Growth in the total assets of banks moderated appreciably during 2002, but grew rapidly in the first six months of 2003 because of changes in regulatory and accounting practices that require many off-balance sheet items to be included in balance sheets. However, the quality of assets remained high.
However, with the onset of a new agricultural season, higher growth in administered prices after elections, and the repeal of the decree limiting trade margins, inflation will return towards the target by the third quarter 2012.