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M E M O R I A A N U A L 2 0 0 7


ANNUAL REPORT


Contents<br />

7<br />

8<br />

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Grupo Financiero Improsa Mission, Vision and Values<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa – Brief History<br />

Message from the Chairman and General Manager<br />

Board of Directors<br />

Management Team<br />

Internal Auditing<br />

Subsidiaries:<br />

Banco Improsa, S.A.<br />

Improsa Servicios Internacionales, S.A.<br />

Improsa Sociedad Administradora de Fondos de Inversión (SAFI), S.A.<br />

Improsa Capital, S.A.<br />

Improseguros, S.A.<br />

Improsa Valores Puesto de Bolsa, S.A.<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa Products and Services<br />

Funding and Correspondent Banks<br />

Social Responsibility and Philanthropy<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa Finances <strong>for</strong> <strong>2007</strong><br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa Audited Financial Statements<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA


Mission<br />

We are a dynamic team committed to providing our customers with<br />

excellence in <strong>financial</strong> solutions.<br />

Vision<br />

To be a competitive, profitable, sound and integrated <strong>financial</strong> group with<br />

the majority of its products and services available to the Central American<br />

region<br />

Values<br />

���������� � ���������� � �������� � ��������� � ���������<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Mission, Vision and Values<br />

07


ANNUAL REPORT <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

08<br />

Brief History<br />

1986<br />

• Financiera Improsa is<br />

founded.<br />

Brief History<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

•<br />

1997<br />

• Banco Improsa is listed<br />

on the Costa Rican Stock<br />

Exchange, becoming a<br />

publicly traded company.<br />

1995 1999<br />

Financiera Improsa<br />

becomes Banco Improsa.<br />

• First Internet banking<br />

service goes into<br />

operation in Costa Rica:<br />

Improb@nk.<br />

2000<br />

• Grupo Financiero<br />

Improsa is founded.<br />

• First two bank branches<br />

open in Rohrmoser and<br />

Escazú.<br />

Probanco (FMO, BCIE,<br />

• Darby Overseas<br />

Investment Co.) becomes<br />

strategic partner.<br />

2001<br />

• Grupo Financiero<br />

Improsa expands its<br />

services by creating the<br />

following subsidiaries:<br />

Arrendadora Improsa,<br />

Improsa Sociedad<br />

Administradora de<br />

Fondos de Inversión<br />

(SAFI), Improsa Capital<br />

and Improseguros.


2002<br />

• Two new branches are<br />

inaugurated in downtown<br />

San José and Curridabat.<br />

• Arrendadora Improsa<br />

acquires selected<br />

assets and liabilities<br />

(partial acquisition) of<br />

PLG Capital Partners,<br />

establishing its<br />

presence in Central<br />

America.<br />

2004<br />

• Banco Improsa acquires<br />

selected assets and<br />

liabilities of Banco Bantec<br />

CQ.<br />

• A new subsidiary,<br />

ImproActiva, commences<br />

operations.<br />

2003 2005<br />

• 12 points of sale or kiosks are opened<br />

around the country offering<br />

ImproActiva services: personal loans<br />

and credit cards.<br />

Banco Improsa purchases and<br />

• remodels building <strong>for</strong> its headquarters<br />

in Barrio Tournón.<br />

Authorization <strong>for</strong> public offering of US<br />

• $10 million in term bonds to be placed<br />

on the Panama Stock Exchange. The<br />

issue is rated SCR AA+ by the<br />

Sociedad Calificadora de Riesgos<br />

Centroamericana S.A. rating<br />

committee.<br />

ANNUAL REPORT <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

2006<br />

• Banco Improsa headquarters<br />

in Barrio Tournón are<br />

inaugurated.<br />

• Improsa Valores Puesto de<br />

Bolsa kicks off operations.<br />

• Arrendadora Improsa<br />

becomes Improsa Servicios<br />

Internacionales, expanding<br />

its regional services to<br />

include leasing, consumer<br />

credit and international<br />

factoring.<br />

<strong>2007</strong><br />

• Banco Improsa inaugurates its first<br />

SME advisory and support centers<br />

in Alajuela and the Escalante<br />

neighborhood.<br />

Improsa SAFI launches the first<br />

• real estate development fund in<br />

Costa Rica.<br />

A new subsidiary, Improsa<br />

• Sociedad Administradora de<br />

Fondos de Inversión – Panamá, is<br />

created.<br />

Brief History 09


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Letter from the Chairman of the Board and General Manager<br />

With this letter and the Grupo Financiero Improsa’s audited <strong>financial</strong> statements, the<br />

Board of Directors hereby renders an account to its shareholders of its activities in<br />

<strong>2007</strong>. A rendering of accounts is, above all, a responsibility to those who have<br />

entrusted us with the company’s management, as well as being the ideal way to<br />

provide a clear, transparent and complete report of our company’s most significant<br />

achievements.<br />

The strategies, policies and actions taken by the Group and its different subsidiaries<br />

have led Improsa to transcend the traditional role played by other <strong>financial</strong> entities<br />

and take on in every sense a challenge that goes beyond that of the usual practices of<br />

this industry: the challenge of providing superior quality service that generates bigger<br />

and better opportunities <strong>for</strong> our customers' economic and social development, and,<br />

consequently, also generates benefits <strong>for</strong> our shareholders, investors and associates.<br />

The results we are presenting are irrefutable evidence of how the organization has<br />

been able to blend together excellence, efficiency, dynamism, integrity and knowledge<br />

– Improsa’s values, which are imbued in each of our associates.<br />

10<br />

Letter from the Chairman and General Manager<br />

Jorge Monge Agüero<br />

Chairman Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

Be<strong>for</strong>e going on to our results, we would like to briefly mention the Costa Rican<br />

economic environment during <strong>2007</strong> and how it impacted the Group. This was a <strong>year</strong><br />

in which the real and monetary economies presented different fronts. On the real side,<br />

there was strong production growth, major inflows of direct <strong>for</strong>eign investment and<br />

even a <strong>fiscal</strong> surplus. On the monetary side, however, we suffered double-digit<br />

inflation, an exchange policy that undermined confidence, and negative real colon<br />

interest rates.<br />

The economy grew at 6.8%, slightly less than in 2006. By sectors, the most<br />

outstanding <strong>per<strong>for</strong>mance</strong> was in construction, which expanded by 18.2% - and this is<br />

precisely one of the sectors in which Grupo Financiero Improsa has consolidated<br />

successful strategies. Almost as strong was the 11.7% expansion of <strong>financial</strong> services<br />

and insurance. The outlook <strong>for</strong> the country continued to attract heavy <strong>for</strong>eign direct<br />

investment, which reached US $1,885 million, or 7.2% of the gross domestic product<br />

(GDP).


