
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri has had a significant impact on the banking industry, particularly during his tenure at Bankia.
As the bank's chairman, he played a crucial role in shaping the institution's strategy and direction.
Goirigolzarri's leadership at Bankia was marked by his ability to navigate the bank through a period of crisis and restructuring.
He was instrumental in implementing cost-cutting measures and streamlining operations to improve efficiency.
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Early Life and Education
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and Business Studies from the University of Deusto in Bilbao.
He also obtained a degree in Strategic Finance and Planning from the University of Leeds.
Career and Recognition
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri has had a distinguished career in the business world. He was listed on the tenth place in the MERCO ranking of best Spanish business leaders in 2016, and rose to seventh place in 2017.
Goirigolzarri's professional journey began in 1977 when he joined the Banco de Bilbao's area of Planificación Estratégica. He held various leadership positions within the bank, including director general of BBV and director general of BBVA.
Throughout his career, Goirigolzarri has also been involved in other notable organizations, including serving as vicepresidente of Telefónica and Repsol.
Recognition

Goirigolzarri's recognition in the business world is a notable aspect of his career. He was listed on the tenth place in the MERCO ranking of best Spanish business leaders in 2016.
This achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication. In 2017, he rose to seventh place, solidifying his position as a prominent business leader.
His consistent ranking in the MERCO list demonstrates his commitment to excellence.
Trayectoria
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri joined Banco de Bilbao in 1977, starting in the Strategic Planning department.
He was later named director general of BBV in 1992 and became a member of the bank's management committee in 1994. He was responsible for commercial banking in Spain and operations in Latin America.
As director general of BBV, he was in charge of retail banking in Spain starting in 2001. He was also appointed as the bank's CEO in 2001, a position he held until 2009.

During his tenure, he also served as a board member for BBVA Bancomer in Mexico, Citic Bank in China, and CIFH in Hong Kong. He left the bank in 2009, taking an early retirement at the age of 55, with an annual pension of three million euros.
In addition to his banking career, Goirigolzarri has also held positions in other industries, including being the vice president of Telefónica and Repsol.
Bankia and Leadership
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri's leadership at Bankia was marked by a significant restructuring effort, which included closing over 1,000 offices and laying off around 7,000 employees.
He successfully led Bankia to recover its solvency and generate profits, and his initiative in returning "cláusulas suelo" to customers was a notable achievement.
Goirigolzarri's tenure at Bankia was also notable for his commitment to repaying state aids, which he considered a "fundamental objective" of the bank's council.
Goirigolzarri's leadership was not without controversy, however. He was criticized for his handling of the bank's restructuring and the impact it had on employees.
Despite these challenges, Goirigolzarri's leadership at Bankia ultimately contributed to the bank's recovery and its eventual merger with CaixaBank in 2024, under which he became the president executive of the new entity, CaixaBank.
Public Banks

Public banks have been a topic of discussion, particularly in the context of Bankia. Goirigolzarri responded to Podemos in June 2016, stating that he didn't know any public banks that had worked.
The concept of public banking was one that Goirigolzarri had to rescue when he entered Bankia four years ago. This model had been formed by "politicians, employers and trade unions", a combination that he believed led to trouble.
Presidente de Bankia
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri was elected president of Bankia on May 9, 2012.
He led the bank through a major restructuring, including the closure of over 1,000 offices and the dismissal of approximately 7,000 employees, resulting in significant cost savings.
Under his direction, Bankia recovered its solvency and returned to profitability, with the bank reporting a profit of 304 million euros in its best quarter yet, a 28.4% increase.
One of his key initiatives was the devolution of "cláusulas suelo" and the repayment of state aid received by Bankia.

