BBVA Strengthens Its Corporate and Investment Banking Strategy to Expand in the United States Financial Market

Regina Gil, Head of BBVA CIB USA

(IN BRIEF) BBVA is strengthening its presence in the United States through a focused Corporate and Investment Banking strategy that prioritizes selective growth, senior-level engagement and disciplined risk management. The bank is expanding its relationships with large corporates and financial institutions and now serves close to two-thirds of S&P 500 companies. The U.S. market has become a central pillar of BBVA’s wholesale banking strategy, supported by investments in talent and advanced financial capabilities. Key growth areas include project finance, particularly solar and battery projects, and data center financing, where BBVA has achieved strong market rankings. The bank aims to continue growing profitably in the United States by focusing on specialized sectors, cross-border capabilities and long-term client relationships.

(PRESS RELEASE) BILBAO, 24-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — BBVA is reinforcing its long-term commitment to the United States through a focused growth strategy aimed at strengthening its Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) franchise in the world’s largest financial market. The bank’s approach emphasizes disciplined expansion in areas where it can deliver differentiated value, supported by senior leadership involvement, sector expertise and consistent execution.

Operating in a highly competitive environment requires specialization and strategic clarity. BBVA has adopted a selective growth model centered on building lasting relationships with large corporates and financial institutions. Regina Gil, Head of BBVA Corporate and Investment Banking in the United States, highlighted the bank’s ambition to serve as a trusted partner providing not only financing but also advisory services, structured solutions and reliable execution capabilities.

BBVA’s U.S. activities are organized around two core segments: corporate clients and financial institutions. Both segments follow the same principle of prioritizing long-term relevance over transaction volume. The bank focuses on transactions where it can maintain consistent engagement with clients and provide support throughout different phases of their development. This approach is supported by senior-level interaction, deep industry knowledge and a detailed understanding of client needs.

The role of the United States within BBVA’s global wholesale banking operations has expanded significantly. While historically the U.S. platform served primarily as a hub supporting Latin American clients through dollar financing and capital market access, the market has evolved into a central pillar of BBVA’s growth strategy. Today, business with U.S.-based clients represents an increasingly important share of BBVA’s Corporate and Investment Banking activities.

The bank has steadily expanded its presence among corporate and institutional clients, now serving close to two-thirds of the companies included in the S&P 500 index. This reflects the bank’s growing relevance in selected segments where it has chosen to compete.

To support its expansion, BBVA has invested in talent and advanced financial capabilities including structured finance, securitisation, capital markets and balance sheet solutions. New York serves as the primary hub for U.S. operations, supported by specialized centers such as Houston. The organizational model integrates front-to-back functions, enabling scalable growth while maintaining operational discipline. Senior leadership involvement remains a key element of the bank’s client engagement strategy.

The U.S. platform also plays a critical role in BBVA’s cross-border business model. The bank integrates advisory services, financing and execution across multiple regions, enabling clients to operate internationally with consistent support. Capabilities developed in the United States are often extended across BBVA’s global network, allowing the bank to deliver coordinated solutions to multinational clients.

Project Finance represents one of the areas where BBVA’s strategy has produced significant results. The bank has strengthened its position in the U.S. market through a disciplined approach based on sector specialization and careful risk management. By the end of 2025, BBVA ranked 11th in U.S. Project Finance according to Infralogic, reflecting steady progress.

Activity in this segment has focused mainly on solar power and battery storage projects, complemented by a more selective approach to wind energy investments. These transactions require complex financial structures and thorough analysis of project fundamentals. BBVA emphasizes careful evaluation of asset quality and project sponsors to ensure long-term sustainability.

Data center financing has emerged as another major growth area. By the end of 2025, BBVA ranked eighth in this segment in the United States according to Infralogic. The bank’s strategy concentrates on investment-grade hyperscale operators while avoiding higher-risk business models such as high-yield or colocation projects. Relationships with institutional investors play an important role in structuring transactions and managing risk.

BBVA has also developed capital rotation capabilities through market solutions such as asset-backed securities and U.S. private placements, enabling efficient balance sheet management and supporting continued growth.

Looking ahead, the United States is expected to remain one of the main drivers of BBVA’s Corporate and Investment Banking growth. The bank’s strategy is built on achieving profitable expansion while maintaining strict risk discipline and focusing on clients and transactions where it can provide meaningful value.

Sustainability considerations are integrated into financial and risk analysis as part of this approach. Projects must demonstrate solid economic fundamentals and stable cash flows in order to qualify for financing. BBVA aims to continue expanding its services for corporate and institutional clients, including structured financing solutions such as securitisation, as well as specialized products for financial sponsors including capital call facilities, loan portfolio financing and non-recourse structures.

BBVA’s strategy in the United States is focused on building long-term value through specialization, disciplined risk management and strong execution capabilities supported by an increasingly robust local platform.

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SOURCE: BBVA