Last July witnessed the convergence of two events that, at first glance, appear to have nothing in common: the release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and the European Union’s decision to postpone the implementation of much of the AI Act until December 2027. With the delay announced in July, Europe’s push for trustworthy AI, launched back in 2017, will have spanned an entire decade—exactly as long as it took Odysseus to return to Ithaca following the Trojan War.

BBVA is strengthening its commitment to growth in Germany with the appointment of Jürgen von der Lehr as Head of its Digital Bank in the country, a key role in adapting the bank’s value proposition in one of Europe’s largest and most competitive financial markets.

In recent years, Europe has been busy developing one of the world’s most ambitious digital regulatory frameworks, covering matters such as data protection and sharing, artificial intelligence (AI), and operational resilience. The result is a robust framework, but also one that is complex and, at times, fragmented. However, since 2023—with the rise in popularity of tools such as ChatGPT—and amid heightened geopolitical tensions, there has been mounting criticism of an approach that is sometimes seen as overly regulatory and as one of the causes of the EU’s technological gap relative to other regions.

BBVA is  to pay a final dividend this Friday, April 10, of €0.60 gross per share in cash. In addition to a gross payment of €0.32 per share last November, BBVA will distribute a record of €5.2 billion in ordinary dividends corresponding to the 2025 earnings, equivalent to 50 percent of the profit for the year.

The European Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation (MiCA) marks its first year in full force this December, having been fully applicable since December 2024. With MiCA, the European Union has led the way in creating a legal framework for stablecoins and crypto-asset service providers.

BBVA’s Chief Executive Officer, Onur Genç, took part this Thursday in the Global Banking Summit hosted by the Financial Times in London. During his address, he remarked that the bank remains firmly focused on delivering its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, which is built around profitable, organic growth. Along these lines, he pointed to BBVA’s expansion in Europe through its digital banking model in markets such as Italy and Germany. He also noted that the bank is firmly committed to “growing organically in the markets where we already operate.”

BBVA shareholders will receive on November 7¹, 2025, a gross interim cash dividend of €.032 per share charged to 2025 earnings, up 10 percent from a year earlier. This is the highest interim dividend in BBVA’s history. Banco Sabadell shareholders who have tendered their shares will also receive this dividend, as the payout will materialize following the settlement of the tender offer.

“Simplification” dominates today’s European financial‑regulation debate. The new Commission has turned it into a slogan, pledging to strip away layers of complexity, align the regime with the cleaner approaches of other regions, and make the framework easier to navigate.  At present Europe resembles a car covered by multiple insurers, each tacking on new clauses over time. The result is a patchwork in which it is unclear what is actually covered or how policyholders are meant to use their coverage. It simply doesn’t work.

Within the framework of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), held from June 30 to July 3 in Seville, the BBVA Microfinance Foundation (FMBBVA) is strengthening its position as a benchmark in development financing from the private sector. Of special note is its commitment to technological innovation to promote the progress of vulnerable entrepreneurs. 

The Bank of Spain has informed BBVA of its new minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL), the regulatory framework that requires banks to have sufficient funds to absorb losses in case of crisis.  Starting June 12, 2025, BBVA must maintain a buffer of 23.13 percent of the total risk-weighted assets (including the parent company, BBVA S.A and its subsidiaries in Europe). With an MREL ratio of 33.20 percent at the end of March 2025, the bank already far exceeds this threshold, and also meets the additional requirements for subordination and capital buffers.

In recent weeks, the role of the financial conglomerate has drawn renewed attention.  Some observers argue that several European banks are seeking to expand into insurance, hoping to qualify as conglomerates and benefit from more favorable capital requirements under the so-called Danish compromise.  But does this classification always serve a bank’s interests?  The answer hinges on the bank’s business model.  For some, the fit is natural; for others, it’s like slipping into shoes that are simply too big: awkward and ill-suited to their needs.

The current geopolitical context, combined with the urgent need to finance the green and digital transitions in Europe, makes it increasingly necessary to unlock the full potential of the EU’s currently fragmented capital markets. The goal is to make them more efficient and better equipped to compete with more developed markets elsewhere.

