Q&A With Banco Cooperativo Español on Choosing Nasdaq Calypso

MANEL MELCON ARBAIZAGOITIA
Head of Treasury and Capital Markets at Banco Cooperativo Español

Can you tell us about Banco Cooperativo Español and its business strategy?

Our main goal at Banco Cooperativo Español is to help our associated “Cajas Rurales”, the 30 cooperative banks comprising our group, achieve a strong position in their respective markets. They, in turn, benefit from the synergies and competitive advantages of belonging to a significant banking group. Caja Rural is one of the main financial groups operating in Spain. Each bank benefits from the support and specialized services provided by Banco Cooperativo Español, the IT company Rural Servicios Informaticos, and the insurance company Seguros RGA. Together, we strengthen the role of Cajas Rurales in their communities, promoting sustainable and collaborative growth.

What were the main reasons for your decision to invest in Nasdaq Calypso and why did you choose Nasdaq Calypso?

After several years of using the same tool and a growing need to drive strategic change, a thorough evaluation was conducted among various alternatives available in the market. After this meticulous analysis, we concluded that the Nasdaq Calypso platform was the most suitable option for us as we sought to modernize and adapt our risk management and measurement systems. Calypso stands out for its flexibility, robustness, and simple functional architecture, which we believe perfectly fits our needs in providing the best possible service to our associated Cajas, significantly improving our internal processes. With greater operational efficiency and an enhanced ability to manage and measure financial risks more effectively, Calypso offers us significant potential for the coming years. It is a great advancement for our team and the group.

What role does technology play in achieving your treasury and capital markets strategy?

Technology has revolutionized virtually every aspect of our lives, and the financial world is no exception. In the context of our capital markets operation, having a robust and advanced technological infrastructure allows us to operate more efficiently and accurately, while also providing us with a significant competitive advantage. The adoption of advanced technologies, such as real-time data analysis, artificial intelligence, and machine learning enables us to make more informed and faster decisions. These tools provide us with a clearer and more detailed view of the market, helping us anticipate trends and movements, which is crucial for the success of our operations. Additionally, technology allows us to manage risks more effectively. Automated systems can identify and alert us to potential threats before they become serious problems. This not only protects our assets but also strengthens the confidence of our associated Cajas. In summary, investing in technology and staying at the forefront is fundamental to developing a winning strategy across our treasury function. By doing so, we not only optimize our operations but also ensure a leadership position in the competitive financial world.

Can you tell us a bit about your relationship with Nasdaq and your experience?

The collaboration has been very positive and beneficial for both sides. From the Bank's perspective, we sought to migrate our old system quickly and successfully meet the strategic objectives set. On its part, Nasdaq aimed to consolidate its platform in the Spanish market, and meeting the objectives set by the Bank was of vital importance. I am pleased to say that both parties are very satisfied with the work done to date. This mutual success, based on trust and respect, allows us to both celebrate the achievements reached so far as well as consolidate a stable and lasting relationship for the future.

What benefits will this investment bring to your team?

As I mentioned earlier, investing in technology and staying at the forefront is fundamental to developing a winning strategy in our treasury function. Seeking greater operational efficiency and an enhanced ability to manage and measure financial risks more effectively increases our growth potential and, of course, provides better service to our associated Cajas.

Looking to the future, where do you see Banco Cooperativo Español in five to 10 years?

The Bank's vocation has always been to contribute to the growth of all the associated Cajas that make up Grupo Caja Rural, continuously providing them with value. It is essential that we continue to take advantage of the economies of scale that we benefit from as a group. The Bank is committed to ensuring the success and development of each of the Cajas. We envision Banco Cooperativo becoming even more integrated, innovative, and aligned with market needs. This includes advancing digitalization, optimizing collaboration among group entities, and strengthening our ability to respond to challenges in the financial environment. With these pillars, we aim to secure solid and beneficial development for the entire group.

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