5B Digital Summit 2026 Brings Together Financial Leaders to Discuss the Future of Finance
The 5B Digital Summit 2026 brought together over 600 financial and technology leaders in Guatemala to discuss AI, cybersecurity and payments.
The 5B Digital Summit 2026 brought together more than 600 participants from the banking, technology, regulatory, cybersecurity and payments sectors in Guatemala to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the financial system. Held under the theme “Building the Financial Future,” the ninth edition was organized by 5B and the Latin American Association of Electronic Funds and Information Transfer Service Operators (ATEFI).
Connecting the financial ecosystem
This year's agenda focused on three main priorities: connecting the ecosystem, strengthening trust and transforming the financial experience. Discussions covered artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, payment infrastructure modernization, automation, organizational culture, data use and people-centered financial experiences.
The event also marked 5B's 20th anniversary, highlighting the company's role in payments infrastructure, interoperability and collaboration among financial institutions.
The opening session featured Alberto Cofiño, chairman of 5B's Board of Directors; Óscar Castellano, executive director of ATEFI; and Leonte Pallais, general manager of 5B.
“After 20 years, at 5B we reaffirm our commitment to continue being part of the infrastructure that makes this evolution possible and to support the ecosystem through collaboration, interoperability and responsible innovation,” said Pallais.
A shared vision for Guatemala's financial system
The program began with Álvaro González Ricci, president of Guatemala's Monetary Board and Banco de Guatemala, who presented his perspective on the evolution of the financial ecosystem.
José Luis “Pepe” Pulido of Grupo Ethos Pay then addressed the changes transforming payment systems, including new expectations around security and user experience.
One of the summit's central discussions was “Guatemala, a Shared Financial Vision.”
The panel brought together:
- González Ricci
- Saulo De León Durán, superintendent of Banks
- and Enrique Rodríguez Mahr, president of the Guatemalan Banking Association and CEO of Grupo Financiero G&T Continental.
- Pallais moderated the conversation.
The speakers discussed the relationship between macroeconomic stability, regulation, banking and technological infrastructure and their role in strengthening Guatemala's financial system in the coming years.
AI and cybersecurity take center stage
Artificial intelligence was another key topic during the summit. In the session “AI Under Control,” Sabas Casas of Accenture Mexico examined AI governance, data management and risk management.
Cybersecurity was also addressed through the panel “Trust Is Protected Together,” which brought together representatives from Tigo Business Guatemala, Mastercard, Fortinet and SACA Guatemala Chapter.
The discussion focused on information protection, digital continuity and the importance of collaboration between organizations to address cybersecurity threats.
Modernizing payment infrastructure
The summit also explored how financial institutions can modernize payment systems while maintaining service continuity.
During “From Legacy to Innovation: How to Modernize Payments Without Taking on More Risk,” representatives from Ernst & Young, Banco Promerica Guatemala and CLAI Payments discussed the challenges involved in evolving payment infrastructure without compromising the continuity of services.
The program also featured sessions on privacy, data use, user experience and financial ecosystems, with participation from Mauricio López Fernández of iShop Business, Carlos Andrés Fernández of Pragma and Chris Avila of Google.
Building the future of finance
The event concluded with Ramón Heredia, co-founder of Digital Bank LATAM, who delivered the closing presentation, also titled “Building the Financial Future.” His conference brought together the main themes discussed throughout the summit.
With more than 600 attendees and national and international specialists, the 5B Digital Summit 2026 provided a space to exchange experiences and encourage dialogue around the evolution of Guatemala's and the region's financial system.
