Nicaragua credit portfolio reached 242,985 million córdobas in August
Nicaragua’s national financial system credit portfolio reached 242,985 million córdobas at the end of August, marking a 12.69 percent increase year-over-year according to the Superintendency of Banks and Other Financial Institutions (Siboif). Banco de América (BAC), Banco Ficohsa, and Lafise Bancentro emerged as the fastest-expanding lenders, driving corporate and retail loan approvals.
The total net loan portfolio expanded by 27,376 million córdobas compared to the 215,609 million recorded in August 2025. Official figures show that 241,341 million córdobas of this total remained in good standing, while the remainder comprised restructured, extended, overdue, or legal-collection accounts.
The Top Three Expansion Leaders in the Nicaraguan Market
Banco de América (BAC) spearheaded the top-tier institutions, posting a net credit portfolio of 69,434 million córdobas. This absolute increase of 9,451 million córdobas—or 15.76 percent over the previous year’s 59,983 million—places BAC at the forefront of major bank approvals.
Meanwhile, Banco de la Producción (Banpro) closed August with a net financing portfolio of 72,637 million córdobas, up 12.30 percent from 64,678 million córdobas in 2025, delivering 7,959 million in fresh credit. Lafise Bancentro, the second-largest institution in the financial system, expanded its net credit portfolio to 47,493 million córdobas. This represented a 12.88 percent increase, yielding 5,418 million córdobas in new financing compared to the 42,075 million recorded during the same period last year.
Mid-Tier and Specialized Lender Dynamics
Among mid-sized institutions, Banco Ficohsa posted the highest relative growth rate across the entire national financial system. Its credit portfolio climbed 19.57 percent to 18,869 million córdobas, adding 3,089 million córdobas compared to the 15,780 million reported in August 2025. Banco de Finanzas (BDF) experienced a more conservative trajectory, with its net portfolio rising a modest 3.57 percent to 15,968 million córdobas, distributing just 551 million in new loans over the 12-month window. Avanz expanded its portfolio by 10.85 percent to reach 10,591 million córdobas, injecting 1,037 million into productive sectors.
Conversely, contraction characterized the state-owned and select private portfolios. The state-run Banco de Fomento a la Producción (Produzcamos) saw its portfolio drop 11.84 percent to 2,938 million córdobas, shedding 348 million córdobas and restricting capital access for agricultural and industrial producers. Banco Atlántida followed a similar downward path, contracting by 209 million córdobas to close at 1,490 million córdobas. Microfinance institution FDL expanded its portfolio to 3,563 million córdobas, up from 3,135 million the prior year.