Guyana’s banking system recorded strong growth in both deposits and lending during the first half of 2025, driven largely by increased private sector activity, according to the Bank of Guyana.
The central bank reported that private sector deposits, which accounted for 78.3 per cent of total deposits, grew by 15.3 per cent or G$109.2 billion at the end of June 2025. Deposits from business enterprises rose by 19.5 per cent to G$339.5 billion, while individual customers’ deposits increased by 12.6 per cent to G$481.5 billion.
Public sector deposits also expanded, amounting to G$164.0 billion at the end of the review period, an increase of 8.3 per cent compared with December 2024. This growth was mainly attributed to a 4.4 per cent rise in deposits held by the total general government.
The Bank of Guyana further noted that deposits held by non-bank financial institutions increased by 9.4 per cent to G$64.1 billion, compared with growth of 4.0 per cent recorded during the corresponding period last year.
On the lending side, private sector credit grew by 7.7 per cent to G$485.4 billion, reflecting expansions in credit across most sectors. Manufacturing recorded the strongest growth, with credit rising by 15.4 per cent, mainly due to increased lending to other manufacturing activities.
Loans to the real estate mortgage sector increased by 11.4 per cent, while credit to construction and engineering grew by 8.9 per cent. Personal loans expanded by 8.5 per cent, and lending to other services rose by 5.9 per cent. Credit to the distribution sector edged up by 1.8 per cent, and lending to agriculture increased by 1.1 per cent, driven by expansion in shrimp and other fishing activities.
In contrast, lending to the mining sector declined by 9.3 per cent, primarily due to reduced credit to the gold industry. Credit to the “other” category of the private sector, which includes commercial banks’ investments in private securities, also fell by 1.1 per cent.
