UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

☐ Registration statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

or

☒ Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

or

☐ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the transition period from                  to

or

☐ Shell Company Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of the event requiring this shell company report.

Commission file number: 001-32827

BANCO MACRO S.A.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Macro Bank, Inc.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Argentina

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Avenida Eduardo Madero 1182, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

(Address of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Jorge Francisco Scarinci

Chief Financial Officer

Banco Macro S.A.

Avenida Eduardo Madero 1172, 24^th Floor

City of Buenos Aires, Argentina, C1106ACY Telephone: (+54-11-5222-6730)

Email: (jorgescarinci@macro.com.ar)

(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile member and address of company contact person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
American Depositary Shares	BMA	New York Stock Exchange
Class B ordinary shares, par value Ps.1.00 per share	BMA	New York Stock Exchange(*)

(*) Ordinary shares of Banco Macro S.A. are not listed for trading but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares which are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

11,235,670 Class A ordinary shares, par value Ps.1.00 per share

658,427,351 Class B ordinary shares, par value Ps.1.00 per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP  ☐ International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board  ☒ Other  ☐

If “Other has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

Item 17  ☐    Item 18  ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ☐    No  ☒

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 23 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by the court.

Yes  ☐    No  ☐

Please send copies of notices and communications from the Securities and Exchange Commission to:

Hugo N. L. Bruzone Bruchou, Fernández Madero & Lombardi Ing. Butty 275, 12^th Floor C1001AFA - Buenos Aires, Argentina Jeffrey Cohen Linklaters LLP 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105

Table of Contents

PART I		3
Item 1.	Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers	3
Item 2.	Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable	3
Item 3.	Key Information	3
Item 4.	Information on the Bank	27
Item 4A.	Unresolved Staff Comments	111
Item 5.	Operating and Financial Review and Prospects	111
Item 6.	Directors, Senior Management and Employees	134
Item 7.	Significant Shareholders and Related Party Transactions	146
Item 8.	Financial Information	147
Item 9.	The Offer and Listing	150
Item 10.	Additional Information	150
Item 11.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk	166
Item 12.	Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities	168
PART II		169
Item 13.	Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies	169
Item 14.	Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds	169
Item 15.	Controls and Procedures	169
Item 16A.	Audit Committee Financial Expert	171
Item 16B.	Code of Ethics	171
Item 16C.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	171
Item 16D.	Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees	172
Item 16E.	Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers	172
Item 16F.	Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant	173
Item 16G.	Corporate Governance	173
PART III		180
Item 17.	Financial Statements	180
Item 18.	Financial Statements	181
Item 19.	Exhibits	181

Certain defined terms

In this annual report, we use the terms “the registrant,” “we,” “us,” “our” the “Bank” and “Banco Macro” to refer to Banco Macro S.A. and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis. References to “Banco Macro” refer to Banco Macro S.A. on an individual basis. References to “Class B shares” refer to shares of our Class B common stock and references to “ADSs” refer to American depositary shares representing our Class B shares, except where otherwise indicated by the context.

The term “Argentina” refers to the Republic of Argentina. The terms “Argentine government” or the “government” or the “Federal government” refer to the federal government of Argentina, the term “Argentine Congress” refers to the Argentine National Congress, the legislative branch of the government of Argentina, the term “Central Bank” refers to the Banco Central de la República Argentina, or the Argentine Central Bank, the term “Superintendency” refers to the Superintendencia de Entidades Financieras y Cambiarias or the Superintendency of Financial and Exchange Entities, the term “CNV” refers to the Comisión Nacional de Valores, or the Argentine Securities Commission, the term “BYMA” refers to Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos S.A., or the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, the term “MAE” refers to Mercado Abierto Electrónico, the term “NYSE” refers to the New York Stock Exchange, the term “IGJ” refers to the Inspección General de Justicia, or Public Registry of Commerce of Buenos Aires and the term “ANSES” refers to the Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social or National Social Security Agency.

The term “Brazil” refers to the Federative Republic of Brazil.

The terms “U.S. dollar” and “U.S. dollars” and the symbol “U.S.$” refer to the legal currency of the United States. The terms “Peso” and “Pesos” and the symbol “Ps.” refer to the legal currency of Argentina. “Billion” refers to the number 1,000,000,000. “Central Bank Rules” refers to the accounting and other regulations of the Central Bank. “IFRS” refers to the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

The term “GDP” refers to gross domestic product and all references in this annual report to GDP growth are to real GDP growth. The term “INDEC” refers to the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos). The term “CER,” or benchmark stabilization coefficient, is an index issued by the Argentine government which is used to adjust value of credits and deposits. Pursuant to Resolution No. 203/2016 from the former Ministry of Economy and Finance, as of June 2016, the Consumer Price Index (Índice de Precios al Consumidor) currently in force and used to adjust the CER. The term “UVA”, means Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo, and the term “UVI” means Unidad de Vivienda.

Presentation of certain financial and other information

Our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report have been prepared in accordance with IFRS issued by the IASB. These are our first annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.

As mentioned in Note 3 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements, up to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Bank prepared its financial statements in accordance with Central Bank Rules. The effects of the changes between the standards applied at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and IFRS, are explained in the reconciliations included under the title “First-time Adoption of IFRS” of that note.

The consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the corresponding figures for the previous fiscal year have been restated for the changes in the general purchasing power of the functional currency of the Bank as established by IAS 29. As a result, those consolidated financial statements are stated in terms of pesos adjusted for inflation at the end of the reporting period (December 31, 2018). Solely for the convenience of the reader, the reference exchange rate for U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2018, as reported by the Central Bank was Ps.37.8083 to U.S.$1.00.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements, as of December 31, 2018, of the Bank and the following subsidiaries.

• Banco del Tucumán S.A. (“Banco del Tucumán”);

• Macro Bank Limited (an entity organized under the laws of Bahamas);

• Macro Securities S.A. (“Macro Securities”);

• Macro Fiducia S.A.; and

• Macro Fondos S.G.F.C.I. S.A.

IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Central Bank Rules. As a result, our financial information presented under IFRS is not directly comparable to our financial information presented under Central Bank Rules. Accordingly, readers should exercise caution when making any comparison.

1

Following our adoption of IFRS, we are no longer required to reconcile our financial statements to U.S. GAAP.

Rounding

Certain figures included in this annual report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.

Market and Central Bank Data

We make statements in this annual report about our competitive position and market share in, and the market size of, the Argentine banking industry. We have made these statements on the basis of statistics and other information from third-party sources that we believe are reliable. Although we have no reason to believe any of this information or these reports are inaccurate in any material respect, we have not independently verified the competitive position, market share and market size or market growth data provided by third parties or by industry or general publications.

Information provided by the Central Bank of Argentina has been prepared with a methodology that may not necessarily follow that used by us in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements (e.g. it has not been adjusted for inflation), and as a result may not be directly comparable.

Our internet site is not part of this Annual Report

We maintain our website at www.macro.com.ar. Information contained in or otherwise accessible through this website is not a part of this annual report. All references in this annual report to this internet site are inactive textual references to this URL, or “uniform resource locator” and are for informational reference only.

Cautionary statement concerning forward-looking statements

This annual report contains certain statements that we consider to be “forward-looking statements.” We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current beliefs, expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business. Many important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this annual report, could cause our actual results to differ substantially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements, including, among other things:

• changes in economic, business, political, legal, social or other conditions in Argentina and worldwide;

• governmental intervention and regulation (including banking and tax regulations);

• developments in the global financial markets;

• deterioration in the Argentine financial system or regional business and economic conditions;

• inflation;

• fluctuations and declines in the exchange rate of the Peso;

• changes in interest rates which may adversely affect financial margins;

• adverse legal or regulatory disputes or proceedings;

• credit and other risks of lending, such as increases in defaults by borrowers and other delinquencies;

• increase in the provisions for loan losses;

• fluctuations and declines in the value of Argentine public debt;

• decrease in deposits, customer loss and revenue loss;

• competition in banking, financial services and related industries and the loss of market share;

• cost and availability of funding;

• the integration of any acquisitions and the failure to realize expected synergies; and

• the risk factors discussed under Item 3.D “Risk Factors.”

The words “believe”, “may”, “will”, “aim”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “forecast” and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, the effects of future regulations and the effects of competition. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we will not, and disclaim any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements after we distribute this annual report because of new information, future events or other factors. In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this annual report might not occur and are not guarantees of future performance.

2

Sections of this annual report that by their nature contain forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, Item 3. “Key Information,” Item 4. “Information on the Bank,” Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and Item 11. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”

PART I

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not applicable.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

Item 3. Key Information

A. Selected Financial Data

The following financial information for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the selected consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 has been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

The consolidated financial statements and the financial information included in this annual report for all periods reported are in Argentine pesos stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting period (December 31, 2018). Due to the high inflationary level that has prevailed in Argentina in the recent past, our management has analyzed the conditions established by IAS 29 paragraph 3 for an economy to be considered as hyperinflationary. Based on such analysis, our management considers that there is evidence to determinate Argentina’s economy as “hyperinflationary” under IAS 29 for accounting periods ending after July 1, 2018. See “—Risk factors—Risk Related to Argentina— An increase in inflation could have a material adverse effect on Argentina’s economic prospects”, “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Macroeconomic Environment” and note 3 “Basis for the preparation of these financial statements and applicable accounting standards” to our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Prior to January 1, 2018 the Bank prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with Central Bank Rules. Reconciliations and description of the transition to IFRS, and the effects on equity and net income are presented under the title “First-time Adoption of IFRS” of note 3 to our consolidated financial statements.

Selected Consolidated Statement of Income Data	Year Ended December 31,
	2017 (1)			2018
	(in thousands of Pesos, except for number of shares, net income per share and dividends per  share)
Interest income		55,826,695			74,733,441
Interest expense		(16,971,578	)		(29,563,908	)
Net Interest Income		38,855,117			45,169,533
Commissions income		14,987,879			14,474,765
Commissions expense		(1,113,684	)		(930,045	)
Net Commissions income		13,874,195			13,544,720
Subtotal (Net Interests income + Net Commissions income)		52,729,312			58,714,253
Net Income from measurement of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss		944,908			1,261,206
Profit/ (Loss) from sold assets at amortized cost		18,885			(6,129	)
Difference in quoted prices of gold and foreign currency		2,252,700			(1,750,282	)
Other operating income		2,605,384			3,347,241
Credit loss expense on financial assets		(2,613,724	)		(2,900,048	)
Net Operating Income		55,937,465			58,666,241
Total Operating Expenses		(32,580,603	)		(34,617,063	)
Net Operating Income after expenses, depreciation and amortization		23,356,862			24,049,178
Income from associates and joint arrangements		290,303			266,302
Loss on net monetary position		(9,218,751	)		(15,722,476	)
Income before tax on continuing operations		14,428,414			8,593,004
Income tax on continuing operations		(8,408,808	)		(9,327,117	)

3

Selected Consolidated Statement of Income Data	Year Ended December 31,
	2017 (1)			2018
	(in thousands of Pesos, except for number of shares, net income per share and dividends per  share)
Net Income/(loss) from continuing operations		6,019,606			(734,113	)
Net Income/(loss) for the fiscal year		6,019,606			(734,113	)
Net Income/(loss) for the fiscal year attributable to the owners of the Parent Company		5,938,807			(701,220	)
Net Income/ (loss) for the fiscal year attributable to non-controlling interests		80,799			(32,893	)
Other Comprehensive Loss		(80,960	)		(71,025	)
Foreign currency translation differences in financial statements conversion		(63,151	)		382,728
Losses for financial instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		(17,809	)		(453,753	)
Total Comprehensive Income/(loss) for the fiscal year		5,938,646			(805,138	)
Total Comprehensive Income/(loss) attributable to the owners of the parent Company		5,858,588			(772,243	)
Total Comprehensive Income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		80,058			(32,895	)
Net income/(loss) per share (2)		9.43			(1.06	)
Dividends per share approved by the shareholders’ meeting (3)		5.00			10.00
Dividends per share in U.S.$ approved by the shareholders’ meeting		0.27			0.26
Weighted average number of outstanding shares (in thousands)		629,531			661,141

(1) Figures stated in thousands of pesos adjusted for inflation as of December 31, 2018. See “Presentation of certain financial and other information”.

(2) Net income/(loss) for the fiscal year attributable to the owners of the Parent Company divided by weighted average number of outstanding shares.

(3) Not adjusted for inflation.

Selected Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Data	As of January 1,		As of December 31,
	2017 (1)		2017 (1)		2018
	(in thousands of Pesos)
ASSETS
Cash and Deposits in Banks		66,306,368		52,505,097		74,766,039
Investments in Debt Securities and Equity Instruments		38,942,057		53,259,386		67,271,524
Derivative Financial Instruments		17,911		12,149		17,293
Repo Transactions		35,237		2,096,284		—
Loans and other financing		162,864,366		195,864,678		179,166,463
Other Financial Assets		8,837,262		14,633,198		9,755,804
Investment in associates and joint arrangements		228,970		323,265		108,823
Property, Plant and Equipment		13,953,683		15,205,782		15,544,258
Intangible Assets		1,506,292		1,626,253		2,120,595
Deferred Income Tax Assets		—		1,249		—
Other Non-financial Assets		2,161,137		2,174,196		985,435
Non-current assets held for sale		174,283		368,329		1,496,757

4

Selected Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Data	As of January 1,		As of December 31,
	2017 (1)		2017 (1)		2018
	(in thousands of Pesos)
TOTAL ASSETS		295,027,566		338,069,866		351,232,991
Average Assets		—		322,289,580		344,724,767
LIABILITIES
Deposits		206,113,028		212,800,371		237,954,419
Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss		—		9,523		—
Derivative Financial Instruments		—		34,116		1,369
Repo Transactions		2,018,763		3,968,851		164,469
Other Financial Liabilities		11,684,864		15,593,151		15,318,513
Financing received from the Central Bank of Argentina and other financial entities		479,907		1,733,524		2,998,010
Issued Debt instruments		14,853,131		18,127,888		21,665,701
Current Income Tax Liabilities		3,224,097		5,869,385		2,946,479
Provisions		617,268		1,026,017		1,056,624
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities		2,917,369		1,875,636		2,341,456
Other Non-financial Liabilities		5,830,128		5,279,810		5,875,117
TOTAL LIABILITIES		247,738,555		266,318,272		290,322,157
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Net Shareholders’ Equity attributable to the owners of parent company		46,901,837		71,441,599		60,908,329
Net Shareholders’ Equity attributable to non-controlling interests		387,174		309,995		2,505
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		47,289,011		71,751,594		60,910,834
Average Shareholders ‘Equity		—		64,798,700		69,654,177

(1) Figures stated in thousands of pesos adjusted for inflation as of December 31, 2018. See “Presentation of certain financial and other information”.

Selected consolidated ratios	As of and for the year ended December 31.
	2017			2018
Profitability and performance
Net interest margin (%) (1)		16.55	%		17.94	%
Fee income ratio (%) (2)		27.84	%		24.27	%

5

Selected consolidated ratios	As of and for the year ended December 31,
	2017			2018
Efficiency ratio (%) (3)		40.68	%		40.08	%
Fee income as a percentage of administrative expense (%)		56.05	%		52.66	%
Return on average equity (%)		9.29	%		(1.05	)%
Return on average assets (%)		1.87	%		(0.21	)%
Liquidity
Loans as a percentage of total deposits (%)		93.22	%		76.53	%
Liquid assets as a percentage of total deposits (%) (4)		50.20	%		57.10	%
Capital
Total equity as a percentage of total assets (%)		21.22	%		17.34	%
Regulatory capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets (%)		28.10	%		26.47	%
Asset Quality
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans (%) (5)		1.08	%		1.88	%
Allowances for loan losses as a percentage of total loans		1.98	%		2.12	%
Allowances for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans (%) (5)		183.28	%		112.40	%
Operations
Number of branches		445			471
Number of employees (6)		8,774			9,028

(1) Net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.

(2) Commissions income divided by the sum of net interest income.

(3) The efficiency ratio is equal to operating expenses over operating income. Operating expenses includes employee benefits, administrative expenses and depreciation of property, plant and equipment and intangibles. Operating income includes net interest income, net commissions income, net income from measurement of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss, difference in quoted prices of gold and foreign currency net and other operating income.

(4) Liquid assets include cash, cash collateral, reverse repos, instruments issued by Central Bank and interfinancing loans.

(5) As of December 31, 2017, non-performing loans are calculated using the classification system of the Central Bank and include all loans to borrowers classified as “3-troubled/medium risk”. “4-with high risk of insolvency/high risk”. “5-irrecoverable” and “6-irrecoverable according to Central Bank’s Rules”. As of December 31, 2018, non-performing loans are calculated according to our internal credit rating grades disclosed in note 50.1 to our consolidated financial statements.

(6) Were workers performing their duties pursuant to the “Acciones de entrenamiento para el trabajo” program of the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security and other casual workers included, the number of employees of the Bank would have been 8,826, and 9,113 for 2017 and 2018, respectively. We do not account for such workers as employees, as we do not remunerate them for their services, which are paid directly by the Argentine province where they work.

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

6

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below with all of the other information included in this annual report before deciding to invest in our Class B shares or our ADSs. If any of the following risks actually occurs, it may materially harm our business and our financial condition and results of operations. As a result, the market price of our Class B shares, our ADSs could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.

Investors should carefully read this annual report in its entirety. They should also take into account and evaluate, among other things, their own financial circumstances, their investment goals, and the following risk factors.

Information provided by the Central Bank of Argentina and/or the INDEC and the information included in this section has been prepared in accordance with a methodology that may not necessarily follow the methodology used for the preparation of our consolidated financial statements (e.g. it has not been adjusted for inflation), as a result of the aforementioned may not be comparable.

Risks relating to Argentina

The Argentine economy remains vulnerable and a significant decline could adversely affect our financial condition.

Presidential and congressional elections in Argentina took place on October 25, 2015, and a runoff election (ballotage) between the two leading presidential candidates was held on November 22, 2015, which resulted in Mr. Mauricio Macri being elected President of Argentina. The Macri administration assumed office on December 10, 2015, and announced several significant economic and policy reforms, including:

• Agreement with holdout creditors. The Macri administration has settled the substantial majority of outstanding claims brought by holdout creditors and has issued sovereign bonds in the international financial markets. Argentina’s ability to obtain financing from international markets is limited, which may impair its ability to implement reforms and foster economic growth.

• Foreign exchange reforms. The Macri administration eliminated a significant portion of foreign exchange restrictions, including currency controls that were imposed by the previous administration. With the aim of providing more flexibility to the foreign exchange system and promoting competition, allowing the entrance of new participants to the system, the free-floating exchange market (the “Exchange Market”) was created by virtue of Decree No. 27/2018 published on January 11, 2018. Furthermore, on August 8, 2016, the Central Bank introduced material changes to the foreign exchange regime and established a new framework by means of Communication “A” 6037 and Communication “A” 6244, which significantly eased the access to the Exchange Market. In addition, on December 26, 2017, by virtue of Communication “A” 6401, the Central Bank replaced the reporting regimes set forth by Communications “A” 3602 and “A” 4237 with a unified regime applicable for information as of December 31, 2017. The unified reporting regime involves an annual mandatory statement filing for every person whose total flow of funds or balance of assets and liabilities is or exceeds U.S.$1 million during the previous calendar year. Moreover, by virtue of Communication “A” 6443, which came into effect as of March 1, 2018, any company from any sector, which usually operates through the Exchange Market can act as an exchange agency merely by registering in the exchange operators’ registry. See “—Significant devaluation of the Peso against the U.S. dollar may adversely affect the Argentine economy” and Item 10.D “Exchange Controls.”

• Foreign trade reforms. The Macri administration reduced the export duties applicable to several agricultural products and eliminated the export duties applicable to most exports of industrial and mining products. On January 2, 2017, the Argentine government enacted a further reduction of the export duties rate set for soybean and soybean products, setting a monthly 0.5% cut on the export duties rate beginning on January 2018 and until December 2019. In addition, importers were offered short-term debt securities issued by the Argentine government to repay outstanding commercial debt for the import of goods. Notwithstanding this and as part of the reform package aimed at reducing the fiscal deficit, the Argentine Executive Branch published Decree No. 793/2018, which established a 12% duty on all exported consumption products included in the Mercosur Common Nomenclature (Nomenclatura Común del Mercosur) (the “NCM” per its initials in Spanish) which will remain in effect until December 31, 2020. Decree No. 793/2018 caps the rate for export duties on most products at Ps.4.00/U.S.$1.00 based on the taxable base or free on-board value, depending on the product. However, the exchange rate cap for certain products (mainly manufactured goods) is Ps.3.00/U.S.$1.00 of the taxable base or free on-board value, depending on the product. As an additional measure, Decree No. 793/2018 reduced export duties on soybean by-products to 18%, 16% or 11%, depending on type of by the product.

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• Correction of monetary imbalances and changes in monetary policy. The Central Bank aims to ensure that, in the period from October 2018 until June 2019, the monetary base will register a zero growth (based on a monthly average), through the Monetary Aggregates Regime (Agregados Monetarios) pursuant the 2018 IMF Agreement (as defined herein below), which was approved by the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank. This monetary goal would be achieved through the daily sales of LELIQS, which began on October 1, 2018. LELIQS are seven-day peso-denominated securities that can be purchased exclusively by banks. The Central Bank is expected to continue to perform daily operations of LELIQS until the zero percent goal is achieved. See “—Fluctuations in the value of the Peso could adversely affect the Argentine economy,” and “—Negotiations with the IMF” below.

• Domestic capital markets. On May 9, 2018, the Law No. 27,440 (the “Productive Financing Law”) was enacted. The Productive Financing Law seeks, among other things, to broaden the base of investors and companies that take part in the capital markets, promoting financing especially for micro, small and medium-sized companies (“MiPyMEs”), seeking to create a framework that eases access to financing for such companies. The Productive Financing Law also introduces new regulations to local markets, to the private banking activity, and include substantial changes to preemptive rights of stockholders and price measures applicable to the tender offer regime (See Item 10. “Additional information—Tender offer regime.”). Furthermore, the Productive Financing Law eliminates certain controversial sections of the previous Capital Markets Law No.26,831, as amended and supplemented (the “Capital Markets Law”) which gave the CNV the authority to intervene in the management of publicly traded companies, among others.

• Corporate Criminal Liability Law (Ley de Responsabilidad Penal Empresaria): On November 8, 2017, the Lower House of the Argentine Congress approved the Law No.27,401 (the “Corporate Criminal Liability Law”) providing for the criminal liability of corporate entities for criminal offences against public administration and transnational bribery committed by, among others, its attorneys-in-fact, directors, managers, employees, or representatives. According to the law, a company may be held liable if such offences were committed, directly or indirectly, in its name, behalf or interest, the company obtained or may have obtained a benefit therefrom, and the offence resulted from a company’s ineffective control. Companies found liable under this law may be subject to various sanctions, including, among others, fines ranging from two to five times of the undue benefit obtained, total or partial suspension of commercial activities, suspension to participate in bidding processes or activity linked to the National State, dissolution and liquidation of legal status, loss or suspension of benefits or government subsidies that they may have and the publication of the conviction sentence for two days, in a national newspaper.

• Social security reform bill. On December 19, 2017, the Argentine Congress passed the social security reform bill which, among other amendments, modified the adjustment formula in the retirement system with a view to supplying the necessary funds of ANSES to guarantee that retirees who earn the minimum pension receive 82% of the minimum salary. Social security payments shall be subject to an updated formula to be applied every year in March, June, September and December, 70% of the calculation will come from the CPI published by INDEC and 30% from the Remuneración Imponible Promedio de los Trabajadores Estables (“RIPTE” per its initials in Spanish) variation, an indicator published by the Ministry of Labor which measures the evolution of public sector salaries. Moreover, instead of the biannual increase, a quarterly increase will be applied. After the passing of the draft bill, on December 20, 2017, Decree No. 1058 was published and, with the aim of avoiding divergence with the application of the previous formula, established a one-time compensatory bonus for retirees, pensioners and beneficiaries of the universal insurance per child (asignación universal por hijo).

• Electricity and gas reforms. The Argentine government has also declared a state of emergency with respect to the national electrical system, which remained in effect until December 31, 2017. Under this state of emergency, the Argentine government was permitted to take actions designed to guarantee the supply of electricity. In this context, subsidy policies were reexamined, and new electricity tariffs went into effect on February 1, 2016 with varying increases depending on geographical location and consumption levels. Following the tariff increases, preliminary injunctions requesting a suspension of tariff increases were filed by customers, politicians and non-governmental organizations that defend customers’ rights, which were granted by Argentine courts. The new gas tariff schedule was published on October, 2016 with an increase between 300% and 500%. On October 11, 2016, the Ministry of Energy and Mining (a) expanded the number of eligible beneficiaries of social tariffs to include retirees and pensioners that receive pensions equal to up to two minimum salaries, certain war veterans and medically dependent customers, and (b) decreed that institutions that perform activities of public interest would be entitled to residential rates. The year-on-year increase in the price of energy in the wholesale electricity market for end-users, which excludes transportation and distribution costs and accounts for approximately 45% of the tariff to end-users in the City of Buenos Aires, totaled 233% (from Ps.96/MWh to Ps.320/MWh on average), while the increase in the price of natural gas for end-users was 68% (from Ps.37/MMBtu to Ps.62/MMBtu on average). On March 10, 2017, a public hearing was held in order to discuss the increase in gas rates as of April 2017. On March 31, 2017, the new gas tariff for small and medium enterprises (“PyME”) scheme was published by the Macri administration with an increase of 30% in February and 18% in March. In addition, to further address the potential impact of the new tariff scheme during the 2018 winter peak season of natural gas consumption by retail customers, an optional program was implemented through Resolution No. 97/2018 issued by the Argentine Gas Regulator (Ente Nacional Regulador del Gas) under which consumers are able to finance the payment of up to 25% of natural gas monthly bills for the 2018 winter peak season.

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• Public Private Participation Law. On November 16, 2016, the Public Private Participation Law was passed by Congress, and has been regulated by Decree No.118/2017. This new regime seeks to replace existing regulatory frameworks (Decrees Nos.1299/00 and 967/05) and supports the use of public price participation schemes for a large variety of purposes including the design, construction, extension, improvement, provision, exploitation and/or operation and financing of infrastructure development, provision of services or other activities, provision of services productive, investments, applied research, technological innovation and associated services. The Public Participation Law also includes protection mechanisms in favor of the private sector (contractors and lenders) in order to promote the development of these associative schemes.

• Fiscal consensus. In addition, on November 16, 2017, the Argentine government, the governors of the majority of Argentine provinces, including the Province of Buenos Aires, and the Head of Government of the City of Buenos Aires entered into an agreement pursuant to which some guidelines were established in order to harmonize the tax structures of the different provinces and the City of Buenos Aires. Among other commitments, the provinces and the City of Buenos Aires agreed to gradually reduce the tax rates applicable to stamp tax and turnover tax within a five-year period and withdraw their judicial claims against the Argentine government in connection with the federal co-participation regime. In exchange for this, the Argentine government, among other commitments, agreed to (i) compensate the provinces and the City of Buenos Aires (provided they enter into the agreement) for the effective reduction of its resources in 2018, resulting from the proposed elimination of section 104 of Law No. 20,628 and amendments (the “Income Tax Law”), quarterly updating such compensation in the following years, and (ii) issue a 11-year bond where funds generate services for Ps.5,000 million in 2018 and Ps.12,000 every year starting from 2019, to be distributed among all the provinces, with the exception of the Province of Buenos Aires and the City of Buenos Aires, according to the effective distribution coefficients resulting from the federal co-participation regime. This agreement shall only be effective in those provinces where the respective legislative branches have passed it. In this sense, on December 22, 2017, the Argentine Congress passed the projects on fiscal consensus and fiscal liability (“Consenso Fiscal” and “Responsabilidad Fiscal,” respectively), with some amendments. All of the Argentine provinces and the City of Buenos Aires, except for the provinces of San Luis and La Pampa, have already entered into this agreement.

• Increase in public transportation tariffs. As a part of a comprehensive program aimed at reducing applicable subsidies for public transportation in the greater area of Buenos Aires, during 2018, the Argentine Government implemented several increases in the public transportation tariff, as well as a new multi-disciplinary system for riders using multiple public transport platforms.

• IMF Agreement. On June 7, 2018, Argentina and the IMF announced that a technical agreement on a U.S.$50 billion three-year stand-by agreement had been reached, which was approved on June 20, 2018, by the IMF’s Executive Board (the “IMF Agreement”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, on September 26, 2018, Argentina announced that a revised technical agreement with the IMF was reached, which underpinned the IMF Agreement. The revised agreement with the IMF was approved by the IMF’s Executive Board on October 26, 2018 (the “Revised Agreement” and together with the IMF Agreement, the “2018 IMF Agreement”), which includes an increase in the IMF’s available funds for disbursement by U.S.$19 billion through the end of 2019 and brings the total available amount under the program for disbursement to U.S.$57.1 billion through 2021. In addition, the funds available under the 2018 IMF Agreement will no longer be treated as precautionary, as the authorities have indicated that they intend to use IMF financing for budget support. In return, the Argentine government agreed to work towards achieving fiscal balance by 2019, achieving a primary balance in that year and a primary surplus of 1% in 2020 and, in turn, the Central Bank will not be able to increase the monetary base until June 2019. Furthermore, in order to mitigate exchange rate volatility, intervention zones were defined when the dollar exceeds Ps. 44 or falls below Ps. 34 (range adjusted daily at a monthly rate of 3% until December 2018, and the first quarter of 2019, is adjusted daily at a monthly rate of 2%), considering the zone between these limits as a “non-intervention zone.” In April, 2019, among a set of measures designed to soften the impact of Argentina’s economic situation, the Central Bank fixed the “non-intervention zone” between Ps.39.75 and Ps. 51.45 until December 2019 and eliminated the monthly adjustment. On April 29, 2019, the Monetary Policy Counsel of the Central Bank (“COPOM”) decided to introduce new changes to the monetary policy, in order to reduce volatility in the foreign exchange market. According to this new scheme: (i) the Central Bank may intervene, subject to market conditions, in the foreign exchange market and sell Dollars in the market, even in case that the exchange rate is below Ps. 51.488 and (ii) if the exchange rate climbs above Ps. 51.488, the Central Bank will sell foreign currency for up to U.S.$.250 million daily. Also, the Central Bank could decide to perform additional interventions. The Pesos resulting of such sales will be discounted from the monetary base. The COPOM also confirmed that the Central Bank will not intervene in the foreign exchange market if the exchange rate decrease below Ps. 39.755.

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• Tax Reform. On December 27, 2017, the Argentine Congress approved a tax reform that was published on December 29, 2017 as Law No. 27,430 (the “Tax Reform”). The Tax Reform is intended to eliminate certain inefficiencies in the Argentine tax regime, diminish tax evasion, broaden income taxes to cover more individuals and encourage investment, with the long-term goal of restoring fiscal balance. The main aspects of the Tax Reform include among others: (i) capital gains realized by individuals that are Argentine tax residents on sales of real estate (subject to certain exceptions, including a primary residence exemption) acquired after January 1, 2018 will be subject to tax at the rate of 15%, calculated on the difference between the transfer price and the acquisition cost adjusted for inflation; (ii) income obtained from currently exempt bank deposits and sales of securities (including government securities) by individuals that are Argentine tax residents, will be subject to tax at the rate of (a) 5% in the case of those denominated in Pesos, subject to fixed interest rate and not indexed, and (b) 15% for those denominated in a foreign currency or indexed; (iii) income obtained from the sales of shares made on an Argentine stock exchange on market will be exempt, subject to compliance with certain requirements; (iv) corporate income tax rate will initially decline to 30% for fiscal periods starting after January 1, 2018 and up to December 31, 2019 and to 25% for fiscal periods starting after January 1, 2020; (v) social security contributions will be gradually increased to 19.5% starting in 2022, in lieu of the differential scales currently in effect; and (iv) the percentage of tax debits and credits that can be credited towards income tax will be gradually increased over a five year period. In addition, on April 9, 2018, Decree No. 279/2018 was published in the Official Gazette and General Resolution AFIP No. 4227/2018 was published on April 12, 2018 regulating the Tax Reform Law relating to, among other aspects, the income tax applicable to Foreign Beneficiaries derived from financial transactions. Decree No. 1170/2018 was published on December 27, 2018 introducing the implementing regulations of the Tax Reform. For further information, see “Item 10.E. Taxation—Material Argentine Tax Considerations” below.

• Asset Seizure Decree: On January 22, 2019, the Macri administration published this Decree No.62/2019 related to asset seizure (Extinción de Dominio), which allows courts to seize assets found related to acts of corruption or drug smuggling, whether the defendant has been found guilty or not before a criminal court. This Decree also includes provisions for the creation of a special Ombudsman’s Office to monitor future asset seizures. Such decree has been submitted to the Argentine Congress for its approval. As of the date of this annual report, no approval or rejection has been issued.

• Recent Governmental Measures: Recently, the Argentine government announced a wide range of measures to stabilize financial volatility and the current economic situation of the country, which includes among others, price agreements for the main products of the consumer basket, a revised public services and transport tariff increase scheme, social benefits and support for SMEs, notwithstanding the foregoing, as of the date of this annual report, certain of the aforementioned measures have not been instrumented yet, consequently, we cannot measure the impact in the Argentine economy of the aforementioned reforms. In addition, on April 29, 2019, the Monetary Policy Committee (Comité de Política Monetaria) of the Central Bank (the “COPOM”) decided to introduce changes to the monetary policy, with an aim to reducing volatility in the foreign exchange market. According to the new scheme: (i) if the exchange rate is between Ps.39.755 and Ps.51.488, the Central Bank may intervene, subject to market conditions, in the foreign exchange market and sell U.S. dollars in the market, and (ii) if the exchange rate is above Ps.51.488, the Central Bank will sell foreign currency for up to U.S.$250 million (from U.S.$150 million). Also, the Central Bank could decide to perform additional interventions in the exchange market. The Argentine pesos resulting from such sales will be discounted from the monetary base. The COPOM also confirmed that the Central Bank will not intervene until June 2019 in the foreign exchange market if the exchange rate decreases below Ps.39.755.

Furthermore, congressional elections were held on October 22, 2017 and Mauricio Macri’s governing coalition obtained the largest share of votes at the national level. However, even when the number of coalition members in Congress increased (holding in the aggregate 107 of a total of 257 seats in the House of Representatives and 24 of a total of 72 seats in the Senate), the coalition still lacks a majority in either chamber of the Argentine Congress and, as a result, some or all of the required changes and improvement to the economy and investment environment (including the reduction of the fiscal deficit, reduction of the inflation rate and fiscal and labor reforms, among others) may not be implemented, which would adversely affect the continued improvement of the economy and investment environment.

In addition, Argentine presidential elections are scheduled to take place in October 2019. The impact that the presidential elections could have on Argentine politics and the economy is uncertain, and include uncertainty as to whether the newly elected Argentine government will implement changes in the policy or regulation or that will maintain the current policies or regulation. Argentina’s president and its Congress, each have considerable power to determine governmental policies and actions that relate to the Argentine economy. As a result, we can offer no issuances that the policies that may be implemented by the government after the elections will not adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

A less favorable international economic environment, lack of stability, competitiveness of the Peso against other foreign currencies, lowered levels of confidence among consumers and foreign and domestic investors, a higher inflation rate and future political uncertainties, among other factors, should they occur, may affect the development of the Argentine economy and cause volatility in the local capital markets.

A substantial part of our operations, properties and customers are located in Argentina. As a result, our business is, to a very large extent, dependent upon the economic, social and political conditions prevailing in Argentina. No assurance can be given that future economic, social and political developments in Argentina, over which we have no control, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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The Argentine economy could be adversely affected by economic developments in the global markets.

Financial and securities markets in Argentina are influenced by economic and market conditions in other markets worldwide. The international scenario shows contradictory signals of global growth, as well as high financial and exchange uncertainty. The global financial crisis that commenced in the last quarter of 2008, negatively affected the economies of numerous countries around the world, including Argentina and certain of its trading partners.

Moreover, emerging markets have been affected by the change in U.S. monetary policy, resulting in the sharp unwinding of speculative asset positions, depreciations and increased volatility in the value of their currencies and higher interest rates. When interest rates rise significantly in developed economies, including the United States, it may be more difficult and burdensome for emerging market economies, including Argentina, to borrow capital and refinance their current debt, which could affect in a negative way its economic growth. The general appreciation of the U.S. dollar resulting from a more restrictive U.S. monetary policy contributed to the fall of the international price of raw materials, further increasing the difficulties of emerging countries which are exporters of these products.

In addition, on June 23, 2016 the United Kingdom (the “UK”) voted in favor of its departure from the European Union (the “EU” and the “Brexit”, respectively). The British Government has announced preliminary measures to be implemented to facilitate the UK’s exit from the EU and on March 29, 2017 initiated the formal process, which is expected to be completed by mid-2019. The results of the UK referendum have caused and are anticipated to continue to cause, volatility in financial markets, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The UK was due to leave the EU on March 29, 2019 but on March 20, 2019, the UK requested to the EU a three-month extension. Brexit could lead to additional political, legal and economic instability in the EU and produce a negative impact on the commercial exchange of Argentina with such region.

On November 8, 2016, Donald Trump was elected as the President of the United States. During the election campaign, Mr. Trump showed a vested interest in implementing greater controls on free trade and limiting immigration. Changes in social, political, regulatory and economic conditions in the United States and in the legislation and policies governing international trade have generate uncertainty in international markets and may have a negative effect on emerging markets, such as Argentina, which could adversely affect our operations. Even though President Trump’s protectionist measures are not, for the time being, aimed at Argentina, we cannot predict how they will evolve, nor will the effect that the same or any other measure taken by the Trump administration could cause on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Furthermore, the United States and China are currently engaged in a trade war, as each country continues to dispute tariffs placed on goods traded between them, which may have a potential impact in trade-dependent countries such as Argentina.

During August 2018, an increase in inflation and a sustained deficit in current accounts, as well as the protectionist measures taken by the United States, doubling the tariffs on steel and aluminum from Turkey, caused a collapse of the Turkish lira against the Dollar, which triggered a wave of sales of assets from emerging markets and a significant fall in the prices of shares from these markets, generating a contagion effect in international markets and several stock exchanges in the world, including Argentina.

Although economic conditions vary from country to country, investors’ perceptions of events occurring in other countries have, and may continue to, substantially affect capital flows into and investments in securities from issuers in other countries, including Argentina. A prolonged slowdown in economic activity in Argentina or negative effects on the Argentine financial system or the securities markets would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Argentina’s economy contracted in 2018 and may contract in the future due to international and domestic conditions which may adversely affect our operations.

