Question 1

What is Findeter?

Accepted Answer

Findeter (Financiera de Desarrollo Territorial S.A.) is Colombia's territorial development bank specializing in planning, structuring, financing, and executing infrastructure projects that improve quality of life across Colombian regions. As a second-tier development bank, Findeter provides wholesale financing to commercial banks and other first-tier lenders, which then lend to municipalities, departments, and other public and private entities for infrastructure development. The institution focuses particularly on strengthening administrative and management capacities in category 3, 4, 5, and 6 municipalities and districts, working to reduce territorial and socioeconomic gaps throughout Colombia.

Question 2

When was Findeter founded?

Accepted Answer

Findeter was created by Law 57 of 1989 as a stock corporation. The institution underwent significant transformation through Law Decree 4167 of 2011, which converted it into a mixed-economy corporation of national order, organized as a credit establishment. This restructuring enhanced Findeter's capacity to serve as Colombia's primary territorial development financing vehicle. Over its more than 30 years of operation, Findeter has evolved from a municipal lending facilitator to a comprehensive development bank offering integrated solutions encompassing project preparation, technical assistance, and long-term financing.

Question 3

Where is Findeter headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Findeter is headquartered in Bogotá, Colombia. The institution operates from its central offices in the capital, where it manages all operations related to project structuring, credit rediscounting, technical assistance program administration, and relationships with first-tier financial institutions. As a second-tier bank, Findeter does not maintain branch networks for public interaction but rather works through its partner financial institutions throughout Colombia.

Question 4

Where does Findeter operate?

Accepted Answer

Findeter operates nationwide across Colombia, serving both national and territorial governments, as well as public and private sector entities. The institution's shareholders include the Colombian Nation through Grupo Bicentenario (92.5476% ownership) and various department governments throughout the country. Findeter's services reach all regions through its rediscount system, enabling infrastructure financing in urban and rural areas from major cities to small municipalities. The institution has particular focus on underserved territories, working to close infrastructure gaps in regions with limited financial capacity.

Question 5

What services does Findeter offer?

Accepted Answer

Findeter provides comprehensive infrastructure development solutions:

Financial Products: Rediscount loans for both public and private entities, financing up to 100% of project costs. Terms extending up to 15 years including three-year grace periods. Loan denominations in Colombian pesos or US dollars. Interest rates linked to Consumer Price Index (CPI), Fixed Term Deposits (DTD), or Reference Banking Index (IBR). Coverage for working capital, debt substitution, and investment projects.

Project Structuring and Technical Assistance: Pre-contractual and contractual process support for government programs. Feasibility studies and project design for infrastructure initiatives. Technical assistance for water and sanitation projects through the "Agua para la Prosperidad" program. Support for major social programs including housing, citizen integration centers, and early childhood development. Capacity building for territorial entities in project planning and execution.

Integrated Territorial Development Programs: "Sustainable and Competitive Cities" platform (partnership with Inter-American Development Bank). "Emblematic Cities" program supporting strategically important vulnerable cities. "Diamante Caribe and Santanderes" regional competitiveness program (partnership with Microsoft, Fundación Metrópoli, and Colciencias). These programs provide comprehensive planning, digital solutions, and infrastructure development.

Sector Coverage: Infrastructure financing across 11 economic sectors including health, potable water, housing, transport, energy, education, and environmental projects. Public fund management services. Guarantee and endorsement products.

As of 2025, Findeter had structured and supported projects valued at over USD 1.8 billion through programs like "Agua para la Prosperidad," benefiting more than 9 million Colombians across 27 regions.

Question 6

What makes Findeter unique?

Accepted Answer

Findeter's second-tier structure enables it to leverage the operational networks of commercial banks while providing development-oriented financing terms. The institution's AAA local credit rating and BBB international rating (Fitch and Standard & Poor's) allow it to access capital markets at favorable rates, which it passes on to municipal borrowers through competitive lending terms.

A critical innovation is the voluntary revenue intercept mechanism, where municipalities establish accounts to receive intergovernmental transfers. First-tier lenders can intercept revenues if loan payments are not made, providing enhanced security that enables longer-term, lower-cost financing. This mechanism has built commercial bank confidence in municipal lending.

Findeter serves as both financier and technical advisor, providing "Asistencia Técnica" that helps municipalities identify, structure, and execute bankable projects. The institution manages major government programs through interadministrative contracts, including Contract Plans (Contratos Plan) with the National Planning Department and various programs with the Ministry of Housing.

The Colombian Stock Exchange awarded Findeter the "IR - Issuer" recognition for best practices in information disclosure and investor relations. The institution has pioneered portfolio securitization, local and international bond issuances, and multilateral bank partnerships to diversify funding sources beyond traditional deposits.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Findeter?

Accepted Answer

Findeter is classified as a sociedad de economía mixta del orden nacional (mixed-economy corporation of national order), organized as an establecimiento de crédito (credit establishment) operating under a régimen de derecho privado (private law regime). The institution is vinculada (linked) to the Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público and vigilada (supervised) by the Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia.

As a banco de segundo piso (second-tier bank), Findeter represents a specialized category of development bank that provides wholesale funding to first-tier financial institutions rather than lending directly to end beneficiaries. This institutional model allows Findeter to multiply its impact by mobilizing commercial bank capital for development purposes while maintaining relatively lean operations.

Findeter's structure combines public policy objectives with private sector efficiency, positioning it as Colombia's primary infrastructure development bank and a key component of the country's territorial development strategy. Its focus on subnational government financing distinguishes it from other development banks in Colombia's financial system.

Findeter

in Colombia 🇨🇴

Crypto-Friendliness

All done!

About Findeter in Colombia