Taking into account stable macro economic variables at the national and the global level, the Bank of Guatemala has decided not to change the policy leader rate, the main reference for interest rates in the country.
From a statement issued by the Bank of Guatemala (BANGUAT):
THE MONETARY BOARD KEEPS MONETARY POLICY LEADER INTEREST RATE AT 4.75%
Through a mutual fund, the World Bank and other multilateral institutions, will be awarding $50 million to finance small and medium enterprises in the region.
With a mix of capital and a long-term soft loan the III Caseif fund, managed by Lafise Panama, will have $50 million for small and medium businesses who require funds to finance their operations.
In 2013 $334 million were traded in the primary market in bond debt securities issued by Guatemalan companies.
Figures from the National Stock Exchange (BVN) reveal that during 2013 $334 million worth of bonds were traded. Of that total, 25% were in dollar bonds, the rest were denominated in quetzals.
"... the volume of trade covering activities by industry, banking, agriculture, trade and finance, is growing," said Rolando San Román, CEO of the BVN.
How to cope with capital markets during 2013: regulatory reactions, regulatory changes, fiscal challenges and technological advances.
Posted in Construcción Magazine
Issue No. 167
By: Alan Saborio, Managing Partner at Deloitte Costa Rica
The study "Capital Market Outlook 2013" by Deloitte recounts the great challenges facing the capital market during 2013, product of the economic crisis, regulatory reactions, regulatory changes, and fiscal challenges and technological advances.
The Inter-American Investment Corporation will buy up to $8 million of preferred stock in "QBE del Istmo".
QBE del Istmo is a reinsurance company based in Panama, with operations in Central and South America.
IIC's investment will be used to strengthen QBE's capital, enabling it to enter new markets in mass insurance products, -specially dental insurance for those without access to such coverage-, as well as regional expansion in Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama and Peru.
The Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) approved an equity investment of up to US$8 million in preferred stock in QBE del Istmo.
QBE del Istmo Compañía de Reaseguros, Inc (QBE del Istmo) is a reinsurance company. QBE is headquartered in Panama and has a presence in Central and South America.
The IIC investment will enhance QBE del Istmo's capital and enable the company to launch new mass market insurance lines—especially dental insurance for those who do not have access to such coverage—and expand regionally in Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, and Peru.
From abundance to scarcity: Challenges faced by Central American banks in an
environment of tight liquidity.
After having been hit hard by the US mortgage crisis in 2008, large US and international banks have considerably weakened, in some cases escaping from bankruptcy only thanks to strong government intervention. Such an event has eroded the public’s confidence in the financial system worldwide.
From abundance to scarcity: Challenges banks face in an environment of little liquidity.
After losses caused by the real estate crisis in the United States in 2008, big American banks and those from other developed countries have been greatly weakened and, in some cases, have only escaped bankruptcy thanks to help from their governments. This situation has contributed to the erosion of confidence in the financial markets at the global level.