Pepe and María, the caretaker couple responsible for maintaining the house in the Segovian town of San Rafael, share memories of the years they spent alongside the Barcelona-born banker.

For many years, Valls had a routine of living and working there from Tuesday afternoons to late Fridays each week. It was a habit that allowed him to think and work in peace, far from the financial whirlwind of the capital, enabling him to make better decisions for the bank. Pepe and María always attended to him with care and natural warmth in this setting.

They describe Luis Valls as a humble man. He loved María’s homemade meals, weary of the daily meetings and restaurant dining. His seriousness and discipline were evident, but so was his appreciation for those around him.

To Pepe and María, Luis Valls was more than a boss; he became someone special, bringing Christmas toys for their daughters and thoughtful gifts for their family. These memories reveal a deep and respectful bond.

Fernando Martín, Luis Valls’ driver and bodyguard, also shares his perspective. Their relationship began at the Beatriz building in the 1980s, a time of growing concern for security in certain sectors of Spanish society. Consequently, specific security measures were implemented to protect the president of Banco Popular and the CEO and senior directors. From then on, Fernando worked directly with Valls, discovering his serious and reserved nature and his kindness and philanthropy.

Luis Valls was a man “who asked for little and, rather than demanding, would usually suggest,” Fernando recalls. He often spoke about work matters using the plural, including himself in the team: “Do you think we’re doing this right?” he would ask Fernando, showing genuine curiosity about the opinions of those around him. Fernando observed that Luis had a unique talent for sensing what others were thinking and assessing situations with a depth that went beyond the obvious.

On one trip through the mountains, Luis Valls’ car broke down. Accompanied by Fernando, his trusted driver of many years, they had few options but to seek help in the nearest village. A local man arrived with his tractor, towing the vehicle and rescuing them. As they parted ways, Luis Valls offered him his business card, saying that he shouldn’t hesitate to call if he ever needed anything. The card was used sometime later, and the man’s son was hired as a driver at Banco Popular.