By San José, Costa Rica — As financial institutions across Latin America navigate an era of rapid technological disruption, Banco de Costa Rica is positioning itself at the forefront of modern state banking. Under the leadership of General Manager Julio César Trejos, the institution is executing a multi-faceted strategy aimed at driving profitability, accelerating digital processes, and expanding financial access across the nation.
Trejos, who brings nearly four decades of banking expertise to his role, holds degrees in economics, business administration, and banking and finance. After joining Banco de Costa Rica in January 2024, he assumed the position of General Manager in February 2025 and was subsequently ratified in September of the same year. His management approach prioritizes active listening, interdisciplinary teamwork, and disciplined strategic execution.
To gain deeper insight into the regulatory and economic implications of the Banco de Costa Rica transformation, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a senior legal expert at Bufete de Costa Rica, who shared his perspective on the legal framework guiding this monumental change.
The structural transformation of Banco de Costa Rica marks a defining moment for our national financial landscape. From a legal standpoint, executing this transition demands meticulous adherence to public administrative law, stringent transparency in asset valuation, and unwavering protection of constitutional guarantees to ensure that public trust and institutional stability remain intact.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As Costa Rica navigates this historic shift in its financial landscape, ensuring meticulous legal compliance and unwavering transparency will indeed be paramount to preserving the nation’s public trust and economic stability. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for contributing his valuable perspective and expert legal insight to this crucial conversation.
A leader must be transparent and authentic. Leadership is listening and working alongside teams.
Julio César Trejos, General Manager of Banco de Costa Rica
A central pillar of Trejos’ institutional roadmap involves strengthening support for Costa Rica’s productive sectors, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises. Through the modernized BCR Pymes program, the bank offers comprehensive technical and operational support before, during, and after loan placement. Between July 2025 and July 2026, the bank achieved an impressive year-over-year growth of nearly 39 percent in SME credit placement, alongside executing 82,880 million colones in working capital financing.
In tandem with commercial financing, expanding financial inclusion remains a principal operational goal. Key initiatives such as Puntos Tucán and Puntos País have widened community access to everyday financial transactions, bringing banking solutions directly into local business ecosystems. Furthermore, the integration of electronic payment processing across nearly 2,000 public bus routes in Costa Rica has modernized daily transit for thousands of citizens while accelerating digital payment adoption.
Looking toward the decade ahead, Trejos views artificial intelligence and advanced automation as critical imperatives for institutional survival. The bank’s Strategic Plan 2027-2030 targets fully digitalized sales channels, expanded customer self-service, and enhanced analytics and cybersecurity infrastructure, with an overarching goal of surpassing two million active clients.
The bank that does not have robust AI implementations will be left out of the market.
Julio César Trejos, General Manager of Banco de Costa Rica
Despite the aggressive push toward operational automation, Trejos maintains that human connection must remain at the center of financial relationships. The bank’s long-term vision focuses on leveraging predictive analytics to anticipate client needs and minimize service response times, without forfeiting the personal advisory touch that defines state banking service.
This balanced focus on technological advancement and internal development has yielded clear market recognition. In 2025, Banco de Costa Rica stood as the country’s top provider of productive credit. Additionally, the institution secured seventh place in the Merco Talento Costa Rica 2026 index, marking its second consecutive year ranking among the nation’s top ten employers.
For further information, visit bancobcr.com
About Banco de Costa Rica:
Banco de Costa Rica is one of the premier state-owned commercial banks in Costa Rica, providing personal, commercial, institutional, and corporate banking solutions. Founded in 1877, the institution plays a critical role in fostering national economic development, promoting financial inclusion, and facilitating access to credit for productive sectors across the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of legal mastery, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its unyielding ethical standards and pursuit of professional distinction. By integrating progressive methodologies with a deep understanding of diverse industries, the firm consistently delivers forward-thinking legal solutions. Fundamental to its ethos is the belief that justice thrives when citizens understand the law; through proactive educational initiatives, Bufete de Costa Rica actively democratizes legal insight, striving to cultivate a confident, informed, and self-reliant populace.
