The Banco Popular Bank in Costa Rica reactivates housing and consumer credit

©image: Martin Pettitt

Nacion.com reports that "this year the bank hopes to offer $381 million (¢213 billion) in consumer loans and $55 million (¢31 billion) for house construction or purchase.

The Bank will also set aside $148 million (¢82.7 billion) in loans for development."

In total the bank will offer some $548 million (¢326 billion) in 2009 with which it expects its portfolio to grow 15%.

Source: Nacion.com

More on this topic

Panama: 9% Increase in Consumer Credit

April 2011

The statistics on loans granted in the first months of the year reflect the economy's recovery.

In the last two years, Panama's banking system loosened the restrictions it was forced into placing by the international financial crisis and as a result credit, especially to personal consumers, has begun increasing.

$5,700 million in Consumer Credit in 2011

April 2012

In Panama, consumer credit closed 2011 with a portfolio worth $5,702.9million, an increase of 8% compared to 2010.

Personal loans reflected an increase of 10% compared to 2010 followed by credit cards with an increase of $71.3 million. Meanwhile, vehicle purchase loans increased by 10%.

28% Increase in Consumer Credit in Guatemala

October 2011

The amount in loans made in the first nine months of the year, $2,900 million, reflects greater economic dynamism in the country.

According to the Superintendency of Banks (SIB), these types of loans currently represent 26% of the entire banking portfolio.

The corporate manager of strategic planning at the Workers Bank, Mauricio Alvarez, said that consumer credit is one of the most attractive for banks.

Bank credit grows in El Salvador

August 2008

Despite the tough situation in the country, banking credit grew 9.5% at the end of June 2008.

According to the latest ranking done by the Salvadoran Bank Association (Abansa), the total credit portfolio in June of 2007 was at $8.43 billion, but the bounce in economic activity allowed the portfolio to rise to $9.23 billion at the end of the first six months of this year.