BBVA named Spain’s best bank to work for by Merco Talento
For the fourth year in a row, BBVA has been ranked as the leading bank to work for in Spain in the Merco Talento report, which assesses companies’ appeal as employers. The Bank has also once again been recognized among the country’s top human resources teams.
In a labor market undergoing constant change, the ability to attract and retain talent has become a genuine competitive advantage. Merco Talento España 2025, Spain’s leading employer-branding ranking, updates its list of the best companies to work for based on more than 53,000 surveys conducted as part of its 20th edition. This year, the study also incorporates, for the first time, input from university career services and job seekers.
BBVA placed first among banks and fifth overall in the ranking.“In an increasingly complex environment, our main competitive advantage lies in having the best team. When we take a holistic approach to caring for our employees’ experience, we strengthen their engagement and their ability to anticipate our customers’ needs,” says Paul G. Tobin, Global Head of Talent and Culture at BBVA.
During 2025, the bank strengthened its people-management strategy through initiatives focused on talent development, well-being, and cultural transformation. It also took a major step forward in innovation by embedding artificial intelligence across day-to-day operations. In addition, the bank has continued to promote continuous learning and reskilling programs, as well as diversity policies, with a special focus on responsible leadership and employee experience. All of these efforts support the goal of creating an innovative and collaborative work environment aligned with BBVA’s purpose of supporting its customers’ drive to go further.
In addition, Merco Talento has published its ranking of the companies with the strongest ability to retain talent through their human resources teams, placing BBVA in third position. “The results in Merco Talento reflect how we work at BBVA. We listen to people, foster their growth, and practice close, responsible leadership. We want every professional to feel they are part of a purpose-driven project — a place to grow, create, and make a positive impact on society,” said Yolanda Martínez-Bajo, Head of Talent and Culture at BBVA in Spain.
The importance of corporate purpose
The report confirms that, in 2025, attracting talent is no longer a matter of prestige, but of data, active listening, and the ability to respond with a human approach in an uncertain environment. Beyond the rankings, the Merco Talento survey provides additional insights, including a slight decline in overall employee satisfaction, which stands at 7.88, compared with 8.09 in 2024.
The study also examines the link between purpose and leadership. Among the top 100 companies in the ranking, 77.72% of employees say their organization’s purpose is clearly defined, down from 87.3% in 2024. When asked whether that purpose is genuinely reflected in day-to-day business activity, 92.69% of employees in the top 100 say it is. Overall, 96.1% of employees at the top 100 companies believe that purpose represents a strong foundation for their company’s future, and 92.89% say they personally identify with their organization’s purpose.