CaixaBank, Kutxabank and Cajasur Banco, Abanca, Unicaja Banco, Ibercaja Banco, Caixa Ontinyent and Colonya Pollença have confirmed their adherence to these voluntary Codes at the CECA Board meeting
CECA member entities have distinguished themselves by facilitating access to home ownership for large sections of the population. Its aggregate market share in mortgage lending is 46 per cent
In March 2012, CECA sector member entities adhered to the Code of Good Practices for the viable restructuring of mortgage debts on primary residences. In doing so, the sector demonstrated its social commitment and its vocation to provide solutions in a particularly difficult economic situation for the most vulnerable segments of the population. The Code is still in force today.
In recent months, the Spanish banking sector has been actively collaborating with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation and the Bank of Spain in the design of new measures to support customers who are having difficulties in meeting their mortgage loan repayments, as a result of the recent rise in interest rates and the new economic context.
As a result of this collaboration, on 22 November, Cabinet approved a new set of measures that includes, firstly, a reform of the current Code, geared towards the families most vulnerable to the current economic circumstances; and, secondly, the approval of a new additional Code targeting specific groups of middle-income earners who are particularly affected by the rise in interest rates.
At the last CECA Board meeting, all member entities (CaixaBank, Kutxabank and Cajasur Banco, Abanca, Unicaja Banco, Ibercaja Banco, Caixa Ontinyent and Colonya Pollença) have confirmed their commitment to both the extension of the existing Code and the new Code, which will have a transitional regime with a duration of two years.
Access to housing, a top priority for the CECA sector
CECA's member entities have a proven track record of specialising in financing companies and families, and have always favoured access to home ownership for all sectors of the population, a critical factor in fostering social cohesion and stability.
In fact, the banks that CECA represents are particularly active in lending to households for the acquisition of housing, where they are leaders with a 46% market share in mortgage lending.
The transformation that the CECA sector has experienced in recent years has been carried out maintaining the commitment to the values that identify the member entities of the European Savings and Retail Banking Group (ESBG). These values are structured around what are known as the three "Rs" of the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute: Retail (retailers), Rooted (rooted within their territory) and Responsible (aimed at returning value to society and financial inclusion).