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El Salvador’s private banking sector maintains a strong financial position at the end of the first half of 2026. According to data from the Asociación Bancaria Salvadoreña (ABANSA), the capital adequacy ratio stood at 14.55%, above the required legal minimum of 12%, reflecting the financial institutions’ ability to meet their obligations and withstand potential risk scenarios.
Capital adequacy is one of the main indicators used to measure the financial strength of banks. This percentage shows the ratio of financial institutions’ available capital to the risks associated with their assets. The higher the ratio is above the regulatory requirement, the greater the system’s capacity to absorb potential losses without compromising the stability of operations.

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The 14.55% result indicates that the private banking sector maintains a safety margin higher than that required by regulations, which helps strengthen the confidence of depositors, investors, and users of financial services.
ABANSA’s data also shows that the quality of the loan portfolio remains at favorable levels. The delinquency rate closed at 1.50%, an indicator that reflects the low level of default on loans granted by banks. This result demonstrates a healthy portfolio and adequate credit risk management within the financial system.

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Added to this is a reserve coverage ratio of 146.07%, meaning that for every dollar in past-due loans, financial institutions hold US$1.46 in reserves to cover potential losses. This level of coverage provides additional support for the sector’s stability and demonstrates a prudent risk management policy.
The indicators reported by ABANSA show that the private banking sector continues to operate on a solid financial footing, supported by adequate levels of capitalization and a loan portfolio with low delinquency rates. These results help preserve the stability of the banking system and maintain the ability of financial institutions to continue financing households, businesses, and productive activities in the country.
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