Exchange and Banks.
In the conduct of its foreign commerce reasonably long credits are required by the merchants of Guatemala, but always under fixed conditions. When the coffee crop is shipped bills on Europe and on New York can always be procured at reasonable exchange and the obligations be met in this manner. Since the balance of trade is in favor of Guatemala there is always the certainty of funds for exchange.
Under President Estrada Cabrera's administration the banks of the country are subject to a regulation somewhat similar to the national banks of the United States. Various decrees have been issued governing the emission of banknotes. The latest decree institutes a special bank examination project and requires all the financial institutions to give an account of their condition and operations to this Department.
The following statistics as to the leading banks of Guatemala have been compiled from recent reports:
Guatemalan Bank (Banco de Guatemala).
| Capital subscribed and totally paid | $2,500,000 00 |
| Reserve fund | 655,000 00 |
| Contingent fund | 292,208 67 |
| Fund available for dividends | 200,000 00 |
| Manager: Carlos Gallusser. | |
Occidental Bank (Banco de Occidente).
| Capital authorized | $2,000,000 00 |
| Capital paid | 1,650,000 00 |
| Reserve fund | 1,200,000 00 |
| Contingent fund | 1,200,000 00 |
| Manager: Rufino Ibarguen. | |