Like every year, global and European regulators have published their annual work plans, in which they describe the lists of initiatives underway in the regulation areas they will prioritize in  2025.

The Central Bank of Morocco has given the green light for the indirect change in control of Banco Sabadell's branch in the country, as part of the transaction with BBVA. Therefore, BBVA now has all the authorizations needed from international regulators to complete the transaction.

Since it took its first steps in Switzerland 50 years ago, BBVA’s Swiss subsidiary has managed to build an outstanding international private banking franchise. Thanks to its client-centric business model and relying heavily on technology as a key driver of financial transformation, the bank continues to lead an industry increasingly dominated by innovation and digital assets.

BBVA shareholders will receive on Oct. 10 a gross dividend, against 2024 earnings, of €0.29 per share, 81 percent higher than a year earlier. This is the highest interim dividend to be paid by BBVA to date. The bank will thus distribute about €1.7 billion in cash to shareholders. Following this dividend, from 2021 BBVA will have distributed about €15 billion in dividends and share buybacks.

For more than a century and a half, BBVA’s attitude has remained intact. It is an attitude that pursues progress and listens closely to society’s needs, always seeking to stay ahead in order to find the best way to support people and businesses in advancing their goals. Because everyone who has a goal in mind is capable of building a better future.

Throughout its history, BBVA has played a prominent role in the economic and social development of Spain, propeling its progress and constantly adapting the bank in order to be at the forefront of innovation and technology. Since it was first established in the mid-19th Century (1857), BBVA has been known for being a visionary bank, with the ability to anticipate the trends that will change the financial industry and the future needs of its customers. Some of its noteworthy milestones include financing the construction of the Madrid subway system; being the first bank to allow women to do their banking without the permission of a legal guardian through the creation of the  Women’s Bank; and being the first bank to introduce credit cards as a payment method. A track record that has established BBVA as a crucial ally to face future challenges and thus encourage economic growth and the transformation of businesses.

A takeover bid happens when an investor or a group of investors offers to buy shares from all the shareholders of a listed company. They usually offer a specific price for these shares or other securities that give them an ownership stake in the company.

On April 8, the European Union's instant payments regulation finally came into force. However, many citizens are still unaware of the changes that this regulation will have on the way they pay.

On the morning of Wednesday, March 13th, the European Parliament gave its final approval of the European Artificial Intelligence Act.  According to some EU authorities, this makes the bloc the first international jurisdiction with comprehensive legislation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

BBVA has achieved a milestone in Italy, surpassing 420,000 customers in February 2024, exceeding its initial target. The bank had a record year in 2023, attracting 220,000 new customers, thanks to a highly attractive range of products and services. As a result, BBVA has set a new target for this year of 600,000 customers. If successful, it will have achieved its original goal two years ahead of schedule.

BBVA has completed the sale of a portfolio of secured non-performing loans (NPLs). The portfolio has a gross value of approximately €330 million. This is BBVA's second such sale in 2023.

‘Spirit of Dialogue’ is the theme of the new edition of the Davos Forum to be held in Switzerland from January 19 to 23, 2026. Organized by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the event will bring together public- and private-sector leaders, along with representatives from civil society, with the aim of finding shared solutions to the world’s most pressing global challenges. Davos 2026 takes place against an international backdrop in which global balances and growth models are being shaped by geopolitical fragmentation, economic uncertainty, and the relentless pace of technological change. In this context, the Forum has cemented its status as a key space for fostering cooperation, promoting responsible innovation, and championing more resilient and inclusive growth capable of generating prosperity while respecting the planet’s limits.

BBVA’s Turkish franchise is strategically reinforcing its commitment to enhance customer accessibility by extending remote banking services to corporate clients.

The surge in online banking has heralded many benefits for customers who insist on being able to bank wherever and whenever they choose. However, the digital revolution has been harder for many older customers, who are not very Internet savvy, and for those living in villages and rural parts of Spain. Moreover, customers finding it hard to keep up with their payment obligations need solutions, such as tailoring installments to their payment capacity or having their loan refinanced. Banks have reacted to these social demands and are stepping up to the challenge.