Spain is behind the UK and followed by the Netherlands in the provision of basic (transactional) services to its customers, with prices 58% lower than the average of seven countries analysed. Germany is at the other extreme with an average annual price of 181 euros.
J.L.M. Campuzano (Spanish Banking Association) | In a modern world ever more dominated by technology and the growing digitalisation, the performance and weight of investment in intangible assets draws attention. We are talking about software and R&D, but also about data and whatever activity that generates property rights and economic competences, including publicity and staff training
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.
“We need automation because we won’t have enough young people to handle the production. And yes, it’s true that jobs will be lost, but without automation and digitalisation we would not be able to feed a growing population, dress it, entertain it, provide health treatment etc.”
Spain is the European country with the highest fibre to the home (FTTH) penetration rate in Europe, with 33.9%, after clocking up around 1.61 million new subscrbers between September 2016 and September 2017,
“Competition is especially important for innovation and some of the big (US) companies also have a lot of power in the market…but it’s difficult to keep innovating.”
José Luis M. Campuzano (Spanish Banking Association) | The key to monetary normalisation for many people is the moderate evolution of inflation. That said, it’s also important monetary policy adapts to the potential impact of technology developments on inflation.
Francisco López | BBVA chairman, Francisco Gonzalez, is the one who usually speaks out about the banking sector’s problems, without worrying too much about the criticisms he may receive. González was the one who most actively spoke out in international fora (in particular at the Institute of International Finance (IIF)’s spring meeting) about the bad situation of some of the savings banks, although by doing that he damaged the image of the whole Spanish banking sector.