Central Bank of Honduras reports 6.3 percent annual growth in private sector credit driven by lower rates and stronger corporate lending

The Central Bank of Honduras published an update showing that private sector credit accelerated as of June 4, 2026, with the outstanding balance up 6.3 percent year over year, equivalent to HNL 41,855.9 million. That was faster than the 5.4 percent growth recorded in January 2026 and was linked to a gradual decline in interest rates and ample liquidity in the financial system. On a cumulative basis, the credit balance reached HNL 705,244.4 million, up HNL 22,410.3 million from the end of 2025. Corporate lending drove the expansion, accounting for HNL 18,118.2 million of the cumulative increase. Credit to companies rose 8.7 percent year over year, up from 6.6 percent in January, with local currency lending growing 11.8 percent and foreign currency lending 4.2 percent. Companies represented 52.3 percent of total credit, while lending to households grew 3.8 percent, slightly below the 4.1 percent pace seen in January. Local currency continued to dominate overall financing, making up 77.5 percent of the total stock. Financing conditions also eased, with the average weighted lending rate on new local currency operations at 12.89 percent as of May 29, down 3.79 percentage points, and the foreign currency lending rate at 7.87 percent as of May 22, down 1.30 percentage points.