Cecabank’s 3rd Payments Conference brought together the most prominent entities in the industry to discuss the future of digital payments and regulatory challenges
The event, now established as a leading forum in the payments sector, focused the debate on technological innovation, market evolution, and the interoperability of payment solutions in Europe, also addressing the impact of the geostrategic context on the payments ecosystem
The payment ecosystem is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. AI, tokenisation, biometrics and digital wallets are redefining the user experience, raising security standards and streamlining cross-border payment interoperability. Against this backdrop, Cecabank—a Spanish wholesale bank specialising in securities, treasury and payments—held the third edition of its Payments Conference today under the slogan “Towards a European Payments Market”.
The event, organised in collaboration with Cinco Días, brought together more than 160 professionals from 90 organisations. Now firmly established as a key forum for analysing and shaping the future of the payment industry, the event welcomed top representatives from leading entities across Europe. Three round tables and a keynote address focused on the challenges and opportunities that will shape the sector’s future: technology, interoperability, regulation and security.
The conference was opened by Ainhoa Jáuregui, Acting CEO of Cecabank, and Nuño Rodrigo, Deputy Editor of Cinco Días. Ainhoa Jáuregui, acting CEO of Cecabank, stated that “technological innovation is transforming payments, making them more secure, efficient and borderless, as demonstrated by the EuroPa project”. She added that “Cecabank has established itself as a strategic infrastructure within the payment ecosystem, with more than three decades of experience, international presence and a comprehensive offering covering account-to-account, card and cash payments—standing out for its security, flexibility and ability to adapt to the global landscape”. She reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to “an open and collaborative architecture to face the challenges ahead”.
The first round table, moderated by Nuria Mohedas, Director of Payments and Digital Banking at Cecabank, explored market developments and the latest global industry trends. The panel featured Juan Pablo Vivas, Country Manager at MasterCard; Eduardo Prieto, Country Manager at VISA; and Sara Villanueva, Country Manager – International Markets at Discover Financial Services.
The second round table focused on the state of the payment industry in Spain and Europe, highlighting the sector’s specific characteristics and the regulatory challenges it faces. Initiatives like the EuroPA project are marking a milestone in mobile payment interoperability, allowing citizens to make instant and secure payments in any participating country. The panel was moderated by Julio César Fernández, Director of Business Development and Operations Support at Cecabank, and included contributions from Alejandra Bernabei, CEO of EURO 6000; Juan Carlos Martín Guirado, CEO of STMP and Chair of ECPA; and Javier Santamaría, Chair of Iberpay and former Chair of the EPC.
The discussion continued focusing on the interoperability of account-to-account payments in Europe, a key aspect for progressing towards a more integrated payment ecosystem. The session was moderated by Juan José Gutiérrez, Corporate Director of Technology Services at Cecabank, and featured Fernando Rodríguez Ferrer, Deputy Managing Director of Bizum; Massimo Itta, Chief Commercial Officer at BANCOMAT; and Teresa Mesquita, COO and Executive Board Member of SIBS.
The event concluded with a presentation by Francisco Rodríguez Fernández, Director of Financial Studies at FUNCAS, who provided an in-depth view of the geopolitical and economic context shaping the future of the payment industry.
To close the event, Juan José Gutiérrez, Corporate Director of Technology Services at Cecabank, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to innovation, security, and European leadership in payment services. He noted how technologies like generative artificial intelligence, biometrics, and digital wallets “are revolutionising payments in 2025, enhancing the user experience and enabling interoperability, even at a cross-border level”. In this context, he stated that “Cecabank is consolidating itself as a reference provider in payments, serving more than 300 clients across 13 countries, with a comprehensive offering and the highest standards of security, efficiency, and compliance”. Additionally, he emphasised the bank’s collaborative model, noting that “our strategic partnerships strengthen our ability to adapt, innovate, and stay close to the client”.
Cecabank solidifies its international leadership in payment services
Cecabank maintains its position as a one-stop shop for payments, with a presence in 13 countries and a total of 300 clients, both domestic and international. In the past year, it has significantly increased transaction volumes, reaching a total of 2.16 billion, of which more than 1.628 billion correspond to card transactions—a figure that has tripled since 2012—and 156 million to Bizum peer-to-peer transactions.
With over 30 years of experience, Cecabank’s service offering ranges from comprehensive payment processing solutions and value-added services to foreign exchange solutions, both in international payments through the Global FX Payments service and dynamic currency conversion solutions in retail and ATMs, applying the latest artificial intelligence technology. The availability of Swift's Service Bureau solution and Cecabank's network of correspondents enables customers' payments to be sent anywhere in the world. Because it is a bank, Cecabank guarantees the highest standards of security and regulatory compliance.
Over the past decade, Cecabank has entered into strategic agreements with top-tier partners such as Visa and NCR Atleos, reinforcing its customer base and services portfolio in anticipation of new market requirements.
