With a relationship stretching over a century and a half, the bank has taken its bond with the Ibero-American countries to new heights amid the greatest health, economic and social challenge in decades.

His Majesty King Felipe VI presented Santander España Non-executive Chairman Luis Isasi with the Ibero-American Quality Award 2020.

Madrid, 20 April 2021 - PRESS RELEASE
Banco Santander’s commitment to Latin America is one of the hallmarks of the group founded in 1857 to finance the growing trade between the northern Spain and the Americas. In keeping with tradition, the bank lent its support to the 13th Ibero-American Business Conference as part of the Ibero-American Summit of heads of state and government, which took place on 19-20 April under the tagline “Innovation for Sustainable Development. Target 2030. Ibero-America against coronavirus”. The Conference was organized by the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), the Centre for Ibero-American Studies (CEIB) and the Andorra Business Confederation (CEA) in collaboration with ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones.

The more than 100 speakers included Ibero-American corporate chairmen and other representatives from leading institutions and businesses, as well as Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez; Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, president of Portugal; Head of the Government of Andorra Xavier Espot; Alejandro Giammattei, president of Guatemala; Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic; and other heads of state and government. 

Santander has bolstered historic ties with the region that stretch back over a century and a half to continue providing quality service, working side-by-side with businesses and enabling millions to access the financial system for the first time.  Speaking at the event, Santander México CEO Héctor Grisi said: “Santander without Latin America is unthinkable. The bank is a leader in the region, where Ibero-American investment has been crucial to economic and social development. At Santander we believe innovation knows no bounds. We must use the Ibero-American region as a platform to drive through projects that benefit all its countries”.  

Technological innovation, which has underpinned the group’s transformation in recent years, has enabled micro-businesses and SMEs in Latin America to access banking services for the first time and, thus, overcome the hurdles brought by the covid-19 pandemic. Initiatives like Superdigital, which promotes the financial inclusion of the underbanked in Brazil, Mexico and Chile, will soon be rolled out to four other countries.  What's more, merchant payments business Getnet, created in Brazil and now operating in Argentina and Chile, will continue to expand this year to help businesses broaden their horizons at a time of less face-to-face transactions that is boosting digitalization and financial inclusion. One of Banco Santander’s responsible banking pledges for 2019-2025 is to help 10 million people prosper and enjoy the benefits that growth from financial empowerment brings, giving access to tailor-made products and services and enhancing financial resilience through education.

Santander España, 2020 Ibero-American Quality Award

Santander España scooped the Ibero-American Quality Award 2020 at the 13th Ibero-American Business Conference, handed out by the Ibero-American Foundation for Quality Management (FUNDIBEQ).   

According to Luis Isasi, Santander España chairman and Grupo Santander board member, “to receive this award from His Majesty King Felipe VI at the Ibero-American Summit is testimony to all our people's hard work despite a difficult year in which we’ve stood side-by-side with our customers – households and businesses – to help them overcome the challenges the health crisis has brought, while also making headway with our responsible banking commitments”.

The panel of 12 experts from nine countries awarded the prize to Santander España for its exemplary management, which has gone from strength to strength in recent years and become a customer, employee and shareholder relations benchmark for the leading companies. According to FUNDIBEQ, the bank stood out for its strong culture, which it spreads to its key stakeholders through countless initiatives, with a special focus on responsible banking. The Foundation also praised Santander España’s strategic management, which enables it to assess the landscape, identify challenges, set objectives and manage risks effectively.

Santander España also took home the “Best Sustainable Development Objective” award, created this year to mark the Summit's theme of “Innovation for Sustainable Development – Target 2030”. The bank landed the award thanks to its work on women’s development, education, equal opportunity and the Generación 81 project, which promotes equal opportunity, talented women and entrepreneurship.

A recording of the Business Conference will be available soon at the following link:  https://empresarialonline.eeib2021and.com/registro