Grupo Santander
Since entering Chile in 1978, Banco Santander Chile has become a leading financial institution. With 259 branches and over four million customers, the bank is recognized for its strong economic performance and profitability. Banco Santander Chile also caters to more than two million digital customers, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and service excellence. The bank’s success is rooted in a strategy focused on financial specialization, effective risk management, and active market participation, all supported by Grupo Santander’s extensive international network.
The partnership between Evertec and Grupo Santander began in 1996 with the implementation of the Automated Clearing Center (CCA), which enabled electronic payments between banks and set the foundation for mass payment processing and electronic funds transfers (EFT). Over the years, Evertec has played a pivotal role in developing advanced technological solutions that have diversified and improved the financial services Grupo Santander offers in the region. This collaboration has reinforced Evertec’s position as a leader in the financial industry, showcasing its ability to adapt to and meet the evolving demands of the fintech market.
Technological
and Security Challenges
From the beginning, the partnership between Evertec and Grupo Santander has encountered significant technical challenges, particularly in technology and security. The rapid increase in digital financial transactions has necessitated solutions that ensure agility, efficiency, and security. In response, Evertec has introduced several innovations, such as the REI system for ATM management, electronic pension payment solutions, and multi-bank debit models. These initiatives have enhanced Grupo Santander’s customer experience and established both companies as leaders in the digital transformation of the region’s financial sector.
In 2020, Getnet achieved notable milestones. It established the Santander Getnet Chile S.A. Payment Card Operator in May and launched a pilot program in September. Throughout the year, Getnet received authorization from the Comisión para el Mercado Financiero (CMF) to operate in January and began commercializing its services in February. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, by March, the company had onboarded 10,000 merchants. By September, the number of point-of-sale (POS) terminals sold had reached 41,000, distributed across more than 30,000 merchants nationwide. By October, Getnet had 37,000 clients, and by the end of the year, it had acquired over 68,000 merchants, generating 3 billion CLP in commission revenues.
The company initially projected onboarding 20,000 merchants by 2021 but far exceeded this goal. “Our target for 2021 was to reach 25,000 merchants, but we surpassed 56,000,” stated Cristián Peirano Novoa, Getnet’s president in 2021. Today, the company operates in 99% of the national territory, including Easter Island and the Juan Fernández archipelago
Grupo Santander
Stands Out in the Market
The entrance of a new acquirer into the market created fresh opportunities for Grupo Santander, spurring national economic growth and enhancing Evertec’s presence in the region. With Evertec’s robust technological solutions, Grupo Santander quickly established itself by offering high-quality payment processing services. This attracted over 4,000 large companies for card payment processing and connected over 50,000 merchants within the first year, 93% of them being SMEs, entrepreneurs, and local businesses. That same year, Getnet expanded its reach to cover 97% of Chilean municipalities, providing nationwide access to innovative financial services.
In 2023, an agreement was made to implement solutions for managing over 2,000 Banco Santander ATMs in Chile. This further solidified both companies’ operational efficiency and presence in the region, reaffirming their commitment to continuous innovation and excellence in financial services.
Evertec and Grupo Santander remain focused on innovation and the constant improvement of their services. Their ability to quickly adapt to market demands and anticipate emerging challenges will be crucial in maintaining their leadership in the fintech sector. This strategic collaboration has fostered economic and social growth in Latin America, paved the way for new opportunities, and expanded their influence in the regional financial landscape.
| Challenge | Solution | |
|---|---|---|
|
1996 |
Initiate services to operate with the CCA (local ACH) and manage mass payments and EFT transactions. |
Implementation of a mass payment and electronic funds transfer (EFT) system. |
|
1997 |
Manage ATMs with Redbank. |
Implementation of the REI system for managing ATMs. |
|
1998 |
Manage financial and factoring systems. |
Develop finance and administration systems for factoring and confirming, as well as design a bank securitization system. |
|
1999 |
Facilitate electronic pension payments. |
Provide electronic pension payment services and complete migration to Previred. |
|
2000 |
Enable a multi-bank debit model. |
Enablement of the CCA (local ACH) multi-bank debit model. |
|
2001 |
Enhance payment and collection systems for businesses. |
Payment and collection systems for IATA businesses, including BPO services. |
|
2003 |
Provide hosting and housing services. |
Hosting and housing services for Universia, PSU support, etc. |
|
2004 |
Implement mass payments and EFT with Banco Santiago. |
Implement mass payments, PAC, and EFT, including BPO services. |
|
2005 |
Improve the online payment experience. |
Implementation of a new payment button, including BPO services. |
|
2013 |
Optimize collections for Santander Consumer. |
Collections Hub System for Santander Consumer. |
|
2016 |
Detect fraud effectively. |
Omnichannel fraud detection solution through Risk Center Issuer. |
|
2019 |
Provide an integrated acquiring solution. |
Comprehensive acquiring solution for Chile via the Paystudio platform, including eCommerce (Placetopay), fraud management, recurring charges, and more. |
|
2021 |
Expand acquiring solutions to additional countries. |
Launch of GetNet – Comprehensive acquiring solution for Uruguay, including eCommerce, fraud management, recurring charges, and more. |
|
2022 |
Update collection solutions. |
Upgrade collection solutions to the latest available versions. |
|
2023 |
Expand payment and collection services to Colombia. |
Implement a collections hub and business solutions integrated with the Placetopay gateway. |
This achievement has been made possible thanks to Grupo Santander's long-standing trust in Evertec. It is also due to the expertise of our team members, their specialized knowledge, and, fundamentally, their attitude and dedication, which provide us with a significant differentiating factor.
The strategic collaboration between Evertec and Grupo Santander has led to significant milestones that have marked a turning point in the financial industry in Latin America. In 2013, the implementation of the collections hub system for Santander Consumer significantly optimized collection processes. In 2021, one of the most notable achievements was the successful market launch of acquiring services through Getnet. Working hand in hand, Evertec and Grupo Santander challenged the existing ecosystem and diversified the payment processing market in Chile, offering innovative solutions that transformed the financial industry.