BANCO POPULAR SA

What BANCO POPULAR SA does

Banco Popular S.A. is a Colombian commercial bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Grupo Aval, the country's largest financial conglomerate. It serves three segments — individual consumers (Personas Naturales, including salaried workers, pensioners served via Club Plateado, and payroll clients), small and medium enterprises (Pymes) plus larger corporates, and government entities — through 165 physical branches, more than 90,000 banking correspondents, over 2,700 ATMs in the Red Aval shared network, and a growing digital stack comprising the App Banca Móvil, Portal Transaccional, Portal Empresarial, the dale! digital wallet, WhatsApp banking, and Bre-B instant-payment integration. The product portfolio spans savings (Cuenta de Ahorros, CDT Ganador, CDT Digital, Bolsillos), credit (Tarjeta de Crédito Visa, Tarjeta Débito, Crédito de Libranza Prestayá, Crédito de Vivienda, Crédito Libre Destino), corporate services (Cash Management, Leasing Financiero, Créditos de Fomento, Comercio Exterior, Mesa de Dinero, Pasarela Aval PAY, Webservice API), and insurance distribution through Bancaseguros, with regulatory oversight by the Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia and deposit insurance via Fogafín.

The bank generates revenue from net interest income on its lending book (credit cards, personal loans, mortgage loans, payroll/libranza loans, corporate credit, and leasing), fees and commissions on account services, transactions, and insurance distribution, and treasury operations through deposit-taking (savings, checking, term deposits) and money-market activities. Go-to-market is hybrid: physical branches plus the correspondent network handle cash and advisory-intensive sales, while digital channels handle self-service account opening, transfers, Bre-B instant payments, and WhatsApp-based servicing. Pricing is mass-market and product-led, with CDT yields up to 12.60% E.A., savings yields of 9–9.5% E.A., and fee-free payroll and senior accounts, supplemented by promotional campaigns and merchant co-marketing (Arturo Calle, Despegar, On Vacation) for credit and debit card activation. Recent 2025–2026 activity is concentrated on digital product launches (dale! wallet, CDT Digital, Bolsillos), the Oficinas Exprés digital-branch format, and expansion of WhatsApp into a transactional channel integrated with Bre-B.

Name

BANCO POPULAR SA

Legal name

Banco Popular S.A.

Website

https://bancopopular.com.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Banco Popular S.A. is a Colombian commercial bank and Grupo Aval subsidiary serving individuals, SMEs, corporates, and government entities through 165 branches, 90,000+ banking correspondents, 2,700+ ATMs, and digital channels including mobile app, Bre-B instant payments, dale! wallet, and WhatsApp banking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSABABAC

SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs)

Financial & Insurance/Banking (Commerical, Retail & Consumer)/Commercial Banking (SME & Middle Market)

SECONDARYFSABAAAA

Mass-Market Consumer Deposit Banking (Checking/Savings)

Financial & Insurance/Banking (Commerical, Retail & Consumer)/Retail Banking

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Commercial banking
• Savings accounts
• Digital payments
• Corporate cash management

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Traditional banking revenue from interest charged on loans including credit cards, personal loans, mortgage loans, and payroll loans (libranza). Interest rates vary by product, with CDT rates up to 12.60% E.A. for investors.
2. Fee and Commission Income: Revenue from banking fees including account management fees, transaction fees, service commissions, and insurance (bancaseguros) product distribution.
3. Deposit Taking: Accepting deposits from customers including savings accounts, current accounts, and term deposits (CDTs) as a funding base for lending operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Banco Popular S.A. is a Colombian commercial bank offering retail and corporate banking products including savings accounts, term deposits (CDT), credit cards, payroll-backed, mortgage and personal loans, cash management, financial leasing, foreign trade services, treasury (Mesa de Dinero), insurance distribution, and digital payment solutions such as Bre-B instant payments, the dale! digital wallet, and Tag Aval toll collection. The bank serves individual consumers, Pymes/large enterprises, and government entities across Colombia through 165 branches, 90,000+ banking correspondents, and 2,700+ ATMs in the Red Aval network.

