Colombia plans to sell 4 banks.

CARTAGENA, Colombia - The Colombian government is planning to sell four state-owned banks on the country's stock markets, Finance Minister Rudolf Hommes said.

Mr. Hommes said Banco de Estado and Banco de Colombia would be sold by yearend, pending an anticipated approval vote by the nation's Council of Ministers later this month.

The finance minister added that the government has not completed evaluations of Banco Popular. which specializes in small-business loans, and Banco Hipotecario, which provides credit for housing and construction. They will probably be sold in 1994.

The expected privatization of another bank, Banco Cafetero, has not been set because it requires negotiation with the National Coffee Growers Committee, Mr. Hommes said.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER