Banco Guayaquil

What Banco Guayaquil does

Banco Guayaquil S.A. is a privately held Ecuadorian commercial bank headquartered in Guayaquil, founded in 1923, operating a retail and SME banking franchise nationally. The bank serves four primary customer segments — retail individuals, small and medium enterprises (PyMEs), microbusinesses via microcredit, and corporate clients — through a hybrid distribution model that combines a mobile-first digital platform with an extensive physical network of over 19,000 Banco del Barrio agent locations, more than 20,000 ATMs, and traditional branch offices. Its core product portfolio spans deposit accounts (Cuenta de Ahorros, Cuenta Corriente, Cuenta Amiga), a full credit card suite across American Express, Visa, and Mastercard networks, and a diversified lending book including personal loans (Multicr\u00e9dito), microcredit, mortgages (Casaf\u00e1cil), auto loans (Autof\u00e1cil), and educational credit (Cr\u00e9dito Educativo), all interconnected through the proprietary Peigo digital wallet and the 4.8-rated mobile app.

The technology backbone is a mobile-first digital banking platform with facial-recognition-based account opening, virtual debit card issuance, contactless NFC payments, and integrations with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Supporting infrastructure includes real-time merchant payment links (Link de Pago), group payment features (C\u00edrculos), automated savings goals (Metas) at 5.05% interest, fixed-term investment policies (P\u00f3liza de Inversi\u00f3n), and analytics tooling spanning Google Analytics, HubSpot, and Microsoft Clarity. The bank holds an exclusive American Express issuance license in Ecuador, enabling access to a 80,000+ merchant acceptance network and international cardholder benefits including Priority Pass, Membership Rewards, and AAdvantage/LifeMiles programs. Peigo, a wholly owned subsidiary, serves as the digital wallet extension and the receiving rail for the F\u00e9lix US-to-Ecuador remittance corridor launched in 2026.

Revenue is generated primarily through interest income from the consumer and commercial loan book, supplemented by transaction and service fees (inter-bank transfers at $0.35, Banco del Barrio withdrawals at $0.31, debit card issuance at $4.89, annual card service fees at $1.81), insurance distribution commissions through the Chubb Seguros partnership, and card-based interchange. The bank employs 1,001–5,000 staff, maintains a horizontal segmentation approach spanning mass-market to corporate, and earned the 2025 Bank of the Year recognition in Ecuador. Recent strategic emphasis has shifted toward digital ecosystem expansion, cross-border remittances, sustainable aquaculture financing via the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership, and premium cardholder experiences.

Name

Banco Guayaquil

Legal name

BANCO GUAYAQUIL S. A.

Website

https://bancoguayaquil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Banco Guayaquil is a privately held Ecuadorian commercial bank founded in 1923 that provides retail, SME, microcredit, and corporate banking through a hybrid model combining a 4.8-rated mobile app with over 19,000 Banco del Barrio agents, 20,000+ ATMs, and full American Express, Visa, and Mastercard card issuance across Ecuador.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211), Credit Card Issuing (52221)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass-Market Consumer Deposit Banking (Checking/Savings) (FSABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credit Cards & Revolving Credit (FSABAAAC), SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs) (FSABABAC), International / Multi-Currency Wallets (FSAMAEAL)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Consumer credit products
• Digital payment solutions
• Agent banking network
• Microfinance lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Guayaquil

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Loans: Primary revenue stream from consumer lending including personal loans, mortgages, and business credit products. Interest rates vary by product type.
2. Transaction and Service Fees: Fees from inter-bank transfers, account maintenance services, and various banking transactions including Banco del Barrio withdrawals
3. Card Services: Revenue from debit card issuance and annual service fees for card maintenance and usage
4. Insurance Partnerships: Revenue from insurance product distribution through partnership with Chubb Seguros

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Banco Guayaquil is a full-service Ecuadorian commercial bank offering personal and business deposit accounts, consumer and commercial credit products (personal loans, mortgages, auto, education, microcredit, working capital), debit and credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, and exclusive American Express issuance), digital payments via the proprietary Peigo wallet, and insurance distribution through Chubb Seguros. Services are delivered through a hybrid model that combines a digital-first mobile app (4.8 rating from 91,700+ reviews) with the country's largest physical access network, including over 19,000 Banco del Barrio agents and 20,000+ ATMs.

