CIENxCIEN (one hundred percent) is a podcast on the latest economic, technological and social developments, brought to you by people working at the Banco de España. We want to throw open our doors and tell you about what we do, how we do it and the impact it has on your day-to-day life.
These down-to-earth yet rigorous podcasts will blend the simplicity of conversations between colleagues with the professionalism of our work in different areas, placing all our expertise at your disposal.
24/07/2026
We handle banknotes all the time, yet we seldom pause to think about what lies behind – and within – them. In this episode we discover how today’s banknotes are designed, through a process that combines art, technology, science and even psychology to create something as familiar as it is indispensable. Because a banknote is not defined by its face value alone: it also stands for trust, identity, and much more besides.
Series: Economy
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16/07/2025
The whole truth about the digital euro Series: Innovation and technology, Efectivo
Much of our lives is already in the cloud and we're increasingly making transactions with our mobile devices. So why hasn’t our money gone digital? Imagine money as dependable and secure as euro banknotes and coins, but in a different format: a digital euro. What would that look like? What features would it have?
Few forms of money prompt as many questions – and so much misinformation – as the digital euro. Join us as we uncover the whole truth about this potential digital euro.
02/07/2025
Pride in our workplace Series: Inside the Bank
We spend a large part of our day-to-day life at work and, while it’s a professional setting, we inevitably share a lot about our personal lives. But do we have the freedom to do so without feeling judged or discriminated against because of our sexual orientation or gender identity? We may all be equal under the law, but as a society we’ve still got a lot of learning and understanding to do. So, pull up a chair: diversity affects us all, whether you’re a member of the LGBTI community or not.
18/06/2025
Financial stability, a check-over for the banking sector Series: Economy, Regulation and Supervision
Driving safely means having a reliable and well-maintained car. But the roads need to be good and conditions favourable as well. It’s the same with the banking sector. If a bank is to act as an intermediary (channelling funds from savers to investors) it has to be solvent. But that isn’t enough: is the road – the economy – in good condition? Is there enough financial stability to move forward? Grab your headphones and click to find out!
04/06/2025
What if we speak your language? Series: Inside the Bank
The smartphone revolutionised our relationship with the world, giving each of us the power to choose what we watch, listen to and read.
At the Banco de España, we want people to know who we are and what we do, but how can we compete for attention in such a crowded marketplace? The first step is to speak the same language as our audience: society at large.
Inés Calderón, who leads communications at the Banco de España, sat down with us to talk shop. Join us.
21/05/2025
Just how smart is AI? Series: Innovation and technology
Artificial intelligence is no longer a thing of science fiction novels and films, but part of our everyday lives. From improving medical diagnosis to summarising drawn-out meetings, AI has myriad applications and is perhaps the most rapidly evolving and far-reaching tool in the history of humankind.
Grab your headphones and join us to find out how AI it works and if it really is that smart.
07/05/2025
“Cash, please” Series: Efectivo
Money was invented almost 3,000 years ago and plays a central role in our daily lives. We can use it to find out how much goods and services cost and to pay for things, or we can save it, as it conserves its value over time. We have various means of payment at our disposal, but we still love banknotes and coins. Grab your headphones and learn about cash and why it is so important.
23/04/2025
Can tariffs change the world? Series: International
The import tariffs that the United States is imposing are shaking markets and the global economy. Could tariffs be a game changer?
In recent decades every economy in the world has grown thanks to globalisation. But inequalities have increased in the most developed countries, creating a sense of injustice in some.
Grab your headphones and find out where the United States’ true hegemonic power resides.
02/04/2025
What’s the cost of not being sustainable? Series: Sustainability, Women in Economy
Imagine that, instead of living 50 more years, you were to live 200 more. Or even 500. Do you think you would use your resources as you do now, or would you rather keep a little more for tomorrow? That is what living sustainably is about: concerning ourselves not only with our own needs today but also with the needs of future generations. If you believe it would be very costly to create a sustainable world, you have no idea how expensive it would be to carry on with our unsustainable one.
19/03/2025
Interesting rates Series: Monetary policy
What is the price of money? Who decides on it? How does the price of money affect what you pay for your shopping? And investment by businesses?
If you have never thought that the European Central Bank’s (ECB) monetary policy could be of any interest, grab some earphones and listen in to the Europe Room at the Banco de España, because we are discussing interest rates that interest you.
07/03/2025
8 March – Women and promotions: up the stairs or in the lift? Series: Women in Economy
Inside the Banco de España, there is a lavatory with a label that designates it for use by “unmarried women”, a relic from a time when there were, when a woman got married, she would leave the workforce to dedicate herself to her new role as a housewife.
Since then, society and institutions have changed in countless ways. On International Women’s Day 2025, we would like to reflect on women’s career advancement and ask: are they taking the lift or do they still have to use the stairs?
