The current business scenario ended up breaking down several barriers, and now there are more customers who demand the online services of financial institutions, which are challenged to facilitate digital processes and in turn apply strict security standards.
In the last four months, in most Central American cities, bank clients have moved away from the bank's service points, because between the home quarantines decreed due to the spread of covid-19 and the preference to avoid attending places where large numbers of people can congregate, consumers are choosing to look for ways to carry out transactions digitally.
The coronavirus has left an economic impact in several countries. For this reason, some governments are developing exceptional measures to mitigate its effects. For example, the suspension of tax and mortgage payments to lessen the economic pressure on small businesses and households.
In the United States, interest rates were reduced to almost zero and a US$700 billion stimulus program was launched in a bid to protect its economy, says Mario Miranda, director of finance at MonederoSMART.
During the first three months of the year $263 million were traded in the stock market, 29.3% less than the amount traded in the same period last year.
So far this year, of the total trading volume, 85% was public sector emissions and 14.7% was securities issued by the private sector.
The Stock Exchange of Nicaragua "... recorded in March a trade volume of $39.9 million, representing a decrease of 31% compared to transactions in the same month last year."
Slow growth is projected in El Salvador, very good performance in Nicaragua, stability in Panama, more competition in Guatemala and moderate growth in Costa Rica.
From a report by Fitch Ratings entitled "2015 Perspectives: Central American Banks":
Costa Rica:
Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook for the sector from positive to stable, because the agency does not anticipate substantial improvements in respect to the previous year. The system's profitability will remain low, with less than 1.0% ROAA. The results are limited because of the high dependence on net interest margin (NIM) and additional expenses in provisions for loan losses, due to regulatory changes that established gradual constitutions of general provisions for the best qualified loans. In addition, Fitch does not anticipate improvements in revenue diversification and also foresees a significant revenue exchange rate differential. This last factor has a significant influence on the results of the banks in Costa Rica.
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 and Other Financial Institutions of Nicaragua has authorized Banco Corporativo to carry out financial intermediation activities in the country.
The entry of a new financial market participant is received favorably by other banks, provided that "...
Panama ranks second in Latin America in number of bank branches and ATMs per 100,000 people with 90.28, surpassed only by Brazil with 99.37.
"Banking, or access to banking services, plays an important role in economic development of countries and in reducing poverty while promoting income distribution."
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