The impact of the coronavirus crisis on the financial sector in Central America is expected to be felt mainly in services related to stock brokerage and investment advice, where a drop is expected.
The "Information System for the Impact Analysis of Covid-19 on Business", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, measures the degree of impact that the crisis will have on companies according to their sector or economic activity, during the coming months.
Authorities from both countries agreed to work on the unification of their stock markets, starting with the issuance of a quota of Guatemalan subsidized debt directed to Salvadoran investors.
Representatives of the Guatemalan Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Finance of El Salvador informed that before the end of this fiscal year, the Guatemalan subsidized debt will be approximately $13 million.
Using a web platform with key information from all of the markets in the region and the Dominican Republic, Central American stock exchanges propose reviving the plan to create a truly integrated regional market.
Once again authorities at stock exchanges in Central American countries and the Dominican Republic have put back on the table the plan to integrate the stock markets in each each country into a single regional one.
Grupo Prival, a financial institution of Panamanian origin, has announced the sale of its subsidiary Prival Securities El Salvador, on May 8, 2018.
Elcapitalfinanciero.com reports that "... In a note sent to the Superintendency of the Stock Market (SMV) for public knowledge, the banking institution reported that the change was duly notified and authorized by the Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP). "
Four months after the operations of the two markets were integrated, five brokerage firms are already carrying out transactions and four other are waiting for their operating permit to be processed.
The attractiveness of the Panamanian stock market for both investors and companies raising money explains the great interest that the brokerage firms in El Salvador have shown in being part of the platform that allows them to operate remotely in the Panamanian market.
The first stock market transaction between the two markets has been completed, under the remote operator scheme.
From a statement issued by the Stock Exchange of Panama:
The beginning of cross-border transactions between the El Salvador and Panama Stock Exchanges took place on Friday, May 19, 2017, when the first stock exchange transaction took place between the two markets under the Remote Operator scheme, which allows Stock Brokers from both countries to take part in the different operations in the two markets without the need for an intermediary.
Taxes on transactions made on the stock exchange in El Salvador are discouraging operations on the secondary market, which fell 80% in May compared to the same period in 2015.
15 months after the law entered into force, it has been announced that in July this year the regulations for the operation of the funds will be ready.
In parallel with the regulations of the law, work is also being done on other standards related to the operation of investment funds, such as "... the conditions for calculating the price of individual securities and portfolio management," among other things.
The reduction from 20% to 3% in the tax on stock profits was not enough to prevent trading on the secondary market in the first quarter of the year falling by 94%.
The sale of Citibank operations in El Salvador to Honduras' Grupo Terra has been formalized, with the insurer SISA included in the transaction.
From a statement issued by the Stock Exchange of El Salvador:
It was reported that subject to regulatory approvals from the competent Salvadoran authorities, Inversiones Financieras Citibank, S.A. has sold to the company designated by the Terra Group, all of its shares in Citi Tarjetas de El Salvador, S.A. de C.V.and Banco Citibank de El Salvador, SA and that Citibank Overseas Investment Corporation and Citibank Investments, SA, sold the company designated by the Terra Group its minority stake in Cuscatlán Valores, SA de CV Casa de Corredores de Bolsa.
On January 26, the Ministry of Finance will be auctioning in the local stock market $25 million in Treasury bills with maturities of between 316 and 346 days.
From a statement issued by the Stock Exchange of El Salvador:
Lowering the tax on transactions for non-domiciled investors from 20% to 3% had a positive effect on the performance of the stock market in 2015, which grew by 6% compared to 2014.
The forecast made by Rolando Duarte, president of the Stock Exchange of El Salvador (BVES), is that this type of investment will continue to grow, thanks to the incentive which was first implemented in 2015.
Analysis of the current state of the Panamanian capital market, including the confidence threatened by various financial setbacks, and the opportunities to make the much needed structural changes.
Martesfinanciero.com reviews three episodes which have shocked the Panamanian financial market in recent weeks: "These events have shaken the financial system and put market players on alert.
A reduction from 20% to 3% has been made on withholding tax on income from investments in securities traded on the local stock market.
From a statement issued by the Financial Supervisory Authority:
Recently, the Legislature approved a decree amending art. 158 of the Tax Code in order to decrease from 20% to 3% withholding tax to foreign persons or entities charged on income from investments in securities traded on the Stock Exchange in the Republic of El Salvador.
An agreement has been announced which will allow Salvadoran and Panamanian investors to buy securities on the stock exchange of the other country without them being registered in both markets.
The stock exchange authorities announced that the agreement implies that each recognizes the other's jurisdiction, allowing a "... Salvadoran investor to order their brokerage house to purchase a share in the Panamanian system directly and deposit the money system in custody in Panama . "