As of March 2018, banks registered 6,230 agents and 8,668 establishments, 8% and 21% more than in the same month in 2017, while 337 branches were closed.
According to figures from the Superintendency of Banks, between the months of March 2017 and 2018, the number of banking agencies nationwide fell from 3,614 to 3,277, which is equivalent to a fall of 9%. This contrasts with the increases recorded in the number of agents and banking establishments.
According to experts, more branches do not mean a larger banking population.
While the number of bank branches in the country has grown significantly, the number of Guatemalans who have a bank account is less than 25%.
Experts in the field, such as the economist Julio Estrada, say that one of the main advantages of the population being involved in banking is access to credit, which enhances a country's development.
The main shareholder of the new bank, which will open operations on 13 July, is the Panamanian holding company Bicapital Corporation.
As outlined in an article in Elperiodico.com.gt, Banco Industrial El Salvador will absorb the existing operations of the representative office of Banco Industrial Guatemala, which is already operating business loan services in El Salvador.
The Guatemalan bank will invest $20 million in the opening of five agencies in El Salvador.
Luis Lara Groject, Banco Industrial's manager, commented that the opening had been planned for May but the development of information systems took longer than expected.
According to elperiodico.com.gt the new Salvadoran branches will have $20 million worth of capital initially.
The National Bank of Costa offers 250 services at 500 local small businesses.
Using the internet, business owners at pharmacies, small shops, and mini supermarkets can attend to clients of the Bank who can access banking services in areas where it is not profitable to install a full branch.
Mercedes Aguero reports in an article on Nacion.com that "to become a correspondent of the National Bank, interested business owners must sign a contract with the bank in which the necessary conditions and requirements are established. The commission that the clients pay for using these services is shared between the bank and the business owner."