Guatemala City, February 11, 2026 – The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Banco Industrial, S.A., Guatemala’s leading financial institution, announced a landmark transaction that will expand access to credit for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), thereby promoting job creation and economic development in the country.
Structured by IFC, the USD 850 million financing package combines IFC’s own account funds with a bond issuance in international capital markets. The funds will be used exclusively to support Banco Industrial’s financing solutions for MSMEs—with a focus on women-led businesses—seeking to invest, modernize, or expand their operations.
“We are very pleased with IFC’s support, which has been instrumental in expanding our financial services aimed at MSMEs in Guatemala,” said Luis Lara Grojec, CEO of Banco Industrial. “It is our goal and commitment to continue supporting and empowering entrepreneurs—and especially women entrepreneurs in the country—not only through financial services, but also through Fundación Bi, by providing resources that make them more resilient and competitive, allowing more people to develop their talent in their home country and not be forced to migrate. I greatly appreciate and value the extraordinary relationship that Banco Industrial and IFC have built.”
Luis Fernando Prado Ortiz, Head of Corporate and International Banking at Banco Industrial, said, “this transaction sets a new precedent in our history as it represents Banco Industrial’s 14th issuance in international capital markets. It reflects the strength of the institution and the confidence that investors have in both the bank and Guatemala.”
“We are proud to strengthen our strategic alliance with Banco Industrial through an unprecedented market operation,” said Sanaa Abouzaid, IFC Regional Director for Mexico and Central America. “This support, which complements numerous joint initiatives over recent years, will energize the MSME sector and contribute directly to job creation throughout the country.”
Guatemala has nearly 370,000 MSMEs, which account for 40 percent of GDP and 77 percent of total employment. However, limited access to credit—disproportionately affecting women—constrains their competitiveness and growth.
The relationship between IFC and Banco Industrial, the largest banking group in Guatemala, began in 2006. Since then, IFC has supported the bank through investments in various products and segments, including loans focused on women, SMEs, and green finance. Since 2022 alone, the two institutions have completed five transactions, reflecting the strength of this strategic partnership.
Note to Editor:
The transaction, structured under the innovative “C/B Loan” model, consists of a USD 100 million subordinated loan provided by IFC and USD 750 million raised through the placement of notes in capital markets. It represents the world’s first “C/B Loan” ever issued by a financial institution and it’s the first transaction globally to use this type of structure for subordinated debt. The placement of the subordinated debt—the largest ever by a financial institution in Central America—saw exceptional investor demand, with orders exceeding USD 2.8 billion.
About Banco Industrial
Banco Industrial continues to consolidate its position as one of the most important financial institutions in Central America and the largest in Guatemala. It holds internationally recognized credit ratings from the three major global rating agencies: S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch. Thanks to the commitment and effort of a team of more than 11,500 employees, as of December 2025 Banco Industrial was awarded “Guatemala’s Best Bank” by the prestigious financial magazine The Banker for the fifteenth consecutive year. This recognition has also been validated by other leading international financial publications such as Euromoney, Global Finance, and LatinFinance. The institution currently operates an extensive service network in Guatemala with more than 12,300 access points, including branches and mini-branches, banking agents, proprietary ATMs, and access to ATMs from other networks. Banco Industrial’s core principles are integrity, innovation, commitment, teamwork, and love for the country. For more information, visit https://www.corporacionbi.com/gt/bancoindustrial/.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
Stay Connected with IFC on social media.
Contacts
Stay Informed
Sign up to have customizable news & updates sent to you.