The Argentine economy has experienced significant volatility during recent decades, characterized by periods of low or negative GDP growth, high and variable levels of inflation and currency depreciation and devaluation. Argentina’s economy contracted during 2018 and the country’s economy remains unstable notwithstanding efforts by the Argentine government to address inflation and foreign exchange instability. All of our operations, properties and customers are located in Argentina, and, as a result, our business is, to a large extent, dependent upon economic and legal conditions prevailing in Argentina. If economic conditions in Argentina were to deteriorate, they could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Global economic and financial crisis, and the general weakness of the global economy typically, negatively affect emerging economies like Argentina’s economy. Global financial instability or increasing interest rates in the United States and other developed countries may impact the Argentine economy and cause a slowdown in Argentina’s growth rate or could lead to a recession with consequences in the trade and fiscal balances and in the unemployment level.

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Moreover, Argentine economic growth might be negatively affected by several domestic factors such as an appreciation of the real exchange rate which could affect its competitiveness, reductions and even reversion of a positive trade balance, which, combined with capital outflows could reduce the levels of consumption and investment resulting in greater exchange rate pressure. Additionally, abrupt changes in monetary and fiscal policies or foreign exchange regime could rapidly affect local economic output, while lack of appropriate levels of investment in certain economy sectors could reduce long-term growth. Access to the international financial markets could be limited. Consequently, an increase in public spending not correlated with an increase in public revenues could affect the Argentina’s fiscal results and generate uncertainties that might affect the economy’s growth level.

In recent years, several trading partners of Argentina (such as Brazil, Europe and China) have experienced significant slowdowns or recession periods in their economies in recent years. If such slowdowns or recessions were to recur, this may impact the demand for products coming from Argentina and hence affect its economy.

During 2018, the Argentine economy was adversely affected by some of aforementioned factors. If international and domestic conditions for Argentina were to worsen, the Argentine economy could be negatively affected as a result of lower international demand and lower prices for its products and services, higher international interest rates, lower capital inflows and higher risk aversion, which may also adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Argentina’s ability to obtain financing from international markets is limited, which may impair its ability to implement reforms and public policies and foster economic growth.

In 2005 and 2010, Argentina conducted exchange offers to restructure part of its sovereign debt that had been in default since the end of 2001. As a result of these exchange offers, Argentina restructured over 92% of its eligible defaulted debt. In April 2016, the Argentine government settled U.S.$9.3 billion of outstanding principal debt held by creditors who had not participated in the 2005 and 2010 restructurings.

In 2012, plaintiffs in different actions in New York obtained a U.S. district court order enjoining Argentina from making interest payments in full on the bonds issued pursuant to the 2005 and 2010 exchange offers unless Argentina paid the plaintiffs in full, under the theory that the former payments violated the pari passu clause in the 1994 Fiscal Agency Agreement governing those non-performing bonds. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the so-called pari passu injunctions, and on June 16, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Argentina’s petition for a writ of certiorari and the stay of the pari passu injunctions was vacated on June 18, 2014. In February 2016, the Argentine government entered into an agreement in principle to settle claims with certain holders of defaulted debt and put forward a proposal to other holders of defaulted debt, including those with pending claims in U.S. courts. On March 2, 2016, the U.S. district court agreed to vacate the pari passu injunctions, subject to certain conditions. In April 2016, the Argentine government settled claims with holders of U.S.$9.2 billion outstanding principal amount of untendered debt, and upon satisfaction of its conditions, the U.S. district court ordered the vacatur of all pari passu injunctions.

The Argentine government has reached settlement agreements with holders of a significant portion of the defaulted bonds and has repaid the majority of the holdout creditors with the proceeds of a U.S.$16.5 billion international offering of 3-year, 5-year, 10-year and 30-year bonds on April 22, 2016.

As of the date of this annual report, litigation initiated by bondholders that have not accepted Argentina’s settlement offer continues in several jurisdictions, although the size of the claims involved has decreased significantly.

Not all creditors have agreed to the terms of Argentina’s settlement offer. The continuation and outcome of the litigation may prevent Argentina from obtaining favorable terms or interest rates upon access to the international capital market. Litigation initiated by holders of defaulted bonds or other parties may result in rulings against the Argentine government and may result in restrictions or injunctions on Argentinean assets that may adversely affect the ability to obtain financing for the country and private companies, which could have a material adverse effect on Argentina’s economy, and consequently, our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Argentina is subject to litigation by foreign shareholders of Argentine companies and holders of Argentina’s defaulted bonds, which have resulted and may result in adverse judgments or injunctions against Argentina’s assets and limit its financial resources.

In response to the emergency measures implemented by the Argentine government during the 2001-2002 economic crisis, a number of claims were filed before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) against Argentina. Claimants allege that the emergency measures were inconsistent with the fair and equitable treatment standards set forth in various bilateral investment treaties by which Argentina was bound at the time. Claimants have also filed claims before arbitral tribunals under the rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (“UNCITRAL”) and under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”). Several awards have been issued against Argentina and several cases are still ongoing.

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Litigation, as well as ICSID and UNCITRAL claims against the Argentine government, have resulted in material judgments and may result in further material judgments, and could result in attachment of or injunctions relating to assets of Argentina that the government intended for other uses. As a result, the Argentine government may not have all the necessary financial resources to honor its obligations, implement reforms and foster growth, which could have a material adverse effect on Argentina’s economy, and consequently, our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In July 2017, in a split decision, an ICSID tribunal ruled that Argentina had breached the terms of a bilateral investment treaty with Spain, alleging the unlawful expropriation by the Argentine Government of Aerolíneas Argentinas and affiliates (including Optar, Jet Paq and Austral, among others). The ICSID tribunal fined Argentina approximately U.S.$328.8 million, awarding plaintiffs about 20% of the U.S.$1.59 billion they had initially claimed.

Furthermore, during the 2005 and 2010 debt restructurings, Argentina issued debt securities providing for contingent additional payments based on the performance of the Argentine economy through 2035 (the “GDP Warrants”). On January 15, 2019, Aurelius Capital Master, Ltd. (“Aurelius”) filed a lawsuit against Argentina, arguing that the GDP was purposefully miscalculated with a view to avoid making the promised contingent payments to investors. If Aurelius’ claim were to be successful and other investors followed these proceedings, the estimated cost for Argentina could amount to approximately U.S.$1.8 billion.

Future transactions may be affected as litigation with holdout bondholders as well as ICSID and other claims against the Argentine government continues, which in turn could affect the Argentine government’s ability to access international credit markets and limit economic growth, adversely affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Government measures could adversely affect the Argentine economy.

Substantially all our operations, properties and customers are located in Argentina. As a result, our business is, to a very large extent, dependent upon the political, social and economic conditions prevailing in Argentina. In recent years, the Argentine government has increased its direct intervention in the economy and in private sector operations and companies, limiting certain aspects of private sector businesses.

In December 2012 and August 2013, the National Congress established new regulations related to domestic capital markets that, in general, establish greater intervention in the capital markets by the national government, authorizing, for example, the CNV, to designate inspectors with the ability to veto, under certain circumstances, the decisions of the board of companies that are listed in authorized markets and suspend the board for a period of up to 180 days. On November 17, 2016, the Macri government presented a bill to the National Congress to amend the Capital Markets Law, which could, among other significant changes, eliminate these powers to designate inspectors. On May 9, 2018, the Argentine Congress approved the Argentine Productive Financing Law No. 27,440, which amended the Capital Markets Law, the Mutual Funds Law No. 24,083 and the Negotiable Obligations Law, among other regulations and introduced substantial changes to regulations governing markets, stock exchanges and the various agents operating in capital markets, as well as certain amendments to the CNV’s powers.

In May 2013, the Argentine Congress passed a law providing for the expropriation of 51% of the share capital of YPF (Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales S.A.), the principal Argentine oil company, which shares were owned by Repsol, S.A. and its affiliates. In February 2015, the Argentine government sent a bill to the Argentine Congress in order to revoke certain train concessions, return the national rail network to state control and provide authority to review all concessions currently in effect. The bill was enacted on May 20, 2015 as Law No. 27,132.

In addition, on September 23, 2015 the Argentine Congress passed Law No. 27,181, which limits the sale of the Argentine government’s shares held in Argentine companies without prior approval of two-thirds of the members of the Argentine Congress, with the exception of the Argentine government’s shareholding in YPF. That law has been abrogated by the new Administration through Law No. 27,260, the “Ley de Sinceramiento Fiscal y Reparación Histórica a los Jubilados”, dated May 26, 2016.

Moreover, the Argentine government has in the past enacted laws and regulations requiring private sector companies to maintain certain salary levels and provide their employees with additional benefits. Employers, both in the public and private sector, have also been experiencing intense pressures from their personnel, or from the labor unions representing them, demanding salary increases and certain benefits for the workers, given the high inflation rates.

Actions taken by the Argentine government concerning the economy, including decisions with respect to interest rates, taxes, price controls, salary increases, provision of additional employee benefits, foreign exchange controls and potential changes in the foreign exchange market, have had and could continue to have a material adverse effect on Argentina’s economic growth and in turn affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any additional Argentine government policies to preempt, or in response to, social unrest could adversely and materially affect the economy, and thereby our business.

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Furthermore, financial institutions operate in a highly regulated environment. As of the date of this annual report, several different bills to amend various aspects of the Financial Institutions Law No. 21,526 (the “Financial Institution Law”) have been put forth for review in the Argentine Congress. A thorough amendment of the Financial Institutions Law could have a substantial effect on the banking system as a whole. See “—The amendment of the Central Bank’s Charter and the Convertibility Law may adversely affect the Argentine economy” and “—Governmental measures and regulatory framework affecting financial entities could have a material adverse effect on the operations of financial entities.”

Exchange controls and capital inflow and outflow restrictions have limited, and could continue to limit, the availability of international credit and may impair our ability to make payments on our obligations.

Since 2011 until President Macri took office in December 2015, the Argentine government increased controls on the sale of foreign currency and the acquisition of foreign assets by local residents, limiting the possibility to transfer funds abroad. Together with the regulations established in 2012 that subjected certain operations exchange rates to the prior approval by the Argentine tax authorities or the Central Bank, the measures adopted by the previous government significantly reduced natural persons and entities of the private sector, the access to the foreign exchange market.

The numerous exchange controls introduced under the former administration gave rise to an unofficial U.S. dollar trading market, and the Peso/U.S. dollar exchange rate in such market differed substantially from the official Peso/U.S. dollar exchange rate. Certain relevant foreign exchange restrictions were lifted in December 2015 and, as a result, the spread between the official and unofficial Peso/U.S. dollar exchange rates had substantially decreased. For more information, see Item 10.D “Exchange Controls.”

Since taking office, the Macri administration has implemented significant reforms related to exchange rate restrictions, notably the elimination of certain exchange controls that had been imposed during the previous administration, in order to provide more flexibility and access to the MULC. On August 8, 2016, the Central Bank introduced substantial reforms to the exchange regime through Communication “A” 6037 and Communication “A” 6244, which significantly eases the access to the exchange market. With the aim of providing more flexibility to the foreign exchange system and promoting competition, allowing the entrance of new player to the system, the Exchange Market was created by virtue of Decree No. 27/2018 published on January 11, 2018. Moreover, by virtue of Communication “A” 6443, which came into effect as of March 1, 2018, any company from any sector that usually operates through the Exchange Market can act as an exchange agency merely by registering in the exchange operators’ registry.

Despite the measures adopted by the Macri administration, in the future, the Argentine government could impose further exchange controls, transfer restrictions, required repatriation through the free floating foreign exchange market (the “MELI”) of proceeds raised through capital markets transactions conducted abroad or restrictions on the movement of capital and/or take other measures in response to capital flight or a significant depreciation of the Peso, which could limit our ability to access the international capital markets. Such measures could lead to political and social tensions and undermine the Argentine government’s public finances, as has occurred in the past, which could adversely affect Argentina’s economy and prospects for economic growth, which, in turn, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Additional controls may adversely affect Argentine entities’ ability to access the international capital markets for credit. Furthermore, the imposition of any future restrictions on the transfer of funds abroad may impede our ability to transfer dividends to ADS holders or interest or principal payments to the holders of our notes.

Additionally, the level of international reserves deposited with the Central Bank significantly decreased from U.S.$47.4 billion as of November 1, 2011 to U.S.$25.6 billion, as of December 31, 2015, resulting in a reduced capacity of the Argentine government to intervene in the foreign exchange market and to provide access to such markets to private sector entities. International reserves deposited with the Central Bank have grown to U.S.$65.8 billion as of December 31, 2018. Notwithstanding the measures adopted by the Macri administration in the future, the Argentine government could otherwise reduce the level of international reserves deposited with the Central Bank, which could lead to political and social tensions and undermine the Argentine government’s public finances, as has occurred in the past, which could adversely affect Argentina’s economy and prospects for economic growth.

Severe or sustained declines in the international prices for Argentina’s main commodity exports or the occurrence of a climate disaster could have an adverse effect on Argentina’s economic growth.

High commodity prices have in the past contributed significantly to increases in Argentine exports as well as in governmental revenues from export taxes (withholdings). Argentina’s reliance on the export of certain commodities, such as soy, has made the Argentine economy more vulnerable to fluctuations in their prices.

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Recently, commodity prices have suffered declines. If international commodity prices were to further decline or experience sustained declines, the Argentine government’s revenues could continue to decrease significantly, affecting Argentina’s economic activity, which in turn could produce a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

From the end of 2017 until April 2018, rain below average for several months plunged Argentina into a severe drought that is presumed to be the worst in the country in the last 50 years. The effects of the drought in agriculture caused significant economic problems in the country, with a fall in the soybean harvest of 31% over the previous year, and maize by 20%, which implied losses of U.S.$6 million.

In addition, adverse weather conditions can affect production of commodities in the agricultural sector, which account for a significant portion of Argentina’s export revenues. These circumstances could have a negative effect on government revenues, availability of foreign exchange and the government’s ability to service its sovereign debt, and could either generate recessionary or inflationary pressures, depending on the government’s reaction. The occurrence of any of the above could adversely affect Argentina’s economic growth and, therefore, our business, financial condition and results of operations.

An increase in inflation could have a material adverse effect on Argentina’s economic prospects.

In January 2016, the new INDEC authorities appointed by the Macri administration announced the discontinuance of the methodology used by the previous administration to calculate national statistics and declared a state of administrative emergency, suspending the publication of all indices by the INDEC until the INDEC was able to calculate such indices based on accurate official data. During this period the INDEC continued to publish the inflation rate based on data provided by the province of San Luis and the City of Buenos Aires.

After implementing the announced reforms, on June 16, 2016 the INDEC began to publish official measurements of its main inflation indicator, the Consumers Price Index “the CPI” (Índice de Precios al Consumidor, or IPC, per its initials in Spanish), reporting an inflation rate of 4.2% for May 2016.The INDEC also reported monthly inflation rates of 3.1% and 2.0% for the months of June and July of 2016, respectively. The CPI was 24.8% during 2017, 47.6% for 2018, the highest rate since 1991, and 2.9% for the month of January 2019.

During 2013, 2014 and 2015, the former administration promoted price agreements over certain products goods and services of the consumer basket to control inflation. The new administration has stated its intention to keep these price controls in effect, and as a consequence, has announced modifications to the previous price agreements including the recent introduction of the “Precios Esenciales” program.

In the past, inflation has materially undermined the Argentine economy and Argentina’s ability to create conditions that would permit growth. High inflation may also undermine Argentina’s competitiveness abroad and lead to a decline in private consumption which, in turn, could also affect employment levels, salaries and interest rates. Moreover, a high inflation rate could undermine confidence in the Argentine financial system, reducing the Peso deposit base and negatively affecting long-term credit markets.

There can be no assurance that inflation rates will not continue to escalate in the future or that the measures adopted or that may be adopted by the Argentine government to control inflation will be effective or successful. Inflation remains a challenge for Argentina. Significant inflation could have a material adverse effect on Argentina’s economy and in turn could increase our costs of operation, in particular labor costs, and may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Significant devaluation of the Peso against the U.S. dollar may adversely affect the Argentine economy.

Despite the positive effects of the real depreciation of the Peso on the competitiveness of certain sectors of the Argentine economy, it also had a far-reaching negative effect on the Argentine economy and on the financial condition of businesses and individuals. The devaluation of the Peso, during 2002, had a negative effect on the ability of Argentine businesses to honor their foreign currency-denominated debt, led to very high inflation initially, significantly reduced real wages, had a negative effect on businesses that depend on domestic market demand for their success, such as utilities, and the financial industry and significantly affected the government’s ability to cancel its external debt obligations.

After several years of moderate variations in the nominal exchange rate, the stock of the international reserves of the Central Bank started to decrease and, in order to contain the fall in reserves, the Central Bank accelerated the rate of nominal devaluation of the Peso. During 2013 the Peso lost more than 30% of its value with respect to the U.S. dollar and the same occurred during 2014. During 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 the Peso lost approximately 34%, 17.5%, 16% and 50% of its value with respect to the U.S. dollar, respectively. Additionally, the stock of international reserves deposited in the Central Bank was reduced significantly from U.S.$ 47.7 billion as of November 1, 2011 to U.S.$ 25.6 billion as of December 31, 2015, increasing to U.S.$39.3 billion as of December 31, 2016, to U.S.$55.1 billion as of December 31, 2017 and to U.S.$65.8 billion as of December 31, 2018.

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As a result of the greater volatility of the Argentine peso, the Argentine government announced several measures to restore market’s confidence and stabilize the value of the Argentine peso. Among them, two agreements with the IMF were negotiated, interest rates were increased, Central Bank reserves were sold, among others. More recently, and by virtue of the last agreement with the IMF, a new regime was established. This regime sets forth a strict control of the local monetary base, which cannot be raised until June 2019, in an attempt to reduce the amount of Pesos available in the market, what is understood presses the demand for foreign currency. At the same time, it was established that the BCRA could intervene selling dollars when the exchange rate exceeds Ps.44 per dollar and buying when the exchange rate falls below Ps.34 per dollar (range that was adjusted daily at a rate of 3% per year until December of 2018, and for the first quarter of 2019, is adjusted daily at a rate of 2% per year), considering the intermediate zone, as a “non-intervention zone”. On April 16, 2019, among a set of measures designed to soften the impact of Argentina’s economic situation, the Central Bank fixed the “non-intervention zone” between Ps.39.75 and Ps. 51.45 until December 2019 and eliminated the monthly adjustment. On April 29, 2019, the Monetary Policy Counsel of the Central Bank decided to introduce new changes to the monetary policy, in order to reduce volatility in the foreign exchange market. According to this new scheme: (i) the Central Bank may intervene, subject to market conditions, in the foreign exchange market and sell Dollars in the market, even in case that the exchange rate is below Ps. 51.488 and (ii) if the exchange rate climbs above Ps. 51.488, the Central Bank will sell foreign currency for up to 250 million dollars daily. Also, the Central Bank could decide to perform additional interventions. The Pesos resulting of such sales will be discounted from the monetary base. The COPOM also confirmed that the Central Bank will not intervene in the foreign exchange market if the exchange rate decrease below Ps. 39.755.

The Argentine macroeconomic environment, in which we operate, was affected by such devaluation which had an effect on our financial and economic position. If the Peso devalues significantly, all of the negative effects on the Argentine economy related to such devaluation could recur, with adverse consequences to our business, financial condition and results of operations.

High public expenditure could result in long lasting adverse consequences for the Argentine economy.

During the last few years, the Argentine government has substantially increased public expenditure and has resorted to the Central Bank and to ANSES to source part of its funding requirements.

The Argentine government has commenced revision of its subsidy policies, particularly those related to energy, electricity and gas, water and public transportation. Accordingly, in September 2016, the Supreme Court of Argentina issued a ruling in favor of increasing electricity rates. The Macri administration has also ordered an increase in gas tariffs for PyMEs and businesses. These measures reduce public expenditure but impact on prices, substantially affecting the consumption and economy.

We cannot assure you that the government will not seek to finance its deficit by gaining access to the liquidity available in the local financial institutions. In that case, government initiatives that increase the exposure of local financial institutions to the public sector could affect our liquidity and assets quality and have a negative effect on clients’ confidence.

In addition, further deterioration in fiscal accounts could negatively affect the Argentine government’s ability to access the international financing markets and could result in increased pressure on the Argentine private sector to cover the Argentine government’s financial needs. This could adversely affect the Argentine economy and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The amendment of the Central Bank’s Charter and the Convertibility Law may adversely affect the Argentine economy.

On March 22, 2012, the Argentine Congress passed Law No. 26,739, which amended the charter of the Central Bank (the “Central Bank Charter”) and Law No. 23,298, as amended and supplemented (the “Convertibility Law”). This law amended the principal objectives of the Central Bank and removed certain provisions previously in force. Pursuant to the amendment, the Central Bank focuses on promoting monetary and financial stability as well as development with social equity.

The key components of the amendment to the Central Bank Charter related to the use of international reserves and the implementation of policies by the Central Bank in order to interfere in the fixing of interest rates and terms of loans to financial institutions. Pursuant to the amendment, Central Bank reserves may be made available to the Argentine government for the repayment of debt or to finance public expenses.

The use of Central Bank reserves for such expanded purposes may result in Argentina being more vulnerable to inflation or external shocks, affecting Argentina’s capacity to overcome the effects of an external crisis, which in turn could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Failure to adequately address actual and perceived risks of institutional deterioration and corruption may adversely affect Argentina’s economy and financial condition, which in turn could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A lack of a solid institutional framework and corruption have been identified as, and continue to be a significant problem for Argentina. In Transparency International’s 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index survey of 180 countries, Argentina was ranked 85, improving from the previous survey in 2016. In the World Bank’s Doing Business 2018 report, Argentina ranked 117 out of 190 countries, down from 116 in 2017.

Recognizing that the failure to address these issues could increase the risk of political instability, distort decision-making processes and adversely affect Argentina’s international reputation and ability to attract foreign investment, the Macri administration has announced several measures aimed at strengthening Argentina’s institutions and reducing corruption. These measures include the reduction of criminal sentences in exchange for cooperation with the government in corruption investigations, increased access to public information, the seizing of assets from corrupt officials, increasing the powers of the Anticorruption Office (Oficina Anticorrupción) and the passing of a new public ethics law, among others. The Argentine government’s ability to implement these initiatives is uncertain as it would require the involvement of the judicial branch, which is independent, as well as legislative support from opposing parties.

The ongoing economic uncertainty and political instability in Argentina may adversely affect the Argentine economy.

Argentina’s political environment has historically influenced, and continues to influence, the performance of the country’s economy. Political crisis have affected and continue to affect the confidence of investors and the general public, which have historically resulted in economic deceleration and heightened volatility in the securities with underlying Argentine risk. The recent economic instability in Argentina has contributed to a decline in market confidence in the Argentine economy as well as to a deteriorating political environment. Weak macroeconomic conditions in Argentina have continued in 2018 and may be accentuated in 2019 as a result of the upcoming presidential elections.

In addition, various ongoing investigations into allegations of money laundering and corruption being conducted by the Office of the Argentine Federal Prosecutor, including the largest such investigation, known as “Los Cuadernos de las Coimas,” or “the Chauffeur’s Books” have negatively impacted the Argentine economy and political environment. Numerous members of different agencies of the Argentine government as well as senior officers of companies holding government contracts or concessions have faced or are currently facing allegations of corruption and money laundering as a result of these investigations. These individuals are alleged to have accepted bribes by means of kickbacks on contracts granted by the government to several infrastructure, energy and construction companies. The proceeds from these kickbacks allegedly financed the political campaigns of political parties forming the previous government that was led by former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. These funds were unaccounted for or not publicly disclosed and were allegedly used to personally enrich of certain individuals. Several senior politicians, including members of Congress, and high-ranking executives and officers of major companies in Argentina (i) have been arrested on account of various charges relating to corruption, (ii) entered into plea agreements with prosecutors and (iii) have resigned or been removed from their positions. The potential outcome of the Chauffeur’s Books as well as other ongoing corruption-related investigations is uncertain, but they have already had an adverse impact on the image and reputation of those companies that have been implicated, as well as on the general market perception of the economy, political environment and the capital markets in Argentina. We have no control over and cannot predict whether such investigations or allegations will lead to further political and economic instability. In addition, we cannot predict the outcome of any such allegations nor their effect on the Argentine economy.

Risks relating to the Argentine financial system

The health of Argentina’s financial system depends on the growth of the long-term credit market.

In recent years, the loan portfolio of the Argentine financial system has grown significantly. Loans to the private sector (in nominal value without adjusting for inflation) grew by approximately, 33% in 2016, 52% in 2017 and 36% in 2018, for the financial system as a whole. In the past, the pace of growth of long-term loans was slower than that of the rest of the loan portfolio, however in the last two years there has been a significant increase in mortgage loans, which grew by 244% as compared to 2016.

Since most deposits are short-term deposits, a substantial portion of the loans have the same or similar maturities, and there is a small portion of long-term credit lines.

The uncertainty of the level of inflation in future years is a principal obstacle to a faster recovery of Argentina’s private sector long-term lending. This uncertainty has had and may continue to have a significant effect on both the supply of and demand for long-term loans, as borrowers try to hedge against inflation risk by borrowing at fixed rates while lenders hedge against inflation risk by offering loans at floating rates.

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If longer-term financial intermediation activity does not grow, the ability of financial institutions, including us, to generate profits will be negatively affected.

The health of the financial system depends upon the ability of financial institutions, including us, to retain the confidence of depositors.

The measures implemented by the Argentine government by the end of 2001 and early 2002, particularly the restrictions imposed on depositors in relation to the possibility of freely withdrawing funds from banks and pesification and restructuring of their deposits, caused losses to many depositors and weakened the confidence in the Argentine financial system.

As a consequence of the 2008 global economic crisis, the banking industry in Argentina suffered a significant slowdown. This trend was reversed by the end of 2009. Total deposits with the financial system increased by 45% in 2016, 24% in 2017 and 67% in 2018, but the ratio of total financial system deposits to GDP is still low when compared to international levels and lower than the periods prior to the crisis.

The Argentine financial system growth, depends heavily on deposit levels, due to the small size of its capital market and the absence of foreign investments in previous years. Recently, numerous local financial institutions, including the Bank, have had access to global financial markets to obtain financing through the placement of debt securities, in satisfactory conditions, but this trend may not last and there is uncertainty about whether the current availability of funds in international markets will continue in the coming years.

Although liquidity levels are currently reasonable, it is not possible to offer any guarantee that these levels will not decrease in the future due to adverse economic conditions that could negatively affect the Bank’s business.

In spite of the positive trend in previous years, the deposit base of the Argentine financial system, including ours, may be affected in the future by adverse economic, social and political events. If there were a loss of confidence due to such economic, social and political events causing depositors to withdraw significant holdings from banks, there could be a substantial negative effect on the manner in which financial institutions, including us, conduct their business and on their ability to operate as financial intermediaries. International loss of confidence in the financial institutions may also affect the behavior of Argentine depositors which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our asset quality and that of other financial institutions may deteriorate if the Argentine private sector is affected by economic events in Argentina or international macroeconomic conditions.

The capacity of many Argentine private sector debtors to repay their loans has in the past deteriorated as a result of certain economic events in Argentina or macroeconomic conditions, materially affecting the asset quality of financial institutions, including us.

From 2009 to 2011, the ratio of non-performing private sector lending declined overall, with a record minimum ratio of 1.4% as of December 31, 2011 for the financial system as a whole. The improvement was reflected in both the consumer loan portfolio and the commercial portfolio. From 2012, the ratio of non-performing private sector lending increased, reaching 2.0% as of December 31, 2014. During 2015, the ratio of non-performing private sector lending decreased to 1.7% and during 2016 reached 1.8%, which remained in 2017 for the financial system as a whole. As of December 31, 2018, the ratio of non-performing private sector lending reached 3%, calculated pursuant to Central Bank Rules.

We experienced similar non-performing loan rates, with a maximum of 1.9% in 2014 and an improvement from 2015 until they reached 1.1% in 2016. The non-performing loan rate reached 1.9%, with a coverage ratio of 118% as of December 31, 2018, calculated pursuant to Central Bank Rules.

Despite the quality of our portfolio, we may not succeed in recovering substantial portions of outstanding loans. If Argentina’s economic growth slows or the financial condition of the private sector deteriorates, the financial system, including us, could experience an increase in the incidence of non-performing loans.

Limitations on enforcement of creditors’ rights in Argentina may adversely affect financial institutions.

To protect debtors affected by the economic crisis, beginning in 2002, the Argentine government adopted measures that temporarily suspended proceedings to enforce creditors’ rights, including mortgage foreclosures and bankruptcy petitions. Such limitations have restricted creditors’ ability to collect defaulted loans.

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Despite the fact that most of these measures have been rescinded, we cannot assure you that in an adverse economic environment the government will not adopt new measures in the future, restricting the ability of creditors to enforce their rights, which could have a material adverse effect on the financial system and our business.

The application of the Consumer Protection Law may prevent or limit the collection of payments with respect to services rendered by us.

Law No. 24,240 as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “Consumer Protection Law”) sets forth certain rules and principles designed to protect consumers, which include our customers. The Consumer Protection Law, contains specific rules regarding financial activities and also general rules that may be used to support its application, pursuant to legal precedents. Additionally, the National Civil and Commercial Code has incorporated the principles of Consumers Protection Law and has established its application to banking sector contracts.

Moreover, Law No. 25,065 (as amended and supplemented from time to time by Law No. 26,010 and Law No. 26,361, the “Credit Card Law”) also sets forth several mandatory regulations designed to protect credit card holders.

Both the involvement of the applicable administrative authorities at the federal, provincial and local levels, and the enforcement of the Consumer Protection Law and the Credit Card Law by the courts are increasing. This trend has increased general consumer protection levels. In such context, Central Bank Communication “A” 5460, provides a wide protection to clients of financial services institutions, limiting the fees and charges that such institutions can charge to their clients. Likewise, the Supreme Court of Justice issued the case law No. 32/2014, by which created the Public Registry of Collective Trials to orderly inscribe all collective processes (class actions) filed in courts. In the event of we are found responsible for violating the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law or the Credit Card Law, potential penalties may limit our ability to collect payments owed for services and credits which may, in turn. And therefore, may adversely affect the financial results of our operations.

Furthermore, the rules that govern the credit card business provide for variable caps on the interest rates that financial entities may charge clients and the fees that they may charge merchants. Moreover, general legal provisions exist pursuant to which courts could decrease the interest rates and fees agreed upon by the parties on the grounds that they are excessively high. On the other hand, the Central Bank has also established certain rules that grant broad protections for consumers of financial services that offer greater control over the relationship between them and their clients. The Central Bank regulations provide: (i) that prior authorization is required to implement new fees for new products and/or services offered and to increase existing commissions or fees for products that are considered commodities and (ii) the ability of financial institutions to receive remuneration for any insurance product that the client is forced to purchase as a condition of access to financial services. A change in applicable law or the handing down of court decisions that lower the cap on interest rates and fees that clients and merchants may be charged could reduce our revenues and therefore negatively affect our results of operations.

In December 2018, a preliminary draft for a new Consumer Protection Law (the “CPL Draft”) was submitted by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and the Ministry of Production and Labor of Argentina which sets forth certain rules and principles designed to protect consumers, which include our consumers. The CPL Draft, proposes a broad perspective that contemplates the business practices of the sector with the aim of formalizing links between credit providers and consumers, establishing, for example, that the costs of financing or loans that are in breach to the law, will be beared in whole or in part by credit providers or intermediaries. It also enshrines a catalogue of iuris tantum legal presumptions, of the existence of consumer credit contracts that may affect the enforceability of those credits. The concept of “hyper-vulnerable consumers” is also introduced, thus placing them at a presumed disadvantage in the contractual negotiation and the potential factors that could affect their consumer relationship.

Moreover, the CPL Draft creates the “principle of responsible lending” (Principio de préstamo responsable) which imposes certain duties over credit or financing providers like us. This principle could reduce the number of consumers who would be able to access and negotiate credits. It also establishes that the prevention of consumers’ overindebtedness must become central policies guaranteed by public authorities. This could impose limits to the granting and advertising of consumer loans. Finally, it grants the consumer the right to make payments in advance, among others. This CPL Draft has not been passed by the Argentine Congress, however, any of these reforms may adversely affect the result of our operations.

Class actions against financial entities for an indeterminate amount may adversely affect the profitability of the financial system.

Certain public and private organizations have initiated class actions against financial institutions in Argentina, including us, some of which have been favorable contested while others were duly appealed by the Bank. The Argentine National Constitution and the Consumer Protection Law contain certain provisions regarding class actions. However, their guidance with respect to procedural rules for instituting and trying class action cases are limited. Nevertheless, by means of an ad hoc doctrine construction, Argentine courts have admitted class actions in some cases, including various lawsuits against financial entities related to “collective interests” such as alleged overcharging on products, applied interest rates and advice in the sale of public securities, among others. If class action plaintiffs were to prevail against financial institutions, their success could have an adverse effect on the financial industry and on our business.

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Governmental measures and regulatory framework affecting financial entities could have a material adverse effect on the operations of financial entities.

The Argentine government has historically exercised significant influence over the economy. Financial institutions, in particular, have operated in a highly regulated environment. The Central Bank could penalize us in case of non-compliance with the applicable regulations. Similarly, the CNV may impose penalties on us, our Board of Directors, our Management and our supervisory committee for violation of corporate governance regulations. The Financial Information Unit (“UIF”, per its initials in Spanish) regulates matters related to money laundering and has the power to supervise regulatory compliance by financial entities and, eventually, impose sanctions. Such regulatory agencies could initiate actions against us, our shareholders or directors and, consequently, impose sanctions on us or our subsidiaries.

Between 2001 and 2015, a series of new regulations were issued, mainly regulating the foreign exchange market, capital and minimum cash requirements, lending activity, interest rate limits and dividend distribution for financial institutions. In addition, various international developments such as the adoption in Argentina of risk-based capital, leverage and liquidity standards by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010 known as “Basel III” will likely continue to impact us in the coming years.

Moreover, the Central Bank imposed new restrictions on the distribution of dividends, including a limitation on the maximum distributable amount of dividends. In addition, since January 2016, pursuant to Central Bank Communication “A” 5827, additional capital margin requirements have to be complied with, including a capital conservation margin and a counter-cycle margin. The capital conservation margin shall be 2.5% of the amount of capital risk weighted assets (“RWA”), in the case of entities considered systemically important (“D-SIB”), like us, the margin will be increased to 3.5% of the amount of capital RWA. The counter-cycle margin shall be within a range of 0% to 2.5% of RWA, but Communication “A” 5938 as amended by Communication “A” 6013, among others, of the Central Bank, established countercyclical margin in 0% since April 1, 2016. This margin can be reduced or cancelled by the Central Bank when it considers that the systematic risk has been diminished. By Communication “A” 6013, the Central Bank also eliminated the requirement to maintain a certain threshold of regulatory capital after the distribution of dividends by financial institutions and according to Communication “A” 6244 effective as of July 1, 2017, financial institutions can freely determine the level and use of their general exchange position, allowing them to manage their currency positions, both in terms of the composition of their assets and the possibility of managing the incoming and outgoing cash flow in foreign currency.

Since June 2012, the Central Bank had in place a regime to finance productive investment, by which certain financial entities, including us, had to allocate a certain amount of the deposits held by the non-financial private sector, at a fixed interest rate in Pesos determined by the Central Bank, to fund investment projects for the acquisition of capital goods, the construction of plants, the marketing of goods or the acquisition of property (subject in this case to certain additional requirements). However, since 2017 this regime was being phased out until December 2018, at which time the allocation was 0%.

The Central Bank has also established limitations to the net positive global position in foreign currency to prevent the reduction of the Central Bank’s foreign exchange reserves. Due to the reduction of the limits carried out by the previous government, financial entities, including the Bank, were forced to sell part of their position in dollars to comply with aforementioned regulation. As of the date of this annual report, the positive net global position in foreign currency cannot exceed 5% of the RPC or the liquid funds of the Bank prior to the relevant month while the negative net global position in foreign currency cannot exceed 30% of the RCP for the month prior to the relevant month.

Moreover, any insolvency proceeding against financial institutions would be subject to the powers of and intervention by the Central Bank, which may limit remedies otherwise available and extend the duration of the proceedings. Finally, special rules that govern the subordination of debt of financial institutions in Argentina, granting priority to depositors with respect to most other creditors, may negatively affect other shareholders in the event of our judicial liquidation or bankruptcy.

In addition, the Civil and Commercial Code also modifies the applicable regime for contractual provisions regarding payment obligations in foreign currency, stating that such obligations can be settled in Pesos. This modifies the legal regime, under which debtors could only cancel such obligations by making the payment in the specific currency agreed in their contracts. Even though in general, courts have admitted the possibility of waiving such provision, it is important to take into account that the previous Argentine Civil Code and the previous Argentine Commercial Code, were in effect in Argentina for approximately 150 years and as of the date hereof, the existing case law on the provisions of the Civil and Commercial Code is scarce. Thus, it is not clear as to how the provisions of this Civil and Commercial Code will be construed and applied by Argentine courts.

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Even though the Macri administration has adopted measures to increase the flexibility for the regulatory framework of financial institutions, eliminating several restrictions imposed by the previous government, it is not possible to offer any guarantee that new stricter regulations will not be implemented in the future that may generate uncertainty and adversely affect future financial activities and the results of the Bank’s operations. Such changes in the regulatory framework and further changes in the future could limit the ability of financial institutions, including us, to make long-term decisions, such as asset allocation decisions, which could cause uncertainty with respect to our future financial condition and results of operations. We cannot assure that laws and regulations currently governing the economy, or the financial sector will not continue to change in the future or that any changes will not adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. For more information, see Item 4.B “Argentine Banking Regulation”.

Argentina’s insufficient or incorrect implementation of certain anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (“AML/CFT”) recommendations may result in difficulties to obtain international financing and attract direct foreign investments.

In October 2010, the Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”) issued a Mutual Evaluation Report (the “Mutual Report”) on AML and CFT in Argentina. The Mutual Report stated that, since the prior evaluation in 2004, Argentina had not made adequate progress in addressing a number of deficiencies identified at that time, and the FATF subsequently placed Argentina under enhanced monitoring.

In June 2011, Argentina made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. In compliance with recommendations made by the FATF on money laundering prevention, on June 1, 2011 the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 26,683. Under this law, money laundering is now a crime per se, and self-laundering money is also considered a crime.

In June 2012, the plenary meeting of the FATF held in Rome highlighted the progress made by Argentina but also urged the Argentine government to make further progress regarding its AML/CFT deficiencies. Notwithstanding the improvements that Argentina made, in October 2012 the FATF determined that certain strategic AML/CFT deficiencies continued, and that Argentina would be subject to continued monitoring.

