Company: Banca March
Interviewed person: José Luis Acea
Position: Chief Executive Officer
Web: www.bancamarch.es/en/

What is Banca March’s mission and in which areas of financial specialisation does it focus?

Banca March is the head of one of Spain’s leading financial groups and the only one that is 100% family-owned. We specialise in wealth management and business advisory services, with a particular focus on family businesses and the business-entrepreneur binomial.

To provide the kind of private banking and business advisory services that Banca March offers, in line with the large specialised international institutions, requires an ecosystem characterised by a very high level of solvency and a link with the institution and its values, together with a long-term vision that protects the client from short-term pressures. Customers value stability in their relationship with their bank and nothing reassures them more than knowing that they are in the hands of one of the most solvent banks with the best fundamentals in Europe.

What differentiating added value does the bank offer?

Banca March will celebrate its first centenary in 2026 and this longevity is not the result of chance, but of a unique and non-replicable business model based on prudent management, based on a long-term philosophy and not subject to the ups and downs and short-term pressures of the markets. This has historically materialised in the marketing of unique investment products in which the bank itself co-invests together with our customers. All this has made us a benchmark in Private Banking and Corporate Advisory Services.

Banca March’s CET 1 capital adequacy ratio at June 30 was 20.93%, the highest in the Spanish banking sector. Moody’s rating agency has placed Banca March’s rating for its long-term deposits at A2 with a ‘positive’ outlook, making it one of the best-rated banks in the Spanish financial system, ahead of the Kingdom of Spain (currently Baa1).

Why is Luxembourg an interesting destination for the company’s activity and what is your strategy to strengthen your presence in the Grand Duchy?

Banca March was a pioneer in having a presence in Luxembourg with the opening of a branch in 2012. From there we have strengthened our advisory services, offering our clients the most complete private banking offer, from savers to the most sophisticated investors.

We want to continue to grow along these lines. We have always said that we are convinced that our business model is the most suitable for reaching clients both inside and outside Spain. Luxembourg is the ideal financial centre to continue developing our value proposition and a platform to make it known to other markets outside our own.

Recently, Banca March has decided to upgrade its membership in the Chamber and become a benefactor member. What objectives do you hope to achieve through the reinforcement of our collaboration?

We believe that the Chamber plays a great role in supporting Spanish companies with a presence in Luxembourg. It is a pleasure for us as an entity to be part of this community.