A. M. 
Mortgage rates saw a slight decrease in february 2026, falling from 7.76% in january to 7.70%, according to data from the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR). This reflects slightly more favorable conditions for those seeking housing financing, maintaining this segment as one of the most stable within the financial system.
This adjustment occurs within a context where weighted average interest rates generally showed a downward trend compared to January, although with variations depending on the type of product and the term analyzed. The data, compiled using the BCR’s current methodology, shows differentiated behavior between deposits and loans.
In the case of deposits, a reduction in rates predominated over most terms. Of the seven segments analyzed, six showed decreases, indicating adjustments in savings mobilization by the financial system. However, some isolated increases were also recorded. Thirty-day deposits rose from 3.42% to 3.48%, while 90-day deposits saw a more significant increase, climbing from 3.88% to 4.40%. Similarly, 150-day deposits increased from 3.77% to 4.15%.
Conversely, several terms showed reductions. Sixty-day deposits fell from 3.59% to 3.53%, 120-day deposits dropped from 4.24% to 3.83%, and 360-day deposits declined from 5.03% to 4.76%, indicating lower returns in the long term. Meanwhile, 180-day deposits remained virtually unchanged at 4.60%, positioning them as a stable option for savers seeking lower risk. For one-year deposits, the approximate effective annual rate is 7.70%, according to the weighted average.
In the loan segment, performance was mixed. Short-term loans, meaning those with maturities of up to one year, saw a slight decrease, falling from 7.72% in january to 7.70% in february. Within this group, loans to individuals showed a more significant reduction, dropping from 11.38% to 10.66%, which represents some relief in financing costs for consumers. Meanwhile, loans to businesses also registered a slight decrease, falling from 7.66% to 7.63%.
In contrast, loans with terms of more than one year experienced a significant increase, rising from 10.26% to 11.33%. This increase was primarily driven by longer-term business loans, which increased from 8.81% to 10.54%, reflecting higher financing costs for long-term investments.
Additionally, short-term repurchase agreements on the Stock Exchange also showed an increase, rising from 4.22% to 4.47%, indicating greater activity in immediate liquidity operations within the financial market.
Overall, the data from the BCR shows that during february 2026, the Salvadoran financial system experienced a predominantly downward trend in interest rates, especially for deposits and short-term loans. However, the increase in long-term loans, along with specific variations in certain deposit terms, reflects an adjusting financial environment where conditions change according to the type of product and market needs.
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