OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has published a dashboard report for the Largest Argentine Private Sector Banks.

In Fitch's opinion, the largest Argentine private-sector banks are facing the pressure of narrower margins which are due to slower loan growth, regulatory caps and floors on interest rates and fees, inflationary pressures on costs, and a likely upward trend in credit costs. These factors, together with the uncertainty of the presidential elections to be held in October 2015, will likely mean lower profitability for the banking system in 2015.

Continued and increasing government intervention, together with the possibility of greater foreign currency restrictions, would put further pressure on banks.

The slowdown of the economy continues to generate lower credit demand, although in first-half 2015 growth accelerated somewhat, fueled by higher demand for consumer loans. Fitch expects the economy to grow at a very slow pace at least until 2017 and this will continue to affect credit demand. Bank delinquencies remain at historically low levels and loan loss reserve coverage is only adequate. Fitch expects a moderate deterioration in asset quality.