The Financial Times Group names Creand Crèdit Andorrà the Bank of the Year in Andorra

The award is an endorsement of the bank’s growth, specialisation, innovation, digital transformation and sustainability.

The Financial Times Group has named Creand Crèdit Andorrà the Bank of the Year in Andorra 2024, an annual accolade widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence in the international financial sector. The award, granted by The Banker magazine, is described by the editorial group as “a testament to the bank’s robust management, solid business model and prudent approach to risk”.

This is the third consecutive year that Creand Crèdit Andorrà has received this award, reaffirming the strength of its Committed Banking model. This year saw the bank launch its 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, which focuses on achieving sustained results over time, through a close and personal service, specialisation, innovation, digitalisation, prudent and efficient management and a strong commitment to social responsibility. The judging panel highlighted the accomplishments achieved under the 2021-2023 Strategic Plan, during which the bank exceeded its targets and enjoyed significant growth internationally.

Xavier Cornella, CEO of Creand, stated that “receiving this award once again is testament to the robustness of our business model and our track record of leadership in Andorra. Our Strategic Plan outlines a clear roadmap focused on delivering value for our clients and society as a whole, reflecting our role as an active contributor to the country’s economic progress. We achieve this through solid and responsible management, prioritising service, fostering innovation and integrating digitalisation and sustainability into our strategy”. Cornella welcomes the recognition from a prestigious and international group like the Financial Times, stating that it “acknowledges the bank’s track record of dedicated work and its steadfast commitment to continuous improvement”.

The award recognised the bank’s digitalisation strategy, which is focused on continuously meeting the evolving needs of its clients. This approach aims to maintain leadership in innovation, enhance differentiation and improve the overall customer experience. In line with this vision, the bank launched the new Creand Online Banking app before the summer. This digital channel for operations and engagement was designed with a mobile-first approach, offering advanced digital capabilities and security. The bank has also accelerated its business strategy by leveraging predictive AI models to better align with customer needs. A significant milestone in this effort was the signing of an agreement with Onyze, Spain’s leading digital asset custodian, to offer cryptocurrency trading and custody services.

Another initiative praised by the judging panel was the 2024 launch of the Teens Creand programme in Andorra. This is the first package of banking products and services designed for young people aged 12 to 17, including a current account, online banking, a card and Bizum. All this under parental control and supervision, but allowing young customers the autonomy to engage with the world of finance in a responsible and secure way.

Finally, the Financial Times Group also recognised the bank’s commitment to innovation as a driver of internal transformation and external differentiation. Additionally, the bank’s strengthened sustainability strategy earned high praise, underpinned by a robust governance model, a focus on financial education and bold initiatives such as entering the national carbon credit market and being the first Andorran financial institution to issue a green, social and sustainable bond.

The Creand Group closed 2023 with profits of EUR 71.3 million, up by 60.05% compared to 2022, and achieved a business volume of EUR 27.62 billion, an increase of 10.47%.