Since October 2013, Argentina has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including the issuance of new regulations strengthening suspicious transaction reporting requirements and the financial sector regulator’s existing powers to apply sanctions for AML/CFT deficiencies. Such progress has been recognized by the FATF. In this regard, in June 2014 the FATF stated that Argentina had made significant progress in addressing the deficiencies in its AML/CFT measures as identified in the Mutual Report, and that subsequent to the adoption of such measures, Argentina had strengthened its legal and regulatory framework, citing certain specific examples. As a result of such progress, the FATF plenary decided that Argentina had taken sufficient steps in addressing technical compliance with the core and key recommendations, such that Argentina could be removed from the compliance monitoring process. In addition, on October 24, 2014 the FATF welcomed Argentina’s significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime and stated that Argentina would work with the FATF and the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America (Grupo de Acción Financiera de América del Sur) as it continued to address the full range of AML/CFT issues identified in its Mutual Report. On June, 2017 Argentina was unanimous elected to preside the FATF.

Although Argentina has made significant improvements in its AML/CFT regulations, and is no longer subject to the FATF’s ongoing global AML/CFT compliance process, no assurance can be given that Argentina will continue to comply with AML/CFT international standards, or that Argentina will not be subject to the FATF’s ongoing global AML/CFT compliance process in the future, circumstances which could adversely affect Argentina’s ability to obtain financing from international markets and attract foreign investments and which could in turn, negatively affect our business.

Certain changes to services and commissions charged by financial entities on debit and credit card sales may affect our result of operations.

We receive income from the commissions we charge merchants on debit and credit card transactions. A change in applicable law that place limits on the fees that merchants may be charged may adversely reduce our revenues. On September 8, 2016, one of the chambers of the Argentine Congress approved a draft bill that aims to reduce credit card sales commissions from 3% to 1.5%, and debit card sales commissions from 1.5% to 0%. The draft bill was not approved by the Argentine Congress in 2016. Nevertheless, on March 31, 2017, the Central Bank issued Communication “A” 6212, effective as of April 1, 2017, which reduces credit card and debit card sales commissions on a gradual annual plan. Pursuant to Communication “A” 6212, the maximum credit card sales commission rate for 2017 is 2.0% and for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and after, will be 1.85%, 1.65%, 1.50% and 1.30%, respectively. The maximum debit card sales commissions for 2017 is 1.0% and for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and after, will be 0.90%, 0.80%, 0.70% and 0.60%, respectively.

The application of the limits set by the Central Bank and any further reductions on credit and debit cards sales commissions could adversely affect our profitability, financial condition and results of operations.

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Changes in the laws and regulations may negatively affect us.

Argentine financial institutions are subject to extensive regulation and supervision by the Argentine Government, particularly by the Central Bank, the UIF and the CNV. We have no control over governmental regulations or the rules governing all aspects of our operations, including:

• minimum capital requirements;

• mandatory reserve requirements;

• requirements for investments in fixed rate assets;

• lending limits and other credit restrictions, including mandatory allocations;

• limits and other restrictions on fees;

• reduction of the period for the financial institutions to deposit the amount of sales made with credit cards in the corresponding accounts of the sellers;

• limits on the amount of interest banks can charge or pay, or on the period for capitalizing interest;

• accounting and statistical requirements;

• restrictions on dividends;

• limits on market share;

• reporting or controlling regimes as agents or legally bound reporting parties; and

• changes in the deposit insurance regime.

Increased operating costs may affect our results of operations.

We face the risk of potential claims initiated by individual workers or unions, and possible strikes or general strikes, in the context of negotiations relating to salary increases, benefits and/or compensation. The occurrence of any of the above could increase our operating costs, which could in turn have a negative impact on our business, financial position and results of operations.

Risks relating to us

Our target market may be the most adversely affected by economic recessions.

Our business strategy is to increase fee income and loan origination in one of our principal target markets; low- and middle-income individuals and PyMEs.

This target market is particularly vulnerable to economic recessions and, in the event of a recession, growth in our target market may slow and consequently adversely affect our business. The Argentine economy as a whole, and our target market in particular, have not stabilized enough for us to be certain that demand will continue to grow. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our business strategy will ultimately be successful without undue delay or at all.

Significant shareholders have the ability to direct our business and their interests could conflict with yours.

As of December 31, 2018, our significant shareholders, Jorge Horacio Brito and Delfín Jorge Ezequiel Carballo, directly or beneficially own 5,366,621 Class A shares and 105,727,603 Class B shares and 4,895,574 Class A shares and 106,805,523 Class B shares, respectively.

Although there is no agreement among them, if voting together, they could control all decisions made by shareholders with respect to us. They may, without the concurrence of the remaining shareholders, elect a majority of our directors, effect or prevent a merger, sale of assets or other business acquisition or disposition, cause us to issue additional equity securities, effect a related party transaction and determine the timing and amounts of dividends, if any.

We will continue to consider acquisition opportunities, which may not be successful.

We have historically expanded our business primarily through acquisitions. We will continue to consider attractive acquisition opportunities that we believe may offer additional value and are consistent with our business strategy. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates or that we will be able to acquire promising target financial institutions on favorable terms or that the Central Bank will approve any such transaction without undue delay or at all. Additionally, our ability to obtain the desired effects of any such acquisitions will depend in part on our ability to successfully complete the integration of those businesses and capture expected synergies, of which there can be no assurance. The integration of acquired businesses entails significant risks, including customer retention, integration, valuation adjustments and liability assumption risks. Any integration process gives rise to costs and uncertainties and may strain management resources and business functions. The occurrence of any of the above may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flow or financial condition.

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Reduced spreads between interest rates received on loans and those paid on deposits, without corresponding increases in lending volumes, could adversely affect our profitability.

The spread for Argentina’s financial system between the interest rates on loans and deposits could be affected as a result of increased competition in the banking sector and the Argentine government’s tightening of monetary policy in response to inflation concerns.

Since 2009, the interest rate spreads throughout the financial system have increased. This increase was sustained by a steady demand for consumer loans in recent years. During 2014, the Central Bank established new limits on borrowing and lending rates. However, the net interest margin of the financial system remained stable due to a substantial growth both in loan and deposit portfolios. As of December 17, 2015, these limits were removed by the Macri administration.

We cannot guarantee that interest rate spreads will remain attractive unless increases in our volume of lending or additional cost-cutting takes place. A reversal of this trend could adversely affect our profitability.

Our estimates and established reserves for credit risk and potential credit losses may prove to be inaccurate and/or insufficient, which may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

A number of our products expose us to credit risk, including consumer loans, commercial loans and other receivables. Changes in the income levels of our borrowers, increases in the inflation rate or an increase in interest rates could have a negative effect on the quality of our loan portfolio, causing us to increase provisions for loan losses and resulting in reduced profits or in losses.

We estimate and establish reserves for credit risk and potential credit losses. This process involves subjective and complex judgments, including projections of economic conditions and assumptions on the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans. We may not be able to timely detect these risks before they occur, or due to limited resources or availability of tools, our employees may not be able to effectively implement our credit risk management system, which may increase our exposure to credit risk.

Overall, if we are unable to effectively control the level of non-performing or poor credit quality loans in the future, or if our loan loss reserves are insufficient to cover future loan losses, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Changes in market conditions, and any risks associated therewith, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We are directly and indirectly affected by changes in market conditions. Market risk, or the risk that values of assets and liabilities or revenues will be adversely affected by variation in market conditions, is inherent in the products and instruments associated with our operations, including loans, deposits, securities, bonds, long-term debt and short-term borrowings. Changes in market conditions that may affect our financial condition and results of operations include fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates, securities prices, changes in the implied volatility of interest rates and foreign exchange rates, among others.

Cybersecurity events could negatively affect our reputation, our financial condition and our results of operations.

We depend on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of internet-based data processing, communication and information exchange platforms and networks, including those systems related to the operation of our automatic teller machine (“ATM”) network. We have access to large amounts of confidential financial information and control substantial financial assets belonging to our customers as well as to us. In addition, we provide our customers with continuous remote access to their accounts and the possibility of transferring substantial financial assets by electronic means. Accordingly, cybersecurity is a material risk for us. Cybersecurity incidents, such as computer break-ins, phishing, identity theft and other disruptions could negatively affect the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure and may cause existing and potential customers to refrain from doing business with us.

In addition, contingency plans in place may not be sufficient to cover liabilities associated with any such events and, therefore, applicable insurance coverage may be deemed inadequate, preventing us from receiving full compensation for the losses sustained as a result of such a disruption.

Although we intend to continue to implement security technology devices and establish operational procedures to prevent such damage, we cannot assure you that all of our systems are entirely free from vulnerability and these security measures will be successful. If any of these events occur, it could damage our reputation, entail serious costs and affect our transactions, as well as our results of operations and financial condition.

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Our business is highly dependent on properly functioning information technology systems and improvements to such systems.

Our business is highly dependent on the ability of our information technology systems and the third party managers of such systems to effectively manage and process a large number of transactions across numerous and diverse markets and products in a timely manner. In addition, we provide our customers with continuous remote access to their accounts and the possibility of transferring substantial financial assets by electronic means. The proper functioning of our financial control, risk management, accounting, customer service and other data processing systems is critical to our business and our ability to compete effectively. Our business activities may be materially disrupted if there were a partial or complete failure of any of our information technology systems communication networks. Such failures could be caused by, among other things, software bugs, computer virus attacks or intrusions, phishing, identity theft or conversion errors due to system upgrading. In addition, any security breach caused by unauthorized access to information or systems, or intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware or other computer equipment, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our ability to remain competitive and achieve further growth will depend in part on our ability to upgrade our information technology systems and increase our capacity on a timely and cost effective basis. Any substantial failure to improve or upgrade information technology systems effectively or on a timely basis could materially affect us.

An increase in fraud or transactions errors may adversely affect us.

Given the number of transactions that take place in a financial institution, although we have implemented numerous controls to avoid the occurrence of inefficient or fraudulent operations, errors can occur and aggravate even before being detected and corrected. In addition, some of our transactions are not fully automatic, which may increase the risk of human error or manipulation, and it may be difficult to detect losses quickly. Likewise, cybersecurity is a significant risk to us. Cybersecurity incidents or personal and confidential information may adversely affect the security of information stored and transmitted through the Issuer’s computer systems and may cause existing and potential customers to refrain from doing business with us.

As with other financial institutions, we are susceptible to, among other things, fraud by employees or outsiders, unauthorized transactions by employees and other operational errors (including clerical or record keeping errors and errors resulting from faulty computer or telecommunications systems). Given the high volume of transactions that may occur at a financial institution, errors could be repeated or compounded before they are discovered and remedied. In addition, some of our transactions are not fully automated, which may further increase the risk that human error or employee tampering will result in losses that may be difficult to detect quickly or at all. Losses from fraud by employees or outsiders, unauthorized transactions by employees and other operational errors could have a material adverse effect on us.

Liquidity issues could arise.

We are mostly a wholesale bank, and a large portion of our funding derives from corporate, rather than individual, accounts. Any significant changes in the liquidity conditions prevailing in the market arising from material adverse effects on the Argentine economy, on the financial system, and on us, could affect our regular performance of business and, in particular, our funding sources.

We have, and we expect that we will continue to have, significant liquidity and capital resource requirements to finance our business.

However, our current and future potential indebtedness could have significant consequences, including the limitation on our ability to refinance existing debt or to borrow money to finance working capital, acquisitions and capital expenditures and the need to allocate a significant part of our cash flow to repay principal and interest, adversely affecting our ability to make dividend payments on our shares and the ADSs.

We cannot assure that changes in the liquidity conditions of the Argentine financial system, either at present or in the future, will not have an adverse effect on our business. If so, our financial, economic or other condition, our results, operations, business, and/or our general repayment ability could be significantly and adversely affected.

Adoption of IFRS (which includes adjustment for inflation) affects the presentation of our financial information, which had been historically prepared under Argentine Central Banking GAAP.

On January 1, 2018, we began preparing our financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. Prior to and including the year ended December 31, 2017, we prepared our financial statements in accordance with Central Bank Rules. Because IFRS differ in certain significant respects from Central Bank Rules, our financial information prepared and presented in previous annual reports under Central Bank Rules is not directly comparable to IFRS financial data. The lack of comparability of the Bank’s recent and historical financial data may make it difficult to gain a full and accurate understanding of its operations and financial condition. Our transition to IFRS as of January 1, 2018 affects the comparability of our financial information for periods prior to January 1, 2017.

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In addition, as of July 1, 2018, the peso qualifies as a currency of a hyperinflationary economy, and in connection with IFRS, we are required to apply inflationary adjustments to our financial statements pursuant to International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 29 (Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies).

IAS 29 does not prescribe when hyperinflation arises, but includes several characteristics of hyperinflation. The IASB does not identify specific hyperinflationary jurisdictions. However, in June 2018, the International Practices Task Force of the Centre for Quality (“IPTF”), which monitors “highly inflationary countries” categorized Argentina as a country with a projected three-year cumulative inflation rate greater than 100%. Additionally, some of the other qualitative factors of IAS 29 were present, providing prima facie evidence that the Argentine economy is hyperinflationary for purposes of IAS 29. Therefore, Argentine companies using IFRS as issued by the IASB are required to apply IAS 29 to their financial statements for periods ending on and after July 1, 2018. See Item 5B.“Critical accounting policies” and note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Adjustments to reflect inflation, such as those required by IAS 29, were prohibited by law No.23,928 (the “Law 23,928”). Additionally, Decree No.664/03, issued by the Argentine government (“Decree 664”), instructed regulatory authorities, such as Public Registries of Commerce, the Superintendence of Corporations of the City of Buenos Aires and the CNV, to accept only financial statements that comply with the prohibition set forth in Law 23,928. However, on December 4, 2018, Law No.27,468 abrogated Decree 664/03 and amended Law 23,928 indicating that the prohibition of indexation no longer applies for financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to the Central Bank Rules, the Bank cannot perform inflation adjustment in its financial statements for fiscal year 2018 nor any other previous periods. Pursuant to Communication “A” 6651, entities under the supervision of the Central Bank are required to apply the provisions of IAS 29 in full for fiscal years that starting on January 1, 2020.

Consequently, due to the adoption of IFRS and adjustment for inflation our results differ significantly from the results determined on a nominal basis (historical results) by the application of such methodology, applicable mainly, as a result of the composition of the accounting monetary positions and the evolution of the rates, the inflation and other components of the results, which could adversely affect our financial statements, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition to the differences generated by the adoption of the inflation adjustment, there are other differences between Argentine Central Banking GAAP and IFRS such as the calculation of allowances for loan losses and certain disclosures in the financial statements.

Argentina’s implementation of the Corporate Criminal Liability Law and other anti-corruption laws and regulations may expose us to related risks.

We are required to comply with various anti-corruption laws and regulations, including those of Argentina and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”). If we do not successfully comply with applicable anti-corruption laws and regulations designed to combat governmental corruption, we could become subject to fines, penalties or other regulatory sanctions, civil litigation as well as to adverse press coverage, which could cause our reputation and business to suffer. Although we are committed to conducting business in a legal and ethical manner and in compliance with local and international statutory requirements and standards applicable to our business, there is a risk that our management, employees or representatives may take actions that could violate applicable laws and regulations, prohibiting the making of improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. Guilty pleas by or convictions of us or of any our affiliates (including any of our significant shareholders, employees or other agents) in criminal proceedings may have adverse effects on our business.

Risks relating to our Class B shares and the ADSs

Holders of our Class B shares and the ADSs may not receive any dividends.

In 2003, the Central Bank prohibited financial institutions from distributing dividends. In 2004, the Central Bank amended the restriction to require the Central Bank’s prior authorization for the distribution of dividends. Under new Central Bank Rules on distribution of dividends, the capital remaining after the distribution of dividends must be sufficient to meet the regulatory capital increased by 75%. See “—Risks relating to the Argentine financial system – Governmental measures and regulatory framework affecting financial entities could have a material adverse effect on the operations of financial entities”.

Since January 2016, pursuant to Central Bank Communication “A” 5827, additional capital margin requirements have to be complied with, including a capital conservation margin and a countercyclical margin. The capital conservation margin shall be 2.5% of the amount of capital RWA, in the case of entities considered D-SIB, like us, and the margin will be increased to 3.5% of the amount of capital RWA. The countercyclical margin shall be within a range of 0% to 2.5% of RWA, but Central Bank Communication “A” 5938, established countercyclical margin of 0% as of April 1, 2016. This margin can be reduced or cancelled by the Central Bank upon its determination that the systematic risk has been diminished.

Since January 2015, Central Bank Communication “A” 5827, as amended, has required that financial entities must make an accounting entry of any administrative and/or disciplinary penalties and adverse criminal judgments pending before the courts, provisioning 100% of the respective penalty provided under each such action until payment is made or a final judgment is entered.

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Pursuant to Central Bank Communication “A” 5827 this provisioned amount must also be deducted from the distributable amount. In April 2016, the Central Bank issued Communication “A” 5940, pursuant to which the financial entities that, as of the date thereof, had an amount for such penalties and judgments registered in the account “Provisions – For administrative, disciplinary and criminal penalties,” must analyze, according to the enforcing legal reports, if each such penalty meets the conditions for its total or partial accountable registration, according to the provisions in the “Accounts Plan and Manual” issued by the Central Bank (which provides that penalties must be probable and that their amount can be reasonably estimated).

We obtained authorization from the Central Bank to distribute dividends corresponding to fiscal years 2003 through 2010. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, we were not able to distribute dividends because we did not reach the regulatory threshold for dividend distribution under Central Bank regulations. We did reach such regulatory threshold and obtained the authorization from the Central Bank to distribute dividends for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

On March 12, 2018, the Central Bank issued Communication “6464” pursuant to which, the prior approval of the SEFyC in order to distribute dividends is no longer required. However, the authorization will still be needed for those financial entities that, in order to determine the distributable dividends, have not increased the ranges of COn1 net of deductions (CDCOn1) foreseen in the tables of points 4.2.3. (“integration”) and 4.2.4. (“Limitation on the distribution of results”) of the rules on “Distribution of results” by 1 percentage point. No assurance can be given that in the future, a new modification may be introduced, by which the SEFyC authorization will be needed again to distribute dividends.

Holders of our Class B shares and the ADSs located in the United States may not be able to exercise preemptive rights.

Under Argentine Corporate Law No. 19,550 (the “Argentine Corporate Law”), if we issue new shares as part of a capital increase, our shareholders may have the right to subscribe to the proportional amount of shares to maintain their existing shareholding. Rights to subscribe for shares in these circumstances are known as preemptive rights. In addition, shareholders are entitled to the right to subscribe for the unsubscribed shares remaining at the end of a rights offering on a pro rata basis, known as accretion rights. Upon the occurrence of any future increase in our capital stock, U.S. holders of Class B shares or ADSs will not be able to exercise the preemptive and related accretion rights for such Class B shares or ADSs unless a registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), is effective with respect to such Class B shares or ADSs or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. We are not obligated to file a registration statement with respect to those Class B shares or ADSs. We cannot assure you that we will file such a registration statement or that an exemption from registration will be available. Unless those Class B shares or ADSs are registered or an exemption from registration applies, a U.S. holder of our Class B shares or ADSs may receive only the net proceeds from those preemptive rights and accretion rights if those rights can be sold by the depositary. If they cannot be sold, they will be allowed to lapse. Furthermore, the equity interest of holders of Class B shares or ADSs located in the United States may be diluted proportionately upon future capital increases.

You may not be able to sell your ADSs at the time or the price you desire because an active or liquid market may not develop.

Prior to March 24, 2006, there has not been a public market for the ADSs or, in the case of our Class B shares, a market outside of Argentina. We cannot assure you that any market for our Class B shares or for the ADSs will be available or liquid nor can we assure of the price at which the Class B shares or the ADSs may be sold in any such market. The relative volatility and illiquidity of the Argentine securities markets may substantially limit your ability to sell Class B shares underlying the ADSs at the price and time you desire.

Investing in securities that trade in emerging markets, such as Argentina, often involves greater risk than investing in securities of issuers in the United States, and such investments are generally considered to be more speculative in nature. The Argentine securities market is substantially smaller, less liquid and can be more volatile than major securities markets in the United States, and is not as highly regulated or supervised as such other markets. There is also significantly greater concentration in the Argentine securities market than in major securities markets in the United States. As of the date of this annual report, the ten largest companies in terms of market capitalization represented more than 90% of the aggregate market capitalization of the BYMA). Accordingly, although you are entitled to withdraw the Class B shares underlying the ADSs from the depositary at any time, your ability to sell such shares at a price and time at which you wish to do so may be substantially limited. Furthermore, new capital controls imposed by the Central Bank could have the effect of further impairing the liquidity of the BYMA by making it unattractive for non-Argentines to buy shares in the secondary market in Argentina.

We are traded on more than one market, which may result in price variations and investors may not be able to easily move shares for trading between such markets.

The trading prices of our ADSs and our Class B shares may differ on different markets due to various factors. Any decrease in the price of our Class B shares on the BYMA or the MAE could cause a decrease in the trading price of the ADSs on the NYSE. Investors

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could seek to sell or buy our shares to take advantage of any price differences between the markets through a practice referred to as arbitrage. Any arbitrage activity could create unexpected volatility in both our share prices on one exchange, and the ADSs available for trading on the other exchange. In addition, holders of ADSs will not be immediately able to surrender their ADSs and withdraw the underlying Class B shares for trading on the other market without effecting necessary procedures with the depositary. This could result in time delays and additional cost for holders of ADSs.

Our shareholders may be subject to liability for certain votes of their securities.

Our shareholders are not liable for our obligations. Instead, shareholders are generally liable only for the payment of the shares they subscribe. However, shareholders who have a conflict of interest with us and who do not abstain from voting may be held liable for damages to us, but only if the transaction would not have been approved without such shareholders’ votes. Furthermore, shareholders who willfully or negligently vote in favor of a resolution that is subsequently declared void by a court as contrary to the Argentine Corporate Law or our bylaws may be held jointly and severally liable for damages to us or to other third parties, including other shareholders.

Payments on Class B shares or ADSs may be subject to FATCA withholding.

Pursuant to certain provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, commonly known as FATCA, a “foreign financial institution” may be required to withhold on certain payments it makes (“foreign pass thru payments”) to persons that fail to meet certain certification, reporting, or related requirements. We are a foreign financial institution for these purposes. A number of jurisdictions have entered into, or have agreed in substance to, intergovernmental agreements with the United States to implement FATCA (“IGAs”), which modify the way in which FATCA applies in their jurisdictions. Certain aspects of the application of the FATCA provisions and IGAs to instruments such as the Class B Shares and the ADSs, including whether withholding would ever be required pursuant to FATCA or an IGA with respect to payments on instruments such as the Class B shares or the ADSs, are uncertain and may be subject to change. Even if withholding would be required pursuant to FATCA or an IGA with respect to payments on instruments such as the Class B Shares and the ADSs, such withholding would not apply prior to January 1, 2019. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding how these rules may apply to their investment in the Class B Shares and the ADSs

We are organized under the laws of Argentina and holders of the ADSs may find it difficult to enforce civil liabilities against us, our directors, officers and certain experts.

We are organized under the laws of Argentina. A significant portion of our and our subsidiaries’ assets are located outside the United States. Furthermore, all of our directors and officers and some advisors named in this annual report reside in Argentina. Investors may not be able to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or to enforce against them or us in United States courts judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States Likewise, it may also be difficult for an investor to enforce in United States courts judgments obtained against us or these persons in courts located in jurisdictions outside the United States, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. It may also be difficult for an investor to bring an original action in an Argentine court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us or such persons.

Prior to any enforcement in Argentina, a judgment issued by a U.S. court will be subject to the requirements of 517 through 519 of the Argentine Federal Civil and Commercial Procedure Code if enforcement is sought before federal courts or courts with jurisdiction in commercial matters of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Those requirements are: (1) the judgment, which must be valid and final in the jurisdiction where rendered, was issued by a competent court in accordance with the Argentine principles regarding international jurisdiction and resulted from a personal action, or an in rem action with respect to personal property which was transferred to Argentine territory during or after the prosecution of the foreign action; (2) the defendant against whom enforcement of the judgment is sought was personally served with the summons and, in accordance with due process of law, was given an opportunity to defend against foreign action; (3) the judgment must be valid in the jurisdiction where rendered, and its authenticity must be established in accordance with the requirements of Argentine law; (4) the judgment does not violate the principles of public policy of Argentine law; and (5) the judgment is not contrary to a prior or simultaneous judgment of an Argentine court. Any document in a language other than Spanish, including, without limitation, the foreign judgment and other documents related thereto, requires filing with the relevant court of a duly legalized translation by a sworn public translator into the Spanish language.

Item 4. Information on the Bank

A. History and development of the Bank

Our legal and commercial name is Banco Macro S.A. We are a financial institution incorporated on November 21, 1966 as a sociedad anónima, a stock corporation, duly incorporated under the laws of Argentina for a 99-year period and registered on March 8, 1967 with the Public Registry of Commerce of the City of Bahía Blanca, in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina under No. 1154 of Book 2, Volume 75 of Estatutos. We subsequently changed our legal address to the City of Buenos Aires and registered it with the IGJ on October 8, 1996 under No. 9777 of Book 119, Volume A of Sociedades Anónimas.

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We file reports, including our annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Any filings we make electronically with the SEC are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.

Our principal executive offices are located at Avenida Eduardo Madero 1172, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and our telephone number is (+ 54-11-5222-6500). We have appointed CT Corporation System as our agent for service of process in the United States, located at 28 Liberty St., New York, New York, 10005.

Our history – Banco Macro S.A.

Banco Macro commenced its operations as a non-banking financial institution in 1985, through the acquisition of Macro Compañía Financiera S.A. (created in 1977). In May 1988, it received the authorization to operate as a commercial bank and it was incorporated as Banco Macro S.A. Subsequently, as a result of the merger process with other entities, it adopted other names (among them, Banco Macro Bansud S.A.) and since August 2006, the name of “Banco Macro S.A.”

From then onwards and up to 1995, Banco Macro operated as a wholesale bank, being a pioneer in corporate bonds issuances. It mainly acted in the areas of money markets, trading of government and corporate bonds and financial services for medium and big companies.

Since 1994, Banco Macro has substantially changed its business strategy, focusing on retail banking in market areas with a low level of banking transactions and high growth potential, particularly in the regional areas outside the City of Buenos Aires. Following this strategy, in 1996, we started to acquire entities as well as assets and liabilities resulting from the privatization of provincial and other banks, including Banco Misiones, Banco Salta and Banco Jujuy.

In 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2010, Banco Macro acquired control of Banco Bansud S.A., Nuevo Banco Suquía S.A., Nuevo Banco Bisel S.A. and Banco Privado de Inversiones S.A., respectively, expanding through these acquisitions its presence in the south and center of the country. Such entities merged with us on December 2003, October 2007, August 2009 and December 2013, respectively. In addition, during 2006, Banco Macro acquired control of Banco del Tucumán.

We currently offer traditional bank products and services to companies, including those operating in regional economies, as well as to individuals, thus reinforcing our objective to be a multi-service bank. In addition, Banco Macro performs certain transactions through its subsidiaries, including mainly Banco del Tucumán, Macro Bank Limited, Macro Securities S.A., Macro Fiducia S.A. and Macro Fondos S.G.F.C.I. S.A.

Recently, the Bank and Banco del Tucumán, have subscribed a preliminary merger agreement, whereby the Bank will incorporate with retroactive effect as of January 1, 2019 Banco del Tucumán, at an exchange ratio of 0.65258 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Bank for each Ps.1 of nominal value ordinary shares of Banco del Tucumán. Therefore, the minority shareholders of Banco del Tucumán will be entitled to receive at 0.65258 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Bank, for each Ps.1 of nominal value of ordinary shares held in the capital stock of Banco del Tucumán. Consequently, the Bank, will increase its capital through the issuance of 15,662 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Bank, from Ps.669,663,021 to Ps.669,678,683, and the minority shareholders of Banco del Tucumán will receive Ordinary Shares Class B of the Bank in exchange of their 240 shares in Banco del Tucuman; all of which is subject to the approvals of the corresponding agencies.

Our shares have been publicly listed on the BYMA since November 1994, and on the NYSE since March, 2006 and have been authorized to list on the MAE since October 2015.

Investment in property

In 2011 we acquired from the Government of the City of Buenos Aires a site located at Avenida Eduardo Madero No. 1180, in the City of Buenos Aires, for an aggregate original amount of Ps.110 million. We have developed a project to build our new corporate offices on this site. Work was initiated in 2012 and was completed as of the date of this annual report.

The building has an area of 52,700 square meters and, as of December 31, 2018, required an investment of approximately U.S.$172 million at the applicable exchange rates at the end of the month as of the respective dates of such investments.

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The new corporate tower was designed to take full advantage of natural light and maximize energy efficiency, while also using materials that do not adversely affect the environment. It is being built in compliance with the Leed International Sustainability Standards of the “U.S. Green Building Council.” For more information, see Item 4.D “Property, plants and equipment.”

Recent Developments

General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders´ Meeting

Our General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting met on April 30, 2019 (the “2019 Shareholders Meeting”) which approved among others, the following points of the agenda: (i) appointment of the following members of the Board of Directors of the Bank, Jorge Pablo Brito, Carlos Alberto Giovanelli, Nelson Damián Pozzoli, Fabián Alejandro de Paul and Martín Estanislao Gorosito, as regular Directors for a three-year term, and Santiago Horacio Seeber, Alan Whamond and Alejandro Guillermo Chiti, as alternate Directors, for a three-year term, (ii) appointment of Alejandro Almarza, Carlos Javier Piazza and Vivian Haydee Stenghele, as regular members of the Supervisory Committee, and Alejandro Carlos Piazza, Leonardo Pablo Cortigiani and Enrique Alfredo Fila, as alternate members of the Supervisory Committee, (iii) designation auditors, being Carlos Marcelo Szpunar and Pablo Mario Moreno (alternate), both from the firm Pistrelli, Henry Martin y Asociados S.R.L., (iv) the preliminary merger agreement with Banco del Tucumán (for further information, please see below “—Banco del Tucumán”), (v) Bank´s capital increase from Ps.669,663,021 to Ps.669,678,683, as a result of the merger with Banco del Tucumán, through the issuance of 15,662 Class B shares, to be delivered to the minority shareholders of the absorbed company in exchange for their shareholdings, (vi) capital reduction due to the cancellation of Ps.30,265,275 representative of 30,265,275 Class B shares of the Bank and (vii) the amendment of Sections 4, 9, 10, 19, 20, 21 and 33 of the Bylaws of the Bank (which has not been approved yet by the CNV), and its adoption.

Banco del Tucuman

The 2019 Shareholders Meeting approved the (i) preliminary merger agreement duly executed on March 8, 2019 with Banco del Tucumán, and (ii) consolidated special merger financial statements of Banco Macro and Banco del Tucumán, as of December 31, 2018, the aforementioned approvals are ad-hoc to the applicable authorizations from the authorities and the shareholders of Banco del Tucumán.

Payment of Dividend

The 2019 Shareholders Meeting approved to the distribution of a cash dividend to the shareholders in the amount of Ps.6,393,977,460, which represents Ps.10 per share, and approved the delegation into the Board of Directors the powers to determine the date for its payment, which was set for May 14, 2019.

Pursuant to the aforementioned, the Bank informed that complies with the requirements established in the Central Bank regulations for the distribution of dividends, consequently the payment of the aforementioned dividend does not require prior authorization from the Superintendence of Financial and Exchange Entities.

B. Business Overview

We are one of the leading banks in Argentina. With the most extensive private-sector branch network in the country, we provide standard banking products and services to a nationwide customer base. We distinguish ourselves from our competitors given our strong financial position and our focus on low- and middle-income individuals and PyMEs, generally located outside of the City of Buenos Aires. We believe this strategy offers significant opportunity for continued growth in our banking business. According to the Central Bank, as of September 30, 2018, we were ranked first in terms of branches and equity and fourth in terms of both total loans and total deposits among private banks in Argentina.

As of December 31, 2018, on a consolidated basis, we had:

• Ps. 351,233.0 million (U.S.$ 9,289.8 million) in total assets;

• Ps. 182,113.4 million (U.S.$ 4,816.8 million) total loans;

• Ps. 237,954.4 million (U.S.$ 6,293.7 million) in total deposits;

• approximately, 3.6 million retail customers and 0.1 million corporate customers; and

• approximately, 0.9 million employee payroll accounts for private sector customers and provincial governments and 0.8 million retiree accounts.

In general, given the relatively low level of banking intermediation in Argentina, there are limited products and services being offered. We are focusing on the overall growth of our loan portfolio by expanding our customer base and encouraging them to make use of our lending products. We have a holistic approach to our banking business and do not manage the Bank by segments or divisions or by customer categories, by products and services, by regions, or by any other segmentation for the purpose of allocating resources and

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assessing profitability. We offer savings and checking accounts, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans and other credit-related products and transactional services available to our retail customers and PyMEs through our branch network. We also offer Plan Sueldo payroll services, lending, corporate credit cards, mortgage finance, transaction processing and foreign exchange. In addition, our Plan Sueldo payroll processing services for private companies and the public sector give us a large and stable customer deposit base.

Our competitive strengths

We believe we are well positioned to benefit from opportunities created by the economic and business environment in Argentina. Our competitive strengths include the following:

• Strong financial position. As of December 31, 2018, we had excess of regulatory capital of Ps.45,676 million. (26.5% capitalization ratio). Our excess capital is aimed at supporting growth, and consequently, a higher leverage of our balance sheet.

• Strong shareholders’ equity. Our shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 under IFRS was Ps.71,751.6 million and Ps.60,910.8 million respectively.

• Strong presence in fast-growing target customer market. We have achieved a leading position with low- and middle-income individuals and among PyMEs, generally located outside the City of Buenos Aires, which have been relatively underserved by the banking system. Based on our experience, this target market offers significant growth opportunities and a stable base of depositors.

• High exposure to export-led growth. Given the geographical location of the customers we target, we have acquired banks with a large number of branches outside of the City of Buenos Aires with the aim of completing our national coverage. Our focus is particularly on some export oriented provinces. Most of these provinces engage in economic activities primarily concentrated in areas such as agriculture, mining, cargo transportation, edible oils, ranching and tourism, which have benefited from the export-driven growth in the Argentine economy.

• Largest private-sector branch network in Argentina. With 471 branches and 1,485 ATMs as of December 31, 2018, we have the most extensive branch network among private-sector banks in Argentina. We consider our branch network to be our key distribution channel for marketing our products and services to our entire customer base with a personalized approach. In line with our strategy, approximately 94% of these branches are located outside of the City of Buenos Aires.

• Loyal customer base. We believe that our customers are loyal to us due to our presence in traditionally underserved markets and our Plan Sueldo payroll services. We have benefited from Argentine regulations that require all employees to maintain Plan Sueldo accounts for the direct deposit of their wages. In addition, we emphasize face-to-face relationships with our customers and offer them personalized advice.

• Exclusive financial agent for four Argentine provinces. We perform financial agency services for the governments of the provinces of Salta, Jujuy, Misiones and Tucumán in northern Argentina. As a result, each provincial government’s bank accounts are held in our bank and we provide their employees with Plan Sueldo accounts, giving us access to substantial low-cost funding and a large number of loyal customers.

• Strong and experienced management team and committed shareholders. We are led by committed shareholders and a senior management team with large experience in the banking industry, who have transformed us in one of the strongest and largest banks in Argentina.

Our strategy

Our competitive strengths position us to better participate in the future development of the Argentine financial system.

We operate in accordance with our sustainability policy based on five business-related strategic pillars that affect all our clients, establishing a short-, medium- and long-term sustainability strategy. Our strategic sustainability pillars are:

• Financial inclusion and education: encouraging the use of banking products and accessibility, focused on lower income sectors and the financial education of all communities.

• Direct and indirect environmental effect: encouraging the protection of the environment and society, both internally and in our value chain.

• Responsibility for the wellbeing and inclusion of people: aiming to improve the quality of life of individuals, we support the professional development of our staff and encourage diversity and inclusion.

• Development of PyMEs and enterprises: accompanying our clients in the development of their businesses, offering customized products services and providing knowledge, advice and the best customer service.

• Transparency in all our actions: in order to create a framework of trust and credibility for all our interest groups, in compliance with the main national and international transparency and management responsibility standards and best practices.

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Our goal is to promote our overall growth by increasing our customer base, expanding our loan portfolio and generating more fee income from transactional services. We achieve this goal by managing the Bank on a holistic basis, focusing our growth strategy on the marketing and promotion of our standard banking products and services. We have pursued our growth strategy by acquiring financial entities throughout Argentina, which has enabled us to significantly expand our branch network and customer base. We have taken advantage of the opportunities presented by the Argentine financial system to move into new locations by acquiring banks or absorbing branches from banks liquidated by the Central Bank.

We intend to continue enhancing our position as a leading Argentine bank. The key elements of our strategy include:

• Focus on underserved markets with strong growth potential. We intend to continue focusing on both low- and middle-income individuals and PyMEs, most of which have traditionally been underserved by the Argentine banking system and are generally located outside the City of Buenos Aires, where competition is relatively weaker and where we have achieved a leading presence. We believe that these markets offer attractive opportunities given the low penetration of banking services and limited competition.

• Further develop branch network. We seek to further expand our branch network management model and the development of the network by opening new branches, reinforcing local business opportunities and targeting support and sale points in accordance with the specific needs of our clients.

• Further expand our customer base. We intend to continue growing our customer base, which is essential to increasing interest and fee-based revenues. To attract new customers, we intend to:

• Offer medium- and long-term credit. We intend to capitalize on the increased demand for long-term credit that we believe will accompany the expected economic trends of Argentina. We intend to use our strong liquidity and our capital base to offer a more readily available range of medium- and long-term credit products than our competitors.

• Focus on corporate banking customers. Increase corporate financing by means of a wide offer of credit and transaction products that suit each client’s profile and needs.

• Expand Plan Sueldo payroll services. We will continue to actively market our Plan Sueldo payroll services, emphasizing the benefits of our extensive network for companies with nationwide or regional needs.

• Strengthen our market share in credit cards by increasing promotional activity and benefits for clients.

• Further expand the use of automatic channels both in customer acquisition and retail products, increasing operational efficiency.

• Further expand the development of the customer service support, granting them different means to carry out financial transactions without time limits, in a total secure, simple and comfortable manner.

• Grow our high-end customer base through our Selecta product suite.

• Focus on our sustainability objectives. We intend to focus on our sustainability objectives in line with our business, in the fundamental areas of the Bank and further expand such initiatives.

• Look for growth opportunities. A key component of our strategy is the continuous search for growth opportunities, including potential acquisitions. We, at any time, may consider one or more potential acquisitions or similar transactions within the Argentine banking and financial sector, in different stages of evaluation, negotiation and/or revision processes. Any of them may be material considering it individually or collectively.

