In Guatemala, the business group of South American origin acquired 40% of the shares still owned by BAM Financial Corporation, and consolidated 100% of the assets of the Agromercantil Holding Group.
Directors of Bancolombia reported that the company will begin the process of authorizations to regulatory bodies and that in the coming days will provide details on the price of shares, according to the contractual rules between the parties who closed the negotiation.
In order to preserve savings and the stability of the national banking system, the Monetary Board decided to suspend the operations of Banco de Credito, an entity that represents 0.2% of the total assets of the local banking system.
The Superintendence of Banks will have to communicate to the general public the mechanism to be used to make operative the management of the deposits constituted in the Banco de Credito, informed the Central Bank.
As of February 2018, banks in the system had assets totalling $41,343 million, which is 7% higher than the $38,655 million reported in the same month in 2017.
The Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala reported that at the end of February 2018, the bank's national currency assets totaled $29.921 billion, and assets in foreign currency amounted to $11.422 billion.
In the last quarter of 2016, the total amount of transactions made through the network of banking agents grew by 26% compared to the same period in 2015, and the average amount per transaction increased from $99 to $118.
Data from theQuarterly Bulletin of Financial Inclusionby the Superintendency of Banks indicates that between September and December of last year, more than 7.8 million transactions were made, including deposits, withdrawals and credit payments made through the network of banking agents, 26% more than in the same period in the previous year.
The Superintendency of Banks is working on an update of the regulation on credit risk management and a new regulation of corporate governance for insurers.
Jose Alejandro Arevalo, head of the Superintendency of Banks (SIB), told Dca.gob.gt that"...
In the first nine months of the year 1046 banking transactions were reported to have had characteristics of being possibly related to money laundering.
Data from the Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala indicates that 1046 reports were submitted, worth $400 million between January and September this year.
Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "...This year the number of reports increased by 25 percent, as in September 2015 only $100 million had been reported as suspicious transactions.The Superintendent indicated that this change is due to the "conscience" acquired by citizens, who are reporting more of these actions related to money laundering."Unusual situations that can not be explained by customers, become suspicious transaction and are reported," said the head of the SIB.
In response to rumors of more interventions into financial institutions, the Superintendency of Banks in Panama says that they are unfounded, highlighting the strength of the banking system.
From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Banks of Panama:
The Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala has published the Financial Inclusion Report corresponding to the fourth quarter of 2014, noting an increase of 15% in the number of account holders.
Analysis by Fitch Ratings projects that banks in the region will maintain strong balance sheets and have stable profitability in 2014.
Excerpted from Fitch Ratings:
Differential Growth and Opportunities: Low financial depth, in most systems, continues to provide significant opportunities for expansion of bank balance sheets; although this is limited by low average income levels. In 2014, assets in the region could increase about 10%, mainly driven by higher portfolios. Central American banking portfolio growth will reach double digits, except for the systems in El Salvador and Panama, which will grow at a slower pace.
The Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala is calling for public consultation on draft regulations for operational risk management for banking security.
According to an article in Prensalibre.com the intention is to regulate the minimum measures that banks must observe in the national system for managing operational risk in areas such as technology security, vaulting and customer service, among other things. According to the text, from the date on which the regulations take effect, banks must comply with the provisions set forth within three months. "
A Fitch Special Report indicates better positioning in the face of external uncertainty.
SUMMARY
Strengthened Financial Performance:
The banking systems of Central America and the Dominican Republic (hereinafter the region) will continue to strengthen their financial performance as the region continues to recover its rate of GDP growth, estimated at about 4% by 2012 under Fitch’s baseline scenario. Further expansion of credit, combined with less need to establish provisions for bad loans would spur growth in bank profits.
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