The Superintendency of Banks of the Dominican Republic published its quarterly financial system performance report showing total assets of DOP 4.28 trillion in March, up 9.2% from a year earlier. Growth was driven by gross loans, gross investments, available funds and other assets. The loan portfolio reached DOP 2.42 trillion after increasing by DOP 179.225 billion year on year, with commercial and mortgage lending recording nominal growth of 9.4% and 11.4%, respectively. Private sector foreign currency lending rose 8.8% to USD 9.204 billion. For multiple banks, the weighted average lending and deposit rates closed March at 13.28% and 6.28%. Adjusted technical capital increased 12.6% to DOP 530.308 billion and the system’s solvency ratio stood at 18.76%. Financial institutions posted net profit of DOP 24.092 billion, with return on equity of 17.72% and return on assets of 2.28%. Asset quality indicators showed a past-due loan ratio of 1.92%, an overdue portfolio of DOP 46.499 billion, a stressed delinquency ratio of 7.80%, and a default ratio of 4.8%.