The Central Bank of Nicaragua published its January 2026 Indicators for the Banking and Finance Companies System (SBF), reporting continued double-digit growth in public deposits and the credit portfolio, improved credit quality, relatively stable profitability, and liquidity and solvency levels above regulatory limits. In January, the SBF’s main funding increases came from higher obligations to the public (NIO 6,830.6 million), other liabilities (NIO 1,213.5 million) and equity (NIO 827.3 million), which were mainly allocated to higher investments (NIO 3,871.4 million), the loan portfolio (NIO 1,521.8 million) and other assets (NIO 1,622.9 million). Public deposits grew 17.0% year on year to NIO 282,066.8 million, while the credit portfolio rose 10.8% to NIO 239,627.1 million; performing loans remained at 95.8% of gross loans and the delinquency ratio declined to 1.2% from 1.4% in January 2025. Liquidity, measured as cash and cash equivalents over public deposits, stood at 34.5%, and the legal reserve requirement (biweekly measurement) showed over-compliance in both domestic currency and USD, with end-month effective rates of 16.0% and 15.9% respectively; ROE was 13.1% (13.9% in January 2025), ROA 2.3% (2.4%), and capital adequacy 18.2% (18.5%).
Central Bank of Nicaragua 2026-03-17
Central Bank of Nicaragua publishes January 2026 banking system indicators showing 17% deposit growth and a 1.2% delinquency ratio
The Central Bank of Nicaragua reported continued double-digit growth in public deposits and the credit portfolio for January 2026, with improved credit quality and stable profitability. Public deposits increased by 17.0% year on year, while the credit portfolio rose by 10.8%. Liquidity and solvency levels remained above regulatory limits, with a delinquency ratio decline to 1.2%.