As part of the health emergency generated by the spread of covid-19, the Bank of Guatemala decided to reduce the prime interest rate again, from 2.25% to 2%.
The Monetary Board considered that, in the last few days, the perspectives of world economic growth for 2020 have deteriorated considerably, due to the persistent propagation of the coronavirus, which has increased the volatility and uncertainty at a global level, informed the Bank of Guatemala.
Arguing that the impact of covid-19 will be significant in the context of global and local economic slowdown, the Central Bank decided to lower the leading interest rate of monetary policy by 50 basis points, from 2.75% to 2.25%.
The decrease in the leading interest rate of the monetary policy seeks to help contain the deceleration of the economic activity and employment in the short term and reduce the cost of credit, informed the Banco de Guatemala.
Arguing that the main economic indicators show a stable behavior, the Central Bank decided at the beginning of the year to maintain the level of the leading interest rate of the monetary policy at 2.75%.
From the Bank of Guatemala's statement:
February 20th, 2020. The Monetary Board, in its session celebrated on February 19, based on the integral analysis of the external and internal economic situation, after evaluating the Inflation Risks Balance, decided to keep the level of the leading interest rate of the monetary policy at 2.75%.
Last December 2, the new Credit Card Law proposal received a favorable opinion from the Economy Commission of the Guatemalan Congress, and now it should be discussed in the plenary session.
Arguing that the economic activity and the execution of public expenditure report a behavior attached to the growth forecasts for 2019, the Central Bank decided to maintain again at 2.75% the level of the leading interest rate of the monetary policy.
From the Banco de Guatemala statement:
Guatemala, November 28, 2019. The Monetary Board, in its session celebrated on November 27, based on the integral analysis of the external and internal economic situation, after evaluating the Inflation Risks Balance, decided to keep the level of the leading interest rate of the monetary policy at 2.75%.
Arguing that the economic activity reports a behavior attached to the forecasts of growth for 2019, the Central Bank decided to maintain in 2.75% the level of the leading interest rate of monetary policy.
The inflation forecasts for 2019 and 2020 are located within the tolerance margin of the goal established by the Monetary Board, was another of the arguments of the monetary authority to keep the reference rate without variations.
Implementing a mixed system of interest rates composed of a fixed one with a contract for a determined time and another variable agreed between the account holder and the issuer, is one of the proposals that are discussed in the Congress of Guatemala.
The proposal for two interest rates was presented by the Instituto de Investigación y Proyección sobre Economía y Sociedad Plural (Idies), before the Congressional Economic Commission, in charge of discussing the proposals for changes to Credit Card Law 5544.
For the third time, in this year, the Banco de Guatemala confirmed that it decided to keep the monetary policy rate at 2.75%, since the short term indicators of the economic activity show a dynamism that adjusts to the expected.
From the Banco de Guatemala press release:
Guatemala, May 30, 2019. The Monetary Board, in its session held on May 29, based on the integral analysis of the external and internal economic situation, after evaluating the Inflation Risks Balance, decided to keep the level of the leading interest rate of the monetary policy at 2.75%.
Regarding the new bill presented to Congress at the beginning of 2019, the Superintendence of Banks is of the opinion that the interest rate should not be limited.
The Credit Card Law came into force on March 8, 2016, but was suspended at the end of the same month, after business chambers, card issuers and the Bank of Guatemala filed legal appeals before the Constitutional Court (CC).
The change from stable to negative in the classification perspective of foreign currency debt would not have, at least in the medium term, significant effects on the Guatemalan financial system.
On April 11, 2019 Fitch Ratings ratified the long-term foreign currency default rating of "BB", but changed the outlook from stable to negative.
The rating agency argued that the revision of the Negative Perspective of Guatemala's debt rating reflects political tension and greater uncertainty in the agents, in addition to a constant erosion in the low tax collection.
For the Banco de Guatemala the behavior of several short term indicators follows the prognosis, the institution decided to keep the monetary policy rate without changes.
From the Banco de Guatemala press release:
Guatemala, April 25, 2019. The Monetary Board, in its session held on April 24, based on the integral analysis of the external and internal economic situation, after evaluating the Inflation Risks Balance, decided to keep the level of the leading interest rate of the monetary policy at 2.75%.
Banco de Guatemala decided to keep the monetary policy rate at 2.75%, arguing that several short-term indicators of the economic activity show a dynamism congruent with the projected range of economic growth.
Other reasons to keep the leading rate without variants is that the prognosis and inflation expectations, for 2019 as well as for 2020, are located within the tolerance limit of the goal (4% +/- 1%), according to the Banco de Guatemala.
Arguing that the behavior of the main indicators of the local economy are consistent with those expected, Banco de Guatemala has decided to maintain the monetary policy rate at 2.75%.
From a statement issued by the Bank of Guatemala:
Guatemala, September 27, 2018.The Monetary Board, in its session held on September 26, based on a comprehensive analysis of the external and internal economic situation, after evaluating the Balance of Inflation Risks, decided to maintain the level of the leading monetary policy interest rate at 2.75%.
Arguing that the behavior of the main indicators of the local economy and the current growth conditions are congruent, Banco de Guatemala has decided to keep the monetary policy rate as it is.
Banco de Guatemala reported that based on a comprehensive analysis of the external and internal economic situation, after evaluating the Inflation Risks Balance, it has decided to maintain the level of the leading interest monetary policy rate at 2.75%.
Citing congruence between the recent figures on remittances and economic growth with those estimated for this year, the Banco de Guatemala has decided to keep the monetary policy rate unchanged.
From a statement issued by the Bank of Guatemala:
Guatemala, April 26, 2018.The Monetary Board, in its session held on April 25, based on a comprehensive analysis of the external and internal economic situation, after having seen the Balance of Inflation Risks, decided to maintain the level of the leader monetary policy interest rate at 2.75%.