AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 29, 202023, 2021


 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 20–F

(Mark One)

Registration Statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

[   ]              Registration Statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or

[X]              Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 or2020

[   ]              Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or

[   ]              Shell Company Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

or

Shell Company Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number 000-30852

 

GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

GALICIA FINANCIAL GROUP

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.

Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 25th floor

C1038 AAJ-Buenos Aires, Argentina

(Address of principal executive offices)

Pedro A. Richards,Bruno Folino, Chief ExecutiveFinancial Officer

Tel: 54 11 4 343 7528 / Fax: 54 11 4 331 9183, prichards@gfgsa.combfolino@gfgsa.com

Perón 430, 25° Piso C1038AAJ Buenos Aires ARGENTINA

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

American Depositary Shares, each representing ten Class B ordinary Shares

Name of each exchange on which registered

Nasdaq Capital Market

Title of each class

Class B Ordinary Shares, Ps.1.00 par value, (not for trading but only in connection with the listing of the American Depositary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market)

Securitiesregisteredor toberegisteredpursuanttoSection12(b) of theAct.

 

Title ofof eachclass class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange

Name ofeachexchangeon whichregisteredwhich registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing the

right to receive ten ordinary shares, par value

Ps.1.00 per share New York Stock Exchange

GGAL

NASDAQ

Ordinary shares, par value Ps.1.00 per share*

GGALNASDAQ

*

GGAL

NASDAQNot for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares representing such ordinary shares on the NASDAQ.

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares representing such ordinary shares on the NASDAQ.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

 

Class A Ordinary Shares, Ps.1.00 par value

281.221.650

281,221,650

Class B Ordinary Shares, Ps.1.00 par value

1.145.542.947

1,193,470,441

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  [X]    No  [  ]

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  [  ]    No  [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  [X]    No  [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  [X]    No  [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer [X]

Accelerated filer [  ]

Non-accelerated filer [  ]             

Emerging growth company [  ]

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards † provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  [  ]

 

The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the Financial Accounting Standards Board toregistered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

audit report.  ☒

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP  [  ]

International Financial Reporting Standards

Other  ☐
As issued by the International Accounting Standards Board  [X]

Other  [ ]

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17 [  ]                                                                                     Item 18 [  ]

Item 17  ☐             Item 18  ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  [  ]    No  [X]

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS




 ​

CONTENIDO

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

2


3

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

3


4

PART I

5


6

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers


56

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable


56

Item 3. Key Information


56

A. Selected Financial Data


56

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness


910

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds


1011

D. Risk Factors


1011

Item 4. Information on the Company


2629

A. History and Development of the Company


2629

B. Business Overview


3438

C. Organizational Structure


98100

D. Property, Plants and Equipment


99101

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments


99102

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects


99102

A. Operating Results


99102

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources


136140

C. Research and Development, patents and Licenses

148

D. Trend Information

148

E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

148

F. Contractual Obligations

149

G. Safe Harbor

149

Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees


143149

Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions


161165

A. Major Shareholders


161165

B. Related Party Transactions


162166

C. Interest of Experts and Counsel

167

Item 8. Financial Information


163168

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information


164168

B. Significant Changes


167171

Item 9. The Offer and Listing


169171

Item 10. Additional Information


171173

A. Share Capital.

173

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association


171173

C. Material Contracts


178180

D. Exchange Controls


179180

E. Taxation


179180

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

188

G. Statement by Experts.

188

H. Documents on Display


187189

I. Subsidiary Information

189

Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


187189

Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities


195196

A. Debt Securities

196

B. Warrants and Rights

196

C. Other Securities

196

D. American Depositary Shares


195196

PART II

197


198

Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies


197198

Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds


197198

Item 15. Controls and Procedures


197198

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert


198199


PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. (“Grupo Financiero Galicia”, “Grupo Galicia”, “GFG” or the “Company”) is a financial services holding company incorporated in Argentina and is one of Argentina’s largest financial services groups. In this annual report, references to “we”, “our”, and “us” are to Grupo Financiero Galicia and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where otherwise noted. Our consolidated financial statements consolidate the accounts of the following companies:

 

Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. (“Banco Galicia” or the Bank”“Bank”), our largest subsidiary, consolidated with (i) Tarjetas Regionales S.A. and its operating subsidiaries, until December 31, 2017 (effective January 1, 2018, Tarjetas Regionales S.A. was transferred to be an operating subsidiary of Grupo Financiero Galicia), (ii) Tarjetas del Mar S.A.Inviu S.A.U. (“Tarjetas del Mar”) until March 31, 2017 (effective April 1, 2017 Tarjetas del Mar was sold), (iii)Inviu” formerly known as Galicia Valores S.A.U. (“Galicia Valores”) until August 31, 2019 (effective September 1, 2019, Galicia ValoresInviu was sold to Grupo Financiero Galicia and transferred to IGAM LLC), (iv) Fideicomiso Financiero Galtrust I until December 31, 2017 and (v)(iii) Fideicomiso Saturno Créditos until December 31, 2018;

  • Tarjetas Regionales S.A. (“Tarjetas Regionales”) and its subsidiaries (which has been reported on a consolidated basis with Grupo Financiero Galicia since January 1, 2018);

  • Sudamericana Holding S.A. (“Sudamericana”) and its subsidiaries;

  • Galicia Warrants S.A. (“Galicia Warrants”);

  • Net Investment S.A. (“Net Investment”) (liquidated as of December 31, 2017);
  • Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A. (“Galicia Administradora de Fondos” or “Fima”); and

  • IGAM LLC (“IGAM”) and its subsidiaries.subsidiaries; and

     

    Galicia Securities S.A. (“Galicia Securities”).

    These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance and in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued by the International Financial Reporting Standards Board (“IASB”) and the interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee. IFRS in force as of the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 have been applied. We maintain our financial books and records in Argentine Pesos and prepare our financial statements in conformity with IFRS, as issued by the IASB, effective as of the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2018. Grupo Galicia has also adjusted its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 in accordance with IFRS to serve as a comparative basis for the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

    As of July 1, 2018, Argentina qualified as a hyperinflationary economy for accounting purposes. Grupo Galicia’s functional currency is the Argentine peso and its financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies as if the Argentine economy had always been hyperinflationary. The financial position and results of operations as of December 31, 20192020 and 20182019 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 are reflected in terms of current purchasing power using the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) as of December 31, 2019.

    2020.

    In this annual report, references to “US$” and “Dollars” are to United States Dollars and references to “Ps.” or “Pesos” are to Argentine Pesos. The exchange rate used in translating Pesos into Dollars and used in calculating the convenience translations included in the following tables is the “Reference Exchange Rate” that is published by


    2

    Table of Contents

    the Argentine Central Bank (commonly referred to as “BCRA” based on its Spanish acronym) and that was Ps.84.1450, Ps.59.8950 Ps.37.8083 and Ps.18.7742Ps.37.8083 per US$1.00 as of December 31, 2019,2020, December 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively. The exchange rate translations contained in this annual report should not be construed as representations that the stated Peso amounts actually represent or have been or could be converted into Dollars at the rates indicated or at any other rate.

    Our fiscal year ends on December 31, and references in this annual report to any specific fiscal year are to the twelve-month period ended December 31 of such year.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all information regarding deposit and loan market shares and other financial industry information has been derived from information published by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, which is not adjusted according to the IAS 29.

    We have expressed all amounts in millions of Pesos, except percentages, ratios, multiples and per-share data.

    Certain figures included in this annual report have been rounded for purposes of presentation. Percentage figures included in this annual report have been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures. Certain numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them due to rounding.

    FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the captions Item 4. “Information on the Company”-A.”History and Development of the Company”-“Capital Investments and Divestitures,” Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”-A.“Operating Results-Principal Trends” and B.“Liquidity and Capital Resources.” All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this annual report (including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and management’s plans and objectives for future operations) are forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of such words as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue” or other similar terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be provided with respect to these statements. Because these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:

    changes in the macroeconomic situation at the regional, national or international levels, and the influence of these changes on the microeconomic conditions of the financial markets in Argentina;

  • changes in capital markets in general that may affect policies or attitudes toward lending to Argentina or Argentine companies, including expected or unexpected turbulence or volatility in domestic or international financial markets;

  • financial difficulties of the Argentine government (“Government”) and its ability (or inability) to reach to an agreement to restructure or rollover its outstanding debt that is held by international credit entities and private sector bondholders;

  • entities;

  • changes in Argentine governmentGovernment regulations applicable to financial institutions, including tax regulations and changes in or failures to comply with banking or other regulations;

  • volatility of the Peso and the exchange rates between the Peso and foreign currencies;

     

    3

    increased competition in the banking, financial services, credit card services, insurance, asset management, mutual funds and related industries;

  • Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries’ inability to sustain or improve their performance;

  • a loss of market share by any of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s main businesses;

  • a change in the credit cycle, increased borrower defaults and/or a decrease in the fees charged to clients;

  • changes in the saving and consumption habits of its customers and other structural changes in the general demand for financial products, such as those offered by Banco Galicia;

  • changes in interest rates which may, among other things, adversely affect margins;

  • Banco Galicia’s inability to obtain additional debt or equity financing on attractive conditions or at all, which may limit its ability to fund existing operations and to finance new activities;

  • technological changes and changes in Banco Galicia’s ability to implement new technologies;

  • impact of COVID-19 (or other future outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics) on the global, regional and national economy, on financial activity on global trade -both in terms of volumes and prices-, and on the Company’s ability to recover from the negative effects of the pandemic (or other future outbreak);

  • other factors discussed under Item 3. “Key Information” - D.“Risk Factors” in this annual report.

    You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. Moreover, you should consider these cautionary statements in connection with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements after completion of this annual report to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this annual report might not occur and are not guarantees of future performance.


    PART I

    4Item 1.

    Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers


    PART I

    Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

    Not applicable.

     

    Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

    Item 2.

    Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

    Not applicable.

     

    Item 3.

    Key Information

    Item 3. Key Information

    A. Selected Financial Data

    The following table presents summary historical financial and other information about us as of the dates and for the periods indicated.

    The selected consolidated financial information regarding statement of financial position as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and the financial information regarding the statement of income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.report.

    The selected consolidated financial information regarding statement of financial position as of December 31, 2018, as of December 31, 2017 and as of December 31, 2016 and the financial information regarding the statement of income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report.

    You should read this data in conjunction with Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

    The tables included below have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.


                                                                    
       Year Ended December 31, 
       2020  2019  2018  2017 
       (in millions of  Pesos, except as noted) 

    Consolidated Statement of Income in Accordance with IFRS

         

    Net Income from Interest

       76,632   47,417   69,873   62,565 

    Net Fee Income

            36,558      38,233        44,756        44,332 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments

       69,332   99,151   36,342   17,720 

    Loan and Other Receivables Loss Provisions

       (34,680  (30,228  (34,136  (15,275

    Net Operating Income

       182,711   200,475   153,081   144,459 

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

       (36,963  (41,929  (37,831  (14,290

    Operating Income

       43,503   50,178   7,067   30,571 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

       (17,845  (17,751  (14,477  (15,328

    Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to GFG

       25,192   32,276   (7,258  14,228 

    Other Comprehensive Income

       (210  548   (183  (911

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to GFG

       24,982   32,824   (7,442  13,317 

    Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the year

       1,443   1,427   1,427   1,427 

    Basic Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

       17.46   22.62   (5.09  9.97 

    Diluted Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

       17.46   22.62   (5.09  9.97 

    Cash Dividends per Share (in Pesos)

       (1 )   1.33   2.54   2.37 

    Book Value per Share (*) (in Pesos)

       126.36      108.70      88.24      94.70    

    (1)

    The cash dividend distribution for the fiscal year ended at December 31, 2020, is pending approval. For more information see Item 8. “Financial 5Information”-A.“Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information”-“Dividend Policy and Dividends”-“Dividends” -“Grupo Financiero Galicia”.






    Year Ended December  31,



    2019


    2018


    2017


    (in millions of Pesos, except as noted)

    Consolidated Statement of Income in Accordance with IFRS

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Net Income from Interest

     

     

    34,830

     

     

     

    51,324

     

     

     

    45,956

     

    Net Fee Income

     

     

    28,083

     

     

     

    32,875

     

     

     

    32,563

     

    Net Income from Financial Instruments

     

     

    72,830

     

     

     

    26,694

     

     

     

    13,016

     

    Loan and Other Receivables Loss Provisions

     

     

    (22,203

    )

     

     

    (25,074

    )

     

     

    (11,220

    )

    Net Operating Income

     

     

    147,256

     

     

     

    112,443

     

     

     

    106,110

     

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

     

     

    (30,798

    )

     

     

    (27,788

    )

     

     

    (10,496

    )

    Operating Income

     

     

    36,858

     

     

     

    5,191

     

     

     

    22,456

     

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

     

     

    (13,038

    )

     

     

    (10,634

    )

     

     

    (11,259

    )

    Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to GFG

     

     

    23,708

     

     

     

    (5,332

    )

     

     

    10,451

     

    Other Comprehensive Income

     

     

    403

     

     

     

    (135

    )

     

     

    (669

    )

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to GFG

     

     

    24,111

     

     

     

    (5,467

    )

     

     

    9,782

     

    Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the year

     

     

    1,427

     

     

     

    1,427

     

     

     

    1,427

     

    Basic Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

     

     

    16.62

     

     

     

    (3.74

    )

     

     

    7.32

     

    Diluted Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

     

     

    16.62

     

     

     

    (3.74

    )

     

     

    7.32

     

    Cash Dividends per Share (in Pesos)

     

    (1)

     

     

     

    1.86

     

     

     

    1.74

     

    Book Value per Share (*) (in Pesos)

     

     

    79.85

     

     

     

    64.82

     

     

     

    69.56

     

    (1) The cash dividend distribution for the fiscal year ended at December 31, 2019, is pending approval. For more information see Item 8. “Financial Information”-A.“Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information”-“Dividend Policy and Dividends”-“Dividends” -“Grupo Financiero Galicia”.

    (2 ) Total Shreholders´
    (2)

    Total Shareholders’ Equity attributable to GFG divided Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the year.