Thus the government was able to close the <strong>year</strong> with a <strong>fiscal</strong> surplus of 0.65% of the<br />

GDP, a result we have not seen since the middle of last century and which has<br />

contributed to improving Costa Rica’s economy and society.<br />

Despite this, there were also some serious challenges in <strong>2007</strong>.<br />

The change in the exchange system from mini-devaluations to a flexible band type –<br />

in order to meet monetary policy inflation goals – came up against a shaky<br />

international scene. The world’s largest economy had been growing slowly, and has<br />

now headed into recession as oil and grain prices have risen sharply, making <strong>for</strong> a<br />

strong imported inflationary component.<br />

Consequently, inflation climbed to almost four percentage points over the Banco<br />

Central de Costa Rica's target (a real 11.8% versus the monetary program’s 8.0%),<br />

pushing the central bank itself to lower interest rates in order to control speculative<br />

capital inflows. In an attempt to float the exchange rate and regain control of<br />

monetary policy, the Central Bank of Costa Rica decided in November <strong>2007</strong> to lower<br />

the exchange band floor. This generated expectations of more colon appreciations,<br />

which led to an accumulated dollar reserve of more than $4 million. The impact of the<br />

colon appreciation was felt throughout the Costa Rican banking system.<br />

Likewise in <strong>2007</strong> a difference of opinion between the banking system and the tax<br />

office <strong>for</strong>ced all the banks in the country to create extra reserves while the<br />

technical/legal discrepancy is resolved through the respective legal channels.<br />

We'd now like to briefly mention the achievements of each of the Group’s subsidiaries<br />

in <strong>2007</strong> – achievements all the more laudable <strong>for</strong> having been reached in a period<br />

when results were squeezed by the abovementioned pressures.<br />

Banco Improsa achieved significant commercial growth. Its credit portfolio expanded<br />

by 38.5%, while current accounts, at-sight savings and investment certificates rose by<br />

46%. The company’s service commissions also rose by 47% as a result of an integrated<br />

customer service strategy together with a major expansion of services such as the<br />

trading table, larger and more innovative trusts, a new “smart” account, and programs<br />

<strong>for</strong> non-resident <strong>for</strong>eigners.<br />

After 15 months of design and planning, Banco Improsa’s Customer Relationship<br />

Management Project was set in motion in January <strong>2007</strong>, the main goal being to<br />

develop a new way of doing business, changing the bank's focus from one of<br />

product-oriented banking to relationship-oriented banking. In addition, as part of this<br />

business trans<strong>for</strong>mation, in <strong>2007</strong> the SME Advisory and Support Centers were created<br />

as a specialized channel <strong>for</strong> integrated assistance and support to small and medium<br />

enterprises in Costa Rica, offering a broad range of <strong>financial</strong> and essential business<br />

administration products and services. The sites chosen <strong>for</strong> opening the first centers<br />

were San José and Alajuela, given their large business parks and strong economic<br />

activity.<br />

For its part, Improsa Servicios Internacionales, our leading subsidiary in<br />

regionalization, has distinguished itself as a highly capable leasing and <strong>financial</strong><br />

service company with a clear goal of regional <strong>financial</strong> integration. Its results at<br />

December <strong>2007</strong> are the result of successful strategy implementation and greater<br />

consolidation in the countries where we maintain offices.<br />

These ef<strong>for</strong>ts were reflected in a strong 45% growth of net dollar profits over the<br />

previous <strong>year</strong> and a 28.65% expansion of leasing contract placement. This translates<br />

into an annual placement of more than $60 million in leasing and $8 million in<br />

factoring – the latter after having been offered <strong>for</strong> only one <strong>year</strong>.<br />

Another of Improsa Servicios Internacionales’s major achievements has been the<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

start-up of a new Group subsidiary in Panama, Improsa Sociedad Administradora de<br />

Fondos de Inversión Panamá, authorized by the Panamanian National Securities<br />

Commission; the subsidiary has become the first enterprise of this type to make public<br />

securities offerings in that country.<br />

On another front, ImproActiva, the subsidiary specializing in micro- and small<br />

consumer credit, was able to maintain its leadership in the market, reaching 37,500<br />

customers since starting operations in October 2004. Of these, some 28,500 continue<br />

in its portfolio, thanks to the implementation of successful customer loyalty and<br />

retention strategies. ImproActiva’s coverage extends over all 7 provinces, with 40<br />

points of sale, or “kiosks,” and its network of business partners financing their sales<br />

with our products has expanded to 32. It should be noted that this commercial<br />

expansion has been supported accordingly by improved systems, infrastructure and<br />

operating procedures.<br />

Another subsidiary with achievements to report is that of investment banking and real<br />

estate structuring, Improsa Capital, which surpassed its goals and expectations,<br />

especially in its contribution to the Group’s profits and the creation of synergies with<br />

the other subsidiaries. In <strong>2007</strong> Improsa Capital was able to consolidate and<br />

successfully conclude its participation in several large-scale projects, taking strategic<br />

advantage of the rapidly growing real estate and tourism sectors in this country.<br />

<strong>2007</strong> was also a fruitful <strong>year</strong> full of changes <strong>for</strong> Improsa Sociedad Administradora de<br />

Fondos de Inversión (SAFI). In the first place, Improsa SAFI’s total managed assets hit<br />

US $124.5 million. In addition, it became the first management company to obtain<br />

authorization <strong>for</strong> making a public offering of five real estate development funds; it<br />

then opened two of them in order to build the Multipark office and business complex<br />

in Guachipelín, Escazú, and to purchase the Hotel Boutique Cala Luna in Langosta<br />

Beach, Guanacaste, <strong>for</strong> converting into a prestigious hotel and residential complex.<br />

Improsa SAFI also created the Los Crestones Real Estate Investment Fund, which<br />

kicked off in November <strong>2007</strong>. Another fund, the Gibraltar Real Estate Investment<br />

Fund, continued as Costa Rica’s largest with assets of more than US $96 million,<br />

representing a market share of 14.9% of all real estate fund assets.<br />

For Improsa Valores – a recent creation – <strong>2007</strong> was a <strong>year</strong> of consolidation as it gained<br />

a recognized position among Costa Rican stock brokerages and enjoyed excellent<br />

<strong>financial</strong> results: a net profit of 84.41 million colones, an overall equity of 707.43<br />

million colones, managed assets of US $105 million in local and international custody,<br />

and a average return on equity of 14.62%.<br />

Letter from the Chairman and General Manager<br />

11


More than 20 <strong>year</strong>s<br />

growing up together<br />

with our clients


Marianela Ortuño Pinto<br />

General Manager, Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

The brokerage house provides a characteristically personalized and professional<br />

service where the buying and selling of securities is integrated with specialized<br />

advisory in structuring and managing investment portfolios and complemented by<br />

integral risk management. Over the course of the <strong>year</strong> Improsa Valores became the<br />

primary channel <strong>for</strong> placing Grupo Financiero Improsa’s stock market products.<br />

Improseguros, <strong>for</strong> its part, continued in its privileged position as one of the top 10<br />

authorized insurance brokers rated ‘A’ by the National Insurance Institute (INS),<br />

attesting to and confirming the safe, reliable nature of its transactions. The company<br />

generated 4,108 million colones in premiums, a 40% increase over 2006 - a highly<br />

satisfactory achievement.<br />

During <strong>2007</strong> Improseguros worked on designing a business model geared towards<br />

creating superior customer service as a differentiating competitive factor.<br />

The excellent results of the Group’s seven subsidiaries reflect a <strong>year</strong> of intense ef<strong>for</strong>t<br />

by an outstanding team - the Improsa family - working throughout Central America<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

and Panama. Today our valued Guatemalan, Honduran, Salvadoran, Nicaraguan and<br />

Panamanian colleagues are fully incorporated into our organizational culture, and<br />

together we are working unwaveringly toward consolidating Improsa’s presence in<br />

the regional market.<br />

On behalf of the Board of Directors, managers and other employees of Grupo<br />

Financiero Improsa we are pleased to present this report of the main results and<br />

achievements <strong>for</strong> <strong>2007</strong>. With the satisfaction of a job well done, we would like to<br />

express our gratitude to our shareholders <strong>for</strong> the trust you have deposited in us.<br />

Jorge Monge Agüero<br />

Chairman<br />

Marianela Ortuño Pinto<br />

General Manager<br />

Letter from the Chairman and General Manager<br />

13


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

14<br />

Directors<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

Jorge Monge Agüero<br />

Chairman of the Board<br />

Mauricio Bruce Jiménez<br />

Treasurer of the Board<br />

Board of Directors<br />

Left to right: Jorge Monge, Carlos Montoya, Jorge Amador, Mauricio Bruce, Víctor Watkins, Manuel Ortuño, Robert Woodbridge.<br />

