- Santander named Best Bank in the World and Best Bank for Consumers globally.
- CaixaBank wins Best Bank in Spain for sixth consecutive year, plus Best Bank for Individuals and Best in Corporate Responsibility.
- BBVA recognized for Best Client Experience and Global Diversity & Inclusion, along with multiple regional awards.
- Revolut retains Best Digital Bank in Europe for another year.
The 2026 edition of the Euromoney Awards for Excellence has once again put Spanish banking in the spotlight. Major players like Banco Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank, and Revolut have walked away with a slew of accolades, highlighting their strength in areas ranging from digital innovation to corporate responsibility. The awards, handed out by the respected financial publication, recognize institutions that set the bar for customer service, operational efficiency, and forward-thinking strategies.
This year’s haul is particularly impressive: Santander, BBVA, and CaixaBank alone collected around fifty prizes across global, regional, and national categories. The recognition underscores how Spanish banks are not just competing but leading on the world stage, with each entity carving out its own niche. From Santander’s global consumer finance dominance to CaixaBank’s unbroken streak in Spain, the results paint a picture of a sector that’s both resilient and innovative.
Global and Regional Triumphs for Santander
Banco Santander was crowned the Best Bank in the World by Euromoney, a nod to its transformation into a simpler, stronger, and more connected global institution. The bank’s strategy, dubbed “One Transformation,” has delivered record profits for four consecutive years, expanded its customer base to 180 million, and boosted its share price to around €12. Ana Botín, Santander’s chair, noted that the award reflects the progress made but stressed there’s still a long way to go. The bank also snagged the global title for Best Bank in Consumer Finance, thanks to its leadership in auto financing and digital lending platforms.
On a regional level, Santander was named Best Retail Bank in Latin America, Best Investment Bank in Latin America, and Best Bank for SMEs in Europe. It also took the Best Bank in ESG for Latin America. In individual countries, the bank was recognized as Best Bank in Chile, Mexico, and Portugal, and picked up numerous other awards in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Uruguay. In Spain, it was honored as Best Investment Bank, Best Bank for SMEs, and Best Bank for ESG.
CaixaBank’s Dominance in Spain and Portugal
CaixaBank has extended its reign as the Best Bank in Spain for the sixth year running, and for the second year as the Best Bank for Individuals in the country. Euromoney also awarded it the Best Bank in Corporate Responsibility in Spain. CEO Gonzalo Gortázar emphasized that these prizes validate the trust of clients and the strength of the bank’s relationship-focused model. The bank’s commitment to sustainability and social value creation was a key factor, aligning with its strategic plan for 2025–2027 that prioritizes digital transformation and growth.
Beyond Spain, CaixaBank’s Portuguese subsidiary BPI also shone, winning Best Bank for Large Companies and Best Bank for Individuals in Portugal. In total, the CaixaBank group collected four Euromoney awards this year, reinforcing its leadership across the Iberian Peninsula. The bank serves over 20 million clients and boasts the largest branch and ATM network in the region.
BBVA’s Focus on Client Experience and Inclusion
BBVA was recognized as the Best Bank for Client Experience globally and the Best Global Bank for Diversity and Inclusion. Carlos Roldán, the executive leading the client strategy, explained that the bank is moving from thinking about the client to thinking like the client. Euromoney also highlighted BBVA’s performance in SMEs, corporate responsibility, consumer finance, and investment banking across various markets.
At the national level in Spain, BBVA won Best Bank for Large Companies, Best Bank for Sustainable Finance, Best Bank for Consumer Experience, and Best Investment Bank for Financing. Regionally, it was named Best Bank in Europe and Latin America for Diversity and Inclusion, and Best Bank in Latin America for Client Experience. The bank also took the title of Best Bank of the Year in Turkey, Peru, and Argentina.
Revolut’s Digital Edge
Revolut held onto its crown as the Best Digital Bank in Europe for another year, a testament to its relentless innovation in the fintech space. The digital-only bank has been a consistent winner in this category, reflecting its ability to attract and retain customers through a seamless mobile experience. While Revolut didn’t pick up as many awards as the traditional giants, its continued recognition underscores the growing importance of digital-first banking in the European landscape.
A Closer Look at Country-Level Awards
The depth of Spanish banking’s international reach is evident in the country-level prizes. Santander alone received 18 awards outside Spain. In Argentina, it was named Best Bank in ESG, Best Bank for SMEs, Best Digital Bank for Individuals, and Best Investment Bank in Financing Solutions. In Brazil, it took Best Retail Bank and Best Bank in Sustainable Finance. In Colombia, it won Best Investment Bank in M&A, and in Peru, Best Investment Bank in Financing Solutions. In Portugal, Santander was recognized as Best Bank, Best Investment Bank, and Best Bank in Corporate Responsibility. In Uruguay, it was Best Bank for SMEs and Best Bank in ESG.
BBVA also had a strong showing in specific countries, being named Best Bank of the Year in Turkey, Peru, and Argentina. Its focus on diversity and inclusion earned it regional titles in Europe and Latin America, while its consumer finance and inclusion efforts were recognized in Central and Eastern Europe.
All these awards together highlight a remarkable year for Spanish banking. The institutions have not only maintained their domestic strongholds but have also expanded their influence across Latin America, Europe, and beyond. The consistent recognition from Euromoney, a publication with over 30 years of history in the sector, serves as a reliable benchmark for the industry’s best practices. With record profits, growing customer bases, and a clear commitment to sustainability and digital transformation, these banks are setting standards that others will likely follow.