Banco Sabadell deepens its pledge with the Alicante Center for Technological Competence
Banco Sabadell is intensifying its collaboration with the Alicante Center for Technological Competence (CCTA) by forming a scientific committee that brings together top regional figures, business partners, and research groups from universities and other educational centers in the province. The committee’s mission is to guide innovation-driven projects that directly improve the bank’s services to customers. Areas such as cybersecurity and enhanced customer support, particularly for older clients, are key focus points as the bank pursues practical outcomes for its clients and communities in Canada and the United States markets as well.
In March 2020, Banco Sabadell selected Alicante to launch the CCTA, tapping into the region’s strong technology ecosystem to establish dedicated information hubs that accelerate the adoption of new technologies within the institution. This move reinforced ties with the university and research community, yielding tangible results in process automation, the development of low-code applications, and a talent management program. For readers outside Spain, the aim has been to optimize operations and translate research into scalable solutions that benefit customers across North America and Europe, as noted for broader applicability (Source: Banco Sabadell communications).
Building on this initial phase, Banco Sabadell expanded its commitment to the Alicante technology center by surrounding itself with trusted collaborators. An advisory board has been formed, chaired by Marc Armengol, Executive Vice President and Head of Operations and Technology. Members include Amparo Navarro, rector of the University of Alicante; Juan José Ruiz, rector of Miguel Hernández University of Elche; Manuel Palomar, director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence (Cenid); Núria Oliver, director of the Ellis Alicante Unit; and Virgilio Gilart, director of the UA Higher Polytechnic School (EPS). Key business partners are represented by Diego López, executive director of Accenture; Sergio Lahoz, Financial Services Director at NTT Data Europe; and Juan Parra, CEO of DXC Technology. Rüdiger Schmidt, director of technology at Banco Sabadell; Fernando Canós, deputy general manager and eastern regional manager; and Susana Soler, CCTA director, also participate. The advisory group blends corporate leadership with academic and research expertise to drive practical innovation across markets including Canada and the United States, with a focus on responsible technology adoption (Source: Banco Sabadell communications).
In a recent session, the Council held its first meeting with representatives from these organizations to operate as a forum guiding innovation lines and the tools necessary to implement them. The group provides insights on technology trends, resources, and collaborations aligned with the bank’s strategic goals. It also reviews and sanctions new innovation initiatives proposed by the CCTA and oversees the prototypes ready for development and deployment. The intent is to foster a collaborative ecosystem where academic research, industry expertise, and the bank’s technology agendas converge to deliver tangible benefits for customers in North America and beyond, as reported in internal briefings (Source: Banco Sabadell communications).
President Marc Armengol underscored that the CCTA aims to cultivate a set of technologies that boost productivity and, most importantly, enhance customer service. After successfully completing the initial phase, the bank seeks a renewed boost through an advisory board that strengthens engagement with key collaborators and accelerates new projects, including those involving Artificial Intelligence and other modern technologies. This approach aligns with a broader strategy to translate cutting-edge research into practical tools that improve daily banking experiences for clients in diverse markets, including the Americas (Source: Banco Sabadell communications).
Among the initiatives under consideration is the deployment of algorithms resilient to attacks by classical or quantum computers to safeguard information. There is also a push for digital identities stored on a trusted blockchain and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance customer interaction and service. Projects include automated content generation in natural language and advanced ethical algorithms designed to guide recommendations while avoiding bias in credit and fraud analyses. These efforts illustrate how the bank seeks to balance security, efficiency, and fairness in its technology programs, with an emphasis on real-world impact for customers across continents (Source: Banco Sabadell communications).
Armengol emphasizes that every project must have a practical application and a clear benefit for clients. An important example is improving access to banking services for older adults. Strengthening direct collaboration with universities, research centers, and companies is viewed as essential to achieving these goals and delivering value to customers in Canada, the United States, and elsewhere. The ongoing partnership with academic and industry partners is positioned as a cornerstone of Banco Sabadell’s technology strategy, designed to enhance everyday banking through responsible, user-centered innovation (Source: Banco Sabadell communications).