     

                                                                    

     


    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

      For the Year Ended December 31, 

     


    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

      2020 2019 2018 2017 

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except as noted)

     

      (in millions of Pesos, except as noted) 

    Consolidated Statement of Financial Position in Accordance with IFRS

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

         

    Cash and Due from Banks

     

    130,649

     

     

     

    220,456

     

     

     

    133,903

     

       175,423   177,866   300,131   182,297 

    Debt Securities at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss

     

    65,690

     

     

     

    116,813

     

     

     

    65,760

     

       155,420   89,431   159,030   89,526 

    Loans and Other Financing

     

    358,559

     

     

     

    434,900

     

     

     

    437,430

     

       526,434   488,144   592,075   595,519 

    Total Assets

     

     

    685,519

     

     

     

    876,371

     

     

     

    753,227

     

       1,055,279   933,270   1,193,096   1,025,447 

    Deposits

     

    393,735

     

     

     

    553,946

     

     

     

    455,909

     

       676,396   536,034   754,146   620,677 

    Other Liabilities

     

    174,949

     

     

     

    227,283

     

     

     

    193,514

     

       97,472   97,153   132,432   263,451 

    Shareholders’ Equity attributable to GFG

     

    113,942

     

     

     

    92,492

     

     

     

    99,260

     

       182,334   155,121   125,919   135,133 

    Percentage of Period-end Balance Sheet Items Denominated in Dollars:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

         

    Loans and Other Financing

     

    39

    %

     

     

    35

    %

     

     

    21

    %

       18  23  35  21

    Total Assets

     

    45

    %

     

     

    39

    %

     

     

    26

    %

       20  25  39  26

    Deposits

     

    52

    %

     

     

    45

    %

     

     

    35

    %

       22  26  45  35

    Total Liabilities

     

    49

    %

     

     

    34

    %

     

     

    30

    %

       9  22  34  30


       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020  2019  2018  2017 

    Selected Ratios (*)

        

    Profitability and Efficiency

        

    Net Yield on Interest Earning Assets (1)

       19.80  16.84  13.33  10.71

    Financial Margin (2)

       14.68  11.87  8.43  11.48

    Return on Assets (3)

       2.39  3.46  (0.61)%   1.39

    Return on Shareholders’ Equity (4)

       13.82  20.81  (5.76)%   10.53

    Efficiency ratio (5)

       47.39  50.55  63.99  63.62

    Capital

         

    Shareholders’ Equity as a Percentage of Total Assets

       17.28  16.62  10.55  13.18

    Total Liabilities as a Multiple of Shareholders’ Equity

       4.79  4.99  8.45  6.54

    Total Capital Ratio

       22.16  17.53  15.11  10.69

    Liquidity

         

    Cash and Due from Banks as a Percentage of Total Deposits

       25.93  33.18  39.80  29.37

    Loans and other financing, Net as a Percentage of Total Assets

              49.89      52.30         49.63         58.07

    Credit Quality

         

    Non-Accrual Instruments (6) as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

       1.43  3.96  3.51  2.20

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Non-accrual Financial Instruments (6)

       392.36  152.21  137.46  129.77

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

       5.19  5.12  4.98  2.24

    Inflation and Exchange Rate

         

    Wholesale Price Index

       35.38  58.49  73.50  18.80

    Consumer Price Index

       36.14  53.83  47.65  24.80

    Exchange Rate Variation (7)

       40.49  58.42  101.38  18.42

    CER (8)

       25.49   18.70   12.34   8.38 

    UVA (9)

       64.32   47.16   31.06   21.15 

    6(*)

    All of the ratios disclosed above are included because they are considered significant by the management of Grupo Financiero Galicia.



     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     


     

    2019

     

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    Selected Ratios (*)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Profitability and Efficiency

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Net Yield on Interest Earning Assets (1)

     

     

    19.93

     

    %

     

     

    13.99

     

    %

     

    10.71

     

    %

    Financial Margin (2)

     

     

    21.07

     

    %

     

     

    12.49

     

    %

     

    13.11

     

    %

    Return on Assets (3)

     

     

    3.46

     

    %

     

     

    (0.61

    )

    %

     

    1.39

     

    %

    Return on Shareholders’ Equity (4)

     

     

    20.81

     

    %

     

     

    (5.76

    )

    %

     

    10.53

     

    %

    Efficiency ratio (5)

     

     

    50.72

     

    %

     

     

    64.13

     

    %

     

    58.24

     

    %

    Capital

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Shareholders’ Equity as a Percentage of Total Assets

     

     

    16.62

     

    %

     

     

    10.55

     

    %

     

    13.18

     

    %

    Total Liabilities as a Multiple of Shareholders’ Equity

     

     

    4.99

     

    x

     

     

    8.45

     

    x

     

    6.54

     

    x

    Total Capital Ratio

     

     

    17.53

     

    %

     

     

    15.11

     

    %

     

    10.69

     

    %

    Liquidity

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Cash and Due from Banks as a Percentage of Total Deposits

     

     

    33.18

     

    %

     

     

    39.80

     

    %

     

    29.37

     

    %

    Loans and other financing, Net as a Percentage of Total Assets

     

     

    52.30

     

    %

     

     

    49.63

     

    %

     

    58.07

     

    %

    Credit Quality

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Non-Accrual Instruments (6) as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

     

     

    4.63

     

    %

     

     

    3.51

     

    %

     

    2.20

     

    %

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Non-accrual Financial Instruments (6)

     

     

    130.34

     

    %

     

     

    137.40

     

    %

     

    129.75

     

    %

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

     

     

    5.12

     

    %

     

     

    4.98

     

    %

     

    2.24

     

    %

    Inflation and Exchange Rate

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Wholesale Price Index

     

    58.49

     

    %

     

    73.50

     

    %

    18.80

     

    %

    Consumer Price Index

     

    53.83

     

    %

     

    47.65

     

    %

    24.80

     

    %

    Exchange Rate Variation (7)

     

     

    58.42

     

    %

     

     

    101.44

     

    %

     

    18.42

     

    %

    CER (8)

     

     

    18.70

     

     

     

     

    12.34

     

     

     

    8.38

     

     

    UVA (9)

     

     

    47.16

     

     

     

     

    31.06

     

     

    21.15

     

     

    (*) All of the ratios disclosed above are included because they are considered significant by the management of Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    (1) Net interest earned divided by interest-earning assets. For a description of net interest earned, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”-A.“Business Overview”-“Selected Statistical Information”-“Average Balance Sheet and Income from Interest-Earning Assets and Expenses from Interest-Bearing Liabilities”.

    (2) Financial margin represents net interest income plus net result from financial instruments plus foreign currency quotation differences plus insurance premiums earned plus certain items included in other operating income and expenses, divided by the average balance of interest-earning assets.

    (3) Net income attributable to GFG as a percentage of total assets.

    (4) Net income attributable to GFG as a percentage of shareholders’ equity.

    (5) Personnel expenses plus administrative expenses plus depreciation and devaluations of assets, divided by net interest income plus net fee income plus net result from financial instruments plus foreign currency quotation differences plus insurance premiums earned plus certain items included in other operating income and expenses plus loss on net monetary position.

    (6) Non-Accrual Financial Instruments are defined as those Financial Instruments in Stage 3. Assets categorized in Stage 3 are impaired financial assets and/or assets subject to a serious risk of impairment.

    (7) Annual change in the end-of-period exchange rate expressed in Pesos per Dollar.

    (8) The “CER” is the “Coeficiente de Estabilización de Referencia”, an adjustment coefficient based on changes in CPI.

    (9) The “UVA” is the “Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo”, an adjustment coefficient based on changes in the CER.


    (1)

    Net interest earned divided by interest-earning assets. For a description of net interest earned, see Item 4. “Information on the 7Company”-A.“Business Overview”-“Selected Statistical Information”-“Average Balance Sheet and Income from Interest-Earning Assets and Expenses from Interest-Bearing Liabilities”.


    Table of Contents
    (2)

    Financial margin represents net interest income plus net result from financial instruments plus income from derecognition of assets measured at amortized cost plus foreign currency quotation differences plus certain items included in other operating income and expenses, divided by the average balance of interest-earning assets.

    (3)

    Net income attributable to GFG as a percentage of total assets.

    (4)

    Net income attributable to GFG as a percentage of shareholders’ equity.

    (5)

    Personnel expenses plus administrative expenses plus depreciation and devaluations of assets, divided by net interest income plus net fee income plus net result from financial instruments plus income from derecognition of assets measured at amortized cost plus foreign currency quotation differences plus income from insurance business plus certain items included in other operating income and expenses plus loss on net monetary position.

    (6)

    Non-Accrual Financial Instruments are defined as those Financial Instruments in default. For a definition and description of default, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”-A.“Business Overview”-“Selected Statistical Information”-“Financial Instruments Classification and Loss Provisions”- “Definition of Default”.

    (7)

    Annual change in the end-of-period exchange rate expressed in Pesos per Dollar.

    (8)

    The “CER” is the “Coeficiente de Estabilización de Referencia”, an adjustment coefficient based on changes in CPI.

    (9)

    The “UVA” is the “Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo”, an adjustment coefficient based on changes in the CER.


    The tables below reflectingreflect Grupo Galicia’s financial results for the fiscal yearsyear ended December 31, 2016, and 2015, arewere not adjusted for inflation, and were prepared in accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP (“Previous GAAP”). The information based on Previous GAAP included below and elsewhere is this annual report is not comparable to information prepared in accordance with IFRS.

     

     

     


    Fiscal Year Ended December 31,

     

     

     


    2016

     

     

    2015

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except as noted)

     

    Consolidated Income Statement in Accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Financial Income

     

     

    36,608

     

     

     

    25,844

     

    Financial Expenses

     

     

    20,239

     

     

     

    13,402

     

    Gross Brokerage Margin (1)

     

     

    16,369

     

     

     

    12,442

     

    Provision for Losses on Loans and Other Receivables

     

     

    3,533

     

     

     

    2,214

     

    Income before Taxes

     

     

    9,371

     

     

     

    7,139

     

    Income Tax

     

     

    (3,353

    )

     

     

    (2,801

    )

    Net Income

     

     

    6,018

     

     

     

    4,338

     

    Basic Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

     

    4.63

     

     

    3.34

     

    Diluted Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

     

    4.63

     

     

    3.34

     

    Cash Dividends per Share (in Pesos)

     

    0.18

     

     

    0.12

     

    Book Value per Share (in Pesos)

     

    15.66

     

     

    11.14

     

    Amounts in Accordance with U.S. GAAP

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Net Income

     

     

    6,037

     

     

     

    4,336

     

    Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

     

    4.64

     

     

    3.33

     

    Book Value per Share (in Pesos)

     

    15.45

     

     

    11.06

     

    Financial Income

     

     

    34,549

     

     

     

    24,252

     

    Financial Expenses

     

     

    19,410

     

     

     

    12,826

     

    Gross Brokerage Margin

     

     

    15,139

     

     

     

    11,426

     

    Provision for Losses on Loans and Other Receivables

     

     

    3,192

     

     

     

    1,985

     

    Income Tax

     

     

    3,195

     

     

     

    2,644

     

    Consolidated Balance Sheet in Accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Cash and Due from Banks

     

     

    61,166

     

     

     

    30,835

     

    Government Securities, Net

     

     

    13,701

     

     

     

    15,525

     

    Loans, Net

     

     

    137,452

     

     

     

    98,345

     

    Total Assets

     

     

    242,251

     

     

     

    161,748

     

    Deposits

     

     

    151,688

     

     

     

    100,039

     

    Other Funds (2)

     

     

    70,210

     

     

     

    47,224

     

    Total Shareholders’ Equity

     

     

    20,353

     

     

     

    14,485

     

    Average Total Assets (3)

     

     

    184,395

     

     

     

    122,684

     

    Percentage of Period-end Balance Sheet Items

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Denominated in Dollars:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Loans, Net of Allowances

     

    12.77

     

     

    3.26

     

    Total Assets

     

    27.56

     

     

    16.88

     

    Deposits

     

    33.63

     

     

    14.37

     

    Total Liabilities

     

    30.82

     

     

    18.86

     

    Amounts in Accordance with U.S. GAAP

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Trading Securities

     

     

    17,196

     

     

     

    16,148

     

    Available-for-Sale Securities

     

     

    5,423

     

     

     

    4,385

     

    Total Assets

     

     

    260,403

     

     

     

    180,142

     

    Total Liabilities

     

     

    240,316

     

     

     

    165,759

     

    Shareholders’ Equity

     

     

    20,087

     

     

     

    14,383

     

    Fiscal Year Ended
    December 31,
    2016
    (in millions of Pesos,
    except
      as noted)

    Consolidated Income Statement in Accordance with Argentine Banking  GAAP

    Financial Income

    36,608

    Financial Expenses

    20,239

    Gross Brokerage Margin (1)

    16,369

    Provision for Losses on Loans and Other Receivables

    3,533

    Income before Taxes

    9,371

    Income Tax

    (3,353

    Net Income

    6,018

    Basic Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

    4.63

    Diluted Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

    4.63

    Cash Dividends per Share (in Pesos)

    0.18

    Book Value per Share (in Pesos)

    15.66

    Amounts in Accordance with U.S. GAAP

    Net Income

    6,037

    Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

    4.64

    Book Value per Share (in Pesos)

    15.45

    Financial Income

    34,549

    Financial Expenses

    19,410

    Gross Brokerage Margin

    15,139

    Provision for Losses on Loans and Other Receivables

    3,192

    Income Tax

    3,195

    Consolidated Balance Sheet in Accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP

    Cash and Due from Banks

    61,166

    Government Securities, Net

    13,701

    Loans, Net

    137,452

    Total Assets

    242,251

    Deposits

    151,688

    Other Funds (2)

    70,210

    Total Shareholders’ Equity

    20,353

    Average Total Assets (3)

    184,395

    Percentage of Period-end Balance Sheet Items

    Denominated in Dollars:

    Loans, Net of Allowances

    12.77

    Total Assets

    27.56

    Deposits

    33.63

    Total Liabilities

    30.82

    Amounts in Accordance with U.S. GAAP

    Trading Securities

    17,196

    Available-for-Sale Securities

    5,423

    Total Assets

    260,403

    Total Liabilities

    240,316

    Shareholders’ Equity

    20,087

    (1)

    (1)

    Gross Brokerage Margin primarily represents income from interest on loans and other receivables resulting from financial brokerage plus net income earned from government and corporate debt securities holdings, minus interest on deposits and other liabilities from financial intermediation. It also includes the CER/UVA adjustment.

    (2)

    Primarily includes debt securities, loans with other banks and international entities and amounts payable for spot and forward purchases to be settled.

    (3)

    Average Total Assets, including the related interest that is due thereon is calculated on a daily basis for Banco Galicia and for Galicia Uruguay, as well as for Tarjetas Regionales consolidated with its operating subsidiaries, and on a monthly basis for Grupo Financiero Galicia and its non-banking subsidiaries.

    (2) Primarily includes debt securities, loans with other banks and international entities and amounts payable for spot and forward purchases to be settled.

