A little over a year ago, what Banorte called a “generational change” took place: experienced banker Guillermo Ortiz stepped down as chairman of the financial group’s board of directors to make way for Carlos Hank González, a young businessman with banking and politics running through his veins.

On the occasion of the 79th Banking Convention, the grandson of Banorte’s founder, Roberto González Barrera, and PRI politician Carlos Hank González spoke with MILENIO, and without hesitation expressed that despite the challenges and a year that looks challenging, he remains realistically optimistic about Mexico, due to the strength of its economic fundamentals.

The chairman of the board of Grupo Financiero Banorte is aware that Mexico has not managed to take the next step and exploit its true potential; however, he emphasizes that two things are needed to achieve this: first, to give time for structural reforms to mature, and second, for Mexicans themselves to believe that they have the capacity to reach those levels.

Being at the helm of Banorte is a huge responsibility, because it is an institution with a very important tradition in Mexico, especially since it is now the largest national financial group. But I think that what we have rediscovered this year is precisely that awareness that we are the most important bank for Mexicans. That is a competitive advantage that also gives us a great responsibility toward our users, because it helps us develop better products. In short, I would say that what we have achieved is to renew our commitment to being Mexico’s strongest bank.

What are your plans for 2016?

I believe that the most important challenge is to transition to technological evolution. We have invested very aggressively in this area, especially in a project we are working on with IBM, which will allow us not only to better understand our customers’ needs, but also to offer them more and better ways to serve them, and above all, at a lower price.

Read: https://www.milenio.com/negocios/lograr-potencial-mexico-creersela-carlos-hank-gonzalez