Source: Latin America Financial Institutions Performance Report
Overview of the Sector’s Performance
As of December 2025, the financial system in El Salvador shows a solid profitability profile, supported by the performance of most market participants. A total of 24 entities were surveyed, including banks, financial companies, and cooperatives operating in the country.
Out of this universe, 22 competitors reported positive earnings during the period under analysis. This means that 92% of the institutions achieved profits, reflecting a broadly favorable operating environment for the sector.
The industry’s aggregate net result reached USD 420 million, confirming the resilience of the Salvadoran financial system despite regional and global uncertainties.
Benchmark Net Result: Industry Performance Threshold
The benchmark net result stood at USD 31.1 million. This benchmark is an indicator calculated based on the performance of all competitors in the country and represents the profitability level that institutions must reach to stand out within the sector.
In practical terms, entities exceeding this threshold can be considered above the industry’s central performance level, while those below it remain under the competitive average.
Profit Concentration Among Leading Institutions
The structure of earnings in El Salvador reveals a high degree of concentration. The five institutions with the strongest net results jointly generated 74.7% of total industry profits, underscoring the dominant position of the leading players.
This concentration pattern suggests a market where scale, efficiency, and franchise strength continue to be decisive competitive factors.
Ranking of Institutions by Net Result
At the top of the ranking stands BANCO AGRÍCOLA, S.A., which posted net income of USD 153 million, clearly leading the Salvadoran market and accounting for a substantial share of total sector profits.
The second position is held by BANCO CUSCATLÁN DE EL SALVADOR, S.A., with USD 70 million in net earnings, maintaining a strong competitive stance.
In third place, BANCO DE AMÉRICA CENTRAL, S.A. reported USD 40 million, followed by BANCO DAVIVIENDA SALVADOREÑO, S.A. with USD 32 million.
A particularly tight cluster appears around the benchmark level. BANCO HIPOTECARIO DE EL SALVADOR, S.A and FEDERACIÓN DE CAJAS DE CRÉDITO Y BANCOS DE LOS TRABAJADORES, S. C. DE R. L. DE C. V. each recorded USD 31 million, positioning them very close to the industry benchmark of USD 31.1 million.
Further down the ranking, BANCO AZUL DE EL SALVADOR, S.A. and BANCO PROMÉRICA, S.A. both posted USD 10 million in net results, while BANCO INDUSTRIAL EL SALVADOR, S.A. achieved USD 9 million.
Completing the top tier, BANCO DE FOMENTO AGROPECUARIO reported net income of USD 8 million.
Competitive Outlook
The 2025 results confirm that the Salvadoran financial sector remains profitable and structurally concentrated. With most institutions in positive territory and a benchmark positioned above USD 30 million, competitive pressure is likely to intensify, particularly among mid-sized players seeking to close the gap with market leaders.
Going forward, sustaining profitability above the benchmark will be a key differentiator in a market where the top institutions continue to capture the majority of industry earnings.