    (3) Average Total Assets, including the related interest that is due thereon is calculated on a daily basis for Banco Galicia and for Galicia Uruguay, as well as for Tarjetas Regionales consolidated with its operating subsidiaries, and on a monthly basis for Grupo Financiero Galicia and its non-banking subsidiaries.


    Fiscal Year Ended
    December 31,
    2016

    Selected Ratios in Accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP

    Profitability and Efficiency

    Net Yield on Interest Earning Assets (4)

    13.26

    Financial Margin (5)

    12.10

    Return on Average Assets (6)

    3.48

    Return on Average Shareholders’ Equity (7)

    35.03

    Net Income from Services as a Percentage of Operating Income (9)

    39.63

    Efficiency ratio (9)

    64.98

    Capital

    Shareholders’ Equity as a Percentage of Total Assets

    8.40

    Total Liabilities as a Multiple of Shareholders’ Equity

    10.9x

    Total Capital Ratio

    15.04

    Liquidity

    Cash and Due from Banks(10) as a Percentage of Total Deposits

    47.18

    Loans, Net as a Percentage of Total Assets

    56.74

    Credit Quality

    Past Due Loans (11) as a Percentage of Total Loans

    2.43

    Non-Accrual Loans (12) as a Percentage of Total Loans

    3.31

    Allowance for Loan Losses as a Percentage of 8Non-accrual
    Loans(12)

    100.06

    Net Charge-Offs (13) as a Percentage of Average Loans

    1.67

    Ratios in Accordance with U.S. GAAP

    Capital

    Shareholders’ Equity as a Percentage of Total Assets

    7.71

    Total Liabilities as a Multiple of Total Shareholders’ Equity

    11.96x

    Liquidity

    Loans, Net as a Percentage of Total Assets

    52.76

    Credit Quality

    Allowance for Loan Losses as a Percentage of Non-Accrual Loans

    128.53

    Inflation and Exchange Rate

    Wholesale Inflation (14)

    34.59

    Consumer Inflation (15)

    41.05

    Exchange Rate Variation (16) (%)

    21.88

    CER (17)

    35.79

    UVA (18)

    17.26


     

     

    Fiscal Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    2016

     

     

    2015

     

    Selected Ratios in Accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Profitability and Efficiency

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Net Yield on Interest Earning Assets (1)

     

     

    13.26

    %

     

     

    14.18

    %

    Financial Margin (2)

     

     

    12.10

     

     

    13.12

     

    Return on Average Assets (3)

     

    3.48

     

     

    3.83

     

    Return on Average Shareholders’ Equity (4)

     

    35.03

     

     

    35.54

     

    Net Income from Services as a Percentage of Operating Income (5)

     

    39.63

     

     

    38.65

     

    Efficiency ratio (6)

     

    64.98

     

     

    63.64

     

    Capital

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Shareholders’ Equity as a Percentage of Total Assets

     

     

    8.40

    %

     

     

    8.96

    %

    Total Liabilities as a Multiple of Shareholders’ Equity

     

    10.9x

     

     

    10.17x

     

    Total Capital Ratio

     

     

    15.04

    %

     

     

    13.38

    %

    Liquidity

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Cash and Due from Banks(7) as a Percentage of Total Deposits

     

     

    47.18

    %

     

     

    42.93

    %

    Loans, Net as a Percentage of Total Assets

     

    56.74

     

     

     

    60.80

     

    Credit Quality

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Past Due Loans (8) as a Percentage of Total Loans

     

     

    2.43

    %

     

     

    2.46

    %

    Non-Accrual Loans (9) as a Percentage of Total Loans

     

    3.31

     

     

    3.11

     

    Allowance for Loan Losses as a Percentage of Non-accrual Loans(9)

     

    100.06

     

     

    112.41

     

    Net Charge-Offs (10) as a Percentage of Average Loans

     

    1.67

     

     

    1.26

     

    Ratios in Accordance with U.S. GAAP

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Capital

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Shareholders’ Equity as a Percentage of Total Assets

     

    7.71

     

     

    7.98

     

    Total Liabilities as a Multiple of Total Shareholders’ Equity

     

    11.96x

     

     

    11.52x

     

    Liquidity

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Loans, Net as a Percentage of Total Assets

     

     

    52.76

    %

     

     

    54.55

    %

    Credit Quality

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Allowance for Loan Losses as a Percentage of Non-Accrual Loans

     

    128.53

     

     

    135.35

     

    Inflation and Exchange Rate

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Wholesale Inflation (11)

     

     

    34.59

    %

     

     

    12.65

    %

    Consumer Inflation (12)

     

     

    41.05

    %

     

     

    26.90

    %

    Exchange Rate Variation (13) (%)

     

    21.88

     

     

    52.07

     

    CER (14)

     

    6.84

     

     

    5.04

     

    UVA (15)

     

    17.26

     

     

    -

     

    (1) Net interest earned divided by interest-earning assets.

    (2) Financial margin represents gross brokerage margin divided by average interest-earning assets.

    (3) Net income excluding non-controlling interest as a percentage of average total assets.

    (4) Net income as a percentage of average shareholders’ equity.

    (5) Operating income is defined as gross brokerage margin plus net income from services.

    (6) Administrative expenses as a percentage of operating income as defined above.

    (7) Liquid assets of Banco Galicia include cash and receivables, Lebacs, net call money, short-term loans to other Argentine financial institutions, special guarantee accounts at the Argentine Central Bank, and repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions in the Argentine financial market.

    (8) Past-due loans are defined as the aggregate principal amount of a loan plus any accrued interest that is due and payable for which either the principal or any interest payment is 91 days or more past due.

    (9) Non-Accrual loans are defined as those loans in the categories of: (a) Consumer portfolio: “Medium Risk”, “High Risk”, “Uncollectible”, and “Uncollectible Due to Technical Reasons”, and (b) Commercial portfolio: “With problems”, “High Risk of Insolvency”, “Uncollectible”, and “Uncollectible Due to Technical Reasons”.

    (10) Direct charge-offs minus amounts recovered.

    (11) As of December 31, 2015, as measured by the interannual change between the October 2014 and the October 2015 Wholesale Price Index (“WPI”), published by INDEC (as defined herein), because the measurement of this index was discontinued for the remainder of 2015. In 2016 the measure was reinstated.

    (12) In 2015, annual variation of the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) was calculated using the Consumer Price Index of the City of Buenos Aires, an alternative measure of inflation proposed by INDEC after it discontinued its index.

    (13) Annual change in the end-of-period exchange rate expressed in Pesos per Dollar.

    (14) The “CER” is the “Coeficiente de Estabilización de Referencia”, an adjustment coefficient based on changes in the CPI.

    (15) The “UVA” is the “Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo”, an adjustment coefficient based on changes in the CER.

     

    (1)

    Net interest earned divided by interest-earning assets.

    (2)

    Financial margin represents gross brokerage margin divided by average interest-earning assets.

    (3)

    Net income excluding non-controlling interest as a percentage of average total assets.

    (4)

    Net income as a percentage of average shareholders’ equity.

    (5)

    Operating income is defined as gross brokerage margin plus net income from services.

    (6)

    Administrative expenses as a percentage of operating income as defined above.

    (7)

    Liquid assets of Banco Galicia include cash and receivables, Lebacs, net call money, short-term loans to other Argentine financial institutions, special guarantee accounts at the BCRA, and repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions in the Argentine financial market.

    (8)

    Past-due loans are defined as the aggregate principal amount of a loan plus any accrued interest that is due and payable for which either the principal or any interest payment is 91 days or more past due.

    (9)

    Non-Accrual loans are defined as those loans in the categories of: (a) Consumer portfolio: “Medium Risk”, “High Risk”, “Uncollectible”, and “Uncollectible Due to Technical Reasons”, and (b) Commercial portfolio: “With problems”, “High Risk of Insolvency”, “Uncollectible”, and “Uncollectible Due to Technical Reasons”.

    (10)

    Direct charge-offs minus amounts recovered.

    (11)

    As of December 31, 2015, as measured by the interannual change between the October 2014 and the October 2015 Wholesale Price Index (“WPI”), published by INDEC (as defined herein), because the measurement of this index was discontinued for the remainder of 2015. In 2016 the measure was reinstated.

    (12)

    In 2015, annual variation of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was calculated using the Consumer Price Index of the City of Buenos Aires, an alternative measure of inflation proposed by INDEC after it discontinued its index.

    (13)

    Annual change in the end-of-period exchange rate expressed in Pesos per Dollar.

    (14)

    The “CER” is the “Coeficiente de Estabilización de Referencia”, an adjustment coefficient based on changes in the CPI.

    (15)

    The “UVA” is the “Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo”, an adjustment coefficient based on changes in the CER.

    B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

    Not applicable.


    9


    C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

    Not applicable.

    D. Risk Factors

    You should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to the other information contained in this annual report. In addition, most, if not all, of the risks described below must be evaluated bearing in mind that our most important asset is our equity interest in Banco Galicia. Thus, a material change in Banco Galicia’s shareholders’ equity or income statement would also adversely affect our businesses and results of operations. We may also face risks and uncertainties that are not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, which may impair our business. Our operations, property and customers are located in Argentina. Accordingly, the quality of our customer portfolio, loan portfolio, financial condition and results of operations depend, to a significant extent, on the macroeconomic and political conditions prevailing in Argentina. In general, the risk assumed when investing in the securities of issuers from countries such as Argentina is higher than when investing in the securities of issuers from developed countries.

    Risk Factors Relating to Argentina

    The current state of the Argentine economy, together with uncertainty regarding the government,Government, may adversely affect our business and prospects.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations may be affected by inflation, fluctuations in the exchange rate, modifications in interest rates, changes in the Argentine government’s policies and other political or economic developments either internationally or in Argentina that affect the country.

    Argentina.

    During the course of the last few decades, Argentina’s economy has been marked by a high degree of instability and volatility, periods of low or negative economic growth and high, fluctuating levels of inflation and currency devaluation. Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations, the rights of holders of securities issued by Grupo Financiero Galicia and the value of such securities could be materially and adversely affected by a number of possible factors, somefactors. Some of whichthese factors include Argentina’s inability to resumeachieve a sustainable economic growth path, the effects ofhigh inflation rates, Argentina’s ability to obtain financing, a decline in the international prices for Argentina’s main commodity exports, fluctuations in the exchange rates of other countries against which Argentina competes(which affects local commercial competitiveness) and the vulnerability of the Argentine economy to external shocks.

    Since 2012, Argentina has experienced a period of stagflation. Figures of economic activity reflect a slowdown in domestic production, together with an increasing inflation rate at a higher pace than that noted in previous years. InDuring the past decade the economy has been characterized byArgentina experienced economic stagnation as a result of unstable monetary, fiscal and economic regulatory policies. This, combined with a lack of institutional transparency,, the absence of long-term economic policies and a systematically expansive fiscal policy, which resulted in a led to increasing inflation rates, lack of economic growth, currency instability and low investment and a lax monetary policy. This has,levels, among others. As there will be Congressional elections in turn, led to low economic growth and high inflation. At the end of 2015, when the former government took office, it implemented monetary2021, additional risks may arise if new policies that maintained a certain laxity in their fiscal policy while strongly restricting its monetary policy, resulting in high interest rates, a marked growth in public debt and an overvaluation of the Peso. However, at the beginning of 2018, international investors began withdrawing from emerging markets, including Argentina. The country’s loss of access to the international debts markets resulted in a considerable devaluation of the Argentine Peso. This resulted in an acceleration of inflation and a new contraction in economic activity during the second half of 2018 and most of 2019. During 2019,the political uncertainty stemming from the presidential election race worsened the economic outlook. The impact of the measuresare implemented by the previous Administration in ordernewly elected Congress that further exacerbate the existing macroeconomic imbalances. In addition to cope with the situation -such as a devaluation of the Peso with respect to the Dollar- as wellsuch possible new Congressional policies, no assurance can be provided regarding other events, such as the impactenactment of any measuresother governmental policies, that the current Government may implementoccur in the future is unknown and could have a materialtheir impact on the Argentina economy and adverse impact on the results of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s operations.

    No assurance can be given that additional events in the future, such as the enactment of new regulations by the Argentine government or authorities, will not occur. As a result of the foregoing,current state of the Argentine economy as described above and herein and the uncertainty regarding the Government and policies it may enact, the financial position and results of operations of private sector companies in Argentina, including Grupo Financiero Galicia, the rights of the holders of securities issued by such institutions and the value thereof may be negatively and adversely impacted.


    10


    Economic conditions in Argentina may deteriorate, which may adversely impact Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business and financial condition.

    AEconomic conditions in Argentina may deteriorate. In particular, a less favorable international context,economic environment, a decrease in the competitiveness of the Peso as compared to foreign currencies, the low consumer confidence and low confidence from both local and foreign investors and a highertogether with high inflation rate,rates, among other factors, may affect the development and growth of the Argentine economy and cause volatility in the local capital markets. Such events may adversely impact Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business and financial condition.

    In particular, the Argentine economy has proven to be and continues to be vulnerable to several factors, including:

     

    high inflation rates;

  • regulatory uncertainty for certain economic activities and sectors;

  • decreases

  • volatility in the prices for commodities as the economic recovery has depended on high prices for commodities, which prices are volatile and beyond the control of the government;

  • the effects of a restrictive U.S. monetary policy, which could generate an increase inArgentina’s main export commodities’ prices;

  • external financial costs for Argentina;

  • conditions;

  • fluctuations in the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s international reserves; and

  • uncertainty with respect to exchange and capital controls.

    No assurance can be provided that a decline in economic growth or certain economic instability will not occur. In particular, the Argentine economy contracted in 2018 and 2019 and may continue to decrease in the future due to international and domestic conditions. Any such stagnation, slowdown or increased economic and political instability could have a significant adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business, financial position and results of operations, and the trading price for its ADSs.

    The ability of the current administration to implement economic policy reforms, and the impact that these measures and any future measures taken by a new administration will have on the Argentine economy, remains uncertain.

    As the date of this annual report, the impact that the reforms adopted by the Fernández administrationGovernment will have on the Argentine economy as a whole, and the financial sector in particular, cannot be predicted. In addition, it is currently unclear what additional measures the Fernándezcurrent administration may implement in the future and what the effects of the same may be on the Argentine economy.economy.

