The Central Bank of Peru published March data showing total credit to the private sector reached PEN 439.718 billion, up 7.3 percent from a year earlier and 0.5 percent from February. The aggregate covers loans extended by banks, finance companies, municipal and rural savings banks, and cooperatives, and the annual growth rate increased from 7.1 percent in February. By segment, lending to individuals increased 7.6 percent year on year to PEN 185.360 billion, with monthly growth of 0.8 percent, while credit to companies rose 7.1 percent to PEN 254.358 billion, up 0.4 percent from February. By currency, credit denominated in soles grew 5.9 percent year on year in March versus 5.7 percent in February, while foreign currency credit growth was unchanged at 12.7 percent.