Rubiales (Unicaja): "No veo un acicate real para que haya más concentración bancaria"

Isidro Rubiales, the CEO of Unicaja, has stated that he does not see a real reason for increased bank concentration in the current economic environment. He believes that the market is competitive, making mergers and acquisitions an unlikely scenario in the short or medium term in Spain. Unicaja is currently at a strategic midpoint in its 2027 plan, which Rubiales considers solid and independent, with a potential merger with a competitor of similar or larger scale remaining on the table.

The bank has been negotiating the acquisition of WiZink, a company focused on consumption and cards, but the complex litigation aspect of the deal has deterred him from sharing details. Rubiales has acknowledged the need to diversify the bank's revenue streams and increase its exposure to businesses and consumer finance, both organically and inorganically.

The bank aims to expand its range of offerings without abandoning its core mortgage business. Unicaja currently enjoys strong capital position and profitability above the European average, and Rubiales expects improved returns due to the monetary squeeze, with a reasonable interest rate spread between 2-4% being suitable for the financial sector and the economy.