    Since taking office, the Fernández administration has announced and implemented several significant economic measures. In particular,measures and policy reforms, the impact of which are uncertain at this time. For example, on December 20, 2019, the Argentine National Congress passed Law No. 27,541, aimed at Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation. Such lawwhich declared a public emergency in economic, financial, fiscal, administrative, pension, energy, health and social matters.matters. It also delegated to the National Executive Branch broad authority and power to take actions designed to, among other things, ensure the sustainability of the level of public debt, restructure the rate the energy system charges its customers through a renegotiation of the current comprehensive tariff regime and restructure the regulatory entities for the energy system. In addition,Throughout 2020, other important Laws were passed, such as Law 27,609, in which the Fernández administration is beginningpension-adjustment formula was modified, and Law 27,605, that imposed a debt restructuring process. The one-offFX market restrictions imposed by tax on high net worth individuals.

    Further, beyond the Fernández administration,above noted reforms and policies, foreign exchange market (the “FX market”) restrictions, in combination with a relatively moderateloose monetary and fiscal policy and additional restrictions on foreign trade and the impacts of changes to the social security policy could result in lower economic growth rates in Argentina for the coming years. AnIn addition, an adverse result in the debt restructuringnegotiation that the Government is carrying out with external creditors, such as the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”), could affect access to the capital market,markets, and may affect the growth of the country, provinces and private companies. It is impossible to predict the impact of these measures, as well as any future measures that may be adopted, on the Argentine economy overall and the financial sector in particular.


    11

    In particular, economic interventioninterventionist measures adopted by current measuresthe Government or future measures implemented may be disruptive to the economy and may fail to benefit, or may harm, our business. In particular, Grupo Financiero Galicia has no control over the implementation of the reforms to the regulatory framework that governs its operations and cannot guarantee that these reforms will be implemented or that they will be implemented in a manner that will benefit its business. The failure of these measures to achieve their intended goals could adversely affect the Argentine economy and Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business, financial position and results of operations and the trading price for its ADSs.

    If the high levels of inflation continue or if inflation figures are not trusted, the Argentine economy and Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial position and business could be adversely affected.

    Since 2007, the Argentine economyArgentina has experienced high levels of inflation.inflation. According to private estimates, since 2007: inflation in Argentina has been systematically above 20% and reachedsince 2007, reaching a maximum of 53.8 % in 2019. Accumulated inflation during 2020 was 36.1%. Moreover, between 2007 and 2015 official figures became unreliable and private estimates of inflation had to bewere more frequently used (as further described below). Combined with such high inflation rates. Argentina has also displayed high volatility in its prices during the same period, as a consequence of alternating periods in which inflation wascontrolled by pegging the Peso to other currencies in combination with expansive monetary and fiscal policies—which lead to an over appreciation of the peso—and periods in which the Peso appreciation was adjusted, leading to the consequent acceleration of inflation.

    As noted above, between 2007 and 2015, official inflation figures became unreliable. Specifically, the national statistics agency INDEC (Índice(Instituto Nacional de Estadísticasstica y CensosCensos; “INDEC” for its acronym in Spanish), is the only institution in Argentina with legal power to produce official national statistics.statistics. During suchthe referenced time period, INDEC, went through a process of major institutional and methodological reforms that led to controversiesconcerns related to the reliability of the information it produces.produced by INDEC. In the month of January 2016, the Government of Mauricio Macri declared an administrative emergency regarding the national statistical system was declared and INDEC that lasted, until December 31, 2016. During such emergency time, period INDEC stopped publishing certain statistical data until it had completed a complete reorganization of its technical and administrative structure was undertaken in order to recoverreestablish its ability to produce relevant, sufficient and sufficienttrustworthy information.

    Despite the fact that due to the reforms implemented in recent years, the inflation rates calculated by INDEC are generally accepted, the possibility that they may be manipulated in the future cannot be ruled out.out. Any such future manipulation could affect the Argentine economy in general and the financial sector in particular.

    .

    In addition to concerns related to the trustworthiness of inflation figures, in the past, inflation has materially undermined the Argentine economy and the Argentine government’sGovernment’s ability to generate conditions that fostered economic growth. In addition,particular, high inflation rates or a high level of volatility with respect to the same, may materially and adversely affect the business volume of the financial system and prevent the growth of financial intermediation activity. This, in turn, could adversely affect economic activity and employment.

    ACombined with high inflation rates, Argentina has also displayed high volatility in its currency, as a consequence of local imbalances and external shocks. Both high inflation rates and high levels of volatility in the inflation rate also affectsaffect Argentina’s competitiveness abroad, as well as real salaries, employment rates, consumption rates and interest rates. A high level of uncertainty with regard to these economic variables, and lack of stability in terms of inflation, could lead to shortened contractual terms and affect the ability to plan and make decisions. This may have a negative impact on economic activity and on the income of consumers and their purchasing power, allpower. All of whichthe above could materially and adversely affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial position, results of operations and business, and the trading price for its ADSs.

    Argentina’s and Argentine companies’ ability to obtain financing and to attract direct foreign investment is limited and may adversely affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial position, results of operations and business.

    Argentina and Argentine companies have had limited access to foreign financing in recent years, primarily as a result of a default in December 2001 by Argentina on its debt to foreign bondholders, multilateral financial institutions and other financial institutions. Argentina settled all of its outstanding debt with the IMF in 2006, carried out a variety of debt swaps with certain bondholders between 2004 and 2010, and reached an agreement with the Paris Club in 2014. After several years of litigation, on March 1, 2016, an agreement was reached between the Argentine government and certain creditors to which the Argentine government was previously in default.


    12


    On April 18, 2016, in order to make thea payment owed to similarly situated bondholders, in similar conditions, Argentina issued bonds in an amount of US$16.5 billion, with interest rates between 6.25% and 8% and maturities of three, five, ten and thirty years. The payment of approximately US$9.3 billion to the bondholders was made on April 22, 2016, thus reaching a final solution to the Argentine debt in default.

    During the remainder of 2016, 2017 and the first four months of 2018, the Argentine government continued to seek financing from international markets. Following the exchange rate crisis beginning in April 2018, however, Argentina haswas not been able to access the international capital markets, resulting in the Argentine government requesting a loan from the IMF (pursuant(pursuant to a Stand-By Agreement for a total of US$57 billion).

    In 2019, Argentina’s bonds plummeted and the short term,country risk soared after the Primary Presidential Elections that took place on August 11, in which the Fernandez-Fernandez platform won by a landslide, making the country unable to refinance its existing debt with the private sector. As a result, the Macri administration decided to unilaterally restructure the maturity dates on short-term debt issued by the Argentine Government and denominated both in Argentine pesos and in Dollars. When President Fernandez took office, his administration commenced debt-restructuring negotiations for debt held by the Government that was held by foreign creditors. This restructuring was completed in September 2020. Argentina mustis also seeking to restructure its debtIMF loan in 2021, as principal payments from the 2018’s Stand-By Agreement begin to fall due in October 2021. A new agreement with its current bondholders and the IMF which may require a commitment to implement restrictive monetaryreforms and fiscal policies,changes to economic policy, which could have a significant adverse effect on Argentina’s economy and on Argentine companies orincluding Grupo Financiero Galicia’s ability to obtain international financing and could also adversely affect local credit conditions. If Argentina is not be able to reach an agreement with its bondholders or the IMF, Argentinathe country may default on such debt. Any such default on the IMF debt or other current outstanding debt would likely inhibit or prevent access by the Government and would likely again lose accessArgentine companies to the international financial markets. and may also compromise the ability of such entities to obtain bilateral financing. This would also have an adverse effect on the Argentine economy, including Grupo Financiero Galicia,., and would likely cause a negative impact the ability of companies, including Grupo Financiero Galicia, to obtain foreign financing.financing.

    A decline in the international prices of Argentina’s main commodities exports and a real appreciation of the Peso against the Dollar could affect the Argentine economy and create new pressures on the foreign exchange market and have a material adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition, prospects and operating results.

    The reliance on the export of certain commodities, (particularly soybeans and its by products,, corn and wheat)wheat), has made the country more vulnerable to fluctuations in their prices. A decrease in commodity prices may adversely affect the Argentine government’s fiscal revenues and the Argentine economy as a whole. Given its reliance on such agricultural commodities,, the country is also vulnerable to weather events—such as 2018’s drought—that may negatively affect the production, of such commodities, reducing fiscal revenues and the inflow of US dollars.Dollars.

    In order to counterbalance and diversify its reliance on the above noted agricultural commodities as well as to add an additionalanother source of revenue, Argentina has been focused on increasing its oil and gas exports. ANevertheless, a long-term decrease in the international price of oil would negatively impact such oil and gas prospects and result in a decrease in foreign investment in such sectors.

    AAdditionally, a significant increase in the real appreciation of the Peso could affect Argentina’s competitiveness, substantially affecting exports, and this in turn could promptprompting new recessionary pressures on Argentina’s economy and a new imbalance in the foreign exchange market, which could exacerbateexacerbating exchange rate volatility. Given the strong reliance on revenues from taxes on exports, aA significant appreciation of the real exchange rate could substantially reduceadversely affect the Argentine public sector’s tax revenues in real terms.terms, since around 7% of the country’s total revenues depend on export taxes. The occurrence of the foregoing could exacerbateintensify the existing inflationary environment and potentially materially and adversely affect the Argentine economy, as well as Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition and operating results and, thus, the trading prices for its ADSs.

    Volatility in the regulatory framework could have a material and adverse effect on Argentina’s economy in general, and on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial position, specifically.

    From time to time the Argentine government has enacted several laws amending the regulatory framework governing a number of different activities as a measure to stimulate the economy, some of which have had adverse effects on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business. Although former administration has eliminated some of these regulations, political and social pressures could inhibit the Argentine government’s implementation of policies designed to generate growth and enhance consumer and investor confidence.

    No assurance can be provided that future regulations, and especially those related to the financial system, will not materially and adversely affect the assets, revenues and operating income of private sector companies, including Grupo Financiero Galicia, the rights of holders of securities issued by those entities, or the value of those securities.


    13


    The lack of regulatory foresight could impose significant limitations on activities of the financial system and Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business, and would generate uncertainty regarding its future financial position and result of operations and trading price for its ADSs.

    The Argentine economy and its goods, financial services and securities markets remain vulnerable to external factors, which could affect Argentina’s economic growth and Grupo Financiero Galicia’s prospects.

    The financial and securities markets in Argentina are influenced, to varying degrees, by economic and market conditions in other countries. Although such conditions may vary from country to country, investor reactions to events occurring in one country may affect capital flows to issuers in other countries, and consequently affect the trading prices of their securities. Decreased capital inflows and lower prices in the stock market of a country may have a material adverse effect on the real economy of those countries in the form of higher interest rates and foreign exchange volatility.

    During periods of uncertainty in international markets, investors generally choose to invest in high-quality assets (“flight to quality”) over emerging market assets. This has caused and could continue to cause an adverse impact on the Argentine economy and could continue to adversely affect the country’s economy in the near future.

    The problems facedmonetary and fiscal policies implemented by the European Union’s countries, resulting from a combination of factorsworld’s leading economies, such as low growth, fiscal woes and financial pressures, were particularly acute. Reestablishing financial and fiscal stability to offset such low or zero growth continues to pose a challenge. As a result, the leading economies of the European Union imposed emergency economic plans in such countries, which plans are still in place. During 2018, the U.S. Federal Reserve increased the Federal Funds rate by 100 basis points and continued to cut its asset purchase and its monetary easing programs. Such changes continued to strengthen the Dollar globally, affecting commodity prices and reducing the inflow of capital to emerging market countries, including Argentina. However, during 2019 the U.S. Federal Reserve implemented several haircuts on the Federal Funds rate (1.75%-1.50% range), a preemptive measure amidst a trade war withUS, China and the European Union even thoughhave an affect on the U.S.Argentine economy displayed strong fundamentals—record-high employmentthrough interest rates, commodity prices and economic growth rates. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on economic growth worldwide, negatively impacting Argentine exports due to a contraction of foreign demand for the same. Current lower interest rates in leading economies favor emerging markets such as Argentina; however, high levels a strong economy and low inflationof overall economic uncertainty may result in factors that offset any positive impact from such lower interest rates. During March 2020, the U.S. Federal Reserve decide to implement two aggressive interest-rate cuts during two unscheduled meetings: a 0.5 percentage point cut on March 3rd and a 1 percentage point cut on March 15th. This decision was made in order to help mitigate the

    The economic consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    activity of Brazil, one of Argentina’s main trade partner,partners, also has experienced a slight increase in GDP in recent years, increasing 1.3% in 2017 and 2018 and 1.1% in 2019. Although Brazil’s economic outlook may be improving, a further deterioration of activity, a delay in Brazil’s expected economic recovery or a slower pace of economic improvement in Brazil may have a negativean impact on Argentina’s economy. A depreciation of the Brazilian Real against the Dollar has in the past and would again in the future put additional pressure on the exchange rate for the Argentine Peso against the Dollar. Likewise, a weak economic performance from Brazil would affect Argentine exports, particularly in the case of industrial goods, many of which Argentina exports to Brazil.

    Adverse climate conditions and onevents may also affect Argentina’s economy, either by negatively impacting the overall level of economiclocal harvest and industrial activity in Argentina, particularly with respect to the automotive industry. In addition, the inauguration of Jair Bolsonaro as the president of Brazil has contributed to geopolitical volatility in this region as a result of his polarizing ideologies.

    China,thus reducing export volumes or by impacting other competing countries and affecting international commodities’ prices, which is the main importer ofdetermine Argentine raw materials, experienced an economic slowdown in 2018 and 2019 when compared to recent years. The prices for Argentine commodities, in particular oilseeds, have displayed a falling trend in recent years. If this trend continues, it could affect the inflow of foreign currency into Argentina from exports. The slowdown of the Chinese economy and increased volatility of its financial markets could impact financial markets worldwide, which, in turn, could increase the cost and availability of financing both domestically and internationally for Argentine companies.

    agricultural exports’ value.

    The international financial environment may also result in a devaluation of regional currencies and exchange rates, including the Peso, which would likely also cause economic volatility in Argentina. A new global economic and/or financial crisis or the effects of deterioration in the current international context, could negatively affect the Argentine economy and, consequently, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations, financial conditionconditions and the trading price for its ADSs.

    A potential additional devaluation of the Peso may hinder or potentially prevent Grupo Financiero Galicia from being able to honor its foreign currency denominated obligations.


