May 14, 2023, 10:50 AM
May 14, 2023, 10:50 AM
-In the anniversary month of Banco FIE, what does it mean to work in Bolivia?
On May 3 of this year, Banco FIE celebrated its 38th anniversary. The bank, in compliance with its vision and mission, seeks the financial and social inclusion of the population. For this, we prioritize the attention of people in microenterprises, and we also serve the SME and business segments.
Through them, today the bank serves close to 1.3 million clients. Having reached a portfolio that is located at $us 2,300 million. With the joy of having that portfolio distributed throughout the country. We are in the nine departments and we reach 93 municipalities. This presence seeks to reach urban, peri-urban and rural areas, which allows us to reach and support a sector that is very important to the bank: the agricultural sector.
The portfolio of the agricultural sector reaches $440 million, of that amount close to $190 million are located in Santa Cruz. It is a portfolio that is not only intended for small producers, but also for medium and large producers.
Another aspect that should be highlighted is the work for gender equality and the economic empowerment of women. Thus, within the bank about 56% are women and 55% are in decision-making positions. This transcends in the attention to our clientele, since 54% are women.
-How was the performance of the bank in 2022?
These 38 years have given us the pulse necessary to grow sustainably. In this context, 2022 was a good year. Our portfolio registered a growth of 9%. The number of our credit clients also increased by 8%. Along these lines, we have reached close to 240,000 clients and clients who are part of these 1.3 million clients and clients. It should also be noted that in this management there was a return on equity (ROE or Profitability) close to 12.8%, with an adequate profitability that is among the highest in the Banking System, which shows the importance of being a sustainable bank with a strong social focus.
-What are the prospects for 2023?
We see this management with optimism. It is an optimism that our clientele infects us, being the main segment the microenterprise, we see in this sector a great vision, great strength and resilience. We expect to grow above 5%. We are going to expand our financial service points and we will continue working on the digital transformation to improve, among other aspects, our digital channels. We will also continue advancing in financial inclusion, which today offers many opportunities by promoting digital literacy. Another aspect to highlight is the alliance that Banco FIE has with Rabobank of the Netherlands that seeks to strengthen our agricultural strategy that seeks to consolidate us as a leading bank in serving the country’s agricultural sector.
-Why should one entrust their money to Banco FIE?
A very important element is that the work done at the bank is ethical, responsible and with a focus on sustainability, with healthy indicators, which allows us to support the growth and development of our clientele’s initiatives. In this way, we work so that our products and services meet the expectations and needs of the bank’s customers better every day.
-Which are the credits with the greatest demand and the benefited sectors?
Our main product is microcredit, without a doubt. It is aimed at the segment of microentrepreneurs, microentrepreneurs or natural persons. That represents close to 80% of our portfolio, some $1.8 billion. The other credit that we grant is business, which means 20% of our portfolio.
We serve close to 240,000 credit customers. The sectors to which our portfolio is intended are mainly productive, trade and services, as well as housing, highlighting within the productive sector our agricultural portfolio also intended to promote sustainable agribusiness, contributing to the country’s food security.
