2025.09.28 – ARCA, ABA, and ADEBA in Argentina

Summary

ARCA (Asociación de Bancos de la República Argentina) is a business chamber that brings together private banks in Argentina, including both national and foreign institutions. It represents the sector in dealings with the Central Bank of Argentina and other authorities. ARCA works alongside ABA (Asociación de Bancos de la Argentina, grouping mainly international banks) and ADEBA (Asociación de Bancos Argentinos, grouping mainly banks with national capital). These associations matter because they define how the banking sector presents its interests in regulatory and policy debates.

Context and Scope

This account focuses on the role of ARCA as a chamber representing private banks in Argentina, its activities related to regulation, credit policy, and financial technology, and its relationship with ABA and ADEBA. Only the information concerning these entities and their functions is included.

Exhaustive Narrative of Facts

ARCA as a Business Chamber

ARCA, the Asociación de Bancos de la República Argentina, is a business chamber that unites private banks operating in the country. Its membership includes both Argentine-owned and foreign-owned institutions.

Representation and Negotiation

ARCA represents the interests of its member banks before the Central Bank of the Republic of Argentina (Banco Central de la República Argentina, BCRA), the State, and other actors in the financial system. It takes part in negotiations and discussions on banking regulation, credit policy, and standards, and it also engages with issues related to financial technology.

Relationship with Other Associations

ARCA works in parallel with other associations in the Argentine banking sector. ABA, the Asociación de Bancos de la Argentina, is composed mainly of international banks, while ADEBA, the Asociación de Bancos Argentinos, brings together banks with national capital. Each focuses on the needs of its membership, but they all serve as platforms to represent banking interests collectively in front of policymakers and regulators.

Practical Takeaways

• ARCA groups together both national and foreign private banks operating in Argentina.
• It represents these institutions before the Central Bank, the State, and other key actors.
• Its activities include negotiations on regulations, credit policy, and financial technology.
• ABA focuses on international banks, while ADEBA focuses on national-capital banks.
• Together, these associations structure how the private banking sector defends its interests in Argentina.