There was a sharp drop in investment in VC-backed companies in late 2015. According to the global quarterly report on VC trends published by KPMG International and CB Insights, investment in the fourth quarter of 2015 stood at 27.2 billion US dollars, with 1,742 deals at the global level –representing a 30% decline in funding. This was also the lowest quarterly level of deals to be registered since the final months of 2013.

What can we expect from 2016 in terms of new banking regulations? The report entitled Financial Regulation Outlook from BBVA Research looks at 10 new regulatory developments that will impact the banks.

The European Banking Authority celebrates its 5th anniversary in 2016. Headquartered in London, this body was formed in January 1, 2011. Its mission was clear: to ensure coordination of European Union regulations and banking supervision. To celebrate its anniversary, the EBA has organized a conference which takes place today. The discussion will center on the achievements to date and the challenges for the future.

BBVA executive chairman Francisco González this morning commented on the bank's results for 2015, pointing out that "BBVA showed its considerable ability to generate results."

The European Commission has presented today, January 28, a package of measures to fight tax fraud and evasion by companies in the EU.

One of the key projects that European institutions wish to promote this year is the Capital Markets Union. This project takes in several initiatives, such as promoting investment in insurance company infrastructures and simplifying the brochures that companies publish in order to be financed in the capital market. However, the proposal most talked about is that of making changes to legislation in order to relaunch the high-quality securitization market in Europe.