Our products and services

We provide our customers with a combination of standard products and services that are designed to suit individual needs. We have two broad categories of customers: (i) retail customers, who include individuals and (ii) corporate customers, which include small, medium and large companies. In addition, we provide services to four provincial governments. We offer a relatively narrow range of standard products, which are generally available to both our retail and corporate customers. We have a holistic approach to our banking business and do not manage the Bank by segments or divisions or by customer categories, by products and services, by regions, or by any other segmentation for the purpose of allocating resources and assessing profitability. Our strategy is to grow our business, as demand for credit in Argentina increases, by focusing on cross-selling opportunities among our broad customer base. The following discussion of our business follows the broad customer categories of retail and corporate as a way to understand who our customers are and the products and services that we provide.

Retail customers

Overview

We serve our retail customers with the objective of satisfying their financial needs, whether savings, transactional or funding. Retail customers are classified according to their labor condition or their main income source, in the following categories: Plan Sueldo (Salary Plan), Retirees, Open Market and Professionals and Business. We provide services to them throughout Argentina, in particular in areas outside the City of Buenos Aires, which have higher concentrations of low- and middle-income individuals who are traditionally underserved by large private banks. We serve our retail customers through our extensive, nationwide branch network. Approximately 94% of our branches are located outside the City of Buenos Aires.

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The table below reflects the number of retail customers sorted by category as of December 31, 2017 and 2018:

Retail Customers by category	2017		2018
Open Market		1,398,709		1,506,733
Plan Sueldo (private and public sector)		859,330		870,678
Retirees		684,642		716,081
Professionals and business and others		530,416		552,274
Total Retail Customers		3,473,097		3,645,766

We offer our retail customers traditional banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, time deposits, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans (including personal loans), mortgage loans, automobile loans, overdrafts, credit-related services, home and car insurance coverage, tax collection, utility payments, ATMs and money transfers.

Our retail customers provide us with a key source of funding as well as a significant interest and fee income. We believe that our large retail customer client base provides us with an excellent opportunity to expand the volume of our lending business. For example, as of December 31, 2018, only 20% of our retail customers currently have a personal loan from us and only 35% currently have a credit card. We believe there is strong potential to increase these percentages.

Our efforts have been aimed at strengthening relationships with our customers by offering them the products that are best suited to their needs and circumstances, through our individualized, professional advice, which we believe is an important feature that distinguishes us in our target markets. Likewise, we have focused on increasing the volume of new customer acquisition with focus on those segments that allow greater efficiency and better result of the cost/benefit equation.

Our main goals for the retail bank are to keep our leading position in personal loans, and steady growth in the credit cards portfolio. In this regard, and aiming to continue growing in the credit card market, we intensified efforts to increase consumption and total assets. We also improved the use of our clients’ information as a tool to implement better cross selling, client retention and default prevention commercial actions.

Savings and checking accounts and time deposits

We generate fees from providing account maintenance, account statements, check processing and other direct banking transactions, direct debits, fund transfers, payment orders and bank debit cards. In addition, our time deposits provide us with a strong and stable funding base.

Our commercial and customer bonding actions enable us to achieve growth in the deposit portfolio above market levels, mainly due to an increase in time deposits of retail customers which intensified funding diversification.

Accounts and account packages are the primary channels for cash deposits and are two of the main drivers of fee income. For this reason, we focus on the life cycle of the account packages, promoting loyalty measures and retention of our products.

The number of retail accounts increased by 14% in 2017 and by 11% in 2018.

In 2016, we implemented the opening of special savings account, which required customers only to provide their natural identity card, with the aim of introducing into the banking system those individuals who still do not have any accounts in the financial system. Furthermore, we launched new functionalities in “Home Banking” and established a customer call center so that our clients can open accounts and request the cancellation of products through this channel.

Within the framework provided by the Tax Amnesty Law No. 27,260, in 2016 we also worked on opening special accounts and accepting deposits in accordance with the options available to clients under the applicable regulations.

Our “debit card” service is critical within the framework of our strategy to increase customer transactions by encouraging the use of accounts. Debit card services also help to develop account balances into transactional accounts, as deposits increase, thereby expanding our demand deposit base. The amount of debit cards we issued, grew 8%, and 9% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In 2018 we highlight the migration of our debit cards to EMV technology (Europay, MasterCard, Visa), cards with integrated chip. We also increased the extraction limits of our clients in order to favor the use of automated channels to obtain cash.

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The following table reflects the number of retail accounts as of December 31, 2017 and 2018:

Product	2017		2018
Savings
Total savings accounts*		3,588,555		4,083,512
Retirees		769,660		849,265
Open Market		1,207,848		1,441,155
Other Special Segments		298,376		321,344
Plan Sueldo (private sector)		612,906		685,678
Plan Sueldo (public sector)		484,312		512,496
Professionals and business and others		215,453		273,574
Checking
Checking accounts		888,700		881,736
Electronic Account Access
Debit Cards		3,175,913		3,473,479

(*) From this report we detailed the total of savings accounts by type of client, considering the situation of the client at the closing date instead of taking its categorization at the date of registration as a client.

Lending products and services

We offer personal loans, document discounts, residential mortgages, overdrafts, pledged loans and credit card loans to our retail customers.

We intend to continue to increase our retail lending by focusing our marketing efforts on underserved target markets such as low- and middle-income individuals. We also plan to continue to cross-sell our retail lending products to our existing customers, particularly targeting those who may choose to open savings and checking accounts with us because we already provide their payroll and pension services.

In 2016, we launched a new line of mortgage loans in adjustable purchase value units, or UVAs (an inflation adjustment unit), which allowed us to be part of the PROCREAR Program Own House Solution, for beneficiaries selected by ANSES. The PROCREAR Program is an Argentine government initiative aimed at boosting economic activity, creating jobs and providing solutions to the housing problems of low-income families.

During 2017 we continued working on the promotion of an inclusive financial system, with a special focus on improving the accessibility of people with a low level of participation in the banking sector. We also worked to increase the personal loan portfolio and the volume of sales through alternative channels. We maintained our position in credit cards in terms of consumption and total assets, positioning it as a strategic product in the capture of customers.

In 2017, we encouraged the development of mortgage loans, through the incorporation of new destinations, supporting the development of lines that promote social welfare, such as: improvement, renovation, second home, acquisition of offices and businesses, and acquisition of wooden houses.

The UVA mortgage loans increased in 2017, a year in which Banco Macro stood out for offering one of the most competitive rates in the market, with 2,873 transactions being settled. Within the line of mortgage loans, we continue being part of the Procrear “Solución Casa Propia,” aimed to ANSES selected beneficiaries. We also joined the “Procrear Ahorro Joven” program, whose beneficiaries will be able to access a subsidized mortgage loan after having evidenced savings capacity during 12 months, through fixed-term UVA denominated deposits.

In 2018, we were leaders among private banks in consumer loans. Regarding longer-term loans, we share with the market a greater offer of mortgage loans, although, in the last semester of 2018, demand was significantly reduced due to the monetary policy carried out by the Argentine government.

We continued to work in the promotion of an inclusive financial system, with special emphasis and interest in allowing that people with low level of banking can access to personal loans, based on agreements with municipalities or small loans.

We also continued to be part of the PROCREAR UVA Mortgage Loans line, supporting the “Procrear Ahorro Joven” program.

In order to grow the Plan Sueldo portfolio, we focused on the incorporation of new clients from the private sector and provinces in which we are not a financial agent, while we work on consolidating relationships with the existing customers.

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We are one of the major credit card issuers in Argentina, with approximately 2.7 million credit cards in circulation for retail customers as of December 31, 2018. One of our initiatives to expand lending is to encourage low- and middle-income customers to use credit cards for larger amount purchases.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, our consumer loan portfolio was as follows:

	Consumer loan portfolio
	(as of December 31, of each year)
	(in millions of Pesos and as percentage of consumer loan portfolio)
	2017 (1)				2018
Overdraft		712.1	0.6	%		668.9	0.7	%
Documents		1,731.8	1.5	%		1,694.4	1.7	%
Mortgage and pledge		7,558.9	6.4	%		12,014.5	11.9	%
Credit Card		35,013.7	29.8	%		28,153.4	27.9	%
Personal loans		71,300.4	60.6	%		57,326.3	56.8	%
Others		1,326.3	1.1	%		1,039.1	1.0	%
		117,643.3	100.0	%		100,896.7	100.0	%

Note:

(1) Figures stated in thousands of pesos in terms of purchasing power of Argentine pesos as of December 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2018, personal loans, which comprise the largest share of our consumer loan portfolio, carried an annual average nominal interest rate of 56% and an average maturity of 45 months. Interest rates and maturities vary across products.

Plan Sueldo payroll services

Since 2001, Argentine labor law has provided for the mandatory payment of wages through accounts opened by employers in the name of each employee at financial institutions within two kilometers of the workplace, in the case of urban areas, and ten kilometers of the workplace, in the case of rural areas. There are similar requirements in place for pension payments.

We handle payroll processing for private sector companies and the public sector, which require employers to maintain an account with us for the direct deposit of employee wages. Currently, we provide payroll services for the governments of the Argentine provinces of Misiones, Salta, Jujuy and Tucumán and to the private sector for a total aggregate of 1.6 million retail clients (including retirees). Our Plan Sueldo payroll services provide us with a large and diversified deposit base with significant cross-selling potential.

Corporate customers

Overview

Legal and natural persons of the private non-financial sector that develop commercial and/or industrial activities are included in the corporate customer category. We provide our corporate customers with traditional banking products and services such as deposits, lending (including overdraft facilities), check cashing advances and factoring, guaranteed loans and credit lines for financing foreign trade and cash management services. We also provide them trust, payroll and financial agency services, corporate credit cards and other specialty products.

The corporate business is focused on classification by size and sector. We have four categories for our corporate customers: (1) small companies, which register up to Ps.200 million in sales per year; (2) medium-sized and large companies, which register more than Ps.200 million and less than Ps.800 million in sales per year; (3) agricultural companies, which include individuals and companies who operate in agriculture or in the commerce of agricultural products; and (4) corporate companies which register more than Ps.800 million in sales per year.

The following table reflects our portfolio breakdown, sorted by category as of December 31, 2017 and 2018:

Portfolio conformation	2017			2018
Corporate companies		29	%		46	%
Medium sized companies		25	%		18	%
PyMEs		20	%		11	%
Microenterprises		5	%		3	%
Agricultural companies		21	%		22	%

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We support productive activities through the promotion of development, new trends and innovation, since our goal is to continue offering the best services for market participants active in agriculture, industry and commerce. Based on values of close customer relationships, effort, hard work, dedication and community, we offer financing lines according to each customer profile that contribute to their growth, their development and that of their communities.

At present, we have a network of branches with business officials specialized in each category, offering a wide range of products, including working capital facilities, and credit for investment projects, leasings and foreign trade transactions.

Our corporate customer base also acts as a source of demand for our excess liquidity through overnight and short-term loans to large corporate customers. See Item 5.B “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

Lending products and services

We offer short-term and medium- to long-term corporate lending products.

Short-term: Products include credit lines for up to 180 days and consist mainly of overdraft facilities, corporate credit and debit cards and factoring, as well as foreign trade related financing, such as pre-export, post-shipment and import financing. These products also include contingency lines, such as short-term guarantees (performance guarantees and bid bonds) and import letters of credit. The credit risk assigned to these kinds of transactions is the debtor rating described below, unless increased as a result of a pledge or a guarantee.

Medium- to long-term: Products include credit lines and specific lending facilities of more than 180 days. Credits are usually asset-based, such as leasing, whereby a credit enhancement is achieved by means of the underlying asset.

Medium- to long-term facility risks are mitigated through different mechanisms that range from pledges and mortgages, to structured deals through financial trusts whereby the debtor pledges the underlying asset, mostly future income flows. Regardless of the term and based on the fact that these credit lines are devoted to small to medium-sized companies, our policy is to require personal guarantees from the owners, although the underlying debtor rating remains unchanged.

During the last years, our focus was PyMEs and regional businesses, working to offer products and services tailored to each company profile, primarily based on size and the location of operations. Our management has been focused on growing this segment and consolidating our relationships with existing clients.

We supported the growth of PyMEs through the development of businesses and sustainable links throughout the country. The geographic distribution, proximity, personalized attention and the knowledge of our clients and the regional economies allow us to detect their needs and support them in the financing of their projects, as well as to provide transactional solutions for the management of their payments and collections.

We have continued with actions aimed at financing small-scale client producers and suppliers of the value chain of our Megra customers. Among these actions are agreements with large companies buying yerba mate in the northeast region of Argentina and the tobacco companies of Salta and Jujuy.

Within our Corporate Banking division (“Corporate Banking”), in 2016, we sought to strengthen our relationship with existing and new clients, in order to position ourselves as one of the main banks in the corporate banking sector. This allowed us to provide specialized assistance to each of the companies which constitute the different value chains, with products tailored to their needs. In addition, we worked together with our Retail Banking division and our network of branches to increase the base of Plan Sueldo and increase our market share in credit products.

Regarding our Agro Banking division (“Agro Banking”), we continued to support regional economies with tailor-made products for sectors such as tobacco, sugar and yerba mate, by financing all value chains from the primary producer to the industrial producer.

Through the “Instant Line of Credit” program for microentrepreneurs and PyMEs throughout the country and with the objective of financing working capital, we offer existing and new customers the possibility of requesting instant credit, with minimum approval requirements. This line of credit was intended to finance working capital, for a maximum amount of up to Ps. 1,500,000 and offers discount deferred payment checks, current account agreement, single signature loan, the opportunity to apply for a Macro Agro Credit Card and foreign trade financing.

We provide access to credit to PyMEs and microenterprises through different account packages and the Line of Production Investment. Likewise, we offer the “Prenda Ágil” product for the financing of roads and agricultural machinery for PyMEs.

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In addition, strategic alliances were created with large supplier companies that allow our customers to access purchases of inputs with reduced financial cost. As of December 2016, more than 30 agreements were signed with manufacturers or concessionaires for U.S. dollar credit lines to finance the purchase of agricultural machinery.

During 2017, Corporate Banking made further improvements in its service model by consolidating the teams of officers specialized in Cash Management and Foreign Trade businesses, which led to an improvement in our market position in both businesses, based on a proactive segmented marketing strategy.

The Bank continues to promote development, new trends and innovation by offering the best suite of services for the rural area, industry and commerce, based on the pillars of closeness, effort, hard work, dedication and sense of belonging.

In 2017, access to credit was provided to PyMEs and Micro-Businesses through different packages and programs offering special interest rates and Productive Investment facilities, and the “Prenda Ágil” (Expeditious Pledge) product for the financing of vehicles and machinery for PyMEs. During the past year, more than 7,000 new PyMEs and Micro-Businesses joined our customer base and were offered solutions to their needs.

Our “Línea de Crédito al Instante” (Immediate Credit Line) aimed at Micro-Businesses and PyMEs across the whole Argentine territory, offers customers and non-customers the possibility of requesting an instant loan, which is granted immediately and with minimum requirements. This line, which is used to finance working capital for up to Ps.3 million, offers discount of deferred payment checks, checking account overdrafts, signature loans, a Macro Agricultural credit card and foreign trade financing (for exporters and importers).

As regards Megra (Medium and Large Sized Companies) and Corporate Banking, we have carried out work to understand our customers’ needs and, consequently, we have developed actions aimed at incorporating suppliers and small producers to achieve integration of the value chain and boost their business. In this sense, we focused on increasing the “Plan Sueldo” (Payroll Program) customer base, acting jointly with Personal Banking and our branch network.

Committed to the growth of Argentina, we launched an exclusive UVA mortgage loan facility to finance real estate developers. The initiative aims to support the financing process of up to 80% of the construction of residential units, subsequently intended for sale.

The agricultural sector suffered negative consequences due to excessive rains during the autumn, which adversely affected crops in the main agricultural areas and made it difficult to access to the ports. In order to face the financial maturities and the impossibility of delivering the grain, the demand for loans came in earlier, and it was satisfied mainly in U.S. dollars. This was possible thanks to the flexibilization of the regulations issued by the Central Bank on the use of foreign currency derived from deposits.

During 2017, financial borrowings against delivery of crops to exporters continued. In addition, medium-term loans (three to five years) in the same currency were granted and purchases of agricultural machinery, investments or asset acquisitions were financed; dollar loans for working capital were granted; and promotional agreements on the rural credit card (known as zero interest rate) continued with an excellent performance.

We support regional economies by offering customized products to sectors such as tobacco, sugar and yerba mate, where we provide financing to the entire value chain, from the primary producer to the industrial producer that exports or sells its products in the domestic market.

As regards Foreign Trade, we recorded a strong increase in both transactions and user clients through our Digital E-Comex platform. We also launched Macro Pro Comex, as an exclusive free service that allows customers to make queries that help them increase their foreign trade business. Macro Pro Comex offers customized market research on exporting and/or importing markets, foreign potential buyers and/or sellers, prices and other relevant information.

We also continued to create strategic alliances with large supplier companies so that our customers can access input purchases at a reduced financial cost.

As in past years, we participated in fairs and gatherings with businessmen and entrepreneurs in which we offered the services of our business officers specialized in the Agricultural, Professionals and Businesses, and PyMEs segments, who provided advice on our services and products.

In 2018 we continued offering the best services for the agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors, trying to promote the development and the innovation in the different areas of the productive sector. We continue to offer financing for the acquisition of vehicles and machinery for PyMEs, through the “Prenda Ágil” product and also an instant credit line “Línea de Crédito Instantánea” to finance working capital of micro-entrepreneurs and PyMEs throughout the country, with immediate granting and minimum requirements. In addition, we are working on an electronic credit bill development process so that MiPyMEs can sell their invoices in the stock market.

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In connection with agricultural companies, we continued to grow our client portfolio and we oriented commercial action to support our clients with their needs for working capital financing and investment projects. We have innovated and improved our processes for our clients to operate with grains directly with us, paying their obligations with their grain production, achieving the landmark of exceeding one million tons per year. Additionally, we perform operations in U.S.$. like working capital, medium-term loans (three to five years), financing the acquisition of agricultural machinery, investments or asset purchases; we have entered into agreements with the main manufacturers to provide predictability in their campaign plans investments, and we continued with the agreements for the development of the rural credit card (known as a “zero interest rate” card), with an excellent performance.

We continue with E-Comex Digital and Macro Pro-Comex, the exclusive service, free of charge, which allows our customers to make queries that help them increase their business abroad. We complement this service by offering relevant information, such as personalized market research on exporting and/or importing markets, potential buyers and/or sellers of foreign markets and prices.

In 2018, loans to agricultural companies and loans to corporate companies stood out above the rest. The best performing lines were foreign trade and overdrafts.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, our commercial loan portfolio was as follows:

	Commercial loan portfolio (1)
	(as of December 31, of each year)
	(in millions of Pesos and as percentage of consumer loan portfolio)
	2017 (2)				2018
Overdraft		13,241.0	16.4	%		17,157.7	21.1	%
Documents		23,472.0	29.1	%		22,400.1	27.6	%
Mortgage and pledge		10,848.1	13.4	%		8,206.2	10.1	%
Consumer Loans (3)		1,772.7	2.2	%		1,463.6	1.8	%
Others		31,405.0	38.9	%		31,989.1	39.4	%
Total Commercial Loans		80,738.8	100.0	%		81,216.8	100.0	%

(1) Including loans to micro credit institutions and commercial loans that, for the consolidated statements of debtors, was included as consumer portfolio following the criteria described in “Argentine Banking Regulation—Credit Portfolio.”

(2) Figures stated in thousands of pesos in terms of purchasing power of Argentine pesos as of December 31, 2018.

(3) Includes credit card loans and personal loans.

Transaction services

We offer transaction services to our corporate customers, such as cash management, collection services, payments to suppliers, payroll services, foreign exchange transactions, foreign trade services, corporate credit cards, and information services, such as our Datanet and Interpymes services, described further below. There are usually no credit risks involved in these transactions, except for intra-day gapping (payments made against incoming collections), as well as settlement and pre-settlement related to foreign exchange transactions which, in general, are approved following the debtor credit rating process.

Payments to suppliers. Our payments for supplier services enable our customers to meet their payment obligations to their suppliers on a timely basis through a simple and efficient system. This service also provides payment liquidations, tax payment receipts, invoices and any other documents required by the payer.

Collection services. Our collection services include cash or check deposits at our 471 branches, automatic and direct debits from checking or savings accounts and the transportation of funds collected from corporate customers to our branches for deposit. Our extensive branch network enables us to offer fast and efficient collection services throughout Argentina, which is of critical importance to both regional and nationwide companies.

Datanet and Interpymes. We provide our corporate clients with access to the Datanet service (“Datanet”), which is an electronic banking network linking member banks in Argentina. This service permits our clients to obtain reliable online information on a real-time basis from their bank accounts in Datanet as well as, to perform certain transactions.

Interpymes is an electronic banking system designed to meet the needs of small businesses. It does not require special installation procedures and is easily accessible through the internet, helping to simplify day-to-day operations for our customers.

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Tax collection and financial agency services. We also have exclusive, long-term arrangements to provide tax collection and financial agency services to four provinces: Salta, Misiones, Jujuy and Tucumán. These contracts expire in 2026, 2029, 2024 and 2031, respectively.

Payroll services. We provide payroll services to four provinces and to the private sector. See “Our products and services—Retail customers”.

Our distribution network

As of December 31, 2018, we had the largest private sector branch network in the country, with 471 branches spread throughout Argentina. In particular, in line with our strategy of expanding nationally, we have extensive coverage in the Argentine provinces with 94% of our branches located outside the City of Buenos Aires. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2018, we had 1,485 ATMs, 934 self-service terminals (“SSTs”) and several service points used for social security benefit payments and servicing of checking and savings accounts and internet home banking service (“Home Banking”). The following table breaks down the distribution of our branches per province as of December 31, 2018:

	As of December 31, 2018
Province	Branches		% of total
City of Buenos Aires		28		6	%
Buenos Aires (Province)		73		15	%
Catamarca		1		0	%
Chaco		2		0	%
Chubut		6		1	%
Cordoba		71		15	%
Corrientes		4		1	%
Entre Rios		10		2	%
Formosa		0		0	%
Jujuy		16		3	%
La Pampa		2		0	%
La Rioja		2		0	%
Mendoza		16		3	%
Misiones		36		8	%
Neuquén		5		1	%
Rio Negro		6		1	%
Salta		37		8	%
San Juan		2		0	%
San Luis		3		1	%
Santa Cruz		2		0	%
Santa Fe		105		22	%
Santiago del Estero		2		0	%
Tierra del Fuego		2		0	%
Tucuman		40		8	%
TOTAL		471		100	%

Source: Central Bank

Technology, automated channels and credit cards processing systems

Our technological development is continuous and the number of alternative methods to perform banking transactions is increasing. Automated channels allow our clients to perform banking transactions with enhanced speed, comfort and safety, offering a wide variety of available transactions.

During the last few years we have focused on automatic channels, giving customers more accessible and flexible services. As a result, the use of automated channels continued to expand, both in terms of volume of transactions and number of users.

In 2018 the number of transactions made through automatic channels increased by 70% compared to 2017, mainly due to greater use of internet banking and mobile banking. The increase in transactions made through automatic channels has two benefits: it simplifies and ease customers’ operations and, at the same time, reduces operational tasks in the branches.

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We have ATMs that operate independently of the branch and offer money extraction service and balances consultation, among other operations. New actions were implemented to maintain high security, service quality and availability standards in our ATM network through preventive management and training strategies. We increased the number of ATMs with cash recognition and online deposit crediting, as well as the number of ATMs with voice guidance for the blind or vision impaired, 97% of our ATMs have that feature. We also implemented a new system that allows cash withdrawals from the ATM without a debit card, using only a code created by the

Macro Banca Móvil mobile application. This has placed us in a leading position as to service quality, which is particularly important given the number and geographical dispersion of our ATMs.

Furthermore, we continued strengthening and updating the technology offered at our ATMs, reaching a total of 1,485 operating ATMs, representing one of the widest reaching networks in Argentina. In 2018, the amount transacted through ATMs increased by 12% compared to 2017.

We have SSTs terminals distributed in our branch network across Argentina, offering an ample variety of operations, including the possibility of making deposits twenty-four hours a day, every day, all year long. In 2014, we incorporated the smart check deposit functionality. This development has been beneficial both to us, increasing efficiency by reducing operating tasks in branches, and to clients, increasing safety and reducing transaction times. In 2018, we had 163 intelligent self-service terminal units installed in 120 branches all over the country, in which there have been 180,860 transactions. In 2018, the amount transacted through SSTs increased 5% compared to 2017. As of December 2018, we had 934 SSTs installed. Our aim is to be positioned with the best offer in digital services and promote a migration channel strategy, focusing on the best experience for our customers. During 2017, the Bank initiated a strategic alliance with Globant to define and execute the Bank’s digital transformation. The key to digital transformation is, in addition to a technological and methodological challenge, a cultural challenge that it crosses the main areas of the Bank.

Regarding Home Banking, we have implemented a collections service for companies offering the following benefits: security (no cash or checks are transported to the branch), practicality (easy and safe, backup of receipts in a PDF file, possibility to review the history of payments and receipts), accessibility (from any computer) and no additional cost. We also use Home Banking to inform our retail customers about the possibility of getting a personal loan, the amount available and how to apply for it. In 2017, the migration of “MacrOnline” to the new Internet Banking System for individuals started. During 2019, we intend to launch the new Business Home Banking, through which we intend to generate a substantial change in the way of operating of our corporate customers interact with us, based on the pillars of security, self-management and transactionality.

Our Macro Banca Móvil channel has developed significantly in the last three years. In line with the characteristics of the users and the technological trends supporting the development of the service, the Macro Banca Móvil application is available in the main virtual stores of the principal operating systems. In 2017, we worked on new functionalities that generate value for clients: dollar purchase and sale transactions, transfers to new accounts, point checking and redemptions under our Macro Premia rewards program, and UVA loans detailed enquiries.

The transactions performed through Home Banking and Macro Banca Móvil increased by 76% in 2018.

During 2017, the Bank worked together with Globant to develop a new experience in all the Bank’s websites, introducing an innovative design to generate high impact on users. New online advice tools will be added through an engine that searches for customer needs, and service through a virtual agent with artificial intelligence capabilities.

In line with the introduction of new technologies, in 2017 we partnered with Fintech Whyline, pioneering in the introduction of this application in more than 250 branches throughout the country.

Whyline is an application that reduces waiting times in branches. If the customer still feels uncomfortable about using Mobile Banking or Internet Banking and needs to approach a branch in person, they are able to manage their time better through the use of this application.

The significant sustained growth in the number of users and transactions made through automated channels has demonstrated the effectiveness and acceptance of this service in the market.

Prisma Medios de Pago S.A.

On August 23, 2017, the shareholders of Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. (“Prisma”) signed a divestment agreement in Prisma, which was approved by the Ministry of Production on September 26, 2017 (the “Divestment Process”).

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In accordance with the Divestment Process, Prima’s shareholders agreed to transfer, in two stages, its shareholding in Prisma. The first stage (already completed) consisted in the proportional transfer, of each shareholder, of 51% of the shares held in Prisma, while the remaining 49% was agreed to be divested within three years from the completion of the first stage, i.e., January 31, 2022.

Additionally, as a result of the Divestment Process, on February 26, 2018, we entered into several agreements with Prisma pursuant to which (i) the processing for Visa (credit and debit) and American Express, was agreed for a term of five years, starting as from the completion of the first stage of the Divestment Process, and (ii) a non-compete agreement was signed for a five year term, starting as from the completion of the first stage of the Divestment Process in connection with the acquisition rights of Prisma, which will automatically lose effect the day in which the remaining 49% of the share capital of Prisma is transferred. For more information, please see note 20 to our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 contained elsewere herein.

Risk management policies

To comply with the “Risk Management Guidelines for Financial Institutions” set forth under Communication “A” 5203, as amended, we have adopted various measures at our organizational structure level and have implemented procedures to ensure the establishment of an independent risk management process.

Our Board of Directors created a Risk Management Committee (the “Risk Management Committee”) and appointed a Comprehensive Risk Manager (the “Comprehensive Risk Manager”) and made them responsible for coordinating the application of risk management policies and the relevant responsible officers. For more information, see Item 6.C “Board Practices”.

The Comprehensive Risk Manager coordinates the heads of financial risk, credit risk and operational and technological risk, who are in charge of implementing the guidelines contained in the risk management framework policy.

Our risk management framework policy establishes the environment for the risk management process under the notions of risk identification, measurement, monitoring and mitigation. In addition, it lays out the duties of each organizational level in the process.

Our risk management process includes setting of acceptable risk levels by our Board of Directors, monitoring of our compliance with such levels by responsible officers, the issuance of regular reports for the Risk Management Committee, follow up on alerts and the application of action plans in connection with such alerts and the guidelines for the development of stress tests.

The stress test development process we established includes documenting and formalizing the program, including selecting the persons in charge of carrying out the program, the frequency of testing and validation of the system. It also contemplates the contingency plan based on test results. The Risk Management Committee leads and coordinates these tasks.

Additionally, the system is supplemented with policies and procedures specific to each risk (financial, credit, operational, counterparty credit, country risk, securitization, reputational, compliance and strategic risks, among others).

Economic capital estimate

Economic capital is the estimated amount of unexpected losses identified for each one of the individual risks (financial, credit, counterparty credit, concentration, operational, securitization, strategic and reputational) determined for us on a consolidated basis.

We have implemented a formal procedure for quantifying economic capital, both current and prospective, and it is a tool used in the day-to-day management of risks, in preparing the business plan and in the stress tests.

The methods used to measure the economic capital of each risk were documented and approved by management, pursuant to the internal rules on corporate governance and risk management.

The most significant risks we manage are financial risk, credit risk and operational and technological risk.

Financial risk

Financial risk consists of liquidity, market and interest rate risks, which, independently or in an interrelated manner, can affect our liquidity and solvency.

We have strategies, policies and limits defined for each exposure which have been approved by our Board of Directors within the framework of market, liquidity and interest rate risk management. This process is reviewed periodically by the Risk Management Committee in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Central Bank.

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The purpose of the financial risk policy is to ensure that the Risk Management Committee and senior management have the proper procedures, tools and information to enable them to measure, manage and control the applicable risks.

For more information on financial risk definition and management processes see note 50 “Capital management, Corporate Governance Transparency Policy and Risk management” to our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Credit risk

Credit policy and credit risk management

The Board of Directors approves our credit policy and credit assessment in order to provide a framework for the creation of businesses to attain an adequate correlation between the risk assumed and profitability.

Our Credit Risk Management area is in charge of interpreting, executing and guaranteeing the application of our General Credit Policy approved by our Board of Directors, ensuring proper identification, assessment, control, follow-up and mitigation of credit risk.

Credit risk results from the possibility of loss derived from customers or counterparties from fully or partially breaching financial obligations they have undertaken with us.

In order to manage and control the credit risk, we establish limits regarding the amount of risk we are willing to accept, so as to monitor the indicators with respect to such limits.

Credit risk rating and approval process

In order to determine the credit risk, our Credit Risk Department qualifies each individual or company by means of a risk rating model, assigning a rating to each debtor, taking into consideration quantitative as well as qualitative concepts. The Credit Risk Department has focused its actions on increasing the quality and efficiency of the credit risk rating process.

There are specific policies and procedures for loan granting for corporate and retail customers, which differ according to the segment to which they belong (public or private payroll, retirees or open market).

The risk assessment process varies depending on whether it’s about Corporate Banking customers or Retail Banking customers.

Credit risk assessment for retail customers includes the use of risk applications based on screening and scoring methods related to an arrears level. There is also a mass-scale and centralized qualification process for clients and credit prequalification models for the assessment of potential customers from different sales campaigns.

Various credit committees, composed of members of the business and risk areas are responsible for reviewing and determining whether to approve certain loans, depending upon relevant market targeted and the amount involved. These include a senior credit committee, a junior credit committee, credit committees by customer’s categories, and credit committees by region. The senior credit committee consists of members of our Board of Directors and senior management and considers loan proposals in excess of Ps.110 million.

For the assessment of Corporate Banking customers, we feature different methods involving several responsible levels and which become more complex according to the magnitude of the transactions, as to amounts and type of assistance, weighted by terms and existing coverage.

The risk analysis of assistance discussed in Credit Committees is performed at the Corporate Risk Management Department: specialized risk analysts prepare separate Risk Reports per client or Economic Group, which serves to support the credit decisions made by Committee members.

We have a management information system suitable for the size of our operations. Its components include an automated tool for the calculation of key performance indicators, for which alert and limit values have been determined in order to monitor business changes according to the risk appetite defined by our Board of Directors. Other credit risk management tools used are evaluation or score models, which are used at different stages of the credit cycle, attributing an internal risk rating to customers, according to which the assigned credit limits are managed and according to which the portfolio is monitored. Those tools are complemented with expected losses and provision models.

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For more information on the credit risk management process see note 50 “Capital management, Corporate Governance Transparency Policy and Risk management” to our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Operational and technological risk

Operational risk, which we define pursuant to the Basel II Accord and Central Bank Communication “A” 5398, as amended, consists of the risk of suffering losses due to inadequate or failed internal processes, systems or persons or due to external events. This definition includes legal risk but excludes strategic and reputational risk.

Within such framework, the legal risk –which may arise internally or externally- comprises, among other aspects, the exposure to penalties, sanctions or other economic consequences or results for failure to comply with any rule or regulation or contractual obligation.

We have policies, procedures and structures, appointing a head of operational risk, whose main objective is to secure an operational risk management plan which includes policies, programs, measurements and competencies for identifying, assessing and managing risks, with the purpose of assisting our Senior Management and our Board of Directors, in an environment of rapidly changing and significant risks.

In this context, the “Evolutionary Comprehensive Operational Risk Management Model” was developed, which involves the identification, measurement, management and monitoring of operational risks. A training plan was designed to begin conveying the concepts inherent to operational risk and the cultural change that this generates, and an implementation plan of the model was put into practice to achieve full implementation of all of its stages.

A quantitative approach is used to measure operational risk and technological risk. In respect of risk management related to the IT and information systems, we have contingency and business continuity plans in place to minimize the risks that could affect our continuity of operations.

We have an incentives system to manage operational risk in such a way that it would encourage involvement and risk assessment. The risk assessment policy has also been reinforced for new products and in modifications to existing products.

In addition, the implementation of improvements on different functions of our risk management system also continued.

For more information on operational risk management processes see note 50 “Capital management, Corporate Governance Transparency Policy and Risk management” to our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Competition

We believe that we have an important advantage over our competitors in providing banking products and services to small communities in the provinces of Argentina as a result of the close community relationships and strong loyalty we have developed over time with our customers in these areas.

We consider Banco Santander Río S.A., Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A., BBVA Banco Francés S.A., HSBC Bank Argentina S.A. and Banco Patagonia S.A. to be our main competitors among private banks. We also compete with certain regional banks.

In the future, we expect competition to increase in corporate transactions products, long-term lending, mortgage lending and other secured financings, credit cards, personal loans, payroll services and investment management services.

Competitive landscape

We are ranked as the fourth private bank and the sixth bank overall in Argentina in terms of total loans and total deposits as of September 30, 2018. In terms of equity we are ranked as the first private bank and the second bank overall in Argentina as of September 30, 2018.

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Below are the rankings of banks across these metrics:

Total Loans (September 30, 2018)

		Ps. Million		Market Share
1	Banco de la Nación Argentina (1)		390,992		17	%
2	Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.		246,281		11	%
3	Santander Rio S.A.		232,484		10	%
4	Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (1)		210,928		9	%
5	BBVA Frances S.A.		184,691		8	%
6	Banco Macro S.A. (2)		173,708		7	%
7	HSBC Bank Argentina S.A.		90,064		4	%
8	Banco de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires		87,135		4	%
9	Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Argentina) S.A.		79,586		3	%
10	Banco Patagonia S.A.		76,814		3	%
	Remainder of the Financial System		571,439		26	%
	Total Financial System		2,344,122		100	%

Source: Central Bank. See “Market and Central Bank Data”.

(1) Public sector banks.

(2) Figures from the Bank and Banco del Tucumán were prepared based on Central Bank methodology. See “Market and Central Bank Data”.

Total Deposits (September 30, 2018)

		Ps. Million		Market Share
1	Banco de la Nación Argentina (1)		1,019,373		27	%
2	Santander Rio S.A.		385,615		10	%
3	Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (1)		344,866		9	%
4	Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.		320,473		8	%
5	BBVA Frances S.A.		247,510		6	%
6	Banco Macro S.A. (2)		194,087		5	%
7	HSBC Bank Argentina S.A.		138,508		4	%
8	Banco de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires		126,200		3	%
9	Banco Credicoop Limitado		119,444		3	%
10	Banco Patagonia S.A.		97,749		3	%
	Remainder of the Financial System		816,143		21	%
	Total Financial System		3,809,968		100	%

Source: Central Bank. See “Market and Central Bank Data”.

(1) Public sector banks.

(2) Figures from the Bank and Banco del Tucumán were prepared based on Central Bank methodology. See “Market and Central Bank Data.”

Equity (September 30, 2018)

		Ps. Million		Market Share
1	Banco de la Nación Argentina (1)		127,354		23	%
2	Banco Macro S.A. (2)		53,673		10	%
3	Santander Rio S.A.		39,828		7	%
4	Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.		39,759		7	%
5	BBVA Frances S.A.		37,434		7	%
6	Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (1)		30,780		6	%
7	Citibank, N,A (Argentine Branch)		19,622		4	%
8	Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Argentina) S.A.		15,531		3	%
9	HSBC Bank Argentina S.A.		15,235		3	%
10	Banco Patagonia S.A.		15,041		3	%
	Remainder of the Financial System		159,225		29	%
	Total Financial System		553,483		100	%

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Source: Central Bank. See “Market and Central Bank Data”.

(1) Public sector banks.

(2) Figures from the Bank and Banco del Tucumán were prepared based on Central Bank methodology. See “Market and Central Bank Data”.

There is a large concentration of branches in the City of Buenos Aires and in the province of Buenos Aires for the financial system as a whole, as shown by the following table. However, we have the most extensive private-sector branch network in Argentina and a leading regional presence holding 64% of our total branches in six provinces including Santa Fe, Córdoba, Misiones, Salta, Tucumán and Jujuy.

