Madrid Investment Attraction and N26 bring together representatives from leading digital financial institutions, industry associations and the Bank of Spain to discuss competitiveness, innovation and trust in the new financial ecosystem.
Madrid, 22 October 2026.
A new edition of MIA Talks took place yesterday under the title “The Future of Digital Capital in Spain and Europe”. Organised in collaboration with N26 and held at the CMS auditorium, the event brought together institutional representatives and financial sector leaders to analyse the challenges and opportunities arising from the digital transformation of European banking.
The event focused on three key issues shaping the future of the sector: Europe’s ability to compete in the global financial market, the role of regulation in fostering innovation, and the importance of building trusted relationships with customers in an increasingly digital environment.
The institutional opening address was delivered by Óscar Romera Jiménez, General Coordinator for Economic Affairs at Madrid City Council, who highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration, attracting value-added investment and promoting the city’s economic development.
In the words of Óscar Romera Jiménez: “Madrid’s success lies in public-private collaboration and in attracting capital that delivers real value, strengthening employment and the development of our neighbourhoods. To achieve this, public institutions must ensure stability and reduce barriers to innovation, particularly in an environment where competition between traditional banks and new market entrants is expanding the options available to citizens. In this context, with a wider range of choices available, it is essential to promote transparency and financial education so that people can manage their resources with complete autonomy.”
Following the opening address, Nathalie Picquot, Chief Growth & Marketing Officer at N26, delivered the keynote speech, focusing on the evolution of the banking sector, the impact of technology and the transformation of customer relationship models.
The first panel discussion, entitled “Can European Banking Compete on the Global Stage?”, addressed the regulatory and structural challenges affecting the competitiveness of Europe’s financial system.
The discussion featured Antón Díez Tubet, General Manager for Spain and Portugal at N26; Pablo López Gil Albarellos, General Manager for Spain and Portugal at Trade Republic; and Alejandra Kindelán, President of the Spanish Banking Association. The session was moderated by Ricardo Plasencia, Partner and Head of Financial Regulation and FinTech at CMS.
Participants explored the need to move towards a more integrated European financial market capable of combining innovation, legal certainty and an efficient regulatory framework. The ability of financial institutions to achieve scale, attract investment and compete internationally emerged as one of the main themes of the discussion.
The second panel discussion, entitled “From an App to Your Bank of Choice”, shifted the focus to the relationship between financial institutions and their customers, with particular attention to trust, user experience and the evolution of new business models.
The panel featured Santiago Pérez Olano, General Manager of Revolut Bank in Spain; Nuria Rocamora, CEO of MyInvestor; and Arturo Mac Dowell González, President of AEFI. Ricardo Plasencia once again moderated the session.
The discussion explored how new digital players are expanding their range of financial services, while traditional institutions are accelerating their technological transformation. In this context, delivering a distinctive customer experience, strengthening customer engagement and building trust are becoming decisive factors in establishing an institution as the customer’s bank of choice.
The event concluded with an address by José Manuel Marqués, Director of the Market Infrastructures and Innovation Department at the Bank of Spain, followed by the institutional closing remarks from María Jesús Romero de Ávila Torrijos, Director General for Economic Affairs at Madrid City Council.
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The event concluded with a coffee and networking session, providing an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and establish connections among the professionals and organisations in attendance.
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With this new edition of MIA Talks, Madrid Investment Attraction reaffirms its commitment to creating spaces for dialogue between companies, institutions and experts from strategic sectors.
Through these initiatives, MIA helps showcase Madrid’s opportunities as an international investment destination and strengthens collaboration among the stakeholders driving the city’s economic development.
The transformation of the financial sector and the growth of digital business models highlight the importance of business ecosystems capable of attracting talent, fostering innovation and creating new investment opportunities.
Thank you to all the participants. We look forward to seeing you at the next edition.
