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BBVA (BME:) CEO Onur Genç affirmed the bank’s financial sustainability at the 14th Financial Meeting on Monday, attributing the bank’s success to innovative practices, strong sustainability efforts, and a focused digitization strategy. Genç emphasized that profitable franchises and BBVA’s strategic presence in high-growth markets are key drivers for future earnings increase.
Genç expressed confidence in BBVA’s future, highlighting its structural advantages such as digital innovation and sustainability. He pointed out that BBVA outperforms its peers with a Return on Tangible Equity (ROTE) of 16.9% versus Europe’s average of 13.5%. Additionally, the bank has yielded a total shareholder return of 113% since January 2019.
The economies of Spain and Mexico, BBVA’s primary markets, are showing promise. Mexico is benefiting from nearshoring and the impacts of the U.S.’s Inflation Reduction Act. Turkey, another significant market for BBVA, is also making economic adjustments in response to macroeconomic imbalances.
BBVA’s shareholder remuneration policy allows for 40-50% of profit distribution in dividends and possible share buybacks. Cash dividends constituted 40% of last year’s profit. The bank completed a €3.16 billion extraordinary share buyback in 2022, and since 2021, it has distributed €8.2 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.
The bank’s digital transformation is attracting new customers, particularly in Mexico and Spain. Genç also mentioned BBVA’s successful takeover bid for its Turkish franchise—Garanti—in 2021. Despite currency depreciation, Garanti has seen its market capitalization double.
Genç criticized the Spanish tax on banks but noted positive asset quality metrics in Spain. He lauded BBVA’s role in assisting specific groups, including rural Spain. He highlighted BBVA’s ranking as number one in profitability, efficiency, and loan portfolio growth among Europe’s top 15 banks last year, and an increase in customer satisfaction.
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