The Spanish Banking Association (AEB) completes its replacement; Kindelán, first woman in charge

Almost a year has passed since

outgoing president of the AEB, announced his intention not to continue as head of the banking bosses.

Roldán, the fourth leader of the historical series, is leaving after a mandate that has passed between the last vestiges of the real estate crisis and the recession caused by Covid-19.

In his last speech as head of the banking body, Roldán went to the Madrid Press Association on Tuesday to present the results for the 2021 financial year. These second annual statements marked by the pandemic show

in the eyes of the regent of the AEB.

The employers' association that integrates the 'big five' -Santander, BBVA, Sabadell, Bankinter and Deutsche Bank- exposed some figures typical of the pre-pandemic stage.

Spanish banking is moving away from the 'red numbers' that marked its 2020 to reach

attributable profit.

In addition, banking entities have managed to increase the credit granted to customers by 5.3%, while reducing the level of non-performing loans to 3.6%.

Specifically, the total amount in the hands of customers has increased last year by 81,000 million euros compared to 2020, raising the total volume of loans granted to 1.59 billion euros.

Covid-19 and Ukraine

Roldán's last months at the head of the employer's association have been marked by

Both the health crisis and the conflict that broke out in Ukraine "have marked the evolution of banking" during these last two years.

Despite this, Roldán points out that consumers perceive, unlike in the past, banks as "strong" and "solvent" figures in times of crisis.

In relation to the pandemic, one of the challenges to be addressed according to Roldán will be the relationships of young people with banks.

This sector of the population has delayed their access to the labor market and also the age at which they are emancipated, a situation that worries the leader of the AEB.

"Young people are the customers of tomorrow, if they don't have the capacity to save, it's bad. We want to establish long-term relationships with them and I think it might be a good time to address this situation. The digitization of banking has brought them a lot closer."

Ensuring access for the elderly

The Executive shielded this 2022 with the banking entities a minimum remnant of bank branches that must remain open to serve the elderly.

Two months after the Government and employers reached the agreement, Roldán makes a "positive" balance on the integration of the agreed measures.

"The immediacy with which we have tried to solve the situation has been manifest. From the first meeting we had with Minister Calviño until we signed the protocol, only a month passed

such as preferential service hours for old people".

Roldán also recalled the "importance" of the digitization of banking services, since these allow a large number of users "not to have to go through an office".

Kindelan takes command

Alejandra Kindelán

(Caracas, 1971) will be in charge of taking command of the AEB.

Elected unanimously by the General Assembly of the Association, she will remain in office for the next four years.

"I want to thank all the members for the trust placed in me. I would also like to thank José María for his support during this time," declared the new president of the employers' association in a brief speech before the act began.

Kindelán will become

After developing a large part of her professional life in the financial sector, she was managing the Research, Public Policy and Institutional Relations Service of Banco Santander, where she has also held the status of member of the Consumer Finance Council .

Conforms to The Trust Project criteria

Know more

• Ukraine

• Santander

• Coronavirus

• covid 19