BBVA Named World’s Most Innovative Bank 2026 by Global Finance
BBVA’s Blue assistant, its new app known as Futura, and seven other AI-driven solutions from the Group have been recognized among the most innovative initiatives at The Innovators 2026 awards run by Global Finance. The publication also singled out Garanti BBVA Partners and AI Factory as leading financial innovation labs.
Global Finance awarded BBVA the global prize for most innovative bank after ranking 11 of its initiatives among the year’s standout projects. The accolade reflects the Group’s sustained efforts to embed artificial intelligence (AI) across its services, with a view to simplifying customers’ day-to-day banking, cutting waiting times, and delivering a more tailored experience.
“At BBVA, we are embarking on a new phase of transformation in a bid to become a conversational bank—more personal, more proactive, and better able to anticipate our customers’ needs. Our aim is to unlock the true value of AI for the benefit of our customers, employees and wider stakeholders, continuing to drive our growth. This recognition confirms we are on the right track in our ambition to lead financial services in the age of AI,” said Antonio Bravo, BBVA’s Global Head of Data.
Blue, BBVA’s virtual assistant powered by generative AI, was selected as one of the leading financial innovations. Integrated into the bank’s mobile app, it enables customers to resolve queries and even complete financial transactions from start to finish using natural language, rather than navigating menus. Unlike rule-based chatbots, Blue operates on a conversational layer that captures intent, understands context, and guides users from inquiry through to resolution. Available 24/7, it offers remarkable time savings, allowing many everyday banking needs to be completed in seconds. Designed as a global AI solution, Blue’s conversational experience is already live in Spain and Mexico.
Global Finance also cited the integration of AI in BBVA’s new app to deliver a more personalized and proactive client experience. The data- and AI-driven solution dynamically adapts the interface based on each user’s behavior and usage patterns. Already available in Spain and Mexico and set to roll out across the bank’s other markets, these recommendation models tailor navigation by offering contextual shortcuts and incorporate an intelligent financial adviser that helps customers improve their savings capacity and manage their debt through actionable plans.
AI is also enhancing the bank’s internal tools, resulting in faster, more accurate advice for customers. In this area, Global Finance selected the SofIA project, a copilot integrated into the workflows of BBVA’s corporate banking relationship managers, enabling teams to rapidly access product information and performance indicators conversationally, thus streamlining the process of preparing for meetings with clients. Meanwhile, the ‘Marisa’ solution uses graph architecture and generative AI to help Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) teams classify sustainable finance transactions, reducing analysis times and ensuring strict compliance with environmental standards.
Process automation and reduced customer friction
Within Western Europe, Global Finance singled out BBVA’s ‘Integrated Investment Flow,’ a feature that addresses a common friction point when investing in cryptoassets: if a user places an order without sufficient funds, the system seamlessly guides them through the process of transferring money from their bank account without having to leave the investment process, while maintaining a unified view of their entire portfolio. Another flagship project being pursued by BBVA in Western Europe is Internal Audit 5.0, an operating model that equips more than 680 of the Group’s internal auditors with generative AI tools to standardize and streamline reviews globally.
In Latin America, the application of new technologies has produced several award-winning local solutions. In Argentina, Agro Advisor provides the sales force with an assistant that combines AI and satellite data to rapidly assess the productive and financial potential of agricultural land, enabling faster, more efficient support for farmers. In Mexico, the BPyP Investment Portfolio Optimization model utilizes advanced analytics to optimize portfolios for high-net-worth clients, supporting investment decision-making to ensure a diversified portfolio aligned with their risk profile. In Colombia, the Padrino Contable IA project automates responses to accounting and operational queries at scale, removing bottlenecks in internal support processes.
Innovation labs as a driver of growth
Garanti BBVA Partners and BBVA AI Factory were also recognized in the category of leading financial innovation labs. Global Finance acknowledged the role of Garanti BBVA Partners—Garanti BBVA’s open-innovation platform—in fostering new business ideas and supporting their integration into the financial ecosystem.
As for BBVA AI Factory, this latest award comes on top of those received in 2023 and 2025, cementing its position within the bank as a hub for specialized talent and a key engine in the development of AI-based solutions.