Economic Overview - Colombia's economy grew by 2.6% in 2025, with fourth-quarter GDP growth at 2.3%, driven primarily by private consumption supported by household spending and remittances [2] - Inflation ended 2025 at 5.1%, missing the central bank's target of 3% for the fifth consecutive year, with expectations rising after a 23.7% minimum wage increase for 2026 [1] - The fiscal deficit widened to approximately 6.3% of GDP, with a primary deficit of 3.4% [2] Company Performance - Grupo Cibest reported a net income of COP 3.8 trillion for 2025, reflecting a return on equity (ROE) of 9.1%, impacted by a one-time goodwill impairment of COP 3.4 trillion from the sale of Banistmo [7][9] - Excluding the impairment, net income would have been COP 7.3 trillion, with an ROE of 17.2%, driven by strong operations and improved asset quality [9][10] - The loan portfolio declined by 8.3% year over year, but would have grown by 2.1% absent accounting effects [11] Strategic Developments - The sale of Banistmo for $1.4 billion resulted in significant accounting impacts, but did not affect capital ratios or dividend flows [8][9] - The new holding structure allowed for a proposed dividend of COP 4.3 trillion, with annual dividend growth of 14.6% despite the one-off effects from the Banistmo divestment [21] - Management plans to invest around COP 600 billion in Nequi and COP 50 billion each in Wenia and Wompi, with Nequi expected to be separated as a distinct entity by Q3-Q4 2026 [20][23] Financial Metrics - Loan growth is projected at 7-8% for 2026, with a net interest margin (NIM) of 6.8-7% and a cost of risk of 1.6-1.8% [6][24] - Deposits contracted by 5.2% year over year, but would have expanded by 4.5% absent accounting impacts [14] - Net fee income increased by 4.3% year over year, driven by higher transactional activity and new alliances [17] Digital Transformation - Digital units Nequi and Wompi reached breakeven, with Nequi's loan portfolio up 174% to COP 1.6 trillion and 700,000 clients holding active loans [19] - The average loan ticket for Nequi was COP 2.3 million, with a 90-day past due loan rate of 3.5% [19] - The company is focusing on digital growth, with significant investments planned to enhance its digital offerings [23]

Core Insights - The informal economy's participation is not adequately captured by traditional credit scoring models, which primarily rely on credit history, making it unsuitable for many individuals in the global south [1][4] - Financial exclusion is prevalent not only in developing countries but also in advanced economies, with significant unbanked populations in the US (5.6 million) and the EU (13 million) [3] - The barriers to financial inclusion extend beyond credit history, including cumbersome onboarding processes, limited digital infrastructure, and institutional risk aversion [4][6] Group 1: Financial Exclusion Dynamics - Financial exclusion is driven by a lack of visibility, particularly in developing markets where cash transactions dominate and many individuals work in the informal economy [2][5] - The lack of access to credit prevents unbanked individuals from building credit histories, yet the absence of credit history is not the sole barrier to financial inclusion [5][12] - Digital activity among unbanked individuals presents opportunities for credit access, but traditional lending models fail to leverage this potential [7][8] Group 2: Barriers and Solutions - High-friction onboarding processes and inadequate digital infrastructure hinder access to financial services, especially for rural and low-income urban populations [9][10] - Mobile-first fintech solutions are emerging to bypass traditional systems, offering easier onboarding and alternative verification methods [11] - Collaboration between financial institutions and tech companies is essential to bridge the trust gap and improve visibility into consumers' financial behaviors [15][16] Group 3: Rethinking Creditworthiness - Creditworthiness can be assessed through alternative data sources, such as mobile activity and transaction behavior, rather than solely relying on traditional credit history [14] - Financial institutions must adopt flexible trust models that utilize digital footprints to make informed lending decisions [16] - A redefined approach to creditworthiness can foster an inclusive financial ecosystem, benefiting both consumers and financial institutions globally [16]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income grew nearly 20% quarter-over-quarter and 43% year-over-year, driven by resilient margins and a sharp decline in provision charges [4][28] - Return on equity (ROE) expanded by 288 basis points during the period, reaching 20.4% [5][28] - The standalone double leverage ratio was 106%, indicating strong creditworthiness and room for further leverage [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nominal loan growth was flat during the quarter, but adjusted for effects, loan growth would have reached 1.2% quarter-over-quarter and 5.9% annually [4][14] - Consumer loans were the main driver of growth, with credit card usage and Nequi's performance contributing significantly [14][22] - Mortgages registered strong growth, with an annual increase of 11% [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Colombian economy sustained a recovery with an expected annual growth rate of 2.4% for Q3, consistent with a full-year GDP forecast of 2.6% [10] - Central American operations showed resilience, with El Salvador expected to grow 2.2% and Guatemala projected to expand 3.6% [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is well-positioned to deliver sustained value creation for shareholders through a new corporate structure under a holding company [6] - The share buyback program is progressing well, enhancing ROE performance and boosting key valuation metrics [7][8] - The launch of Nequi is seen as a significant step towards sustained profitability, with expectations of breakeven by Q1 of next year [5][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the importance of a robust digital offer combined with physical presence to manage funding costs