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banking sector

Spanish banks mergers

Spanish economy 28th September 2020

Spanish Bank M&A: Reaching The Next Level Of Efficiency Gains

Spanish banks have made drastic efforts since the financial crisis to improve efficiency. They were among the most active in Europe to adjust their branch networks. But while the number of branches has reduced in many countries, the workforce has not always followed the same pace of adjustment. For analysts at Scope Ratings, there is still room for efficiency gains, particularly as digitisation continues. “Transition in Spain can only accelerate, leaving room for consolidation”, they say.

Spanish Banks precious

Spanish economy 24th September 2020

Spanish Banks Lose €11.531 Bn In H1 2020

Spanish banks recorded aggregate attributed losses of 11.531 billion euros in the first half of 2020. This came in the wake of an effort in terms of provisions and write-offs to the tune of 26.518 million euros. Preparation for the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was behind this effort, according to the Spanish Banking Association (AEB).

Euro area growth: neither very fast nor particularly slow

European economy 11th September 2020

European Cross-Border Bank Mergers: Less Compelling After The Pandemic Than Before

EU agreement on a pandemic fund boosted market and regulators’ wishes to move towards cross-border consolidation among European banks- the ECB’s vice-president, Luis de Guindos, has already warned of the need for the sector to continue with the merger process. Scenarios have started to be built again about who should be merging with whom. But unity around the EU pandemic fund is not about banks, say analysts at Scope Ratings.

Eight Spanish banks brands amongst the 500 most valued worldwide

Ibex, Markets 3rd July 2020

Ibex Banks’ Capitalization Has Dropped 40% in the first semester 2020

The market capitalisation of Spain’s six leading banks has slumped by approximately 53.11 billion euros. All the lenders recorded declines in their share prices, which ranged from 39.3% for CaixaBank to 54.9% for Banco Sabadell. The combined market capitalization of the six banks at the end of the first half was 76.398 billion euros, compared to 129.509 billion end-2019.

Retail interest rates are high compared to other Eurozone's countries

Spanish economy 29th June 2020

The Bank Of Spain Will Keep The Counter-Cyclical Buffer At 0% Until It Returns To A Path Of Recovery

The Bank of Spain has decided to maintain the counter-cyclical capital buffer applicable to credit exposures in Spain at 0% during the third quarter of the year. It will probably also do the same in the coming quarters due to the current context of the coronavirus crisis as the severe macroeconomic and financial impact of the Covid-19 crisis require credit institutions to maintain the flow of financing to the real economy. The aim of the counter-cyclical capital buffer is to reinforce the solvency of the banking system in phases of excessive credit growth.

Euribor rises for fifth consecutive month

Spanish economy 5th March 2020

Respite For Spanish Banks: The European Court Of Justice Does Not Annul The IRPH Mortgage Index

The Mortgage Loan Reference Index (IRPH) represents approximately 10% of the loans granted in Spain and is the most used for Spanish mortgages after the Euribor, used in 90% of contracts. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has left it to Spanish judges to analyze, on a case-by-case basis, whether the banks commercialized their mortgages referenced to IRPH in a transparent manner. They will be able to cancel them if it is found they have been abusive.

The challenge for Spanish banks in 2019: improve profit margins, still at historic lows

Ibex, Markets, Spanish Small & Mid Caps 21st February 2020

Spanish banks: less profit, more dividends: M&A on hold (for now)

The credit quality of Spanish banks looks solid, despite the pull-back in reported profits. Solvency ratios sitting comfortably above requirements offer greater leeway for capital distribution and will result in higher returns, benefiting investors, says Scope Ratings. Spanish bank creditors should see the banks’ improved capital-generation capacity as a sign of strength, even if capital ratios have peaked for this cycle.

Spain will impose a 5% tax on foreign and Spanish companies’ digital services

Markets, Spanish economy 20th February 2020

Spain Pushes Ahead A Regulatory Sandbox For The Banking Sector’s Digital Transformation

The draft law for the digital transformation of the financial system is a long-awaited measure by the banking sector. The project anticipates the implementation of a test bench or regulatory sandbox, which is instrumental in promoting innovation in financial services. It is also a tool for the competition authorities, as it allows for synchronization between supervisory practices and financial regulation and the current pace of innovation and digital transformation.

Bankia earnings 23% down in 2019

Ibex 7th February 2020

Bankia Earnings 23% Down In 2019

Bankia’s results were much better than market expectations, however, there are some uncertainties about its share price. The bank has achieved a profit of € 542 million, 23% less, with experts expecting a greater adjustment due to the bank’s efforts to get rid of unproductive assets.