Spain’s banks are looking much more stable, having cut non-performing assets in response to European Central Bank pressure. A reduction in overall bank numbers through mergers has streamlined the industry, though observers say increasing profitability remains challenging. Jules Stewart reports.
CaixaBank is bucking the trend in the Spanish domestic banking sector, which is still suffering from a slow recovery from the crisis as well as political uncertainty. Technological investment, cost cutting, consolidation and reducing risk have been at the forefront of the bank's growth strategy.
CaixaBank has emerged from the Spanish banking crisis with a larger share of the domestic market and the biggest branch network in the country. By focusing exclusively on its home market, and continuing its trend of innovation, the lender hopes to build on this position.
There is an optimistic feeling among the CEOs of Spain's leading banks, as profits and domestic conditions improve. With the European Central Bank's imminent asset quality review expected to be passed with flying colours, the country's lenders are now looking beyond survival and towards growth, both domestically and internationally.
The European Central Bank has helped assuage fears of an imminent eurozone breakup, but sovereign, supranational and agency debt management officials must still contend with ratings downgrades and difficult political and fiscal situations in a number of countries. The Banker hears from a range of EU issuers both inside and outside the eurozone.
Emilio Botín, the chairman of Banco Santander, explains how the bank's geographical diversification and philosophy of operating standalone subsidiaries has helped it thrive during the worst years of the crisis, and stand it in good stead for the future.