Time Line

In 1961, Banese is founded with the corporate name of Banco de Fomento Econômico (BANFESE), during the government of Luiz Garcia. On January 2, 1964, the bank opens for business during the government of Seixas Dória. Its first president was journalist Orlando Dantas who, on the inauguration day, gave a speech highlighting the importance that a development bank would have in the economic development of Sergipe, adding that the bank was going to grow and become one of the most important in the state.

The adoption of the name Banese (Banco do Estado de Sergipe S/A), in 1967, went hand in hand with the movement towards the interior, following the opening of the first branches in the interior of the state, while at the same time accompanying the changes in the bank’s organizational structure. Under the presidency of Manoel Conde Sobral (1964/1975), the bank opened branches in Itabaiana, Boquim, Lagarto, Estância, Nossa Senhora das Dores and Aquidabã. At this time, the Caixa de Assistência dos Empregados (the employees’ savings fund) and the Associação Atlética Banese (athletics association) were created. Thereafter, Banese continued expanding its distribution network throughout various districts of the capital and municipalities in the interior.

The year 1978 was a milestone in the history of Banese, when an administrative restructuring decided to prioritize the development of the Human Resources area, emphasizing the importance of staff training and enhancement. At the same time, the finance, planning and systems and methods sectors were implemented. Within this context, the bank’s computerization process began, with the installation of its data processing center (DPC).

As a natural outcome of its expansion, the nineteen-eighties saw the creation of BACISA (Banese Crédito Imobiliário/Poupança Banese), Banese Corretora de Seguros, SERGUS (Instituto Banese de Seguridade Social), the open market portfolio and the Single Account System of the state government.

In 1991, Banese became a multiple service bank, fully automated its branch network and, through the Verde-Amarela (Green and Yellow) network, linked up with over 4,700 branches of state banks located throughout the length and breadth of Brazil.

After 1994, when the country’s currency was stabilized, Banese, like other banking institutions, lost an important source of income, entering a difficult phase in its finances, forcing it to rationalize its expenses, which included a reduction in headcount.

Under the latest administrations, now in a new phase, Banese has overcome the difficulties by investing heavily in valuing its employees, banking products and services and in modernizing its distribution network, automation and technology.

Proof of this was the launch of the Banese Card, a card with genuine roots in Sergipe, which has contributed to the state’s economic development. Also, Ponto Banese, a network of banking correspondents that enables payments and transaction in a range of establishments, which has brought progress for customers and users of the Banese network.

In the continuous search for the sustainable development of Sergipe, working with the state and local governments, meeting the requirements of the Sergipe community, expanding the branch network and expanding credit to become the state’s largest bank, Banese has firmly established itself in the local and national market as a financial institution renowned for its credibility, solidness and significant results achieved with every financial year that passes, making Banese one of the country’s most solid banks.

Throughout the decades, Banese has sought to recognize the value of local artists and athletes, sponsoring dozens of literary works and sporting events, among others. By supporting a range of segments such as education, healthcare, the environment, culture and art, and by encouraging the creation of new jobs, partnerships and the personal and professional development of its employees, Banese has effectively been a company for citizenship, confirming its vocation as the financial powerhouse behind the social and economic development of the state of Sergipe, increasingly consolidating its role as the bank of the entire people of Sergipe.

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