Financial innovation does not deserve all the blame that has been laid at its door since the financial crisis of 2007. In recent years a number of relatively good innovations have emerged, although their detractors are right to point out that there have also been bad ones.
Finance
Finance
BBVA has issued $1.5 billion of a new type of perpetual debt that can eventually beconverted into equity, becoming the first European financial institution to strengthenits Tier I capital position through the new securities. The bond offering takes placeonly weeks after the approval of new capital regulation in Europe.
BBVA today announced the formation of BBVA Ventures, a strategic initiative that will invest $ 100 million in startups looking to transform the financial services industry. Through this effort, BBVA will work with entrepreneurs and venture capital investors to broaden the bank’s understanding of emerging trends, helping advance innovative initiatives in banking and finance.
For the first time, ‘Structured Retail Products’ magazine has chosen BBVA as the best structured products supplier, according to financiers. In United States, Euromoney has distinguished BBVA customer service as remarkable. These two rewards recognise Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) activity in America.
Euromoney, one of the world’s leading financial publications, chose BBVA as “Best Bank in Latin America” during its presentation of the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2012. These awards are some of the most coveted titles in the financial world. The prize recognizes BBVA’s leadership in innovation and efficiency as well as its solvency and profitability in various countries of this region. BBVA was also chosen as “Best Bank in Venezuela”. The awards were collected by Eduardo Fuentes, Global Head of Insurance and Pensions America; and Philippe Paddack, COO CIB Europe.
Business economics and corporate information
BBVA names Garanti’s Sezgin head of Global Payment Systems
BBVA named Mehmet Sezgin from Turkiye Garanti Bankasi as head of Global Payment Systems. Garanti is one of the world’s most advanced banks in payment systems and the appointment will help BBVA accelerate the addition of new applications to all its markets.
- Resilient earnings: the net attributable profit of the BBVA Group in the second quarter of 2011 came to €1.189 billion, which was the highest figure in the last four quarters (-7.6% vs 2Q 2010). As a result total profit for the year to June is €2.339 billion, which is 12.5% higher than the second half of 2010 and 7.5% less than the first half last year, clearly indicating a change of trend
- Leader in capital adequacy: BBVA is the top big European bank in terms of capital adequacy according to the stress tests conducted by the European Banking Authority. Furthermore organic generation of capital boosted BBVA’s core capital ratio in June to 9.0%. The strong capital position is enhanced by comfortable liquidity and funding requirements for 2011 are already covered
- Improvement in risk indicators: non-performing assets (NPAs) have been steady for six consecutive quarters. In June the NPA ratio decreased to 4.0% compared to 4.1% in March and 4.2% a year earlier. The risk premium improved 11 basis points in the second quarter to 1.09% in June. The coverage ratio remains at 61%.
BBVA announced today the acquisition of a 24.9% stake in Turkiye Garanti Bankasi, Turkey’s leading bank. The transaction is valued at €4.2 billion, 8.0 Turkish Lira per share, and it represents a 10% discount to last week’s Garanti average closing price. BBVA has also reached a shareholders’ agreement with Dogus Group–reference shareholder in Garanti, also with a 24.9% stake–to jointly manage the bank.
BBVA has raised its stake in China Citic Bank (CNCB) to 15%, having exercised its call option on a 4.93% shareholding in the China's seventh largest financial entity by assets. The transaction, deemed a strategic investment by BBVA, entails an outlay of approximately 1 billion, as the option strike price was HKD 6.45 per share. This new acquisition reinforces BBVA's China strategy, fortifying its commitment to the region and boosting close ties with CITIC.
Business economics and corporate information
BBVA launches 'BBVA tú cuentas', the most innovative personal finance
BBVA announced the launch of BBVA tú cuentas today, a personal money management solution that will revolutionize the way users manage their finances and make decisions in banking. The new tool, which has been developed by BBVA and Strands, Inc. will be launched in beta format and, this autumn, will be made available to BBVA's 4.1 million online banking customers through the Group's network.