HERBERT HERNÁNDEZ - DIRECTOR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BANTRAB

What is your opinion, Mr. Hernández, regarding the financial sector in Guatemala, and what do you think should be done to further develop it in the coming years?

The Guatemalan financial system is stable, sound, and solvent. Technology is a tool we must leverage to optimize processes, improve products and the customer experience, reduce costs, and accelerate financial inclusion, especially for the 70% of the employed population working in the informal sector. In this way, we contribute to people's well-being, the country's economic development, and the growth of the national banking system.

2. Tell us more about Bantrab's history and what you consider to be its greatest achievements to date?

Bantrab is a bank of a special nature. It was founded in 1966 with the mission of working hard for the well-being of Guatemalan workers. It began operations with a state contribution of Q500,000, which currently represents 0.25% of its authorized capital.

In 2010, it became a Financial Group. In 2017, it began a profound transformation process that strengthened our Corporate Governance, doubled our asset volume, increasing from Q18,243 million in 2016 to Q42,439 million as of June 2024, and resulted in a 148% growth in our loan portfolio over the last seven years.

The bank also updated manuals, policies, and procedures to align them with international best practices. Furthermore, we promoted the modernization of our shareholder base; as evidenced by the 1,347% increase in attendance at the Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting, rising from 322 participants in 2018 to 4,338 in 2024.

In 2024, we continue to grow dynamically, allowing us to continue promoting initiatives that contribute to the overall well-being of our clients and more than 5,000 employees.

4. Mr. Hernández , what distinguishes you from other banks in the country ?

What sets us apart is our social commitment and genuine interest in helping workers. That's why Bantrab fulfills a social mission: It believes in the value of people and their work; and its purpose is their well-being and their future.

To achieve this goal, we designed the Wellbeing Strategy, which rests on three pillars: Financial, Social and Development, and Digital. Under the financial pillar, we launched BanConsejos, the first free personal finance advisory office, which has benefited more than 70,000 Guatemalans. Likewise, thanks to the Wellbeing Program, we have granted more than 227,000 loans, enabling workers to balance their income and expenses. Of all the clients served, 87% enjoy a balanced relationship between their income and payment obligations.

For us, these results are important, and we are very proud to support Guatemalans in achieving healthy finances.

In addition, we offer GuateAprende, a free digital platform with 66 courses and two specializations on personal finance and skills that enhance human talent, all developed by Crehana. Since its launch in September 2023, over 5,800 users have enrolled.

Bantrab promotes inclusion and equality. We have a wonderful program called Senior Wellbeing, focused on people over 60. It offers financial benefits to older adults, including loans with grace periods tailored to their retirement, certificates of deposit, and savings accounts with preferential rates, as well as insurance coverage up to age 100. It also promotes the employment of these individuals.

We recently launched the Women Leaders in Wellbeing program, which honors working women who bravely and diligently face daily challenges and lovingly nurture their children with leadership. The program has five pillars: financial wellbeing, holistic wellbeing, inclusion, community, and education and development.

In the financial pillar, the bank allocated Q200 million at a rate of 6%, the lowest on the market, for housing, and another Q200 million, with a preferential rate, for debt consolidation.

HERBERT HERNANDEZ - CEO: Holds a degree in Computer Science and Business Administration. He has three master's degrees, one in Marketing, another in Business Administration and one in Digital Transformation, in addition to certifications in the United States and Spain in Disruptive Digital Technologies, Strategic Innovation Management with Digital Transformation and Innovation Leadership.

A national and international panelist and speaker on topics such as financial inclusion, remittances, and digital and commercial channels. With 25 years of banking experience in Guatemala and the United States. He joined the Bantrab Financial Group in 2017 as Director of the Commercial Division.

8. Before we move on to the last question, we would like to learn more about your personal and professional background.

E: I'm a combination of the financial sector and sports. I was a professional soccer player, which instilled in me discipline, perseverance, responsibility, and competitiveness. I started my career in the banking sector 30 years ago. Thanks to the winning spirit I developed through sports, I climbed the ladder in an industry I was also passionate about.

I joined Bantrab in 2017 and the greatest challenges and achievements of my career are having integrated profitability, transparency and a well-being strategy simultaneously.

9. Final message for the readers of El Economista who will read the report on Guatemala when it is published and do NOT know, why should they come to invest or learn about it?

E: If you get to know Guatemala and its people, you'll fall in love. It's a country with a rich culture, the largest economy in Central America, and its geographic location provides access to key markets. Best of all, the people are incredibly friendly. You'll leave delighted and want to return to Guatemala many times.