Felipe García Ascencio – Publimetro México

Los cyber attacks once morest the banks and the Finance system They are a risk latent, which exists and will continue to exist, along with technological advances, said the general director of Santander MexicoFelipe García Ascencio.

During an interview with meter, prior to 87 Banking Conventionwhich will take place this April 18 and 19 in Acapulco, Guerrerothe manager announced that this year Santander will launch Open Bank in the country, “a 100% digital bank”, which will bring a drop in commissions For your customers.

How does the bank arrive at this banking convention?

–– The bank arrives very well, very solid, very strong and with a lot of spirit, because in the second half of the year we are going to launch Open Bank Méxicoa 100% digital bank, which already operates in Germany, Spain, Portugal y Netherlands and it works very well. Customer satisfaction levels are much higher than traditional banks in those markets and it can offer the same to clients in Mexico.

What percentage of customers will be served by Open Bank?

–– I would tell you that 100% of our customers in Mexico and, at this moment, 74% are already digital. There is a very broad level of digital penetration, because people prefer to make a transaction, a pay or a question from your state account in your cell phone; and you can do it all without having to go to the branch offices.

The group has a presence in 30 countries and in 10 it has the same services than in Mexico; In all cases, people want something very simple, very simple and very easy, that is what they value most. If you see what they are doing fintechsour competition and what we do is to provide the client with the banking services and make transactions through mobile phones. Today, 95% of transactions happen on cell phones.

Would this advance mean the disappearance of physical branches?

–– Note that, with the level of penetration bank so low that we still have, it is still used a lot money in cash and I think it’s still going to take a couple of years, if not a little bit longer, before we start to see a significant reduction in branch offices.

Does this digital migration imply a reduction in costs for clients?

–– Yes. To the extent that we achieve more efficiencies through the migration of customers to digital channels, there will be fewer visits to branches, fewer calls to the contact center and less physical services; and all that all that reduction of costsThey will eventually reach the customer and that will make us more competitive.

How much might commissions be reduced on average?

–– It is difficult to put an average of all the products we handle: cards, credits, investors y companies; but if you see the trend of how the commissionshow come rates of interesthow does the margin compare to what you have? Bank of Mexicocosts have been decreasing.

Banking customers are concerned regarding security, what is Santander doing to protect them from a possible cyber attack?

— This is a risk very latentis one of the issues that concerns us the most and, I would tell you, that not only Finance systembut in all companies and everywhere. In Mexico and throughout the world, both public and private entities are vulnerable for there to be a attack.

What do we do? We invest to try to reduce vulnerability as much as possible, to be very well protected and have action plans in case they violate us and, in reality, that is what we can do. It’s a risk that will exist and will continue to exist as we use all this technology.

Have they hired specialized personnel?

–– All teams in Mexico, and in all the countries where it is located Santanderson experts in cybersecurity; They are very good people for those topics. But hey, there is always someone who is at the forefront, and you never know when you might be the one they decide to attack. So you have to be very awake all the time.

“We became fashionable, Mexico is fashionable due to the effect of nearshoring, and we must make the most of it for the good, obviously, of all the people. The more well-paid jobs we have, obviously the better for everyone.”

— Felipe García Ascencio

In economic matters, how is Mexico?

— It is found in a unique momentbecause – due to geopolitical issues – associated with nearshoring y al growth from economyMexico is in the eyes of all investors international. Everyone shows a lot of interest in coming to Mexico, for invest to be able to enter the North American market, which is the largest in the world. world.

What needs to be done to take advantage of that unique opportunity?

–– It is necessary to invest in infrastructureenergy, agua y roads; in education, health y securitybecause these are the issues that most concern investors who are coming to Mexico.

There are also many investors and companies who have been in Mexico for a long time and who are increasing their capacity to be able export and there are also many local Mexican producers who are also increasing their capacity to be able to enter the market. mercado in USA.

From one to 10, how much do we have and how much do we need to take advantage of that opportunity?

–– I hadn’t thought regarding it like that, but let’s say that we are in a seicitoand seven; we have what it takes to 10but also to go to a cinco. So, I hope that whoever comes next administration is very focused on addressing the issues that are priorities for the investmentthat there is clarity in the laws and investment in infrastructure as I told you.

Prudence in monetary politics, fiscal and of indebtednessin recent years, is something that has given him a lot comfort investors to come to Mexico. So, that prudence must be maintained and invested, both the sector public as private. And the banks What we have to do is try to lend, try to accompany in this growthbut the chance What is coming to Mexico is very important.