Las Tunas.- At the Provincial Directorate of the Bank of Credit and Commerce (Bandec in Spanish), days are measured in numbers, balance sheets, and accounting closings. There, amid papers, computer systems, and the discipline required by accounting, Ernestina Arias Rivero spends her working life. She is a woman who has dedicated more than a decade to this institution and who speaks of her work with the serenity of someone who has learned to find joy in precision.
Her story shows that this is not just a job, but a path to professional growth. Accounting in a bank, she says, is not comparable to that of other entities.
"There is no tomorrow here. Every day must be closed with accuracy because customers trust that their accounts reflect reality instantly, unlike companies, where the accounting close can take several days. We cannot leave anything pending because all operations are online.
“I have worked at Bandec for almost 11 years. I started at Branch 6441 in the Credit Department. In April 2015, I joined the Provincial Management, first as head of the Statistics Department, and today I am in charge of the Accounting Department, which merged with Cash and Statistics. It was rewarding to take on this challenge.”
The work environment is pleasant. Ernestina says that there are few employees, but they are united. Within the walls of Bandec, there is a makeshift daycare center. Several of the employees are mothers of young children, and, on occasion, due to circumstances beyond their control, they must bring them to work.
“You don't stop being a mother just because you're working,” she says matter-of-factly. Family life flows in parallel; a marriage of more than 30 years and a well-organized routine allow her to balance her responsibilities.
The institution is undergoing a generational change. After more than two decades with the same managers, the retirement of that group gave way to a new batch. Although she has experience in the banking industry, she recognizes herself as a pioneer in her role as head of Accounting. However, the transition has been positive, maintaining the continuity of the work and the development of the entity.
Day-to-day life is not without its difficulties. The dynamics of the bank demand permanence, and in the branches, direct contact with customers intensifies that demand. Even so, Ernestina assures us that the effort is worth it. In her voice, we can hear the pride and satisfaction of being part of a well-oiled machine that works with great commitment.
"There are five of us working in the department. We used to be 12, but with the reorganization, the unnecessary positions have been eliminated. Each employee has specific functions, such as controlling expenses and income, and coordinating with the branches.
“Two months ago, we were audited by the Provincial Directorate, with satisfactory results and no deficiencies. This shows that we are organized and that there is an atmosphere of trust.”
Aware of the demands of her job, she acknowledges that her role is not always easy. Her words convey a great sense of belonging. She speaks of her team as a small family and of the organization as a value that sustains the trust of users.
