Best bank 2025: Banreservas
Banreservas is awarded Dominican Republic’s best bank in 2024, in recognition of its record-breaking financial results, sustained innovation and commitment to national development.
The bank reported net income of RD$27.6 billion ($458 million), a 13% increase year-on-year, with a return on equity of 26.8%. It maintained a balanced loan-to-deposit ratio of 59.7% and a high-quality credit portfolio, with non-performing loans at just 0.9%.
Banreservas continued to expand its international footprint, with representative offices in Madrid, New York and Miami, which now serve over 34,800 clients and have processed more than 670 mortgage applications from the Dominican diaspora. Domestically, the bank played a leading role in financing the country’s development, supporting over $2.6 billion in tourism investments and launching the first fully digital term deposit product in the Dominican Republic.
Banreservas also advanced its sustainability agenda in 2024, issuing its first green bond and growing its green loan portfolio to over RD$40 billion. Through its award-winning financial inclusion programmes, it reached and educated over 390,000 Dominicans, while continuing to support thousands of SMEs and entrepreneurs across the country.
With a 660% increase in paid-in capital since 2020, 2024 also marked a pivotal moment in the bank’s governance. The implementation of Law 13-24, the Dominican Republic’s new organic law, granted Banreservas greater autonomy and operational flexibility, reinforcing its strategic role in the country’s financial system.
Best digital bank 2025: Banreservas
Banreservas launched the country’s first fully digital term deposit, opened over 300,000 digital savings accounts and issued more than 35,000 credit cards through its mobile app in 2024 alone: three standout metrics that position Banreservas as Dominican Republic’s best digital bank.
A milestone achievement was the launch of the country’s first fully digital term deposit, Depósito a Plazo Digital, enabling customers to open and manage fixed-term savings directly through App Banreservas, with the flexibility to choose interest payment options aligned with their financial goals.
The bank also reported significant growth in digital engagement, with over 1.8 million active users on its Personas mobile app, an increase of 20% compared to 2023. This increase in adoption reflects the success of Banreservas’ continuous investment in mobile-first solutions.
To strengthen digital security and improve user experience, Banreservas introduced a new authentication system for businesses and launched a modern credit card management platform, enabling real-time processing and enhanced customer control over transactions.
Customer service has also been transformed through Alma, the bank’s virtual assistant on WhatsApp. By the end of 2024, more than 330,000 users had used Alma to access services such as checking balances, locating branches and ATMs, filing service requests and even pre-qualifying for loans during Expo Fomenta Pymes, with over 1,300 automated applications processed.
Banreservas’ commitment to agile innovation was further institutionalised with the launch of its Innovation Lab in 2024. Designed to accelerate product development, the Lab has already contributed to a significant improvement in client acquisition, including a 478% increase in new customer onboarding via digital channels.
The bank also expanded its digital offering for businesses through Recaudos Referenciados, a platform enabling SMEs to pay invoices, taxes and utilities via digital channels and sub-agent networks. In 2024 alone, the system processed 15.37 million transactions, with a total value of RD$271.8 billion ($4.6 billion).
Best bank for SMEs 2025: Banreservas
Banreservas’ award as Dominical Republic’s best bank for SMEs is a recognition of the support the bank is offering to this vital sector of the country’s economy.
In 2024, the bank reached 27% market share in the SME segment, with its client portfolio growing 29% year-on-year. That growth was backed by real financial muscle: Banreservas disbursed 22,152 SME loans in 2024, totaling RD$43.8 billion ($727 million). One of the most visible examples of this was the annual Expo Fomenta Pymes, held between March and April, where the bank approved 6,629 loans worth RD$13.9 billion. These loans helped fund businesses expansion, equipment purchases and modernisation projects across key sectors such as tourism, construction, agriculture and commerce.
Banreservas’ flagship Fomenta Pymes programme goes beyond lending. It offers a comprehensive suite of financial products, such as working capital lines, commission-free accounts and cash-flow management tools, alongside business education and training.
Banreservas became the first bank in the Caribbean to receive a $42 million guarantee from the US International Development Finance Corporation. The guarantee supports loans to women-led and green SMEs, reinforcing the bank’s focus on inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Financial inclusion and community development are central to the bank’s strategy. In 2024, its Preserva programme delivered financial education to more than 31,800 individuals, while the Coopera programme supported 3,295 local producers, helping strengthen the supply chain and generate employment in rural areas.
To support the startup ecosystem, Banreservas continued to expand Cree Banreservas, its pre-acceleration and mentoring programme for early-stage ventures. In 2024, four innovative startups received funding totaling $278,958, along with capacity-building and investor-readiness support.
Best bank for large corporates 2025: Banco Popular Dominicano
Through a suite of solutions tailored to the needs of large corporates in the Dominican Republic, Banco Popular Dominicano has established itself as the country’s best bank for large corporates.
With a market-leading share of the national loan portfolio and current accounts, Banco Popular continues to meet the operational and financing needs of major corporate clients. Its strong presence in strategic sectors – particularly tourism, where it provides 50% of total market financing – highlights its pivotal role in supporting national economic development.
In 2024, the bank financed and modernised 26 tourism projects, facilitated over $1.6 billion in credit commitments and structured innovative investment deals through its investment banking division.
Banco Popular also strengthened its role as a strategic advisory partner to clients transitioning towards low-carbon and sustainable operations. By fully integrating the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials methodology, the bank is now able to quantify greenhouse gas emissions associated with its large corporate loan portfolio and monitor progress towards its 2050 emissions reduction targets.
Best bank for consumers 2025: Banco Popular Dominicano
Innovation, commitment to financial inclusion and a customer-centric digital transformation were key achievements of Banco Popular Dominicano, winner of Dominican Republic’s best bank for consumers.
Over 70% of customers are benefiting from bank’s digital app, PopularApp, which processed over 100 million transactions, a 46% increase year-on-year. ApplePay was added to the payment methods, the bank seeing a market penetration of 16%, exceeding the regional average.
The bank extended its network of sub-agents to 2,330 in 2025, reflecting efforts to not only provide a digital first experience for its customers, but also ensure direct access via local retail partners.
The bank’s leadership in digital banking was reaffirmed by topping the Superintendency of Banks’ 2024 Digitalisation Ranking for both personal and business banking, with scores above 90 in both segments. The bank was recognised for its enhanced authentication controls across digital channels.
Banco Popular continues its efforts in the sustainability space, offering an auto equipment financing programme that includes EV financing and renewable energy equipment.
