Impact of our activity in Spain

CaixaBank contributes directly to the country’s economy through its financial activities and indirectly through the effects of its spending with suppliers, the salaries of its employees, dividends paid to its shareholders and the production activity of the businesses and self-employed professionals it finances.

The bank also believes it is duty-bound to contribute to public finances, based on a fiscal policy underpinned by principles of responsibility, prudence and transparency.

Jobs creation

The bank is an important source of job creation:

• Directly, with its more than 36,972 employees.
• Indirectly, generating 32,438 jobs through the multiplying effect of its purchases from suppliers.
• Induced, as a result of its employees and suppliers purchasing products and services and from financing its customers.

The bank is also involved in promoting the ”la Caixa” Foundation’s Incorpora programme through its branch network, promoting employment for individuals at risk of exclusion. More than 10,800 companies are involved in this programme, which generated more than 30,000 job opportunities during the year.

CaixaBank’s contribution to the Spanish economy

Boosting
economic and business activity

CaixaBank continues its commitment to serve the productive sector and families, and works to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Self-employed professionals and businesses

In 2017 there was a 16% increase in lending to companies (not including loans to large corporations), with a market share of 15% (+81 basis points vs. 2016).

CaixaBank has also continued to enhance its specialist value propositions.

By key segments, through:

• Launch of the Hotels & Tourism value proposition, with a specialist team and offering focusing on the tourism market. Production of loans amounted to €1,500 million in 2017.
• The BusinessBank service, specialising in small companies and entrepreneurs with whom we share an innovative attitude, in which we offer an office space kitted out with the most advanced technology to facilitate co-working.
• DayOne, a new business line designed to boost technology and innovative companies through exclusive products and tailored financial services.

With a well established customer service model

• A visit model through the Go Business application.
• An on-line service model with specialists in funding, foreign trade and treasury products and services.

Through new transactional and funding products

• Factura Express, a solution for financing invoices.
• Stock credit to finance dealerships, with investment of €96.8 million.
• EIB SME and Midcap facility 2017, to finance investment products and working capital.
• EIB AgroBank 2017 facility, to facilitate the funding of investment projects and the working capital requirements of SMEs and Midcaps in the farming sector.

Through innovative services with high added value

• The CaixaBank Index of Business Internationalisation (ICIE), which makes it easy for customers to find out how simple it is to do business in other countries.
• The on-line Opportunity Network platform, which facilitates commercial contact for companies.
• The Agrobank app, which offers news related to the farming sector (developments in market prices, events and congresses, etc.).
• Signature of a collaboration agreement between Barcelona Tech City and MicroBank to foster business activity related to digital innovation and technology.

MICROBANK

MicroBank, the largest social bank specialising in microfinance in Europe, serving segments of the population whose financial needs are not catered for sufficiently.

• It has been in operation through CaixaBank’s branch network since 2007, boosting economic activity, job creation, self-employment, personal and family development, and financial inclusion.
• It offers a wide range of microcredits tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs, micro-companies, people and families. It also offers basic banking services and manages the activity of the Monte de Piedad, which provides secured loans through four specialist branches.

In 2017, MicroBank continued fostering activity aimed at the most vulnerable groups in society, offering resources to help generate opportunities and enhance their quality of life. This activity included:

• Microcredits through agreements with collaborating entities: offering funding to entrepreneurs and facilitating access to technical support and advice through more than 592 collaborating entities.
• “Confianza” microcredits: funding coverage for the basic and family needs of people in situations of extreme social exclusion, who also receive support through mutual-aid groups.
• The Erasmus+ Master’s loan: enabling university students with no income or collateral to fund master’s degree programmes in other European countries, with repayments starting a year after the course finishes.
• Financial Education programme: for people seeking training to help them improve their management of the family budget, enhance their understanding of banking products and services and avoid over-indebtedness.

Emprendedor XXI Prizes

The Emprendedor XXI Prizes identify, recognise and assist newly-created and innovative businesses with high potential for growth in Spain. The prizes are awarded through Caixa Capital Risc, in conjunction with ENISA, Spain’s national innovation body.

It has invested €4.28 million as part of Spain’s Entrepreneur’s Day since its creation in 2007, building a community of 289 winners through Spain’s nationwide Entrepreneur’s Day.

The competition was held for the 11th time in September 2017, with 701 participants. The winners will be announced in March 2018.