Spain’s €6.5bn autumn payouts arrive in two waves
BBVA pays first on 15 October, followed by Santander and Inditex on 2 November. The combined total exceeds €6.5 billion, including buybacks as well as dividends.
Banks 122 news
The Spanish angle matters because, Banks covers accounts, mortgages, fees, cards and consumer protections.
The focus is on real consequences, from official rules and city services to costs, safety, rights and daily routines.
The focus is on real consequences, from official rules and city services to costs, safety, rights and daily routines.
Spanish savers keep paying for familiar financial risks
Spanish savers have repeatedly entered complex products without understanding the risks. The names have changed from stamps to cryptocurrencies, but the losses have not.
Spain Vote Puts Listed Companies on a Political Tightrope
The November 29 vote has pushed Spanish equities into a new risk cycle. Its result could ease pressure on lenders and property firms while leaving state-linked companies exposed to changes in strategy.
Spanish banks face tighter rules on large cash withdrawals
Spain’s tax agency is pressing banks to flag hefty ATM withdrawals and deposits. Cash movements of one thousand euros or more trigger client identification, while amounts of three thousand euros can prompt a deeper probe.
Oil surge and rising debt yields drag Ibex 35 lower
The Ibex 35 fell 1.17% as oil climbed above $100 a barrel and government bond yields rose. Spanish banks are watching credit demand closely, though lending volumes remain healthy for now.
Sabadell builds a shield against hostile takeovers
France's BPCE has bought about 7% of Sabadell for roughly €1.2 billion and may lift its holding to 9.9%. Alongside Zurich's 4.95% stake, the French group's investment would bolster Sabadell's shareholder base after BBVA's failed takeover bid.
BPCE takes a 7% stake in Banco Sabadell
BPCE has acquired about 7% of Banco Sabadell for an estimated 1.2 billion euros. The French group will explore cooperation in corporate and investment banking, lending, leasing and cross-border activities while keeping its stake below 9.9%.
Sabadell Builds a Defensive Shareholder Bloc With BPCE
France's BPCE has bought about 7% of Banco Sabadell for roughly €1.2 billion. The stake gives Sabadell a powerful new shareholder after BBVA's failed takeover attempt.
Sabadell builds a defensive shield with BPCE stake
BPCE has acquired around 7% of Banco Sabadell, becoming a major long-term shareholder after BBVA's failed takeover bid. The stake could support a wider banking partnership across the Iberian Peninsula.
Euribor starts October at 3.303% after daily fall
The 12-month Euribor fell to 3.303% on October 1, 2026. The opening rate is above September’s monthly average of 3.247%, offering little relief to borrowers.
BBVA puts €250 million behind Spain's franchise sector
By August 2026, BBVA was working with about 1,060 franchise brands in Spain, roughly eight out of ten in the market. The bank has mobilised €250 million for the entrepreneurs and small companies opening those local businesses.
Spanish mortgage rates climb above 3%
Spain's average mortgage rate has crossed 3% again. Sabadell and Ibercaja offer monthly savings of around €75 on a typical loan.
CaixaBank sees mortgage growth losing pace in 2027
CaixaBank expects mortgage growth to slow in 2027 as home prices and interest rates shut more buyers out. Consumer and business lending are holding up better.
Spanish mortgage size hits record as July signatures fall
Spain recorded fewer home loans in July. Yet the average mortgage reached a historic high of 180,785 euros. The figures point to a housing market under renewed price pressure.
WiZink CEO leaves as Unicaja talks continue
Iheb Nafaa is leaving WiZink for personal reasons, and President Joaquim Saurina will take over as the bank continues talks with Unicaja after another loss-making first half.
WiZink CEO Iheb Nafaa exits amid Unicaja talks
WiZink CEO Iheb Nafaa has left the bank for personal reasons. Chairman Joaquim Saurina will take over his functions as talks with Unicaja continue without a reported agreement.
Joaquim Saurina takes executive control at WiZink
By August, WiZink's result had turned positive, bank sources say, but the bank remains under pressure from legal claims and ongoing talks with Unicaja. Joaquim Saurina has taken executive control following Iheb Nafaa's departure.
