OREANDA-NEWS. The largest Salvadoran banks have sound buffers against a weak operating environment and asset quality pressures, according to Fitch Ratings.

'While low GDP growth rates constrain credit growth and earnings, and the growth in consumer loans may weaken credit quality, capitalization should remain solid,' says Luis Mauricio Ayala, Associate Director.

Credit quality headwinds, tighter liquidity, and potential rating constraints related to the sovereign are issues to watch.

Retail loans continue to drive growth in the absence of investments in productive sectors. While credit quality is currently manageable, headwinds are possible as Fitch expects further deterioration due to loan seasoning.

Fitch also anticipates an expansion of wholesale funds as heightened competition for deposits drives up their rates. Liquidity will be tighter but adequate, with the stability of core deposits, size of existing liquidity buffers, and availability of credit lines offsetting a forecasted loan to deposit ratio of slightly above 100%.