Alejandro Santa-Cruz<br />

Member of the Board<br />

Robert Woodbridge A.<br />

Vice Chairman of the Board<br />

Carlos Montoya Dobles<br />

Member of the Board<br />

José Miguel Fuster<br />

Member of the Board<br />

Manuel Ortuño Pinto<br />

Secretary of the Board<br />

Jorge Amador Sánchez<br />

Member of the Board<br />

Víctor Watkins Parra<br />

Controller of the Board


Directors<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

Jorge Monge Agüero Chairman of the Board<br />

Industrial Engineering from the University of Costa Rica, Masters in Public<br />

Administration from Harvard University<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 1997<br />

Other relevant positions: Former President of the Costa Rican Banking Association,<br />

member of the boards of directors of Avon de Costa Rica and Coyol Free Zone, <strong>for</strong>mer<br />

Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy, <strong>for</strong>mer Vice Minister of Industry,<br />

Energy and Mines<br />

Robert Woodbridge Alvarado Vice Chairman of the Board<br />

Vocational degree in Business Administration from Northwood College of Business<br />

Administration, U.S.A. Entrepreneurial training at Holderbank (Holcim) Management<br />

and Consulting, Switzerland<br />

Other relevant positions: Founding member of Grupo Financiero Improsa, founding<br />

member and Vice President of ILG Logistics, Director of Apl/Improsa, founding<br />

member and President of Intertec Trading Company, founding member and Director<br />

of Grupo Holcim Costa Rica, founding member and Director of Improinmobiliaria,<br />

President of Improsa Sociedad Administradora de Fondos de Inversion, Director of<br />

Campaña Osa Para Su Conservación, Coordinator of Grupo de Apoyo Empresarial<br />

Obras del Espíritu Santo, President of the Fundación Fernando Ortuño Sobrado<br />

Manuel Ortuño Pinto Secretary of the Board<br />

Master’s in Business Administration<br />

General Manager of Improinmobiliaria S.A., Octagonal S.A. and La Nela S.A.<br />

Other relevant positions: Director of ILG Logistics and Intertec<br />

Mauricio Bruce Jiménez Treasurer of the Board<br />

Master’s in Business Administration, INCAE<br />

Other relevant positions: Founding member and Executive Vice President of ILG<br />

Logistics, founding member of Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

Carlos Montoya Dobles Member of the Board<br />

Master’s in Business Administration with honors, INCAE<br />

Other relevant positions: Regional Director of Purchasing and Logistics <strong>for</strong> Grupo<br />

Incesa Standard Director of Grupo Financiero Improsa and ILG Logistics since they<br />

were founded<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Jorge Alberto Amador Sánchez Member of the Board<br />

Graduate studies in Business Administration, Faculty of Economics, University of<br />

Costa Rica MBA credits and doctoral candidate at Cali<strong>for</strong>nia Western University<br />

Graduate of the Allen Action Management Program<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 2006<br />

Other relevant positions in the past: Country Manager (Honduras), IBM World Trade<br />

Corporation; President of MAI International Corporation; Executive Vice President of<br />

CODESA; Director of Corporación Banex S.A.; member of the Florida Ice & Farm Co.<br />

Surveillance Committee: Director of Hoteles Aurola S.A.; and significant<br />

international business experience<br />

Alejandro Santa-Cruz Member of the Board<br />

Master’s in Business Administration with emphasis in International Finance, McGill<br />

University Graduate degree in Business Administration, Baylor University Chartered<br />

Financial Analyst (CFA)<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 2003<br />

Other relevant positions: Founding member of LatAm Partners LLC, a company<br />

dedicated to investment in Latin America, since March 2005; founding member of<br />

MexDAM, S. de R.L de C.V. and AxeFin, SOFOM E.N.R., Mexican <strong>financial</strong> entities;<br />

Vice President <strong>for</strong> the <strong>financial</strong> sector investment group Darby Overseas Investments,<br />

Ltd., from January 2000 to March 2005; analyst <strong>for</strong> <strong>financial</strong> institutions Bear<br />

Stearns & Co. and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.; Manager of Banca Internacional,<br />

Scotiabank México (September 1994—March 1997)<br />

José Miguel Fuster Member of the Board<br />

Master’s in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University and Bachelor’s<br />

Degree in International Relations from Georgetown University<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 2006<br />

Other relevant positions: Senior Vice President of Private Equity Group in Darby<br />

Overseas Investment, Ltd. (Darby), a member of Franklin Templeton Investments<br />

Group; Vice President and Team Leader <strong>for</strong> Strategic Partnerships and Headquarters<br />

<strong>for</strong> Latin America and the Caribbean, Visa International; Director and Leader of<br />

Barclays’ Syndicated Finance Group in Latin America<br />

Víctor Watkins Parra Controller of the Board<br />

Master’s in Business Administration from INCAE; Commercial Engineering Degree<br />

and Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Universidad de Chile<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 2004<br />

Other relevant positions: General Manager, Banco BCT, S.A. (1998-2003); Assistant<br />

General Manager, Banco BCT, S.A. (1986-1998); Credit and Operations Manager,<br />

Banco BCT, S.A. (1984-1986); General and Finance Manager, Coopemontecillos R.L.<br />

(1978-1982); Controller, Holcim de Costa Rica (1976-1978); professor at the<br />

University of Costa Rica; Director of the Costa Rican Banking Association; Director<br />

of the Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce<br />

Board of Directors<br />

15


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Management Team<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

Marianela Ortuño Pinto<br />

Graduate degree in Business Administration<br />

Other relevant positions: Founding member of Grupo Financiera Improsa; founding<br />

member of ILG Logistics; founding member and Director of Improinmobiliaria<br />

Franco Naranjo Jiménez<br />

16<br />

Management Team<br />

General Manager, Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

General Manager, Banco Improsa<br />

Economist with a post-graduate degree in Economics from the Pontificia<br />

Universidad Católica de Chile<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 1998<br />

Other relevant positions: Member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of<br />

Private Banks and Financial Institutions; <strong>for</strong>mer President of the Finance Manager<br />

Advisory Committee of the Costa Rican Banking Association; <strong>for</strong>mer President of<br />

Banprocesos<br />

Félix Alpízar Lobo<br />

Assistant General Manager, Banco Improsa<br />

Master’s in Business Administration from INCAE<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 2002<br />

More than 20 <strong>year</strong>s of <strong>financial</strong> sector experience<br />

Jorge Calvo Zeledón<br />

Trust Manager, Banco Improsa<br />

Banking Administration, INCAE<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 1998<br />

More than 36 <strong>year</strong>s of <strong>financial</strong> and banking experience<br />

Jaime Ubilla Carro<br />

General Manager, Improsa Sociedad<br />

Administradora de Fondos de Inversión<br />

Economist, Master’s in Business Administration, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 2000<br />

Other relevant positions: Professor of Finance at the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa<br />

Rica; stockbroker<br />

More than 15 <strong>year</strong>s of stock market experience<br />

Rashid F. Alice Chacón<br />

General Manager, Improsa Capital<br />

Master’s in Business Administration<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 1996<br />

Other relevant positions: Director of the Comité de Inversionistas Inmobiliaria<br />

Ebbalar; Director of Grupo Vargas Matamoros; Director of the Condominio<br />

Meridiano Management Board; Director of the Plaza San Carlos Management Board;<br />

Director of the Jardines del Tempisque Project; Director of the Multipark Project<br />

Monserrat Buján Boza<br />

General Manager, Improseguros<br />

Business administration professional with emphasis in banking and finance<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since <strong>2007</strong><br />

More than 15 <strong>year</strong>s of private banking experience<br />

Executive Director of Fundación FUNDEX (AID-Costa Rica); Finance Manager of<br />

export company Pórtico S.A.; experience in real estate project development and<br />

management; responsible <strong>for</strong> opening the Central American market <strong>for</strong> Grupo<br />