Product overview

Banco Popular is a Colombian commercial bank offering a comprehensive financial services platform. The core banking infrastructure consists of the Portal Empresarial (corporate banking platform), App Banca Móvil (mobile banking), and Portal Transaccional (retail online banking). The personal banking product suite includes savings products (Cuenta de Ahorros, CDT Ganador, CDT Digital, Bolsillos) and credit products (Tarjeta de Crédito Visa, Tarjeta Débito, Crédito de Libranza Prestayá, Crédito de Vivienda, Crédito Libre Destino). Digital payment innovations include Bre-B instant payments, Billetera Digital dale!, and Tag Aval toll collection. Corporate services encompass Cash Management, Leasing Financiero, Créditos de Fomento, Comercio Exterior, Mesa de Dinero, Pasarela Aval PAY, and Webservice API. The bank also operates Club Plateado for customers over 50 and provides WhatsApp-based banking for customer service and statement delivery. The architecture follows a platform-plus-modules approach where the core banking systems support both retail and corporate segments through web, mobile, and API channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• dale!: Digital wallet for mobile payments
• Club Plateado

Products and services

• Cuenta de Ahorros (Savings Account) Savings account products for individuals including Cuenta Plateada with 9% E.A. interest, Cuenta Nómina with 9.5% E.A. and free unlimited withdrawals/transfers, and Cuenta Pensión for retirees with no management fee.
• CDT Ganador Fixed-term deposit investment product with competitive interest rates up to 12.60% E.A. and monthly interest payments over 4-year terms for individual investors.
• CDT Digital Digital fixed-term deposit product available through online channels with easy account opening and competitive rates up to 12.60% E.A.
• Bolsillos (Pockets) Savings sub-account feature that compartmentalizes money with 9.5% E.A. interest rate and daily interest accrual for account holders.
• Tarjeta de Crédito Visa Visa credit cards for individuals with promotional campaigns, cash back offers, FIFA World Cup themed promotions and merchant discounts.
• Tarjeta Débito Debit card for ATM withdrawals, POS purchases, and promotional campaigns including FIFA World Cup themed competitions.
• Crédito de Libranza Prestayá Salary-backed loan product where repayments are automatically deducted from payroll or pension for employees whose employers have agreements with the bank.
• Crédito de Vivienda Mortgage loan product for home financing with competitive rates and extended repayment terms for individuals.
• Crédito Libre Destino Personal loan for any purpose with flexible use and repayment terms for individuals.
• Bre-B Instant Payments Instant payment system enabling 24/7 real-time money transfers using phone numbers (llaves) as identifiers, accessible via mobile app and WhatsApp.
• Billetera Digital dale! Digital wallet application for mobile money transfers and payments, enabling users to send and receive funds digitally.
• Tag Aval Electronic toll collection system integrated with Bre-B for automatic motorway and bridge toll payments.
• Seguros y Protección Insurance products and protection services including life, property, and financial protection products distributed through Bancaseguros.
• Club Plateado Exclusive membership program for customers aged 50+ offering benefits including gym access, virtual chef, courses, and entertainment content.
• Portal Empresarial Comprehensive online banking platform for corporate clients enabling transaction management, cash management, and business banking operations.
• Cash Management Corporate treasury management suite including savings and investment accounts, collections (Recaude su Dinero), payment services, and SWIFT international transfers.
• Leasing Financiero Financial leasing services for business clients for equipment, real estate, and other capital acquisitions.
• Créditos de Fomento Development loans and subsidized credit programs for businesses including working capital financing.
• Comercio Exterior International trade services including letters of credit, documentary collections, and foreign exchange services for import/export operations.
• Mesa de Dinero Treasury and money market services for corporate clients including currency exchange and investment services.
• Pasarela Aval PAY E-commerce payment gateway enabling businesses to accept online payments through multiple channels.
• Webservice API Programmatic banking API for corporate clients enabling transaction automation and enterprise system integration.
• App Banca Móvil Mobile banking application for iOS and Android providing account access, transfers, payments, and Bre-B instant payment functionality including WhatsApp integration.
• WhatsApp Banking Service Banking services delivered through WhatsApp including balance inquiries, transaction notifications, encrypted PDF statement delivery, and Bre-B instant transfers with OTP authentication.

