Finance

BBVA Should Face Trial in Spying Probe, Spanish Prosecutor Says

  • Case concerns allegations of bribery and revealing secrets
  • Former bank executives could also be headed for court
Signage in the window of a Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA bank branch in Barcelona.Photographer: Angel Garcia/Bloomberg
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A Spanish prosecutor has recommended that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA should stand trial as part of a broad criminal inquiry into alleged corporate spying.

The investigation “has made clear, amply and indisputably in the opinion of the public prosecutor.” that BBVA should face a trial, Alejandro Cabaleiro, a public prosecutor, said in a filing dated May 17. The bank and certain former executives should be tried on charges of bribery and revelation of secrets, Cabaleiro said in the document, a copy of which was seen by Bloomberg News.