State of the Economy - In collaboration with Banco Santander & Openbank, with the presence of the Bank of Finland
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Spanish-Finnish Chamber of Commerce hosted the State of the Economy forum in collaboration with Banco Santander and Openbank, with the distinguished participation of the Bank of Finland. The event took place at Openbank’s headquarters in Plaza de Santa Bárbara, Madrid, and brought together leading voices from the financial and economic sectors.
About the Forum:
The forum offered a deep dive into the current state of the European, Spanish, and Finnish economies, providing strategic insights into market trends, investment opportunities, and the challenges of navigating economic volatility. Attendees gained valuable perspectives to help position their businesses for growth in today’s shifting landscape.
Key Topics:
Economic outlook for Europe, Spain, and Finland
Market trends and consumer behavior
Investment opportunities in the region
Strategies for navigating economic volatility
Distinguished Speakers:
Juha Kilponen: Head of Monetary Policy and Research Department, Bank of Finland
Juha leads the department's strategic direction and actively contributes to discussions on euro area monetary policy and the Finnish economy. He is also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the European Central Bank System. Previously, he was Head of Forecasting at the Bank of Finland, leading the team responsible for economic forecasts for Finland. He specializes in macroeconomic modeling and policy simulations, with extensive experience in macroeconomic research.
Juan Cerruti: Chief Economist and Vice President, Grupo Santander
Juan has been an Adjunct Professor of Macroeconomics and Economic Policy at the University of Buenos Aires for 20 years. Previously, he worked as a journalist at El Cronista Comercial (Chief Editor of Economics) and Ámbito Financiero. He holds a degree in Economics, graduating with honors from the University of Buenos Aires, and a Master's in Economics from the University of San Andrés.
Petri Nikkilä: CEO, Openbank
Petri is an expert in the European financial sector with extensive experience in digital banking. He has led ING's commercial banking in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, and contributed to Nordea's digital transformation. He also held roles at HSBC and managed Unilever's operations in Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey. A Finnish national, he holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Vaasa and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
A special thanks goes to Virginia Martínez Vuillier for her outstanding coordination and leadership in making the event a success.
The Chamber extends its gratitude to all participants for their thoughtful contributions and engagement. Let’s keep the conversation going as we shape the future of European business together.