In 2015, Goirigolzarri aimed to pay a dividend to Bankia's shareholders, using the bank's 2014 profits.
In 2024, Goirigolzarri presented his resignation as president of CaixaBank, the entity formed by the merger of Bankia and CaixaBank, due to pressure from the European Central Bank.
Here are some key facts about José Ignacio Goirigolzarri's leadership of Bankia:
- Bankia's revenues grew by 3.8% to 886 million euros.
- Administrative expenses decreased by 3.4% to 396 million euros.
- The bank maintained a decline in delinquency.
Entrevista Integral
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri, the president of Bankia, has been making headlines with his recent interviews. Let's take a look at some of the key points he's made.
He's confident about Bankia's financial health, saying "El balance de este tiempo es muy positivo: Bankia es muy sólida ahora." This is a big deal, considering the bank received a massive €22,000 million in public aid.
He's also emphasized the importance of repaying those loans, stating that he wants to "devolver dando valor a la entidad." This means he plans to pay back the aid by making the bank more valuable.

Bankia's financial situation has improved significantly, with a 48% increase in profit to €431 million by June. This is a huge turnaround from where the bank was just a few years ago.
The bank has also seen a significant decrease in its non-performing loans, with a 14.03% rate in June. This is a major improvement and a sign of the bank's growing financial stability.
In terms of deposits and funds, Bankia has managed to attract €3,700 million, which is a significant boost to the bank's financial health.
Here are some key statistics that illustrate Bankia's progress:
- €22,000 million: The amount of public aid received by Bankia
- €431 million: Bankia's profit by June, a 48% increase
- 14.03%: The bank's non-performing loan rate in June
- €3,700 million: The amount of deposits and funds attracted by Bankia
Separation and Career Change
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri's career change was a significant one, as he transitioned from being a lawyer to becoming a banker.
At the time, Goirigolzarri was working at the Banco de Vizcaya, where he eventually became the CEO in 1994.
He led the bank through a period of significant growth and change, including its merger with Banco de Bilbao to form Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA).
El Banquero Deja Sus Puestos Cuatro Años Después De La Fusión

José Ignacio Goirigolzarri dejó sus cargos como presidente ejecutivo de CaixaBank en octubre de 2024, cuatro años después de la fusión con Bankia.
La fusión entre Bankia y CaixaBank culminó en marzo de 2021, y Goirigolzarri se convirtió en el presidente ejecutivo de la nueva entidad.
La presión del Banco Central Europeo por el modelo de gobernanza de los bancos españoles fue un factor clave en su decisión de presentar su dimisión.
Goirigolzarri fue sustituido como presidente no ejecutivo de CaixaBank a partir del 1 de enero de 2025 por Tomás Muniesa, quien era hasta entonces el vicepresidente.
Se Desvincula Del Supuesto Espionaje
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri, the former number two at BBVA, has distanced himself from the supposed espionage of BBVA.
Goirigolzarri claims he never knew anything about the alleged espionage by Francisco González with former comisario Villarejo to prevent an assault on the entity.
The president of Bankia has appeared before the Congress commission on bank rescue, where he stated that the Bank of Spain ordered him to prepare a plan of rehabilitation, but the rescue was cancelled.

Rato described the injection of public money into the entity as "excessive" in front of the same commission.
Goirigolzarri's statement raises questions about the handling of sensitive information and the role of authorities in financial institutions.
In situations like this, it's essential to clarify one's involvement and distance oneself from any wrongdoing.
A key takeaway from Goirigolzarri's case is the importance of transparency and accountability in leadership positions.
Here are some key points to consider:
- Goirigolzarri claims he was unaware of the alleged espionage.
- The Bank of Spain ordered him to prepare a plan of rehabilitation.
- Rato described the injection of public money as "excessive".
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Ignacio_Goirigolzarri
- https://www.rtve.es/temas/jose-ignacio-goirigolzarri/55890/
- https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2024-10-30/goirigolzarri-dimitira-hoy-como-presidente-de-caixabank.html
- https://ejecutivos.es/nombramiento/jose-ignacio-goirigolzarri/
- https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Ignacio_Goirigolzarri
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