Central America banking
in Central America
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A Fitch Special Report indicates better positioning in the face of external uncertainty.
SUMMARY
Strengthened Financial Performance:
The banking systems of Central America and the Dominican Republic (hereinafter the region) will continue to strengthen their financial performance as the region continues to recover its rate of GDP growth, estimated at about 4% by 2012 under Fitch’s baseline scenario.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo, one of the richest men on earth, is the owner of Grupo Aval, which controls some of the largest banks in Colombia.
Grupo Aval agreed to purchase 100% of the shares of BAC-Credomatic from GE Capital for $1.9 billion. Currently, GE owns 75% of BAC-Credomatic and agreed to buy the remaining 25% to sell it to Grupo Aval.
Friday, July 16, 2010
The leading Central American banks believe that the presence of the Colombian financial holding group will bring greater dynamism to the market.
Nacion.com reports that most bankers drew attention to the group’s size and its success in Colombia.
Armando Arias, president of the Salvadoran banking association (ABANSA), commented that, “the arrival of such a large group is good news for Central America. It is foreign investment that demonstrates confidence in our region”.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
According to Fitch Ratings, even though the economic scenario has improved, Central American banks face challenges related to the quality of their assets.
Central American banking systems have weathered the financial crisis relatively well. Even though profits fell considerably during 2009, industry solvency levels remain good.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
According to Fitch Ratings, even though the economic scenario has improved, Central American banks face challenges related to the quality of their assets.
Central American banking systems have weathered the financial crisis relatively well. Even though profits fell considerably during 2009, industry solvency levels remain good.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Fitch Ratings reported that the risks to regional banks during the current crisis are growing and represent a major challenge for 2009.
The combination of reduced credit expansion, fund restrictions and increasing loan provisions have limited the profits of most banks and it is expected for these factors to continue to pressure the results in the coming months.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Fitch Ratings reported that the risks to regional banks during the current crisis are growing and represent a major challenge for 2009.
The combination of reduced credit expansion, fund restrictions and increasing loan provisions have limited the profits of most banks and it is expected for these factors to continue to pressure the results in the coming months.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Central American banks accumulate $61.119 billion in assets, and 55% of its capital is of foreign origin
The blog "From Guatemala" publishes an analysis that describes the different degrees of internationalization of the banking systems of the region, from the Salvadorian banking system, where 95% of assets belong to foreign banks to the cases of the National Bank of Costa Rica and the Industrial de Guatemala, the largest banks of the isthmus, both based on local capital.
Friday, February 6, 2009
From abundance to scarcity: Challenges faced by Central American banks in an
environment of tight liquidity.
After having been hit hard by the US mortgage crisis in 2008, large US and international banks have considerably weakened, in some cases escaping from bankruptcy only thanks to strong government intervention. Such an event has eroded the public’s confidence in the financial system worldwide.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
From abundance to scarcity: Challenges banks face in an environment of little liquidity.
After losses caused by the real estate crisis in the United States in 2008, big American banks and those from other developed countries have been greatly weakened and, in some cases, have only escaped bankruptcy thanks to help from their governments. This situation has contributed to the erosion of confidence in the financial markets at the global level.
Friday, August 22, 2008
In Fitch's opinion (in the Special Report), the complex economic environment in the region is starting to have an effect on the performance of the banks in Central America.
"Results for the first half of 2008 indicate that the slump in the economy and the increase in inflation have weakened the quality of bank assets," indicated the report. "Possible increases in international and local interest rates to try to control inflation will complicate this situation," the report continues.
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