Banco Contactar to Debut with Sustainable Bond Issuance This Year
John Linares, president of Banco Contactar. Photo: Courtesy
TL;DR
- Banco Contactar began operations on March 1, 2024, building on over 32 years of experience supporting micro-entrepreneurs.
- In 2025, the bank closed with a portfolio of $847,000 million, 96% of which is microcredit, and reduced its non-performing loan rate from 4.4% to 3.74%.
- The bank has over 150,000 clients, disbursed $960,000 million, and maintains 97 offices in 18 departments.
- Its funding sources include impact funds, international financiers, national entities like Bancóldex, and CDs.
- Banco Contactar prioritizes a relational banking model, visiting clients in remote areas rather than relying solely on digital solutions.
- The bank aims for financial inclusion, noting that while 95% of Colombians are 'bankarized' with transactional products, a significant portion lacks credit access.
- 40% of its clients did not have credit elsewhere, and 20% are unique to the bank.
- The bank plans to issue bonds worth approximately $100,000 million this year, focusing on climate risk and gender equality themes.