Openbank set to open new tech development centre in Bilbao with plans to hire a hundred professionals

Openbank, the 100% digital bank of Grupo Santander, is opening up the doors of its new technical development centre. The bank has chosen Bilbao as the site for its second technology hub, where it plans to bring on more than 100 highly qualified tech professionals. These new positions will boost the company’s capabilities by adding the skilled staff required to strengthen the projects that the bank is currently rolling out, especially its ongoing international expansion.

The new hub will be based in the Abando neighbourhood, the financial and business district of Bilbao. Openbank’s new hires will have meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technological devices, as well as chill-out zones.

The most sought-after positions include experts in software engineering and architecture for creating web and mobile applications, as well as big data and cyber security specialists. The Bilbao-based team will work together with the teams in Valencia and Madrid, combining a hybrid model of remote and face-to-face working in line with the dynamics implemented in Openbank.

In recent months, the bank has conducted an exhaustive analysis of different cities throughout Europe in order to assess the best locations for setting up its new technological development centres. Following the opening of the first hub in Valencia last July, Bilbao stood out for its vast academic potential and solid infrastructure, as well as the full range of services needed for a top-class quality of life. These factors are highly valued when it comes to choosing a city to live and work in.

The mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, said: “I want to thank Openbank for choosing Bilbao to launch this new technology hub, with professionals specialising in new digital disciplines. This initiative is another step in the collaboration between the public and private sectors to attract and generate jobs, talent, and innovation. I am sure it will help our city regain its position as a financial capital marching hand-in-hand with technology.”

Cristóbal Miralles, the Chief Technology and Operations Officer of Openbank, added: “We’re very proud to open our second technological development centre, which we hope will help us to attract the talent that will allow us to consolidate the ambitious projects that Openbank has in the works. We would like to thank Bilbao City Council and the Regional Government of Biscay for their support in promoting this project, which will allow us to continue building one of the most advanced banks in the world.”

About Openbank

Openbank is the 100% digital bank of Grupo Santander with more than 1.5 million customers in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal and €11 billion in deposits. The company offers a wide range of products, from loans and mortgages to a fully automated digital investment platform that customers can sign up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the website or app. It has managed to hold on to its position as the most highly recommended Spanish bank among its customers thanks to its simplicity, agility, and security. At present, the bank is immersed in its internationalisation plan and is finalising its entry into the Argentinian market.

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