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.
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.
If the reforms to the Banking Law that are being discussed in the Congress are approved, cooperatives will have to start reporting information in their loan portfolios.
Legal initiative number 5157which is pending final approval, proposes, among other changes, including in the Credit Registration Information System (SIRC by its initials in Spanish) information from financial institutions that are not yet sending reports.
In the first half of the year, bank transactions totalling $395 million were reported as having characteristics related to money laundering.
The value of transactions reported as suspicious between January and July this year is nearly double that of suspicious transactions in the first half of last year, when $200 million was recorded.
It is estimated that the country has a delay of between 7 and 10 years in terms of access and use of mobile banking and electronic transactions compared to the United States and some South American countries.
The low level of bankization, low investment in technology and communication development, and difficulties in accessing the internet are some of the reasons why the country lags behind in relation to other nations in the use of applications and systems for making transactions online.
In the last quarter of 2016, the total amount of transactions made through the network of banking agents grew by 26% compared to the same period in 2015, and the average amount per transaction increased from $99 to $118.
Data from theQuarterly Bulletin of Financial Inclusionby the Superintendency of Banks indicates that between September and December of last year, more than 7.8 million transactions were made, including deposits, withdrawals and credit payments made through the network of banking agents, 26% more than in the same period in the previous year.
As part of an audit plan which will start this year and will include access to banking information, the tax authority will be verifying transactions of real estate sales.
With its 2017 audit plan the Superintendency of Tax Administration is preparing to use for the first time a law that authorizes it to access taxpayer's banking information when required.
Last year 1,533 banking operations were reported to have characteristics signalling them as possibly relating to money laundering.
Greater emphasis on controls on transactions carried out by banks is the main reason why the number of transactions reported as unusual has increased.Of the 1,533 transactions reported last year, 89 ended in complaints to the public prosecutor.
The Superintendency of Banks is working on an update of the regulation on credit risk management and a new regulation of corporate governance for insurers.
Jose Alejandro Arevalo, head of the Superintendency of Banks (SIB), told Dca.gob.gt that"... in the case of regulation 93-2005 they want to ensure that the valuation of assets which is presented every 4 months by banks reflects economic reality and the quality of the goods."
In the first nine months of the year 1046 banking transactions were reported to have had characteristics of being possibly related to money laundering.
Data from the Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala indicates that 1046 reports were submitted, worth $400 million between January and September this year.
Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "...This year the number of reports increased by 25 percent, as in September 2015 only $100 million had been reported as suspicious transactions.The Superintendent indicated that this change is due to the "conscience" acquired by citizens, who are reporting more of these actions related to money laundering."Unusual situations that can not be explained by customers, become suspicious transaction and are reported," said the head of the SIB.
A bill against money laundering tightens control of activities such as leasing and factoring and imposes harsher penalties on those not reporting suspicious transactions.
The proposal was prepared by the Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala (SIB), and aims to establish tighter controls and more severe sanctions in order to improve mechanisms for preventing money laundering.
More than 1.2 million deposit accounts and credit lines affiliated with mobile services have been registered, through which mainly transfers and payments for basic services are performed.
The December 2015 newsletter released by the Superintendency of Banks of Guatemala shows that the number of deposit accounts and credit lines continues to grow in the country, where 1,210,900 accounts affiliated mobile financial services have been recorded.
Financial transactions made by state contractors will be supervised under the same scheme that applies to Politically Exposed Persons (PEP).
Jose Alejandro Arevalo, Superintendent of Banks, said that "... the rule is similar to that existing for Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) who are subject to special monitoring by the banking and financial system.
Fitch Ratings predicts headwinds and higher risks for banks in Central American countries in 2016, resulting in lower credit growth.
From a report by Fitch Ratings Central America:
Headwind: Central American Banking systems face greater risks in 2016. A slowdown in growth of gross domestic product (GDP) in the region and, consequently, lower credit growth is anticipated.
Payment transfers and basic services are the types of transaction most made by the 708 thousand users of mobile financial services recorded in the country.
82.9% of users of financial services are concentrated in the department of Guatemala, equivalent to 587,366 affiliated mobile customers. The average amount of transactions completed using this system nationwide is $85.
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