With more than 15 years of bank management experience, Mr. Areilza has led projects for European financial institutions in the areas of risk management and capital planning, stress testing, and optimization; efficiency and cost-reduction execution programs; resolution planning, both for banks and the Single Resolution Board; financial planning, cost analytics, and funds transfer pricing; and M&A integration and synergies.

Notably, Mr. Areilza was responsible for design, negotiation, and execution control of the largest restructuring plan for one of the largest banks in the European Union (EU). This ended successfully with a reduction of €150+ billion in assets and a 30% reduction of capacity, achieving all commitments and targets. 

Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Areilza spent five years as Head of Planning and Financial Control in Bankia-Caixabank, Madrid. He redesigned the global planning process, coordinated strategic planning (Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process and non-performing loans divestment plan), redesigned business incentives, and was responsible for the business plans of the group’s M&A (Bankia, BMN, etc.). He also led outsourcing, carve-out, and joint venture projects to revamp profitability. 

Mr. Areilza is an expert in stakeholder relationships (regulators, EU authorities, and the International Monetary Fund). He started his career in PwC’s Audit Financial Services in Madrid, where he spent three years within the banking, financial services, and asset managers industry.

Mr. Areilza earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from CUNEF University, Madrid. He is fluent in English and has partial knowledge of French.