Between May and June of this year, the average lending rate of commercial banks has fallen from 11.52% to 10.28%, a drop that is explained by the high level of liquidity of the banks and the low placement of credits.
The pandemic that caused the outbreak of covid-19 has hit the financial system, since due to the current market conditions, the active rates have come down between the months of May and July.
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 Costa Rica, the Alvarado administration would be considering the creation of a tax on each transaction that a person or company makes through a financial entity, a tax that will discourage savings and motivate people to use cash.
In order to discuss a medium and long term credit with the International Monetary Fund, the Costa Rican authorities would be planning to design and create a new tax, which consists of each person paying a tax of ¢3 for every ¢1.000 in the transactions they make through a bank, finance company, mutual fund, stock exchange or any other financial entity.
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.
The high levels of unemployment and the poor growth of credit are factors that have worsened in the context of the economic crisis generated by the outbreak of covid-19, which has led to the deterioration of the credit record of customers.
In the first eight months of this year, transactions registered on the Nicaraguan Stock Exchange totaled $421 million, 122% more than reported for the same period in 2019.
According to figures from the Nicaraguan Stock Exchange (BDVN), between January and August 2019 and the same period in 2020, the amount of transactions in the stock market increased by $231 million, from $190 million to $421 million.
The Monetary Board approved the changes to the Credit Risk Regulations, which were proposed by the Superintendence of Banks and seek to simplify the requirements for loans not exceeding $160,000.
In this scenario of economic crisis resulting from the outbreak of covid-19, the objective of the endorsed modifications is to favor SMEs and individuals to gain access to credit lines offered by commercial banks.
Suspension of contracts, uncertainty about the economic future and reduction of salaries, are some of the factors that have affected the banks in Panama to place fewer loans in this context of health crisis.
The amount of new loans granted by Panamanian banks was $589 million during May this year, a 26% reduction compared to what was reported in April 2020. This fall is explained by the economic crisis, which derives from the restrictions decreed due to the outbreak of covid-19.
The official notice obliging all entities of the country's financial system to provide the tax authorities with information on the bank accounts of all their foreign clients was published in the Gazette.
Given the outbreak of covid-19 and the imposition of restrictions on economic activity, between February and June of this year the amount of loans granted by the banking sector reported a 1.2% drop.
Data from the Superintendence of the Financial System (SSF) indicate that between February (the month before the beginning of the health and economic crisis) and June of this year, the credit portfolio contracted by $149 million, from $13.276 million to $13.127 million.
From August 4th and during 10 working days, the Central Bank of Costa Rica will submit to public consultation the technical study regarding the First ordinary fixing of commissions of the payment card system and the proposal of Regulations of the Payment Card System.
This study and proposed regulation are being carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Law of Maximum Commissions of the Payment Card System, Law 9831, of March 21, 2020, informed the monetary authority.
In order to attend with greater agility, now in Panama the Superintendence of Banks will be able to manage via e-mail the claims submitted to it.
To speed up the processes for the attention of claims before the regulatory entity, the Board of Directors of the Superintendence of Banks of Panama (SBP), approved Agreement No.
Between May 2019 and the same month this year, the number of credit cards circulating in the Salvadoran market increased by 9.2%.
According to figures from the Observatory of Credit Cards (OTC), of the Consumer Defense Office, in May 2020 there were 876,197 credit cards circulating in El Salvador, which is more than the 801,822 registered in the same month of 2019.
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.
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.
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