Under these complex circumstances, our priority has been to ensure the continuity of our operations and safeguard the health of our employees and customers.

With regard to our employees, we developed a number of measures to drive their professional development and improve their quality of life by consolidate remote working tools, emotional support lines, wellness activities and medical assistance programs, among others, all of which are underpinned by direct and on-going communication efforts. Engaging with our employees, understanding and meeting their needs, and helping them achieve their aspirations is the basis for our actions as a Responsible Bank and is the leverage that allows us to attract the very best talent.

We are an institution that promotes a respectful and inclusive working environment, in addition to driving a culture of diversity and inclusion among our customers and employees. This is thanks to the hard work being done by our Diversity and Inclusion Committee, whose fundamental pillars include driving the development of female talent. As a result of these efforts, we are proud to have been recognized as a Super Company for Woman by Expansion Magazine because of the work we've done to develop women in leadership positions throughout our organization.

In terms of how we help drive the progress of our customers, beyond the range of initiatives we coordinate on a daily business through our business, during 2021 we invested more than MXN $122 million to develop and continue rolling out digital tools to facilitate remote operations and promote the financial health of our customers by promoting savings and financial inclusion among under- and unbanked sectors. A clear example of this is our Universal Onboarding platform, which allows our customers to open a deposit account without having to visit a branch, reducing the processing time, complexity and physical resources used, such as paper.

Furthermore, we also enriched our range of sustainable products by launching the Global ESG Equity Fund (SAM-RVG), our second equity fund based on sustainability criteria and aimed at both the local and global markets. This is the only fund of its kind in the market and has helped position us as a leader in sustainable and responsible investment alternatives among our customers.

During what was a complex year, we reaffirmed our commitment to Mexico and to our programs to support society on a number of different fronts. In terms of our COVID-19 support measures in 2021, which we rolled out in 2020, we donated a total of more than MXN $6.3 million in medical equipment to the Querétaro General Hospital in conjunction with the Santander Foundation.

Meanwhile, as part of our on-going community support programs, we helped create the first nationwide digital platform (CRECIENTE) to coordinate responses to natural disasters, while continuing to make donations, raise funds via our ATM network, and participate in volunteering activities to help drive the well-being of children in Mexico, protect adults living in vulnerable situations, and promote environmental conservation efforts.

In 2021, through partnerships with numerous Civil Society Organizations, we donated more than MXN $125 million, benefitting more than 55,000 people throughout the country. We have spent the past 25 years advocating for the education and training of thousands of students, and in 2021 alone we earmarked more than MXN $90 million for the Higher Education Support Plan. Furthermore, and as part of our commitment to consolidate the financial culture in Mexico, we granted more than 264,000 microloans through Tuiio, our financial inclusion arm, in addition to empowering more than 423,000 people through our financial education initiatives.

The actions I touched upon briefly in the previous paragraphs are the result of solid corporate governance and a clear strategy that focuses on both a global and a local level. It is based on Grupo Santander’s general Responsible Banking strategy, established by the Responsible Banking, Sustainability and Culture Commission, and is underpinned by our participation in a number of UN initiatives, including the Principles of the Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as by the Net-Zero Banking Alliance promoted by the United Nations Environment Programme – Finance Initiative. Our involvement means that we must publicly assume commitments that are closely measured and evaluated by industry experts, Civil Society Organizations and the general public.

Thanks to our strategic corporate sustainability vision, we were included on the S&P/ BMV Total Mexico ESG Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability MILA Pacific Alliance Index for the second consecutive year. We were also the only bank in Mexico to be included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2021 thanks to the advances we have made in our sustainability practices.

There is, without a doubt, still a long way to go, and this means that we must redouble our efforts in our diverse Responsible Banking initiatives. We must also focus on identifying any new needs that arise along the way.

In 2021, we have reached a number of major Responsible Banking milestones, but I am fully aware of the opportunities and challenges we face in order to continue driving the development of our country and of our people. With this in mind, the Board of Directors at Santander Mexico will continue to work decisively and committedly to make our country a better place to live.

Laura Diez Barroso Azcárraga
Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Santander Mexico