The bank pages read on 10 October 2026 publish terms, amounts and documents, but no APR for unsecured personal loans. BI (Crédito Bi guide for Planilla Bi customers, PDF filed in 2022) and G&T Continental (Crediplan) list maximums of Q500,000; BAM (Crédito Fácil), BI and G&T list terms up to 60 months. Early payoff differs: Banrural charges no penalty, BAM lists 5% of the principal balance. Ask every bank for the rate and the total cost with fees and insurance, in writing.
A personal loan (prestamo personal) in Guatemala is a fixed-amount, fixed-term loan you repay in monthly installments. BAM’s Crédito Fácil page names a trip or a home remodel as uses; Banrural’s Crédito Amigo Consumo page names consolidating debts or buying what you need for your home; BI’s guide names higher education, home improvements, travel or a used vehicle.
This page compares 8 banks on what each one publishes about personal loans: terms, maximum amounts, required documents, insurance and early payoff. Where a bank’s page could not be read or did not show a figure, the table says so. Use it to shortlist banks before applying.
Comparison Table: 8 Banks × Personal Loans
Read from each bank’s own page on 10 October 2026. Not captured means the page could not be read (Bantrab returned HTTP 403; BAC and Promerica loaded no loan terms) or no page was found. Always verify with the bank.
| Bank | APR Range | Max Term | Max Amount (ref) | Key Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bantrab | Not captured | Not captured | Not captured | Not captured | Site returned HTTP 403 on 10 Oct 2026 |
| Banrural (Crédito Amigo Consumo) | Not listed | Payment estimator up to 60 months | Not listed | DPI or Guatemalan passport; income certificate and last 3 months of statements | No early-payoff penalty; principal prepayments any time; debtor-balance insurance mandatory |
| Banco Industrial (BI) (Crédito Bi) | Not listed (guide lists a preferential rate) | 12 to 60 months | Q500,000 | For Planilla Bi customers; one year of job stability; income from Q3,000 | Level installments or installments on balance; PDF guide filed under 2022 |
| BAM (Agromercantil) (Crédito Fácil) | Variable annual rate; no figure listed | 24, 36, 48 or 60 installments | From Q5,000 up to repayment capacity | DPI, income certificate, last 3 statements, NIT | Admin fees 1.60% to 4.60%; life insurance 1.41% a year; 5% early-cancellation penalty |
| G&T Continental (Crediplan) | Not listed | Up to 60 months | Q500,000 (minimum Q8,000) | DPI, income certificate, last 3 months of statements, NIT | No guarantee required; includes life insurance; lists principal prepayments |
| BAC Credomatic | Not captured | Not captured | Not captured | Not captured | Loan page loaded no terms on 10 Oct 2026 |
| Banco Promerica | Not captured | Not captured | Not captured | Not captured | Loan page loaded no terms on 10 Oct 2026 |
| Banco Cuscatlán (acquired Banco Inmobiliario in 2024; checked 1 November 2026) | Not captured | Not captured | Not captured | Not captured | No loan page captured |
Rate vs total cost: The rate is not the whole price. BAM’s Crédito Fácil lists administrative fees from 1.60% to 4.60% according to the offer, plus 1.41% a year for its Seguro de Vida Integral. Banrural’s payment estimator says its simulation leaves out administrative, formalization and other costs, which the bank announces before you sign. Ask each bank for the total cost with every fee and insurance included.
How Personal Loans Work in Guatemala
Three things to check before applying:
Where your salary is paid. BI’s Crédito Bi guide sets out its benefits and requirements for BI’s payroll customers (Planilla Bi) and lists a preferential interest rate among the benefits. Ask HR which banks have a payroll agreement (convenio de planilla) with your employer, then ask those banks first.
Early-payoff terms differ by product. Banrural’s Crédito Amigo Consumo charges no penalty for paying early and accepts principal prepayments at any time. BAM’s Crédito Fácil lists a 5% penalty on the principal balance for early cancellation and does not allow principal prepayments.
Insurance is part of the loan. Banrural lists debtor-balance insurance (seguro de saldos deudores) as mandatory. BAM’s Crédito Fácil comes with a Seguro de Vida Integral at 1.41% a year covering the initial loan amount on the holder’s death, six to twelve installments after a direct and unjustified dismissal, and up to six installments on a first critical-illness diagnosis. G&T Continental’s Crediplan lists life insurance among its features.
