FATF Status

Honduras is no longer on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Latest FATF Statement  -  16 February 2012

The FATF welcomes Honduras’ significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime and notes that Honduras has largely met its commitments in its Action Plan regarding the strategic deficiencies that the FATF had identified in February 2010. Honduras is therefore no longer subject to FATF’s monitoring process under its on-going global AML/CFT compliance process. Honduras will work with CFATF as it continues to address the full range of AML/CFT issues identified in its Mutual Evaluation Report, and further strengthen its AML/CFT regime.

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The last follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Honduras was undertaken in 2020. According to that Evaluation, Honduras was deemed Compliant for 18 and Largely Compliant for 14 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains Highly effective for 1 and Substantially Effective for 2 of the Effectiveness  & Technical Compliance ratings.

US Department of State Money Laundering assessment (INCSR)

Honduras is categorised by the US State Department as a Country/Jurisdiction of Primary Concern in respect of Money Laundering and Financial Crimes.

Overview

Money laundering in Honduras stems primarily from narcotics trafficking by organized criminal groups, the illicit proceeds of public corruption, and cybercrime.  Honduras is not a regional or offshore financial center.

The Honduran National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS) leads the implementation of the national anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) strategy and the laws and regulations related to designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs).  This comprehensive implementation effort involves multiple Honduran government agencies, including justice sector institutions.  However, because the DNFBP law and regulations are not implemented fully, supervision to prevent money laundering is limited.  The lack of capacity to investigate complex financial transactions also contributes to a favorable money laundering climate.  In 2021, the Honduran government passed legal reforms to its penal code and AML laws, which create procedural obstacles in relation to AML and corruptionrelated investigations. 

Rating                                                                           (100-Good / 0-Bad)

Transparency International Corruption Index                           23

World Governance Indicator – Control of Corruption             19

Corruption is a major obstacle for businesses investing in Honduras. All sectors of the economy suffer from rampant corruption. Networks of patronage and clientelism dominate the economy, further deteriorating market competitiveness and impeding foreign investors. The government has a legal anti-corruption framework in place through the Penal Code and the Penal Procedures Code. However, enforcement is lacking, and several cases have revealed widespread impunity. Gifts are illegal, yet the practice is widespread, and the use of bribery is an established part of doing business. For further information - GAN Integrity Business Anti-Corruption Portal

Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, suffers from extraordinarily unequal distribution of income, as well as high underemployment. While historically dependent on the export of bananas and coffee, Honduras has diversified its export base to include apparel and automobile wire harnessing.

Honduras’s economy depends heavily on US trade and remittances. The US-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in 2006 and has helped foster foreign direct investment, but physical and political insecurity, as well as crime and perceptions of corruption, may deter potential investors; about 15% of foreign direct investment is from US firms.

The economy registered modest economic growth of 2.6%-4.0% from 2010 to 2015, insufficient to improve living standards for the nearly 65% of the population in poverty. In 2015, Honduras faced rising public debt but its economy has performed better than expected due to low oil prices and improved investor confidence. The IMF continues to monitor the three-year standby arrangement signed in December 2014, aimed at easing Honduras’s poor fiscal position.

Agriculture - products:
bananas, coffee, citrus, corn, African palm; beef; timber; shrimp, tilapia, lobster, sugar, oriental vegetables

Industries:
sugar, coffee, woven and knit apparel, wood products, cigars

Exports - commodities:
coffee, apparel, coffee, shrimp, automobile wire harnesses, cigars, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber

Exports - partners:
US 36%, Germany 8.7%, El Salvador 8.5%, Guatemala 6%, Nicaragua 5.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2015)

Imports - commodities:
communications equipment, machinery and transport, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs

​Imports - partners:
US 35.2%, China 13.6%, Guatemala 9.2%, Mexico 6.6%, El Salvador 5.1% (2015)

Investment Climate  -  US State Department

The United States is Honduras’ most important economic partner, and the government of Honduras continues to strive to improve the investment climate. Yet foreign companies choosing to invest in Honduras still face significant challenges. Honduras’ investment climate is hampered by high levels of crime, a weak judicial system, corruption, low educational levels, and poor transportation and other infrastructure. Over 200 U.S. companies operate in Honduras. Many of them have taken advantage of the opportunities and protections available as a result of Honduras’ participation in the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The stock of U.S. foreign direct investment in Honduras is approximately $750 million. Honduras has made notable improvements in market openness since 2013 as measured by trade freedom, investment freedom, and financial freedom. However, the management of public spending, rule of law concerns, and a high incidence of corruption continue to pose challenges for prospective investors. The 2016 Heritage Economic Freedom Index gave Honduras a score of 57.74, an improvement of 0.3 points from 2015. The World Bank Doing Business 2015 report ranked Honduras 110 out of 189 countries, an improvement of 15 places since the 2013 report.

Country Links

Central Bank of Honduras

Comisión Nacional de Bancos y Seguros