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スペインの大手銀行BBVAは2月11日、ベンチャーキャピタル「Propel Ventures Partners」と新たに提携し、PropelのFinTechファンドに250億ドル（約280億円）を投資すると発表しました。
BBVAは2014年にSimple社を買収したほか、2015年にアトム銀行へ投資するなど、欧米の主要行の中でFinTech投資に積極的なことで知られています。
これまでBBVAは、自グループ内のBBVA VenturesというVC組織で100億ドルのファンドを運営しProsperやPersonal Capitalなどに投資を行っていましたが、今後はProperl社に移管を図るとのことです。
以下に、BBVAのニュースリリースを引用します。
BBVA increases fintech fund to $250M
BBVA
2016年2月11日
BBVA announces an increase in its financial technology (‘fintech’) fund to $250m and a partnership with Propel Venture Partners (Propel). BBVA will invest its $250m in Propel’s funds as a limited partner, and Propel will manage the investment independently in a move designed to ensure the capital continues to be invested in the best digital financial services startups.
Propel will use the $250 million – which includes the original $100 million which established the BBVA Ventures fund in 2013 – in a US and a European fund. Propel will also open an office in London in addition to its San Francisco headquarters , where its European fund will invest in the UK’s fintech ecosystem and in European opportunities.
Teppo Paavola, BBVA’s Chief Development Officer and General Manager of New Digital Business said: ‘‘In an increasingly competitive fintech venture capital environment, we believe that our increased capital, Propel’s independence and a presence in London can enable us to invest in the best fintech start-ups and better support BBVA’s vision of using technology to change financial services for the benefit of the customer.’’
Propel’s funds will focus on early to late stage investment opportunities at the intersection of technology and finance. Areas of focus include payments, credit, insurance, wealth management, e-commerce, security and compliance.
（以下、省略）
（参照）BBVAのニュースリリース
https://info.bbva.com/en/news/general/bbva-increases-fintech-fund-250m/