Español Konecta Consulting; currently member of the Board of Directors <strong>for</strong> the<br />

Costa Rican Association <strong>for</strong> Development Organizations (ACORDE)<br />

Sergio Molina Bonilla<br />

LGraduate degree in Business Administration<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 2004<br />

Other relevant positions: Member of the Leasing Committee and the Costa Rican<br />

Banking Association; Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors <strong>for</strong> the Costa<br />

Rica-Nicaragua Business Chamber; more than 20 <strong>year</strong>s of management experience<br />

in the private <strong>financial</strong> sector<br />

Julio César Bonifacino Gutiérrez<br />

Graduate degree in Business Administration, CPA<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 2004<br />

Other relevant positions: Director of the Costa Rican Association of Young<br />

Entrepreneurs; 30 <strong>year</strong>s of experience in the <strong>financial</strong> sector working in banks such<br />

as Citibank NA with activities in Uruguay, Mexico, Panama and the United Kingdom<br />

in treasury, investment, and consumer banking<br />

Anthony Hidalgo Pérez<br />

Regional General Manager,<br />

Improsa Servicios Internacionales<br />

General Manager, ImproActiva<br />

General Manager, Improsa Valores Puesto de Bolsa<br />

Graduate degree in Business Administration<br />

Member of Grupo Financiero Improsa since 2005<br />

Other relevant positions: Director of the National Chamber of Investment Funds;<br />

Chairman of the Board of Directors <strong>for</strong> the Instituto de Capacitación Bursátil<br />

(INDECAB); President of the Costa Rican Association of Stockbrokers (ACAB); 17<br />

<strong>year</strong>s of stock market experience


CORPORATE AREA TEAMS<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

Viveca Arias Lamicq<br />

Manager of Human Resources<br />

Jorge Muñoz Quirós<br />

Corporate Internal Auditor<br />

Mónica Volio Orozco<br />

Marketing Director<br />

Randall Chavarría Soto<br />

In<strong>for</strong>mation Technology Director<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Sara Trigueros Muñoz<br />

Administrative Director<br />

Guido Rojas Alvarado<br />

Project Director<br />

Corporate Area Teams<br />

17


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

The world around internal auditing is changing, and upper management expects<br />

auditing to add value to the organization. This must include, within its traditional<br />

tasks, an assessment of operating risks that to some extent mitigates the new<br />

internal control risks to which organizations are currently subjected.<br />

Internal Auditing must support organizations with technological tools. For this<br />

reason, in <strong>2007</strong> Grupo Financiero Improsa’s Internal Auditing office was given the<br />

opportunity to incorporate a technological tool that would expand the scope of its<br />

daily tasks and provide better in<strong>for</strong>mation support, with greater security, availability<br />

and reliability.<br />

Upper management’s concern was not only to acquire the tool but also to initiate<br />

ongoing training and study of modern auditing techniques, setting aside the<br />

traditional role of auditing to convert it into a division with a critical business view,<br />

able to cooperate in controlling associated risks by using in<strong>for</strong>mation technology.<br />

18<br />

INTERNAL AUDITING<br />

Internal Auditing as Added Value <strong>for</strong> Upper Management<br />

Internal Auditing<br />

Internal Auditing’s primary goals are to properly safeguard assets, maintain data<br />

integrity, and independently support, in an effective and efficient manner, the<br />

processes involved in achieving the business goals, providing reliable and relevant<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation.<br />

“One of the prime goals of the GFI is to support its processes in a technological<br />

environment aimed at relationship banking. Based on this goal, upper management<br />

and Internal Auditing seek to rein<strong>for</strong>ce the Group, strengthening its business with<br />

internal auditing that provides added value and aids in detecting and mitigating<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation technology risks in an integrated manner."<br />

Jorge Muñoz


Excellence<br />

in <strong>financial</strong> solutions


MEMORIA ANNUAL ANUAL REPORT <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Banco Improsa was markedly dynamic in <strong>2007</strong>, with overall assets growing by<br />

29.8% <strong>for</strong> the period. This surge comes from the positioning achieved in the<br />

different commercial and personal segments.<br />

On the commercial side, small and medium enterprises continued to be highly<br />

strategic <strong>for</strong> the Bank. The SME Advisory and Support Centers (CAAP) were<br />

created as a very innovative initiative <strong>for</strong> providing assistance to this Costa<br />

Rican segment, <strong>for</strong> which they will serve as a specialized support and integrated<br />

assistance channel. Said centers offer an extensive array of products and<br />

services in both finance and other areas essential to normal business activities;<br />

this has been achieved through partnerships with specialized consulting firms<br />

in various fields.<br />

The areas chosen <strong>for</strong> opening the first CAAP are San José and Alajuela, by<br />

virtue of their large business community and strong economic activity.<br />

Together, the 21,310 enterprises in San José and 8,176 in Alajuela represent<br />

62.8% of all SMEs in Costa Rica.<br />

20<br />

BANCO IMPROSA<br />

Franco Naranjo Jiménez<br />

General Manager<br />

Banco Improsa<br />

Moreover, in <strong>2007</strong> Banco Improsa signed a partnership with the Corporación<br />

Interamericana de Inversiones (CII) by which it was named Costa Rican<br />

representative <strong>for</strong> the Finpyme Program. The program is based on the<br />

application of a methodology and technological tool <strong>for</strong> identifying and<br />

evaluating small and medium enterprises <strong>for</strong> the purpose of improving their<br />

competitive profile and access to funding sources. Its goal is to introduce a<br />

diagnostic mechanism <strong>for</strong> SMEs that will open the door to bank financing <strong>for</strong><br />

many of them. By using business diagnostics it will be possible to determine the<br />

factors that contribute to or detract from: (i) job and wealth creation; (ii)<br />

efficient management and production processes; and (iii) consolidation of<br />

business projects that encourage economic development.


Centro de Apoyo y Asesoría PYME, Barrio Escalante C.R.<br />

Finally, as part of the support network <strong>for</strong> small and medium enterprises, Banco<br />

Improsa signed a cooperation agreement in <strong>2007</strong> with the Costa Rican Ministry of<br />

Economy, Industry and Commerce aimed at strengthening the Bank’s coordination<br />

and support <strong>for</strong> this important sector.<br />

The Bank’s personal financing activity was also particularly strong, especially with<br />

respect to housing credit. The Bank also achieved a prominent position with<br />

respect to young Costa Rican entrepreneurs and financing <strong>for</strong> non-resident<br />

<strong>for</strong>eigners.<br />

In October <strong>2007</strong> Banco Improsa signed a US $10 million loan agreement with the<br />

Corporación Interamericana de Inversiones <strong>for</strong> primary residence financing in<br />

Costa Rica. The program has enjoyed an enthusiastic response and has contributed<br />

to the Bank’s consolidation in this sector.<br />

In <strong>2007</strong> new funding agreements with signed with several top tier banks and<br />

prestigious <strong>financial</strong> cooperation institutions <strong>for</strong> approximately $68 million. Of<br />

note among these were loans of US $7.5 million from the Netherlands<br />

Development Finance Company (FMO), US $10 million from the German<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Investment and Development Company (DEG), US $15 million from the Central<br />

American Bank <strong>for</strong> Economic Integration (CABEI) – <strong>for</strong> a total of US $45 million,<br />

and US $5 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through the<br />

Trade Facility Program agreement aimed at helping the Costa Rican export and<br />

import sector.<br />

One of our biggest achievements was the avid public response to our new at-sight<br />

savings account, “Cuenta Inteligente,” or ‘Smart Account’. This account offers<br />

holders a very competitive interest rate on their savings while making it easy <strong>for</strong><br />

them to use their money at the same time.<br />

One of the main results Banco Improsa has obtained is the array of <strong>financial</strong><br />

services supplementary to <strong>financial</strong> intermediation, which have contributed<br />

