Ofelia Marín-Lozano | The Spanish financial sector has made an unprecedented effort to sanitise its books: since the beginning of the crisis in 2008, sanitising and provisions (amounting to some 260 billion euros) have reduced profit margins by two thirds, according to figures from the latest annual meeting of the financial sector. The role of digitilisation replacing branches was one of the recurrent themes of the meeting.
José Luis M. Campuzano (Spanish Banking Association) | Without doubt, banks can benefit in the medium and long-term from those companies which the term “fintech” encompasses. And competition in the short-term, particularly in the segments of payments and loans, is a small price to pay considering the synergies and the revitalising effect for the banks of being digitally closer to the client.
After the banking crises in the US and Europe, there was a generalised call – even from many bankers – for a more detailed regulation of the banking business which would avoid a repetition of what had happened. But now there are some signs of weariness, impatience and even underhand ‘rebellion’.
MADRID | May 9, 2015 | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | Spanish banks are still the central pillar of the Spanish stock market: seven lenders account for nearly 40 percent of the IBEX-35 index.
MADRID | May 5, 2015 | By JP Marín Arrese | Banks have undergone a massive overhaul to meet demanding requirements under Basel III. They have substantially strengthened their core capital over the last couple of years to keep abreast of increasing requests tabled by regulatory bodies. The leverage ratio under implementation represents a new challenge which is likely to have a significant influence on their business strategy.