BBVA has appointed Jürgen von der Lehr as head of its digital bank in Germany, part of its expansion plans in what it said is one of Europe’s most competitive financial services markets.

Von der Lehr will join BBVA from ING Germany, where he served as head of strategy, business development and sustainability. During his time at ING, he led digital transformation initiatives, fintech partnerships and innovation programmes.

Before joining ING Germany, von der Lehr held senior positions at ING in Austria and Luxembourg, including serving as chief executive of the Austrian business and chief technology officer in Luxembourg. He also spent seven years working at Deutsche Bank.

In his new role, von der Lehr will report to Murat Kalkan and will oversee the next phase of growth for BBVA’s fully digital banking operation in Germany. The move forms part of the bank’s wider strategy to accelerate scalable and profitable growth across Europe through digital-first banking services.

BBVA said the appointment would help strengthen its digital banking proposition in Germany, which it considers a key growth market within its European expansion plans.

“Jürgen von der Lehr’s experience in the German market and his expertise in digital banking, transformation, and strategy will be key to the continued development of our offering in Germany with a long-term, profitable growth vision,” said Kalkan.

---