	As of September 30, 2018
	Banking system					Banco Macro (1)					Market Share (% share of total of branches in
Province	Branches		% of total			Branches		% of total			each province)
City of Buenos Aires		974		20.4	%		29		5.9	%		3.0	%
Buenos Aires (Province)		1,502		31.5	%		75		15.5	%		5.0	%
Catamarca		21		0.4	%		1		0.2	%		4.8	%
Chaco		70		1.5	%		2		0.4	%		2.9	%
Chubut		71		1.5	%		6		1.3	%		8.5	%
Cordoba		461		9.7	%		71		15.1	%		15.4	%
Corrientes		82		1.7	%		4		0.8	%		4.9	%
Entre Rios		134		2.8	%		10		2.1	%		7.5	%
Formosa		38		0.8	%		0		0.0	%		0.0	%
Jujuy		34		0.7	%		16		3.4	%		47.1	%
La Pampa		73		1.5	%		2		0.4	%		2.7	%
La Rioja		27		0.6	%		2		0.4	%		7.4	%
Mendoza		174		3.6	%		16		3.4	%		9.2	%
Misiones		67		1.4	%		36		7.6	%		53.7	%
Neuquén		85		1.8	%		6		1.1	%		7.1	%
Rio Negro		76		1.6	%		6		1.3	%		7.9	%
Salta		80		1.7	%		37		7.9	%		46.3	%
San Juan		42		0.9	%		2		0.4	%		4.8	%
San Luis		49		1.0	%		3		0.6	%		6.1	%
Santa Cruz		49		1.0	%		2		0.4	%		4.1	%
Santa Fe		484		10.2	%		105		22.3	%		21.7	%
Santiago del Estero		55		1.2	%		2		0.4	%		3.6	%
Tierra del Fuego		25		0.5	%		2		0.4	%		8.0	%
Tucuman		95		2.0	%		40		8.5	%		42.1	%
TOTAL		4,768		100	%		475		100	%		10.0	%

Source: Central Bank.

(1) Includes branches of Banco Macro and Banco del Tucumán.

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Argentine Banking Regulation

Unless otherwise indicated, the regulations explained in this section should be applied to financial information of the banks calculated in accordance with Central Bank Rules. IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Central Bank Rules.

Overview

Founded in 1935, the Central Bank is the principal monetary and financial authority in Argentina. Its mission is to promote monetary and financial stability, employment and economic development with social equity. It operates pursuant to its charter, which was amended in 2012 by Law No. 26,739 and the provisions of the Financial Institutions Law. Under the terms of its charter, the Central Bank must operate independently from the Argentine government.

Since 1977, banking activities in Argentina have been regulated primarily by the Financial Institutions Law, which empowers the Central Bank to regulate the financial sector. The Central Bank regulates and supervises the Argentine banking system through the Superintendency. The Superintendency is responsible for enforcing Argentina’s banking laws, establishing accounting and financial reporting requirements for the banking sector, monitoring and regulating the lending practices of financial institutions and establishing rules for participation of financial institutions in the foreign exchange market and the issuance of bonds and other securities, among other functions.

The powers of the Central Bank include the authority to fix the monetary base, set interest rates, establish minimum capital, liquidity and solvency requirements, regulate credit, approve bank mergers, approve certain capital increases and transfers of stock, grant and revoke banking licenses, and to authorize the establishment of branches of foreign financial institutions in Argentina and the extension of financial assistance to financial institutions in cases of temporary liquidity or solvency problems.

The Central Bank establishes certain technical ratios that must be observed by financial entities, such as ratios related to levels of solvency, liquidity, the maximum credit that may be granted per customer and foreign exchange assets and liability positions.

In addition, financial entities need the authorization from the Central Bank for certain actions, such as opening or changing branches or ATMs, acquiring share interests in other financial or non-financial corporations and establishing liens over their assets, among others.

As supervisor of the financial system, the Central Bank requires financial institutions to submit information on a daily, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual basis. These reports, which include balance sheets and income statements, information related to reserve funds, use of deposits, classifications of portfolio quality (including details on principal debtors and any allowances for loan losses), compliance with capital requirements and any other relevant information, allow the Central Bank to monitor the business practices of financial entities. In order to confirm the accuracy of the information provided, the Central Bank is authorized to carry out inspections.

If the Central Bank’s rules are not complied with, various sanctions may be imposed by the Superintendency, depending on the level of infringement. These sanctions range from a notice of non-compliance to the imposition of fines or, in extreme cases, the revocation of the financial entity’s operating license. Additionally, non-compliance with certain rules may result in the compulsory filing of specific adequacy or restructuring plans with the Central Bank. These plans must be approved by the Central Bank in order to permit the financial institution to remain in business.

Banking Regulation and Supervision

Central Bank Supervision

Since September 1994, the Central Bank has supervised the Argentine financial entities on a consolidated basis. Such entities must file periodic consolidated financial statements that reflect the operations of head offices or headquarters as well as those of their branches in Argentina and abroad, and of their significant subsidiaries, whether domestic or foreign. Accordingly, requirements in relation to liquidity and solvency, minimum capital, risk concentration and loan loss provisions, among others, should be calculated on a consolidated basis.

Permitted activities and investments

The Financial Institutions Law governs any individuals and entities that perform habitual financial intermediation and, as such, are part of the financial system, including commercial banks, investment banks, mortgage banks, financial companies, savings and loan companies for residential purposes and credit unions. Except for commercial banks, which are authorized to conduct all financial

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activities and services that are specifically established by law or by regulations of the Central Bank, the activities that may be carried out by Argentine financial entities are set forth in the Financial Institutions Law and related Central Bank Rules. Commercial banks are allowed to perform any and all financial activities inasmuch as such activities are not forbidden by law. Some of the activities permitted for commercial banks include the ability to (i) receive deposits from the public in both local and foreign currency; (ii) underwrite, acquire, place or negotiate debt securities, including government securities, in both exchange and over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets (subject to prior approval by the CNV, if applicable); (iii) grant and receive loans; (iv) guarantee customers’ debts; (v) conduct foreign currency exchange transactions; (vi) issue credit cards; (vii) act, subject to certain conditions, as brokers in real estate transactions; (viii) carry out commercial financing transactions; (ix) act as registrars of mortgage bonds; (x) participate in foreign exchange transactions; and (xi) act as fiduciary in financial trusts. In addition, pursuant to the Financial Institutions Law and Central Bank Communication “A” 3086, as amended, commercial banks are authorized to operate commercial, industrial, agricultural and other types of companies that do not provide supplemental services to the banking services (as defined by applicable Central Bank Rules) to the extent that the commercial bank’s interest in such companies does not exceed 12.5% of its voting stock or 12.5% of its capital stock. Nonetheless, if the aforementioned limits were to be exceeded, the bank should (i) request Central Bank’s authorization; or (ii) give notice of such situation to the Central Bank, as the case may be. However, even when commercial banks’ interests do not reach such percentages, they are not allowed to operate such companies if (i) such interest allows them to control a majority of votes at a shareholders’ or board of directors’ meeting, or (ii) the Central Bank does not authorize the acquisition.

Furthermore, according to the rules regarding “Complementary Services of the Financial Entities and Allowed Activities”, as amended commercial banks are authorized to operate in local or foreign companies that have one or two of the exclusive corporate purposes listed in section 2.2 of Communication “A” 5700 as amended by Communication “A” 6342, in which the commercial bank’s interest either exceeds 12.5% of such companies’ voting stock or allows the commercial bank to control a majority of votes at a shareholders’ or board of directors’ meeting. The financial entities shall give notice to the Superintendency if the corporate purposes of such companies include any of the corporate purposes listed in section 2.2 of that rule.

Operations and activities that banks are not permitted to perform

Section 28 of Financial Institutions Law prohibits commercial banks from: (a) creating liens on their assets without prior approval from the Central Bank, (b) accepting their own shares as security, (c) conducting transactions with their own directors or managers and with companies or persons related thereto under terms that are more favorable than those regularly offered in transactions with other clients, and (d) carrying out commercial, industrial, agricultural or other activities without prior approval of the Central Bank, except those considered financially related activities under Central Bank Rules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, banks may own shares in other financial institutions with the prior approval of the Central Bank, and may own shares or debt of public services companies, if necessary to obtain those services.

Liquidity and solvency requirements

As of 1994, the Central Bank supervision of financial institutions is carried out on a consolidated basis. Therefore, all of the documentation and information filed with the Central Bank, including financial statements, must show the operations of each entity’s headquarters and all of its branches (in Argentina and abroad), the operations of significant subsidiaries and, as the case may be, of other companies in which such entity holds stock. Accordingly, all requirements relating to liquidity, minimum capital, risk concentration and bad debts’ reserves, among others, are calculated on a consolidated basis.

Legal reserve

Pursuant to the Financial Institutions Law, we are required to maintain a legal reserve which must be funded with no more than 20% and no less than 10% of yearly income, notwithstanding the aforementioned, pursuant to Central Bank Rules, we are required to maintain a legal reserve which is funded with 20% of our yearly income determined in accordance with Central Bank Rules. This reserve can only be used during periods in which a financial institution has incurred losses and has exhausted all other reserves. If a financial institution does not comply with the required legal reserve, it is not allowed to pay dividends to its shareholders.

Non-liquid assets

Since February 2004, non-liquid assets (computed on the basis of their closing balance at the end of each month, and net of those assets that are deducted to compute the regulatory capital) plus the financings granted to a financial institution’s related parties (computed on the basis of the highest balance during each month for each customer) cannot exceed 100% of the Argentine regulatory capital of the financial institution, except for certain particular cases in which it may exceed up to 150%.

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Non-liquid assets consist of miscellaneous assets and receivables, bank property and equipment, assets securing obligations, except for swaps, futures and derivative transactions, certain intangible assets and equity investments in unlisted companies or listed shares, if the holding exceeds 2.5% of the issuing company’s equity. Non-compliance with the ratio produces an increase in the minimum capital requirements equal to 100% of the excess on the ratio.

Unless otherwise indicated, the regulations explained in this section should be applied to financial information of the banks calculated in accordance with Central Bank Rules. IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Central Bank Rules.

Minimum capital requirements

The Central Bank requires that financial institutions maintain minimum capital amounts measured as of each month’s closing. The minimum capital is defined as the greater of (i) the basic minimum capital requirement, which is explained below, or (ii) the sum of the credit risk, operational risk and market risk. Financial institutions (including their domestic Argentine and international branches) must comply with the minimum capital requirements both on an individual and a consolidated basis.

The capital composition to be considered in order to determine compliance with minimum capital requirements is the financial institution’s RPC (rules regarding to “Financial Entities Minimum Capital”, as amended).

Basic minimum capital

The basic minimum capital requirement varies depending on the type of financial institution and the jurisdiction in which the financial institution’s headquarter is registered, with Ps.26 million for banks under Category I and II (Ps.12 million for other financial entities under this category), and Ps.15 million for banks under Category III to VI (Ps.8 million for other financial entities under this category).

Regulatory Capital of Financial Institution: Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital regulations

Argentine financial institutions must comply with guidelines similar to those adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices, as amended in 1995 (the “Basel Rules”). In certain respects, however, Argentine banking regulations require higher ratios than those set forth under the Basel Rules.

The Central Bank takes into consideration a financial institution’s RPC in order to determine compliance with capital requirements. RPC consists of Tier 1 Capital (Basic Net Worth) and Tier 2 Capital (Complementary Net Worth).

Tier 1 Capital consists of (i) Common Equity Tier 1 (“COn1”), (ii) deductible concepts from Common Equity Tier 1 (“CDCOn1”), (iii) Additional Tier 1 (“CAn1”), and (iv) deductible items from Additional Tier 1 (“CDCAn1”).

COn1 includes the following net worth items: (i) capital stock (excluding preferred stock); (ii) non-capitalized capital contributions (excluding share premium); (iii) adjustments to shareholders’ equity; (iv) earnings reserves (excluding the special reserve for debt instruments); (v) unappropriated earnings; (vi) other results either positive or negative, in the following terms:

• with respect to results from prior fiscal years, 100% of net earnings or losses recorded until the last quarterly financial statements with limited review report, corresponding to the last full fiscal year and in respect of which the auditor has not issued the audit report;

• 100% of net earnings or losses for the current year as of the date of the most recent audited quarterly financial statements;

• 50% of profits or 100% of losses for the most recent audited quarterly or annual financial statements; and

• 100% of losses not shown in the financial statements, arising from quantification of any facts and circumstances reported by the auditor;

(vii) other comprehensive income: i) 100% of the results recorded in the following items: revaluation of property, plant and equipment and intangibles; gains or losses on financial instruments at fair value with changes in other comprehensive income, ii) 100% of the debit balance of each of the items recorded in other comprehensive income not mentioned in section i). The recognition of these concepts, registered in accounts of other comprehensive income or other accumulated comprehensive income, as appropriate, will be made in accordance with the terms of points 8.2.1.5. or 8.2.1.6., as the case may be of Central Bank Rules regarding “Financial Entities Minimum Capital”.

(viii) share premiums of the instruments included in COn1, and, in the case of consolidated entities; and

(ix) minority shareholdings (common shares issued by subsidiaries subject to consolidated supervision and belonging to third parties, if certain criteria are met).

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In order for the shares to fall under COn1, at the time of issuance, the financial entity must not generate any expectation that such shares will be reacquired, redeemed or amortized, and the contractual terms must not contain any clause that might generate such an expectation.

Deductible Items

The above-mentioned items will be considered without certain deductions pursuant to subsection 8.4.1 and 8.4.2 (as applicable) of Central Bank Rules regarding “Financial Entities Minimum Capital”, as amended.

Items deductible from COn1 include, among other things: (a) positive balances resulting from the application of income tax withholdings above 10% of the previous months of basic net worth and balances in favor from deferred tax assets; (b) deposits maintained in a corresponding account with a foreign financial institutions that are not rated as “investment grade,” (c) debt securities not held by the relevant financial institutions, except in the case of securities registered by or in custody of the Central Bank (CRYL), Caja de Valores S.A., or Clearstream, Euroclear and the Depository Trust Company, (d) securities issued by foreign governments whose credit rating is at least ‘investment grade’ according to Communication “A” 5671; (e) subordinated debt instruments issued by other financial institutions; (f) shareholders; (g) real property added to the assets of the financial entity and with respect to which the title deed is not duly recorded at the pertinent Argentine real property registry, except where such assets shall have been acquired in a court-ordered auction sale; (h) goodwill; (i) items pending allocation, debtor balances and other; (j) certain assets, as required by the Superintendency resulting from differences between carry amount and the fair value of assets or actions taken to distort or disguise the true nature or scope of operations; (k) any deficiency relating to the minimum loan loss provisions required by the Superintendency; (l) equity interests in companies that have the following activities: (i) financial assistance through leasing or factoring agreements, and (ii) transitory equity acquisitions in other companies in order to further their development to the extent the ultimate purpose is selling such interest after development is accomplished; (m) the highest balance of that month’s financial assistance granted during the month, where the advance payments set forth in Section 3.2.5 of the rules on “Lending to the non-financial public sector” surpass the authorized limit and/or are not settled within the terms established therein; (n) income from sales relating to securitization transactions, as applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.1.4., 3.1.5.2. and 3.1.9., and from portfolio sales or assignments with recourse. This deduction can be applied as long as the credit risk still persists and to the extent in which the capital requirement for the underlying exposures or the sold or assigned portfolio with recourse is maintained; (o) in the case of liabilities from derivatives accounted for at fair value, unrealized gains or losses due to changes in the financial institution’s credit risk will be deductible. The deduction will be limited to the financial institution’s own credit risk adjustments only plus or minus, as the case may be); such adjustments may not be offset against adjustments for counterpart risk; (p) equity interests in financial institutions subject to consolidated oversight, except where not permitted due to the existence of deductible amounts; or in the case of foreign financial institutions. In these cases, the deductions will be the net amount of the allowance for impairment and, when controlled financial institutions subject to the provisions of Section 8.2.1.6., item iii) are involved, the deductions will be 50% of the net amount of profits derived by these entities on a proportional basis to their respective interests.

CAn1 includes certain debt instruments of financial entities not included under COn1 that meet the regulatory criteria established in section 8.3.2 of the rules regarding “Financial Entities Minimum Capital”, as amended and supplemented, and share premiums resulting from instruments included in CAn1. Furthermore, in the case of consolidated entities, it includes instruments issued by subsidiaries subject to consolidated supervision and belonging to third parties, pursuant to applicable regulatory requirements.

Moreover, debt instruments included under CAn1 must comply with the following requirements:

1) Must be totally subscribed and paid in full.

2) Must be subordinated to depositors, unsecured creditors and to the subordinated debt of the financial entity. The instruments must contemplate that in the case of the entity’s bankruptcy and once all debts with all the other creditors are satisfied, its creditors shall have priority in the distributions of funds only and exclusively with respect to the shareholders (irrespective of their class), with the express waiver of any general or special privilege.

3) Must not be insured or guaranteed by the issuer or a related entity, and with no agreement improving, either legally or economically, the payment priority in the case of the entity’s bankruptcy.

4) They shall not contemplate any type of capital payment, except in the case of liquidation of the financial entity. Provisions gradually increasing remuneration or other incentives for anticipated amortization are not allowed.

5) After 5 years, as from the issuance date, the financial entity can buy back the debt instruments if: (i) it has the prior authorization of the Superintendency; (b) the entity does not create any expectations regarding the exercise of the purchase option and (c) the debt instrument is replaced by a RPC of equal or greater value sustained by its revenue capacity, or if it is demonstrated that once the purchase option is exercised, its RPC significantly exceeds at least by 20% of the minimum capital requirements.

6) Any capital repayment requires previous authorization from the Superintendency. In the case of a capital repayment, the financial entity must not create any market expectations regarding the granting of such authorization.

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7) The financial entity can cancel dividends/interest coupons at any time and at its sole discretion, which shall not be considered the default in itself and shall not grant bondholders the right to demand the conversion of their notes into ordinary shares. Furthermore, there shall be no restrictions to the financial entity, except with respect to dividend distribution to the shareholders.

8) The payment of dividends/interest coupons shall be carried out through the noting of distributable entries, in the terms of the regulations on “Results Distribution” (Section III of the Central Bank’s regulations).

9) The included dividends/interest coupons shall not have periodic adjustments because of the financial entity’s credit risk.

10) They should not have been bought by the financial entity or any other entity over which the financial entity has control or significant influence.

11) They should not have been bought with direct or indirect financing from the financial entity.

12) They shall not contain elements that make re-capitalization difficult.

Instruments considered liabilities must absorb losses once a pre-established triggering event takes place. The instruments must do so through their conversion into ordinary shares or a mechanism assigning final losses to the instrument with the following effects:

a) Reduction of debt represented by the instrument in the event of winding-up of the entity;

b) Reduction of the amount to be repaid in case a call option is exercised;

c) Total or partial reduction of the dividends/interest coupon payments of the instrument.

Complementary Net Worth (NWc): Tier 2

Tier 2 Capital includes (i) certain debt instruments of financial entities which are not included in Tier 1 Capital and meet the regulatory criteria established in section 8.3.3 of the rules regarding “Financial Entities Minimum Capital” as amended and supplemented, (ii) share premium from instruments included in Tier 2 Capital, and (iii) loan loss provisions on the loan portfolio of debtors classified as being in a “normal situation” pursuant to Central Bank Rules on debtor classification and of financing with preferred security “A” not exceeding 1.25% of the assets measured for credit risk. Additionally, in the case of consolidated entities, it includes (iv) debt instruments issued by subsidiaries subject to a consolidated supervision and belonging to third parties, if they meet the criteria in order to be included under NWc. The above-described items will be considered less deductible items pursuant to section 8.4.2 of the rules regarding “Financial Entities Minimum Capital”, as amended and supplemented, which is described below.

Moreover, debt instruments included under NWc must comply with the following requirements:

• Must be totally subscribed and paid in full.

• Must be subordinated to depositors, unsecured creditors and the subordinated debt of the financial entity.

• Must not be insured or guaranteed by the issuer or a related entity, and with no agreement improving either legally or economically the payment priority in case of the entity’s bankruptcy.

• Maturity: (i) original maturity date within no less than five years; (ii) clauses considering gradually increasing remuneration or other incentives for anticipated amortization are not allowed and (iii) from the beginning of the last five years of life of the indebtedness, the computable amount will be diminished by 20% of its nominal issuance value.

• After five years as from the issuance date, the financial entity can buy back the debt instruments with the previous authorization of the Superintendency, and if the entity does not create any expectations regarding the exercise of the purchase option. The debt instrument must be replaced by an RPC of equal or greater value sustained by its revenue capacity, or if it is demonstrated that once the purchase option is exercised its RPC significantly exceeds at least in a 20% of the minimum capital requirements.

• The investor shall not be entitled to accelerate the repayment of future projected payments, except in the case of bankruptcy or liquidation.

• They cannot incorporate dividends/coupons with periodic adjustments linked to the financial entity’s credit risk.

• They should not have been bought by the financial entity or any other entity over which the financial entity has control or significant influence.

• They should not have been bought with direct or indirect financing from the financial entity.

Additionally, instruments included in NWc and CAn1, shall present the following conditions in order to assure their loss-absorbency capacity:

a) Their terms and conditions must include a provision pursuant to which the instruments must absorb losses–either through a release from debt or its conversion into ordinary capital–once a triggering event has occurred, as described hereunder.

b) If the holders receive compensation for the debt release performed, it should be carried out immediately and only in the form of common shares, pursuant to applicable regulations.

c) The financial entity must have been granted the authorization required for the immediate issuance of the corresponding common shares in the case of a triggering event, as described below.

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Triggering events of regulatory provisions described above are: (i) when the solvency or liquidity of the financial entity is threatened, and the Central Bank rejects the amnesty plan submitted or revokes its authorization to function, or authorizes restructuring protecting depositors (whichever occurs first) or (ii) upon the decision to capitalize the financial entity with public funds.

We have issued U.S.$400,000,000, 6.750% Series A Subordinated Resettable Notes due 2026, that are outstanding as of the date of this annual report and comply with all the requirements described above.

Further criteria regarding the eligibility of items included in the RPC calculation must be followed pursuant to the regulatory requirements of minority and other computable instruments issued by subsidiaries, subject to consolidated supervision by third parties. A minority shareholding may be included in COn1 of the financial entity if the original instrument complies with the requirements established for its qualification as common shares regarding the RPC.

Deductible items applied to the different capital levels

i) Investments in computable instruments under the financial entity’s RPC not subject to consolidated supervision when the entity owns up to 10% of the issuer’s ordinary capital according to the following criteria: (i) investments include direct, indirect or synthetic interests; (ii) investments include the acquired net position; (iii) securities issued are placed within five (5) business days; and (iv) the investments in capital instruments that do not satisfy the criteria to be classified as COn1 (Common Capital Tier 1), AT1 (Additional Capital Tier 1) or PNc (Supplementary Capital) of the financial institution shall be regarded as COn1 –common equity shares, for the purposes of this regulatory adjustment. If the aggregate amount of these interests in the capital of financial institutions, companies providing services supplementary to the financial industry and insurance companies – which individually represent less than 10% of the COn1 of each issuer – exceeds 10% of the COn1 of the financial institution, net of applicable deductions, the amount over such 10% shall be deducted from each capital tier in accordance with the following method: i) Amount to be deducted from COn1: aggregate excess amount over 10% multiplied by the proportion represented by the COn1 holdings over the aggregate equity interests; ii) Amount to be deducted from CAn1: aggregate excess amount over 10% multiplied by the proportion represented by the CAn1 over the aggregate equity interests. iii) Amount to be deducted from PNc: aggregate excess amount over 10% multiplied by the proportion represented by the PNc holdings over the aggregate equity interest. If the financial institution does not have enough capital to make the deduction pertaining to a particular capital tier, the remaining amount shall be deducted from the next higher level. Amounts below the threshold, which are not deducted, are weighted based upon the risk or are taken into account in the calculation of the market risk requirement, as applicable.

ii) Investments in instruments computed as regulatory capital of financial institutions and companies rendering services supplementary to the financial industry, not subject to consolidated oversight, and insurance companies, when the institution holds more than 10% of the common equity of the issuer, or when the issuer is a subsidiary of the financial institution, shall be subject to the following criteria: i) The investments include direct, indirect and synthetic interests. For these purposes, indirect interest means an investment by a financial institution in another financial institution or company not subject to consolidated oversight, which in turn has an interest in another financial institution or company not consolidated with the first one. A synthetic interest means an investment made by a financial institution in an instrument the value of which is directly related with the equity value of another financial institution or company not subject to consolidated oversight; ii) The net acquired position is included, i.e., the gross acquired position less the position sold in the same underlying exposure, when this has the same duration than the acquired position or its residual life is at least one year; iii) The holding of securities underwritten to be sold within a five business day term may be excluded; iv) Investments in capital instruments that do not satisfy the criteria to be classified as COn1, CAn1 or PNc of the financial institution shall be regarded as COn1, common equity shares, for the purposes of this regulatory adjustment. The amount of these interests, taking into account the applicable type of instrument, shall be deducted from each of the applicable capital tiers of the financial institution. If the financial institution does not have enough capital to make the deduction pertaining to a particular capital tier, the remaining amount shall be deducted from the next higher level.

iii) Own repurchased instruments that satisfy the criteria for being included in CAn1 or PNc must be deducted from the applicable capital tier.

Limits

Rules regarding “Financial Entities Minimum Capital”, as amended and supplemented, establishes minimum thresholds regarding capital integration: (i) for COn1, the amount resulting from multiplying the capital RWA by 4.5%; (ii) for NWb, the amount resulting from multiplying RWA by 6% and (iii) for the RPC, the amount resulting from multiplying RWA by 8%. The lack of compliance with any of these limitations is considered as an infringement to minimum capital integration requirements.

Pursuant to Communication “A” 5889, RWA shall be calculated as follows:

RWA = RWAc + [(MR+OR) x 12.5]

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Where:

RWAc: credit risk weighted assets

MR: minimum capital requirement for market risk

OR: minimum capital requirement for operational risk

Economic Capital

Rules regarding “Financial Entities Risk Management Guidelines”, as amended and supplemented, requires financial institutions to have an integrated global internal process in place to assess the adequacy of their economic capital based on their risk profile (the “Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process” or “ICAAP”), as well as a strategy aimed at maintaining their regulatory capital. If, as a result of this internal process, it is found that the regulatory capital is insufficient, financial institutions must increase regulatory capital based on their own estimates to meet the regulatory requirement.

The economic capital of financial institutions is the amount of capital required to pay not only unexpected losses arising from exposure to credit, operational and market risks, but also those arising from other risks to which the financial institution may be exposed.

Financial institutions must demonstrate that their internal capital targets are well-funded and adequate in terms of their general risk profile and operations. The ICAAP should take into consideration all material risks to which the institution is exposed. To this end, institutions must define an integral process for the management of credit, operational, market, interest rate, liquidity, securitization, graduation, reputational and strategic risks and use stress tests to assess potential adverse scenarios that may affect their regulatory capital.

The ICAAP must include stress tests supplementing and validating any other quantitative or qualitative approach employed by the institution in order to provide the board of directors and senior management with a deeper understanding of the interaction among the various types of risk under stress conditions. In addition, the ICAAP must consider the short- and long-term capital needs of the institution and ensure the prudent accumulation of excess capital during positive periods of the economic cycle.

The capital level of each entity must be determined in accordance with its risk profile, taking external factors such as the economic cycle effects and political scenario.

The main elements of a strict capital evaluation include:

a) Policies and procedures to guarantee that the entity identifies, quantifies and informs all the important risks.

b) A process which relates economic capital with the current level of risk.

c) A process which sets forth capital sufficiency objectives related to the risk, taking a strategic approach from the entity and its business plan into consideration.

d) An internal process of controls, tests and audits, with the objective to guarantee that the general risk management process is exhaustive.

Requirements applicable to dividend distribution

Dividends are calculated based on our statutory financial statements of the Bank, and prepared under Central Bank Rules, that differ in certain significant aspects from IFRS. The Central Bank has imposed restrictions on the payment of dividends, substantially limiting the ability of financial institutions to distribute such dividends subject to compliance with the rules set forth in the Restated Regulations on Earnings Distributions, under the criterion that the amount to be distributed cannot affect the institution’s liquidity and solvency, which shall be verified by the satisfaction of certain requirements, on a consolidated basis.

Such regulations provides that the payment of dividends (other than dividends on common shares), the acquisition of treasury shares, the payment on other tier 1 equity instruments (as determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in the rules on “Minimum capital of financial institutions”) and/or the payment of financial incentives (bonuses) to personnel – in this case, subject to the labor law regulations (legal, statutory and contractual) governing the financial institutions’ relationships with their personnel– shall be subject to these rules.

Institutions may distribute earnings up to the positive amount derived from the off-balance sheet calculation set forth herein, without exceeding the limits set forth in these rules.

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To such effect, the registered balances, as of the end of the fiscal year to which they belong, in the account “Unappropriated Retained Earnings” and in the voluntary reserve for future distributions of earnings shall be computed, deducting the amounts – recorded on the same date – of the legal and statutory reserves – whose creation is mandatory – and the following items:

1. 100 % of the negative balance of each of the items recorded under the line “Other comprehensive retained earnings.”

2. The result derived from the revaluation of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and investment properties.

3. The net positive difference resulting from the calculation at amortized cost and the fair market value recorded by the financial institution in connection with sovereign bonds and/or currency regulation instruments issued by the Central Bank for such instruments valued at amortized cost.

4. The asset valuation adjustments notified by the Superintendency – whether accepted or not by the institution –, that are pending registration and/or those indicated by the external audit that have not been accounted.

5. The individual deductibles – regarding asset valuation – established by the SEFyC, including the adjustments derived from the failure to consider agreed adjustment plans.

In addition, financial institutions shall not distribute earnings out of the income derived from the first application of IFRS and are obliged to create a special reserve which shall only be reversed for capitalization purposes or to absorb possible negative balances in the item “Unappropriated Retained Earnings”.

The amount to be distributed, which shall not exceed the limits set forth by the Central Bank, shall not compromise the liquidity and solvency of the institution. This requirement shall be considered satisfied once it has been verified that there are no integration defects in the minimum capital position – whether individual and consolidated – as of the end of the fiscal year to which the unappropriated retained earnings pertain or in the last closed position, whichever has the lesser integration excess, recalculating them together (for such purpose only) with the following effects based on the data relevant as of each such date:

1. Those arising after deducting the items set forth above in points 1 to 5, if applicable, from the assets.

2. The failure to consider the deductibles established by the SEFyC affecting the requirements, integrations and minimum capital position.

3. The deduction of the amounts relating to the following items from the unappropriated retained earnings:

• the amount to be distributed and, if applicable, the amount allocated to the creation of the reserve to repay debt instruments, capable of integrating the regulatory capital;

• positive balances due to the application of the minimum presumed income tax – net of allowances for impairment – that have not been deducted from the basic shareholders’ equity, in accordance with the provisions set forth in rules on “Minimum capital of financial institutions”; and

• adjustments made in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 5 above.

4. The failure to consider the limit set forth in paragraph 7.2. of the rules on “Minimum capital of financial institutions.”

The distribution of earnings shall only be admitted if none of the following events occurs:

• the institution is subject to the provisions of article 34 “Regularization and Recovery” and article 35 bis “Institution’s restructuring for the purpose of safeguarding loans and deposits” of the Financial Institutions Law;

• the institution has received financial assistance from the Central Bank under section 17 of its Charter, due to illiquidity;

• the institution is delayed or in breach of the reporting regime set forth by the Central Bank;

• the institution records minimum capital integration deficits – whether individually or consolidated – (without computing the effects of the individual deductibles established by the SEFyC);

• the integration of the average minimum cash – in Pesos, in foreign currency or in sovereign securities – is smaller than the requirement applicable to the last closed position or the projected position, taking into account the effect of the earnings distribution;

• the institution has failed to comply with the additional capital margins applicable in accordance with Section 4.”

The aforementioned regulation contemplated transitory provision, effective until March 31, 2020, pursuant to which those financial institutions which, in order to determine distributable earnings, have not increased the ranges of COn1 net of deductions (CDCOn1) set forth in 1 percentage point, must obtain the prior authorization of the SEFyC for the distribution of earnings. This requirement shall also be applicable to the payment of financial services applicable to the issue of debt securities.

Unless otherwise indicated, the regulations explained in this section should be applied to financial information of the banks calculated in accordance with Central Bank Rules. IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Central Bank Rules.

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Capital Conservation Buffer

It is also stated that financial entities shall maintain a capital conservation margin in addition to the minimum capital requirements in order to ensure the accrual of owned resources to cope with eventual losses, reducing the non-compliance risk.

Financial entities considered D-SIBs or globally systemically important (“G-SIBs”), must have a capital level that permits a greater capacity for loss absorption, by virtue of negative externalities that the effects of insolvency of such entities or their foreign holdings could create in the financial system and the economy.

The conservation capital margin shall be 2.5% of the amount of RWA. In cases of entities considered systemically important, the margin will be increased to 3.5% of the amount of capital risk weighted assets. These margins can be increased once again, according to the counter-cycle margin. The conservation capital margin, increased in the case of entities considered systemically important, must be integrated exclusively with Common Equity Tier 1 (COn1), net from deductible items (CDCOn1).

When such margin is used, the entities must raise capital with new capital contributions, or reduce future distributions.

The dividend distribution shall be limited whenever the level and composition of the computable asset liability, even when it complies with the minimum capital requirements, is within the range of the capital conservation margin. This limitation reaches solely the dividend distribution, but not the operation of the entity. Entities shall be able to operate normally when levels of Con1 are within the range of conservation margin. When the coefficient of Common Equity Tier 1 (Con1 as percentage of RWA) is within the range of margins conservation of capital, the restriction to the results distribution shall be increased whenever the coefficient of Con1 comes close to the minimum required in section 8.5.1 of regulations over “Minimum Capital for Financial Entities”. The following table shows the maximum percentages of dividend distribution, according to the compliance with the conservation margin presented:

Coefficient of Common Equity Tier 1 (COn1) net of deductions (CDcon1) – as percentage of RWA -.
Financial Entities – That are not categorized as D-SIBs or G-SIBs-	D-SIBs and G-SIBs Financial Entities	Minimum coefficient of capital conservation – as percentage of dividend distribution -
4.5 – 5.13	4.5 – 5.38	100
> 5.13 – 5.75	> 5.38 – 6.25	80
> 5.75 – 6.38	> 6.25 – 7.13	60
> 6.38 – 7.0	> 7.13 – 8	40
> 7	> 8	0

Currently, the minimum limits required by the regulations are:

• COn1/RWA: 4.5%

• NWb/RWA: 6.0%

• RPC/RWA: 8.0%

COn1 must be used in the first place to satisfy the minimum capital requirement of 4.5% of RWA. Subsequently, and in the event the total does not have enough Additional Tier 1 (CAn1) or Tier 2 Capital (NWc), the COn1 shall also be applied to meet requirements of 6% and 8% of Tier 1 Capital and total capital. Only the remaining COn1, if any, can be computed to satisfy the applicable conservation margin, increased in function of the counter-cycle margin, if applicable.

Any entity that desires to exceed the dividend distribution limits shall finance this distribution by new contributions of COn1 in the excess amount.

The Central Bank also establishes the counter-cycle margin in order to allow the financial entities’ capital levels to correspond to the accumulative systematic risk associated with an excessive credit expansion and the macro-financial context. When the Central Bank considers that the credit growth is excessive, creating an increase in systematic risk, it can establish, with a twelve-month advanced notice, the obligation to constitute a counter-cycle margin within a range of 0% to 2.5% of RWA. This margin can be reduced or cancelled by the Central Bank when it considers that the systematic risk has been diminished.

Financial entities with international activity shall consider the geographic location of their credit exposure with local and foreign residents of the private sector and calculate the counter-cycle margin as the mean between the required margins in foreign jurisdictions. This includes all credit exposure to private sectors subject to the requirement of credit risk capital.

In order to determine which jurisdiction corresponds to each exposure, the principle of ultimate risk shall be applied. Pursuant to this principle, one must identify the jurisdiction where the guarantor of the risk resides. The counter-cycle margin shall be observed by means of an increase in the conservation capital margin and shall be satisfied exclusively with Common Equity Tier 1, net of deductible concepts (CDCOn1).

For more information, see Item 8.A “Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Amounts available for distribution and distribution approval process”.

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Credit Risk

The minimum capital requirement in respect of counterparty risk (“CRC”) must be calculated according to the monthly balance. CRC is defined as:

CRC = k * (0.08* RWAc) + INC

Variable “k”: Minimum capital requirements also depend on the CAMELBIG rating (1 is the strongest, 5 is the weakest) assigned by the Superintendency, which also determines the “k” value. This rating system complies with international standards and provides a broad definition of the performance, risks and perspectives of financial entities. Financial entities have to adjust their capital requirements according to the following “k” factors:

CAMELBIG Rating	k Factor
1		1.00
2		1.03
3		1.08
4		1.13
5		1.19

For the purposes of the calculation of the capital requirement, the rating will be that of the third month after the month of the most recent rating informed to the entity. For so long as no notice is given, the “k” factor will be equal to 1.03.

“RWAc” stands for capital risk weighted assets calculated by adding the value obtained from applying the following formula:

A * p + PFB * CCF * p + no DVP + (DVP + RCD + INC significant investments in companies₎ * 12,5

Variable “A” refers to computable assets/exposures;

“PFB” are computable items which are not registered on the balance sheet;

“CCF” the conversion credit factor; and

“p” refers to the weighting factor, expressed on a per unit basis.

DvP”refers to failed delivery against payment transactions (for purposes of these rules, failed payment against payment (PvP) transactions are also included). The amount is determined by the addition of the amounts arrived at by multiplying the current positive exposure by the applicable capital requirement.

In addition, “no DvP” refers to transactions that do not involve delivery against payment. The amount is determined by the addition of the amounts arrived at by applying the weighting factor (p) on the relevant transactions.

“RCD” refers to requirements for counterparty risk in OTC transactions.

“INC” incremental minimum capital requirements based on any excess in the fixed assets and other ratios, the limitations established under “Major Exposure to Credit Risk Regulations”.

“INC _{(relevant investments in companies)}” means the incremental minimum capital requirements based on any excess over the following limits:

• equity interest held in companies: 15%

• total equity interests held in companies: 60%

The established maximum limits will be applied on the financial entity’s computable regulatory capital for the last day before the relevant date, as prescribed in the Central Bank regulations on “Credit Risk Fractioning”.

