Financial Sector & Digitalization
The Financial and Digitization Area monitors the situation of the financial system, with special attention to the banking sector and groups of savings banks, and its digital transformation.
In this area, research of international diffusion in the financial system is carried out, developed by the researchers that form it and also through collaborations of the same with other world-renowned researchers. Among the topics that are most developed are financial and banking regulation and its effects, the competitive structure of the banking sector, the means of payment for business financing and the role of finance in economic growth.
The digital transformation of the Spanish financial system is analyzed through the Observatorio de la Digitalización Financiera (ODF). The objective of this Observatory is to generate, accumulate and disseminate information on the progress of the digital transformation in the Spanish financial system.
Highlighted
Existen dudas crecientes acerca de las elevadas cotizaciones de los diversos activos relacionados con la inteligencia artificial. Francisco Rodríguez, de Funcas, reflexiona sobre el papel que ha jugado en la valoración del sector la coincidencia temporal, por un lado, de un desarrollo tecnológico explosivo y, por otro, de una extraordinaria liquidez, derivada esta última de la política de expansión cuantitativa de los bancos centrales. El rally del sector –señala– muestra señales de desconexión con la economía real. En 2026, la retirada de estímulos por parte de las autoridades monetarias y el protagonismo ascendente de operadores financieros no bancarios que acumulan riesgo podrían traer correcciones más importantes que las vistas hasta ahora.
Artículo
Policy interest rates: The ECB’s strategic pause and medium term outlook
Fecha:
November 2025
With inflation near target and growth subdued, the ECB has paused after eight rate cuts. The balance between disinflation, wage pressure, and fiscal risk will determine whether stability or tightening comes next.
Artículo
Spanish banks: Renewed strength and credibility in wholesale markets
Fecha:
November 2025
Spanish banks have cemented their status as consistent and credible issuers in wholesale markets, reflecting stronger fundamentals and investor confidence, with lower spreads and
broader participation marking a new phase of stability for the sector. However, continued reliance on wholesale funding underscores the importance of maintaining high profitability and resilient balance sheets in an environment of still-elevated rates and evolving regulation.
Artículo
Spain’s insurance sector: Underpinning market confidence in the broader financial system
Fecha:
November 2025
The Spanish insurance industry continues to demonstrate financial strength, solvency, and stable profitability, acting as a buffer for the broader financial system. A conservative
investment profile and steady income growth highlight the sector’s resilience even amid market volatility.