These latest awards by Global Finance come hot on the heels of BBVA’s new 2025–2029 strategic cycle, in which the corporate and business segment is a priority. BBVA positions itself as a strategic partner for companies of all sizes, combining expert advisory services, advanced technology, and a global outlook.
The jury held a particularly positive view of the bank’s efforts to grow its SME business. In 2024, BBVA achieved 40% growth in revenues from this key segment compared with 2023 to reach €3 billion. This performance, combined with the Group’s presence in more than 25 countries, enables the bank to offer companies real opportunities to scale across borders thanks to its global network and extensive sector expertise.
The awards also reflect BBVA’s leadership in sustainability. The bank has provided training to SME suppliers across 13 countries, helping them transition toward more efficient and responsible business models. The bank’s SME specialists play a key role in this regard, helping businesses anticipate future needs, from franchising and foreign trade to structured finance and risk management.
Digitalization and advanced solutions for SMEs
Global Finance cited the bank’s digital transformation, especially in SME financing. In 2024, BBVA tripled the number of preapproved credits, which now account for 50% of all completed transactions, and generated 3.5 times more new credit originated through digital channels, driven by more agile processes and enhanced risk management.
“We want working with BBVA to be easy. That’s why we are radically transforming how we engage with SMEs through simple, scalable digital solutions. This transformation is supported by the integration of technological capabilities, expert advisory services, and an on-the-ground presence in each region, with solutions designed specifically to cater to the needs of each company,” remarked José Luis Serrano, head of SMEs for BBVA Spain.
The jury also pointed to the bank’s fully digital solution that integrates financial services with point-of-sale (PoS) terminals. In Spain, around 40% of business clients already use BBVA’s Android-based terminal, a device that operates much like a smartphone, enabling businesses to process returns, access transaction histories, and install apps to optimize the way they run the business.
These innovations help simplify day-to-day operations, improve efficiency, and support the growth of thousands of small businesses in Spain and throughout Western Europe.
BBVA, the strategic partner of choice for businesses
The model is built around three pillars: a client-centric approach, responsible and sustainable growth, and providing clients with full access to the bank’s products and services. Relying on its end-to-end range of products and services and highly specialized structure, BBVA supports companies in everything from daily operations to strategic decision-making, with solutions tailored to their needs that fuse technology, sector knowledge, and sustainability.
Furthermore, the bank is driving a more digital, agile, and personalized experience through automated processes, self-service solutions, and the integration of financial services into the digital ecosystems of its clients or third parties.
A leading source for economic and financial information
Founded in 1987, Global Finance is a magazine specializing in financial markets and investment banking. It is an international reference point for corporate leaders, bankers, and investors alike. Its annual awards have become a benchmark of excellence, combining expert analysis, quantitative metrics, and independent assessment of submissions.
Each year, the magazine selects the best financial institutions worldwide based on a qualitative review conducted by experts and analysis of indicators such as market share, number and volume of transactions, and innovation.
The editors of Global Finance, together with industry analysts, corporate executives, and experts in technology, choose the winners of these awards. They evaluate entries from the banks themselves along with independent research to assess a broad set of criteria.