The loan market in El Salvador showed solid expansion through December 2025, supported by moderate economic growth, resilient household demand and a renewed push for credit in productive sectors. The total outstanding loan portfolio reached USD 18,817.2 million, reflecting an interannual increase of 8.8%, with consumption and housing continuing to anchor credit activity while business-related financing gained renewed momentum.
Structure of the Outstanding Loan Portfolio
Consumer lending remained the largest component of the system, with an outstanding balance of USD 6,027.8 million. This segment continued to benefit from stable employment conditions and sustained demand for personal loans and credit cards, posting an interannual growth rate of 4.6%. Housing loans represented the second largest category, totaling USD 2,973.8 million, with a year-on-year expansion of 4.7%, reflecting gradual recovery in mortgage demand amid improved financing conditions.
Commercial lending followed closely, reaching USD 2,954.5 million, supported by increased activity in trade and services. Loans to the services sector amounted to USD 1,774.6 million, while other types of loans, including specialized and miscellaneous financing, accounted for USD 5,086.6 million. Together, these figures highlight a diversified credit structure, with both household and business segments contributing meaningfully to portfolio growth.
Sectoral Dynamics and Growth Trends
Behind the aggregate expansion, sectoral performance was uneven but dynamic. Manufacturing credit grew by 12.6% year on year, while construction lending surged by 30.7%, reflecting renewed investment activity and infrastructure-related projects. Mining and quarrying recorded an exceptional increase of 70.6%, albeit from a relatively low base, pointing to episodic but significant financing needs.
Commerce expanded by 10.2%, consistent with the recovery in domestic demand, while services posted a robust growth rate of 17.8%. In contrast, agro-related lending declined by 5.4%, and credit to transport, storage and communications fell by 6.1%. Lending to financial institutions contracted sharply by 37.1%, acting as a drag on overall growth, although this was more than offset by strong expansion in other activities, which increased by 25.1%.
Market Shares in Total Loan Origination
The competitive landscape of the Salvadoran banking system remains concentrated, with a small group of institutions controlling the majority of credit origination. BANCO AGRÍCOLA led the market with a 25.11% share of total loans granted, consolidating its position as the dominant lender in the country. It was followed by BANCO CUSCATLAN DE EL SALVADOR, which held a 17.61% market share, and BANCO DE AMERICA CENTRAL, with 15.63%.
BANCO DAVIVIENDA SALVADOREÑO ranked fourth, accounting for 14.50% of total lending, while mid-sized players such as BANCO HIPOTECARIO DE EL SALVADOR, BANCO PROMERICA and BANCO ATLÁNTIDA each maintained shares between 5% and 6%. Smaller institutions, including BANCO INDUSTRIAL EL SALVADOR, BANCO AZUL EL SALVADOR, BANCO DE FOMENTO AGROPECUARIO, BANCO ABANK and CITIBANK EL SALVADOR, collectively accounted for a limited but stable portion of the market.
Consumption and Credit Card Lending Leadership
In consumer loans and credit cards, market concentration is even more pronounced. BANCO AGRÍCOLA strengthened its leadership with a commanding 34.26% share of this segment, reflecting its extensive retail footprint and strong brand presence. BANCO DE AMERICA CENTRAL followed with 19.77%, while BANCO CUSCATLAN DE EL SALVADOR captured 18.30% of consumer lending.
BANCO DAVIVIENDA SALVADOREÑO held a 15.98% share, and BANCO PROMERICA accounted for 6.88%. The remaining 4.81% was distributed among other competitors, including BANCO AZUL EL SALVADOR, BANCO HIPOTECARIO DE EL SALVADOR, BANCO DE FOMENTO AGROPECUARIO, BANCO ABANK, BANCO INDUSTRIAL EL SALVADOR and BANCO ATLÁNTIDA, underscoring the limited but diverse participation of smaller players in retail credit.
Overall, the Salvadoran loan market in 2025 reflects a banking system that continues to expand at a healthy pace, supported by consumption, housing and a gradual reactivation of productive credit. While concentration remains high, especially in retail lending, sectoral growth patterns suggest increasing opportunities in construction, services and manufacturing, shaping the next phase of credit expansion in the country.