BBVA to Accelerate Shareholder Remuneration Following the Lapse of its Offer for Banco Sabadell

BBVA announces that the takeover bid for Banco Sabadell will not proceed as the minimum acceptance level set by the bank has not been met. Looking ahead, BBVA’s Strategic Plan and its corresponding ambitious financial goals will consolidate the Group at the forefront of European banking in terms of both growth and profitability. As part of the Strategic Plan, BBVA is to immediately resume shareholder remuneration: On October 31, it will start executing the pending share buyback of around €1 billion; on November 7, it will pay the highest interim dividend ever (€0.32 per share) for a total of €1.8 billion; and, as soon as it receives the authorization from the European Central Bank (ECB), it will launch a significant additional¹ share buyback program.

The Spanish National Securities and Market Commission (CNMV) has published the outcome of BBVA’s takeover bid for Banco Sabadell. The offer has been accepted by Banco Sabadell shareholders representing 25.5 percent of the voting rights, so the offer is no longer in effect as the minimum acceptance condition has not been met.

“I would like to thank Banco Sabadell shareholders who backed the project. I also want to thank BBVA shareholders for their continued support, and the bank’s team for their outstanding work throughout the entire process,” BBVA Chair Carlos Torres Vila said. “At BBVA we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm. We have a bank at its best, with a committed team, and a clear roadmap to continue growing and creating value for our shareholders, customers and society,” he added.

BBVA’s Board of Directors has unanimously reasserted its commitment to the new Strategic Plan and the financial goals for the 2025-2028 period, which will enable the Group to remain at the forefront of European banking in terms of growth and profitability.

During this period, the bank expects ROTE to stand around 22 percent, with the efficiency ratio improving to levels around 35 percent. Likewise, BBVA plans to continue creating value for shareholders, with an increase in the tangible book value per share plus dividends of around 15 percent (CAGR). Finally, the bank aims to reach a cumulative attributable profit of approximately €48 billion over four years.

BBVA expects to have €36 billion to distribute among its shareholders through 2028¹. In the short term, BBVA will have some €13 billion available for its shareholders¹. “Now that the restrictions related to the transaction have been lifted, we are accelerating our shareholder distribution plan, in line with our financial goals,” said BBVA CEO Onur Genç. Specifically:

• On Oct. 31, BBVA will start executing the pending share buyback program for nearly €1 billion.
• On Nov. 7, it will pay the highest interim dividend in history (€0.32 per share), for a total amount of about €1.8 billion.
• Additionally, given the relevant accumulated excess capital above 12 percent, BBVA’s Board of Directors has agreed to launch a significant additional extraordinary share buyback program¹ as soon as it receives the authorization from the ECB.