BBVA has appointed Peio Belausteguigoitia as head of BBVA Spain, replacing Cristina de Parias, who leaves her executive duties after a successful career of more than three decades both inside and outside BBVA. Cristina de Parias will remain involved with the Group as she will join the board of BBVA’s subsidiary in Mexico, once the necessary approvals have been obtained.

BBVA has signed the sale of a written-off loan portfolio (mostly consumer loans) worth a gross total of €2.5 billion. The transaction is BBVA’s biggest ever of this kind to date.

To what extent does having a bank account while still a minor— without parental oversight or control of other guardians — influence one's life? This is one of the principle questions answered by research conducted by Carly Urban of the University of Montana and selected by the BBVA Center for Financial Education and Capability during the first installment of the BBVA EduFin Research Grants.

BBVA has participated in preparing the ‘Total tax contribution’ report, which analyzes tax contributions made last year by major European companies. The study, conducted by the European Business Tax Forum (EBTF), discloses the tax contributions made by large corporations and thus contributes to the promotion of transparency.

The “BBVA Pensiones V” fund received the award for best equity pension fund in the annual event organized by the magazine, Investment & Pensions Europe (IPE). The same fund was a finalist in the ‘Emerging’ category, while the Enagás pension fund — also managed by BBVA Asset Management — was a finalist in the ‘Passive Management’ category.

The Extel Survey, recognized as the foremost independent evaluation of the European investment industry, revealed its 2019 results with Garanti BBVA named as Turkey's ‘Best in Investor Relations.’

BBVA’s legal representative Adolfo Fraguas today concluded the bank’s declaration before the Central Investigating Court number 6 of the Spanish National High Court. As he did in the previous declarations (November 20 and 28), Fraguas responded extensively to all questions posed, and once again pleaded that the bank bears no responsibility for the facts under investigation.

Investment in growth in the European Union is less now than it was before the last financial crisis, despite the many modern-day challenges: the digital revolution, climate change, an aging population, migration, to name a few. José Manuel González-Páramo discussed this issue at the Rome Investment Forum held in the Italian capital. The BBVA executive board member stressed that long term investment capacity in Europe should focus on two crucial challenges: adapting to a more sustainable growth model and investing in strategic digital capabilities.

Beachbox Hotelco has become the first company in Spain’s hospitality sector to sign a sustainable project finance loan to finance the construction of the Six Senses Ibiza hotel. BBVA served as sustainable coordinator in the €55 million syndicated loan for the financing of the project. BBVA and Caixabank will each contribute 50 percent of the funds.

The global economy is in the mature phase of the cycle, with an outlook for growth below potential in most countries. However, the rise in stock exchanges in 2020 should be largely due to valuation and, to a lesser extent, profit. "For the first time in recent years we see more potential in the European stock exchanges than in the S&P 500," said Joaquín García Huerga, head of Global Strategy at BBVA Asset Management, during the presentation of "Market Vision 2020."