Accountability

In 2017, in collaboration with Ernst & Young (EY), Bantrab strengthened its governance to ensure transparency, growth and sustainability of the business, regardless of the changes in the President and Vice President implemented by the current administration.

 The actions taken have achieved positive outcomes. Today, Bantrab ranks sixth in asset volume, the fifth position in deposits, and second in the placement of consumer segments.

These are the measures taken by the bank in favor of the governance and transparency: 

#1

Created the Corporate Governance Division that, in 2021, became the Compliance and Corporate Governance Division.

#2

The policies, regulations, manuals, and procedures were updated, to align them with International Best Practices.

#3

Committees and commission were integrated for technical support to the Board of Directors, to prevent discretionary decisions.

#4

Since, 2018 individuals aspiring to be members of the Board of Directors must pass assessments from our internal control areas, the international recruitment firm Manpower and from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. 

This is to ensure their integrity, responsibility, seriousness, financial solvency, banking and financial experience and knowledge, skills and competencies and good reputation.

#5

Shareholders were invited to approach the bank to update their information. As a result, shareholder participation in both Ordinary and Extraordinary Assemblies increased.

Ethics Hotline

Since 2015, we have had a channel for employees, suppliers, and strategic allies to report behaviors that violate the Code of Ethics and Conduct. Additionally, according to international best practices, in 2021, we hired Ethic Global to manage the Ethics Hotline. This international firm has more than 20 years of experience in integrity programs to develop and strengthen Corporate Governance.

Risk management

Self-regulatory principles

We maintain constant documentation of processes and controls to add value to day to day management and ensure compliance with the following principles:

Transparencia

Equity and fairness

Social and corporate responsibility

Personal responsibility

Fair competition

The Three Lines of Defense Model

Since 2017, we have adopted a model that promotes a culture of self-monitoring to ensure that operations adhere to current regulations and international best practices.

First line

The members of the Board of Directors, along with the heads of the Corporate General Management, the directorates, and the management s are responsible for risk management and controls along with their teams.

Second line

The Corporate Risk and Compliance and Corporate Governance managements are the specialized bodies in controlling integral risk, as well as ensuring regulatory compliance and the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism (ML/FT). Their function is to identify current and emerging risks, define and execute transversal control policies, train, and advise the front line.

Third line

Internal and external audits evaluate the activity of the first and second lines of defense on a systematic, independent, and objective basis to add value and improve risk management, control, and governance processes.

Sustainability

Our commitment to Guatemalan employees is to promote their wellness. That is why we strive to actively contribute to closing social, economic, and technological gaps. This conviction motivated us to draw up a Sustainability Strategy with two levels of relevance, which prioritizes attention to four of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Workforce

We know that promoting the Guatemalan employee’s wellness must begin internally. That is why our actions to attract, retain, and develop high-performance human talent focus on offering the best working conditions. These are some of the initiatives:

  • Bantrab Corporate University
  • Medical clinics in the Guatemala, Escuintla, and Zacapa departments
  • Psychological and nutritional assistance
  • Legal assistance to guide employees in legal matters
  • Programa Futuras Estrellas (Future Stars Program): a career and succession plan for key positions
  • Sports teams: basketball, soccer, volleyball, athletics, bowling, and cycling
  • Nursing Room
  • Day Care Center
  • Cafeteria
  • Suma B+ Store