• The decision has no implications for Bankia's solvency, legal status, business or relations with its customers

Banco Financiero y de Ahorros, S.A.U. ("BFA"), the parent company of Bankia, S.A., will no longer hold banking status as from January, after having complied with all applicable regulatory requirements since the BFA Board of Directors decided to apply to give up its banking licence on 19 December 2013.

BFA today received notice from the Bank of Spain approving that application, thereby achieving another of the milestones charted in the group's Restructuring Plan. BFA thus becomes a holding company, owner of the holding in Bankia and of debt portfolios, and will change its name accordingly to BFA, Sociedad Tenedora de Acciones, S.A.U.

This change has no implications for Bankia's capital adequacy, legal status, business or the relations with its customers.

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