BBVA completes global cloud-native data platform rollout, boosting efficiency and innovation

BBVA has fully deployed its cloud-native data platform ADA across most regions, revolutionising data management, enhancing operational efficiency by 40%, and positioning the bank as a leader in digital banking innovation through scalable, AI-enabled infrastructure.

BBVA has completed the global deployment of its cloud-native data platform ADA (Analytics + Data + AI), marking a significant milestone in the bank’s multi-year digital transformation strategy. ADA, now operational across all BBVA regions except Turkey, is built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), making BBVA one of the first banks to fully migrate to a comprehensive cloud data infrastructure. This advanced system processes more than 100,000 tasks daily, handles 8.4 petabytes of data, and supports an extensive user base that includes 6,500 advanced users and over 40,000 daily users across seven countries on two continents.

The platform facilitates real-time insights and drives a 40% improvement in operational efficiency compared with previous traditional systems, as confirmed by Marta Sanz, BBVA’s Global Head of Data Engineering. ADA leverages AWS tools such as Amazon SageMaker AI, QuickSight, and AWS Bedrock, positioning the bank to embrace secure generative AI use cases and unlocking new analytical capabilities. Such technological enhancements accelerate faster decision-making, refine risk management, and enable more personalised customer services, reflecting BBVA’s commitment to data-driven innovation.

The project’s scale and complexity are considerable. Since 2021, BBVA has shifted from a legacy on-premise infrastructure to a unified cloud platform that consolidates fragmented data operations into a single scalable system. In Europe and Uruguay, the platform migration was completed by the end of 2024 without any service interruptions, handling tens of thousands of processes and thousands of users. The rollout plan included implementations in Mexico and Colombia, where ADA matched European usage levels shortly after launch, and more recently in Argentina and Peru. The bank anticipates completing integration across Latin America by 2025.

This massive cloud migration not only enhances operational agility but also reduces costs by up to 40%, leveraging a pay-per-use model. It improves security features with AWS’s high availability protocols and strengthens global compliance. According to Carlos Casas, BBVA’s Global Head of Engineering, the platform lays the foundation for BBVA to become a fully data-driven company, enabling continuous innovation at scale across all business units.

The international financial publication Global Finance has recognised BBVA for this pioneering data strategy, awarding ADA for its innovation in data management and AI adoption. The platform’s scalability has significantly shortened the availability time of analytical environments by 94%, dynamically adapting resources to demand while optimising costs and performance.

This transformation highlights BBVA’s strategic foresight in embracing cloud technology within the banking sector. Scott Mullins, Managing Director of Financial Services at AWS, praised ADA as a project designed for the future, enhancing internal processes and positioning BBVA as a leader in digital banking innovation. The bank’s success underscores an evolving trend where comprehensive cloud migration, rather than hybrid models, becomes a viable and secure strategy for financial institutions aiming to scale efficiently and securely worldwide.

Looking ahead, with ADA fully operational across key regions, BBVA is well placed to scale innovation rapidly, leverage AI advancements, and deliver improved, personalised experiences to its customers globally, consolidating its competitive position in the digital banking landscape.

📌 Reference Map:

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• Paragraph 6 – ^[5] (Baxtel), ^[7] (DataCenterDynamics)

Source: Fuse Wire Services