Since March 2024, María Dolores Dancausa has served as non-executive Chair of Bankinter, one of Spain's leading financial institutions, having previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer since October 2010. A graduate in Law from Colegio Universitario San Pablo CEU, she has completed several Management Programmes at Harvard Business School, an AMP (Advanced Management Programme) at INSEAD Business School (Fontainebleau) and a Master's Degree in Human Resources and Business Strategy at the Euroforum-INSEAD University Institute (Madrid).

Dancausa has spent his entire professional career in the financial and insurance sector, first at Banco Exterior and later at the Bankinter Group. With the creation of Línea Directa Aseguradora in 1994, she was appointed Secretary General and Secretary of the Board until 2008, when she became CEO of the company, until 2010. During this period, she helped to consolidate the company and position it as the fifth largest motor insurer in Spain.

At the end of 2010, she left her executive position at the insurance company following her appointment as CEO of Bankinter. However, she continued to serve on the Board of Directors of Línea Directa until its stock market listing in 2021, when the company began operating as a fully independent entity.

During her time as CEO of Bankinter, she was also Chair of the Board of various Group companies, such as EVO Banco, Bankinter Consumer Finance, Avantcard DAC, Bankinter Global Services, and Bankinter Investment (in the latter she remains a member of the Board). Additionally, between 2013 and 2018, she served as an Independent Board Director at the British firm Esure, one of the leading insurance companies in the United Kingdom.

Since June 2021, she has been an Independent External Director of Acciona and Chair of its Appointments and Remuneration Committee, and since April 2024, she has been an Independent External Director of the Spanish multinational Puig, as well as a member of its Audit Committee. In addition, she is a Trustee of the Bankinter Innovation Foundation, a Trustee of the Línea Directa Foundation and a Trustee of the Princess of Girona Foundation.

Under her executive leadership, Bankinter established itself as one of the most solid, efficient, and profitable institutions in Europe. The bank has also consolidated its position as one of the most sustainable in the world, having been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World—the most prestigious international sustainability index—since 2017.

Acknowledgements

María Dolores Dancausa has received numerous awards in recognition of her career:

• Madrid Medal (2025), in recognition of her path and her contribution to the life of the city.
• Puentia 'Con Marca Propia' Award (2024) for her leadership and contribution to society.
• Businesswoman of the Year (2023) in the Financial Sector category at the European CEO Awards, organized by European CEO magazine.
• Honourable Mentions in the APIE ‘Tintero’ Awards (2011, 2017 and 2023) — she is the first person to receive three such distinctions in these awards.
• ‘Best CEO of the Year’ by Forbes (2021 and 2013).
• Consistent presence in the MERCO Top 10 of the most highly regarded and reputable business leaders since 2019.
• Women Leader Award 2020, granted by the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, for her perseverance and outstanding leadership at the helm of Bankinter.
• CEO of the Year (2018) awarded by Computerworld magazine for combining technological advancement with business efficiency and effectiveness.
• Financial Excellence Career Award (2018) from the IEF.
• Best Iberian Manager of the Year (2018) awarded by the Portuguese‑Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Executive of the Year (2014) by Emprendedores magazine.
• Financial Personality of the Year (2013) awarded by Ecofin.
• AED Executive of the Year Award (2013).
• Best CEO of the Year (2012) awarded by Expansión in the Emprendedores & Empleo Awards.
• Most Outstanding Personality of the Year (2012) at El Economista’s Noche de la Economía.
• Award from Ejecutivos magazine (2011) for her distinguished professional career.

These recognitions reflect her impact on the financial sector, her management capabilities, and her role as a leading business figure both in Spain and internationally.

Bankinter is the fifth‑largest bank in the Spanish financial system by size, market capitalization, and profits, and holds leading positions in the sector in terms of efficiency, profitability, and asset quality. Bankinter’s strategy is based on diversified and complementary business lines, and it has a presence in Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Luxembourg.