The CEO of the Venezuelan Banking Association (ABV), Pedro Pacheco Rodríguez, hopes that the adjustments to lending and deposit rates announced by the Central Bank of Venezuela will be specific and temporary measures aimed at inducing greater control over inflation and the exchange rate. The association leader made these statements at the conclusion of an event proclaiming October as Financial Education Month, where a digital application for personal finance planning was launched.
Pacheco indicated that the increase in lending rates and the adjustment of deposit rates, which now include remuneration on demand deposits, will generate concrete impacts on the national financial system. He explained that, by remunerating all depositsThe banking sector must manage the current legal reserve requirement percentage to cover operating costs and fully respond to depositors.
Consequently, the union representative warned that the situation makes credit more expensive in a context where a recent study shows that 56% of people expect to need financing in the next six months. For this reason, he emphasized that it is essential to create the right regulatory and operational conditions to guarantee the availability of credit in the domestic market.
The Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV), as part of its strategy to adjust interest rates, It was reported that starting September 15, 2026, new levels of interest rates paid by banking institutions to their depositors will come into effect. The measure seeks to strengthen the effectiveness of monetary policy and progressively encourage individuals and legal entities to maintain a greater proportion of their balances in bolivars, instead of seeking refuge in other options.
One of the most significant adjustments is that, starting from that date, all bank deposits will accrue interest, including those in checking accounts. Demand deposits will have a minimum annual interest rate of 10%, according to the central bank's press release.
financial culture
Furthermore, in the context of the second annual "Financial Education Month," the ABV is launching an ambitious training program throughout October, reaffirming its commitment to financial inclusion and literacy as pillars of national development. With the aim of strengthening responsible personal finance management and increasing confidence in financial products, the Association has designed a learning pathway targeted at various educational and professional levels:
- Education in schools and universities: Through the programs “Asobanca in Schools” and “Asobanca on Campus”, workshops and presentations on family financial planning, cybersecurity and economics will be given in institutions such as Fe y Alegría, UCV, USM, UMA, UCAB and the National University of Sciences Dr. Humberto Fernández-Morán.
High-level experts: The program includes the participation of specialists such as engineer David Murati, who will address "Smart Finance in the age of AI"; economist Juan Salas, who will analyze the evolution of the transactional environment and cybersecurity; and lawyer Lia Glaentzlin, who will offer protection and control tools on digital platforms.
- Technology launch: As a new feature, ABV announced the launch of “BolsillosVE”, a new mobile application aimed at facilitating financial organization, income segmentation and the disciplined establishment of savings goals.
Pedro Pacheco, the Association's executive president, emphasized that the goal is to promote informed and disciplined decision-making, enabling citizens to master key concepts such as compound interest, cash flow, and debt management.
With this initiative, the Venezuelan Banking Association seeks to transcend the classroom, promoting a culture of constant updating that prepares Venezuelan society to face the challenges and opportunities of a financial system in full digital evolution.
