Credit assessment pilot opens direct exchanges with large firms
The Bank of Spain (BDE) extended its credit assessment information-sharing pilot to Valencia on October 23, 2026. The program gathers information directly from large companies and gives them feedback on their credit ratings.
From databases to direct dialogue
The pilot strengthens the Bank of Spain's in-house credit assessment system, ICAS BE, through information exchanges with large companies.
It began in June 2026 in Madrid and Barcelona before expanding to Valencia.
The October 23 presentation to Valencian firms involved the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and the Valencia Chamber of Commerce.
The bank seeks more current, direct knowledge of companies' circumstances to improve its assessments.
Until now, those assessments relied exclusively on the bank's databases and public sources.
Participating firms also receive information about their credit ratings to better understand their risk profiles.
The bank discusses potential financing benefits in Box 3.2 of its 2025 Annual Report.
Collateral quality remains the foundation
Until now, the bank has used ICAS BE solely for monetary policy purposes.
The system determines whether loans pledged as collateral by banks meet the credit quality standards required by the Eurosystem.
The pilot adds direct corporate contact to help the bank better understand business conditions and strengthen the quality of its credit analyses.
This closer engagement also serves the objective of bringing the institution closer to society, as set out in its Strategic Plan 2030.
A pilot before wider coverage
The bank plans to extend the program after the pilot ends.
Wider coverage would encompass all non-financial companies in Spain assessed by ICAS BE.
The bank says better understanding of credit risk profiles can indirectly help companies improve access to financing.