Each type of asset is weighted according to the level of risk assumed to be associated with it. In broad terms, the weights assigned to the different types of assets are:

Type of Asset	Weighting (%)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash held in treasury, in transit (when the financial institution assumes responsibility and risk for transportation), in ATMs, in checking accounts and in special accounts with the Central Bank, gold coins or bars		0
Cash items in the process of collection, cash in armored cars and in custody at financial institutions		20
Exposure to governments and central banks
To the Central Bank denominated and funded in Pesos		0
To the public non-financial sector denominated and funded in Pesos, including securitized exposures		0
To the public non-financial sector arising from financing granted to social security beneficiaries or public employees (with discount code)		0
To the public non-financial sector and the Central Bank. Other		0
To other sovereign states or their central banks and other foreign public non-financial sector institutions		0

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Type of Asset	Weighting (%)
To the Bank for International Settlements, the IMF, the European Central Bank and the European Community		0
Exposure to the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB)
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the African Development Bank (AFDB), the European Investment Fund (EIF), the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), the Caribbean Development Bank (CBD), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the European Council Development Bank (ECDB)		0
Other		20
Exposure to local financial institutions
Denominated and funded in Pesos arising from transactions with an initial contractual term of up to 3 months		20
Other		0
Exposure to foreign financial institutions		0
Exposure to local and foreign companies and other entities - including national foreign exchange entities, insurance companies, brokerage houses and other companies considered non-financial private sector entities pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 of the regulations governing the “Financing of the non-financial public sector”		100
Exposures included in the retail portfolio
Loans to individuals (provided that installments of loans granted by the institution do not exceed, at the time of the agreements, 30% of borrower’s income) and to Micro, Small- and Medium-Sized Companies (“MiPyMEs”).		75
Other		100
Exposures guaranteed by reciprocal guaranty companies (sociedades de garantía recíproca) or public security funds registered with the registries authorized by the Central Bank		50
Primary mortgages and mortgages of any ranking on residential homes, to the extent the entity is the mortgagee
If credit facility does not exceed 75% of the appraised value of such real property
- Sole, permanently-occupied family home		35
- Other		50
On the amount exceeding 75% of the appraised value of such real property		100
Primary mortgages and mortgages of any ranking other than on residential homes, to the extent the entity is the mortgagee
Up to 50% of the lower of the real property market value or 60% of the mortgage loan.		50
On the remaining portion of the loan.		100
Delinquent loans over 90 days
Weighting varies according to the loan and specific provisions Created		50-150
Interests in companies		150
Exposures to central counterparty entities (CCP)		0
Other assets and / or items off the balance sheet		100

Excluded items include: (a) securities granted for the benefit of the Central Bank for direct obligations; (b) deductible assets pursuant to RPC regulations and (c) financings and securities granted by branches or local subsidiaries of foreign financial entities by order and on account of their headquarters of foreign branches or the foreign controlling entity, to the extent: (i) the foreign entity has an investment grade rating, (ii) the foreign entity is subject to regulations that entail consolidated fiscalization, (iii) in the case of finance operations, they shall be repaid by the local branch or subsidiary exclusively with funds received from the aforementioned foreign intermediaries; and (iv) in the case of guarantees granted locally, they are in turn guaranteed by their foreign branch headquarters or the foreign controlling entity and foreclosure on such guaranty may be carried out immediately and at the sole requirement of the local entity.

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Credit Risk Regulation – Large Exposures

General Overview

Communication “A” 6599 of the Central Bank, as amended and restated by Communication “A” 6620, effective as of January 1, 2019, abrogated credit risk fractioning regulations (except for the provisions related to the non-financial public sector), and replaced the former regime by regulating “large exposures to credit risk”. The system seeks to limit the maximum loss that a financial entity may suffer upon the occurrence of an unexpected default of a counterparty or group of connected counterparties who do not belong to the non-financial public sector, therefore affecting its solvency. The regulations regarding the exposures to credit risk must be applied at all times with every counterparty of the entity.

In this regard, the regulations have established the concept of group of connected counterparties, which applies to all cases in which one of the counterparties of a financial entity have direct or indirect control over the rest or in those cases in which financial difficulties experimented by one of the counterparties causes a strong likelihood that its subsidiaries may struggle financially as well. According to the regulation, upon the detection of the existence of a group of connected counterparties by the financial entity, such group shall be considered as a single counterparty and the sum of the exposures to credit risk that a financial entity possesses with all the individual counterparties comprehended in that group shall be subject to the information and disclosure requirements provided in section 2.

One of the main aspects of Communication “A” 6599 is the introduction of the concept of large exposure to credit risk in Argentine banking regulations, which is defined as the sum of all values of exposure of a financial entity with a counterparty or group of connected counterparties when it is equal or above 10% of the Tier 1 Capital registered by the financial entity the immediately preceding month of its calculation.

However, the determination of the values of exposure to risk recognize the following exceptions:

• Intraday interbank exposures;

• Exposures of financial entities with qualifying central counterparties, as defined by the Central Bank regulations on minimum capital;

• Exposures with the Central Bank; and

• Exposures with the Argentine non-financial public sector.

Regarding the information regime, the Central Bank has established that the financial entities shall inform the Superintendency of all the values of exposure to credit risk before and after the application of mitigation techniques, detailing:

• Exposures to risk with a value equal or above 10% of Tier 1 Capital of the financial entity;

• Every other exposure to risk which value is equal or above 10% of the Tier 1 Capital of the financial entity, without applying credit risk mitigation techniques;

• Excluded exposures to risk which values are equal or above 10% of the financial entity’s Tier 1 Capital; and

• The financial entity’s 20 largest applicable exposures to risk, regardless of its value in relation with the financial entity’s Tier 1 Capital.

Limits

Communication “A” 6599 sets the global limit of exposure to risk with respect to affiliate counterparties at 20%. In the case of stock held in an investment portfolio, the sum of all the values of exposure to risk corresponding to the total stocks not related to the portfolio shall not exceed 15% (holdings in public services companies or companies dedicated to complementary services to financial activities are excluded). The total limit of stocks and holdings shall be the sum of all the values of exposure to risk corresponding to the total amount of stock in an investment or negotiation portfolio plus the credits for forward operations and sureties entered into in authorized Argentine markets shall not exceed 50%.

Minimun controls to exposures of affiliates

The regulations set forth three stages for the control of the financial entity’s affiliates exposure:

1) Reports for the entity’s management:

• Report by the CEO;

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• Report by the supervisory committee; and

• Acknowledgment of the reports by the entity’s management.

2) Evidence of the affiliation to the financial entity: the personnel responsible for the analysis and resolution of the credit operations shall expressly register whether or not the client is affiliated with the financial entity.

3) Affidavit evidencing affiliation: affiliated clients shall file an affidavit stating if they belong to the lending entity or if its relationship with such entity implies the existence of a controlling influence.

Interest rate risk

Until January 1, 2013, financial entities had to comply with minimum capital requirements regarding interest rate risk. These requirements were intended to capture the sensitivity of assets and liabilities to changes in the interest rates. Communication “A” 5369 removed all rules and regulations regarding minimum capital requirements for interest rate risk. Notwithstanding this change, financial entities must continue to calculate the interest rate risk and remain subject to the Superintendence’s supervision. By virtue of Communication “A” 6534, dated July 3, 2018, Investment Portfolio Interest Rate (RTCI) shall be calculated.

Market risk

Overall capital requirements in relation to market risk are based on the sum of the five amounts of capital necessary to cover the risks. Market risk is defined as the possibility of incurring losses in on- and off-balance sheet recorded positions as a result of adverse changes in market prices. The market risk minimum capital requirement is the arithmetic sum of the minimum capital requirement for interest rate (trading portfolio), stock (trading portfolio), exchange rate and options risks (trading portfolio). To meet this capital requirement, entities must apply a “Standard Measurement Method” based on an aggregate of components that separately capture the specific and general market risks for securities positions.

General considerations. Risks subject to this minimum capital requirement include risks derived from positions in instruments – such as securities and derivatives – recorded as part of the trading portfolio, and risks from foreign currency positions recorded, indistinctly, as part of the investment or trading portfolio. For the purpose of the above accounting recording, the trading portfolio of financial entities comprises positions in financial instruments included among an entity’s assets for purposes of trading or of providing hedging to other items contained in the portfolio. Pursuant to Communication “A” 5889, a financial instrument may be accounted for as part of the trading portfolio – for purposes of meeting the minimum capital requirement for market risk – if such instrument may be traded free from any restriction or if the instrument may be hedged in full. Also, the portfolio must be actively managed, and its positions must be valued on a daily basis and with the required accuracy. Positions kept for trading purposes are those positions that the entity intends to sell in the short term or from which it intends to derive a profit as a result of changes, either actual or expected, in short-term prices, or by means of arbitrage activities. They include both positions that the entities keep for their own use and those they purchase in the course of services performed for customers or “market making’ activities”. Financial entities must calculate the minimum capital requirement for the counterparty credit risk involved in OTC transactions involving derivatives and securities financing transactions, such as repo transactions (repo agreements), recorded as part of the trading portfolio on a separate and additional basis to the calculation of capital requirements for general market risk and specific market risk of the underlying securities. For this purpose, entities will be required to apply the methods and weighting factors usually applicable when those transactions are recorded as part of the investment portfolio. Entities must have clearly defined policies and procedures in place, designed to determine the exposures that are to be included into or excluded from the trading portfolio in order to calculate their minimum capital requirement for market risk. On the other hand, the investment portfolio will include all securities held by the entity which are not included in the trading portfolio.

The minimum capital requirement for exchange rate risk will apply to the total position in each foreign currency. The minimum capital requirement for securities will be computed in respect of the instruments accounted for as part of the trading portfolio, which must be valued prudently (marked to market or marked to model). Instruments whose yield is determined in relation to CER must be considered fixed-rate securities. Whether recorded as part of the trading or of the investment portfolio, items to be deducted for purposes of calculating the RPC will be excluded from the calculation of the market risk minimum capital requirement.

Minimum capital requirement for interest rate risk. The minimum capital requirement for interest rate risk must be calculated in respect of any debt securities and other instruments accounted for as part of the trading portfolio, including any non-convertible preferred shares. This capital requirement is calculated by adding two separately calculated requirements: first, the specific risk involved in each instrument, either a short or a long position, and second, the general market risk related to the effect of interest rate changes on the portfolio. A set off of the long and short positions held in different instruments will be allowed.

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Minimum capital requirement for positions in stock. The capital requirement for the risk of holding equity positions in the trading portfolio applies to both long and short positions in ordinary shares, convertible debt securities that function like shares and any call or put options for shares, as well as any other instrument with a market behavior similar to that of shares, excluding non-convertible preferred shares, which are subject to the minimum capital requirement for interest rate described in the preceding paragraph. Long and short positions in the same security may be computed on a net basis.

Minimum capital requirement for exchange rate risk. The capital requirement for exchange rate risk establishes the minimum capital required to hedge the risk involved in maintaining positions in foreign currency, including gold. To calculate the capital requirement for exchange rate risk, entities must first quantify its exposure in each currency, and then estimate the risks inherent in the combination of long and short positions in different currencies.

Minimum capital requirement for positions in options. The calculation of the capital requirement for the risk involved in positions in options may be based on the “simplified method” set forth in Communication “A” 5867 if the entity only purchases options; provided that, the market value of all the options in its portfolio does not exceed 5% of the entity’s RPC for the previous month, or if its positions in sold options are hedged by long positions in options pursuant to exactly the same contractual terms. In all other cases, the entity must use the alternative “delta plus” method, provided for in the regulation.

Consequences of a Failure to Meet Minimum Capital Requirements

In the event of non-compliance with capital requirements by an existing financial institution, Central Bank Communication “A” 6091, as amended, provides the following:

(i) Non-compliance reported by the institution: the institution must meet the required capital no later than the end of the second month after the date of non-compliance or submit a restructuring plan within thirty (30) calendar days after the end of the month in which such non-compliance was reported. In addition, non-compliance with minimum capital requirements will entail a number of consequences for the financial institution, including a prohibition to open branches in Argentina or in other countries, establish representative offices abroad, or own equity in foreign financial institutions, as well as a prohibition to pay cash dividends. Moreover, the Superintendency may appoint a representative, who shall have the powers set forth by the Financial Institutions Law.

(ii) Non-compliance detected by the Superintendency: the institution may challenge the non-compliance determination within thirty (30) calendar days after being served notice by the Superintendency. If no challenge is made, or if the defense is dismissed, the non-compliance determination will be deemed to be final and the procedure described in the previous item will apply.

Furthermore, pursuant to Communication “A” 5867, as amended by “A” 5889, among others, if a financial institution fails to meet market risk daily minimum capital requirements, except for any failure to meet the requirements on the last day of the month, calculated as a sum of VaR of included assets or derived from the calculation of capital requirements for interest rate, exchange rate and stock risks, the financial institution must replace its capital or decrease its financial position until such requirement is met, and has up to ten (10) business days from the first day on which the requirement was not met to meet the requirement. If the financial institution fails to meet this requirement after ten (10) business days, it must submit a regularization and reorganization plan within the following five (5) business days and may become subject to an administrative proceeding initiated by the Superintendency.

Operational risk

The regulation on operational risk (“OR”) recognizes the management of OR as a comprehensive practice separated from that of other risks, given its importance. OR is defined as the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events. The definition includes legal risk but excludes strategic and reputational risk.

Financial institutions must establish a system for the management of OR that includes policies, processes, procedures and the structure for their adequate management. This framework must also allow the financial entity to evaluate capital sufficiency.

Seven OR event types are defined, according to internationally accepted criteria:

• internal fraud;

• external fraud;

• employment practices and workplace safety;

• clients, products and business practices;

• damage to physical assets;

• business disruption and system failures; and

• execution, delivery and process management.

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Financial entities are charged with implementing an efficient OR management system following the guidelines provided by the Central Bank. A solid system for risk management must have a clear assignment of responsibilities within the organization of financial entities. Thus, the regulation describes the roles prepared by each level of the organization in managing of OR (such as the roles of the board of directors, senior management and the business units of the financial institution).

A financial institution’s size and sophistication, and the nature and complexity of its products and processes, and the extent of the transaction determines the type of “OR unit” required. For small institutions, this unit may even consist of a single person. This unit may functionally respond to the senior management (or similar) or a functional level with risk management decision capacity that reports to that senior management.

An effective risk management will contribute to prevent future losses derived from operational events. Consequently, financial entities must manage the OR inherent in their products, activities, processes and systems. The OR management process comprises:

a) Identification and assessment: the identification process should consider both internal and external factors that could adversely affect the development of the processes and projections created according to the business strategies defined by the financial institution. Financial entities should use internal data, establishing a process to register frequency, severity, categories and other relevant aspects of the OR loss events. This should be complemented with other tools, such as self-risk assessments, risk mapping and key risk indicators.

b) Monitoring: an effective monitoring process is necessary for quickly detecting and correcting deficiencies in the policies, processes and procedures for managing OR. In addition to monitoring operational loss events, banks should identify forward-looking indicators that enable them to act upon these risks appropriately.

c) Control and mitigation: financial entities must have an appropriate control system for ensuring compliance with a documented set of internal policies, which involve periodic reviews (to occur at least annually) of control strategies and risk mitigation, and adjust these as necessary.

Pursuant to Communication “A” 5282, as amended by Communications “A”6091 and “A”6638, among others, the minimum capital requirements regarding OR are equal to 15% of the annual average positive gross income of the last thirty-six (36) months.

The OR formula is as follow:

The variables in the OR formula are defined as follows:

• “C_ro”: the capital requirement for operational risk.

• “α”: 15%.

• “n”: the number of 12-month consecutive terms with positive IB, based on the 36 months preceding the month of calculation. The maximum value of n is 3.

• “IBt”: gross income from 12-month consecutive terms; provided that, it is a positive figure, corresponding to the 36 months preceding the month of calculation.

IB is defined as the sum of (a) financial and service income minus financial and service expenses and (b) other income minus other expenses.

The following items are excluded from items (a) and (b) above:

(i) expenses derived from the creation or elimination of reserves during previous fiscal years and recovered credits during the fiscal year that were written off in previous fiscal years;

(ii) profits or losses from holding equity in other financial institutions or companies, if these were deductible from RPC;

(iii) extraordinary or unusual gains (i.e., those arising from unusual and exceptional events that resulted in gains) including income from insurance recovery; and

(iv) gains from the sale of classified species and measures at amortized cost of fair value with changes in other integral gains.

New financial institutions must comply, in their first month, with an OR minimum capital requirement equivalent to 10% of the aggregate requirements determined for credit and market risks, in the latter case, for the positions on the last day of that month. As from the second and up to the thirty-sixth month, the monthly capital requirement will be equivalent to 10% of the average requirements determined for the months elapsed until, and including, the calculation period based on a consideration of the risks referred to in the preceding paragraph. From the thirty-seventh month onwards, the monthly requirement is calculated based on the OR formula.

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Minimum cash reserve requirements

The minimum cash reserve requirement requires that a financial institution keep a portion of its deposits or obligations readily available and not allocated to lending transactions and it is included in the Central Bank “Rules of Minimum Cash”, as amended and supplemented.

Minimum cash requirements are applicable to demand and time deposits and other liabilities arising from financial intermediation denominated in Pesos, foreign currency, or government and corporate securities, and any unused balances of advances in checking accounts under agreements not containing any clauses that permit the bank to discretionally and unilaterally revoke the possibility of using such balances.

Minimum cash reserve obligations exclude (i) amounts owed to the Central Bank, (ii) amounts owed to domestic financial institutions (excluding special deposits related to inflows of funds – Decree No. 616/2005), (iii) amounts owed to foreign banks (including their head offices, entities controlling domestic institutions and their branches) in connection with foreign trade financing facilities, (iv) cash purchases pending settlement and forward purchases, (v) cash sales pending settlement and forward sales (whether or not related to repurchase agreements), (vi) overseas correspondent banking operations and (vii) demand obligations for money orders and transfers from abroad pending settlement to the extent that they do not exceed a seventy-two (72) business hour term as from their deposit.

The liabilities subject to these requirements are computed on the basis of the effective principal amount of the transactions, including differences in rates (either negative or positive), excluding interest accrued, past due, or to become due on the aforementioned liabilities, provided they were not credited to the account of, or made available to, third parties, and, in the case of fixed-term deposit of UVIs and UVAs (as defined below), the accrued amount resulting from the increment of the value of such unit.

The basis on which the minimum cash reserve requirement is computed is the monthly average of the daily balances of the liabilities at the end of each day during each calendar month. Such requirement shall be complied with on a separate basis for each currency and/or security and/or instrument under monetary regulation in which the liabilities are denominated.

The table below shows the percentage rates that should be applied to determine the required minimum cash reserve requirement, depending on whether: (i) entities included in Group “A” and / or branches or subsidiaries of banks abroad classified as systemically important (G-SIB) not included in that group; or (ii) the remaining financial entities. Section 4 of the regulations on “Authorities of financial entities” (Autoridades de entidades financieras) of the Central Bank classifies the financial entities in: a) Group “A” which includes those entities in which the amount of their assets is greater than or equal to 1% of the total of the assets of the financial system (for the purposes of calculating this indicator, the average of the assets corresponding to the months of July, August and September of the previous year will be considered, according to the data that arise from the corresponding information regime); and b) Group “B” composed of all those entities that are not included in Group “A”. The following fees arise from Communication “A” 6616 dated December 20, 2018, its came into force will depend on the group to which financial entity belongs, being February 2, 2019 for Group “A” and G- SIB and on January 1, 2019 for the remaining entities:

	Group A and G- SIB				Rate % Group B
Item	Pesos		Foreign Currency		Pesos		Foreign Currency
1- Checking account deposits and demand deposits opened at credit cooperatives		45				20
2- Savings account, salary/social security accounts, special accounts (except for deposits included on items 7 and 11), and other demand deposits and liabilities, pension and social security benefits credited by ANSES pending collection and immobilized reserve funds for liabilities covered by these regulations		45		25		20		25
3- Unused balances of advances in checking accounts under executed overdraft agreements		45				20
4- Deposits in checking accounts of non-bank financial institutions, computed for purposes of meeting their required minimum cash reserve		100				100

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	Group A and G- SIB				Rate % Group B
Item	Pesos		Foreign Currency		Pesos		Foreign Currency
5- Time deposits, liabilities under “acceptances”, (including responsibilities for sale or transfer of credits to agents different from financial institutions), stock-exchange repos (cautions and stock exchange passive repos), constant-term investments, with an option for early termination or for renewal for a specified term and variable income, and other fixed-term liabilities, except rescheduled deposits included in the following items 7, 10 y 12 of this table, securities (including negotiable obligations), according to their outstanding term:
(i) Up to 29 days		35		23		14		23
(ii) From 30 days to 59 days		25		17		10		17
(iii) From 60 days to 89 days		7		11		5		11
(iv) From 90 days to 179 days				5				5
(v) From 180 days to 365 days				2				2
(vi) More than 365 days
6- Liabilities owed due to foreign facilities (not including those instrumented by term deposits, unless they are made by residents abroad linked to the entity pursuant to Section 2 of the rules on “Large Exposures to Credit Risk”, nor the acquisition of debt securities, to which they must apply the requirements provided in the previous point)
(i) Up to 29 days				23				23
(ii) From 30 days to 59 days				17				17
(iii) From 60 days to 89 days				11				11
(iv) From 90 days to 179 days				5				5
(v) From 180 days to 365 days				2				2
(vi) More than 365 days
7- Demand and time deposits made upon a court order with funds arising from cases pending before the court, and the related immobilized balances		32		15		13		15
8- Special deposits related to inflows of funds. Decree 616/2005				100				100
9- Time deposits in nominative, non-transferable Peso-denominated certificates, belonging to public sector holders, with the right to demand early withdrawal in less than 30 days from its setting up		35				14
10- Deposits and term investments —including savings accounts and securities (including Notes)— in UVIs and UVAs, according their outstanding term
(i) Up to 29 days		7				7
(ii) From 30 days to 59 days		5				5
(iii) From 60 days to 89 days		3				3
(iv) More than 90 days
11- Labor Work Fund for Construction Industry Workers, denominated in UVA		7				7
12-Deposits and fixed term investments created in the name of minors for funds they receive freely

In the case of transactions in Pesos, when the jurisdiction of the main office where the transaction takes place, according to what is established in Central Bank’s regulations regarding “Categorization of locations for financial entities”, belongs to the categories II to VI, the rates foreseen for demand deposits will be reduced by 2 percentage points and for term placements by 1 percentage point up to a minimum of zero (including point 11). In both cases, it does not include the impositions in securities.

Entities included in Group “A” and branches or subsidiaries of G-SIB not included in that group, may integrate the period and daily requirement in pesos with “National Treasury Bonds in pesos at fixed rate November 2020” in up to:

a) 5 points of the rates described in points 1, 2 (in Pesos), 3, sections (i) and (ii) of point 5 (in Pesos) and points 7 (in Pesos) and 9.

b) 2 points of the rate described in section (iii) of point 5 (in Pesos).

Financial entities included in Group “A” and branches or subsidiaries of G-SIB not included in that group may integrate the period and daily requirement in pesos with LELIQ and / or NOBAC up to 13 percentage points of the rate provided in section (i) of point 5 (in Pesos) and 9; in up to 10 percentage points of the rates provided by points 1, 2 (in pesos) and 3 and section (ii) of point 5 (in Pesos) and point 7 (in Pesos).

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In order to be admitted the integration with “National Treasury Bonds in pesos at a fixed rate due November 2020”, LELIQ and / or NOBAC as described above, they must be valued at market prices and be deposited in Sub-account 60, minimum cash enabled in the “Central Registry and Settlement of Public Liabilities and Financial Trusts—CRyL” (Central de Registro y Liquidación de Pasivos Públicos y Fideicomisos Financieros).

The minimum cash requirement will be reduced:

1. in accordance with the participation in the total of financing operations to the non-financial private sector in pesos in the entity of financing to MiPyMEs in the same currency;

2. depending on the granting of financing under the “Ahora 12” Program (The implementation of the Consumer Promotion Program and the Production of Goods and Services named “Ahora 12” was created by Joint Resolution 671/2014 and 267/2014 of the former Ministry of Economy and Public Finance and the Ministry of Industry), in an amount equivalent to 2% of the sum of the financing in pesos that the entity grants:

i. whose destination is the acquisition of goods and services included in the aforementioned resolution and its complementary regulations; or

ii. to non-financial companies issuing credit cards at an annual interest rate of up to 17%, insofar as these companies are part of the “Ahora 12” Program.

Whenever there is an excessive concentration of liabilities (in holders and / or terms), which implies a significant risk with respect to the individual liquidity of the financial institution and / or has a significant negative effect on the systemic liquidity, additional minimum cash may be set on the liabilities included in the financial entity and / or those complementary measures that are deemed pertinent.

Likewise, the minimum cash requirement may be increased due to non-compliance with the rules on the “Credit Line for productive investment”.

In addition to the abovementioned requirements, the reserve for any defect in the application of resources in foreign currency net of the balances of cash in the entities, in custody in other entities, in transit and in Transporters of Securities, for a certain month, shall be applied to an amount equal to the minimum cash requirement of the corresponding currency for each month.

The minimum cash reserve must be set up in the same currency or securities or debt instruments for monetary regulation to which the requirement applies, and may include the following:

1. Accounts maintained by financial institutions with the Central Bank in Pesos.

2. Accounts of minimum cash maintained by financial institutions with the Central Bank in U.S. dollars, or other foreign currency.

3. Special guarantee accounts for the benefit of electronic clearing houses and to cover settlement of credit card, vouchers, and ATM transactions and immediate transfer funds.

4. Checking accounts maintained by non-bank financial institutions with commercial banks for the purpose of meeting the minimum reserve requirement.

5. Special accounts maintained with the Central Bank for transactions involving social security payments by the ANSES.

6. Minimum cash sub-account 60, authorized in the Registration and Settlement Central for Public Debt and Financial Trusts – CRYL (“Central de Registro y Liquidación de Pasivos Públicos y Fideicomisos Financieros – CRYL”) for public securities and securities issued by the Central Bank at their market value.

These eligible items are subject to review by the Central Bank and may be changed in the future.

Compliance with the minimum cash reserve requirement will be measured on the basis of the monthly average of the daily balances of eligible items maintained during the month to which the minimum cash reserve refers by dividing the aggregate of such balances by the total number of days in the relevant period. The compensation of deficit positions with surplus positions corresponding to different requirements will not be accepted.

The aggregate balances of the eligible items referred to above, maintained as of each daily closing, may not, on any one day during the month, be less than 25% of the total required cash reserve, determined for the next preceding month, recalculated on the basis of the requirements and items in force in the month to which the cash reserves relate, without considering the effects of the application of the provisions of section “1.7 Transfers” of the “Minimum Cash” rules. The daily minimum required is 50% when a deficit to the admitted transfer margin occurs in the previous month.

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Any deficiencies in meeting the required minimum cash reserve and the daily minimum reserve in Pesos, in foreign currency, or securities or debt instruments for monetary regulation are subject to a penalty in pesos, equal to 1.5 times the average nominal interest rate of the shorter term peso denominated LELIQs auction published on the last business day of the relevant period or, if not available, the last one available.

LELIQ global daily position

Pursuant to Communication “A” 6661 of the Central Bank, the LELIQ global daily position of the banks shall not exceed the larger sum between:

1) the RPC of the bank in the immediately preceding month; and

2) 100% of the monthly average of the total deposits in Pesos, excluding the financial sector’s and the notes in Pesos issued until February 8, 2019 in the current month.

Internal liquidity policies of financial institutions

Pursuant to the Central Bank regulations on the liquidity coverage ratio (the “LCR”), financial institutions must adopt management and control policies that ensure the maintenance of reasonable liquidity levels to efficiently manage their deposits and other financial commitments and must comply with the liquidity coverage ratio established thereunder, under a 30-day stress test scenario. Such policies should establish procedures for evaluating the liquidity of the institutions in the framework of prevailing market conditions to allow them to revise projections, take steps to eliminate liquidity constraints and obtain sufficient funds, at market terms, to maintain a reasonable level of assets over the long term. Such policies should also address (i) the concentration of assets and liabilities in specific customers, (ii) the overall economic situation, likely trends and the effect on credit availability and (iii) the ability to obtain funds by selling government debt securities and/or own assets.

The organizational structure of the entity must place a specific unit or person in charge of managing liquidity and assign levels of responsibility to the individuals who will be responsible for managing the LCR, which will require daily monitoring. The participation and coordination of the entity’s top management authority (e.g., CEO) will be necessary.

In addition, financial institutions must designate a director or advisor who will receive reports at least weekly, or more frequently if circumstances so require, such as when changes in liquidity conditions require new courses of action to safeguard the entity. In the case of branches of foreign financial institutions, the reports must be delivered to the highest authority in the country.

Appointed officers and managers will be responsible for managing the liquidity policy that, in addition to monitoring the LCR, includes taking the necessary steps to comply with minimum cash requirements.

Financial institutions must report the list of such officers and directors, as well as any subsequent changes, to the Superintendency within ten (10) calendar days from the date of any such change.

Liquidity Parameters

In addition to the LCR, there are other parameters that are used as systematic tools of control. These policies contain specific information regarding cash flows, balance structure and available underlying assets free of charge. These parameters, along with the LCR, offer basic information to evaluate the liquidity risk. The included parameters are:

• gaps in contractual terms;

• funding concentration;

• available assets free of restrictions;

• LCR for relevant currency; and

• Market-related monitoring tools.

Additionally, Communication “A” 6209, as amended, sets forth that financial institutions must have an adequate stock of high-quality liquid assets (“HQLA”) free of any restrictions which can be immediately converted into cash in order to cover their liquidity needs during a period of 30 days in case of a stress scenario. Also, financial institutions must carry out their own stress tests so as to determine the liquidity level they should maintain in other scenarios, considering a period higher than 30 calendar days.

The LCR must be equal to or greater than 1 (that is to say, the stock of HQLA must not be lower than the total net cash outlays) in the absence of a financial stress scenario. If this is not the case, the LCR may fall below 1.

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The Central Bank describes how to categorize a stress scenario, taking into account the following: the partial loss of retail deposits; the partial loss of wholesale non-guaranteed funding capacity; the partial loss of guaranteed funding; additional fund outlays due to situations contractually provided for as a consequence of a significant decline in the financial institution’s credit quality; market volatility increases that have an effect on the quality of guarantees or on the potential future exposure of positions in derivatives; the unforeseen use of credit and liquidity facilities compromised and available but not used that the financial institution may have granted to its clients; and/or the need that the financial institution may experience to repurchase debt or to comply with non-contractual obligations so as to mitigate its reputational risk.

Pursuant to Communication “A” 5724, for implementing the above, the financial institutions must consider the following schedule:

Period	Ratio
From January 30, 2015 to December 2015		0.60
January 2016 to December 2016		0.70
January 2017 to December 2017		0.80
January 2018 to December 2018		0.90
As of January 2019		1

The LCR calculation must be made on a permanent basis and informed to the Central Bank on a monthly basis.

The HQLA can only be made up of the following portfolio assets (consider as Tier 1 (An1)) at the day of the calculation of the LCR: cash in hand, in transit, in armored transportation companies and ATMs; deposits with the Central Bank; certain national public bonds in Pesos or in foreign currency; securities issued or guaranteed by the International Payments Bank, the IMF, the European Central Bank, the European Union or Multilateral Development Banks that comply with certain conditions and debt securities issued by other sovereign entities (or their central banks).

Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR)

The purpose of the net stable funding ratio (“NSFR”) is to allow financial institutions to finance their activities with sufficiently stable sources to mitigate the risk of future stress situations derived from their funding requirements. By requiring financial institutions to maintain a stable funding profile relative to the breakdown of their off-balance sheet assets and transactions, the NSFR limits the strong dependence on short term wholesale funding, promotes a better assessment of balance sheet and off-balance sheet items funding risk, and favors funding sources stability. The definitions of the components of the NSFR are similar to those set forth in the “Liquidity Coverage Ratio” regulations, unless otherwise expressly set forth herein.

The NSFR is defined as the available amount of stable funding relative to the required amount of stable funding, where: AASF (Available Amount of Stable Funding) is the capital and liabilities of the financial institution – calculated in the manner set forth in Section 2 – that are expected to be available over a one-year term. RASF (Required Amount of Stable Funding) is the amount of funding necessary for such period – calculated in the manner set forth in Section 3 – based on its liquidity and remaining life of the institution’s assets and its off-balance sheet obligations.

The NSFR shall be at all times greater than or equal to 1 (NSFR 1). It shall be supplemented with the assessment made by the SEFyC. The SEFyC may demand the institution to adopt stricter standards to reflect its funding risk profile, also taking into account the assessment made in connection with the “Risk Management Guidelines for Financial Institutions” in connection with the institution’s liquidity.

Leverage Ratio

Through Communication “A” 6431, effective as of March 1, 2018, the Central Bank incorporated a ratio to limit the leverage of financial institutions in order to avoid the adverse consequences of an abrupt reduction in leverage in the supply of credit and the economy in general, and reinforce the minimum capital requirement with a minimum capital requirement simple and not based on risk.

The leverage ratio, which must be greater than or equal to 3%, arises from the following expression:

Ratio (as %) = Measure of capital / Measure of exposure where the measure of capital will be the basic net worth, and the measure of the exposure will be the sum of (i) the exposures in the asset (excluding the items corresponding to derivatives and Securities Financing Transactions (SFT)), ( ii) exposures by derivatives; (iii) exposures for SFT transactions and (iv) off-balance-sheet items. Both measures must be calculated based on the closing balances of each quarter.

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Fee regulations

Central Bank regulations granted broad protection to customers in 2013. The protection includes, among other things, the regulation of fees and commissions charged by financial institutions for services provided. Fees and charges must represent a real, direct and demonstrable cost and should be supported by a technical and economic justification. It is worth noting that Communication “A” 5514 sets forth an exception to the enforcement of Communication “A” 5460 for certain credit agreements that have pledges as collateral and are issued before September 30, 2018.

On June 10, 2014, the Central Bank issued Communications “A” 5591 and “A”5592, through which established new rules regarding fees and charges for basic financial products and services. Beginning on the effective date of the rule, financial institutions must have prior authorization from the Central Bank to implement increases to the cost of those services. The rule also specifically defines which financial services are considered basic.

On December 23, 2014, the Central Bank issued Communication “A” 5685 amending Communication “A” 5460, setting forth that any increase in commissions of new products or services must have the prior authorization of the Central Bank.

On August 21, 2015, the Central Bank issued Communication “A” 5795, as amended and supplemented by several regulations, including but not limited to Communication “A” 5828, establishing additional rules aimed at protecting financial services customers by reinforcing regulations that prohibit financial institutions from charging fees and commissions related to insurance products that financial services customers purchase as accessories of financial services, regardless of whether it is a customer request or a condition set by the financial institution to access the financial service. In this regard, beginning on November 13, 2015, financial institutions may not receive remunerations or profits from such insurance products or receive remunerations or profits, directly or indirectly, from insurance companies with respect to such products.

Furthermore, Communication “A” 5828 creates a distinction between “life insurance on debit balances” and “other insurance,” establishing for the former that financial institutions cannot charge users any fee and /or charge associated with such kind of insurance. Financial institutions must purchase life insurance on debit balances with coverage for death or permanent total disability with respect to financings granted to human beings. Alternatively, they can self-insure the risks of death and permanent total disability of financial services clients. In both cases, coverage must fully cover the amount due in case of death or total permanent disability of the beneficiary.

On March 21, 2016, the Central Bank issued Communication “A” 5927 (as supplemented by Communication “A” 5928) that established new rules aimed at protecting the financial user and an increase of the banking services use. In this regard, beginning on April 1, 2016, the electronic transfers ordered or received by clients categorized as financial services costumers will not be charged with fees or commissions. For clients that do not meet this category, as companies, transfers of funds up to Ps.250,000, ordered or received by electronic means, will not be charged fees or commissions. Communication “A” 5927 also established that immediate transfers of funds up to Ps.100,000 per day and account can be made via Home Banking every day of the year.

On March 21, 2016, the Central Bank issued Communication “A” 5928, pursuant to which all saving accounts shall be free, including the use of the corresponding debit card. In this regard, all existing saving accounts shall be now free of charge, as well as for new clients. The saving accounts shall not have amount limits, or any charge related to their creation, maintenance or renovation. In addition, pursuant to such regulation, commissions could be increased up to 20%, but such increase must be informed to the client sixty (60) days in advance. Furthermore, as of September 1, 2016 commissions’ caps are eliminated, but financial institutions will have to inform their customers in advance about the commissions that other financial entities are charging.

Central Bank issued Communication “A” 6212, effective as of April 1, 2017, which reduces credit card and debit card sales commissions on a gradual annual plan. Pursuant to Communication “A” 6212, the maximum credit card sales commission rate for 2017 is 2.0% and for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and after, will be 1.85%, 1.65%, 1.50% and 1.30%, respectively. The maximum debit card sales commissions for 2017 is 1.0% and for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and after, will be 0.90%, 0.80%, 0.70% and 0.60%, respectively.

Mandatory extension of credit facilities for productive investments

On July 5, 2012, the Central Bank issued Communication “A” 5319, mandating financial entities to extend credit facilities for productive investments, according to the terms and conditions described therein. Recently, the Central Bank issued Communications “A” 5874 and 5975 (the “2016 Quota”), “A”6352 “A” 6259 (the “2017 Quota”) and “A” 6352 (the “2018 Quota”), establishing the regulations applicable to credit facilities for productive investments corresponding for those years. The 2017 Quota and the 2018 Quota are not cumulative and must be complied with, independently, in each year.

Financial institutions subject to this regime are those operating as financial agents of the national, provincial, City of Buenos Aires and/or municipal governments and/or those whose participation in the deposits of the non-financial private sector in Pesos, are equal to or greater than 1% of the total deposits in the financial system. Through Communication “A” 6352 issued on November 3, 2017, the Central Bank started to gradually reduce the percentage of these facilities, until its complete elimination scheduled in December 2018.

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2016 and 1S 2017 Quota – Credit Lines for Production and financial inclusion

Financial entities acting as financial agents for the national, provincial, City of Buenos Aires’ and/or municipal governments and/or whose share in the non-financial private sector deposits in Pesos in the financial system is equal to or greater than 1% (based on the simple average of daily balances of the non-financial private sector deposit in Pesos for the previous calendar nine-month period), will be required to extend certain credit lines, pursuant to the Central Bank regulations on “Credit lines for Financial Production and Inclusion” up to an annual quota, calculated based on deposits from the non-financial private sector in Pesos, computed based on the average and daily balances for: (i) November 2015 (for the first half of 2016), 14%; (ii) May 2016 (for the second half of 2016), 15.5% and (iii) November 2016 (for the first half of 2017), 18%.

In addition, not less than 75% of the 2016 Quota must be allocated to credit facilities intended for MiPyMEs. The amount of the financing arises from applying to the disbursed capital a weight per category and location of the company.

