The Salvadoran financial system is showing powerful signs of dynamism and stability as its total loan portfolio reached $21.6 billion at the close of May 2026. According to the latest report from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), this represents a robust 8.1% year-on-year growth, injecting $1,623.8 million into the local economy compared to the same period in 2025. This upward trend spans across all institutional layers, including commercial banks, cooperatives, and savings societies.
The primary engine behind this financial expansion is the corporate sector, which saw its credit demand surge by 10.5%, equivalent to an influx of $1,071.2 million. Highly active industries such as construction ($362.3 million), commerce ($244.2 million), services ($237.4 million), and manufacturing ($190.7 million) collectively represent 62% of the productive portfolio. Concurrently, household loans grew by 5.6%, supported by a steady demand for consumer financing ($7,076.3 million) and residential housing ($3,262.2 million).
This aggressive credit expansion is backed by solid internal funding, as domestic deposits soared by 14.9% to a staggering $24,632.1 million. The majority of these funds are securely held in time-deposit accounts (39.1%) and savings accounts (33.5%). BCR authorities emphasized that this behavior confirms the trust of Salvadorans in the financial system and its relevance as the main source of funding, strengthening the capacity of financial institutions to meet credit demand.
Crucially for foreign investors and U.S. analysts, this rapid growth does not compromise the country’s risk profile. The BCR stated that the credit portfolio maintains an «adequate quality» that reflects «positive safety and investment conditions» in El Salvador. The system closed the month with an exceptionally low delinquency rate of 1.6%—well below the 4% regulatory threshold—while maintaining a 15.1% solvency ratio and generating accumulated profits of $202.9 million.