Financial inclusion is making progress in Spain, which now has more than 83,900 physical access points to banking services, covering 99.4% of the population.
The Spanish Banking Association (AEB), CECA, and the National Union of Credit Cooperatives (Unacc) held a meeting with First Vice President and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Business Carlos Cuerpo, during which they presented these developments in financial inclusion in Spain.
Since 2021, the number of people without access to in-person services has fallen by 55.1%, and by 35.9% in the case of municipalities without an in-person service location, according to the “Report on Financial Inclusion in Spain, ” prepared by the Ivie. The measures outlined in the Roadmap have benefited 361,999 people and 1,158 Spanish municipalities.
For municipalities with more than 500 residents, once the ongoing bidding processes are completed, only six municipalities (3,392 residents) will remain to be addressed, compared to the 243 identified in 2021. Thus, the measures adopted cover 97.5% of the localities and 98.4% of the residents without access to in-person services identified in 2021.
The IVIE report highlights that Spain has the third-densest network of bank branches in the European Union and the fourth-densest network of bank branches and ATMs in the eurozone.
The banking sector has demonstrated its strong commitment to accessibility—beyond mere regulatory compliance—through the significant allocation of resources and initiatives across all available channels, as it views accessibility as a strategic and cross-cutting priority.
Specifically, financial institutions have made progress in comprehensively adapting their branches, ATMs, digital channels, products, and customer service to ensure a self-service, secure, and accessible experience for all users, especially the most vulnerable groups.
In the field of financial education, the associations have presented the results of the “Financial and Digital Classroom” initiative, which now includes more than 700 projects. Over the past year, the platform has undergone its largest expansion of educational offerings since its launch in 2022, adding 157 new initiatives—a 25% increase.
“Aula Financiera y Digital” offers a dedicated section on cybersecurity, featuring a list of ten guidelines, guides, and more than 120 tips from experts. In addition, the banking sector is promoting information and awareness campaigns on cybersecurity, alongside efforts by financial institutions to strengthen the cybersecurity of their systems.
Banks are the institutions that inspire the most confidence among Spaniards when it comes to protecting their data, with a score of 7.1 out of 10, ahead of law enforcement agencies, technology companies, and government agencies, according to a study by Sigma Dos.
Also participating in the Financial Inclusion Forum were the Ombudsman, Ángel Gabilondo, and the president of Correos, Pedro Saura; Carlos San Juan, and representatives from the Bank of Spain, ONCE, the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities (Cermi), the Association of Financial Consumers (Asufin), and the Platform for Seniors and Pensioners (PMP).
