Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 57
2012
to Fitch. Among today’s chief sources of concern are the country’s high crime rate and social instability, as well as in the prospect of a downturn in the US economy. But Banrural’s sound local franchise, high profitability, strong capital metrics and ample deposit base, as well as its improving capital ratios over the past five years (which have stabilized over in the last two fiscal years) have left the bank on a relatively sound footing. The bank’s core capital to risk weighted assets stood at a high of 15.1% this June, well above the average of the Guatemalan banking system. LF ____________________________________
Panama
Best bank: Banco General
____________________________________
anama has a deserved reputation as having Central America’s most dynamic banking sector – and recent
P
economic growth has meant there has been even more room for expansion. But this growth has, as yet, to lead to major changes in market share, with Banco General still the dominant player. The bank, as Panama’s largest locally owned bank, possesses one of the largest branch networks in the country, significant market share and a reputation for consistency and conservative policies. “Banco General has consistently executed a conservative strategy, building on its strengths and cautiously yet decidedly approaching new business initiatives,” says Diego Alcazar, an analyst at Fitch. “You don’t see rapid growth such as you see in Peru and Colombia, but Banco General has steady margins, a well diversified portfolio and the largest market share in mortgages. It has been able to solidify its corporate lending and consumer lending with a conservative approach.” The bank had $9.88 billion in total
assets as of mid-year, up from $8.97 billion the year before. Its market share in loans was 17.9% and deposits 24.9% keeping it at the top of the banking system. Profitability remained about the same, with return on assets of 2.77% up from 2.64% the year before and return on equity of 21.48% down slightly from 21.76%. Because of its slippage as the market leader for loans and deposits, the bank’s strategic plan for 2012-2014 involves bolstering its competitive position, as it bets on sustained economic growth rates. But the country’s banks need to be careful: while economists are sanguine on growth, inflation is threatening to hit 6% this year – higher than the government would like. Fears that authorities may be overspending have stoked fears of imbalances ahead that could hurt growth. “There are hiccups, yes, but Panama has a stable economic environment and that consistency is reflected in the overall stability of the country,” says Alcazar.
November/December 2012
LatinFinance 57
Latin Finance - November/December 2012
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Latin Finance - November/December 2012
Latin Finance - November/December 2012
Contents
The big easy
Rules of the game
Terms of endearment
Rise of the redback
Good buys
Winning streak
Awards in full
Staying the course
Revolutionary road
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Latin Finance - November/December 2012
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Cover2
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Contents
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 2
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 3
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 4
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 5
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 6
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 7
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 8
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 9
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 10
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 11
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - The big easy
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 13
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 14
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 15
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Rules of the game
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 17
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 18
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 19
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 20
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 21
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Terms of endearment
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 23
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 24
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 25
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 26
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 27
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Rise of the redback
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 29
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 30
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 31
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Good buys
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 33
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 34
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 35
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Winning streak
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 37
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Awards in full
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 39
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 40
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 41
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 42
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 43
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 44
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 45
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 46
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 47
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 48
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 49
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 50
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 51
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 52
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 53
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 54
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 55
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 56
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 57
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 58
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 59
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 60
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 61
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 62
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 63
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Staying the course
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 65
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 66
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 67
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 68
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 69
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 70
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - 71
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Revolutionary road
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Cover3
Latin Finance - November/December 2012 - Cover4
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