    14


    The Argentine Peso depreciated 15.6% as compared to the U.S. Dollar in 2017, 50.3% in 2018, 36.9% in 2019 and 36.9% 28.8% in 2019 2020, according to the official quotation of the Central Bank.BCRA. If the Peso further depreciates against the U.S. Dollar, as has recently occurred and which could occur again in the future, this could have an adverse effect on the ability of Argentine companies to make timely payments on their debts denominated in or indexed or otherwise connected to a foreign currency, generate very high inflation rates, reduce real salaries significantly, and have an adverse effect on companies focused on the domestic market, such as public utilities and the financial industry. Such a potential devaluation could also adversely affect the Argentine government’s capacity to honor its foreign debt, with adverse consequences for Grupo Financiero Galicia’s and Banco Galicia’s businesses, which could affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s capacity to meet obligations denominated in a foreign currency which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the trading prices for Grupo Financiero Galicia’s ADSs.

    Additionally, the Central BankBCRA may intervene in the foreign exchange market to influence exchange rates. Purchases of Pesos by the Central BankBCRA could result in a decrease of its international reserves. A significant decrease in the Central Bank’sBCRA’s international reserves may have an adverse impact on Argentina’s ability to withstand external shocks to the economy, and any adverse effects to the Argentine economy could, in turn, adversely affect the financial position and business of Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries.

    In order to control the depreciation of the Peso, on September 1, 2019 the Executive Branch introduced capital controls through decree No. 609/2019, whose validity was extended indefinitely by the government of Fernández through Decree No. 91/2019 and Communication "A"“A” 6854 and 6856 of the Central Bank.BCRA. These controls include the need to obtain authorization from the Central BankBCRA to purchase foreign currency in excess of US$200 per month per person, and the mandatory liquidation of exporters’ foreign exchange earnings in the local market within five days, among other measures. This allows the Central BankBCRA to exercise control over the Peso and therefore to prevent the Argentine currency from depreciating.

    Throughout 2020, the capital controls initially imposed in 2019 were bolstered. Additionally, restrictions limited personal and corporate access to foreign currencies in the official market. Despite the imposition of such controls, the BCRA continued to lose monetary reserves throughout most of 2020, ending 2020 with a US$5.37 billion contraction in international reserves. A depreciation of the Peso could adversely affect the Argentine economy and Grupo Financiero Galicia’sGalicia’s financial condition, its business, and its ability to service its existing debt obligations. Moreover, an acceleration of inflation caused by an exchange rate crisis would raise the costs associated with Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries servicing their foreign currency-denominated, which could increase Grupo Financiero Galicia’s costs and therefore have a material adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition and results of operations.

    Changes or new regulations in the Argentine foreign exchange market may adversely affect the ability and the manner in which Grupo Financiero Galicia repays its obligations denominated in, indexed to or otherwise connected to a foreign currency.

    Since December 2001, different government administrations have established and implemented various restrictions on foreign currency transfers (both in respect of transfer into and out of Argentina). Such is the case of the current measures that limit the ability of residents to purchase foreign currency for saving purposes and by capping the amount that can be purchased by the general public at US$200 per month and imposing a 30% tax on all such foreign currency purchases, as well as on any purchases in foreign currency made with debit or credit cards and on the purchase of international flights, hotels or tourism packages. Moreover, as of September 15, 2020, a 35% tax has been imposed on foreign currency that is purchased in order to be saved and on credit card expenses incurred in a foreign currency. This tax is structured to be a credit in advance for income and property taxes be paid.

    The impact that these measures or potential future measures will have on the Argentine economy and Grupo Financiero Galicia is uncertain. No assurance can be provided that the regulations will not be amended, or that no new regulations will be enacted in the future imposing greater limitations on funds flowing into and out of the Argentine foreign exchange market. Any such new measures, as well as any additional controls and/or restrictions, could materially affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s ability to access the international capital markets and may undermine its ability to make payments of principal and/or interest on its obligations denominated in a foreign currency or transfer funds abroad (in total or in part) to make payments on its obligations (which could affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition and results of operations). Therefore, Argentine resident or non-resident investors should take special notice of these regulations (and their amendments) that limit access to the foreign exchange market. In the future Grupo Financiero Galicia may be prevented from making payments in U.S. Dollars and/or making payments outside of Argentina due to the restrictions in place at that time in the foreign exchange market and/or due to the restrictions on the ability of companies to transfer funds abroad.


    15


    It may be difficult to effect service of process against Grupo Financiero Galicia’s executive officers and directors, and foreign judgments may be difficult to enforce or may be unenforceable.

    Service of process upon individuals or entities which are not resident in the United States may be difficult to obtain in the United States. Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries are companies incorporated under the laws of Argentina. Most of their shareholders, directors, members of the Supervisory Syndics’ Committee, officers, and some specialists named herein are domiciled in Argentina and the most significant part of their assets is located in Argentina. Although Grupo Financiero Galicia has an agent to receive service of process in any action against it in the United States with respect to its ADSs, none of its executive officers or directors has consented to service of process in the United States or to the jurisdiction of any United States court. As a result, it may be difficult to effect service of process against Grupo Financiero Galicia’s executive officers and directors. Additionally, under

    Argentine law, the enforcement of foreign judgments will only be allowed if the requirements in sections 517 to 519 of the National Code of Civil and Commercial Procedures or the applicable local code of procedures are met, and provided that the foreign judgment does not infringe on concepts of public policy in Argentine law, as determined by the competent courts of Argentina. As such, an Argentine court may find that the enforcement in Argentina of a foreign judgment (including a U.S. court) that requires payment be made by an Argentine individual to holders of its foreign currency-denominated securities outside of Argentina is contrary to the public policy if, for instance, there are legal restrictions in place prohibiting Argentine debtors from transferring foreign currency abroad to pay off debts.

    The intervention of the Argentine government in the electric power sector could have a material adverse impact on the Argentine economy, which may have a material adverse impact on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations.

    Historically, the Argentine government has played an active role in the electric power sector through the ownershipholding and management of state-owned companies engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power. To address the Argentine economic crisis of 2001 and 2002, the Argentine governmentGovernment adopted Law No.25,561 and other regulations which made a number ofseveral material changes to the regulatory framework applicable to the electric power sector and have significantly distorted supply and demand in the sector. These changes included the freezing of distribution margins, the revocationreversal of adjustment and inflation indexation mechanisms for tariffs, a limitation on the ability of electric power distribution companies to pass on to the consumer increases in costs due to regulatory charges and the introduction of a new price-setting mechanism in the wholesale electricity market, all of which had a significant impact on electric power generators and caused substantial price differences within the market.

    The former administration initiatedbegan significant reformsin the electric power sector. As part of such reforms, suchthe administration took actions designed to guarantee the supply of electric power in Argentina, such as instructing the Ministry of Energy and Mining to develop and implement a coordinated program to guarantee the quality of the electric power system and ration individuals’ and public entities’ consumption of energy by increasing tariffs. In.

    As of the past,date hereof, the Argentine government and certain provincial governmentstariffs that electrical power companies can charge have approved significant price adjustments and tariffnot been “modified” for more than two years. As such, the increasing costs incurred by these electrical power companies that are not covered by the current tariffs have been paid for using governmental subsidies. This use of governmental subsidies instead of increases applicablein tariffs has led to certain generation and distribution companies, resulting in an increase in costthe level of energy prices for consumers.

    On March 31, 2017,public spending by the Ministry of Energy and Mining released a new tariff schedule that increasedGovernment. Looking ahead, any reduction by the price consumers pay for electricity and natural gas by 36% with the goal of reducing governmentGovernment in such public subsidies for energy consumption as part of efforts to reduce the Argentine government’s fiscal deficit. Following a public hearing, the Minister of Energy and Mining released a revised tariff schedule in December 2017, which further increased rates between 34% and 57% (depending on the province) for natural gas and approximately 34% for other electricity. On December 28, 2018, the government further increased gas and electricity tariffs to 40% and 55%, respectively, which were implemented during 2019.

    As a result, there has been a significant(and corresponding increase in the cost of energy in Argentina, whichelectrical power tariffs charged) could have a material adverse effect on inflation and, thus, on Argentine consumers’ disposable income and therefore,the financial and operating performance of Argentine companies. As a result, it could affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition and results of operations and the trading price of our ADSs.ADSs as well.

    The measures adopted by the Argentine government and the claims filed by workers on an individual basis or as part of a labor union action may lead to pressures to increase salaries or additional benefits, which would increase companies’, including Grupo Financiero Galicia’s, operating costs. Additionally, labor union activity could lead to strikes or work stoppages, which may materially and adversely affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations.


    16


    In the past, the Argentine government has passed laws and regulations requiring private sector companies to maintain certain salary levels and provide their employees with additional work-related benefits. Furthermore, employers, both in the public sector and in the private sector, have been experiencing intense pressure from their personnel, or from the labor unions representing such personnel, demanding salary increases and certain benefits for the workers, given the prevailing high inflation rates.Specifically,

    For example, during the early months of 2019 the Argentine union that represents employees in the banking sector employees declared general strikes. These strikes did not have a direct effect on banks but did impact thebanks’ clients of banks who were not able to access to banks’ branches. Strikes similar tosuch as the one that took place in 2019 however, can deterioratealso lower the perception the public has of banks, which could have a reputational cost for us. Labor pressure ismovements are active in Argentina and canpotentially lead to further strikes or work stoppages if demands are not satisfied, which could have a material and adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s operations.operations and operating costs.

    There can be no assurance that the Argentine government will not adopt measures in the future mandating salary increases or the provision of additional employee benefits, or that employees or their unions will not exert pressure on companies, such as Grupo Financiero Galicia, in demanding the implementation of such measures. The implementation of any such measures could have a material and adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s expenses and business, results of operations and financial condition and, thus, on the trading prices for its ADSs.

    High levels of government expenditures in Argentina could generate long lasting adverse consequences for the Argentine economy.

    Since 2007, Argentina increased its spending to GDPGross Domestic Product (“GDP”) to reach a maximum of 24% in 2015, quite above the ratio of the rest of the countries in the region. Since then, a decreasing trend in expenditures was observed until the year 2019. However, in 2020 the spending-to-GDP ratio increased again, as the fiscal stimulus package implemented to deal with COVID-19 and the mobility restrictions put pressure on the fiscal balance resulted in increased expenditures. In 2020, the primary deficit amounted to 6.5% of GDP, and was mainly financed by assistance from the BCRA.

    DespiteIf the trend of recent years, if government expenditures increases to an extent that outpaces Argentina’s revenues, the country’s fiscal deficit is likely to increase,not reduced and debt financing is insufficient, the Argentine government Government may be forced to seek assistance from the Central Bank and/or the National Administrator of Pensions.continue its reliance on BCRA financing.

    Any such increase in Argentina’s deficit could have a negative effect on the government’sGovernment’s ability to access to the long termlong-term financial markets, and in turn, could limit the access to such markets for Argentine companies, such as Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries. The same may have a material and adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition and results of operations.operations and the trading price for its ADSs.

    Exposure to multiple provincial and municipal tax legislation and regulations could adversely affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business or results of operations.

    Argentina has a federal system of government with 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Each of these, under the Argentine national constitution, has full power to enact legislation concerning taxes. Likewise, within each province, municipal governments have broad powers to regulate said matters. Given that the bank branches of our subsidiary, Banco Galicia, are located in multiple provinces, we are subject to various provincial and municipal legislation and regulations that may vary from time to time. Future developments in provincial and municipal legislation concerning taxes, provincial regulations or other matters could have a material and adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s expenses and business, results of operations and financial condition and, thus, on the trading prices for its ADSs.

    The novel coronavirus has had and could continue to have an adverse effect on our business operations.

    In late December 2019 a notice of pneumonia originating from Wuhan, Hubei province (COVID-19,(COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus) was reported to the World Health Organization, with cases soon confirmed in multiple provinces in China, as well as in other countries. Several measures were undertaken by the Chinese government and other countries to control the coronavirus, including the use of quarantine, (with approximately 60 million people affected in China), travellockdown and severe restrictions to and from Chinaon the movement of their respective populations by certain air carriers and foreign governments. Since such initial outbreak, COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic and the virus spread and continues to spread globally, as of the date of this annual report, affecting more than 148 countries and territories around the world, including Argentina. ToAlso, new variants of COVID-19 were reported during 2020 and 2021. Particularly, variants from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil appear to be spreading more quickly and easily, which has led to an increase in COVID-19 cases. In addition, as of the date COVID-19sof this report, some vaccines have been granted emergency use authorizations worldwide. In Argentina, up to the date of this report, 4 vaccines have been approved for distribution (Sputnik V, Russia; Covishield, India; Sinpharm, China; and AstraZeneca, UK) and 1.8% of the national population has been vaccinated with two doses, according to the Argentine Ministry of Health.

    COVID-19 has caused and may continue to cause significant social and market disruption.

    The long-term effects to the global economy and to Grupo Financiero Galicia of epidemics,, pandemics and other public health crises, such asCOVID-19, are difficult to assess or predict, and may include risks to employee’semployee’s health and safety, and reduce our business operations. Any prolonged restrictive measures put in placeto control an outbreak of a contagious disease or virus or other adverse public health development in any of our targeted markets may have a material and adverse effect on our business operations. We

    In addition to the foregoing, in 2020, the general macroeconomic conditions worsened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to INDEC, during the fourth quarter of 2020, GDP declined by 4.3% year over year. Further, during the fourth quarter of 2020, economic activity declined by 9.9% year over year. These conditions also led to an increase in poverty, which, according to INDEC, as of second half of 2020 had affected more than 42% of the population.

    Additionally, we may also be affected by a decline in the demand of our services, or the need to implement policies limiting the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations, including the implementation of work from home policies. The impact epidemics, pandemics and other health crises, such as COVID-19 may have on the methods we use to sell and distribute our products and services, on our human capital resources productivity, and on the ability of our suppliers and consultants to provide goods and services and other resources in a timely manner to support our business, are also impossible to assess or predict at this moment.


    17


    COVID-19 on the industry during 2020, it is estimated that the economic/financial situation will worsen in the short term and could slightly improve on 2021. Likewise, according to Moody’s Argentina2 in its report issued on April, 2021 despite the stress scenario due to the pandemic, the Argentine financial system has shown a high resilience to the decrease in the level of activity, maintaining default ratios in line with what has been reported historically and high levels of capitalization and liquidity.

    Furthermore, certain measures imposed by the local administration,Government, such as travel restrictions, border closures and lock-down measures which have forced us to set in place work from home arrangements for our employees, may also have a material impact on our ability to operate and achieve our business goals.

