SANTO DOMINGO- The Cibao Association announced that it was selected as the winner in the fifth edition of the Catalog of Promising Practices for its Financial Inclusion Program and banking carried out in the communities of Burende and Constanza, La Vega province.
The program's main objective was to build capacity within the population to improve financial habits, understanding basic financial principles that ensure proper and continuous management of financial resources and facilitate access to banking services.
José Luis Ventura, executive president of Asociación Cibao, indicated that the program was managed from the Association's Inclusion Unit and consisted of educational workshops and banking sessions, under a methodology adapted from the "Financial Inclusion Model" implemented by the UNDP office in Mexico.
“In line with our corporate philosophy, which promotes a commitment to sustainable development, and in harmony with the national financial inclusion strategy, we decided to implement this pilot program in communities where we have a brand presence. We believe this initiative strengthens financial literacy skills, promotes access to banking services for vulnerable populations, and contributes to transforming lives and communities,” the executive stated.
The pilot program for Financial Inclusion was implemented in eight communities in the province of La Vega, from November 2022 to February 2024. Key results included the opening of 118 new savings accounts during the program, of which 101 remain active, with accumulated deposits totaling RD$411,659.04 as of September 2025; the opening of bank accounts for 55 participants; and the delivery of 12 financial education workshops, totaling 216 hours of training and benefiting 301 people. Furthermore, the initiative contributed to promoting the autonomy and economic empowerment of 243 women.
The Catalog of Promising Practices, developed by the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP) and the UNDP, recognizes innovative initiatives with social impact and a sustainable approach. The selection of the Cibao Association program demonstrates its relevance and its contribution to strengthening financial inclusion models in the country.