The math on rate matters a lot. Arithmetic example with level monthly payments on Q100,000 over 60 months, at illustrative rates (not offers from any bank):
- At 14% a year: monthly about Q2,327, total interest about Q39,610
- At 22% a year: monthly about Q2,762, total interest about Q65,713
- At 28% a year: monthly about Q3,114, total interest about Q86,815
In this example, the gap between 14% and 28% is about Q47,205 in interest on a Q100,000 loan. That is why getting written rate quotes from several banks is worth the time.
How to Choose a Personal Loan
1. Ask your HR which banks have a convenio with your employer. BI’s guide ties its Crédito Bi requirements and preferential rate to Planilla Bi customers. If your employer has agreements with several banks, ask each for a written quote.
2. Compare total cost, not the headline rate. BAM’s Crédito Fácil adds administrative fees of 1.60% to 4.60% and life insurance at 1.41% a year to the interest rate. Banrural’s payment estimator excludes administrative and formalization costs. Ask for a full cost breakdown before signing.
3. Choose the shortest term you can afford. In the 18% example in the FAQ above, stretching a Q100,000 loan from 36 to 60 months raises total interest from about Q30,150 to about Q52,360. Run the numbers at 36, 48 and 60 months and pick the shortest you can absorb without straining your budget.
4. Check the early-payoff clause. Banrural’s Crédito Amigo Consumo has no early-payoff penalty; BAM’s Crédito Fácil lists a 5% penalty on the principal balance. Read the clause in your own contract before signing.
5. Ask which insurance is mandatory. Banrural lists debtor-balance insurance as mandatory for Crédito Amigo Consumo, and BAM prices its bundled Seguro de Vida Integral at 1.41% a year. Ask whether any other cover in your quote is optional.
6. If you are buying a vehicle or property, look at those products. Auto loans (prestamo prendario) and mortgages (prestamo hipotecario) are separate products with the asset as collateral; see the mortgage rates comparison before using a personal loan for a property.
Required Documents
As listed on each bank’s page, read 10 October 2026. Not listed means that bank’s page does not name the document.
| Document | BI (Crédito Bi) | BAM (Crédito Fácil) | Banrural (Crédito Amigo Consumo) | G&T Continental (Crediplan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPI | Full copy, plus a second ID (licence, card or badge) | Full copy | DPI or Guatemalan passport | Copy |
| NIT (tax ID) | Not listed | Yes | Not in requirements list; the online payment-estimator form asks for the NIT number | Yes |
| Bank statements | Not listed | Last 3, signed and stamped | Last three months | Last 3 months |
| Income proof | One year of job stability; minimum income Q3,000 | Original income certificate | Income certificate | Recent original income certificate |
| IGSS certification | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Proof of address (utility bill) | Water, power or phone bill | Utility bill | Water, power or phone bill | Not listed |
| Tax returns (declaracion ISR) | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Proof of business (patente, RTU) | Not listed | Business owners: Patente de Sociedad and de Comercio, RTU card, accountant’s certification | Not listed | Merchants: Patente de Comercio or RTU; professionals: Constancia de Colegiado |
| Personal references | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Fiador (co-signer) | Not listed | Only for applicants aged 60 to 70 | Not listed | Not listed (no guarantee required) |
Retirees at BAM: Crédito Fácil sets a maximum age of 70 and asks retirees for the retirement resolution and a pension income certificate.
Related Steps
- Get your NIT first — BAM and G&T Continental list the NIT among their loan requirements.
- RTU registration — BAM and G&T Continental ask business owners or merchants for it.
- Best banks for foreigners — establish the relationship before applying for credit.
- Best banks Guatemala (blog) — head-to-head bank comparison.
- Cost of living in Guatemala — calibrate the right loan size for your monthly budget.
- Mortgage rates comparison — for property purchase, use a mortgage instead.
For Diaspora
The requirement lists read on 10 October 2026 ask for local documents: a DPI, a Guatemalan utility bill, income certificates and recent bank statements. If you live in the US and want to finance a project in Guatemala (a home renovation for parents, a small business for a sibling), options to discuss with a bank:
- Co-borrow with a family member who meets the requirements. They sign as the borrower; you send the monthly payments via remittances. Use a written agreement.
- Compare with a loan where you live. Get a written quote in the US and compare it with Guatemalan quotes, including currency conversion costs. Use Wise or Remitly to send funds.
