Biography
Juan Carlos Escotet Rodríguez is a Spanish-Venezuelan banker and business executive, and the founder of Banesco, one of Venezuela's largest private banking groups. Born in Madrid in 1959, he immigrated to Venezuela with his family and began his career in the banking sector at a young age. Escotet's career is marked by his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic acquisitions, particularly in the wake of Venezuela's economic crises. He holds a Master of Science in professional management from the University of Miami. As of January 2026, his real-time net worth is estimated at $7.4 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in Spain, largely derived from his controlling stake in Abanca and international banking assets. His achievements include founding Banesco and successfully expanding the bank internationally, including the acquisition of Abanca in Spain, which has significantly shaped the banking landscape across several countries.