Gustavo Julio Vollmer Acedo

As CEO of Mercantil, Gustavo Vollmer has led the digital transformation of a 97-year-old publicly traded company by creating innovative solutions with purpose. Mercantil, with a presence across Latin America and Europe, offers customers affordable and accessible financial products, services and solutions in banking, wealth management and insurance.

For many in Latin America, accessing basic financial services is incredibly difficult — and even harder for the financially vulnerable. Gustavo has used technology to improve accessibility for those most in need, primary Venezuelans and Panamanians. Mercantil has helped families and small businesses with everything from long-term goals to unexpected emergencies. 

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the region’s need for increased digital financial inclusion. In response, Mercantil has created a digital wallet to reach financially excluded and underserved populations with a range of formal financial services suited for their needs, delivered responsibly and affordably. A year after its launch, the wallet has been downloaded more than 800,000 times in 90 countries, with a 50% growth rate each month in cash-in. Gustavo has led this effort by aligning his social values with the organization’s purpose — to offer financial inclusion to communities that have long been without it.

Gustavo believes Mercantil’s success is built on the resilience of the Venezuelan people. He is committed to social change and fosters a wide range of philanthropic projects to achieve a more sustainable, equitable and ethical future. He is connecting people around the world, in a region where economic difficulties have resulted in one of the largest displacement crises seen in decades.

Back to the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Class of 2022