Communication “A” 5874, as amended, sets forth the type of financing which may be considered eligible to be computed as part of the 2016 Quota, which includes the following:

(i) financing of investment projects (meaning financing extended for the purchase of capital goods and/or the construction of facilities necessary for the production of goods and/or services and for the commercialization of goods and/or services; financing of working capital for investment projects for up to an amount equivalent to 20% of the total project amount; the purchase of real estate, provided the financing amount does not exceed 70% of the value attributable to the constructions built on the land; and financing for the purchase of motor vehicles and machinery, provided that the purchase transaction be carried out at the selling price applied to cash transactions; among others);

(ii) discount of deferred payment checks, certificates of public works (or any documentation that may replace them) and invoices and promissory notes for customers that are MiPyMEs for up to an amount equivalent to 30% of the first tranche of the 2016 Quota and for the whole quota of the second tranche of the 2016 Quota;

(iii) inclusion, by means of an assignment or discount, of financing facilities provided to users of financial services, or of receivables in respect of trusts whose trust assets consist primarily of such financing provided by financial entities not included within the scope of the above mentioned rules, with a total nominal annual financial cost not exceeding 27%, for the financings granted as of October 31, 2016 and 21% for the financings granted from November 1, 2016, which may amount to up to 5% of the 2016 Quota;

(iv) microcredit extended to micro entrepreneurs that meet certain requirements (including that, either individually or as a family group, they do not have revenues exceeding two adjustable minimum living wages and are not registered as value added tax, income tax and personal assets tax payers with AFIP). On a supplemental basis, micro entrepreneurs may be granted loans for the purchase of consumption goods or services;

(v) loans extended to individuals at an interest rate of up to a nominal annual 22% for the first year and as from the second year, if the above rate is not maintained, at a variable interest rate equivalent to the Peso BADLAR rate charged by private banks, plus 150 basis points. The proceeds of these loans must be used directly for the purchase of a sole family dwelling for the respective family group, and must be implemented by means of a collateral assignment of rights in the trusts created for the construction of those properties, subject to certain conditions. This type of financing may collectively amount to up to 10% of the 2016 Quota;

(vi) mortgage loans extended to individuals for the purchase, construction or enlargement of dwellings, at an interest rate of up to a nominal annual 22% for the first year and as from the second year, if the above rate is not maintained, at a variable interest rate equivalent to the Peso BADLAR rate charged by private banks, plus 150 basis points. These loans may collectively amount to up to 10% of the 2016 Quota;

(vii) assistance provided to natural persons and/or legal entities in areas where an emergency situation prevails as a result of natural disasters. This assistance may amount to up to 15% of the 2016 Quota;

(viii) financing extended by financial entities that do not fall within the scope of these rules and/or to companies that provide financial assistance through capital lease transactions, provided the proceeds of such transactions are applied to funds, as of the effective date of the legal regulation, to provide financing to MiPyMEs for the purchase of motor vehicles and/or machinery at prices not exceeding cash transaction prices (i.e., list price, net of any general discounts) and pursuant to the conditions of the 2016 Quota. The proceeds must be used within a term of ten (10) business days between the date when financial assistance is received from the financial entity and the date the funds are used for lending to MiPyMEs (Communication “A” 5929);

(ix) financing extended to financial institutions regarding assistances mentioned in item (vii) and incorporations made from those assistances if granted by financial institutions. The entity which provides financing or its assignee, may compute such assistance, for which a report from the external auditor is required;

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(x) working capital financing to MiPyMEs, extended from August 1, 2016, for working capital allocated to livestock farming (i.e., for the purchase and/or production of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, apiculture, etc.), dairy farming or other productive activities carried out in regional economies within the scope of section 2.2.9. of the “Minimum loan loss provisions” regulations, for up to an amount equivalent to 10% of the 2016 Quota; and

(xi) financing to non-financial institutions that issue credit cards and have joined the Ahora 12 Program.

The maximum interest rate to be applied, except for the financing facilities described in items (iii), (v), (vi) and (vii) above, will be a nominal annual fixed rate of 22% for the financings granted as of October 31, 2016 and of 17% for the financings granted from November 1, 2016. In the case of financings restated in “Purchasing Power Units”, CER adjustable, or UVA, the maximum interest rate is a nominal annual fixed rate of 1%. The rate will be free for transactions with customers who do not meet the conditions of a MiPyMEs.

Financing facilities must be denominated in Pesos and have – at the time of disbursement – an average maturity period equal to or longer than 24 months, based on weighted principal maturities, and the total maturity period must not be less than 36 months. Financing facilities described in item (i) above and to be used for working capital purposes must have an effective weighted average maturity period equal to or longer than 24 months. The discount transactions contemplated in items (ii) and (iii) will not be subject to a minimum maturity period requirement. The mortgage loans referred to in item (vi) must have a minimum term of 10 years. The working capital financing facilities for MiPyMEs described in item (x) must have an effective weighted average term equal to or longer than 18 months for financings through October 31, 2016 and a minimum term of 12 months as from November 1, 2016.

The entities may make up this portfolio with loans extended on a joint basis with other entities, in the relevant proportion. In case early pre-payment is accepted, only debtors will be entitled to such pre-payment right.

2017 Quota

Financial entities were required to extend credit facilities from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017, equivalent to at least 18% of the non-financial private sector deposits in Pesos, calculated on the basis of the monthly average of daily balances in November 2016.

In the case of entities falling within the above scope whose share of total non-financial private sector deposits in Pesos is lower than 0.25% (calculated as described in the preceding paragraph) the percentage applied was not less than 10%, from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017. According to Communication “A” 6217, at least 75% of the 2017 quota was required to be granted to MiPyMEs and/or financial services customers.

With respect to the second half of 2017, the financial entities subject to this requirement had to maintain, from July 1, 2017 until December 31, 2017, a balance of comprised financings equal to at least 18% of private sector deposits in Pesos, calculated on the basis of the monthly average daily balances from May 2017. For financial entities whose participation in deposits in the non-financial private sector in Pesos amounts to less than 0.25%, the percentage applied, from July 1, 2017 and until December 31, 2017, was not less than 10%, and at least 75% of the 2017 quota was required to be granted to MiPyME and/or financial services customers.

2018 Quota

The financial entities subject to this requirement have to maintain, in each of the months in 2018, a balance of comprised financings equal to at least the amount that results from applying the percentages provided in the following table to the monthly average daily balances of November 2017 of total non-financial private sector deposits in Pesos:

Month	Percentage
January		16.50	%
February		15.00	%
March		13.50	%
April		12.00	%
May		10.50	%
June		9.00	%
July		7.50	%
August		6.00	%
September		4.50	%
October		3.00	%
November		1.50	%
December		0.00	%

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For financial entities whose total non-financial private sector deposits in Pesos is less than 0.25%, the applicable percentage to apply will be derived from the table below:

Months of 2018	Percentage
January		9.17	%
February		8.33	%
March		7.50	%
April		6.66	%
May		5.83	%
June		5.00	%
July		4.17	%
August		3.33	%
September		2.50	%
October		1.66	%
November		0.83	%
December		0.00	%

Loans and Housing Units

The Central Bank has adopted measures for taking deposits and extending loans expressed in a special measuring unit adjustable by the CER. These special units are referred to as UVAs”.

In addition, Law No. 27,271 provides for the adjustment of deposits and loans by reference to the construction index, expressed in a special measuring unit referred to as Housing Units (Unidades de Vivienda or “UVIs”).

Consequently, UVAs and UVIs coexist and may be used both with respect to bank loans and deposits. The initial value of the UVI was Ps.14.05 (the same as the UVA), representing the cost of construction of one thousandth square meter of housing as of March 31, 2016. As of May 3, 2019 the value of UVI and UVA are 33.34% and 35.59%, respectively.

Both units are amended based on the indices published by the INDEC and the Central Bank on its website.

Foreign Exchange System

As of mid- December 2015, there have been significant changes to the legal framework applicable to the foreign exchange market aiming at granting greater flexibility to foreign exchange transactions.

These changes, initially contemplated under Communication “A” 5850, Communication “A” 5899 and Communication “A” 5955, among others, allowed those entities authorized to operate in the exchange market to engage in foreign currency arbitrage and exchange transactions with their customers. In addition, these regulations made it less burdensome for residents to access the foreign exchange market in order to acquire external assets, and for the repatriation by nonresidents of both portfolio and direct investment.

Effective as of August 9, 2016, the Central Bank continued to establish more flexible rules for foreign exchange transactions, for example through the issuance of Communication “A” 6037, followed by Communication “A” 6244, which resulted in a simplification of the rules that had been in place since 2002.

The new regulations provide that foreign exchange transactions may be performed under a sworn statement detailing the subject matter of the transaction, insofar no specific requirements apply to the transaction, and eliminated the obligation to produce documents supporting each foreign exchange transaction.

In addition, transactions involving the creation of external assets by residents are no longer limited by a specific amount, and regulations restricting market access to transactions involving derivative instruments with foreign counterparties have been suppressed. The new regulations also provided greater flexibility to the requirements needed to engage in exchange transactions during extended schedule hours.

Foreign Currency Lending Capacity

The Regulations on the allocation of deposits in foreign currencies, (including Communication “A” 6428 as amended), establish that the lending capacity from foreign currency deposits, must be applied in the corresponding deposit currency to the following categories:

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a. pre-financing and financing of exports to be made directly or through principals, trustees or other brokers, acting on behalf of the owner of the merchandise;

b. other financing to exporters, who have a flow of future income in foreign currency and verify, in the year prior to granting the financing, a billing in foreign currency for an amount that is reasonably related to that financing

c. financing to producers, processors or goods collectors, provided that:

i. They have sale contracts of their merchandise to an exporter, with a fixed price or fixed in foreign currency -independently of the currency in which the operation is settled- and in the case of fungible merchandise with quotation, in foreign currency, normal and customary in local or foreign markets, with wide diffusion and easy access to public knowledge;

ii. Its main activity is the production, processing and / or collection of fungible goods with quotation, in foreign currency, normal and usual in foreign markets, widely disseminated and easy access to public knowledge, and it is found, in the year prior to the granting of financing, a total billing of these merchandise for an amount that is reasonably related to that activity and its financing; and also operations aimed to finance service providers directly used in exporting process of goods (such as those provided at port terminals, international loading and unloading services, leasing containers or port warehouses, international freights ). This, provided it is verified that the flow of future income linked to sales to exporters registers a periodicity and magnitude that it is enough for the cancellation of the financing and it is verified, in the year prior to the granting of the financing, a billing to exporters for an amount that is reasonably related to that activity and its financing.

d. financing for manufacturers of goods to be exported, as final products or as part of other goods, by third-party purchasers, provided that such transactions are secured or collateralized in foreign currency by third-party purchasers;

e. financing to suppliers of goods and / or services that are part of the merchandise production process fungibles with quotation, in foreign currency, normal and usual in local or foreign markets, widely disseminated and easy access to public knowledge, provided they have firm sales contracts for those goods and / or services in foreign currency and / or on said merchandise;

f. financing of investment projects, working capital and / or acquisition of all kinds of goods, including temporary imports of inputs, which increases or are linked to the production of exporting products. Even though the total income of the exporting companies does not come from their sales abroad, the financing may be imputed when the cash flow in foreign currency from their exports, is enough for its cancelation.

g. financing for commercial and commercial portfolio clients of credits for consumption or housing -according to the provisions established in the rules on “Classification of debtors”, whose destination is the importation of capital goods (“BK” in accordance with the Mercosur’s Common Nomenclature established in Annex I to Decree No. 690/02 and other complementary provisions), which increase the production of merchandise destined for the domestic market.

h. foreign currency debt securities or financial trust participation certificates including other payment rights specifically recognized on trust agreements whose underlying assets are loans made by the financial entities in the manners set forth in (a) to (d) above and first sentence of (f), or documents in which cash flows in Pesos or foreign currency have been assigned to the trustee, in foreign currency credit agreements, under the terms and conditions set forth in items mentioned before.;

i. financings for purposes other than those mentioned in (a) to (d) above, included under the IDB credit program (“Préstamos BID N° 119/OC-AR”), not exceeding 10% of the lending capacity;

j. inter-financing loans;

k. Central Bank bills (Letras y Notas) denominated in dollars;

l. direct investments abroad by companies that reside in Argentina, that seek the development of productive activities of non-financial goods and/or services, either through contributions and/or purchases of shares in companies, to the extent that they are constituted in countries or territories considered cooperators for the purposes of fiscal transparency according to the provisions of article 1 of Decree No. 589/13 as amended;

m. financing of investment projects, including working capital, which allows the increase of production in the energy sector and have firm sales contracts and/or endorsements or guarantees in foreign currency.

n. National Treasury bills in foreign currency, up to an amount equivalent to one third of the total of the applications made in accordance with the provisions of this section;

o. financing of investment projects for bovine cattle, including their working capital, without exceeding 5% of deposits in foreign currency of the entity;

p. financing of foreign importers for the acquisition of goods and / or services produced in the country, either directly or through credit lines to foreign banks; and

q. Financing of local residents that are secured by letters of credit (“stand-by letters of credit”) issued by foreign banks or multilateral development banks that comply with the provisions of point 3.1. of regulations on “Credit assessments”, requiring for that purpose an international rating of investment grade risk, to the extent that such letters of credit are unrestricted and that the accreditation of the funds is made immediately at the simple request of the beneficiary entity.

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The lending capacity shall be determined for each foreign currency raised, such determination being made on the basis of the monthly average of daily balances recorded during each calendar month. Any defect in the application shall give rise to an increase in the minimum cash requirement in the relevant foreign currency.

General Exchange Position

The general exchange position (“GEP”) includes all the liquid external assets of the institution, such as gold, currency and foreign currency notes reserves, sight deposits in foreign banks, investments in securities issued by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members’ governments with a sovereign debt rating not below “AA,” certificates of time deposits in foreign institutions (rated not less than “AA”), correspondents’ debit and credit balances and the third parties funds pending of settlement. It also includes purchases and sales of these assets already arranged and pending settlement involving foreign exchange purchases and sales performed with customers within a term not exceeding two (2) business days and correspondent balances for third-party transfers pending settlement.

It does not include, however, foreign currency notes held in custody, term sales and purchases of foreign currency or securities nor direct investments abroad.

Pursuant to Communication “A” 6244, as amended, which entered into force on July 1, 2017, entities can freely determine the level and use of their GEP, thus allowing such entities to manage their exchange positions, both regarding the composition of its assets, as well as the possibility to maintain or transfer their holdings out of the country, with its subsequent impact in the reserves.

Furthermore, the aforementioned regulation foresees that the entities shall carry out arbitrage and foreign exchange operations, to the extent that the counterparty is a branch or agency of local official banks, a foreign financial institution, total or majority ownership of an entity in foreign states, a foreign financial or exchange entity that is not incorporated in countries or territories where the Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, or a foreign company dedicated to the trading of banknotes from different countries and/or precious metals in coins or bars of good delivery and whose head office is located in a member country of the Basel Committee for Banking Supervision.

Foreign Currency Net Global Position

All assets and liabilities from financial intermediation in foreign currency and securities in foreign currency (originating in spot and forward transactions) are included in the net global position, including related derivatives and agreements contemplating variations in the rate of exchange, the items included in the computation of the “General Foreign Exchange Position,” foreign currency deposits in accounts maintained with the Central Bank as well as gold, Central Bank Bills in foreign currency, subordinated debt in foreign currency and debt securities issued in foreign currency.

Forward transactions under master agreements executed in authorized domestic markets paid by settlement of the net amount without delivery of the underlying asset are also included. Likewise, certificates or notes issued by financial trusts and claims under common trusts are also included in the relevant proportion, provided that the underlying assets are denominated in foreign currency. The value of the position in currencies other than Dollars shall be expressed in that currency, at the respective exchange rate published by the Central Bank.

Deductible assets when determining a bank’s RPC and Argentine government bonds linked to the growth of the GDP are excluded from the ratio.

Limits

Negative Foreign Currency Net Global Position (liabilities exceeding assets): as of June 21, 2018 (Communication “A” 6529) the limit is 30% of the RPC of the immediately preceding month.

Positive Foreign Currency Net Global Position (assets exceeding liabilities): This daily position (monthly average of the daily balance converted to Pesos at the reference exchange rate) cannot exceed 5% of the lesser of the RPC or the entity’s own liquid assets (own liquid assets meaning the RPC surplus over fixed assets and other concepts to be computed in accordance with Central Bank regulation related to the “fixed assets and other concepts ratio”) of the immediately preceding month.

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As of June 18, 2018 the Central Bank allows that the Positive Foreign Currency Net Global Position may reach up to 30% of the RCP or the entity’s own liquid assets whichever is less, while the total excess over the general limit originates only as a result of:

a) increase in the position in US Treasury bills in US dollars with respect to those held as of June 15, 2018, and/or

b) position in National Treasury bills in US dollars as of June 15, 2018, maintained as excess admitted to the current limit as of that date.

The excesses of these ratios are subject to a charge equal to 1.5 times the average nominal interest rate of the shorter term Peso-denominated LELIQs auction published on the last business day of the relevant period or, if not available, the last one available for a shorter term. Charges not paid when due are subject to a charge equal to one and a half times the charge established for excesses.

In addition to the above-mentioned charge, sanctions set forth in section 41 of the Financial Institutions Law shall apply (including: caution; warning; fine; temporary or permanent disqualification to dispose of a banking current account; temporary or permanent disqualification to act as promoters, founders, directors, administrators, members of surveillance committees, comptrollers, liquidators, managers, auditors, partner or shareholders; and license revocation).

Assignment of foreign exchange positions by financial and foreign exchange entities

On December 17, 2015, Communication “A” 5852 provided that financial entities authorized to deal in exchange transactions and foreign exchange entities were required to sell to the Central Bank their respective positive foreign currency positions at closing on December 16, 2015, valued at the reference exchange rate of such date, and then repurchase them in full. The repurchase transaction could be effective as of December 17, 18 or 21, 2015, at the Central Bank’s discretion, at the reference exchange rate prevailing on the day of the repurchase.

In particular, an open purchase position in U.S. dollar futures traded on the Mercado a Término de Rosario S.A. (Rosario Futures Exchange, or “ROFEX”) and having had its original price adjusted as provided under Item II of Communication 657 of Argentina Clearing S.A. was required to be sold to the Central Bank at the adjusted original price resulting from the enforcement of such Communication, and then repurchased in full at the reference exchange rate prevailing on the day of the repurchase.

For the purpose of exercising the repurchase date option contemplated in the first paragraph, the entities were required to submit a letter signed by its president or chief local officer to the General Operations Sub-department before 10:00 a.m. of the selected day, expressly stating the decision it had adopted.

If an entity failed to exercise the option contemplated in the first paragraph or to comply with any of the formal requirements set forth above, the repurchase was to be completed on December 22, 2015 at the reference exchange rate prevailing on such date.

The notion of “foreign currency position” referred to above was determined as follows: (i) for foreign exchange bureaus, agencies and offices: their GEP; and (ii) for financial entities authorized to deal in foreign exchange transactions: their net global foreign currency position, less any net assets corresponding to their liabilities in foreign-currency denominated government securities, based on the currency in which the respective financial services were paid (either a foreign currency or U.S. dollar-linked Argentine Pesos).

If the determined foreign currency position was negative, no sale to the Central Bank and repurchase was required.

Fixed Assets and Other Items

The Central Bank determines that the fixed assets and other items maintained by the financial entities must not exceed 100% of the entity’s RPC.

Such fixed assets and other items include the following:

• Shares of local companies;

• Miscellaneous receivables;

• Property and equipment; and

• Other assets.

The calculation of such assets will be effected according to the month-end balances, net of depreciations, accumulated amortizations and allowances for loan losses.

Non-compliance with the ratio produces an increase in the minimum capital requirements equal to 100% of the excess on the ratio.

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Credit Ratings

Since November 28, 2014, Communication “A” 5671, as amended by Communication “A” 6162, supersedes the provisions issued by the Central Bank containing ratings requirements assigned by a local risk rating company. Where provisions require certain international ratings, the criteria set forth by Communication “A” 5671 govern.

The provisions of Communication “A” 5671 are basic guidelines to properly assess the credit risk that financial institutions must observe when implementing Central Bank Rules including the requirement of a particular rating and do not replace the credit assessment that each financial institution must make to their counterparts. International credit ratings that refer to these provisions shall be issued by rating agencies that have a code of conduct based on the “Principles of the Code of Conduct for Agents Rate Risk” issued by the International Organization of Securities Commissions.

Annex II of Communication “A” 5671 provides a table regarding the new qualification requirements for financial institutions. This table classifies the credit ratings requirements for different transactions.

Debt Classification and Loan Loss Provisions

Unless otherwise indicated, the regulations explained in this section should be applied to financial information of the banks calculated in accordance with Central Bank Rules. IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Central Bank Rules.

Credit Portfolio

The regulations on debt classification are designed pursuant to Central Bank Rules, which differ from IFRS to establish clear guidelines for identifying and classifying the quality of assets, as well as evaluating the actual or potential risk of a lender sustaining losses on principal or interest, in order to determine (taking into account any loan security) whether the provisions against such contingencies are adequate. Banks must classify their loan portfolios into two different categories: (i) consumer or housing loans and (ii) commercial loans. Consumer or housing loans include housing loans, consumer loans, credit-card financings, loans of up to Ps.7,920,000 to micro-credit institutions and commercial loans of up to Ps.7,920,000 with or without preferred guarantees when the institution elected. All other loans are considered commercial loans. Consumer or housing loans in excess of Ps.7,920,000, the repayment of which is linked to the evolution of its productive or commercial activity, are classified as commercial loans. If a customer has both kinds of loans (commercial and consumer or housing loans), the consumer or housing loans will be added to the commercial portfolio to determine under which portfolio they should be classified based on the amount indicated. In these cases, the loans secured by preferred guarantees shall be considered to be at 50% of its face value.

Under the current debt classification system, each customer, as well as the customer’s outstanding debts, are included within one of six sub-categories. The debt classification criteria applied to the consumer loan portfolio are primarily based on objective factors related to customers’ performance of their obligations or their legal standing, while the key criterion for classifying the commercial loan portfolio is each borrower’s paying ability based on their future cash flow.

Commercial loans classification

The principal criterion used to evaluate a loan pertaining to the commercial portfolio is its borrower’s ability to repay it, whose ability is mainly measured by such borrower’s future cash flow. Pursuant to Central Bank Rules, commercial loans are classified as follows:

Classification	Criteria
Normal Situation	Borrowers that demonstrate their ability to comply with their payment obligations. High repayment capacity.
Subject to special Monitoring/Under observation	Borrowers that, among other criteria, are up to 90 days past due and, although considered to be able to meet all their financial obligations, are sensitive to changes that could compromise their ability to honor debts absent timely corrective measures.

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Classification	Criteria
Subject to special Monitoring/ Under negotiation or refinancing agreement	Borrowers who are unable to comply with their obligations as agreed with the bank and, therefore, formally state, within 60 calendar days after the maturity date, their intention to refinance such debts. The borrower must enter into a refinancing agreement with the bank within 90 calendar days (if up to two lenders are involved) or 180 calendar days (if more than two lenders are involved) after the payment default date. If no agreement has been reached within the established deadline, the borrower must be reclassified to the next category according to the indicators established for each level.
Troubled	Borrowers with difficulties honoring their financial obligations under the loan on a regular basis, which, if uncorrected, may result in losses to the bank.
With high risk of insolvency	Borrowers who are highly unlikely to honor their financial obligations under the loan.
Irrecoverable	Loans classified as irrecoverable at the time they are reviewed (although the possibility might exist that such loans might be collected in the future). The borrower will not meet its financial obligations with the financial institution.
Irrecoverable according to Central Bank’s Rules	(a) Borrower has defaulted on its payment obligations under a loan for more than 180 calendar days according to the corresponding report provided by the Central Bank, which report includes: (1) financial institutions liquidated by the Central Bank, (2) residual entities created as a result of the privatization of public financial institutions, or in the privatization or dissolution process, (3) financial institutions whose licenses have been revoked by the Central Bank and find themselves subject to judicial liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings and (4) trusts in which Seguro de Depósitos S.A. (SEDESA) is a beneficiary; or (b) certain kinds of foreign borrowers (including banks or other financial institutions that are not subject to the supervision of the Central Bank or similar authority of the country in which they are incorporated) that are not classified as “investment grade” by any of the rating agencies approved by the Central Bank.

Consumer or housing loans classification

The principal criterion applied to loans in the consumer and housing portfolio is the length of period for which such loans remain overdue. Under Central Bank Rules, consumer and housing borrowers are classified as follows:

Classification	Criteria
Normal Situation	If all payments on loans are current or less than 31 calendar days overdue and, in the case of checking account overdrafts, less than 61 calendar days overdue.
Low Risk	Loans upon which payment obligations are overdue for a period of more than 31 and up to 90 calendar days.
Medium Risk	Loans upon which payment obligations are overdue for a period of more than 90 and up to 180 calendar days.
High Risk	Loans in respect of which a legal action seeking collection has been filed or loans having payment obligations overdue for more than 180 calendar days, but less than 365 calendar days.
Irrecoverable	Loans in which payment obligations are more than one year overdue or the debtor is insolvent or in bankruptcy or liquidation.
Irrecoverable Loans	Loans in which payment obligations are more than one year overdue or the debtor is insolvent or in bankruptcy or liquidation.
Irrecoverable according to Central Bank’s Rules	Same criteria as for commercial loans in the Irrecoverable according to Central Bank Rules.

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Minimum Credit Provisions

Unless otherwise indicated, the financial regulations described in this section have been prepared in accordance with Central Bank Rules. IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Central Bank Rules. See Item 5B.“Critical accounting policies” and note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

The following minimum credit provisions are required to be made by Argentine banks in relation to the credit portfolio category:

Category	With Preferred Guarantees			Without Preferred Guarantees
“Normal situation”		1	%		1	%
“Under observation” and “Low risk”		3	%		5	%
“Under negotiation or refinancing agreement”		6	%		12	%
“With problems” and “Medium Risk”		12	%		25	%
“With high risk of insolvency” and “High Risk”		25	%		50	%
“Irrecoverable”		50	%		100	%
“Irrecoverable according to Central Bank’s Rules”		100	%		100	%

The Superintendency may require additional provisioning if it determines that the current level is inadequate.

Financial institutions are entitled to record allowances for loan losses in amounts larger than those required by Central Bank Rules. In such cases and despite the existence of certain exceptions, recording a larger allowance for a commercial loan, to the extent the recorded allowance amount falls into the next credit portfolio category set forth by Central Bank Rules, shall automatically result in the corresponding debtor being recategorized accordingly.

Minimum frequency for classification review

In accordance with Central Bank Rules financial institutions are required to develop procedures for the analysis of the credit facilities assuring an appropriate evaluation of a debtor’s financial situation and a periodic revision of its situation concerning objective and subjective conditions of all the risks taken. The procedures established have to be detailed in a manual called “Manual of Procedures for Classification and Allowances” which shall be permanently available for the Superintendency. The frequency of the review of existing classifications must answer to the importance considering all facilities. The classification analysis shall be duly documented.

In the case of commercial loans, applicable regulations require a minimum frequency of review. Such review must take place: (i) quarterly for clients with indebtedness equal or greater than 5% of the financial entity’s RPC for the prior month and (ii) semi-annually for clients whose indebtedness is (x) higher than the lower of 1% and Ps. 19.800.000 of the financial entity’s RPC for the prior month, and (y) lower than 5% of the financial entity’s RPC for the prior month. At the end of the first calendar semester, the total review under (i) and (ii) should have covered no less than 50% of the financial entity’s commercial loan portfolio and, if less, it shall be completed by incorporating clients (in descending order) whose total indebtedness is inferior to the limits described in the preceding point (ii)(x).

In addition, financial institutions have to review the rating assigned to a debtor in certain instances, such as when another financial institution reduces the debtor classification in the “Credit Information Database” (the “Credit Information Database”) and grants 10% or more of the debtor’s total financing in the financial system. Only one-level discrepancy is allowed in relation to the information submitted by financial institutions to the Credit Information Database and the lower classification awarded by at least two other banks and total lending from such banks account for 40% or more of the total informed; if there is a greater discrepancy, the financial institution will be required to reclassify the debtor.

Allowances for loan losses

The Central Bank Rules establishes minimum requirements for allowances for loan losses, in accordance with the category assigned to the client and the type of guarantee. Entities may have allowances for amounts higher than the minimum requirements, as deemed reasonable. Allowances are designed pursuant to the Central Bank Rules which differ from IFRS. See Item 5B.“Critical accounting policies” and note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

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Increases in the allowance are based on the level of growth of the loan portfolio, as well as on the deterioration of the quality of existing loans, while decreases in the allowance are based on regulations requiring the write-off of non-performing loans classified as irrecoverable after a certain period of time and on decisions of the management to write off non-performing loans evidencing a very low probability of recovery.

Priority rights of depositors

Under section 49 of the Financial Institutions Law, in the event of judicial liquidation or bankruptcy of a bank all depositors, irrespective of the type, amount or currency of their deposits, will be senior to the other remaining creditors (such as shareholders of the bank), with exceptions made for certain labor liens (section 53 paragraphs (a) and (b)) and for those creditors backed by a pledge or mortgage, in the following order of priority: (a) deposits of up to Ps.1,000,000 per person (including all amounts such person deposited in one financial entity), or its equivalent in foreign currency, (b) all deposits of an amount higher than Ps. 1,000,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency, and (c) the liabilities originated in commercial lines granted to the financial institution and which directly affect international commerce. Furthermore, pursuant to section 53 of the Financial Institutions Law, as amended, Central Bank claims have absolute priority over other claims, except for pledged or mortgaged claims, certain labor claims, the depositors’ claims pursuant to section 49, paragraph e), points i) and ii), debt granted under section 17, paragraphs (b), (c) and (f) of the Central Bank’s Charter (including discounts granted by financial entities due to a temporary lack of liquidity, advances to financial entities with security interest, assignment of rights, pledges or special assignment of certain assets) and debt granted by the Banking Liquidity Fund backed by a pledge or mortgage.

The amendment to section 35 bis of the Financial Institutions Law by Law No. 25,780 sets forth that if a bank is in a situation where the Central Bank may revoke its authorization to operate and become subject to dissolution or liquidation by judicial resolution, the Central Bank’s Board of Directors may take certain actions. Among these actions, in the case of excluding the transfer of assets and liabilities to financial trusts or other financial entities, the Central Bank may totally or partially exclude the liabilities mentioned in section 49, paragraph (e), as well as debt defined in section 53, giving effect to the order of priority among creditors. Regarding the partial exclusion, the order of priority of paragraph (e), section 49 must be followed without treating liabilities of the same grade differently.

Mandatory deposit insurance system

Law No. 24,485, passed on April 12, 1995, as amended, created a Deposit Insurance System, or “SSGD,” which is mandatory for bank deposits, and delegated the responsibility for organizing and implementing the system to the Central Bank. The SSGD is a supplemental protection to the privilege granted to depositors by means of section 49 of the Financial Institutions Law, as mentioned above.

The SSGD has been implemented through the establishment of a Deposit Guarantee Fund, or “FGD,” managed by a private-sector corporation called Seguro de Depósitos Sociedad Anónima, (Deposit Insurance Corporation, or “SEDESA”). According to Decree No. 1292/96, the shareholders of SEDESA are the government through the Central Bank and a trust set up by the participating financial institutions. These institutions must pay into the FGD a monthly contribution determined by Central Bank Rules. The SSGD is financed through regular and additional contributions made by financial institutions, as provided for in Central Bank Communication “A” 4271, dated December 30, 2004.

The SSGD covers deposits made by Argentine individuals and legal entities in Pesos and foreign currency and maintained in accounts with the participating financial institutions, including checking accounts, savings accounts, and time deposits up to the amount of Ps.350,000, as set forth by Central Bank Communication “A” 5659, dated October 31, 2014, as amended, which pursuant to Communication “A” 6654 of the Central Bank, dated February 26, 2019, as of march 1, 2019 the amount covered by the SSGD is currently Ps.1,000,000.

Effective payment on this guaranty will be made within thirty (30) business days after revocation of the license of the financial institution in which the funds are held; such payments are subject to the exercise of the depositor’s priority rights described above.

In view of the circumstances affecting the financial system, Decree No. 214/2002 provided that SEDESA may issue registered securities for the purpose of offering them to depositors in payment of the guarantee in the event it should not have sufficient funds available.

The SSGD does not cover: (i) deposits maintained by financial institutions in other financial institutions, including certificates of deposit bought in the secondary market, (ii) deposits made by persons directly or indirectly affiliated with the institution, (iii) time deposits of securities, acceptances or guarantees, (iv) any transferable time deposits that have been transferred by endorsement, (v) any deposits in which the agreed-upon interest rate is higher than the reference interest rates periodically released by the Central Bank for time deposits and demand deposit account balances and available amounts from overdue deposits or closed accounts, and (vi) immobilized credit from deposits and excluded transactions.

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Pursuant to Communication “A” 5710, every financial institution is required to contribute to the FGD a monthly amount of 0.06% of the monthly average of daily balances of deposits in local and foreign currency, as determined by the Central Bank.

When fixed term deposits in U.S. dollars of the private non-financial sector are used to purchase Central Bank bills denominated in U.S. dollars, financial institutions must contribute 0.015% of the monthly average of daily balances of the net position of such bills. Prompt contribution of such amounts is a condition precedent to the continuing operation of the financial institution. The first contribution was made on May 24, 1995. The Central Bank may require financial institutions to advance the payment of up to the equivalent of two years of monthly contributions and debit the past due contributions from funds of the financial institutions deposited with the Central Bank. The Central Bank may require additional contributions by certain institutions, depending on its evaluation of the financial condition of those institutions. Pursuant to Communication “A” 5943, effective as of April 7, 2016, the monthly contribution to the FDG was established as 0.015%.

When the contributions to the FGD reach the greater of Ps.2 billion or 5.0% of the total deposits of the system, the Central Bank may suspend or reduce the monthly contributions, and reinstate them when the contributions subsequently fall below that level.

Other restrictions

Pursuant to the Financial Institutions Law, financial institutions cannot create any kind of rights over their assets without the Central Bank’s authorization. Furthermore, in accordance with section 72 of Capital Markets Law, publicly offered companies are forbidden to enter into transactions with their directors, officers or affiliates in terms more favorable than arms-length transactions.

Capital Markets

Commercial banks are authorized to subscribe for and sell shares and debt securities. At present, there are no statutory limitations as to the amount of securities for which a bank may undertake to subscribe. However, under Central Bank Rules, underwriting of debt securities by a bank would be treated as “financial assistance” and, accordingly, until the securities are sold to third parties, such underwriting would be subject to limitations.

On September 9, 2013, the CNV published Resolution No. 622/2013 (the “CNV Rules”) supplementing the Capital Markets Law. The CNV Rules have been in force since September 18, 2013. On May 9, 2018, the Argentine Congress approved the Argentine Productive Financing Law No. 27,440, which amended the Capital Markets Law, the Mutual Funds Law No. 24,083 and the Negotiable Obligations Law, among other regulations and introduced substantial changes to regulations governing markets, stock exchanges and the various agents operating in capital markets, as well as certain amendments to the CNV’s powers. For more information, please see, “Risk Factors—Risks relating to Argentina—The Argentine economy remains vulnerable and any significant decline could adversely affect our financial condition.”

TM20

Beginning October 5, 2017, the Central Bank has begun to publish on a daily basis a survey of the average interest rates paid by Banks for their fixed-term deposits of over Ps.20 million, for terms of between 30 and 35 days (the “TM20”), in order to reflect the behavior of wholesale depositors.

A TM20 denominated in dollars will also be published for deposits for the same term that are for U.S.$20 million or more.

The information published by the Central Bank is broken down by public vs. private banks, both for operations in Pesos and foreign currencies.

Financial institutions with economic difficulties

The Financial Institutions Law provides that any financial institution, including a commercial bank, operating at less than certain required technical ratios and minimum net worth levels, in the judgment of the Central Bank adopted by members representing the majority of the board of directors, with impaired solvency or liquidity or in any of the other circumstances listed in Section 44 of the Financial Institutions Law, must (upon request from the Central Bank and in order to avoid the revocation of its license) prepare a restructuring plan or a remediation and regularization plan. The plan must be submitted to the Central Bank on a specified date, no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the date on which a request to that effect is made by the Central Bank. If the institution fails to submit, secure regulatory approval of, or comply with, a restructuring plan, the Central Bank will be empowered to revoke the institution’s license to operate as such.

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The Central Bank’s charter authorizes the Superintendency to fully or partially suspend, exclusively subject to the approval of the President of the Central Bank, the operations of a financial institution for a term of thirty (30) days if the liquidity or solvency thereof is adversely affected. Such term could be renewed for up to ninety (90) additional days, with the approval of the Central Bank’s Board of Directors. During such suspension term an automatic stay of claims, enforcement actions and precautionary measures is triggered, any commitment increasing the financial institution’s obligations shall be null and void, and debt acceleration and interest accrual shall be suspended.

If a financial institution meets the Central Bank’s criteria and is found to be in a situation covered by the Financial Institutions Law, then the Central Bank is authorized to revoke the institution’s operation license. The Central Bank may order a restructuring plan before revoking an institution’s license. The restructuring plan may consist of certain steps, including, among others:

• adoption of a list of measures to capitalize or increase the capital of the financial institution;

• revoke the approval granted to the shareholders of the financial institution to hold interests therein;

• restructure or transfer assets and liabilities;

• grant temporary exemptions to comply with technical regulations or payment of charges and penalties arising from such flawed compliance; or

• appoint a delegate or auditor (“intervenor”) that may prospectively replace the board of directors of the financial institution.

Revocation of the license to operate as a financial institution

The Central Bank may revoke the license to operate as a financial institution in the situations outlined in the Financial Institutions Law. These situations include if a restructuring plan fails or is not deemed feasible, local laws and regulations are violated, the solvency or liquidity of the financial institution is affected, significant changes occur in the institution’s condition from when the original authorization was granted, if any decision by the financial institution’s legal or corporate authorities concerning its dissolution is adopted, among other circumstances set forth in the Financial Institutions Law. In addition, pursuant to the Central Bank regulations on “Incorporation of Financial Entities,” sanctions imposed by the Central Bank, the UIF, the CNV and/or the National Superintendency of Insurance (Superintendencia de Seguros de la Nación) on financial institutions and/or their authorities, may result in the revocation of their licenses to operate as financial institutions. Such revocation may occur when, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank, there was a material change in the conditions deemed necessary to maintain such license, including those relating to the suitability, experience, moral character or integrity of:

(i) the members of a financial institution’s board of directors (directors, counselors or equivalent authorities),

(ii) its shareholders,

(iii) the members of its supervisory committee and

(iv) others, such as its managers.

For such purposes, the Superintendency also takes into consideration information that it receives from, and/or sanctions imposed by, equivalent foreign agencies or authorities. When weighing the significance of the sanctions, the Superintendency takes into account the type of sanctions, the underlying reason for such sanctions and the amount of sanctions imposed on the financial institution. Additionally, the Superintendency factors in the degree of participation in the events leading up to the sanction, the economic effects of the violation, the degree of damage caused to third parties, the economic benefit that the sanctioned party received from the violation, the sanctioned party’s operating volume, its liability and the title or function that such party holds.

Once the license to operate as a financial institution has been revoked, the financial institution will be liquidated.

Liquidation of financial institutions

As provided in the Financial Institutions Law, the Central Bank must notify the revocation decision to a competent court, which will then determine who will liquidate the entity: the corporate authorities (extrajudicial liquidation) or an independent liquidator appointed by the court for that purpose (judicial liquidation). The court’s decision will be based on whether there are sufficient assurances that the corporate authorities are capable of carrying out such liquidation properly.

