Fitch Ratings has issued a special report entitled, "Central American Banking: After the Crisis, a Disparate Evolution"
In Fitch's opinion the banks have shown a mixed performance in Central America during the period of the global financial crisis. At the same time, banking systems have dissimilar perspectives on future performance, reflecting different economic growth prospects in the region.
According to Fitch Ratings, even though the economic scenario has improved, Central American banks face challenges related to the quality of their assets.
Central American banking systems have weathered the financial crisis relatively well. Even though profits fell considerably during 2009, industry solvency levels remain good. Profits fall mostly because banks opted for liquid assets and increased their expenses in provisions.
According to Fitch Ratings, even though the economic scenario has improved, Central American banks face challenges related to the quality of their assets.
Central American banking systems have weathered the financial crisis relatively well. Even though profits fell considerably during 2009, industry solvency levels remain good. Profits fall mostly because banks opted for liquid assets and increased their expenses in provisions.
Fitch Ratings issued a special report: "Central American Banking: Evolution of the Crisis and Learnt Lessons".
In Fitch's opinion, the negative impact the international crisis had on Central American banks was very evident in 2009. The current economic context poses growing risks for the sector, as well as an important challenge for this year.
"Banking systems of the region have witnessed a sensible reduction in their cumulative results in the first half of the year, mainly caused by a considerable increase in delinquent loan reserves", states the report. "These results will continue under pressure in the following months, and their potential bounce-back will depend on an improvement of the economic environment, which Fitch does not expect before 2010".