    Considering the current health crisis, and the related halt in economy the world is facing, we may also experience higher default rates on the financings granted to our clients, liquidity deficiencies, difficulties in our ability to service our debts and other financial obligations. We may also face difficulties in trying to access to debt and capital markets and be forced to refinance preexisting financing arrangements. Although the actual impact is impossible to assess, the occurrence of any of such events could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

    Finally, it is unclear whether these challenges and uncertainties will be contained or resolved, and what effects they may have on the global political and economic conditions in the long term. Neither can we predict how the disease will evolve (and potentially, spread)and spread in Argentina, nor forecast the impact of the new variants of the virus. We are not able to anticipate whether Argentina can successfully and widely distribute COVID-19future restrictions vaccines in 2021. Finally, the Argentine government may imposemeasures implemented by the Government since March 2020 to address the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a slowdown in economic activity that adversely affected economic growth in 2020 and will continue to do so in 2021, to a degree that we cannot quantify as of the date of this report. The prior and ongoing impact of .COVID-19 could have a material and adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business, results of operations and financial condition and, thus, on the trading prices for its ADSs.

    The Argentine economy could be negatively affected by external factors that have an impact in the wholeentire world, such as COVID-19’s spread and the consequentsubsequent implementation of measures destineddesigned to deal with the mentioned pandemic, and its economic impact both on a local and an international level.

    The Argentine economy is vulnerable to external factors. In this sense, most economies in the world (including Argentina and its main trade partners) are being affected by the spread of COVID-19. The virus’ progression, which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has led to the application of measures throughout 2020 that have had a severe economic impact.

     

    1

    https://www.pwc.com.ar/es/servicios/consultoria/infografia-sondeo-covid-entidades-financieras.pdf

    2

    https://www.moodyslocal.com/c086ca95-c9ec-4147-9846-ba1027ac4f5c

    In Argentina, these measures includeincluded the implementation of a generalized quarantine with the intention of hindering the virus’ advancementspread and to avoid the collapse of the local health system. This entailsentailed a halt in most economic activities (excluding essential ones,, such as healthcare services, manufacturing of food products, medical equipment or pharmaceuticals, supermarkets and pharmacies, and the provision of security forces)forces) and the suspension of road and air travels,travel, among others.

    These measures, and any others the Argentine government might implement in the future, have had a negative and direct impact on the country’s economy, by reducing both aggregate supply and demand.

    Additionally, the progression of the virus and the consequentresulting measures destined to fight the virus affected and could entail a reduction in thecontinue to affect economic growth in any of Argentina’s trade partners (such as Brazil, the European Union, China, and the United States). TheIn 2020, the contraction of the economies of our trade partners could havehad a sizeable and adverse impact on Argentina’s trade balance and economy through a fall in the demand for Argentine exports or a decline inof 15.7% as compared to the prices of agricultural commodities.previous year.

    On the other hand, higher uncertainty levels associated with the progress of a global pandemic implies the strengthening of the U.S. Dollarcould exacerbate financial conditions’ volatility, particularly in emerging markets, which could pose a threat to Argentina’s currency and the devaluation of the currencies of emerging countries, Argentina’s trade partners included. This could increase the financial pressure on the Argentine peso and lead to a devaluation of the local exchange rate, or cause the loss of competitiveness against our trade partners.

    financing availability.

    Any of these potential risks to the Argentine economy could have a significantmaterial and negativeadverse effect on theGrupo Financiero Galicia’s business, financial situation and operational results of operations and financial condition and, thus, on the Company.trading prices for its ADSs.

    Failure to adequately address actual and perceived risks arising from institutional deterioration and corruption could adversely affect Argentina’s economy and financial position and the ability of Argentine companies to attract foreign investment.

    The lack of a solid institutional framework and corruption have been identified as serious problems for Argentina and may continue to be. In the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2019,2020, which measures corruption in 180 countries, Argentina ranked No.66.No. 78. In the World Bank’s “Doing Business” report in 2019,2020, which measures the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it, Argentina Ranked No.119No.126 out of 190 countries. The failure to address these issues could increase the risk of political instability, distort the decision-making process, adversely affect Argentina’s international reputation and its ability and the ability of its companies to attract foreign investment.


    18


    A deterioration in the Argentine reputation could have a material and adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition and results of operations.operations and, thus, on the trading price for the its ADSs.


    Risk Factors Relating to the Argentine Financial System

    The stability of the Argentine financial system is dependent upon the ability of financial institutions, including Banco Galicia, the main subsidiary of Grupo Financiero Galicia, to maintain and increase the confidence of depositors.

    The measures implemented by the Argentine government in late 2001 and early 2002, in particular the restrictions imposed on depositors to withdraw money freely from banks and the pesification and restructuring of their deposits, were strongly opposed by depositors due to the losses on their savings and undermined their confidence in the Argentine financial system and in all financial institutions operating in Argentina.

    If depositors once again withdraw their money from banks in the future, there may be a substantial negative impact on the manner in which financial institutions, including Banco Galicia, conduct their business, and on their ability to operate as financial intermediaries. Loss of confidence in the international financial markets may also adversely affect the confidence of Argentine depositors in local banks.

    An adverse economic situation, even if it is not related to the financial system, could trigger a massive withdrawal of capital from local banks by depositors, as an alternative to protect their assets from potential crises. Any massive withdrawal of deposits could cause liquidity issues in the financial sector and, consequently, a contraction in credit supply.

    The occurrence of any of the above could have a material and adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s expenses and business, results of operations and financial condition and, thus, on the trading prices for its ADSs.

    If financial intermediation activity volumes relative to GDP are not restored to significant levels, the capacity of financial institutions, including Banco Galicia, the main subsidiary of Grupo Financiero Galicia, to generate profits may be negatively affected.

    As a result of the 1999-2002 financial crisis (in which the Argentine economy fell 18.4%), the volume of financial intermediation activity dropped dramatically: private sector credit plummeted from 24% of GDP in December 2000 to 7.7% in June 2004 and total deposits as a percentage of GDP fell from 31% to 23.2% during the same period. The depth of the crisis and the effect it had on depositors’ confidence in the financial system created uncertainty regarding its ability to act as an intermediary between savings and credit.

    Furthermore, the ratio of the total financial system’s private-sector deposits and loans to GDP remains low when compared to international levels and continues to be lower than the periods prior to the crisis, especially in the case of private-sectorlevels. Private-sector deposits and loans, which amounted to 12.8%19.1% and 8.6%10.3% of GDP, respectively, as of December 31, 2019.

    2020.

    There is no assurance that financial intermediation activities will continue in a manner sufficient to reach the necessary volumes to provide financial institutions, including Banco Galicia, with sufficient capacity to generate income, or that those actions will be sufficient to prevent Argentine financial institutions, such as Banco Galicia, from having to assume excessive risks in terms of maturity mismatches. Under these circumstances, for an undetermined period of time, the scale of operations of Argentine-based financial institutions, including Banco Galicia, their business volume, the size of their assets and liabilities or their income-generation capacity could be much lower than before the 1999-2002 crisis which may, in turn, impact the results of operations of Banco Galicia and, potentially, the trading price for Grupo Financiero Galicia’s ADSs.

    The Argentine financial system’s growth and income, including that of Banco Galicia, the main subsidiary of Grupo Financiero Galicia, depend in part on the development of medium- and long-term funding sources.

    In spite of the fact that the financial system’s and Banco Galicia’s deposits continue to grow, they are mostly demand or short-term time deposits and the sources of medium- and long-term funding for financial


    19

    institutions are currently limited. If Argentine financial institutions, such as Banco Galicia, are unable to access adequate sources of medium and long-term funding or if they are required to pay high costs in order to obtain the same and/or if they cannot generate profits and/or maintain their current volume and/or scale of their business, this may adversely affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s ability to honor its debts.

    Argentine financial institutions (including Banco Galicia) continue to have exposure to public sector debt (including securities issued by the Argentine Central Bank)BCRA) and its repayment capacity, which in periods of economic recession, may negatively affect their results of operations.

    Argentine financial institutions continue to be exposed, to some extent, to the public sector debt and its repayment capacity. The Argentine government’s ability to honor its financial obligations is dependent on, among other things, its ability to establish economic policies that succeed in fostering sustainable growth and development in the long term, generating tax revenues and controlling public expenditures, which could, either partially or totally, fail to take place.

    Banco Galicia’s exposure to the public sector as of December 31, 20192020 was Ps.110,957Ps.238,654 million, representing approximately 19%25% of its total assets and 142%160% of its shareholders’ equity. Of this total, Ps.58,141 million were Argentine Central BankBCRA debt instruments, Ps.22,759Ps.128,325 million corresponded to Argentine government securities, while the remaining Ps.30,057Ps.60,996 million corresponded to other receivables resulting from financial brokerage. As a result, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s income-generating capacity may be materially impacted or may be particularly affected by the Argentine public sector’s repayment capacity and the performance of public sector bonds, which, in turn, is dependent on the factors referred to above. Banco Galicia’s ability to honor its financial obligations may be adversely affected by the Argentine government’s repayment capacity or its failure to meet its obligations in respect of Argentine government obligations owed to Banco Galicia.

    The Consumer Protection Law may limit some of the rights afforded to Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries.

    Argentine Law No.24,240 (as amended by Law No. 26,361, Law No. 27,250, Law No. 27,265 and Law No. 27,266, the “Consumer Protection Law”) sets forth a series of rules and principles designed to protect consumers, which include Banco Galicia’s customers. Additionally, Law No.25,065 (as amended by Law No.26,010 and Law No.26,361, the “Credit Card Law”) also sets forth public policy regulations designed to protect credit card holders. On October 1, 2014, a newAdditionally, the Civil and Commercial Code was sanctioned, which captured the principles of Consumer Protection Law and established their application to banking agreements.

    On September 17, 2014, Law No.26,993 was enacted, which created a “System to Solve Disputes in Consumer Relationships”, introducing new administrative and legal procedures within the framework of the Consumer Protection Law; namely, an administrative and a judicial regime for such matters.

    Additionally, the BCRA issued Communication “A” 6072, as supplemented and amended, granting broad protection to financial services customers, limiting fees and charges that financial institutions may validly collect from their clients.

    The application of both the Consumer Protection Law and the Credit Card Law by administrative authorities and courts at the federal, provincial and municipal levels has increased. This trend has led to an increase in general consumer protection levels. In the event that Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries are found to be liable for violations of any of the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law or the Credit Card Law, the potential penalties could limit some of Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries’ rights, for example, with respect to their ability to collect payments due from services and financing provided by Grupo Financiero Galicia or its subsidiaries, and adversely affect their financial results of operations. There can be no assurance that court and administrative rulings based on the newly enacted regulation or measures adopted.adopted by the enforcement authorities will not increase the degree of protection given to its debtors and other customers in the future, or that they will not favor the claims brought by consumer groups or associations. Finally, in October 2020, a committee of the Argentine Senate started to debate a draft law intended to fully modify the Consumer Protection Law, the outcome of which is currently uncertain.

    ThisThe above changes as well as potential future changes may prevent or hinder the collection of payments resulting from services rendered and financing granted by Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries, which may have an adverse effect on their results and operations.operations and, in turn, on the trading price for the ADSs.

    The maintenance or implementation of measures regarding the charging of fees and regulated rates could materially and adversely affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations

    The BCRA has various regulations regarding the fees and interest rates that entities can charge in the banking business. One of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s primary subsidiaries, Banco Galicia, is required to comply with the applicable regulations. Interest rates and regulated fees (e.g. setting caps on the rates and fees that an entity can charge its customers) could affect the interest rates and fees earned by Banco Galicia, which could result in a reduction in Grupo Financiero Galicia’s consolidated income or a decrease in customer demand for Banco Galicia’s loan or deposit products. In addition, if Banco Galicia were permitted to (and actually did) increase the interest rates and fees it charged (or if the same were otherwise raised by the BCRA or otherwise), such increases could result in higher debt service obligations for Banco Galicia’s customers; which could, in turn, result in higher levels of delinquent loans or discourage customers from borrowing. Interest rates and regulated fees are highly sensitive to many factors beyond Banco Galicia’s control, such as regulation of the financial sector in Argentina, domestic and international economic and political conditions, among other factors. Changes in the demand for our subsidiaries services and/or increases in the levels of delinquency of their customers could have a material and adverse effect on their businesses and, in turn, on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business, results of operations and financial condition and on the trading price for it ADSs.

    Class actions against financial institutions for an indeterminate amount may adversely affect the profitability of the financial system and of Banco Galicia, specifically.

    20

    Certain public and private organizations have initiated class actions against financial institutions in Argentina, including Banco Galicia. Class actions are contemplated in the Argentine National Constitution and the Consumer Protection Law, but their use is not regulated. The courts, however, have admitted class actions in spite of lacking specific regulations, providing some guidance with respect to the procedures for the same. These courts have admitted several complaints filed against financial institutions to defend collective interests, based on arguments that object to charges applied to certain products, applicable interest rates and the advisory services rendered in the sale of government securities, among others.

    Final judgments entered against financial institutions under these class actions may affect the profitability of financial institutions in general and of Banco Galicia specifically in relation to class actions filed against Banco Galicia. For further information regarding class actions brought against Banco Galicia, please refer to the Item 8. “Financial Information”A. “Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information”—“Legal Proceedings”— “Banco Galicia”. To the extent that the profitability of Banco Galicia is impacted by the foregoing, the same could have a material and adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business, results of operations and financial condition and on the trading price for it ADSs.

    Administrative procedures filed by the tax authorities of certain provinces against financial institutions, such as Banco Galicia (the primary subsidiary of Grupo Financiero Galicia) and amendments to tax laws applicable to Grupo Financiero Galicia could generate losses for Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    In the last years, City of Buenos Aires tax authorities, as well as certain provincial tax authorities, have initiated administrative proceedings against financial institutions in order to collect higher gross income taxes from such financial institutions beginning in 2002 and onward.

    institutions.

    Although Banco Galicia believes it has met its tax obligations regarding current regulations and has properly recorded provisions for those risks based on the opinions and advice of its external legal advisors and pursuant to the applicable accounting standards, certain risks may render those provisions inadequate. Tax authorities may not agree with Grupo Financiero Galicia’s tax treatment, possibly leading to an increase in its tax liabilities.

    Moreover, amendments to existing regulations may increase Grupo Financiero Galicia’s tax rate and a material increase in the tax burden could adversely affect its financial results.

    results, results of operations and the trading price for its ADSs.

