Fitch Ratings notes that the Guatemalan banking system reports one of the lowest rates of delinquency in the region.
From the report 'Panorama of Guatemalan Banks' by Fitch Ratings:
Local Majority Banking System: The largest banks (70% of loans in the system) belong to local shareholders. At the same time, foreign-owned banks increased their share after Bancolombia acquired the controlling stake in Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala, S.A. (BAM).
The credit portfolio grew by 9.8% in 2013, while assets of supervised banking institutions increased by 12%.
During 2013 the bank granted a larger amount of loan, as its portfolio grew by 9.8%. While the loans in 2012 totaled $ 9.139 million in 2013 were $ 10,043 million, a difference of $ 904.3 million.
With regard to assets, these increased by 12% going from $25,162 million in 2012 to $28,176 million in 2013.
Four banks compete with a wide range of small credits under $20 thousand Dollars.
Industrial Bank (BI), Rural Development (Banrural), G & T Continental and Bantrab offer term, conditions and personalized service in order to fill this market niche.
Sigloxxi.com writes "The president of the Central American Microfinance Network (Redcamif), Reynold Walter, said that loans of this type represent 70% in rural areas, while in metropolitan areas account for 30%. Out of the total, two-thirds are managed by women. "