PUBLIC POLICY AND TRANSPARENCY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE WELFARE BANK IN MEXICO

Abstract

The Banco del Bienestar (Welfare Bank) is a public policy promoted by the federal government during the six-year term of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Its main objective is the dispersion of resources from social programs and the financial inclusion of historically marginalized sectors. To this end, an ambitious branch expansion plan was implemented in the country, with a significant investment by the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA). 

This research analyzes the viability and impact of this public policy in the communities benefited. A documentary study was carried out based on information obtained through the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data (INAI). Collaboration agreements between Banco Bienestar and SEDENA were reviewed, as well as data on the investment, distribution and execution of the branches in the periods 2020-2021. The results indicate inconsistencies in the management of the budget, since the amounts exercised do not match the official figures reported.