Overview
- The IMF said on Thursday it is monitoring a recent increase in household and private-sector delinquency but does not view the trend as a systemic threat to Argentina’s financial system.
- The Fund pointed to low household indebtedness of roughly 8% of GDP and bank buffers that include strong capital, liquidity and provisions covering more than 85% of non-performing loans.
- Consultora 1816 reported that July delinquency ticked up, with household loan irregularity rising from 12.77% to 12.94% and private-sector and corporate delinquency also inching higher, a pattern that could limit the recovery of consumer and business credit.
- The IMF confirmed a staff technical mission for the third review of Argentina’s program is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 21 and will assess policy frameworks that support stability and growth.
- Argentina is negotiating roughly US$1 billion of near-term external financing to meet upcoming maturities while officials and the IMF push to broaden growth beyond energy, mining and agriculture and to deepen credit markets for households and firms.