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Luis Carlos Sarmiento


Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo is a Colombian billionaire with an estimated net worth USD$2.4 billions as of 2009 and president of the massive banking conglomerate Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores, SA.

Sarmiento's career began modestly during the 1950s, building residential and commercial developments. After making his name in the construction business, Sarmiento initiated an acquisitions campaign that has persisted for decades, concentrating on banks and financial service institutions. By 2000, he was widely acknowledged as Colombia's top banking mogul, holding an estimated 22 percent of the local banking assets, close to the maximum allowed by law.

Sarmiento founded Grupo Aval as a holding company to gather his banking, telecommunications, and real estate interests. Four major banks, as well as other financial service corporations, form the backbone of the organization. He is considered one of Colombia's most prudent entrepreneurs, known for his conservative management techniques. This cautious approach helped his financial empire ride the storm generated by the worst recession in Colombia's history. In 2000, plans to list Grupo Aval on the New York Stock Exchange were postponed due to Wall Street's unfavorable climate for emerging market funds. Sarmiento's net worth increased significantly between 2005 and 2006, thanks largely to Colombia's blistering stock market, Bolsa de Valores de Colombia, the world's second best performing in 2005. As of 2006, he continues to run Grupo Aval with help from son Luis Carlos Jr., whom he is grooming to eventually take over the family empire.

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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Luis Carlos Sarmiento


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