The Association for Research and Social Studies (ASIES) has published a study on the essential institutional strengthening of microfinance in Guatemala, with its own data and references it reports from the Secretariat for Economic Integration (SIECA) on "The Importance of the Micro Financial Sector in Central America ".

The ASIES study is divided into four chapters, the first is a theoretical framework for analyzing the sector in the developed world and the country, supplemented by the current legal environment of the financial sector in Guatemala and outlook for microfinance institutions ; it includes an analysis of policy in other Latin American countries.

Then it addresses the need for an adequate regulatory framework, the risks of not having a law, as well as describing aspects which should be included in the basic structure of the rules.

Read here the full report.

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Microfinancers in Panama

May 2012

The demand for loans for micro and small enterprises was around $900 million over the past two years and went largely unfulfilled.

Data from the Panamanian Network of Microfinancers (Redpamif in Spanish) show that specialized microfinance institutions granted in that period about $150 million in loans to micro and small enterprises.

$10.5 million for Costa Rican SMEs

October 2011

The BCIE has granted a credit line to Cathay Bank to support MSME’s, as well as international trade and housing in Costa Rica.

A press release by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) reads:

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) has granted a loan to Banco Cathay allowing it to expand its global credit line to $10.5 million in order to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as international trade and housing Costa Rica.

Credit for Entrepreneurs in Panama

November 2010

Credit needs for the entrepreneurial sector in the country reached $ 245 million.

The figure comes from the study "Proposal of policy, strategy and action plan for implementation of micro-finance services in Panama", created by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Ampyme) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

$115 Million for Nicaraguan Agriculture

May 2009

It is available to small and medium agricultural producers for the 2009-2010 production cycle.

The President of the Nicaraguan Association of Microfinance Institutions - ASOMIF, Julio Flores, noted that these loans will benefit more than 120 thousand producers.

Elnuevodiario.com.ni reported more statements by the president: "For 2009, micro-financial companies have big challenges, including the ability to renew and maintain the level of existing lines of credit and increasing them to meet growing productive sector demands."