In 2024, Itaú Unibanco launched a new ESG strategy that placed diversity and inclusion at the centre of its business model, alongside sustainable finance and climate transition. The strategy formalised the bank’s long-standing commitment to inclusive growth, embedding diversity metrics into leadership planning, organisational development and business origination, and winning the award as Latin America’s best bank for diversity and inclusion 2025.
The bank’s Diversity and Development pillar focuses on financial inclusion, employability, income generation and women’s entrepreneurship. It is supported by a suite of products and services designed to expand access to credit and opportunity. These include targeted credit lines for women-led businesses, microcredit for entrepreneurs, and R$34.7 billion ($6.2 billion) in financing earmarked for women-led companies by 2030. Itaú also aims to direct R$15 billion in microcredit to support small-scale entrepreneurs and allocate R$67.1 billion to micro and small businesses overall.
Internally, Itaú has set clear representation targets for 2025: 35%-40% of leadership roles to be held by women and 27%-30% by Black professionals. These goals are supported by structured initiatives across recruitment, training and promotion. The bank also aims for 50% female and 40% Black representation in entry-level hiring flows.
With clear targets, transparent reporting and a focus on measurable impact, Itaú Unibanco sets the global benchmark for inclusive banking
To support these ambitions, Itaú has integrated ESG and diversity into its governance and risk frameworks. Its Environmental, Social and Climate Responsibility Policy (PRSAC) mandates the inclusion of social and diversity considerations in all business decisions. The bank’s supplier management policy also incorporates ESG criteria, and its Itaú Value Chain programme – run in partnership with the UN Global Compact and Mais Diversidade – supports 150 suppliers in building internal diversity and human rights strategies.
Training and awareness are central to Itaú’s approach. In 2024, the bank launched a new learning track on its ESG strategy, available to all employees. It also hosted immersion sessions for international teams and delivered targeted training on climate and social topics to commercial teams and leadership. The Untangling Sustainability and ESG track, open to all staff, covers global challenges, social responsibility, and Itaú’s performance on strategic ESG issues.
Externally, Itaú engages clients through events, newsletters and its Cubo ESG innovation hub, which connects startups with clients to co-develop inclusive and sustainable solutions. In 2024, the bank hosted over 40 ESG events and 1,400 client meetings, and facilitated more than 100 startup connections.
Itaú’s diversity and inclusion strategy is not a standalone initiative – it is embedded across its operations, from credit origination to supplier engagement and leadership development. With clear targets, transparent reporting and a focus on measurable impact, Itaú Unibanco sets the global benchmark for inclusive banking.
