Fixed Income

In the April-June period, Banco de Crédito Del Peru (BCP) achieved some of its best quarterly results to date, supported by a strong reactivation of the Peruvian economy.

Mercantil Banco Universal has been expanding its loan portfolio, which has led to year-on-year growth despite a economic contraction and slow liquidity growth in Venezuela.

Banco General takes top prize for Panama for the second year in a row.

El Salvador’s Banco Agrícola, part of Colombia’s Bancolombia since 2007, is expected to end this year with results that compare favorably with those obtained at the end of 2009, says Fitch, which has an AA+ (stable) local rating on the bank.

State-controlled Banco de Costa Rica has gained market share through the financial crisis, growing the loan portfolio and expanding facilities.

Banco de Reservas has shrugged off macroeconomic weakness in the Dominican Republic caused by the global financial crisis and continues to grow.

Ecuador’s Banco Pichincha has been busy expanding within and beyond the country’s borders. At the same time, it has been able to keep its financial indicators in line with or better than that of the banking system as a whole.

Jamaica’s National Commercial Bank (NCB) has passed the test of a weak local economy and a sovereign debt restructuring relatively unscathed, as profitability and liquidity remain at acceptable levels.

Puerto Rico has been suffering a recession for more than four years. Several banks have collapsed, unemployment has soared and bankruptcies have increased.

Trinidad & Tobago’s (T&T) Republic Bank has been able to grow its assets despite a weak economy and reduction in its loan portfolio.

Santander has spent the last year and a half digesting its $175 million 2008 acquisition of ABN AMRO, a deal it says has made it the largest private bank in Uruguay, with over 30% of the assets.

Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF) may be 40 this year, but it shows no signs of slowing.

Crime and political rifts continue to block progress towards unity in Central America. Strides towards forging critical mass have been made, but full integration is lagging.