Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LIMA730
2008-04-28 20:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lima
Cable title:
DOLLARIZATION DROPS BELOW 50%, VEHICLE CREDITS KEEP
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHPE #0730 1192017 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 282017Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8505 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 5677 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 1868 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ APR SANTIAGO 1850 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7834 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 3346 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1131 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 3646 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS LIMA 000730
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/AND, EB/IEP
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
TREASURY FOR MMALLOY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PE
SUBJECT: DOLLARIZATION DROPS BELOW 50%, VEHICLE CREDITS KEEP
SOARING
UNCLAS LIMA 000730
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/AND, EB/IEP
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
TREASURY FOR MMALLOY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PE
SUBJECT: DOLLARIZATION DROPS BELOW 50%, VEHICLE CREDITS KEEP
SOARING
1. Summary: Dollarization in Peru, as measured by bank deposits,
decreased to below 50% in March 2008, when deposits in domestic
currency exceeded those in dollars for the first time since the
economic reforms of the 1990s, according to a report of the Banks
Association (ASBANC). ASBANC also reported that vehicle loans
stayed in the fast lane, increasing 50.6% year-on-year in March,
while delinquency on these loans was surprisingly low at 0.45%, both
a clear reflection of the growing incomes that result from the
impressive growth of the Peruvian economy since 2002, and keen
credit competition. End Summary.
NEW SOL DEPOSITS EXCEED DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST TIME
-------------- --------------
2. For the first time since ASBANC started collecting banking
statistics in 2001, deposits in New Soles exceeded dollar deposits,
accounting for 51.6% of total deposits. Dollarization of deposits
thus stands at 48.4% at the end of March 2008, compared with 72.6%
at the end of January 2001. Peru's Central Bank (BCR) noted that
dollarization of broad money (liquidity) dropped to 39.8% at the end
of March 2008, compared with 50.2% at the end of March 2007.
3. Dollar deposits had been decreasing steadily in the last few
years, but the pace accelerated in the January-March period, when
the dollar rate against the new sol fell 5.7% compared with the
December 2007 average rate. At the end of December 2007, dollar
deposits accounted for 59.4%, falling a hefty eleven percentage
points to 48.4% at the end of March 2008. Still, dollar deposits at
the end of March 2008, $14.1 billion, were 17.7% higher than a year
earlier.
AUTOMOTIVE CREDITS IN THE FAST LANE
--------------
4. While the Central Bank is trying to tighten credit as a result
of inflationary fears, vehicle bank loans stayed strong, increasing
50.6% in March 2008 compared to the same month of 2007. Delinquency
on these vehicle loans was extremely low at 0.45%. Both figures are
a clear reflection of the growing incomes that result from towering
growth of the Peruvian economy since 2002, and vibrant banking
competition. These loans reached $249 million at the end of March
2008, still a relatively small part of total bank consumer loans at
5.0%. Market share of vehicle bank loans is slated to keep
increasing, even though total bank loans also increased a hefty
28.02% in the same period.
MCKINLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/AND, EB/IEP
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
TREASURY FOR MMALLOY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PE
SUBJECT: DOLLARIZATION DROPS BELOW 50%, VEHICLE CREDITS KEEP
SOARING
1. Summary: Dollarization in Peru, as measured by bank deposits,
decreased to below 50% in March 2008, when deposits in domestic
currency exceeded those in dollars for the first time since the
economic reforms of the 1990s, according to a report of the Banks
Association (ASBANC). ASBANC also reported that vehicle loans
stayed in the fast lane, increasing 50.6% year-on-year in March,
while delinquency on these loans was surprisingly low at 0.45%, both
a clear reflection of the growing incomes that result from the
impressive growth of the Peruvian economy since 2002, and keen
credit competition. End Summary.
NEW SOL DEPOSITS EXCEED DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST TIME
-------------- --------------
2. For the first time since ASBANC started collecting banking
statistics in 2001, deposits in New Soles exceeded dollar deposits,
accounting for 51.6% of total deposits. Dollarization of deposits
thus stands at 48.4% at the end of March 2008, compared with 72.6%
at the end of January 2001. Peru's Central Bank (BCR) noted that
dollarization of broad money (liquidity) dropped to 39.8% at the end
of March 2008, compared with 50.2% at the end of March 2007.
3. Dollar deposits had been decreasing steadily in the last few
years, but the pace accelerated in the January-March period, when
the dollar rate against the new sol fell 5.7% compared with the
December 2007 average rate. At the end of December 2007, dollar
deposits accounted for 59.4%, falling a hefty eleven percentage
points to 48.4% at the end of March 2008. Still, dollar deposits at
the end of March 2008, $14.1 billion, were 17.7% higher than a year
earlier.
AUTOMOTIVE CREDITS IN THE FAST LANE
--------------
4. While the Central Bank is trying to tighten credit as a result
of inflationary fears, vehicle bank loans stayed strong, increasing
50.6% in March 2008 compared to the same month of 2007. Delinquency
on these vehicle loans was extremely low at 0.45%. Both figures are
a clear reflection of the growing incomes that result from towering
growth of the Peruvian economy since 2002, and vibrant banking
competition. These loans reached $249 million at the end of March
2008, still a relatively small part of total bank consumer loans at
5.0%. Market share of vehicle bank loans is slated to keep
increasing, even though total bank loans also increased a hefty
28.02% in the same period.
MCKINLEY