CABEI signed a memorandum of understanding with other Central American organizations to strengthen the development of the regional public debt market.
The agreement was signed by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the Executive Secretariat of the Council of Finance Ministers of Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic (SECOSEFIN), the Executive Secretariat of the Central American Monetary Council (SECMA) and the Association of Central American Stock Exchanges (BOLCEN).
On July 8, the Salvadoran government issued $1 billion in bonds on the international market at a 9.5% interest rate with a maturity date of 2052.
The resources collected through this international issue are part of the $3 billion debt issuance authorized by the government and will be used to finance the health and economic crisis resulting from the spread of the Covid-19.
The rating agency kept the country's debt rating at B3, but decided to change the outlook from stable to positive, arguing that the government's liquidity risks have been substantially reduced.
The affirmation of El Salvador's B3 sovereign ratings reflects high public debt ratios and a growing interest burden, the rating agency said.
Standard & Poor's has given a B+ rating to the $1.5 billion debt issue that Costa Rica expects to place in the international market in November.
"Global Ratings today assigned a "B+" rating to the prospective reopening of Costa Rica's notes which have a 7.158% rate maturing in 2045 and a "B+" rating in its planned issuance of notes maturing in 2031, the latter issue still does not have a defined trading rate," the rating agency said on November 8.
Although the goal for this year was to issue $100 million in debt bonds, during the first quarter the Nicaraguan government only awarded $1.1 million, doubting the level of investor confidence.
According to the "Public Debt Report, First Quarter 2019", prepared by the Central Bank of Nicaragua, from January to March regarding Investment Securities in dollars, 1.03 million was issued at an average rate of 5.31% and an average term of 7 months.
After the country issued $1.097 million in Eurobonds for a 30-year term, Moody's gave them a "B3" rating, while Fitch Ratings assigned them a "B".
Fitch Ratings has assigned a 'B-' rating to El Salvador's $1.097 million notes due January 2050. The notes have a coupon of 7.1246%, the agency said.
The Fitch statement dated July 31 adds that "... The proceeds from the issue will be used in accordance with local laws for general budgetary purposes, including the redemption of bonds maturing this year. The rating of the bonds is aligned with El Salvador's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR) of 'B-' with a stable outlook."
The issue was announced at an initial rate of 7.5% and a 30-year term, and $1.097 million was issued, with total demand five times greater than the amount of the issue.
The issue was for a 30-year term, maturing in 2050 and with a 7.1246% coupon, informed the Central Reserve Bank (BCR).
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.
The IDB loan will be used to finance the payment of pensions in general and of the Armed Forces, subsidize electricity, and increase salary scales for police officers and teachers.
The $200 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has an amortization period of 20 years, a grace period of five and a half years, and an interest rate based on LIBOR, according to the international organization.
The governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua will face greater challenges in obtaining financing in external markets, because of the lowering of their risk ratings by international agencies.
Arguing that Costa Rica reflects consistently large fiscal deficits, short-term financing needs because of a strong repayment schedule and budget financing constraints, Fitch Ratings reported on January 15 that the country's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating was downgraded from BB to B+.
On November 14th, Banpro Grupo Promerica issued $200 million in bonds on the international market for a six-year term under the 144A format.
The bank announced that the issuance was made by Promerica Financial Corporation (PFC), its main shareholder, and that the issue was structured by Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse.
Ramiro Ortiz Mayorga, chairman of the board and CEO of Promerica, explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "...
The government and the opposition have agreed to approve in the first instance an issue of $550 million, not $1.2 billion as claimed by the administration of Sanchez Ceren.
Although the government insists that there is a need is to issue $1.2 billion to cover short - term debts and solve the liquidity problem it is facing, this first agreement to issue $550 million will serve to"... pay for the electricity subsidy for FODES and the mayoral districts."
The Ministry of Finance plans to issue before the end of the year the balance remaining on the $1,150 million in bonds approved by Congress in May.
Amid criticism from the opposition and the private sector over the continued increase in public debt, the government is preparing for the end of the year the issuance of $350 million, the remainder of the $110 million which was requested and approved by Congress in May.
The government has placed on the international market an issue due 2027 at a coupon of 6.375%, with offers that exceeded the amount placed by 5.8 times.
From a statement issued by from Presidency of El Salvador:
(Thursday 11 September) the Republic of El Salvador made a successful placement of sovereign bonds (Eurobonds) in the international market to the tune of $800 million, covered by Legislative Decree No.
Banco Popular in Costa Rica plans to register bond issues in the financial markets of El Salvador, Panama and Nicaragua.
Pension funds in El Salvador and institutional investors in Nicaragua are the target for Banco Popular from Costa Rica, who plans to start three programs of issuances of debt worth $50 million.
Gerardo Abarca, financial manager of the company , told Elfinancierocr.com: "We want to internationalize the bank in terms of fundraising. We had a good experience in Panama, an already well consolidated market. We expect to leverage these new places a niche of investors with an appetite for terms of over one year. In Costa Rica , investments in accounts as well as on the National Stock Exchange, are still very short, with terms of six months to one year.