BBVA names Jorge Bledel as country manager in Argentina
Jorge Bledel is the new country manager of BBVA in Argentina, replacing Martín Zarich. Additionally, Jorge Matuk will be the new head of Forum Chile, replacing Ignacio Sanz y Arcelus. These appointments are subject to the corresponding authorizations from local regulators.
Jorge Bledel joined BBVA more than 20 years ago, having held different positions of responsibility. In Argentina, he was head of Innovation and Business Models and responsible for Business Development. Bledel was until now head of Openpay -a startup acquired by BBVA in 2017 with operations in Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Argentina- and responsible for Client Solutions in South America. From this position, he has been a driving force in the digital transformation of the BBVA’s franchises in South America, and the development of sustainable businesses. Jorge Zebadúa will replace Bledel as head of Client Solutions South America.
BBVA Argentina, in which the BBVA Group holds a 66.55 percent stake, is the country’s third privately-owned bank in terms of investment and resources. It has 243 branches and more than 6,000 employees, offering financial services to more than four million active customers. In 2023, the Argentinian franchise contributed €132 million to the Group’s attributable profit.
Additionally, Jorge Matuk has been with BBVA for 24 years, with responsibilities in the area of pensions and insurance. He was general manager of a series of companies of private pensions funds (in Spanish, AFPs) in Latin America. Since 2018 he has been global head of Insurance in the area of Client Solutions.
Jorge Matuk, head of Forum Chile.
Forum is a consumer finance company fully-owned by BBVA, and a leader in the car financing business in Chile. In 2023 it financed 20 percent of all new vehicles sold in that country. Forum, which has 800 employees, has agreements with leading car dealerships in Chile offering loans for the purchase of vehicles.
“We thank Martín and Ignacio for their valuable contribution to the growth and transformation of BBVA in South America for more than 30 years, and we wish Jorge Bledel, Jorge Matuk and Jorge Zebadúa the greatest success in their new responsibilities,” said BBVA Global Head of Country Monitoring Jorge Sáenz-Azcúnaga.