape Europe's banking workforce dramatically over the next five years. New forecasts suggest roughly 200,000 positions across European financial institutions could face elimination by 2030 as automation and AI-driven systems take over routine operations. This shift underscores a broader trend: traditional banking infrastructure is undergoing fundamental transformation. As AI handles compliance checks, transaction processing, and customer service at scale, conventional roles become increasingly redundant. The timing matters too—this disruption arrives precisely when blockchain technology and decentralized finance platforms are already competing for market share, offering alternative financial services without traditional middlemen. Banks adapting early to automation may survive, but those clinging to legacy systems face mounting pressure. The convergence of AI efficiency and DeFi's disintermediation is accelerating a structural reset in how financial services operate.