Product overview

Banco Guayaquil operates as a multi-channel Ecuadorian bank offering a unified platform combining retail banking, credit products, digital payments, and agent banking services. The core product portfolio centers on deposit accounts (Cuenta de Ahorros, Cuenta Corriente, Cuenta Amiga) paired with the Mastercard Debit and Virtual card ecosystem, complemented by an extensive credit suite including Multicrédito (personal loans), Microcrédito (microbusiness financing), Casafácil (mortgages), Autofácil (auto loans), and Crédito Educativo (student loans). Payment capabilities are enhanced through proprietary and network-branded credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard), digital wallet Peigo, group payment feature Círculos, and payment link infrastructure. The Banco del Barrio agent network extends services to underserved regions with over 19,000 locations. Digital channels include the award-winning mobile app with 4.8 rating and web banking platform supporting 100% online account opening, loan applications, and account management. Interest-bearing products include Póliza de Inversión fixed deposits and Metas automated savings goals. All products are interconnected through the bank's digital ecosystem, allowing customers to manage accounts, make payments, access credit, and track finances through a single app.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Peigo: Digital wallet backed by Banco Guayaquil for mobile payments and financial services
• Banco del Barrio
• Banca Virtual
• Escuela Magenta
• Círculos

Products and services

• Cuenta de Ahorros Basic savings account with a Mastercard Debit card for daily banking, online purchases, and ATM access across more than 10,000 machines nationwide. Zero maintenance cost with competitive interest rates. Targeted at individual retail customers seeking everyday banking.
• Cuenta Corriente Current account for business owners providing checkbook access, overdraft options, and a Mastercard Debit card for debit transactions from the account. Targeted at SMEs and corporate clients.
• Cuenta Amiga No-cost basic account opened at Banco del Barrio agents enabling cash deposits up to USD 200 daily, withdrawals up to USD 300, and receipt of international remittances from over 200 countries. Designed for financial inclusion and microbusiness/individual customers in underserved areas.
• Póliza de Inversión Fixed-term deposit (depósito a plazo fijo) offering 100% online contracting from USD 100 minimum with terms from 31 to 720 days, earning interest rates from 3.45% to 5% depending on term length. Targeted at retail and business savers seeking higher-yield placements.
• Metas (Savings Goals) Automated savings goal feature within the app allowing users to set personalized targets with automatic weekly, biweekly, or monthly debits, earning 5.05% annual interest with no withdrawal penalties. Targeted at retail customers building savings habits.
• Mastercard Debit (Physical) Physical debit card available in Classic, Evolution, and Avanti variants with daily ATM withdrawal limits from USD 500 to USD 1,000, contactless payment capability, and digital wallet compatibility. Targeted at retail account holders.
• Mastercard Debit Virtual Digital-only debit card instantly available in the app upon account opening at zero cost, with contactless payment support and Apple Pay/Google Pay wallet integration. Targeted at digital-first retail customers.
• Multicrédito Personal consumption loan ranging from USD 2,000 to USD 100,000 with terms up to 60 months, 15.6% referential interest rate, and 100% online application and disbursement. Targeted at retail and SME borrowers.
• Microcrédito Business microfinance loan from USD 1,000 to USD 150,000 for entrepreneurs with annual sales up to USD 300,000, offering terms from 12 to 48 months and 48-hour response time. Targeted at microbusiness owners and SMEs.
• Casafácil Mortgage product financing up to 80% of property value for new homes with terms up to 25 years, including construction, used homes, vacation properties, land, offices, and remodeling. Targeted at retail home buyers.
• Autofácil Vehicle financing covering new and heavy vehicles with up to 84-month terms, 80% financing of vehicle value, customizable interest rates adjusted every 90 days, and Chubb insurance integration. Targeted at retail and commercial vehicle buyers.
• Crédito Educativo Student loan financing up to USD 20,000 for national studies and USD 30,000 for international studies, with up to 24 months grace period during study and 5-year repayment term. Targeted at students and their families.
• American Express Credit Cards Exclusive American Express credit card portfolio including Classic, Gold, and Platinum variants with Consumption and Credit modalities, plus AAdvantage and LifeMiles frequent flyer programs. Targeted at retail consumers seeking premium international payment solutions.
• Mastercard Credit Cards Mastercard credit card offerings including Classic and Platinum tiers with Plan Privilegios rewards program, global acceptance, and travel benefits including MasterRental and MasterAssist coverage. Targeted at retail consumers.
• Visa Credit Cards Visa credit card products with global acceptance for local and international purchases, installment options, and exclusive promotions. Targeted at retail consumers.
• Peigo Digital Wallet Digital wallet backed by Banco Guayaquil for mobile payments, money transfers, and remittance reception from international sources including the United States via the Félix partnership. Targeted at retail consumers and merchants.
• Banco del Barrio Agent Network Agent banking network with over 19,000 locations enabling basic banking services including deposits, withdrawals, bill payments, and account opening in underserved areas across Ecuador. Targeted at retail consumers and microbusinesses without access to traditional branches.
• Giros (Remittances) Domestic and international money transfer and remittance service enabling cash pickup at Banco del Barrio locations or credit to account. Targeted at retail customers receiving remittances, especially from the United States via Félix.
• Link de Pago Payment link feature enabling merchants to create shareable payment URLs for card collection via social media or WhatsApp, with funds deposited within 24 hours. Targeted at SMEs, merchants, and independent sellers.
• Seguros (via Chubb Seguros) Insurance products including travel, health, life, desgravamen, and business coverage offered through the Chubb Seguros partnership, accessible via the bank's insurance portal. Targeted at retail and business customers seeking bundled financial protection.
• Calculadoras Financieras Suite of online financial calculators including savings goal planner, income tax calculator, severance calculator, 50/30/20 budget planner, and debt capacity analyzer. Targeted at retail customers managing personal finances.
• Soluciones de Pago (Debt Relief) Debt restructuring solutions including novation, refinancing, and reorganization options for customers with delinquent payments to consolidate obligations under a single monthly payment. Targeted at retail and SME borrowers in financial difficulty.
• Círculos Group payment and expense-splitting feature within the app enabling users to create circles with friends, family, or colleagues for real-time money requests, transfers, and payment tracking. Targeted at retail consumers managing shared expenses.

