LatAm Banks Not Exposed To Subprime, Says Fitch

Banks in Latin America and the Caribbean have minimal or nonexistent exposure to US subprime securities and as a result will likely weather this downturn with relative ease, according to Fitch. “Securities portfolios in the region continue to be concentrated in instruments issued by the holders’ local governments,” and any other holdings tend to be of higher quality instruments, says the report. As a result there should be no change in the credit ratings. However the mark to market of these holdings could depress earnings at insurance companies and banks. The reduced availability of cross border capital markets financing – a number of issues have been pulled or postponed – may also have an effect, says the report. Most of the funding for banks comes from local markets, notes Fitch, adding it is comfortable with the ability to refinance in the coming months.