Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
BIESS Cuts Credicasa Mortgage Rate to 2.99% and Expands Coverage to $71,500 as Social Security Bank Moves to Fill Housing Credit Gap
The Banco del Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (BIESS) reduced its Credicasa mortgage interest rate to 2.99% -- the lowest in over a decade -- and expanded maximum eligible property values to $71,504, including single-bedroom units for the first time. The move positions BIESS as an alternative channel for homebuyers who cannot access the stalling Mi Casa Propia programme, and reflects the social security bank's strategy to increase mortgage disbursements amid Ecuador's 1.8-2.2 million unit housing deficit.
Banco del Pacífico Targets $1 Billion in New International Financing After Landmark $500M JP Morgan Deal and $225M CAF Guarantee
Banco del Pacífico disclosed plans to raise an additional $1 billion in international financing during 2026, building on a landmark $500 million facility from JP Morgan -- the US bank's first-ever transaction in Ecuador -- and a $225 million partial guarantee from CAF earmarked for SME lending. The state-owned bank reported 2025 net profit of $206 million, up 30% year-on-year, and placed over $1 billion in productive-sector loans.
World Bank Forecasts Ecuador GDP Growth at 2% for 2026, Among Slowest in Latin America
The World Bank projects Ecuador's GDP will grow approximately 2% in 2026, broadly in line with forecasts from the IMF (2.0%), BCE (1.8%), and CEPAL (2.1%). The rate places Ecuador among the slower-growing economies in Latin America, with inflation expected at 2.8-3.2% and a projected trade surplus of $7.647 billion.
Ecuador Returns to International Bond Markets With Record $4B Sale, Moody's Upgrades Two Notches
Ecuador sold $4 billion in new sovereign bonds on January 26 -- its first international issuance since 2019 -- drawing $18 billion in demand from over 340 investors. Moody's responded with a two-notch upgrade to Caa1, while a simultaneous $3 billion buyback will save $698 million in 2026 debt service.
Banco Pichincha's Digital Unit Crosses 3 Million Users as Mobile Lending Triples
Banco Pichincha's digital banking platform has surpassed 3 million active users, with mobile-originated lending tripling to $420 million in 2025 as Ecuador's largest financial institution accelerates its technology transformation.
Ecuador Sovereign Bonds Rally to Post-Restructuring Highs on Fiscal Discipline Signals
Ecuador's restructured sovereign bonds have rallied sharply in early 2026, with the benchmark 2035 notes trading at 78.5 cents on the dollar -- their highest level since the 2020 debt overhaul -- as investors reward fiscal consolidation efforts.