Quantifiable outcome

• 950,000+ customers served
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grupo AvalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanco Popular is a subsidiary of Grupo Aval, Colombia's largest financial conglomerate. This relationship provides strategic direction, shared services, and integration within the Aval banking network including shared ATM network (Red Aval) with over 2,700 ATMs and 90,000+ banking correspondents.
• Avia Marketing S.A.S.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTourism operator responsible for organizing travel services for promotional campaigns, specifically handling the Munich, Germany trip prize including flights, hotel, tours, and the Luis Diaz experience as part of FIFA-related campaigns.
• DespegarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel agency partner offering promotional deals for Banco Popular credit card holders including 0% interest installments and up to 20% discounts on hotels, flights, and vacation packages.
• On VacationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel booking partner offering discounts of up to 10% for Banco Popular debit and credit card holders on national and international hotel reservations.
• Arturo CalleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClothing retailer partnership offering 20% discount for Banco Popular debit and credit card holders on Arturo Calle and Arturo Calle Woman products.
• Movistar ArenaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConcert venue partnership for promotional activities including Rosalía Lux Tour 2026 campaign with Banco Popular, where the bank organizes promotional dynamics at venue entrance.
• Assist CardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational medical assistance provider included in promotional travel prizes, offering coverage up to USD 60,000 for eligible travelers under 70 years old.
• Club PlateadominorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive loyalty club for customers aged 50+ offering benefits including gym memberships, virtual chef services, courses, and merchant discounts as part of retirement-focused banking.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bancolombia: Colombia's largest bank offering full-service retail, commercial, and corporate banking with a similar mix of branches, digital channels, and correspondent networks. Closest direct competitor to Banco Popular across segments.
• Davivienda: Major Colombian commercial bank with retail deposits, mortgages, consumer credit, and SME banking, plus digital wallets (Daviplata). Competes head-to-head with Banco Popular in retail and SME segments.
• Banco de Bogotá: Grupo Aval sibling bank and the largest entity in the Aval network; shares Red Aval ATMs, correspondents, and digital infrastructure. Operates a similar full-service retail, corporate, and government banking model in Colombia.
• Banco de Occidente: Another Grupo Aval subsidiary bank offering retail and commercial banking across Colombia. Peer within the same conglomerate with overlapping customer base and shared Aval network infrastructure.
• AV Villas: Grupo Aval retail-focused subsidiary bank. Directly comparable in product mix (savings, credit cards, payroll loans) and shares the Red Aval network footprint and customer cross-sell dynamics.

Broad incumbents

• BBVA Colombia: Colombian subsidiary of global bank BBVA offering retail, SME, and corporate banking with an extensive digital platform. Larger, broader incumbent competing for the same corporate and government clients.
• Scotiabank Colpatria: Colombian arm of Scotiabank providing retail and commercial banking, with strong government payroll relationships. Comparable incumbent competing in similar consumer and SME deposit/credit products.
• Banco Itaú Colombia: Colombian subsidiary of Banco Itaú, offering retail, SME, and corporate banking products. International incumbent with overlapping capabilities in commercial deposits and treasury services.

Emerging players

• Nequi: Digital-only wallet and neobank launched by Bancolombia, competing directly with dale! and Bre-B-enabled channels for younger, mobile-first Colombian deposit and payment customers.
• Nu Colombia: Colombian operation of Nubank, offering digital credit cards, savings, and personal loans. Emerging digital-first competitor targeting the same retail customer base Banco Popular serves through digital channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/mjIVT93WD6Q
• Xx.com/bco_popular
• Facebookfacebook.com/183152969231956

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments2 records

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

Frequently asked questions about BANCO POPULAR SA