In El Salvador, Promerica in partnership with CLAI PAYMENTS® Technologies made it possible, in a week, to develop a rapid response for Salvadorans to obtain the ease of withdrawing the subsidy that the Government grants to the current crisis from the network of ATMs, without the need for card use, replacing this means with a token and personal identification.
This initiative was born from an urgent national need. During the pandemic, the Government of El Salvador implemented social subsidies to support families affected by lockdowns and the decline in economic activity. The main challenge was how to deliver these resources quickly, safely, and without forcing citizens to expose themselves to unnecessary risks by crowding into bank branches. Traditional mechanisms, such as cash distribution or physical cards, implied logistical complications, security concerns, and additional costs that would delay the process.
Promerica, aware of his role as a key financial actor in the country, partnered with CLAI PAYMENTS® Technologies to design and implement a disruptive alternative. Leveraging CLAI’s expertise in transactional ecosystems and ATM solutions, both institutions developed in record time a secure scheme that replaced card-based withdrawals with a token system validated through personal identification. This meant that any beneficiary, even those without prior access to banking services, could approach the extensive ATM network of Promerica and withdraw their subsidy without the need for a debit or prepaid card.
The technological innovation lay in integrating new authentication layers within the ATM network, enabling transactions with the same security standards as traditional withdrawals, but eliminating physical card dependency. CLAI’s platforms ensured full regulatory compliance, encryption of sensitive data, and resilience of the system under high demand. In fact, during the first days of operation, the solution managed unprecedented transaction volumes without service interruptions—an achievement only possible with robust architectures designed for mission-critical financial operations.
Beyond the technical aspect, the impact was deeply social. Thousands of Salvadorans, especially in vulnerable and rural communities, were able to access government aid efficiently and with dignity. By eliminating the barrier of card ownership, Promerica and CLAI contributed to financial inclusion, enabling people with little or no prior banking relationship to benefit from a modern, digital service. The initiative reduced waiting times, avoided congestion in branches, and minimized exposure risks during a critical phase of the pandemic.
For Promerica, this case demonstrated the value of agility and adaptability in the financial sector. In just one week, the institution transformed its ATM network into a national distribution channel for subsidies, proving that banking infrastructure can serve not only commercial purposes but also as a fundamental pillar for social welfare. For CLAI PAYMENTS® Technologies, it was confirmation of its mission: delivering technological ecosystems capable of responding to the most demanding scenarios with security, speed, and reliability.
The results of this joint effort were evident:
- Greater financial inclusion, by enabling access to people outside the traditional banking system.
- Operational efficiency, by using existing ATMs instead of costly new infrastructure.
- Security and compliance, with tokenized authentication and encrypted transactions through CLAI’s advanced platforms.
- Agility, with the entire project completed in just seven days, setting a benchmark in Latin America for rapid technological deployment in financial services.
This case also opened the door to future applications. The token system and non-card-based withdrawals have the potential to extend beyond subsidies, serving remittances, emergency payments, microloans, and other government programs. It is a scalable model that can be replicated in other countries of the region facing similar challenges.
Ultimately, the Promerica–CLAI PAYMENTS® Technologies alliance exemplifies how technology, when combined with a clear purpose, can change lives. In a moment of uncertainty and crisis, the financial sector rose to the challenge, and thanks to this collaboration, Salvadorans could access the resources they most needed—safely, efficiently, and inclusively.
This success story highlights an undeniable truth: financial institutions that innovate alongside trusted partners like CLAI PAYMENTS® Technologies are not only more competitive but also more relevant to society. In the most difficult times, the ability to act with agility, security, and vision makes the difference between being just a bank and becoming a true agent of change.