¢1,705.5 million to its earnings.<br />

Banco Improsa 21


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

At December <strong>2007</strong>, Banco Improsa had a 51% market share of all trust managed<br />

portfolios in the country, making it the market leader.<br />

The Bank also opened its FOREX department in <strong>2007</strong> so that its customers could<br />

buy and sell hard currencies such as the euro, yen and pound sterling in order to<br />

facilitate <strong>for</strong>eign trade.<br />

All of this was achieved thanks to the strong drive and commitment of its Board<br />

of Directors and management. The guiding principle has been to provide<br />

outstanding integrated <strong>financial</strong> solutions to our target segments through highly<br />

personalized, superior service leading to solid relations with each of our<br />

customers.<br />

After 15 months of design, planning and development, in January <strong>2007</strong> Banco<br />

Improsa put into motion its Project Chirripó, which consists of a support plat<strong>for</strong>m<br />

<strong>for</strong> its commercial banking based on an analytical CRM[1] philosophy. The main<br />

goal is to develop a new way of doing business, changing from product-oriented<br />

banking to customer-oriented relationship banking.<br />

22<br />

BANCO IMPROSA<br />

Félix Alpízar Lobo<br />

Subgerente General<br />

Banco Improsa<br />

With the support and endorsement of Grupo Financiero Improsa’s Board of<br />

Directors and general manager, the following goals were set:<br />

��� ���� ����� ������� ��� ��������� ����������� �� ������ ����� ��� ������<br />

customers;<br />

��� ��� ����� ������� �������������� ���������� �� ����� �� �������<br />

long-term relationships with selected customers;<br />

��� ������� � ������� �� ������� ��� ��� �������� � ���������� ��<br />

�������� ���������� ������� � ����� ��� ����������<br />

��� ������� ��� �� � ���� ��� ��������� ��������������� �����������<br />

culture and business strategy.<br />

1 Por sus siglas en inglés CRM (customer relationship management),<br />

se refiere a la gestión relacional de clientes.


IMPROSA SERVICIOS INTERNACIONALES<br />

Sergio Molina Bonilla<br />

Country General Manager<br />

Improsa Servicios Internacionales has distinguished itself as being a leasing and<br />

<strong>financial</strong> services company with strong <strong>per<strong>for</strong>mance</strong> capacity and a clear vision of<br />

regional <strong>financial</strong> integration. The results at December <strong>2007</strong> are the product of<br />

successful strategy implementation and greater consolidation in the countries where<br />

it has offices.<br />

The goal is to position Improsa Servicios Internacionales S.A. (known as Grupo Improsa<br />

outside Costa Rica) as one of the top firms in <strong>financial</strong> leasing, operative leasing,<br />

factoring and a range of specialized <strong>financial</strong> services custom-tailored to our<br />

customers.<br />

In <strong>2007</strong> the firm maintained a clear, growing hegemony characterized by the capacity,<br />

ability and knowledge necessary <strong>for</strong> tailoring products to meet its customers’ needs,<br />

according to each country’s possibilities.<br />

Having consolidated its services in Central America and Panama, and with a view to<br />

extending them to the Dominican Republic, Improsa Servicios Internacionales today<br />

has a team of highly trained professionals with an unequivocal vision of customer<br />

service. This has enabled it to meet its targets <strong>for</strong> <strong>2007</strong>.<br />

The strengthening of its human resources became a major factor <strong>for</strong> its success in<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

developing the three fundamental axes of Improsa Servicios Internacionales’ activities:<br />

leasing of productive assets, fully guaranteed throughout the region; consolidation of<br />

a Central American factoring network; and deployment of a consumer credit unit.<br />

The excellent results obtained in <strong>2007</strong> were seen in a major jump in net dollar profits<br />

of 45% over the previous <strong>year</strong>, while the placement of leasing contracts rose by<br />

28.65%. This translates into more than $60 million in leasing assets per <strong>year</strong> – and $8<br />

million in factoring, after only one <strong>year</strong>.<br />

Another of Improsa Servicios Internacionales’s achievements was its successful<br />

launching of Improsa Sociedad Administradora de Fondos de Inversión in Panama,<br />

which was authorized by the Panamanian National Securities Commission to offer real<br />

estate funds, making it the first organization of its kind to make public securities<br />

offerings in Panama.<br />

With these results, there can be no doubt that the goals set <strong>for</strong> <strong>2007</strong> have been met,<br />

committing its team of Grupo Improsa collaborators even more to continue exerting<br />

themselves in offering superior quality service consistent with the needs and<br />

expectations of its reason <strong>for</strong> being - “the customers of the entire region."<br />

Improsa Servicios Internacionales<br />

23


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

24<br />

Improsa Servicios Internacionales<br />

Thousands of $<br />

Thousands of $<br />

Thousands of $<br />

70.000<br />

60.000<br />

50.000<br />

40.000<br />

30.000<br />

20.000<br />

10.000<br />

8.000<br />

7.000<br />

6.000<br />

5.000<br />

4.000<br />

3.000<br />

2.000<br />

1.000<br />

0<br />

0<br />

2.000<br />

1.500<br />

1.000<br />

500<br />

0<br />

9.341<br />

223<br />

2003<br />

DIC - 02<br />

151<br />

2003<br />

1.090<br />

DIC - 03<br />

36.846<br />

2004<br />

457<br />

2004<br />

1.964<br />

Graphic # 1<br />

Improsa Servicios Internacionales<br />

PLACEMENT BY YEAR<br />

37.190<br />

46.852<br />

60.276<br />

2005 2006 <strong>2007</strong><br />

Graphic # 2<br />

Improsa Servicios Internacionales<br />

EQUITY<br />

DIC - 04 DIC - 05 DIC - 06 DIC - 07<br />

Graphic # 3<br />

Improsa Servicios Internacionales<br />

NET PROFIT AT DECEMBER 31<br />

904<br />

2.682<br />

1.211<br />

5.754<br />

1.756<br />

2005 2006 <strong>2007</strong><br />

7.091


IMPROSA SAFI<br />

Jaime Ubilla Carro<br />

General Manager<br />

Improsa Sociedad Administradora de Fondos de Inversión (SAFI) experienced major<br />

growth in <strong>2007</strong> with the launch of Los Crestones Investment Fund, its second real<br />

estate investment fund, and authorization <strong>for</strong> the first five real estate development<br />

funds in Costa Rica, two of which have gone into operation. Thus SAFI has<br />

diversified its offer <strong>for</strong> the Costa Rican Stock Exchange, maintaining as well the<br />

excellent <strong>per<strong>for</strong>mance</strong> <strong>for</strong> over 7 <strong>year</strong>s of the Gibraltar Investment Fund.<br />

As <strong>2007</strong> drew to a close, Improsa SAFI had 678 investors, of which 473 had shares<br />

in the Gibraltar Investment Fund, 136 in the Los Crestones Investment Fund, 51 in<br />

the Improsa Real Estate Development Fund, and 18 in the new Improsa II Real Estate<br />

Development Fund. Together they represent 13% of all real estate investment fund<br />

and real estate development fund investors in Costa Rica.<br />

Improsa SAFI’s total managed assets grew by US $45.5 million, a 57.62% increase<br />

over the previous <strong>year</strong>. In addition, Improsa SAFI contributed to real estate and real<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

estate development growth with 27.5% of Costa Rican investment funds in <strong>2007</strong>.<br />

For the investment fund industry in general, Improsa SAFI managed 6.13% of total<br />

assets and 4.58% of net assets.<br />

As a result of its <strong>per<strong>for</strong>mance</strong>, Improsa SAFI recorded a net profit of ¢157.5 million,<br />

an 82.85% increase over the previous <strong>year</strong>, while its return on equity reached<br />

