Francisco González (banker)
Francisco González Rodríguez | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 19, 1944 Spain |
| Occupation | Banking executive |
| Known for | Presidency of Argentaria (1996–1998), Executive Chairman of BBVA (2000–2018) |
Francisco González Rodríguez (born October 19, 1944) is a prominent Spanish banking executive. He held the presidency of Argentaria between 1996 and 1998 and was at the helm of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) from 2000 until 2018.
Achievements
González graduated in Economics and Business Studies from the Complutense University of Madrid. In 1987, he established FG Inversiones Bursátiles, a securities firm later acquired by Merrill Lynch, which appointed him as Advisory Director for Europe.
In 1996, the People's Party (Spain) appointed him president of Argentaria, a state-owned bank. Following the 1999 merger of Argentaria with BBVA, he shared the co-presidency with Emilio Ybarra until Ybarra stepped down in 2001.
González was BBVA’s Executive Chairman from January 2000 through December 2018, leading the institution’s push toward digital innovation and technological advancement beginning in 2011. According to BBVA’s policies, he retired upon reaching the age of 75.
Initially trained as a computer programmer, González has expressed that he does not primarily identify as a banker. In September 2018, he declared his retirement and was succeeded by his deputy, Carlos Torres Vila.
Imputation for crimes of corporate espionage and disloyal administration
In July 2019, Judge Manuel García-Castellón brought charges against eight current and former executives of the bank, including Julio Corrochano, the former Security Chief. Both the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) and BBVA initiated probes into allegations that Francisco González commissioned ex-commissioner José Manuel Villarejo to conduct corporate espionage targeting Sacyr between late 2004 and early 2005. Additionally, in July 2021, González faced charges related to disloyal administration.
Awards and recognitions
Francisco González was honored with the ‘Business Leader of the Year’ award in 2004 and received the Americas Society gold medal in 2014. In July 2015, he earned the distinction of "Banker of the Year 2016."