Banco Sabadell intensifies its collaboration with the Alicante Center for Technological Competence (CCTA) by assembling a scientific committee that brings together top executives, business partners, and research groups from universities and other educational centers across the province. The aim of this expert forum is to guide project development focused on innovation that enhances the bank’s client services. Key topics include cybersecurity and improving support for customers, with particular attention to older adults.
In March 2020, Banco Sabadell chose Alicante to launch the CCTA, tapping into the region’s thriving tech ecosystem and creating dedicated information centers to accelerate the adoption of new technologies within the bank. The initiative strengthens ties with the local university and research community and has already yielded results in areas such as process automation, low-code application development, and a talent management program.
Building on this foundation, Banco Sabadell deepened its commitment to the Alicante technology center by bringing in partners it views as essential collaborators. An advisory board was formed and chaired by Marc Armengol, the bank’s Executive Vice President and Head of Operations and Technology. The board includes Amparo Navarro, rector of the University of Alicante; Juan José Ruiz, rector of Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH); 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). The bank’s main 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. Also part of the forum are Rüdiger Schmidt, director of technology at Banco Sabadell; Fernando Canós, deputy general manager and eastern regional manager; and Susana Soler, director of CCTA.
This Tuesday marked the first meeting of the Council with representatives from all the participating organizations, forming a forum dedicated to advising on innovation directions and the tools needed to implement them. The group will offer guidance on technological trends, resources, and collaborations aligned with the bank’s strategic goals. It will also approve new innovation initiatives proposed by the CCTA and determine which prototypes will proceed to development.
Marc Armengol emphasizes that the CCTA aims to build a suite of technologies that boosts productivity and, most importantly, enhances customer service. The initial phase has been completed successfully, and the bank intends to push forward with deeper collaboration through an advisory board that strengthens engagement with its key partners and drives new projects in tandem with artificial intelligence and other technologies.
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Among the initiatives under consideration are the deployment of algorithms resilient to both classical and quantum attacks to safeguard information, digital identity solutions anchored in blockchain, improved customer interaction via artificial intelligence, automated natural language content generation, and advanced ethical algorithms to guide recommendations while avoiding bias in credit and fraud assessments.
Armengol explains that every project must have a practical application and aim to improve clients’ lives, such as facilitating banking access for older customers. To achieve this, he underscores the importance of strengthening direct cooperation with universities, research centers, and industry partners.