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).
It has been announced that the Guatemalan bank has acquired assets belonging to the Honduran group estimated at $108 million.
As part of the process of forced liquidation of Banco Continental, which began on October 12, the Bank founded in Guatemala acquired 32% of the assets, which has an estimated total value of $225 million.
Two private banks account for 81% of the 5767 bank agents operating in the country, which in the last three years have increased their presence by 40%.
As of June 30, 2015, 5767 agents are operating , 9.4% more than in the same period in 2014, according to the Superintendency of Banks. "... Five banks have a banking agents system : Banco G & T Continental has 48.5% of these agents, Banrural 33%, BI 17.65%, followed far behind by Banco de Crédito (0.66%) and Banco Promérica (0.19%). "
The Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala has authorized Rural Bank of Guatemala to acquire the shares of the bank founded with Nicaraguan capital, ProCredit.
After Banrural submits the information and documents requested by law, the Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala (SIB) will authorize the purchase of shares of Banco ProCredit.
The bank of Guatemalan origin has announced the completion of the purchase process of Procredit and the beginning of operations in December, focusing its services on the agricultural sector.
After completing the purchase process of shares of ProCredit Bank for $30 million, Banrural has announced that it will start operations with 15 agencies nationwide. Its main customer is the agricultural sector, but it also provides loans to SMEs in all areas.