Seguridad en el manejo de efectivo: desafíos y soluciones para Pymes

Cash handling security: challenges and solutions for SMEs

Guatemala, May 26, 2025 – In an increasingly dynamic and challenging business environment, and with constant innovations, proper cash management remains one of the biggest challenges for businesses, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

For example, in Guatemala - according to the Small and Medium Enterprise Commission of the Congress of the Republic - as of February 2024 there were 330,752 micro-enterprises; 36,398 small enterprises; 4,027 medium-sized enterprises, which represents 99% of the total business park. [1]

One of the main risks identified is the improper handling of cash, which ranges from incorrect counts and incomplete records to the unsafe storage of money in cash registers or outside of business hours. According to Antonio Robledo, Commercial Manager of Prosegur Cash in Guatemala , these shortcomings not only represent financial losses and security vulnerabilities, but also opportunities for internal and external fraud.

“SMEs in Guatemala play a fundamental role in the national economy, representing about 95% of all companies and generating about 70% of employment in the country. In that regard, the handling and safekeeping of cash is a constant concern for SMEs. “Furthermore, in 2024, the National Civil Police (PNC) reported a 4.5% increase in crime rates compared to 2023, registering a rate of 196 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants,” Robledo stated.

Given this situation, Prosegur Cash , a leading company in security solutions for cash handling, warns about the most common mistakes made by both large businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises.  Among the most common challenges are:

·       Inaccurate counting: Miscounting money can cause problems with accounts, affect decision-making, and generate distrust.

·       Lack of record-keeping: Not recording each income or expense prevents clear control, hinders accounting reconciliation, and increases the risk of errors or fraud.

·       Unsecured storage: Storing cash in places without adequate security exposes the business to theft or loss and puts staff at risk.

·       Without a budget or emergency fund: Not planning expenses or having a reserve for unforeseen events can lead to imbalances and a lack of liquidity in the face of unexpected situations.

·       Uncontrolled spending: Making purchases without planning weakens the sustainability of the business and limits investment capacity.

·       Failure to plan for retirement : Not planning for an orderly exit from the business puts its continuity and the owner's future financial security at risk.

·       Cash on hand without traceability: Having money readily available without control encourages impulsive spending. The lack of records makes it difficult to know how and when cash was used. Digitizing payments improves traceability and simplifies financial management.

“At Prosegur, we know that for small and medium-sized businesses, every quetzal matters. That's why having solutions that guarantee absolute control of cash flow is key. Automating money management not only minimizes errors, fraud, and risks, but also allows for optimizing time and resources, focusing them on business growth ,” said the Prosegur Cash executive.

Smart solutions for efficient and secure management

Prosegur Cash offers cutting-edge technological solutions to facilitate the digitization of cash in businesses of all sizes. Among these, Cash Today stands out—a smart device that allows businesses to securely deposit their daily earnings, with immediate credit to their bank account, insurance on the deposited cash, and real-time traceability.

“Solutions like Cash Today have revolutionized cash management in SMEs by combining not only security measures but also significant improvements in operational efficiency and control of business finances ,” commented Robledo. “Currently, we have achieved 160% growth in the installation and sale of Cash Today equipment in the country, exceeding Q650 million digitized monthly, reflecting the growing need to automate and protect financial processes.”

Advantages of the Cash Today solution:

·                Immediate payment of the deposited cash.

·                Reduction of the risk of robbery, theft or loss.

·                Total control of the cash cycle.

·                Improvement in daily work-life balance.

·                Security validated by regulatory entities.

With over 40 years of experience and a presence throughout the country, Prosegur Cash continues to innovate so that Guatemalans' money arrives safely from rural areas to cities, accompanying the evolution of commerce with reliable technology, specialized advice and a firm commitment to security.

 

About Prosegur

Prosegur is a global leader in the private security sector. Through its three business lines—Prosegur Security, Prosegur Cash, and Prosegur Alarms—it provides businesses and homes with reliable security based on the most advanced solutions on the market. With a global presence, Prosegur generated €4.698 billion in revenue in 2024, is listed on the Spanish stock exchanges under the ticker symbol PSG, and currently employs more than 160,000 people. The company channels its charitable efforts through the Prosegur Foundation, which, with 31,111 beneficiaries in 2024, works in four key areas: education, employment inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, corporate volunteering, and the promotion of culture. For more information, visit www.prosegur.com

 

Contact us for more information:

Nicolás Holguín Lora

Cell: +57 (1) 310-504-4610

Email: nicolas.holguin@prosegur.com