31.66%.<br />

Improsa SAFI<br />

25


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

The Gibraltar Fund<br />

The Gibraltar Fund is still the largest real estate fund in the Costa Rican market by<br />

total managed assets, with US $96.2 million in total managed assets, or 14.89% of<br />

total real estate fund managed assets in Costa Rica. The investment fund acquired<br />

the Centro Comercial Paco building, the Oficentro Mediterráneo building, two lots<br />

adjacent to the Oficentro Torre La Sabana building, and the Centro Comercial<br />

Boulevard building. Said acquisitions came to US $15.9 million.<br />

Development Funds<br />

On March 8, <strong>2007</strong> Costa Rica’s SUGEVAL (Superintendencia General de Valores, the<br />

securities regulatory body) authorized listing of the Improsa Real Estate<br />

Development Fund, making it the first fund of its type to be created in the country<br />

and in Central America. Over the course of the <strong>year</strong>, Improsa SAFI obtained<br />

SUGEVAL’s authorization <strong>for</strong> the prospectuses of four additional real estate<br />

development funds.<br />

These funds are limited public offerings, with investors being allowed to buy shares<br />

of a portfolio consisting of real estate development projects, <strong>for</strong> the purpose of<br />

earning returns on real estate development, completion and later sale or lease.<br />

The first project of the Improsa Real Estate Development Fund is the Oficentro and<br />

Centro Comercial Multipark complex being built in Guachipelín, Escazú, which will<br />

have more than 21,000 square meters of office lease area in four buildings, and<br />

more than 1,300 square meters of commercial lease area distributed into 16<br />

locales.<br />

26<br />

Improsa SAFI<br />

In addition, in November <strong>2007</strong> the Improsa II Real Estate Development Fund was<br />

introduced, which will be used to expand the Hotel Boutique Cala Luna into a sale<br />

complex of 110 apartments and 10 villas. Hotel Cala Luna is located in one of most<br />

rapidly appreciating areas in Playa Langosta, Guanacaste, and currently has 20<br />

rooms and 21 villas available.<br />

New Real Estate<br />

Investment Fund<br />

On November 29, <strong>2007</strong>, Improsa SAFI announced to the <strong>financial</strong> system the<br />

successful placement of US $8 million in share certificates in the new Los Crestones<br />

Development Fund. The fund’s first acquisition was the Oficentro La Virgen building<br />

on December 4, <strong>2007</strong>. Located in the Pavas industrial zone, the building has 25<br />

tenants and a purchase price of US $5,675,000.<br />

On December 11, <strong>2007</strong>, the Oficentro Tamarindo Business Center in Tamarindo,<br />

Santa Cruz Canton, Guanacaste Province, was acquired <strong>for</strong> a purchase price of US<br />

$1,650,000.<br />

Then, on December 20, <strong>2007</strong>, the fund purchased the second floor of the Meridiano<br />

building, one of the most prestigious pieces of real estate in Escazú. The floor has a<br />

lease area of 2.039.99 square meters, where the offices of Ernst & Young S.A. are<br />

located. The transaction carried a purchase price of US $6,200,000.<br />

11.32%<br />

9.28%<br />

2.09%<br />

77.30%<br />

Graphic # 4<br />

Improsa SAFI<br />

Total managed investment<br />

fund assets at the <strong>2007</strong> close<br />

Gibraltar Fund<br />

Los Crestones Fund<br />

Multipark Development Fund<br />

Cala Luna Development Fund<br />

“<strong>2007</strong> was a <strong>year</strong> of great achievements that helped<br />

strengthen Improsa SAFI’s portfolio of investment<br />

funds and confirm its leadership in the market.”<br />

Jaime Ubilla


Improsa Capital has enjoyed a <strong>year</strong> replete with success. <strong>2007</strong> was a <strong>year</strong> of<br />

consolidation of the firm’s strategic areas – such as marketing, engineering and<br />

financing – as well as projects representing the start of a high growth phase.<br />

In addition, the structuring of the prospectus <strong>for</strong> the country’s first real estate<br />

development fund provided the market with a tool <strong>for</strong> increasing real estate investment<br />

as well as investors’ equity, creating greater confidence and dynamism in the sector.<br />

Our strategic partners, such as architect and consulting firms, real estate brokers,<br />

construction firms and developers in general, have made it possible <strong>for</strong> the company to<br />

expand its range of products, services and integrated project planning and development<br />

solutions.<br />

Daily internal strengthening is possible due to training programs and the development<br />

and implementation of new systems and processes that will provide ever greater benefits<br />

<strong>for</strong> our customers.<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

IMPROSA CAPITAL<br />

Rashid Alice Chacón<br />

General Manager<br />

<strong>2007</strong> ended with <strong>financial</strong> and <strong>per<strong>for</strong>mance</strong> indicators far above what was expected,<br />

and a cycle of consolidation has begun that will enable us to boost even more the<br />

confidence our customers have deposited in us from the start. The specialized knowledge<br />

of Improsa Capital’s professional team has been one of its major strengths, helping us to<br />

obtain results exceeding those of the previous <strong>year</strong> by 156%.<br />

“Improsa Capital is a team of professionals with passion <strong>for</strong> what they do and values such<br />

as transparency, loyalty, commitment and knowledge – a team that goes far beyond its<br />

professional duties.”<br />

Rashid Alice<br />

Improsa Capital<br />

27


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Improsa Capital Projects in <strong>2007</strong><br />

28<br />

Improsa Capital<br />

Meridiano Building<br />

Office Condominium<br />

Located 300 meters south of Multiplaza in Escazú, this is considered the “highest<br />

quality, most prestigious and intelligent condominium in the country" by industry<br />

experts, who also give it an A+ building rating. The building has 9 floors and two<br />

basement levels, plus an exceptional lobby that gives the feel of an international court<br />

to its condominiums and customers.<br />

Saint Jude School<br />

Educational Center<br />

Construction was completed on the new Saint Jude School installations in Santa Ana,<br />

which have a capacity <strong>for</strong> 750 students. The new installations will be ready <strong>for</strong> the 2008<br />

school <strong>year</strong>.<br />

SOLARIUM<br />

Logistics Center<br />

Solarium is a project being developed on a 100-hectare property located across from the<br />

Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. Construction of the first stage, the<br />

logistics center, has already been completed and consists of 36 commercial locales and<br />

18 large, 18 medium-sized, 60 small and 68 mini warehouses. In addition, construction<br />

has already started on the Hotel Hilton Garden; soon to begin is construction of an office<br />

building and a village with commercial locales, lofts and offices.


IMPROSEGUROS<br />

Monserrat Buján Boza<br />

General Manager<br />

At December <strong>2007</strong> Improseguros continued to rank among the top ten insurance<br />

brokerages authorized by the Costa Rican National Insurance Institute (INS),<br />

which also awarded it an “A” rating, attesting to and confirming the company’s<br />

record of safe, reliable transactions.<br />

The company’s total production <strong>for</strong> the period was ¢4,108 million in premiums,<br />

more than a 40% increase over 2006 – considered highly satisfactory given the<br />

market average <strong>for</strong> this same period.<br />

Likewise, at December <strong>2007</strong> Improseguros managed a portfolio of over 5,000<br />

customers with insurance policies distributed as shown in Table #1.<br />

Thousands of colones<br />

4.000.000<br />

3.500.000<br />

3.000.000<br />

2.500.000<br />

2.000.000<br />

1.500.000<br />

1.000.000<br />

500.000<br />

_-<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

2005<br />

2006<br />

Graphic # 5<br />

Improseguros<br />

Annual Premiums<br />

<strong>2007</strong><br />

Improseguros<br />

29


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

In <strong>2007</strong> Improseguros worked on designing a business model where the<br />

