2022 was a year full of achievements. Not only was it an historic year for the Bank in terms of results, but it was also a year during which we continued consolidating our position as a responsible bank that supports meaningful initiatives, allowing us to do business properly and earn the trust of our stakeholders. All of this has been made possible thanks to the outstanding team of employees we have at Santander Mexico, all of whom reflect our robust Responsible Banking practices.
For a number of years now, we have demonstrated our leadership in areas relating to the adoption of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria in Mexico. As part of our global public commitments, we aim to reach net zero emissions by 2050, not only within our own operations, but also in those of our customers, providing them with the support they need on their transition to a low-carbon economy. To achieve this we have focused on offering our customers access to innovative and sustainable solutions, in addition to providing assistance in this area, such as, for example, through our Sustainable Santander conference, the second edition of which was held in 2022.
As a result of the steps we have taken, over the past several years we have successfully positioned ourselves as one of the leading labelled bond issuers in Mexico. Furthermore, in 2022, we were recognized by Global Finance magazine as an Outstanding Leader in Sustainable Finances in Latin America as a result of our sustainable business practices and the support we offer our customers.
Our focus on rolling out the best sustainability practices and a comprehensive ESG strategy that is aligned with our business has helped position us as one of the country’s leading banks, which has been demonstrated through our inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index MILA Pacific Alliance for the third consecutive year. Moreover, for the second time, in 2022 we were included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook.
In terms of social issues, through Tuiio, our financial inclusion initiative, we strive to generate a positive impact on our communities, offering financial services to people with no access to the financial system. In 2022, we authorized more than 300,000 microloans for our customers, more than 90% of whom were women entrepreneurs. It is thanks to initiatives like these that Grupo Santander was recognized as the Best Global Bank for Financial Inclusion by Euromoney and The Banker.
Our commitment to higher education plays a key role in helping to create a more inclusive and sustainable society. Through Santander Universities we offer education opportunities to young people, in addition to supporting entrepreneurs and innovation in Mexico. In 2022, we increased the variety of scholarships we offer, supporting more than 74,000 students throughout the country through an investment of approximately MXN $86 million.
At Santander, we are happy and proud that Fideicomiso Por los Niños de Mexico, Todos en Santander celebrated its 28th anniversary during 2022. Thanks to this program, we have invested close to MXN $169 million in community investment programs, supporting 893 civil society organizations. This support has helped improve the living conditions of more than 379,000 girls and boys in Mexico, focusing specifically on the areas of education, health and nutrition.
In addition to the support we directly provide to our communities, at Santander we go the extra mile by offering our customers channels through which they can have a positive social impact. In 2022, and thanks to our LikeU credit cards – which allow our customers to support some of the leading social and environmental causes in Mexico – we channeled more than MXN $18 million in donations to help protect forest and marine ecosystems in Mexico, benefitting more than 120,000 people.
Furthermore, at Santander we continue rolling out initiatives and policies that promote a workplace that is free from bias and discrimination and in which all our employees can develop and grow professionally. For example, as a result of our Diversity and Inclusion practices, programs, initiatives and policies, we were awarded the 2022 Best LGBTQ+ Place to Work by Human Rights Campaign.
At Santander, we are proud of how our employees are agents of change within our society. It is thanks to them, their commitment and their hard work that we have been able to create new opportunities, with a vision of not only doing business, but doing business with purpose. I am certain that we are on the right path and that, in 2023, we will continue driving new efforts to help drive the progress of people and companies, building a more inclusive and sustainable Mexico.
Felipe García Ascencio
CEO of Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico