At a time of profound transformation in the financial sector, Ibercaja has strengthened a strategy that looks to the long term: to decisively bet on young talent as a lever for growth, innovation, and commitment to society. In addition to the necessary generational change, the organization views this process as an opportunity to integrate new perspectives and technical skills into the existing talent pool and to exercise leadership in a more approachable, collaborative, and purposeful manner. In this way, the bank seeks to ensure the continuity of excellence in the service it provides to its clients.
The trajectories of Luis Arruga, Alejandra Nistal, Claudia Mairal, and José Ramón Bendicho allow us to understand how this commitment materializes on a day-to-day basis. Four distinct profiles from diverse fields such as finance, marketing, data analysis, and communication share a common idea: to grow professionally within a solid organization that is committed to people and the region.
Luis Arruga, financial rigor from Zaragoza
Luis Arruga, a 26-year-old from Zaragoza with dual degrees in Law and Business Administration, works in the Financial Risk Management area, where he participates in managing the treasury’s equity portfolio. His joining Ibercaja is a result of a combination of professional ambition and a desire for learning. «For someone young, it is very appealing to join a large, stable company that allows you to learn and develop professionally,» he explains.
Arruga particularly highlights the versatility that the organization offers and the growth opportunities that unfold throughout one’s career. «It is a company with a widely recognized trajectory and many possibilities for internal development,» he points out. Additionally, there is a strong connection to the region, an aspect he considers differentiating: «Ibercaja plays a very important role in Aragón and in its economic and social fabric.»
The young professional also emphasizes the appeal of the financial sector in a time of transformation. «It is a key player for the economy and society, from helping someone buy their first home to supporting business projects,» he states. Looking ahead, his goal is to continue forming within the organization, take on greater responsibilities, and participate in higher-impact projects, adding more and more value to the entity.
Alejandra Nistal, strategy in corporate banking
Alejandra Nistal, a 29-year-old from Madrid, works in the Commercial Strategy and B2B Marketing area within the Corporate Banking Division. She joined Ibercaja after nearly four years of experience at a Big Four firm and a personal turning point marked by motherhood and a family move to Zaragoza. «I was looking for a company that shared my values and that cared about my professional development as well as my personal life,» she explains.
At Ibercaja, she found an environment that she defines as close, different, and with a commitment to constant improvement. From her position, she manages all the marketing aspects of Corporate Banking, working directly with the business fabric. «Accompanying companies in their growth, seeing how they evolve and how they pass from generation to generation is something very beautiful,» she asserts.
For Nistal, the financial sector has a fundamentally human dimension. «It helps people and companies grow at different stages of their lives,» she notes. This experience reinforces her professional motivation and vision for the future: to continue learning, developing new skills, and growing within the organization, with the conviction that «there is no ceiling.»
Claudia Mairal, mathematical talent for data
Claudia Mairal, a 25-year-old mathematician born in Barbastro, works as a Data Quality Manager in the Strategy, Transformation, and Data Department. Her arrival at Ibercaja marked her first contact with the financial sector, a challenge she embraced as a learning opportunity. «I was attracted by the idea of applying my knowledge in mathematics and data analysis in a new environment,» she explains.
Mairal highlights the good working atmosphere and labor conditions as key factors for her decision, as well as the growth opportunities within an entity with deep roots in Aragón and a clear vision for the future. Her work is located in one of the strategic axes of the sector: data management and governance. «Data will mark the evolution of the banking sector in the coming years,» she affirms.
To young people about to enter the job market, she encourages them to «dare to try different fields» and not neglect skills such as communication and teamwork. Looking ahead, her goal is to continue developing within the entity and participate in innovative projects related to data, which will play a key role in the banking of tomorrow.
José Ramón Bendicho, communicating with social impact
José Ramón Bendicho, a 26-year-old from Zaragoza, is the coordinator for Ibercaja’s 150th anniversary in the Communication, Brand, and Institutional Relations Department. A journalist and a doctoral candidate in Crisis Communication, he defines his experience at the organization based on the value of teamwork. «Here, we work from closeness, trust, and mutual support; we are not just colleagues, we are a community,» he explains.
For Bendicho, Ibercaja is a project with soul, where innovation and technology advance without losing sight of people. He particularly highlights the societal impact of the entity, channeled through initiatives in financial education, volunteering, and social action. «Our work directly benefits society, and that gives it a meaning that goes beyond the professional,» he states.
From his perspective, the commitment to young talent also involves fostering human leadership and preparing professionals for a changing technological environment. His goal is to continue growing within the organization, combining technical specialization and team management, and contributing to a common project with real impact.
Despite their diverse trajectories, all four profiles share a clear vision: Ibercaja offers an environment where young talent can grow, learn, and build a meaningful professional career. In a labor context marked by uncertainty, the organization bets on continuous training, internal promotion, and the development of human skills as the pillars of its model.
With this strategy, Ibercaja not only secures its future as an organization but also reinforces its role as a key player in the economic and social development of Aragón. A future that, as these stories demonstrate, is already being built from within.
