Banco Pichincha: Building inclusion by empowering women entrepreneurs

SME Banking
Q+
08/03/2023Study

Banco Pichincha is Ecuador’s largest private sector bank by capitalization and number of depositors. Founded in 1906, the Bank has a 27% market share, with approximately 4.5 million clients, a portfolio of over $10.5 billion, and deposits of $7.6 billion. It has offices in all of Ecuador’s provinces, as well as Spain, Colombia, Peru, Panama, and the US. 

The Bank provides a range of products and services to meet the needs of the different client segments it serves, including retail, microfinance, SMEs, enterprise and corporations. All of its activities are built around a commitment to society, shareholders, the environment, and gender equity.

Banco Pichincha has been a noteworthy vessel of empowerment and growth for Ecuadorian VSMEs (very, small and medium enterprises) through its non-financial offerings. Aside from offering the necessary tools to manage their finances and expand their businesses, Banco Pichincha offers VSMEs business value through VSME-focused educational resources such as events, programs, and courses. 

The Bank’s ‘Mejor Pyme’ program, for instance, provides its SME clients with free access to practical training on SMEs’ best practices, as well as a space for the cross-selling of products, thereby improving market linkages and enhancing Ecuador’s business structure as well as its SME segment.

In addition to its support of VSMEs, Banco Pichincha has received international recognition for its commitment to women’s economic empowerment. The Bank was the first Ecuadorian lender to subscribe to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principle, which aims to get the private sector involved in efforts to achieve gender equality. 

Moreover, the institution boasts noteworthy initiatives focused on fostering the economic advancement of women. Banco Pichincha has been a member of the Financial Alliance for Women since 2014, and it's been recognized for its inclusive leadership and investment in women and women-led businesses globally. Part of the Bank's value proposition is to serve women microentrepreneurs and entrepreneurs by including the financial needs, preferences, and specific behaviors of women in its business models.

Want to keep reading?

You are trying to access premium content, currently reserved for Qorus members only. See all the benefits of joining the world’s leading peer-to-peer intelligence organization in financial services.

SME Banking community

With Qorus memberships, you gain access to exclusive innovation best practices and tailored matchmaking opportunities with executives who share your challenges.

Related news & insights

Mobility
17/07/2025Article

Capital One’s big bet on the future of mobility

Mobility isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s a gateway to opportunity. In the US, where access...

ESG
10/07/2025Interview

ESG and the future of banking: Česká spořitelna

Petra Ondrušová, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Ondřej Karban, Product Owner ESG Digital Advisory at Česká spořitelna, explain how the Czech...

Mobility
07/07/2025Article

AutoMobility Insights - July 2025 edition

This article offers snapshots of recent events, showing profound changes in the automotive ecosystem. We select snapshots that make these...

ESG
03/07/2025Interview

ESG and the future of banking: Şekerbank

Zeynep Orak Erdemoglu is Sustainable Banking Lead at Şekerbank. In this interview, she discusses how the Turkish bank’s long-standing commitment...

Innovation Awards Hub
30/06/2025Article

Choose the winners of the 2025 Qorus-Infosys Finacle Banking Innovation Awards

Here are the nominees for the 2025 Qorus-Infosys Finacle Banking Innovation Awards. It’s up to you to choose the winners,...

SME Banking
27/06/2025Article

SuperApps give traditional banks an edge in the race for SME clients

By embedding trusted financial services in SuperApp ecosystems, banks can help SMEs overcome long-standing frustrations with conventional banking.

ESG
26/06/2025News

Breaking barriers: How a supermarket receipt connects people to free banking help

PLUS Waalwijk and ABN AMRO test simple solution to bridge the digital divide.

ESG
25/06/2025News

Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne launch eco-conscious home insurance initiative

Financial incentives for sustainable housing choices.