The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA) published its regular update of Main Variables on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, via its official X account. The data, corresponding to the latest business days, shows a mixed picture: rising reserves, a stable dollar within the exchange rate bands, and inflation continuing to slow down.
These indicators are closely watched by investors, analysts, and citizens, as they define purchasing power, credit costs, and the country's financial stability. For international readers, note that ARS refers to Argentine pesos, and the BCRA is the nation's central bank.
International Reserves: Above USD 49.5 Billion
According to official data, the BCRA's International Reserves reached USD 49,543 million as of August 13, 2026 (provisional figures subject to valuation changes). This level provides significant backing for the local currency and gives the monetary authority room to maneuver.
Compared with previous months, the reserve stock remains in a range considered healthy by analysts, though always subject to fluctuations in foreign trade and the foreign exchange market.
Exchange Rates: Retail and Wholesale Within Bands
The current exchange rate band system sets an upper limit of ARS 1,866.27 and a lower limit of ARS 745.33 per dollar, according to data from August 19. The official exchange rate remains comfortably within this range.
- Retail Exchange Rate (Communication B 9791, average seller): ARS 1,515.02 (Aug 18, 2026).
- Wholesale Exchange Rate (Communication A 3500, reference): ARS 1,494.1268 (Aug 18, 2026).
The spread between retail and wholesale is approximately 1.4%, reflecting relative calm in the foreign exchange market.
Interest Rates: Personal Loans at 65.53%
The interest rates published by the BCRA show the cost of money in the financial system. Data as of August 14, 2026:
| Indicator | Value (% annual nominal) |
|---|---|
| TAMAR (private banks) | 24.5625 |
| BADLAR (private banks) | 23.3125 |
| TM20 (private banks) | 23.7500 |
| BAIBAR (interbank loans) | 24.35 |
| 30-day deposits | 21.69 |
| Overdrafts | 28.66 |
| Personal loans | 65.53 |
The rate for personal loans remains high, making consumer credit expensive. Meanwhile, the moratorium interest rate (TIM) reached 162,667.04% (base 03/06/1993), a technical figure used in judicial cases.
Inflation: 2.1% Monthly and 33.8% Annual
The latest official inflation data corresponds to July 2026: the monthly variation was 2.1% and the annual rate 33.8%. Expected inflation for the next 12 months, according to the Market Expectations Survey (REM), stands at 21.8% (median).
These figures show a clear slowdown compared with peaks in previous years, though the accumulated level remains a challenge for the purchasing power of wages.
Monetary Base and Deposits
The total monetary base reached ARS 46,636,012 million as of August 13. Currency in circulation totaled ARS 28,661,634 million, while total deposits in the financial system amounted to ARS 233,426,841 million.
Time deposits (including investments and excluding CEDROS) represented ARS 108,384,897 million, indicating a preference for saving in pesos despite the rates.
Other Indicators: UVA, CER, and More
For those with indexed loans or rents, these values are key:
- CER (base 2.2.2002=1): 825.1045 (Aug 19, 2026).
- UVA (base 31.3.2016=14.05): ARS 2,082.26 (Aug 19, 2026).
- UVI (base 31.3.2016=14.05): ARS 1,523.63 (Aug 19, 2026).
- ICL (Index for Lease Contracts, Law 27.551): 35.34 (Aug 19, 2026).
The private M2 (30-day moving average) showed a year-on-year variation of 19.2%, and loans to the private sector totaled ARS 140,405,950 million.
The BCRA reminded that these data are provisional and may be subject to valuation changes. For more details, visit the official BCRA website at bcra.gob.ar.
Source: BCRA – Statistics and Indicators (Aug 19, 2026).