• Responsible Banking Report | 2019
Letter from the Chairman of

the Board of Directors

At Grupo Santander, we are aware of the responsibility we have as a banking sector with regard to tackling major changes and transformations in Mexico and around the world. This is why, as part of our commitment to being the best possible bank, we work every single day to overcome new challenges and take advantage of new opportunities, convinced that banking plays a fundamental role in social commitment and guaranteeing that everyone has the opportunity to drive their own development.


From the highest levels, those of us who are members of Santander’s Global Board of Directors and its Board of Directors in Mexico, we have been making significant advances in transforming the way in which we work in order to become a Responsible Bank and make sure everything we do has a significant impact. This is why we have adopted international standards, such as the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Banking, and set our own ambitious targets. This is also how we are contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact, in addition to consolidating our commitment to diversity and inclusion through our adhesion to the Women’s Empower Principles (WEP’s).

Without a doubt, these commitments form part of the efforts we are already focusing on in the areas of sustainability and responsibility, in alignment with everything we as a society aspire to in terms of equality, diversity, financial inclusion and environmental conservation.

In order to achieve our mission, we promote strict corporate governance models, continuous interaction between the Board and the bank’s management, and the on-going participation of our board members in the responsible banking and sustainability agenda. Our Board of Directors and committees strive to generate value for our customers, shareholders, employees and society in general. This is how we are tackling new challenges before they appear in order to continue to grow in an ever-changing world.


Thanks to robust and transparent corporate governance, interaction with the bank’s management, the experience and commitment of the members of the Board of Directors, and best practices in the areas of sustainability and responsibility, in 2019 Santander Mexico was included in the Mexican Stock Exchange’s (BMV) IPC Sustainability Index for the seventh consecutive year, reaffirming our position as a responsible bank.

We are a bank that is ready to continue driving development in our country in a simple, personal and fair manner, by offering innovative products and services, in the knowledge that we can only make a positive contribution to the community in which we live and work by setting long-term goals: that is how we promote Responsible Banking.

Meanwhile, the Board of Directors ensures that all our employees have a sense of belonging, a sense of welcome and appreciation for their individual efforts. This is of fundamental importance in improving our work environment, as diversity and inclusion at all levels attract, develop and retain the best talent, in addition to contributing to innovation, organizational performance, trust in companies and compliance with the expectations of our stakeholders.

Without a doubt, the actions we implement both inside and outside the bank enable us to create a virtuous cycle that benefits our customers, shareholders, employees and the society we serve.

Our ultimate goal is to do banking differently, enabling us to contribute to the progress of people and companies and allowing us to, together, focus on creating a sustainable future for all. This is how we are reaffirming our commitment to joining forces to work responsibly and make our country and the world a better place to live.


Marcos Martínez Gavica
Chairman of the Board of Directors.