Bankruptcy of financial institutions

According to the Financial Institutions Law, financial institutions are not allowed to file their own bankruptcy petitions. In addition, the bankruptcy shall not be adjudged until the license to operate as a financial institution has been revoked.

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Once the license to operate as a financial institution has been revoked, a court of competent jurisdiction may adjudge the former financial institution in bankruptcy, or a petition in bankruptcy may be filed by the Central Bank or by any creditor of the bank, in this case after a period of sixty (60) calendar days has elapsed since the license was revoked.

Once the bankruptcy of a financial institution has been adjudged, provisions of the Bankruptcy Law No. 24,522 (the “Bankruptcy Law”) and the Financial Institutions Law shall be applicable. In certain cases, specific provisions of the Financial Institutions Law shall supersede the provisions of the Bankruptcy Law (i.e., priority rights of depositors).

Merger, consolidation and transfer of goodwill

Merger, consolidation and transfer of goodwill may be arranged between entities of the same or different type and will be subject to the prior approval of the Central Bank. The new entity must submit a financial-economic structure profile supporting the project in order to obtain authorization from the Central Bank.

Financial system restructuring unit

The Financial System Restructuring Unit was created to oversee the implementation of a new approach towards those banks that benefit from assistance provided by the Central Bank. This unit is in charge of rescheduling maturities, determining restructuring strategies and action plans, approving transformation plans, and accelerating repayment of the facilities granted by the Central Bank.

Anti-money laundering

The concept of money laundering is generally used to denote transactions aimed at introducing funds from illicit activities into the institutional system and thus transform gains from illegal activities into assets of a seemingly legitimate source.

Terrorist financing is the act of providing funds for terrorist activities. This may involve funds raised from legitimate sources, such as personal donations and profits from businesses and charitable organizations, as well as from criminal sources, such as drug trade, weapons and other goods smuggling, fraud, kidnapping and extortion.

On April 13, 2000, the Argentine Congress passed Law No. 25,246, as amended by Laws No. 26,087, 26,119, 26,286, 26,683, 26,734, 26,831 and 26,860 (together the “Anti-Money Laundering Law”), which sets forth an administrative criminal system and supersedes several sections of the Argentine Criminal Code related to money laundering.

The Anti-Money Laundering Law defines money laundering as a crime committed whenever a person converts, transfers, manages, sells, encumbers, disguises or in any other way commercializes goods obtained through a crime, with the possible consequence that the original assets or the substitute may appear to be of a legitimate origin. The value of the assets must exceed Ps.300,000. This amount may be the product of one or more related transactions.

Money laundering is a separate crime from concealment. Money laundering is a crime against the economic and financial order, whereas concealment is considered an offense against the public administration. Therefore, an individual or entity can be prosecuted for money laundering even if they did not participate in the underlying crime to illegally obtain goods.

To comply with recommendations made by the FATF on money laundering prevention, on June 1, 2011, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 26,683. Under this law, money laundering is a crime per se. Laundering one’s own money is also sanctionable. This law extends reporting duties to certain members of the private sector who were formerly not under such an obligation.

The Anti-Money Laundering Law created the UIF, under the Argentine Ministry of Justice, Security and Human Rights, which is responsible for the handling and transmitting of information to prevent (a) the laundering of assets mainly originated from:

(i) crimes related to illegal trafficking and commercialization of narcotics (Law No. 23,737);

(ii) crimes related to arms trafficking (Law No. 22,415);

(iii) crimes related to the activities of an illegal association as defined in Section 210 bis of the Argentine Criminal Code;

(iv) illegal acts committed by illegal associations (section 210 of the Argentine Criminal Code) organized to commit crimes with political or racial objectives;

(v) crimes of fraud against the Public Administration (section 174, paragraph 5 of the Argentine Criminal Code);

(vi) crimes against the Public Administration under Chapters VI, VII, IX and IX bis of Title XI of the Second Book of the Argentine Criminal Code;

(vii) crimes of underage prostitution and child pornography under Sections 125, 125 bis, 127 bis and 128 of the Argentine Criminal Code;

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(viii) crimes involving terrorist financing (sections 41 and 306 of the Argentine Criminal Code);

(ix) extortion (section 168 of the Argentine Criminal Code),

(x) crimes contemplated by Law No. 24,769; and

(xi) human trafficking.

The UIF is also responsible for transmitting information to prevent (b) terrorism financing (sections 41 and 306 of the Argentine Criminal Code).

With the passage of Law No. 27,260 and its Regulatory Decree No. 895/2016, the UIF fell under the scope of the then Ministry of Treasury and Public Finance, currently the Ministry of Treasury.

The Anti-Money Laundering Law, like anti-money laundering laws of other countries, does not place sole responsibility on the Argentine government to monitor these criminal activities, but rather it also places certain duties on various private sector entities, such as banks, shareholders, stock markets and insurance companies. Under the Anti-Money Laundering law, these private sector entities are now legally bound reporting parties. These obligations essentially consist of information gathering functions, such as:

a) obtaining from clients’ documents that indisputably prove the identity, legal status, domicile and other information, concerning their operations needed to accomplish the intended activity (know your customer policy);

b) reporting to the UIF any transaction considered suspicious (as such term is explained below), as well as any transaction that lacks economic or legal justification, or is unnecessarily complex, whether performed on isolated occasions or repeatedly; and

c) keeping any monitoring activities in connection with a proceeding pursuant to the Anti-Money Laundering Law confidential from both clients and third parties.

Argentine financial institutions must comply with all applicable anti-money laundering regulations as provided by the UIF, the Central Bank, and, if applicable (as is the case of Banco Macro), by the CNV. In this regard, in accordance with Resolution No. 229/2014 of the UIF, both the Central Bank and the CNV are considered “Specific Control Agencies” (Órganos de Contralor Específico). In such capacity, Specific Control Agencies must cooperate with the UIF in the evaluation of compliance with the anti–money laundering proceedings of the legally bound reporting those parties subject to their control which have infringed the prevention regime. In that respect, they are entitled to supervise, monitor and inspect such entities, and if necessary, take disciplinary action against infringers.

Resolution 30/2017 and Resolution 21/2018 of the UIF (“Resolution 30” and “Resolution 21”, respectively), determine the minimum compliance requirements which a system designed to prevent the crimes of money laundering and terrorism financing should include, as is the case of the “know your customer” duties, as well as the obligations and restrictions for compliance with the reporting duty regarding suspicious money laundering and terrorist financing transactions. These two resolutions have been issued by the UIF as a result of its new risk-oriented approach, pursuant to which the UIF has shifted its formalist approach while attempting to implement a more efficient regime to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing, based on the revised FATF recommendations of 2012. Under current regulations, Reporting Parties (Sujetos Obligados) have to first evaluate their risks and then adopt administrative and effective measures in order to prevent money laundering within their organizations.

Resolution 30 also provides that financial entities, such as us, are required to take certain actions embracing a risk-oriented approach, aimed at identifying and assessing their respective exposure to money laundering and terrorism financing, in respect of their customers, countries and geographic areas, products and services, operations or distribution channels, including but not limited to:

(a) implementing an Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing System;

(b) establishing policies, procedures and controls approved by the entity’s board of directors or utmost authority that allow for identifying, assessing, mitigating and monitoring their respective risk exposures to money laundering and terrorism financing. To such ends, financial entities will be required to determine, for each of their business lines, the entity’s risk profile and its inherent level of exposure, and to assess how effective the controls in place are in mitigating the identified risks in respect of, at least, their customers, products and/or services, distribution channels, and geographic areas;

(c) developing a manual of procedures;

(d) appointing a Compliance Officer who shall watch for the implementation of and adherence to the procedures and obligations set forth in Resolution 30;

(e) setting up a Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing to give support to the Compliance Officer in embracing and fulfilling the required policies and procedures for the sound operation of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing System;

(f) paying special attention to the risk inherent to business relationships and operations with countries or jurisdictions where the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) are not sufficiently enforced, or are not enforced at all;

(g) developing an annual training plan for the entity’s directors and employees with special emphasis on the Risk-Based Approach;

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(h) having policies and procedures in place to gain sufficient, timely and current knowledge about all clients, verifying the information submitted by them, and adequately monitoring their operations. Such identification techniques will have to be executed at the beginning of the business relationship and will be applied on an ongoing basis, in order to maintain updated data, records and/or copies of the entity’s customer database. The entity’s failure or inability to comply with the identification duty as set forth in Resolution 30 shall be understood as a barrier to initiate a business relationship or, if already existent, to continue pursuing it. In addition, on the basis of the applicable Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Management policies, it should be analyzed whether or not such business relationship should be reported as suspicious activity.

The due diligence procedures aimed at gaining customer knowledge will be applied according to Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing ratings, determined on the basis of the risk model in place at the entity. To such end, consideration will be given to customer-related risk criteria, including type of customer (individual or legal entity), business activity, source of funds, actual and estimated volume of transactions, nationality and residence. The rating should be determined upon accepting new customers and keep updated throughout the relationship with them;

(i) enforcing and establishing the scope and intensity of the due diligence procedures on a tiered basis, according to, at least, High, Medium and Low Risk levels of customers. Such procedures will involve: (a) for Medium Risk customers, in addition to the minimum required information for identification purposes, securing the appropriate supporting documents in respect of (i) the customer’s business activity, and (ii) the customer’s source of income, funds and/or wealth. The entity may also request for such other additional data which, at its discretion, may be useful to identify and know their customers in order to understand and appropriately manage the risk associated to each type, according to the entity’ risk management system; (b) for High Risk customers, applying reinforced customer due diligence procedures. In addition to the minimum required information, the entity will also be required to secure the following documents in respect of High Risk customers, namely: (i) copies of invoices, title deeds or other documents that serve as irrefutable evidence of the customer’s domicile; (ii) copies of documents supporting the customer’s source of funds, wealth, revenue or earned income; (iii) copy of the decision-making body with designation of authorities; (iv) copies of other documents useful to adequately know and manage the risk associated to this type of customer; (v) check the customer’s potential history of money laundering and terrorist financing and penalties imposed by the UIF, the applicable oversight authority or the judiciary; and (vi) all such other documents as the entity may deem appropriate; and (c) for Low Risk customers, applying simplified customer due diligence procedures including, at least, the minimum requirements set forth in Resolution No. 30 for client identification purposes (both individuals and legal entities);

(j) preparing a prospective (ex ante) Transactional Profile, notwithstanding subsequent adjustments and calibrations thereto, on the basis of the requested information and documents, according to the transactions actually executed. Such profile will be based on the understanding of the expected purpose and nature of the business relationship, the transactional information, and the documents in respect of the financial position furnished by the customer or gathered by the entity itself, according to the due diligence procedures that may apply in each case;

(k) performing transactional monitoring, establishing to such end transaction control rules and automated alerts in order to appropriately and timely monitor the execution of transactions and their alignment with the Transactional Profile and risk level of the entity’s customers. To such ends, all unusual transactions will be regarded as transactions subject to review;

(l) in operating with accounts of other reporting parties, an entity should deploy reasonable due diligence policies and procedures from a risk-based approach and shall request from the UIF the reporting parties’ registration certificate. In the case of failure or unjustified unwillingness to cooperate, the entity should apply reinforced know-your-customer due diligence procedures and will have to conduct a special review of the account and, if so warranted, issue a suspicious transaction report;

(m) applying reinforced follow-up on cash deposits. In this regard, for deposits equal to or in excess of Ps.200,000 or its equivalent in other currencies, the financial entity should identify the person conducting the transaction, request for information and register whether the transaction is conducted on its own account or on behalf of third parties, in which case, the entity should gather the full name and/or corporate name and taxpayer identification number of such third parties;

(n) conducting certain actions during the course of the contractual or business relationship, including but not limited to:

(i) verifying adequate compliance with Resolution No. 29/2013 handed down by the UIF, as amended, in particular, with such policies and procedures to check whether or not the names of candidate customers, payors and beneficiaries of international transfers, customers and beneficial owners appear in anti-terrorist lists and in lists against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;

(ii) verifying whether customers meet the conditions to the regarded as a politically exposed person and comply with the rules handed down by the UIF in that regard;

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(iii) maintaining an internal record of transactions subject to review, which shall include, at least, the following data: (a) transaction identification; (b) date, time and origin of the alert or other transaction identification system; (c) analyst in charge of the alert resolution; (d) actions taken leading to the alert resolution; (e) final decision, including the validation of the supervisor or higher-level officer, date and time of the final decision. In addition, all documentary files supporting such records should be kept in custody.

If unusual transactions are identified, a deeper analysis should be performed in order to obtain additional information to confirm the unusual nature of the transaction, recording in writing the findings of such analysis and the supporting documents that have been verified;

(iv) developing consistent reports as set forth in the rules handed down by the UIF;

(v) maintaining each customer’s file; and

(o) reporting to the UIF unusual transactions regarded as suspicious of money laundering or terrorist financing activities, with special consideration to the circumstances listed in Resolution No. 30. The report should be founded and should describe the rationale for which the transaction has been regarded as such; and

(p) maintaining the following elements for the term of 10 years: (i) the documents supporting the transactions carried out by the entity’s customers, in which case the 10-year term should be counted as from the transaction date; (ii) the customers’ and beneficial owners’ documents gathered through due diligence processes, in which case the 10-year term should be counted as from the date of termination of the relationship with the customer; (iii) the documents gathered to conduct the analysis and all such other documents gathered and/or produced in applying due diligence procedures.

Resolution No. 21/2018 of the UIF, which replaced Resolution 229/2011 and replaced partially Resolution 140/2012 (“Resolution 21”) establishes certain measures to be observed by stockbrokers and brokerage houses, managers of mutual investment funds, over-the-counter agents, intermediaries in the purchase, lease or borrowing of securities operating under the orbit of stock exchanges with or without adherent markets and intermediary agents registered in the futures and options markets (“Reporting Parties under Resolution 21”). This Resolution incorporated as Reporting Parties the persons included in section 22.20 of the Anti-Money Laundering Law acting as financial trustees whenever their securities are authorized by CNV. Resolution 21 also complement Resolution 30, directed at the financial sector, including the guidelines for money laundering and terrorist financing Risk Management and minimum compliance that the legally bound financial reporting parties of the Capital Markets sector must adopt and apply to manage, in accordance with their policies, procedures and controls, the risk of being used by third parties with criminal objectives of money laundry and terrorist financing.

Fundamentally, the aforementioned resolution shifts the formalistic regulatory compliance approach to a risk-based approach, in order to ensure that the actions implemented are proportional to the identified risks. Therefore, the legally bound financial reporting parties must identify and evaluate their risks and, depending on this, adopt management and mitigation measures in order to more effectively prevent money laundry and terrorist financing. Thus, they are enabled to implement certified technological platforms that allow carrying out procedures at a distance, without personal display of the documentation, while complying with the Due Diligence duties.

Furthermore, new categories of agents have been contemplated, that is, the Liquidation and Compensation Agents, the Negotiation Agents (in activities carried out in the field of Capital Markets) and the Collective Investment Products Management Agents of the Mutual Funds, as well as the financial trusts with public offer, their fiduciaries, trustors and any natural or legal person directly or indirectly related to them, are also covered by the regulation, partially repealing the UIF Res. 140/2012 only on such parties, continuing the provisions of it for the remaining trusts.

On December 28, 2018, by means of Resolution 156/2018, the amended and restated texts of Resolutions 30/2017, Resolution 21 and Resolution 28/2018, according to the terms of Decree 891/2017 of Good Practices with regard to Simplification. By virtue of Resolution 156/18, the measures, procedures and controls that the reporting parties listed in those resolutions must adopt and re-apply to manage the risk of being used by third parties with criminal purposes of money laundering and financing of the terrorism. It is also established that those reporting parties must establish a chronogram of digitization of the bundles of pre-existing clients, taking into account the risk they present.

The Central Bank and the CNV must also comply with anti-money laundering regulations set forth by the UIF, including reporting suspicious transactions. Pursuant to Resolution No. 229/2014 of the UIF, the Central Bank and the CNV are considered “Specific Enforcement Agencies.” As such, they must cooperate with the UIF in assessing compliance with the anti-money laundering procedures by the reporting parties subject to their control. To such end, they are entitled to supervise, monitor and inspect such entities and, if necessary, implement certain corrective actions and measures.

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In particular, the Central Bank must comply with UIF Resolution No. 12/2011, as supplemented, among others, by Resolutions No. 1/2012 and No. 92/2012, which sets forth the Central Bank’s obligation to evaluate the anti-money laundering controls implemented by Argentine financial institutions (with the limitation of the access to the reports and records of suspicious operations, which are, as aforementioned, confidential and subject only to the UIF’s supervision), and lists examples of what circumstances should be specially considered in order to stablish if a particular transaction may be considered unusual and eventually qualified as suspicious.

The listed transactions are closely reviewed by the Central Bank. Such transactions include, any transaction involving financial institutions, regular transactions involving securities (specially daily purchases and sales of the same amount of securities), capital contributions into financial institutions that have been paid-in in cash (or means other than bank transfers), and capital contributions by companies incorporated or domiciled in jurisdictions that do not allow for information relating to family relations of its shareholders, board members or members of its supervisory committee, deposits or withdrawals in cash for unusual amounts by entities or individuals that normally use checks or other financial instruments and/or whose declared business does not correspond with the type or amount of the transaction; subsequent cash deposits for small amounts that, in total, add up to a relevant sum; a single client holding numerous accounts that, in the aggregate, hold relevant sums inconsistent with such client’s declared business; transfers of funds for amounts inconsistent with the client’s business or usual kind of transaction; accounts with several authorized signatories that hold no apparent relation (in particular when domiciled or acting off-shore or in tax havens); clients that unexpectedly cancel loans; frequent cash deposits or withdrawals for relevant amounts without commercial justification. The CNV must comply with UIF Resolution No. 22/2011, as supplemented, by Resolutions No. 1/2012 and No. 92/2012, which sets forth the CNV’s obligation to evaluate the anti-money laundering controls implemented by entities subject to its control (with the limitation of the access to the reports and records of suspicious operations, which are confidential and subject only to the UIF’s supervision), and also lists some examples of what circumstances should be specially considered in order to establish if a particular transaction may be considered unusual and eventually qualified as suspicious.

Central Bank Rules require Argentine banks to take certain precautions to prevent money laundering. In this regard, the Central Bank recommends financial institutions create an anti-money laundering committee to assist in the compliance of the anti-money laundering regulations.

Each financial institution must appoint a member of the board of directors as the person responsible for money laundering prevention. This board member is in charge of centralizing any information the Central Bank may require or information that any other competent authority may request. They must also report any suspicious transactions to the UIF.

The guidelines issued by the Central Bank to detect unusual or suspected money laundering or terrorist financing transactions require the reporting of suspicious transactions and are based on the resources of the entity subject to the reporting obligation and on the type of analysis performed. In particular, the following circumstances are considered:

(a) if the amount, type, frequency and nature of a transaction made by a customer bears no relationship to such customer’s previous history and financial activity;

(b) amounts that are unusually high or transactions that are of a complexity and type not usual for the relevant customer;

(c) if a customer refuses to provide information or documents required by the entity or the information furnished is found to have been altered;

(d) if a customer fails to comply with any applicable regulation;

(e) if a customer appears to show an unusual disregard for risks it may be assuming and/or costs involved in the transactions, and this is incompatible with the customer’s financial profile;

(f) if a country or jurisdiction that is not a territory or associated state included in the cooperating countries list contained in Executive Decree No. 589/2013, section 2(b) is involved;

(g) if a same address appears registered for different legal entities or the same natural persons have been empowered by and/or act as attorneys-in-fact for different legal entities and such circumstance is not justified by any financial or legal reason, in particular taking into account whether any such companies or entities are not organized, domiciled or resident in dominions, jurisdictions, territories or associated states included in the cooperating countries list contained in Executive Decree No. 589/2013, section 2(b), and their main business involves off-shore transactions;

(h) if transactions of a similar nature, amount, type or which are conducted simultaneously, it may be presumed that a single transaction has been split into several for the purpose of avoiding the application of transaction detection and/or reporting procedures;

(i) if continued profits or losses are derived from transactions repeatedly conducted between the same parties; or

(j) if certain signs suggest an illegal source, handling or use of funds involved in the transactions, and the entity subject to the legal obligation does not have any explanation for this.

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Pursuant to Communication “A” 5738, as amended and supplemented, including without limitation, by Communication “A” 6060 and 6399, of the Central Bank, Argentine financial institutions must comply with certain additional “know your customer policies.” New commercial relationships cannot be initiated if the “know your customer policies” and the risk management legal standards have not been met. Regarding existing clients, if the “know your customer policies” cannot be complied with, the Argentine financial institution must discontinue operations with such client (i.e. cease the relationship with the client in accordance with Central Bank’s regulations for each type of product) within 150 calendar days as of the notice of such circumstances. Operations do not have to be discontinued when the “know your customer policies” are complied with in such period or when simplified due diligence procedures were implemented pursuant to the applicable laws. Further, under this Communication, Argentine financial entities must keep the documentation related to the discontinuance for 10 years and include in their prevention manuals the detailed procedures to initiate and discontinue operations with clients in accordance with the above-mentioned additional “know your customer policies” in place.

In August 2018, by means of Resolution 97/2018, the UIF approved the regulation for the Central Bank’s collaboration duty with the UIF, in order to adapt it to the new parameters established in resolution 30/2017 for supervisory procedures of financial and exchange entities.

The CNV Rules also includes a specific chapter regarding “Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism” and state that the persons set forth therein (including, among others, Negotiation Agents, Clearing and Settlement Agents (which are stockbrokers), and Distribution and Placement Agents) are to be considered legally bound reporting under the Anti-Money Laundering Law, and therefore must comply with all the laws and regulations in force in connection with anti-money laundering and terrorism financing, including resolutions issued by the UIF, presidential decrees referring to resolutions issued by the United Nations Security Council in connection with the fight against terrorism and the resolutions (and its annexes) issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, CNV Rules impose certain restrictions in connection with payment arrangements (restricting, among others, to Ps.1,000 the cash amount that the entities set forth therein could receive or pay per day and per client) and impose certain reporting obligations.

The CNV Rules establish that the above-mentioned entities shall only be allowed to carry out any transactions contemplated under the public offering system, if such transactions are carried out or ordered by persons organized, domiciled or resident in dominions, jurisdictions, territories or associated States included in the cooperating countries list contained in Executive Decree No. 589/2013, section 2(b). When such persons are not included in such list and in their home jurisdiction qualify as registered intermediaries in an entity under control and supervision of a body that carries out similar functions to those carried out by the CNV, they will only be allowed to carry out such transactions if they provide evidence indicating that the relevant securities and exchange commission in their home jurisdiction has signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation and exchange of information with the CNV.

Regarding terrorism financing, Decree No. 918/2012 established the procedures for the freezing of assets linked to terrorism financing (including automatic freezing), and the creation and maintenance procedures (including the inclusion and removal of suspected persons) for registries created in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council’s resolutions.

Additionally, UIF Resolution No. 29/2013, regulates following the guidelines of Decree No. 918/2012 (i) the method of reporting suspicious transactions of terrorism financing and the persons obligated to do so, and (ii) the administrative freezing of assets on natural or legal persons or entities designated by the United Nations Security Council pursuant to Resolution 1267 (1999) and subsequent, or linked to criminal actions under Section 306 of the Argentine Criminal Code, both prior to the report issued pursuant to UIF Resolutions No. 121 and 229, and as mandated by the UIF after receiving such report.

On February 17, 2016, the “National Coordination Program for the Prevention of Asset Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism” was created by Executive Decree No. 360/2016 as an instrument of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. This Program is responsible for reorganizing, coordinating and strengthening the national system for the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The program considers in particular the specific risks that may have an effect on Argentine territory and the global demand for a more effective compliance with international obligations and recommendations established under United Nations Conventions and the standards of the FATF. The National Coordinator leads the program and ensures its responsibilities are performed and implemented. Applicable statutory rules were also modified and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights were placed primarily in charge of the inter-institutional coordination among all public and private agencies and entities with competent jurisdiction on this matter, while the UIF will retain the ability to perform operating coordination activities at the national, provincial and municipal levels in relation to matters strictly within its jurisdiction as a financial intelligence agency.

Law No. 27,260 and its supplemental Decree No. 895/2016, allow the UIF to provide information to other public entities who also have intelligence or investigation rights, so long as the sharing of this information has been previously authorized by the president of the UIF and if there is reasonable, precise and serious evidence of the commission of any of the crimes contemplated under the Anti-Money Laundering Law. The entities receiving the communications of the UIF providing this information will be subject to the confidentiality obligations of Section 22 of the Anti-Money Laundering Law, and will be subject to the criminal penalties of such law if they breach their duty of confidentiality and reveal secret information. The UIF is not entitled to exercise this right with respect to voluntary and exceptional declarations made pursuant to Law No. 27,260. In addition, pursuant to the UIF Resolution No. 92/2016, reporting agents have to implement a special risk management system. The UIF implemented a special reporting system for operations carried out under the abovementioned tax amnesty disclosure prior to March 31, 2017.

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On January 11, 2017, the UIF published Resolution No. 4/2017 (“Resolution 4/2017”), which allows the legally bound reporting parties detailed in subsections 1, 4 and 5 of section 20 of Law No. 25,246, as amended, (the “Legally Bound Reporting Parties of Res. 4/2017”), to apply special due diligence identification measures to foreign and national investors (which must comply with the requirements established by Resolution 4/2017 to qualify) to Argentina when at-distance opening special investment accounts (the “Accounts”). The special due diligence regime shall not exempt the Legally Bound Reporting Parties of Res. 4/2017 from monitoring and supervising the transactions performed during the course of the commercial relationship, according to a risk-based approach.

Resolution 4/2017 also regulates the due diligence measures between legally bound financial reporting parties. It requires that when the opening of the Accounts is requested by settlement and clearing agents, or the ALyCs, the local financial entity will have complied with current anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing regulations after performing due diligence with respect to the ALyCs. The ALyCs shall be responsible for performing due diligence with respect to its customers. Resolution 4/2017 expressly establishes that, even though the financial entities are not responsible for performing due diligence with respect to the ALyCs’ customers, they are not exempt from monitoring and supervising the transactions performed by their clients (the ALyCs) during the course of the commercial relationship, according to a risk-based approach.

In November 2018, the UIF issued Resolution 134/2018, which updates the list of persons that should be considered “politically exposed” (PEP) in Argentina, taking into account the functions in which they perform or have performed, as well as its relationship of closeness or affinity with third parties who perform or have performed in such functions.

On December 26, 2018, the UIF issued resolution 154/2018 modifying the existing supervision procedures, for new designs that are adapted and according to the international standards promoted by the FATF, which must be applied on compliance with risk-based approach. As a result, the UIF approved its “Risk Based Supervision Procedure of the UIF”, repealing the provisions of Annexes II, III and IV of Resolution 104/2010, article 7 and the provisions of the Annexes V and VI of Resolution 165/2011 and of Annex III of Resolution 229/2014.

Anti-Money Laundering and Prevention of Terrorist Financing Program of the Bank

One of the most significant operational risks that is monitored is that of the activities of “Anti-Money Laundering and Prevention of Terrorist Financing.” There is a program designed to safeguard us against any unintentional involvement or participation in criminal or illicit activities or terrorist financing, and to reaffirm the policy of fully cooperating with the strict application of law and cooperation with the authorities and regulatory bodies.

In order to ensure that the financial system is not used as a channel of funds from criminal activities, employees must determine the true identity of all customers and final beneficiaries of the contracted products and services.

The term terrorism means any premeditated and politically motivated violent act perpetrated against non-combatant targets by clandestine agents or anti-national groups, usually aimed at influencing one or more sectors.

Our regulatory framework categorizes commercializing goods obtained through a crime, with the possible consequence that the original assets or the substitute thereof may appear to be of a legitimate origin, as money laundering. Terrorist financing refers to the funding of a criminal activity, whether through money obtained illegally or legally.

Roles and responsibilities of the program

The term “Anti-Money Laundering Program” refers to the procedures and policies we have adopted to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Law.

All employees have roles and responsibilities in the implementation of the Anti-Money Laundering Program. These roles and responsibilities vary depending on the employee’s business line or business area.

Elements of the Anti-Money Laundering Program

We adopt specific procedures for our various operational and commercial areas as applicable.

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The following are the most important components of the Bank’s Anti-Money Laundering Program:

1. Prevention: We carry out different tasks in order to mitigate the risk of money laundering:

a. Generation of policies and procedures

b. Reliable identification of customers and knowledge of their activities (“Know Your Customer” process).

c. Specific risk analysis in the product and process approval process.

d. Training and ongoing communication to update all relevant staff.

e. Existence of a responsible Officer and a Committee for Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention.”

2. Monitoring: We monitor the activity of clients, suppliers, etc., by setting parameters and alerts to be able to identify cases that must be reported to the appropriate authorities.

3. Relationship with regulatory agencies or industry: We maintain relations with the Central Bank/UIF/CNV by carrying out all necessary actions in order to collect and maintain adequate identification of clients and transaction records, in accordance with regulatory requirements. Likewise, we respond to the information requirements of the mentioned entities.

4. Audits and Reviews: this program will be periodically reviewed through by its own assurance program and different types of audits (internal, external, comptroller) to identify opportunities for improvement.

5. Training and Communication: All our staff (including executive staff) who have a relationship with clients or handle their transactions must receive training in anti-money laundering. This training is institutional and mandatory.

6. Know Your Client (KYC): Similar to our efforts to prevent money laundering, and terrorist financing begins with an appropriate “Know Your Customer” process.

a. Customer awareness allows financial institutions to determine if certain customers are included on terrorist lists issued by governments and regulatory agencies. This process also allows us to establish whether we are facing high-risk clients (e.g., Politically Exposed Persons) in order to carry out an Improved Due Diligence process (EDD).

b. We will not enter into any relationship with any individual or entity who cannot prove their true identity.

7. Recognition and reporting of unusual or suspicious activities: When employees receive indications that make them assume that clients’ funds come from criminal activities, they should report this to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Committee for evaluation in accordance with established procedure.

For a thorough analysis of money laundering regulations in effect as of the date of this document, please consult with your own legal counsel and to read Title XIII, Second Book of the Argentine Criminal Code and any regulations issued by the UIF, the CNV and the Central Bank in their entirety. For this purpose, interested parties may visit the websites of the Argentine Ministry of Economy and Public Finance, www.economia.gob.ar, the UIF, www.argentina.gob.ar/uif, the CNV, www.cnv.gob.ar or the Central Bank, www.bcra.gov.ar none of which websites are incorporated by reference herein.

Corporate Criminal Liability Law

The Corporate Criminal Liability Law sets forth a criminal liability regime applicable to legal entities involved in corruption and international bribery directly or indirectly committed in their name, on their behalf or in their interest and from which a benefit may arise, when commission of the crime is the consequence of an ineffective control or supervision by such legal entity.

In accordance with such law, the Board of Directors has designed a Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policy that sets forth the ethical and compliance standards regarding officer corruption practices, under the scope of the Corporate Criminal Liability Law and the applicable international laws. The Board of Directors expressly prohibits this kind of practices and applies the same criterion in similar cases where private sector individual acts as counterparty.

In turn, the Board of Directors has implemented a code of conduct applicable to employees, contractors, suppliers and agents, with the prohibitions, restrictions and conditions imposed upon them under the Integrity Program approved by the Bank. It was discussed by the Appointment and Corporate Government Committee, and Ernesto Medina, Human Resources Manager, has been appointed Anti-Bribery Policy Officer and the Compliance Department is responsible for the implementation of the Monitoring Program.

C. Organizational Structure

Subsidiaries

We have five subsidiaries: (i) Banco del Tucumán, our retail and commercial banking subsidiary in the province of Tucumán; (ii) Macro Bank Limited, our subsidiary in the Bahamas through which we primarily provide private banking services; (iii) Macro Securities S.A., which is a member of the BYMA, and through which we provide investment research, securities trading and custodial services to our customers; (iv) Macro Fiducia S.A., a subsidiary that acts as trustee and provides financial advisory and analysis services; and (v) Macro Fondos S.G.F.C.I. S.A., an asset management subsidiary.

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	Banco Macro’s direct and indirect interest
Subsidiary	Percentage of Capital Stock			Percentage of possible votes
Banco del Tucumán S.A. (1)		99.945	%		99.945	%
Macro Bank Limited (2)		99.999	%		100.000	%
Macro Securities S.A. (1)		99.921	%		99.932	%
Macro Fiducia S.A. (1)		98.605	%		98.605	%
Macro Fondos S.G.F.C.I. S.A. (1)		99.936	%		100.000	%

(1) Country of residence: Argentina

(2) Country of residence: The Bahamas

D. Property, plants and equipment

Property

Our headquarters consist of 54,461 square meters of office area that is used by our management, accounting and administrative personnel. As of December 31, 2018, our headquarters consisted of 53,713 square meters that we own and 748 square meters that are leased. Our headquarters are split between offices located in Avenida Eduardo Madero 1172, Sarmiento 731 and Leandro N. Alem 1110, all in the City of Buenos Aires. As of December 31, 2018, we have a branch network that consists of 471 branches in Argentina, of which 200 were leased properties.

In 2011 we acquired a site, located at Avenida Eduardo Madero No. 1180, in the City of Buenos Aires, from the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, for an aggregate original amount of Ps.110 million, in which we have developed our headquarters. We have developed a project to build our new corporate offices on this site. Work on the site began in 2012 and was completed as of the date of this annual report.

The new corporate headquarters were designed to take full advantage of natural light and maximize energy efficiency, while also using materials that do not adversely affect the environment and was built in compliance with the Leed International Sustainability Standards of the “U.S. Green Building Council”. As of December 31, 2018, the total aggregate amount invested in the project was approximately U.S.$172 million at the applicable exchange rates at the end of the month as of the respective dates of such investments.

Selected Statistical Information

The following information is included for analytical purposes and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as well as Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” This information has been extracted from the Bank’s internal documentation that supports our financial records.

Average balance sheets, interest earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

The following tables show average balances, interest amounts and nominal and real rates for our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 based on results adjusted for inflation as of December 31, 2018, as explained in our consolidated financial statements.

The nominal interest rate has been calculated by dividing the amount of interest gain or loss during the period by the related average balance, both amounts not adjusted for inflation. The nominal rates calculated for each period have been converted into real rates using the following formulas:    

Rp=	1 + Np	-1
	1 + I
Rp=	(1 + Nd) (1 + D)	-1
	1 + I

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Where:

Rp = real average rate for peso-denominated assets and liabilities ( in Ps.) for the period;

Rd = real average rate for foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities for the period;

Np = nominal average rate for peso - denominated assets and liabilities for the period;

Nd = nominal average rate for foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities for the period;

D = devaluation rate of the Argentine peso to the dollar for the period; and

I = inflation rate in Argentina for the period based on the variation of the Consumer Price Index.

I 2017 = 24.79%

I 2018 = 47.65%

D 2017 = 18.45%

D 2018 = 101.38%

	2017										2018
	Average Balance		Interest Earned / (Paid)		Average Real Rate			Average Nominal Rate			Average Balance		Interest Earned / (Paid)		Average Real Rate			Average Nominal Rate
	(in thousands of Pesos)
ASSETS
Interest-earning assets
Loans and other financing
Non-financial Public Sector
Pesos		1,936,833		293,716		3.30	%		28.91	%		2,523,506		1,065,836		(7.94	)%		35.93	%
Foreign currency		—		—		0.00	%		0.00	%		2		—		0.00	%		0.00	%
Total		1,936,833		293,716		3.30	%		28.91	%		2,523,508		1,065,836		(7.94	)%		35.93	%
Other Financial Entities
Pesos		3,921,386		802,257		(3.25	)%		20.73	%		4,516,616		1,405,779		(14.13	)%		26.78	%
Foreign currency		268,381		11,568		-0.95	%		4.35	%		440,093		22,612		42.38	%		4.39	%
Total		4,189,767		813,825		(3.10	)%		19.68	%		4,956,709		1,428,391		(9.11	)%		24.79	%
Non-financial Private Sector and Foreign Residents
Pesos		151,866,510		43,387,897		3.25	%		28.84	%		151,808,342		49,399,413		(12.75	)%		28.83	%
Foreign currency		26,425,022		993,090		(1.47	)%		3.80	%		37,908,669		1,814,449		41.97	%		4.09	%
Total		178,291,532		44,380,987		2.55	%		25.13	%		189,717,011		51,213,862		(1.82	)%		23.89	%
Other Debt Securities
Pesos		42,132,088		9,094,144		(2.22	)%		22.02	%		51,668,338		20,485,413		(9.16	)%		34.13	%
Foreign currency		2,736,105		124,806		(0.60	)%		4.72	%		2,043,084		62,318		39.87	%		2.55	%
Total		44,868,193		9,218,950		(2.12	)%		20.97	%		53,711,422		20,547,731		(7.29	)%		32.93	%
Repo Transactions
Pesos		5,540,772		1,119,217		(4.33	)%		19.39	%		937,607		449,871		(2.18	)%		44.43	%
Foreign currency		—		—		0.00	%		0.00	%		—		—		0.00	%		0.00	%
Total		5,540,772		1,119,217		(4.33	)%		19.39	%		937,607		449,871		(2.18	)%		44.43	%
Total interest-earning assets
Pesos		205,397,589		54,697,231		1.80	%		27.03	%		211,454,409		72,806,312		(11.80	)%		30.23	%
Foreign currency		29,429,508		1,129,464		(1.38	)%		3.89	%		40,391,848		1,899,379		41.87	%		4.02	%
Total		234,827,097		55,826,695		1.40	%		24.13	%		251,846,257		74,705,691		(3.19	)%		26.03	%
Non interest-earning assets

87

	2017								2018
	Average Balance		Interest Earned / (Paid)		Average Real Rate		Average Nominal Rate		Average Balance		Interest Earned / (Paid)		Average Real Rate		Average Nominal Rate
	(in thousands of Pesos)
Cash and Deposits in Banks
Pesos		22,304,577		—		—		—		28,148,908		—		—		—
Foreign currency		34,232,086		—		—		—		30,919,150		—		—		—
Total		56,536,663		—		—		—		59,068,058		—		—		—
Property, Plant and Equipment
Pesos		14,579,732		—		—		—		15,375,020		—		—		—
Foreign currency		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total		14,579,732		—		—		—		15,375,020		—		—		—
Intangible Assets
Pesos		1,566,273		—		—		—		1,873,423		—		—		—
Foreign currency		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total		1,566,273		—		—		—		1,873,423		—		—		—
Investment in associates and joint arrangements
Pesos		233,093		—		—		—		202,614		—		—		—
Foreign currency		102		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total		233,195		—		—		—		202,614		—		—		—
Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss
Pesos		1,300,255		—		—		—		1,520,555		—		—		—