    Risk Factors Relating to Us

    Grupo Financiero Galicia may be unable to repay its financial obligations or dividends due to a lack of liquidity it may suffer because of being a holding company.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia, as a holding company, conducts its operations through its subsidiaries. Consequently, it does not operate or hold substantial assets, except for equity investments in its subsidiaries. Except for such assets, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s ability to invest in its business development and/or to repay obligations is subject to the funds generated by its subsidiaries and their ability to pay cash dividends. In the absence of such funds, Grupo Financiero Galicia may be forced to resort to financing options at unappealing prices, rates and conditions. Additionally, such financing could be unavailable when Grupo Financiero Galicia may need it.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries are under no obligation to pay any amount to enable Grupo Financiero Galicia to carry out investment activities and/or to cancel its liabilities or to give Grupo Financiero Galicia funds for such purposes. Each of the subsidiaries is a legal entity separate from Grupo Financiero Galicia, and due to certain circumstances, legal or contractual restrictions, as well as to the subsidiaries’ financial condition and operating requirements, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s ability to receive dividends and its ability to develop its business and/or to comply with payment obligations could be limited. Under certain Central Bank regulations, Banco Galicia has restrictions relating to dividend distributions.

    Notwithstanding the fact that the repayment of such obligations could be afforded by Grupo Galicia through other means, such In addition, as bank loans or new issues in the capital market, investors should take notice of the above, prior to deciding on their investment in equity in Grupo Galicia. For further information on dividend distribution restrictions, see Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”─B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

    21


    Notwithstanding the foregoing,date hereof, due to the regulations recently passed

    by the Argentine Central BankBCRA within the framework of the measures taken by the government to respond to the COVID-19, the capacity of the Argentine financial system to pay cash dividends has been suspended until June 30, 2020.2021. As such, no dividends will be paid to Grupo Financiero Galicia prior to such date and such prohibition could be extended.

    Investors should take notice of the above, prior to deciding on their investment in equity in Grupo Financiero Galicia as a failure to receive the noted dividends may materially and adversely impact the ability of Grupo Financiero Galicia to pay any amounts in respect of the ADSs. For further information on dividend distribution restrictions, see Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”—B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

    In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Argentine Central BankBCRA restricted the ability of Argentine financial institutions to distribute dividends

    In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Argentine Central BankBCRA issued, on March 19, 2020, Communication “A” 6939, which suspended the ability of Argentine financial institutions to distribute dividends until June 30, 2020, in order to maintain the lending capacity of the financial institutions.

    This suspension was later extended by communication “A” 7035 until December 31, 2020, and then by communication “A” 7181 until June 30, 2021.

    As the measures taken by the administration to control the fallout from COVID-19 are recent, uncertain, and changing rapidly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of full measures on Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries, nor can we predict whether Grupo Financiero Galicia would be able to make contributions to its subsidiaries as a consequence of this measure. The ongoing evolutionInvestors should take notice of this pandemicthe above, prior to deciding on their investment in equity in Grupo Financiero Galicia as a failure to receive the noted dividends may materially and adversely impact the ability of Grupo Financiero Galicia to pay any amounts in respect of the ADSs. For further information on the effects of COVID-19, see Item 3. “Key Information” – D. “Risk Factors” - “The novel coronavirus could result in a materialhave an adverse effect on our business financial conditionoperations”. For further information on dividend distribution restrictions, see Item 5. “Operating and results of operations.Financial Review and Prospects”—B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

    Corporate governance standards and disclosure policies that govern companies listing their shares pursuant to the public offering system in Argentina may differ from those regulating highly developed capital markets, such as the U.S. As a foreign private issuer, Grupo Financiero Galicia applies disclosure policies and requirements that differ from those governing U.S. domestic registrants.

    Argentine disclosure requirements are more limited than those in the United States and differ in important respects. As a foreign private issuer, Grupo Financiero Galicia is subject to different disclosure policies and other requirements than a domestic U.S. registrant. For example, as a foreign private issuer in the U.S., Grupo Financiero Galicia is not subject to the same requirements and disclosure policies as a domestic U.S. registrant under the Exchange Act, including the requirements to prepare and issue financial statements, report on significant events and the standards applicable to domestic U.S. registrants under Section 14 of the Exchange Act or the insider reporting and short-swing profit rules applicable to domestic U.S. registrants.

    In addition, although Argentine laws provide for certain requirements that are similar to those prevailing in the U.S. in relation to publicly listed companies (including, for example, those related to price manipulation), in general, applicable Argentine laws are different to those in the U.S. and in certain aspects may provide different or fewer protections or remedies as compared to U.S. laws. Further, Grupo Financiero Galicia relies on exemptions from certain Nasdaq rules that are applicable to domestic companies.

    Accordingly, the corporate information available about Grupo Financiero Galicia is not the same as, and may be more limited than, the information available to shareholders of a U.S. company.

    The price of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s ordinary shares may fluctuate significantly, and your investment may decline in value.

    The price of Grupo Financiero Galicia´s ordinaryshares may fluctuate significantly in response to several factors, many of which are beyond our control, including those described in this annual report under “Risk Factors Relating to Argentina” and “Risk Factors Relating to the Argentine Financial System”.

    The stock markets in general, and the shares of emerging market in particular, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the companies involved. Grupo Financiero Galicia cannot assure that any trading price or valuation will be sustained. These factors may materially and adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling Grupo Financiero’sFinanciero Galicia’s ordinary shares and may otherwise affect liquidity, regardless of Grupo Financiero Galicia’sGalicia’s operating performance.

    22

    Market fluctuations, as well as general political and economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, such as recessions or currency exchange rate fluctuations, may also adversely affect the market price of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s ordinary shares.shares and the ADSs.

    Adverse conditions in the credit, capital and foreign exchange markets may have a material adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business, financial position and results of operations and adversely impact it by limiting its ability to access funding sources.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia may sustain losses relating to its investments in fixed- or variable-income securities on the exchange market and its monetary position due to, among other reasons, changes in market prices, defaults and fluctuations in interest rates and in exchange rates. A deterioration in the capital markets may cause Grupo Financiero Galicia to record net losses due to a decrease in the value of its investment portfolios, in addition to losses caused by the volatility in financial market prices, even if the economy overall is not affected. Any of these losses could have an adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations.operations, business and financial condition and, in turn, on the trading price for the ADSs.

    The occurrence of an operational risk impacting any of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s businesses, could disrupt its business functions and have a negative impact on its results of operations.

    As with other financial institutions, operational risks could arise in any of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s businesses. These risks may include losses resulting from inadequate or failed internal and external processes, systems or human error, fraud, the effects of natural or man-made catastrophic events (such as natural disasters or pandemics) or from other external events. Exposure to such events could disrupt Grupo Financiero Galicia’s systems and operations significantly, which may result in financial losses and reputational damage.

    Pandemics and other material public health problems could result in social, economic or labor instability in the world and domestically and disrupt the operations of our business. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in travel restrictions and extended shutdowns of certain businesses in many regions.

    Mass employee absences and/or absences of certain key personnel could strain our ability to continue to operate seamlessly.

    The main risk factors identified in the last risk assessment undertaken by our Risk Management Division were system failures, adverse legal decisions and economic losses generated by fraud. Although we have implemented numerous controls to avoid the occurrence of inefficient or fraudulent operations, errors can occur and compound even before being detected and corrected. In addition, some of our transactions are not fully automatic, which may increase the risk of human error or manipulation, and it may be difficult to detect losses quickly. The occurrence of any one or more of the above events could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.operations and, in turn, on the trading price for the ADSs.

    An increase in cybersecurity breaches or fraudulent and other illegal activity involving Grupo Financiero Galicia or its subsidiaries could lead to reputational damage to Grupo Financiero Galicia’s (or its subsidiaries’) brands and could reduce the use and acceptance of its and its subsidiaries’ products, therefore adversely affecting its business and results of operations.

    The business of many of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of its data processing systems, its platforms for the exchange of information and its digital networks.

    Many of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries have access to a large amount of confidential information about their respective clients. Therefore, cybersecurity breaches represent a potential risk for Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Cybersecurity breaches can result in, for example, identity fraud, phishing, ransomware, information leaks, APT (Advanced Persistent Threat), DDoS Attacks (Distributed Denial of Service) or the theft of sensitive and confidential information, and may affect negatively the security of information that is stored and transmitted through the information systems and network infrastructure of Grupo Financiero Galicia and negatively affect the reputation of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s brands, thereby causing existing and potential clients to refrain from conducting business with Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries.


    23

    In spite of all existing security measures, Grupo Financiero Galicia cannot provide any assurance that the systems are invulnerable to cybersecurity breaches or that the mentioned measures will be successful in protecting against any such breach. In addition, any of the aforementioned events could lead to an increase in compliance costs for Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries. If any of the above described events were to occur, it could lead to monetary losses and reputational damage to Grupo Financiero Galicia’s brands, which could reduce the use and acceptance of its products, greater regulation, and increased compliance costs, therefore adversely affect its business and results of operation and the trading price for its ADSs.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries estimate and establish reserves for potential credit risk or future credit losses, which may be inadequate or insufficient, and which may, in turn, materially and adversely affect its financial position and results of operations.

    Pursuant to the implementation of IFRS 9, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries establish reserves for potential credit risk and losses related to changes in the levels of income of debtors/borrowers, increased rates of inflation, increased levels of non-performing loans or an increase in interest rates. This process requires a complex methodology mixing probability of default (“PD”), loss given default (“LGD”) and exposure at default (“EAD”), including economic projections and assumptions regarding the ability of debtors to repay their loans.

    Therefore, if in the future Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries are unable to effectively control the level of quality of their loan portfolio, if loan loss reserves are inadequate to cover future losses, or if they are required to increase their loan loss reserves due to an increase in the amount of their non-performing loans, the financial position and the results of operations of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries may be materially and adversely affected.affected and, in turn, the trading prices for the ADSs.

    If Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries should fail to meet regulatory standards or expectations or detect money laundering and other illegal or inappropriate activities in a comprehensive or timely manner. Grupo Financiero Galicia´s subsidiaries may incur fines, penalties, reputational harm and other negative consequences.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries must be in compliance with all applicable laws against money laundering, funding of terrorist activities and other regulations. These laws and regulations require, among other things, that Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries adopt and implement control policies and procedures which involve “know your customer” principles that comply with the applicable regulations and reporting suspicious or unusual transactions to the applicable regulatory authorities. As such, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries maintain systems and procedures designed to ensure that they comply with applicable laws and regulations. However, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries are subject to heightened compliance and regulatory oversight and expectations, particularly due to the evolving and increasing regulatory landscape that they operate in. Further, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries could become subject to future regulatory requirements beyond those currently proposed, adopted or contemplated. The cumulative effect of all of the legislation and regulations on their business, operations and profitability remains uncertain. This uncertainty necessitates that Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries make certain assumptions with respect to the scope and requirements of the proposed rules in their business planning. If these assumptions prove incorrect, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries could be subject to increased regulatory and compliance risks and costs as well as potential reputational harm.

    In addition, a single event or issue may give rise to numerous and overlapping investigations and proceedings in different jurisdictions. Also, the laws and regulations in jurisdictions in which Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries operate may be different or even conflict with each other as to the products and services

    offered by Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries or other business activities Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries may engage in, which can lead to compliance difficulties or issues. Furthermore, many legal and regulatory regimes require Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries to report transactions and other information to regulators and other governmental authorities’ self-regulatory organizations, exchanges, clearing houses and customers. Grupo Financiero Galicia´s subsidiaries may be subject to fines, penalties, restrictions on our business, or other negative consequences if they do not timely, completely, or accurately provide regulatory reports, customer notices or disclosures, or make tax-related withholdings or payments, on behalf of themselves or their customers.

    While Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries have adopted policies and procedures intended to detect and prevent the use of their networks for money laundering activities and by terrorists, terrorist organizations and other types of organizations, those policies and procedures may fail to fully eliminate the risk that Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries


    24

    have been or are currently being used by other parties, without their knowledge, to engage in activities related to money laundering or other illegal activities. Moreover, some legal/regulatory frameworks provide for the imposition of fines or penalties for noncompliance even though the noncompliance was inadvertent or unintentional and even though there was in place at the time, systems and procedures designed to ensure compliance. For example, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries are subject to regulations issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) that prohibit financial institutions from participating in the transfer of property belonging to the governments of certain foreign countries and designated nationals of those countries. OFAC may impose penalties or restrictions on certain activities for inadvertent or unintentional violations even if reasonable processes are in place to prevent the violations. Any violation of the applicable laws or regulatory requirements, even if inadvertent or unintentional, or any failure to meet regulatory standards or expectations, including any failure to satisfy the conditions of any consent orders, could result in fees, penalties, restrictions on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries.subsidiaries ability to engage in certain business activities, reputational harm, loss of customers or other negative consequences.consequences all of which could have a material and adverse effect on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business, financial condition and operations and, in turn, on the trading price for the ADSs.

    A disruption or failure in Grupo Financiero Galicia’s information technology system could adversely affect its operations and financial position.

    The success of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries is dependent upon the efficient and uninterrupted operation of their communications and computer hardware systems, including those systems related to the operation of their ATM networks and digital channels. Grupo Financiero Galicia’s communications, systems or transactions could be harmed or disrupted by power failures, data breach,breaches, cyber-attacks, acts of terrorism, physical theft, reputation incidentsreputational damage and similar events or disruptions. Any of the foregoing events may cause disruptions in Grupo Financiero Galicia’s systems, delays andin the provision of and/or the loss of critical data and could prevent it from operating at optimal levels. In addition, the contingency plans in place may not be sufficient to cover all those events and, therefore, this may mean that the applicable insurance coverage is limited or inadequate, preventing BancoGrupo Financiero Galicia (or its subsidiaries) from receiving full compensation for the losses sustained as a result of such a global disruption. If any of these events occur, it could damage the reputation, entail serious costs and affect Grupo Financiero Galicia’s transactions, as well as its results of operations, business and financial position.position and, in turn, the trading price for the ADSs.

    As of July 1, 2018, theThe Argentine Peso qualifies as a currency of a hyperinflationary economy, and Grupo Financiero Galicia is required to apply inflationary adjustments to its financial statements, which adjustments could adversely affect its financial statements, results of operations and financial condition.

    Pursuant to IAS 29 (Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies), the financial statements of entities whose functional currency is that of a hyperinflationary economy must be restated inusing a suitable general price index to control for the effects of changes. IAS 29 does not prescribe when hyperinflation arises, but rather provides for several characteristics indicating hyperinflationFurther, such regulation requires that the financial statements of an entity whose functional currency is one of a hyperinflationary economy be measured in an economy. In addition,terms of the IASB does not identify specific hyperinflationary jurisdictions.current unit of measurement at the closing date of the reporting period. In June 2018, the International Practices Task Force of the Centre for Quality, which monitors “highly inflationary countries”, categorized Argentina as a country with a projected three-year cumulative inflation rate greater than 100%. Additionally, some of the other qualitative factors of IAS 29 were present. Argentine companies applying IFRS are required to apply IAS 29 to their financial statements for periods ending on and after July 1, 2018.In addition, certain regulatory authorities, such as the Argentine Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional de Valores) (“CNV”), have required thatthrough Resolution No. 777/18 established the method to restate financial statements submitted to the CNV for the periods ended on and after December 31, 2018in constant currency to be restated for inflationapplied by issuers subject to oversight of the CNV, in accordance with IAS 29.

