Ana Patricia Botin

Being different is critical. ”

We need critical mass. We need people, not just one or two. We need a lot of them. ”

Discretion is the most important thing for a banker. That is the philosophy of the family... I mean, of the bank. ”

I have a very, very difficult job. ”

We need to change how we run banks. We need to change the culture. If we get it right, we can have a huge impact. ”

I think of digital as a means to an end: How do I service and get more loyal customers, how do I achieve operational excellence, and how do I change my culture? ”

Profit, wealth creation, competition - these are not dirty words but the lifeblood of a dynamic economy. ”

If the government is funding itself at 2 per cent, you know, how much are you going to pay savers if you want to lend money at a cheaper rate? People have the incentive to build a factory or open new stores. It is a trade-off. ”

Everybody has their own style. ”

I don't think of us as defending ourselves. I think of us as a challenger, an attacker. ”