Total credit to the private sector registered an annual growth rate of 7.3% in February 2018, thus marking eight consecutive months of increase, Central Reserve Bank (BCR) informed Thursday.
Said segment included loans granted by
banks, other financial institutions, as well as municipal and rural saving entities.
Credit to enterprises remained at an annual growth rate of 6%, whereas credit to households rose from 8.8% to 9.6% —the highest rate recorded since August 2017.
According to BCR, business credit was underpinned by big companies and corporations, whose annual growth rate increased from 6.7% (
January) to 7.1% (February).
It must be noted the aforementioned segment has been continuously increasing its growth rate since June 2017.
Credit to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) slowed its annual rate to 9% (February) from 9.7% (January). However —in annual terms— it remains the fastest-growing-segment.
On the other hand, (household) consumer credit climbed from 9% (January) to 10% (February).
Finally, mortgage credits recovered dynamism from previous months, thus reaching an annual growth rate of 9%, higher than that registered in the previous month (8.6%).
(END) JJN/JJN/FGM/MVB
Published: 3/22/2018