BBVA Compass was recently named one of the 10 Best National Banks of 2019 by financial site GOBankingRates, a list compiled by extensive research around rates, fees and policies of the top banks in the nation.

BBVA’s commitment to technology has translated into an increase in the number of digital customers, which now represent more than 50% of the bank’s total customers, as well as climbing digital sales, now comprising 41% of all sales. But this digital journey means much more. Digitization has also contributed to greater customer satisfaction and a diminishing drop-out rate - 47% lower among digital customers.

The Spanish syndicated loan market has continued the upward trend of recent years, thanks to the excellent cash position in practically all sectors. In 2018, new technologies like blockchain greatly improved the efficiency of digitization processes, and green loans gained a foothold in the market.

Garanti blazes a trail in the Turkish credit card market with the launch of Shop&Fly, a new product in the bank’s portfolio that makes life easier for its customers.

Carlos Torres Vila presented BBVA’s 2018 earnings in his first press conference as chairman of the bank. He stressed that the “positive results” were sustained by recurring revenues, cost containment efforts and the strength of the Group’s diversified business model. During the presentation, he also addressed the news published in some media outlets regarding services provided by Grupo Cenyt. The chairman made appeals not to “prejudge” the alleged news and to let the BBVA investigation “do its job”, which will be conducted with “rigor, diligence, and thoroughness” in order to shed light on the facts. In addition, he made assurances that “BBVA has been, is, and will continue to be an honest bank”

Garanti Bank released its earnings for 2018. Based on its consolidated financials, Garanti’s assets were valued at slightly more than TL 399 billion, and its contribution to the economy through performing cash and non-cash loans totaled just over TL 311 billion. The bank achieved an ROAE (Return on Average Equity) of 15.0 percent and a ROAA (Return on Average Assets) of 1.7 percent.