Market Briefing: Nicaragua

Nicaragua has suffered severe political instability in 2018, leading to a deep recession, sharp falls in its banking sector deposits and moves towards political sanctions against its administration, in particular under the US's NICA Act, passed in December 2018. In a 30-minute briefing, IHS Markit experts from our Country Risk, Economics and Banking Risk teams consider key topics including:

• Whether the administration of President Ortega has succeeded in stemming the violent protests that developed since April 2018
• Where civil disorder risks are greatest should protests redevelop in 2019
• How likely is the current government to maintain its hold on power
• How severe was the economic impact of protests in 2018
• Whether economic improvement is possible in 2019 given the slowdown in protests, or whether reduced access to official funding will prolong recession and challenge Nicaragua's currency peg
• The sharp decline in banking sector deposits, and its impact on the sector's overall financial stability
• Whether a bank deposit withdrawal freeze or state intervention to rescue banks is likely in 2019

Listen Now

IHS Markit Speakers:

Brian Lawson, Senior Economic and Financial Consultant

Cristina Arbelaez, Senior Economist

Kari Pries, Senior Research Analyst, Country Risk

Natasha Marade Mcswiggan, Economist

Posted 30 January 2019 by Brian Lawson, Senior Economic and Financial Consultant, Country Risk, S&P Global Market Intelligence