effectively [36] - The company anticipates loan growth of approximately 3.5% for 2025, with a net interest margin estimated at 6.5% [30][31] - The cost of risk is expected to be in the range of 1.5-1.7%, indicating continued improvements in asset quality [31] Other Important Information - The company reported a significant reduction in net provisions, amounting to COP 800 billion, a 24% quarterly drop [24][26] - Operating expenses decreased by 2.4% during the quarter, driven by efficiency strategies [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sustainability of funding costs and potential upward revisions to ROE - Management emphasized a structural advantage in managing funding costs through a diverse deposit base and a robust digital offer, with ROE guidance for 2025 around 17% [35][37] Question: Update on presidential elections and efficiency guidance - Management noted that clarity on presidential candidates will improve by January, with efficiency guidance for 2026 set around 50% [42][46] Question: Loan growth breakdown and sustainable levels for new PDL - Loan growth for 2026 is guided at 7%, with consumer loans expected to grow around 10% [54][58] Question: Model recalibration and tax rates - The model recalibration reflects improved credit risk across all countries, with an effective tax rate for Grupo Cibest around 28% [64][66] Question: Buyback program and Nequi's profitability roadmap - Management expressed satisfaction with the buyback program's progress and highlighted Nequi's strong performance, expecting profitability in 2026 [78][81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income grew nearly 20% quarter-over-quarter and 43% year-over-year, driven by resilient margins and a sharp decline in provision charges [4][28] - Return on equity (ROE) expanded by 288 basis points during the period, reaching 20.4% [5][28] - The standalone double leverage ratio was 106%, indicating strong creditworthiness and room for further leverage [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nominal loan growth was flat during the quarter, but adjusted for effects, loan growth would have reached 1.2% quarter-over-quarter and 5.9% annually [4][12] - Consumer loans were the main driver of growth, with credit card usage stimulated by marketing campaigns [12][22] - Mortgages registered strong growth, with an annual increase of 11% [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Colombian economy sustained a recovery with an expected annual growth rate of 2.4% for the third quarter [9] - Economic activity in Central America showed resilience, with El Salvador expected to grow 2.2% and Guatemala projected to expand 3.6% [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is well-positioned to deliver sustained value creation for shareholders, supported by a new corporate structure under a holding company [5][30] - The share buyback program is progressing well, enhancing ROE performance and boosting key valuation metrics [6][28] - The launch of Nequi is seen as a significant step towards sustained profitability, with expectations of breakeven by Q1 of next year [5][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the effectiveness of the business model and operational capabilities in navigating a competitive market [4] - The company anticipates continued improvements in asset quality and a stable cost of risk, with projections for loan growth revised to approximately 3.5% for 2025 [30][31] - The cost of risk is expected to be in the range of 1.5-1.7%, indicating ongoing improvements [31] Other Important Information - The company processed approximately 70 million transactions amounting to COP 7.2 trillion in flows within the new digital key system [8] - The asset quality continued to improve, with a significant reduction in past due loans and a 24% quarterly drop in net provisions [24][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sustainability of funding costs and potential upward revisions to ROE - Management emphasized a structural advantage in funding costs due to a robust digital offer and physical presence, with guidance for ROE around 17% for 2025 [33][34] Question: Update on presidential elections and efficiency guidance - Management noted that clarity on candidates will improve by January, with efficiency guidance for 2026 set around 50% [37][40] Question: Loan growth breakdown and sustainable levels for new past due loans - Loan growth for 2026 is projected at 7%, with consumer loans expected to grow around 10% [42][44] Question: Model recalibration and tax rates - The model recalibration reflects improved credit risk across all countries, with an effective tax rate for Grupo Bancolombia around 28% [48][49] Question: Buyback program and Nequi's profitability roadmap - The buyback program is progressing well, and Nequi is expected to achieve profitability in 2026, with a strong performance in its loan book [56][58]

Grupo Cibest Overview - Grupo Cibest's assets reached $375 billion, with liabilities of $333 billion and equity of $41 billion[4] - The group serves over 33 million clients and employs 33,993 individuals[4] - The company's Return on Equity (ROE) stands at 175% and Double Leverage at 105%[4] Strategic Business Model - Bancolombia S A is the leading financial institution in Colombia, serving over 16 million customers with a market share of 28% in gross loans and 26% in deposits[15] - Bancoagrícola is the largest financial institution in El Salvador, serving over 17 million customers with a market share of 25% in gross loans and deposits[10] - Banistmo is the second largest financial institution in Panama, serving over 557,619 customers with a market share of 8% in gross loans and deposits[11] - Grupo Agromercantil Holding (GAH) is the fourth largest financial institution in Guatemala, serving 617,819 clients with a market share of 10% in gross loans and 8% in deposits[9] Financial Performance 2Q25 - Total gross loans increased by 44% year-over-year and 04% quarter-over-quarter[44] - Total deposits increased by 96% year-over-year and 24% quarter-over-quarter[66] - Net Interest Margin (NIM) is at 66%[24] - The efficiency ratio is 507%[24]