BRAZIL

It recently disclosed its corporate governance policy and increased by 15% its monthly dividends, which it has been distributing on a monthly basis since 1970. A share buy-back programme was launched last May, which enabled the group to repurchase up to 1.6% of its free float.

Bradesco is focused on enhancing profitability and returns, while improving its efficiency ratio. The group’s stated aim is to maintain tight cost control, maximising the synergy gains from acquisitions of banks, and reducing operating costs by means of investments in technology, which decreases the costs of transactions.

“Our strategy has been based on sustainability, transparency and best corporate governance and corporate social responsibility practices,” says CEO Márcio Cypriano. “Over the past years, we have continually improved shareholders’ value and followed an aggressive pay-out policy. In addition to that, we have proceeded with selective acquisitions of companies. Our efforts resulted in a substantial increase in Bradesco’s market capitalisation. We strive to expand net interest income, expanding our loan portfolio and fees, by continuously increasing the client base and product per customer ratio.

“With regard to the sustainability of our company and improving the long-term return of our stockholders, we adhered to the Global Compact and to the Equator Principles and were chosen to participate in the Corporate Sustainability Index of the São Paulo Stock Exchange. Last year, the bank’s shares outperformed the market, soaring 117.5% vis-à-vis 27.7% for the index.”