The impact of the coronavirus crisis on the financial sector in Central America is expected to be felt mainly in services related to stock brokerage and investment advice, where a drop is expected.
The "Information System for the Impact Analysis of Covid-19 on Business", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, measures the degree of impact that the crisis will have on companies according to their sector or economic activity, during the coming months.
Local authorities decided to raise by 10% the minimum capital required for the opening of a bank or the operation of existing ones.
The Superintendence of Banks and Other Financial Institutions (Siboif) announced that the minimum capital required for banks that already operate or wish to enter was raised by $1.03 million, from $10.67 million to $11.70 million.
Some days after having initiated the administrative procedure against Aldesa Puesto de Bolsa, the judicial authorities of Costa Rica carried out several raids in the homes of the directors of the entity and its offices.
On May 24, through a relevant fact, the General Superintendence of Securities (Sugeval) explained that investigations would be made to determine whether or not the stock exchange carried out the necessary accounting records of accounts receivable payment operations for nine months.
In Costa Rica, the General Superintendence of Securities initiated an administrative sanctioning procedure against Aldesa Puesto de Bolsa, arguing that the company would not have kept the necessary accounting records.
On May 24, in a relevant fact published by María Luisa Fernández Garita, head of the General Superintendence of Securities (Sugeval), it was explained that investigations will be made to determine if the stock exchange post did not keep the necessary accounting records of accounts receivable payment operations during nine months.
In Costa Rica, Aldesa Corporación de Inversiones applied for judicial intervention because of lack of liquidity and announced the closing of the stock exchange.
From Aldesa's press release:
March 8, 2019. The uncertainty generated by the fiscal crisis among Costa Rican investors during the last quarter of 2018 led to a severe loss of liquidity in the market, which impacted the private real estate projects managed by Aldesa.
Grupo Prival, a financial institution of Panamanian origin, has announced the sale of its subsidiary Prival Securities El Salvador, on May 8, 2018.
Elcapitalfinanciero.com reports that "... In a note sent to the Superintendency of the Stock Market (SMV) for public knowledge, the banking institution reported that the change was duly notified and authorized by the Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP). "
After two years of allegations, suspensions and interventions, the Securities Market Regulator has ordered the liquidation of the brokerage firm.
From a statement issued by the Securities Regulator (VPS):
The Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (SMV), wishes to communicate to investors and the general public its resolution SMV No.358-14 of August 11, 2014, on the Compulsory Settlement (Administrative) of Casa de Valores Financial Pacific Inc.. which is ordered, under the provisions of Article 302 of the Consolidated Text of the Law on Securities Market.