Between July and October 2020, the number of people in El Salvador exploring mortgage options online increased by 18%, and the number of Costa Rican consumers looking to buy credit cards decreased by 60%.
CentralAmericaData's interactive platform Consumer Insights monitors in real time the changes in consumer habits in all markets in the region and in other Latin American countries, with fundamental information to understand their behavior, new trends and anticipate eventual changes in their purchase patterns.
In the Honduran Congress there is a bill that seeks to prohibit banks and finance companies from capitalizing interest on payments not made from March 2020 to December 2021, a measure that worries the sector.
The initiative was sent by the Executive to the National Congress months ago. The purpose of the bill, which is called "Financial Plan of Solidarity Rescue", is to benefit people and companies that were affected by the spread of covid-19, with the payment of their debts.
At a regional level, nearly 16 million people are looking to purchase financial services online. Of this group of consumers, approximately 11% are exploring options for acquiring a credit card.
The interactive information system developed by CentralAmericaData, monitors in real time the changes in consumer habits in all markets of the region, with fundamental information to understand the new commercial environment that has emerged in an accelerated manner.
In the scenario of the health crisis and the decreed quarantine, it is reported that as of April, the balance of savings deposits of individuals amounted to $5,283 million, 15% more than the same month in 2019.
At the beginning of the year the authorities of the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH) estimated that for this year deposits in the financial system would increase by about 8%, however, this figure has almost doubled.
On February 14th and 15th, representatives of banks, international financial institutions and risk rating agencies will meet in Panama City to discuss issues related to the sector.
The event called "International Banking Congress for Regulators & Bankers," will be organized by the Superintendence of Banks of Panama (SBP) and seeks to address issues such as Basel III, prevention of money laundering, de-risking, new risks facing the industry, financial innovation-Fintech, cybersecurity, among others.
On October 12 and 13 representatives from the banking and financial sector will be gathering together in Panama City to discuss issues relating to regulation, business and investment.
The International Finance Summit is an event being organized by the Banking Association of Panama and will be held at the Hotel Trump Ocean Club Convention Center.
The microcredit portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean is worth over $40 billion, is awarded by more than 1,000 institutions, and reaches more than 22 million customers.
From a statement issued by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB):
A new report documents significant expansion of microcredit in Latin America and the Caribbean
GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador - Microcredit in Latin America and the Caribbean remains strong and continues its expansion of the last decade, experiencing an increase in their number of customers, a variety of institutions and a downward trend in interest rates according to new data released here today by the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the IDB Group.
A banker says that due to government financial regulations, in Honduras "it is now easier to import than it is to cultivate and produce."
Proceso.hn reports that "Excessive government regulations are preventing banks from lending money to promote production, as they has to deal with rules made for the first world even though Honduras is a fourth world nation, said the banker Jaime Rosenthal."
Government to government agreements simplify compliance with the rule that seeks transparency in the finances of U.S. citizens abroad.
Elfinancierocr.com reports that "the Foreign Account Compliance Act (FATCA) is a reality and the truth is that to date, there are very few financial institutions in our region who are prepared to meet the requirements of this U.S.
Interbolsa’s assets, liabilities and contracts have been acquired by Bancolombia in order to ensure the stable operation of the public debt market and Colombia’s payment system.
A statement from the Financial Supervision reads:
FINANCIAL SUPERVISOR AUTHORIZES MEASURES WITHIN THE TAKEOVER PROCESS OF INTERBOLSA SCB
- Authorization has been given for Interbolsa SCB to transfer to Bancolombia its operations of future performance, repurchase agreements and sell/buy-back transactions backed by TES, ensuring stability in the operation of the public debt market and payment system.
Economy and Development Report by CAF - Development Bank in Latin America -entitled Financial Services for development: promoting access in Latin America.
From the introduction of the first chapter of the report:
Access to financial services - Development and Welfare
Why could access to financial services be an important factor for economic development and welfare in Latin America? A first important aspect is that financial institutions have the mission to attract domestic savings, and possibly also those from external sources, to finance both working capital (liquidity needs) such as business investment (physical capital). Meanwhile, families also require credit to finance investment or expenditure needs (e.g. children's education or purchase of durable goods), whose timing may not coincide with the availability of current income or savings.
The loans are intended to support pension system and financial sector reform, and to help the country cope with natural disasters.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved three loans to Honduras for a total of $180 million to support reforms to the pension system and financial sector, and to help the country cope with natural disasters.
New technologies will be the basis for changes affecting users of financial services in the future.
Accessing your account from Facebook and financing being offered at the time you buy a product are some of the innovations that we could be seeing in the coming years in the banking industry.
This is one of the conclusions from research conducted by experts in technology and financial services applications, which include, among other things, the ability to soon be able to sign agreements using just a smartphone.
The loan will be used to finance the "programs to strengthen the financial safety net and improving access to financing."
The IDB representative in Honduras, Miguel Manzi, at the signing ceremony said the purpose of the Inter-American Development Bank is to support the government in a program for financial reforms and institutional changes in the sector.