Quantifiable outcome

• App rating of 4.8 from 91,700 reviews demonstrates high customer satisfaction with digital banking experience
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration26 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanco Guayaquil joined the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership as an associate member, supporting sustainable aquaculture practices in Ecuador's shrimp industry. This partnership demonstrates the bank's commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible business practices in the agricultural sector.
• Félix (Remittance Service)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanco Guayaquil and Félix partnered to launch a new way to receive remittances from the United States in Ecuador. This partnership enables customers to receive cross-border money transfers conveniently through Banco Guayaquil's network. Additionally, Félix works with Peigo, the virtual wallet backed by Banco Guayaquil.
• Chubb SeguroscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChubb Seguros serves as Banco Guayaquil's insurance ally, providing insurance products to bank customers. This partnership allows Banco Guayaquil to offer comprehensive financial services including insurance protection products alongside its core banking offerings.
• American ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanco Guayaquil issues American Express cards in Ecuador, enabling the bank to serve customers seeking international payment solutions. The partnership includes a merchant network of over 80,000 merchants accepting American Express in Ecuador, with promotional alliances such as the one with Club Rancho San Francisco.
• Peigo (Virtual Wallet)coreTechnology or IntegrationPeigo is a virtual wallet backed by Banco Guayaquil, providing digital payment services to customers. The wallet integrates with the Félix remittance service, allowing users to receive international transfers directly into their Peigo digital wallet for convenient access to funds.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Banco Pichincha: Ecuador's largest private bank and Banco Guayaquil's most direct competitor, offering a comparable suite of retail, SME, and corporate banking products with its own extensive agent and branch network across the country.
• Banco del Pacífico: Major Ecuadorian commercial bank with overlapping retail, SME, and corporate offerings; competes head-to-head with Banco Guayaquil in deposits, lending, and digital banking within Ecuador.
• Produbanco (Grupo Promerica): Ecuadorian commercial bank offering retail and corporate banking, part of the regional Promerica group; comparable in product breadth and target segments to Banco Guayaquil.
• Banco Bolivariano: Ecuadorian commercial bank serving retail, SME, and corporate customers with nationwide presence; competes directly with Banco Guayaquil in deposits, lending, and digital channels.
• Banco Internacional: Ecuadorian commercial bank offering retail, SME, and corporate banking services; directly comparable in geography, customer segments, and product mix to Banco Guayaquil.
• BanEcuador: State-owned Ecuadorian bank focused on microfinance, SME, and rural lending; overlaps significantly with Banco Guayaquil's microcredit and financial-inclusion product lines.
• Banco Solidario: Ecuadorian institution specializing in microfinance and SME lending; competes most directly with Banco Guayaquil's Microcrédito and Banco del Barrio distribution strategy.

Emerging players

• NuBank: Leading LatAm neobank expanding into multiple markets; represents the digital-first, low-fee competitive threat that could challenge traditional banks like Banco Guayaquil in urban deposit and card segments.

Broad incumbents

• Bancolombia: Large diversified Andean banking group operating across Colombia and with growing regional presence; comparable in offering breadth (retail, SME, corporate, digital) and a relevant scale benchmark.
• BBVA Ecuador: Subsidiary of global bank BBVA serving retail and corporate customers in Ecuador; competes with Banco Guayaquil in deposits, cards, and digital banking as a regional incumbent with broader group capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BancoGuayaquil
• Instagraminstagram.com/bancoguayaquil
• Xx.com/BancoGuayaquil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Banco Guayaquil