The small central American countries of Honduras and Costa Rica are seeing an ever increasing number of investment projects into their financial services industry.

According to fDi Markets, the two countries combined for 12 projects in 2010. While not an enormous number, it is a significant gain on the earlier years of last decade. Project numbers have doubled since 2008 and grew by close to 50% since 2009.

Job creation in the sector has also experienced huge growth. An estimated 900 jobs were created in 2010, by far the best year ever for the sector. This figure had been growing since 2003, but its highpoint had been 300 new jobs in 2008.

Recent projects have included Mexican insurer Qualitas and Nicaraguan bank Banco Lafise, both of which opened operations in the countries.