Onur Genç: “BBVA continues to move forward in key areas of its strategy: digitization and sustainability”
Following the release of BBVA’s earnings for the first quarter of 2021, BBVA CEO underscored on Friday that the bank “continues to move forward in key areas of its strategy: digitization and sustainability.” In digital transformation, customer transactions taking place on digital channels have more than doubled in just two years. Also, in the first quarter, 69% of sales were done digitally. “I am sure that our digital edge coupled with the advisory capacity of our people will continue to make the difference," he said.
Regarding sustainability, Onur Genç explained that the Group has mobilized 59 billion in sustainable financing, “well above the goal set in our Pledge 2025.”
BBVA’s net attributable profit between January and March stood at €1.21 billion “a figure that represents a return to pre-COVID levels,” said the Group’s CEO. These results were made possible thanks to strong fee and trading income, cost-containment efforts and good performance of impairments and provisions.
Onur Genç underscored that BBVA is one of the strongest, best capitalized banks in Europe. Including the impact of the sale of the U.S. subsidiary and the goal to repurchase 10 percent of the Group’s shares, subject to market conditions and the required approvals, the capital ratio stands at 13.55 percent. This level of capital gives us ample strategic optionality”, he added.
“We are still in the middle of great uncertainty due to COVID, but I am optimistic,” said Onur Genç. “The vaccination process is moving forward, and recovery plans coupled with the hard work and willingness of everyone will help us emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.”