- Loan secured by your own deposit. G&T Continental’s back-to-back loan uses a savings fund or fixed-term deposit (Certificado de Plazo Fijo) as collateral: up to 90% of the collateral balance, terms of 3 to 60 months, in quetzales or dollars, with rates from 5.25% a year against a CDP. It asks for a copy of the DPI and an active savings or checking account for the payout.
- Wait until you have a DPI and local income. Every requirement list in the table above starts with a DPI; BI’s guide also asks for one year of job stability.
For full guidance on building a Guatemalan banking relationship from abroad, see our best banks for foreigners guide.
Sources
- Banco Industrial, Guía para solicitar un Crédito Bi (PDF): blog.corporacionbi.com, read 10 October 2026.
- BAM, Crédito Fácil: bam.com.gt, read 10 October 2026.
- Banrural, Crédito Amigo Consumo: banrural.com.gt, read 10 October 2026.
- G&T Continental, Crédito de Consumo Crediplan GTC: gtc.com.gt, read 10 October 2026.
- G&T Continental, Crédito Back to Back: gtc.com.gt, read 10 October 2026.
Terms above were read from each bank’s own page on 10 October 2026; worked examples use illustrative rates and standard level-payment arithmetic. Rates and conditions change with bank campaigns. Always confirm the actual rate, total cost, fees and early-payoff clause directly with the bank before signing. Nothing on this table is updated automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average personal loan rate in Guatemala 2026?
The unsecured personal-loan pages read on 10 October 2026 from BI, BAM, Banrural and G&T Continental give no APR figure; BAM’s Crédito Fácil page says the rate is a variable annual rate. G&T Continental lists rates only for its secured back-to-back loan: from 8% a year against a savings fund and from 5.25% a year against a CDP. Ask each bank for the rate and the total cost, including fees and insurance, in writing.
What is the maximum personal loan amount in Guatemala?
BI’s Crédito Bi guide for Planilla Bi customers (PDF filed in 2022) lists a maximum of Q500,000, granted according to job stability and reported income. G&T Continental’s Crediplan lists up to Q500,000 (minimum Q8,000). BAM’s Crédito Fácil runs from Q5,000 up to an amount set by your repayment capacity. BI’s guide recommends keeping your financial capacity for payments within 35% of monthly income.
Can foreigners get a personal loan in Guatemala?
The requirement lists read on 10 October 2026 ask for a DPI (BI, BAM, G&T Continental) or a DPI or Guatemalan passport (Banrural); none of those four lists names a foreign passport. Ask the bank directly whether it lends to a foreign passport holder. G&T Continental’s back-to-back loan, secured by your own savings fund or fixed-term deposit, also asks for a copy of the DPI.
Do Guatemalan personal loans require collateral?
Not for the unsecured products read on 10 October 2026: G&T Continental says its Crediplan requires no guarantee, and BAM says Crédito Fácil needs no co-signer (fiador), except for applicants aged 60 to 70. Secured options exist: G&T’s back-to-back loan uses a savings fund or fixed-term deposit as collateral and lends up to 90% of its balance. Auto loans and mortgages are separate products.
What is the maximum term for a personal loan in Guatemala?
BI’s Crédito Bi: 12 to 60 months. BAM’s Crédito Fácil: 24, 36, 48 or 60 monthly installments. G&T Continental’s Crediplan: up to 60 months. Banrural’s payment estimator for Crédito Amigo Consumo runs up to 60 months. Longer terms lower the monthly payment but raise total interest: at an illustrative 18% a year with level payments, a Q100,000 loan costs about Q30,150 in interest over 36 months and about Q52,360 over 60 months.
What documents do I need for a personal loan in Guatemala?
It varies by bank. BAM’s Crédito Fácil: copy of the DPI, utility bill, original income certificate, last 3 bank statements (signed and stamped) and NIT. Banrural’s Crédito Amigo Consumo: DPI or Guatemalan passport, utility bill, income certificate and the last three months of statements. G&T’s Crediplan: copy of the DPI, recent original income certificate, last 3 months of statements, NIT, plus Patente de Comercio or RTU for merchants. BI’s Crédito Bi: copy of the DPI, utility bill, a second ID, one year of job stability and minimum income of Q3,000.
Can I pay off a Guatemala personal loan early?
It depends on the product. Banrural says Crédito Amigo Consumo has no penalty for paying early and lets you pay down principal whenever you want. BAM’s Crédito Fácil lists a 5% penalty on the principal balance for early cancellation and does not allow principal prepayments, though installments can be paid ahead. G&T Continental lists principal prepayments (abonos a capital) among Crediplan’s features. Read the clause before signing.