WiZink returns to profit before CEO exit
Iheb Nafaa is leaving WiZink for personal reasons after the bank returned to profit and strengthened its solvency. The change comes as WiZink discusses a possible sale of its card business to Unicaja.
BBVA tries out car sales and iPhone rentals in Turkey
BBVA is moving beyond traditional banking in Turkey, selling used cars and renting iPhones through Garanti. The bank is testing these business lines before deciding whether to bring them to Spain.
Spanish banks turn AI into a shield against AI
Spain's major banks are preparing AI risk plans for the ECB. The measures include controlled AI tools that can detect hostile activity before it reaches critical systems.
Spanish banks bring Bizum to the checkout
Bizum Pay is moving into everyday shopping across Spain. Major banks now let customers pay in physical stores without a card, while Banco Santander has yet to join the rollout.
Bizum Pay reaches 20 million Spanish shoppers
Bizum is moving beyond person-to-person transfers in Spain. Major banks now let customers pay in physical shops with their phones, while Santander has yet to join the rollout.
Bizum Pay reaches 20 million users as Spanish banks widen access
CaixaBank, Bankinter and Unicaja have opened Bizum Pay to more customers. Nearly 20 million people can now use it in physical shops, with 1.6 million businesses connected to the service.
Bizum Pay brings in-store payments to Spanish shops
Bizum Pay is expanding across Spanish shops, giving almost 20 million people a way to pay in person. Bankinter and CaixaBank are widening access while tying the rollout to offers for new customers.
Santander targets young investors with 10-euro funds
Santander is expanding its investment offer for customers under 30 in Spain. Funds start at 10 euros, trading fees fall to one euro, and free training plus a 50-euro incentive round out the campaign.
Bizum reaches 20 million users for in-store payments
Bizum's in-store payment service now reaches 20 million people in Spain. It works across 75% of payment terminals, but banks still decide which customers can use it.
Bizum Reaches 1.6 Million Spanish Shops for In-Person Payments
Bizum payments are now accepted at more than 1.6 million Spanish establishments. The service reaches 20 million users and covers around 75% of bank terminals.
Supreme Court Rejects Debt Register Entry During Loan Dispute
Spain's Supreme Court has ruled against Cofidis. A borrower's disputed loan could not be treated as an uncontested debt, and the lender must pay €2,000 for damage to her honor.
Cash withdrawals over three thousand euros trigger tax scrutiny in Spain
Withdrawing more than three thousand euros in cash from an ATM now puts account holders under close scrutiny from the Agencia Tributaria. Coordinated with banks and the Bank of Spain, the move aims to tighten the fight against tax fraud and make high-value cash movements more transparent.
Revolut offers 3.51% promo rate to new savers after ECB hike
Revolut is offering new account holders a 3.51 percent annual yield. The offer comes as the European Central Bank raises its deposit facility rate to 2.50 percent, making the promotion attractive to savers seeking short-term returns.
Revolut launches high-yield savings offer for new Spanish customers
Revolut is again offering a 3.51% annual interest rate to new customers in Spain. The deal applies to instant-access savings accounts, with clear conditions and no set sign-up deadline. Here’s what changes for savers.
CaixaBank steps up risk transfers to protect dividends as lending surges
CaixaBank is selling more risky loan portfolios to investors to keep dividends steady as lending outpaces expectations. The bank aims to grow risk-weighted assets far more slowly than its loan book.
ING launches four month deposit with 3 percent TAE and no minimum
ING is stepping up competition in the savings market with a four-month deposit at 3 percent TAE, open to new and existing clients. There is no minimum deposit, and clients can invest up to 50,000 euros. Early withdrawal carries no penalty, but reduces the interest rate.
Vice President of Bank of America Killed in Times Square Stabbing
Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old Bank of America vice president, died after being stabbed in Times Square. Police shot the attacker. Authorities are treating the incident as an unprovoked assault.
Euribor Surge Drives Shift to Mixed-Rate Mortgages and Longer Terms in Spain
Spanish mortgage rates have climbed above 3% as the Euribor rises. Buyers are turning to mixed-rate loans and extending repayment periods to 25 years. Monthly payments remain high, while total interest costs continue to climb.