More than 400 financial firms in Britain have moved their activities, staff and a combined $1.4 trillion in assets to hubs in the European Union due to Brexit, with more pain to come, a study from New Financial think tank said on Friday.

"We think it is an underestimate and we expect the numbers to increase over time, we are only at the end of the beginning of Brexit," the study said.

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BREXIT'S IMPACT IN NUMBERS

• 7,400 jobs moved from Britain or created at new EU hubs 

• More than 400 financial firms in Britain have moved activities, staff and assets to EU hubs

• The total of 440 relocations is higher than anticipated and well above the 269 in New Financial's 2019 survey

• Dublin has benefited from 135 relocations; Paris, 102; Luxembourg, 95; Frankfurt, 63; and Amsterdam, 48.

• About 300 to 500 smaller EU financial firms may open a permanent office in Britain, far fewer than the expected 1,000.

The EU has not offered Britain much in the way of direct market access for financial services, which were not included in the bloc's trade deal with the UK from January.

"That access is unlikely to be forthcoming, so it is perhaps better for the industry to take the damage from Brexit on the chin and focus instead on recalibrating the framework in the UK so that it is more tailored to the unique nature of the UK financial services industry," the study said.

Some 7,400 jobs have moved from Britain or been created at new hubs in the EU, the study said. 

Bankers have told Reuters news agency that some staff moves have been delayed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The total of 440 relocations is higher than anticipated and well above the 269 in New Financial's 2019 survey. 

The think tank believes the real number is well over 500.

The beneficiaries

Dublin has emerged as the biggest beneficiary with 135 relocations, followed by Paris with 102, Luxembourg with 95, Frankfurt on 63, and Amsterdam getting 48.

"This redistribution of activity across the EU has wound the clock back by about 20 years," the study said.

Banks have moved or are moving more than $1.24 trillion in assets from Britain to the EU, while insurers and asset managers have transferred more than $137.78 billion in assets and funds, reducing the UK tax base.

"We expect Frankfurt will be the 'winner' in terms of assets in the longer term, and that Paris will ultimately be the biggest beneficiary in terms of jobs," the study said.

Amsterdam toppling London as Europe's biggest share-trading center since January has been the most visible sign of Brexit in finance.

The study expects 300 to 500 smaller EU financial firms may open a permanent office in Britain, far fewer than the prevailing forecasts of around 1,000.

The think tank expects the City of London to remain the dominant financial center in Europe for the foreseeable future. However, its influence will be chipped away, risking a reduction in Britain's $35.82 billion annual trade surplus in financial services with the EU.