At the end of 2018, credit granted to the business sector in Guatemala registered a 7% increase over December of the previous year.
Figures from the Superintendence of Banks specify that up to December 2018 the credit portfolio reached $23.064 million and investment in securities $11.324 million, which compared to 2017 is equivalent to 6.8% and 11.3% increases, respectively.
As of February 2018, banks in the system had assets totalling $41,343 million, which is 7% higher than the $38,655 million reported in the same month in 2017.
The Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala reported that at the end of February 2018, the bank's national currency assets totaled $29.921 billion, and assets in foreign currency amounted to $11.422 billion.
In 2017, the International Banking Center recorded profits of $1.797 billion, 18% more than the $1.594 billion reported in 2016.
The Superintendency of Banks in Panama reported that "... The CBI 's profits increased by 17.9% in the month of December, supported by a reduction in expenditures and an increase in income from financial operations."
In 2016 entities in the banking system managed to increase their assets by 4% and their loan portfolios by 8% compared to 2015.
The annual report by the Superintendency of Banks in Panama includes the main results for the banking center and the banking system during 2016.
The report states that"...Credit to the private sector remains favorable in the retail banking segment and corporate credit in the interim construction segments.Trade credit has a lower growth rate due to reductions in the Colon Free Zone. "
Although profitability of the entities is adequate, Fitch Ratings is not ruling out pressure on performance because of increased spending on credit provisions and lower growth.
From a report by Fitch Ratings, III quarter of 2016:
Concentrated financial system has adequate profitability and capitalization in Regulatory situation in process of strengthening
In June 2016 the gross credit portfolio grew by 23% compared to the same period in 2015, led by personal, commercial and livestock credit, which grew by 32% and 25% and 26%, respectively.
From a report by the Central Bank of Nicaragua:
As of June, indicators from the National Financial System (SFN by its initials in Spanish) show dynamism in intermediation, with adequate risk management and good indicators for profitability, solvency and capital.The loan portfolio of the financial system continues to grow above 20 percent and has appropriate risk indicators.Meanwhile, deposits are growing at a decelerating annual rate of rate of 11.4 percent.In addition, the good performance of the financial system is reflected in profitability indicators (ROE of around 20%), solvency (enough coverage for portfolio at risk and overdue) and capital (capital adequacy greater than that required by the regulations).
Fitch Ratings notes that the Guatemalan banking system reports one of the lowest rates of delinquency in the region.
From the report 'Panorama of Guatemalan Banks' by Fitch Ratings:
Local Majority Banking System: The largest banks (70% of loans in the system) belong to local shareholders. At the same time, foreign-owned banks increased their share after Bancolombia acquired the controlling stake in Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala, S.A. (BAM).
The International Banking Center reported $118 billion in assets in 2015, $10 billion more than was recorded in 2014.
In 2015 the International Banking Center in Panama reported total assets in the order of $118,477 million, 9.2% more than the amount reached in 2014, when the figure reached $108,419 million, according to figures from the Superintendency of Banks in Panama.
The loan portfolio grew by 23% in December 2015, up from 19.4% a year earlier, confirming the momentum of the Nicaraguan banking sector.
From the Monetary and Financial Report by the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN):
In 2015 the National Financial System (SFN) continued to perform favorably in most of its indicators, with the most noteworthy being the dynamism of the loan portfolio and deposits.
From August 2014 to August 2015 more than 11,500 new jobs were created in institutions in this sector, which represents an annual growth of 18%.
The employment data in the sector reflects the fact that "... the Nicaraguan financial system continues to perform well, with healthy growth in deposits and the loan portfolio."
An article on Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that "...
The good economic performance is reflected in the loan portfolio of the banking system, driven by the livestock sector, consumption and commerce, which in May had a growth rate of 18%.
From The "Monetary and Financial Report 2015," by the Central Bank of Nicaragua:
As of May 2015, the financial system remains stable, with credit and deposits growing, albeit at a slower pace than in the same period in 2014.
Two private banks account for 81% of the 5767 bank agents operating in the country, which in the last three years have increased their presence by 40%.
As of June 30, 2015, 5767 agents are operating , 9.4% more than in the same period in 2014, according to the Superintendency of Banks. "... Five banks have a banking agents system : Banco G & T Continental has 48.5% of these agents, Banrural 33%, BI 17.65%, followed far behind by Banco de Crédito (0.66%) and Banco Promérica (0.19%). "
The five largest banks account for 82% of total assets in the system, three of them focusing on the corporate credit segment and the other two on retail banking.
From the report by Fitch Ratings "Panorama of Banks and Guatemala"
Largest banks of Guatemala: Related to the Sovereign Ratings
Banking System Concentrated in Five Largest Banks: The five largest banks account for 82% of the system's assets.
The Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala has published the Financial Inclusion Report corresponding to the fourth quarter of 2014, noting an increase of 15% in the number of account holders.
From a statement issued by the Superintendeny of Banks in Guatemala:
Financial Inclusion refers to a set of actions which aim to increase access and improve the use of financial services for all segments of the population, including those who have traditionally been neglected, ie, the poor and rural segments. Its importance centers around the fact that lack of access to financial services causes people limitations in their ability to save, receive credit and to protect against the occurrence of situations or disasters that may affect them in their daily lives, through insurance coverage.
At the end of June the credit portfolio of the banking system recorded an increase of 21.5%, with loans to the commercial sector, personal and industry seeing the most demand.
Despite being the smallest national bank in the Central America, it is the one that has reported the highest growth in its loan portfolio during 2014, growing by 21.55% at the end of the first half of 2014.