Banking currently plays a crucial role in promoting economic activities that are compatible with environmental conservation and social equality. This is why, during 2019, it was a great source of pride for us at Santander to become a founding member and signatory of the Principles for Responsible Banking of the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). This is how all of us at Santander have reaffirmed our commitment to tackling global challenges and contributing to the creation of greener economies, more responsible consumption patterns and greater social balance.
Furthermore, in 2019 we outlined our 10 Responsible Banking commitments, which, through strict metrics and transparency, set out the goals and targets from 2021 to 2025, which go far beyond environmental issues, enriching the way in which we work. This is how our bank remains loyal to its mission of driving the progress of people and companies, fully aware of the importance of what we do, the major commitment we have to the environment, and our on-going support for the communities in which we live and work, focusing, at all times, on ensuring that our mission lives on and guarantees better living conditions for future generations.
Without a doubt, inclusion and financial empowerment are major challenges for our sector. At Santander Mexico, since Tuiio, our financial inclusion program, began operations, we have benefitted more than 100,000 customers who traditionally would have had no access to financial services, especially woman entrepreneurs searching for a loan to be able to work, produce and improve their lives and those of their families.
In terms of education, at Santander we are firm believers that supporting young university students is a tried and tested means of creating greater opportunities, rebuilding the social fabric, and promoting economic development in the country. That is why, in 2019, we invested a record MXN $128 million and offered 6,300 scholarships to students from throughout the country, helping ensure that Santander remains the banking institution that most supports university education in Mexico.
In terms of our Responsible Banking initiatives, we are extremely proud that, in 2019, we held our first Trenzatón, a program in which employees from the bank joined forces and donated their hair to help women from our Santander family who have been diagnosed with cancer, achieving outstanding results alongside Fundación México Sonríe.
In 2019, through our Fideicomiso Por los Niños de México, Santander supported more than 16,000 girls and boys alongside 67 Civil Society Organizations that work with vulnerable children in the areas of nutrition, education and health. These efforts were complemented through the Bank’s 39 additional social investment programs, which benefitted more than 73,000 people during the year.
At Santander, we are aware that diversity and inclusion in terms of gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age, experiences and skills make us stronger, in addition to playing a critical role in learning and understanding more about the societies in which we work. As a responsible bank, we recognize the importance of consolidating gender equality and the empowerment of women, which is why, in October 2019, we signed the United Nations’ Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP’s).
Finally, to ensure the activities we undertake today do not put future generations at risk, we have an Environmental Management System that has helped decrease the impact our operations have on the planet, in addition to promoting the efficient use of resources. Furthermore, in 2019, the Bank actively participated in the analysis, structuring and financing of renewable energy projects, in alignment with our commitment to driving energy efficiency within the country.
All of these actions have enabled us to continue forming part of the Mexican Stock Exchange’s IPC Sustainability Index, the FTSE4Good Index, the UN Global Compact and the Socially Responsible Company (ESR) certification program.
I would like to thank our team for their professionalism, commitment and enthusiasm, not to mention the milestones we reached together in 2019, fully aware of the new challenges and opportunities the future holds in store for us.
Héctor Grisi Checa
Executive President and CEO of Santander Mexico.