emphasis was on superior customer service, since this is a differentiating factor<br />

in the market. Within this strategic guideline, the company initiated a plan <strong>for</strong><br />

reviewing and adjusting processes needed <strong>for</strong> confronting the imminent<br />

opening of the Costa Rican insurance market.<br />

30<br />

Improseguros<br />

Cuadro # 1<br />

Improseguros<br />

Portfolio composition by insurance type, december <strong>2007</strong><br />

Type Premiuns (thousands of ¢) Number of policies % (insurance/<br />

premium)<br />

Car 1.567.777 4.215 38%<br />

Workers Compensation 1.014.459 576 25%<br />

Fire 707.845 1.146 17%<br />

Other 228.388 210 6%<br />

Medical Expenses 146.754 508 4%<br />

Life 130.585 119 3%<br />

Contractor 127.577 42 3%<br />

Freight 116.622 128 3%<br />

Electronic Equipment 52.395 123 1%<br />

Theft 15.779 121 0%<br />

Unemployment 366 1 0%<br />

TOTAL 4.108.547 7.189 100%<br />

6%<br />

17%<br />

4%<br />

Car<br />

Workers Comp<br />

Fire<br />

3%<br />

3%<br />

3%<br />

Graphic # 6<br />

Improseguros<br />

Portfolio distribution by insurance type<br />

1%<br />

Medical Expenses<br />

Life<br />

Other<br />

25%<br />

Contractor<br />

Freight<br />

38%<br />

Electronic Equipment<br />

“All our <strong>2007</strong> results make us feel not only proud and satisfied with our ef<strong>for</strong>ts,<br />

but also prepared to face the new challenges awaiting us around the corner in<br />

the insurance sector.”<br />

Monserrat Buján


IMPROACTIVA<br />

Julio Bonifacino Gutiérrez<br />

General Manager<br />

ImproActiva continued to improve its <strong>per<strong>for</strong>mance</strong> in mass consumer finance in<br />

<strong>2007</strong>, maintaining its leadership on the basis of three key variables: response time,<br />

ease and personalized attention.<br />

National coverage expanded in <strong>2007</strong> to 40 points of sale or kiosks covering every<br />

province, in order to provide greater access and better customer service. The sharp<br />

growth is also the product of 32 new partnerships negotiated with established<br />

merchants, by which ImproActiva finances customer purchases at each enterprise;<br />

of these partnerships, one in particular with an appliance retailer has had excellent<br />

results.<br />

The start-up of activities in Guatemala in 2006 has been consolidated under the<br />

same principles, reaching figures in the black sooner than expected.<br />

Growth has been a constant at ImproActiva. In <strong>2007</strong> the company reached 28,670<br />

customers, surpassing the target set out in its strategic plan. This was a very<br />

important achievement <strong>for</strong> a staff team that by the end of the <strong>year</strong> included 265<br />

people – a team that has shown its ability to simultaneously manage the <strong>year</strong>’s<br />

ambitious growth targets and long-term business development projects.<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Placement <strong>for</strong> the <strong>year</strong> was 88% higher than <strong>for</strong> the previous <strong>year</strong>. Investment in<br />

technology included a telecommunications plat<strong>for</strong>m which, by using IP technology,<br />

provides tools <strong>for</strong> increasing the <strong>per<strong>for</strong>mance</strong> capacity and productivity of all<br />

customer contact centers. Likewise, as of August a project was initiated to optimize<br />

credit decision processes in order to improve portfolio quality and help maintain<br />

leadership in key aspects such as response time and ease.<br />

“All actions undertaken by ImproActiva actions are founded on principles and values<br />

we share on a daily basis. We are a team focused on a well-defined strategy<br />

adaptable to market needs. We listen to our customers and believe in continuous<br />

improvement.”<br />

Julio Bonifacino<br />

ImproActiva<br />

31


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

For Improsa Valores Puesto de Bolsa, <strong>2007</strong> was a <strong>year</strong> of consolidation in the Costa<br />

Rican stock exchange, with excellent results <strong>for</strong> such a recently <strong>for</strong>med company.<br />

Improsa Valores started operations in February 2006 with a goal of generating value<br />

<strong>for</strong> shareholders, customers and employees alike, and under the concept of<br />

personalized service and integrated investment risk management has made great<br />

strides in its operation and profits in addition to strengthening its presence in the<br />

Costa Rican stock exchange.<br />

Improsa Valores offers its customers the service of buying and selling of securities,<br />

supplementing this with specialized and personalized consulting in the structuring<br />

and managing of investment portfolios and integrated investment risk<br />

management. With the brokerage house's current sales and operating structure it<br />

has been able to provide this service effectively and efficiently – as reflected in its<br />

results.<br />

Marketing ef<strong>for</strong>ts that were initially aimed at handling the investment needs of<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa’s existing customers were extended to attract new<br />

customers to the Group, and this has led to a steady rise in the number of customers<br />

32<br />

IMPROSA VALORES PUESTO DE BOLSA<br />

Anthony Hidalgo Pérez<br />

General Manager<br />

Improsa Valores Puesto de Bolsa<br />

and volume of managed and custodied assets at the brokerage. At the <strong>2007</strong> close<br />

the total volume of managed assets in both local and international custody reached<br />

US $104.99 million. In the international market alone the volume of managed assets<br />

reached US $11.8 million.<br />

Improsa Valores distinguished itself in <strong>2007</strong> with its leadership and efficacy in Grupo<br />

Financiero Improsa’s funding operations on the local stock exchange. It was thus<br />

able to place products <strong>for</strong> a total of US $43 million, primarily in real estate and<br />

development funds and Grupo Financiero Improsa preferred stock. This aggressive<br />

placement has led to more participation of Grupo Financiero Improsa instruments<br />

on the secondary market, and this has led in turn to higher returns from secondary<br />

market transactions.


Millions of colones<br />

Millions of colones<br />

100.00<br />

80.00<br />

60.00<br />

40.00<br />

20.00<br />

0.00<br />

(20.00)<br />

800.00<br />

700.00<br />

600.00<br />

500.00<br />

400.00<br />

300.00<br />

200.00<br />

100.00<br />

0.00<br />

(16.42)<br />

28.57<br />

84.41<br />

September 2006 December 2006 December <strong>2007</strong><br />

275.99<br />

Graphic # 7<br />

Improsa Valores Puesto de Bolsa<br />

Net profit (loss)<br />

Graphic # 8<br />

Improsa Valores Puesto de Bolsa<br />

Equity<br />

322.24<br />

707.43<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

September 2006 December 2006 December <strong>2007</strong> September 2006 December 2006 December <strong>2007</strong><br />

Millions of colones<br />

Millions of colones<br />

120.00<br />

100.00<br />

80.00<br />

60.00<br />

40.00<br />

20.00<br />

0.00<br />

700.00<br />

600.00<br />

500.00<br />

400.00<br />

300.00<br />

200.00<br />

100.00<br />

0.00<br />

55.84<br />

75.08<br />

89.17<br />

104.99<br />

March <strong>2007</strong> June <strong>2007</strong> September <strong>2007</strong> December <strong>2007</strong><br />

114.74<br />

Graphic # 9<br />

Improsa Valores Puesto de Bolsa<br />

Assets in custody<br />

Graphic # 10<br />

Improsa Valores Puesto de Bolsa<br />

Total income<br />

233.78<br />

662.76<br />

“Durante sus dos años de gestión, Improsa Valores se consolidó como el<br />

canal más importante de comercialización de los productos bursátiles del<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa, tanto al mercado costarricense como a los<br />

demás paises de la región”<br />

Anthony Hidalgo<br />

Improsa Valores Puesto de Bolsa<br />

33


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO GRUPO FINANCIERO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

