The Inter-American Development Bank approved a credit line that local authorities will use to finance the Potable Water and Sanitation Program.
The financed program aims to improve the quality of life of close to 31 thousand households located in rural and peri-urban areas, informed the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration approved a line of credit for the Honduran government to finance the Resilient Housing Reconstruction Program in the country.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) informed that it is estimated that approximately 29,500 vulnerable families in the departments of Cortés, Atlántida, Yoro and Santa Bárbara will benefit from the rehabilitation, reconstruction or construction of new housing.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration approved a line of credit for the country to finance the Project for the Expansion of the Drinking Water Supply System in the City of Gracias, department of Lempira.
The project consists of developing the hydraulic infrastructure necessary to increase the quality and quantity of water supplied by the supply system of the city of Gracias, Lempira, which currently has average interruption periods of 168 hours, reported the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
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 last few months, interest in credit cards has been increasing in the digital environment, a rise that is mainly explained by the behavior of consumers in Panama, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica.
Through a system monitoring changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries in real time, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
In the second quarter of the year, interest on vehicle loans fell considerably, but in recent weeks in the region's markets the outlook changed and the number of interactions associated with the issue increased among consumers.
Through a system that monitors changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries in real time, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long-term demand trends for the different products, sectors and markets that operate in the region.
In the countries of the region, more than 8 million people are looking for credit on the Internet. Of this group of consumers, approximately 9% explore options for taking out a student loan.
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.
The World Bank granted a $45 million loan that will be used by the government to finance the Urban Water Service Strengthening Project.
The project will support the establishment and operation of urban service providers by financing goods and works to rehabilitate and improve urban drinking water supply systems, the World Bank reported.
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.
In recent weeks, the country's financial system has seen a considerable drop in the lending rate on new loan operations, which is partly explained by the reduction in the Monetary Policy Rate.
According to reports from the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH), between March 9 and April 10, 2020, the rate fell from 14.81% to 10.31%. This fall is being recorded in the context of the health crisis caused by the outbreak of covid-19.
It was agreed that debtors and financial institutions may define a new maximum payment date, in all those cases where the customer had to pay their fee during the curfew, which will be in force until April 12.
A grace period will also be granted that could be until June 30, 2020, depending on the needs of each client and the ability of the bank to maintain the necessary liquidity without receiving those payments, reported the National Commission of Banks and Insurance (CNBS).
With a $50 million loan from the IDB, the CMI Alimentos business group will expand its operations in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
The loan was placed through IDB Invest, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, and the operation is intended to finance fixed investments that will help CMI Alimentos continue improving its productivity.
The National Congress of Honduras approved a decree to allow local agricultural producers with credits in arrears in Banadesa to manage the readjustment for a further six months.
On January 23, 2020, deputies approved a draft decree to give producers who have debts with the National Agricultural Development Bank (Banadesa) an additional six-month extension for the readjustment of their obligations, reported the institution.
A CABEI loan will be used to carry out improvements at several educational centers throughout the country and purchase laboratory equipment.
The funds will be used to improve 105 Jr. high schools, basic and pre-basic education centers, equip 294 vocational workshops, 105 computer workshops and 315 natural science laboratories throughout the country.
The IDB loan funds will be part of the investment in equipment to operate the broadband network through a public-private cofinancing model.
The program to be implemented aims to cover and use connectivity, reduce transaction costs for citizens, businesses and public agencies through the development of digital government and encourage the development of the digital economy in the country, informed the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).