CaixaBank Launches New AI and Data Division to Scale Digital Transformation

CaixaBank has established a dedicated AI and Data Department to centralize its technological transformation efforts. For fintech professionals, this move signals a shift from experimental AI projects to a structured, industrial-scale deployment of machine learning and data governance, aimed at streamlining internal operations and enhancing customer personalization within a secure, regulated framework.

What was announced

The new department is designed to coordinate existing data and artificial intelligence capabilities across the Group, acting as a transversal bridge between business units and technology teams. Led by Juan Arandilla, who brings experience in enterprise architecture and technological transformation, the unit operates under the Media Area directed by Luis Javier Blas. The department currently consists of more than 40 specialized professionals covering disciplines such as data governance, advanced analytics, engineering, and AI transformation.

This team will manage the entire lifecycle of AI initiatives, from initial opportunity identification to development, deployment, and ongoing monitoring. By centralizing these functions, the Group aims to industrialize its AI solutions, ensuring they are scalable and secure while maintaining human supervision and transparency. The unit’s mandate includes automating administrative tasks for employees and providing advanced analytical tools to a broader range of staff members. Externally, the focus is on utilizing AI to anticipate customer needs and simplify service delivery through more personalized recommendations. This unified vision for data governance and strategy is intended to streamline decision-making and prioritize investments across the organization’s various geographies and business lines, ensuring regulatory compliance and the management of associated risks throughout the process.

"Its mission will be to identify application opportunities, accelerate their implementation and make it easier for these initiatives to generate a tangible impact on customers, employees and business."

CaixaBank

The companies involved

CaixaBank is one of Spain’s leading financial groups, maintaining a significant presence in retail banking and insurance. The organization has historically positioned itself as a digital leader in the Iberian market, often utilizing its technological infrastructure to differentiate its service offerings. The new AI and Data Department is led by Juan Arandilla, who serves as the Head of AI and Data Directorate. Arandilla’s background is rooted in enterprise architecture and the financial sector's technological evolution. The department sits within the Media Area, overseen by Luis Javier Blas, who serves as COO and Director de Medios. This structural placement suggests that AI and data are being treated as core operational utilities rather than isolated research projects. The bank’s approach involves integrating these advanced capabilities into its broader corporate framework to ensure that data governance and risk management remain central to its digital expansion. With a history of large-scale digital integrations, the bank continues to leverage its internal expertise to manage the complexities of modern financial regulations and the increasing demand for data-driven customer experiences.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely tracked CaixaBank’s recent technological and international expansions. In mid-2026, the bank participated in significant infrastructure tests, as seen when CaixaBank Completes Project Agorá Cross-Border Test Using Tokenised Deposits, highlighting its interest in programmable finance. The bank has also focused on consumer-facing digital ease, notably when CaixaBank Eliminates Foreign Exchange Fees for Summer Travelers via imagin and MoneyToTravel. Its growth is not limited to the domestic market; earlier this year, reports indicated that CaixaBank Will Increase Its Staff in London by 60% Thanks to Its Growth and New Lines of Business. Additionally, the bank’s involvement in the Spanish payment ecosystem was highlighted as Bizum Pay Hits 20 Million Users in Four Months as In-Store Payments Surge Across Spain.

What this means

This move represents a transition in the banking sector from experimental AI "labs" to formalized industrial departments. By creating a centralized unit, CaixaBank is addressing a common pain point in legacy banking: the fragmentation of data across siloed departments. The focus on human supervision and transparency is a direct response to the tightening regulatory environment in Europe, specifically regarding the ethical use of machine learning in credit and risk. Competitors are now under increased pressure to demonstrate not just that they use AI, but that they can scale it securely across their entire operation. The real test for the sector will be whether these centralized units can maintain the speed of fintech startups while managing the immense data governance requirements of a Tier-1 bank.