BBVA Chairman, Sabadell CEO Clash as Bid Enters Final Days (1)

BBVA SA Chairman Carlos Torres and Banco Sabadell SA Chief Executive Officer Cesar Gonzalez-Bueno contradicted each other in separate interviews as they sought to sway investors their way during the final days of a takeover battle that has lasted 17 months.

The €17 billion ($20 billion) takeover would create a new Spanish banking behemoth and push BBVA closer in size to the country’s biggest lender, Banco Santander SA. It would also boost BBVA’s domestic operations and balance out its strong exposure to emerging markets.

Sabadell’s leadership has been opposed since BBVA launched the bid in ...