IMPROSA<br />

34<br />

INVESTMENT OPTIONS<br />

Term Investment Certificates<br />

Checking and Demand Investment Accounts<br />

Real Estate Investment Fund<br />

Real Estate Development Fund<br />

Investment Portfolio Management<br />

Securities Consulting<br />

CREDIT FACILITIES<br />

Revolving Credit Lines <strong>for</strong> Working Capital<br />

Letters of Credit (Import/Export)<br />

Bid and Per<strong>for</strong>mance Bonds<br />

Invoice Discounting<br />

Inventory Pledging<br />

Mortgage, Car or Consumer Loans<br />

TRUST FUNDS<br />

Guarantee Trusts<br />

Testamentary or Equity Trusts<br />

Life Insurance Trusts<br />

Investment and Securities Management Trusts<br />

Education Trusts<br />

LEASING<br />

INSURANCE<br />

OTHER SERVICES<br />

Products and Services<br />

Services and Consulting <strong>for</strong> Small and Medium Enterprises<br />

International Transfers<br />

Foreign Currency Buying and Selling (FOREX)<br />

Payment of Public Utilities<br />

Internet Banking<br />

GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES


FUNDING AND<br />

CORRESPONDENT BANKS<br />

FINANCIAL COOPERATION<br />

BANKS<br />

Central American Bank <strong>for</strong> Economic Integration (CABEI)<br />

German Investment and Development Company (DEG)<br />

Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO)<br />

Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC)<br />

Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF-IDB)<br />

Andean Development Corporation (CAF)<br />

MAJOR CORRESPONDENT<br />

BANKS<br />

Wachovia<br />

Citibank<br />

American Express Bank<br />

Scotiabank<br />

Dresdner Bank<br />

BNP Paribas<br />

BAC Florida Bank<br />

Banco Sabadell<br />

BICSA<br />

Eastern National Bank<br />

International Bank of Miami<br />

Bancoldex<br />

Bancomext<br />

Corporación de Occidente<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

MAJOR NATIONAL<br />

BANKS<br />

Banco Nacional de Costa Rica<br />

Banco de Costa Rica<br />

Banco Popular y de Desarrollo Comunal<br />

Banco Crédito Agrícola de Cartago<br />

Banco Cuscatlán<br />

Scotiabank<br />

Banco General de Panamá<br />

Banco del Bajio<br />

Bladex<br />

Cobank<br />

Unicredit<br />

RBTT Bank Limited<br />

Bancentro<br />

Funding and Correspondent Banks 35


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

36<br />

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY<br />

Supporting Children and Saving the Environment<br />

Edificio multi-propósito de la Asociación Obras del Espíritu Santo, Barrio Cristo Rey, C.R.<br />

Social Responsibility and Philanthropy<br />

The Fernando Ortuño Sobrado Foundation, dedicated<br />

to carrying out charitable educational activities <strong>for</strong><br />

at-risk children, adolescents and youths identified as<br />

victims of abuse and neglect, continued its work<br />

throughout <strong>2007</strong>.<br />

Thanks to its contribution, the Asociación Obras del<br />

Espíritu Santo was able to complete construction of<br />

a multi-use shelter in Barrio Cristo Rey in San José.<br />

The 24-hour open-door shelter is home to a large<br />

number of children.<br />

In <strong>2007</strong> the Foundation initiated its educational<br />

scholarship program, whose goal is to provide<br />

economic assistance to students from low-income<br />

families, giving them an opportunity <strong>for</strong> <strong>for</strong>mal schooling and thus helping them<br />

enter the labor market.<br />

On another front the Grupo Financiero Improsa contributed a significant donation<br />

to the Tropical Science Center’s Climate Change Friendly Project. The donation<br />

guarantees the growth and maintenance of 1,776 trees <strong>for</strong> three <strong>year</strong>s, the time<br />

needed <strong>for</strong> the species to acquire the necessary nutrients <strong>for</strong> survival, so that the<br />

trees can mature and contribute to air purification


In <strong>2007</strong> Grupo Financiero Improsa continued, through Improsa<br />

Servicios Internacionales, its process of Central American<br />

expansion with specialized products; Banco Improsa, <strong>for</strong> its part,<br />

increased its productive assets from ¢136 million to ¢178 million,<br />

pushing the Group’s assets up by 34.4% to a total of ¢231,581.5<br />

million. Each subsidiary contributed significantly in terms of<br />

growth and new business.<br />

The following graph shows the Grupo Financiero Improsa’s<br />

growth from its beginnings in 2000.<br />

The growth was financed by both public deposits and <strong>financial</strong><br />

institution funds. It should be noted that the greatest boost was<br />

from other <strong>financial</strong> obligations (37%), reflecting the confidence<br />

of banks and development institutions, which heavily escalated<br />

their credits to the Group.<br />

The growth and consolidation of the various subsidiaries of<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa have been accompanied by major<br />

equity contributions over the <strong>year</strong>s, as can be seen in the<br />

following graph.<br />

Millions of colones<br />

Millions of colones<br />

ANNUAL MEMORIA REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR <strong>2007</strong><br />

GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Balance Sheet<br />

3.139<br />

2000<br />

3.671<br />

5.059<br />

Graphic # 11<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

Total assets<br />

Graphic # 12<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

6.339<br />

10.043<br />

12.441<br />

19.472<br />

Equity<br />

26.864<br />

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 <strong>2007</strong><br />

Financial Per<strong>for</strong>mance 37


MEMORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR <strong>2007</strong><br />

GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

38 Financial Per<strong>for</strong>mance<br />

Income Statement<br />

In <strong>2007</strong>, Grupo Financiero Improsa’s <strong>financial</strong> earnings rose by<br />

52.2%, going from ¢20,907.4 million in 2006 to ¢31,816.4 million<br />

in <strong>2007</strong>. The net <strong>financial</strong> margin, <strong>for</strong> its part, increased to<br />

¢8,849.6 million after net accounting estimates of ¢1,709.2<br />

million were made to improve coverage and maintain a<br />

conservative credit position.<br />

Of note was a significant gain in, and high level of, net operating<br />

income, which rose from ¢4,391.2 million in 2006 to ¢6,281.2<br />

million in <strong>2007</strong>, a 43% increase. In addition, it should be pointed<br />

out that this represented 19.7% of the Group’s total <strong>financial</strong><br />

income.<br />

With these <strong>financial</strong> results, Grupo Financiero Improsa was able to<br />

generate a net profit of ¢3,468.8 million. It should be mentioned<br />

that this profit was affected by the colon revaluation resulting<br />

from implementation by the Banco Central de Costa Rica of the<br />

exchange band system in October 2006 and a later band<br />

expansion in November <strong>2007</strong>.<br />

Millions of colones<br />

The following graph shows the upward trend of net profits over<br />

the last few <strong>year</strong>s and the effect of colon revaluation.<br />

Finally, the contribution of each subsidiary has been essential<br />

<strong>for</strong> Grupo Financiero Improsa to obtain a return on equity<br />

(ROE) of 14.9%.<br />

4.000<br />

3.000<br />

2.000<br />

1.000<br />

0<br />

92<br />

2000<br />

528<br />

732<br />

Graphic # 13<br />

Grupo Financiero Improsa<br />

1.068<br />

1.769<br />

2.643<br />

Net profit<br />

3.221<br />

3.469<br />

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 <strong>2007</strong>


Audited Financial<br />

Statements


MEMORIA ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Estados Financieros<br />

41


MEMORIA ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Estados Financieros<br />

43


MEMORIA ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

44<br />

Estados Financieros


MEMORIA ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Estados Financieros<br />

45


MEMORIA ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

46<br />

Estados Financieros


MEMORIA ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

Estados Financieros<br />

47


MEMORIA ANUAL <strong>2007</strong> / GRUPO FINANCIERO IMPROSA<br />

48<br />

Estados Financieros

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