Bolivia's Ministry of Finance raises productive lending rate caps and expands guaranteed savings interest to BOB 100,000 while easing foreign currency entry up to USD 50,000

Bolivia's Ministry of Finance announced two supreme decrees updating interest-rate rules for savings and productive-sector lending and simplifying the regime for bringing foreign currency into and out of Bolivia. The changes expand eligibility for a minimum guaranteed savings rate, adjust maximum rates for productive credit, and remove prior authorisation requirements for larger cross-border cash movements. Under Supreme Decree 5403, maximum annual rates for productive loans remain 11.5% for micro and 7% for small productive units, while the caps increase to 8% for medium enterprises (from 6%) and 10% for large enterprises (from 6%). These caps apply only to new credit operations granted after publication, with existing contracts required to keep their original terms. The decree also increases from BOB 70,000 to BOB 100,000 the average monthly daily-balance threshold per customer eligible for a 2% minimum guaranteed interest rate on savings accounts, regardless of the number of accounts held at the same financial institution. Supreme Decree 5404 allows entry of foreign currency up to USD 50,000 based on a sworn declaration submitted to National Customs, with travellers entering Bolivia with USD 10,000 to USD 50,000 or leaving with USD 10,000 to USD 20,000 required only to complete the declaration form. Amounts above USD 50,000 for entry or above USD 20,000 for exit must be channelled through the formal financial system via banks or remittance houses authorised by the Financial System Supervisory Authority (ASFI), and previous authorisations by the Central Bank of Bolivia and the Ministry are eliminated. ASFI must update its regulations within 10 business days, and the Financial Investigations Unit, the Central Bank of Bolivia and National Customs must issue joint implementing rules within 30 business days.