Manuel Azuaga, chairman of Cecabank
Over the last two decades, Spain has undergone a profound transformation that has redefined its economy and the architecture of its financial system. Banking restructuring, digitalisation, and the transition to more sustainable models have resulted in a stronger, more efficient sector, better prepared to compete in the complex global environment. All of this has taken place in a demanding international context: The pandemic, the rise in the risk of cyberattacks, and increasing geopolitical instability have raised the bar for resilience and turned stability into a strategic asset.
Here, specialised entities like Cecabank play a decisive, albeit silent, role. Its contribution in this regard is more important than is often perceived from outside the banking world, by providing the infrastructure that allows commercial banks, asset managers, insurers, public administrations, fintechs and other actors in the financial system to operate safely and stably in the long term. This value is supported by a distinguished B2B model, based on neutrality, operational solvency and technical specialisation, and is materialised in essential services for citizens.
In post-trade, we protect the savings of nearly ten million participants in investment and pension funds through rigorous and independent administration. This area has been expanded to include the custody of crypto assets, something that requires experience in the traditional world and advanced capabilities to protect the investor and guarantee innovation with full legal and operational security.
We are also a key player in payments, an ecosystem that demands secure and agile services. We are a B2B processor at the forefront of digital and instant payments, not forgetting that we offered key technological infrastructure in the creation of Bizum, which celebrates its first decade and has joined the European alliance EuroPA.
We face a future in which technological change and cybersecurity will continue to play a key role in the evolution of the banking sector. The bank is prepared to continue promoting confidence and progress in the financial system, as a key partner for our client organisations, and contributing to Spain's economic and social development.