    For

    Law No. 27,468 delegated to the BCRA, in the case of financial entities, the entry into force of new regulations. Likewise, for purposes of the determination of the indexation for tax purposes, Law No.27,468, enacted on December 4, 2018, substituted the Wholesale Price Index for CPI and modified the standards triggering tax indexation procedures.For During the first three fiscal years beginningafter January 1, 2018, suchthe tax indexation will be applicable if the variation of the CPI exceeds 55% in 2018, 30% in 2019 and 15% in 2020. The tax indexation determined during any such year will be allocated as follows: 1/6 in that same year, and the remaining 5/6 in equal parts in the following five years. From January 1, 2021, the tax indexation procedure will be triggered under similar standards as those set forth by IAS 29.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia cannot predict the full impact of the application of such tax indexation procedures and the related adjustments on its financial statements or the effects of such tax indexation procedures on its business, results of operations and financial condition.condition (or on the trading price for its ADSs).

    25


    Small spreads in interest rates between loans and deposits, could harm our financial position and results of operations.

    We carry out our operations in a country that is subject to frequent regulatory changes, high inflation and frequent currency devaluations. As a result, interest rates fluctuate frequently with direct impacts on the main source of income for the business of our subsidiaries.

    These fluctuations may generate losses based on the type of financing granted, the value of the interest rate for the financing and the other terms of the loans extended. For example, in such a volatile country, the granting of long-term loans with fixed rates can result in severe monetary losses if the interest rate earned on the loans extended does not exceed the interest that we (or our subsidiaries) pay on deposits we or they hold.

    In addition to this, the increasing competition we face from digital banks has forced us to offer lower interest rates than we otherwise would in order to remain competitive in the market. If we are not able to maintain profitable spreads between interest that we earn on the loans that we and our subsidiaries grant and the interest that we pay on the deposits that we and our subsidiaries hold, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely impacted.impacted and, in turn, the trading price for our ADSs.

    Problems in operations due to failures in services contracted from external suppliers.

    Due to the nature of the business and the size of our business, many of our computer systems and operations depend on services contracted from external suppliers. This prevents us from controlling, in depth, the operation and provision of such services. Performance or operational failures of outsourced services may result in operational losses or system failures, with subsequent negative impacts on our reputation, financial condition and results of operations.operations and, in turn, on the trading price for our ADSs.

    Payments on class B shares or ADSs may be subject to FATCA withholding.

    Pursuant to certain provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, commonly known as FATCA, a “foreign financial institution” may be required to withhold on certain payments it makes (“foreign pass thru payments”) to persons that fail to meet certain certification, reporting, or related requirements. We are a foreign financial institution for these purposes. A number of jurisdictions have entered into, or have agreed in substance to, intergovernmental agreements with the United States to implement FATCA (“IGAs”), which modify the way in which FATCA applies in their jurisdictions. Certain aspects of the application of the FATCA provisions to instruments such as the class B shares and the ADSs, including whether withholding would ever be required pursuant to FATCA with respect to payments on instruments such as the class B shares or the ADSs, are uncertain and may be subject to change.

    Even if withholding would be required pursuant to FATCA with respect to payments on instruments such as the class B shares and the ADSs, proposed regulations have been issued that provide that such withholding would

    not apply prior to the date that is two years after the date on which final regulations defining “foreign passthru payments” are published in the U.S. Federal Register. In the preamble to the proposed regulations, the U.S. Treasury Department indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations until the issuance of final regulations. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding how these rules may apply to their investment in the class B shares and the ADSs.

     

    Item 4.

    Information on the Company

    Item 4. Information on the Company

    A. History and Development of the Company

    Our legal name is Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. Our commercial name is Grupo Financiero Galicia or Grupo Galicia. We are a financial services holding company that was incorporated on September 14, 1999, as a sociedad anónima (which is a stock corporation) under the laws of Argentina. As a holding company we do not have operations of our own and conduct our business through our subsidiaries. Banco Galicia is our main subsidiary and one of Argentina’s largest full-service banks.

    ThroughEcosistema NaranjaX is a commercial umbrella that is comprised of the operating subsidiaries of Tarjetas Regionales in which Grupo Financiero Galicia owns 83% ownership interest,Regionales. Through it we provide proprietary brand credit cards, throughout the “Interior” of the country and consumer finance and digital banking services throughout Argentina. Argentines refer to the Interior as allunderbanked population of Argentina except forArgentina. For further information, see Item 4. Information on the city of Buenos Aires and the areas surrounding the city of Buenos Aires (“Greater Buenos Aires”), i.e., the provinces, including the Buenos Aires Province but excluding the city of Buenos Aires and its surroundings.

    Company – B. History – iii) Ecosistema NaranajaX below.

    Through Sudamericana Holdings and its subsidiaries, we provide insurance products in Argentina. We directly or indirectly own other companies providing

    Through Galicia Securities and Inviu we provide financial and brokerage related products as explained herein.

    We are one of Argentina’s largest financial services groups with consolidated assets of Ps.685,519Ps.1,055,279 million as of December 31, 2019. For more information regarding Prisma Medios de Pago divestiture, the corporate reorganization of the broker services and mutual funds companies, the corporate reorganization of Tarjetas Regionales and the sale of Compañia Financiera Argentina S.A. (“CFA”), please see “History”.

    2020.

    Our goal is to consolidate our position as one of Argentina’s leading comprehensive financial services providers while continuing to strengthen Banco Galicia’s position as one of Argentina’s leading banks. We seek to broaden and complement the operations and businesses of Banco Galicia, through holdings in companies and undertakings whose objectives are related to and/or can produce synergies with financial activities. Our non-banking subsidiaries operate in financial and related activities in which Banco Galicia either cannot participate or in which it can participate only on a limited basis due to restrictive banking regulations.

    26

    We are domiciled in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Under our bylaws, our corporate duration is until June 30, 2100. Our duration may be extended by a resolution passed at the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting. Our principal executive offices are located at Teniente General Juan D. Perón 430, Twenty-Fifth floor, (C1038AAJ), Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our telephone number is (54-11) 4343-7528 and our website is www.gfgsa.com.

    Our agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation System, presently located at 111 8th Avenue, New York, New York 10011.

    A.1 History

    i) Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Grupo Financiero Galicia was formed on September 14, 1999 as a financial services holding company to hold all the shares of the capital stock of Banco Galicia held by members of the Escasany, Ayerza and Braun families. Its initial nominal capital amounted to 24,000 common shares, 12,516 of which were designated as class A ordinary (common) shares (the “class A shares”) and 11,484 of which were designated as class B ordinary (common) shares (the “class B shares”).

    Following Grupo Financiero Galicia’s formation, the holding companies that held the shares in Banco Galicia on behalf of the Escasany, Ayerza and Braun families were merged into Grupo Financiero Galicia. Following the merger, Grupo Financiero Galicia held 46.34% of the outstanding shares of Banco Galicia. In addition, and due to the merger, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s capital increased from 24,000 to 543,000,000 common shares, 281,221,650 of which were designated as class A shares and 261,778,350 of which were designated as class B shares. Following this capital increase, all of our class A shares were held by EBA Holding S.A., an Argentine corporation that is 100% owned by our controlling shareholders, and our class B shares were held directly by our controlling shareholders in an amount equal to their ownership interests in the holding companies that were merged into Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    On May 16, 2000, our shareholders held an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting during which they unanimously approved a capital increase of up to Ps.628,704,540 and the public offering and listings of our class B shares. All of the new common shares issued as a result of such capital increase were designated as class B shares, with a par value of Ps.1. During this extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, all of our existing shareholders waived their preemptive rights. In addition, the shareholders determined that the exchange ratio for the exchange offer would be one class B share of Banco Galicia for 2.5 of our class B shares and one ADS of Banco Galicia for one of our ADSs. The exchange offer was completed in July 2000 and the resulting capital increase was of Ps.549,407,017. Upon the completion of the exchange offer, our only significant asset was our 93.23% interest in Banco Galicia.

    On January 2, 2004, our shareholders held an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting during which they approved a capital increase of up to 149,000,000 preferred shares, each of them mandatorily convertible into one of our class B shares on the first anniversary of the date of issuance. Such shares were to be subscribed for in up to US$100 million of face value of subordinated notes to be issued by Banco Galicia to its creditors in the restructuring of the foreign debt of its head office in Argentina (the “Head Office”) and its Cayman Branch, or in cash. This capital increase was carried out in connection with the restructuring of Banco Galicia’s foreign debt. On May 13, 2004, we issued 149,000,000 preferred non-voting shares, with preference over the ordinary shares in the event of liquidation, each with a face value of Ps.1. The preferred shares were converted into class B shares on May 13, 2005. With this capital increase, our capital increased to Ps.1,241,407,017.

    In August 2007, Grupo Financiero Galicia exercised its preemptive rights in Banco Galicia’s issuance of shares and subscribed for 93.6 million shares of Banco Galicia. The consideration paid for such shares consisted of: (i) US$102.2 million face value of notes due 2014 issued by Banco Galicia in May 2004, and (ii) cash. After the capital increase, Grupo Financiero Galicia increased Banco Galicia’s shares from 93.60% to 94.66%.

    In September 2013, Grupo Financiero Galicia announced that it had reached an agreement to absorb Lagarcué S.A. and Theseus S.A. (entities that were shareholders of Banco Galicia at the moment of the merger). The consolidated financial statements prepared specifically for this merger were issued as of June 30, 2013 and the effective date of such merger was September 1, 2013.

    27

    This merger resulted in an increase of the ownership interest Grupo Financiero Galicia had in its principal subsidiary Banco Galicia in the amount of 25,454,193 class B shares, which also represented all of the total capital stock (4.526585%) Lagarcué S.A. and Theseus S.A. had in Banco Galicia.

    Consequently, Grupo Financiero Galicia agreed to increase its capital stock by issuing 58,857,580 new class B shares representing 4.526585% of the outstanding capital stock of Grupo Financiero Galicia to be delivered to the shareholders of Lagarcué S.A. and Theseus S.A.

    Additionally, Grupo Financiero Galicia, together with Banco Galicia and the shareholders of Lagarcué S.A. and Theseus S.A., signed a supplemental agreement governing operational issues of and providing for the settlement and mutual withdrawal of any pending claims.

    All documentation related to the merger by absorption of Lagarcué S.A. and Theseus S.A. by Grupo Financiero Galicia was approved at the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of Grupo Financiero Galicia held on November 21, 2013, including the exchange ratio and the above mentioned capital increase of Ps.58,857,580 through the issuance of 58,857,580 class B shares, with a face value of Ps.1, one vote per share, entitling its owners to participate in the profits of the financial year beginning on January 1, 2013.

    On December 18, 2013, the definitive merger agreement contemplating the absorption of Lagarcué S.A. and Theseus S.A. was registered in a public deed pursuant to the terms of paragraph 4 of article 83 of the Ley General de Sociedades (Law No. 19,550, as amended, the General Corporations Law or “Corporations Law”), and effective as of September 1, 2013. Therefore, 25,454,193 class B shares of Banco Galicia, representing 4.526585 % of its capital stock previously owned by Lagarcué S.A. and Theseus and S.A. were transferred to Grupo Financiero Galicia. As a result, Grupo Financiero Galicia owns 560,199,603 shares of Banco Galicia, representing 99.621742% of its capital stock and voting rights.

    On February 27, 2014, by Resolution No. 17,300, the Board of the Comisión Nacional de Valores (the “National Securities Commission”, or the “CNV”) consented to the absorption of Lagarcué S.A. and Theseus S.A and to the above mentioned increase in capital of Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    On February 25, 2014, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia resolved to offer to acquire all of the remaining shares of Banco Galicia owned by third parties, amounting to 2,123,962 shares, at an amount of Ps.23.22 per share, which was approved by the CNV on April 24, 2014.

    In compliance with Argentine regulations, Grupo Financiero Galicia made all required communications and paid the amounts corresponding to the remaining shares of Banco Galicia held by third parties. On August 4, 2014, Grupo Financiero Galicia became the owner of 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Banco Galicia when the relevant unilateral declaration to acquire the remaining shares of Banco Galicia held by third parties was recorded as a public deed pursuant to Article 95 of the Law No. 26,831 (the “Capital Markets Law”, in Spanish “Ley de Mercado de Capitales”).

    On January 12, 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia together with its main subsidiary, Banco Galicia, decided to accept an offer made by Mr. Julio A. Fraomeni and Galeno Capital S.A.U. to purchase 100% of Banco Galicia’s subsidiary, Compañía Financiera Argentina S.A. On December 4, 2017, through Resolution No. 414, the Argentine Central BankBCRA authorized the sale of Compañía Financiera Argentina S.A. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, payments were completed, so Grupo Financiero Galicia received a total amount of Ps.30,771,146 (which, as adjusted for inflation, wasis equal to Ps.65,831,636Ps.89,623,576 as of December 31, 2019)2020) for its 3% of participation in Compañia Financiera Argentina S.A.

    On May 16, 2017, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia accepted an offer to acquire 10,000 book-entry shares with a nominal value of Ps.1 per share, representing 1% of the share capital of Galicia ValoresInviu owned by Compañía Financiera Argentina S.A. for Ps.906,524.15 (which, as adjusted for inflation, wasis equal to Ps.2,324,697Ps.3,164,856 as of December 31, 2019)2020).

    28

    During August 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia accepted a series of irrevocable sales offers for the acquisition of a 6% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the subsidiary Tarjetas Regionales S.A.Regionales. On January 5, 2018, a total price of US$49,000,000 was paid and the transaction was completed on January 8, 2018, with the transfer of 22,633,260 Class A common shares, book-entry, with a par value of Ps.1 per share and 5 votes per share, and 42,033,196 Class B common shares, book-entry, with a par value of Ps.1 per share and 1 vote per share.

    On October 12, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the corporate reorganization of Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia. Such reorganization consisted of the divestiture of Banco Galicia’s shares in Tarjetas Regionales (77% of its share capital), and the incorporation of such shares into the assets of Grupo Financiero Galicia effective January 1, 2018. On January 19, 2018, the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, through Note No. 312/04/2018, confirmed that it did not object theto such corporate reorganization. Consecuently,Following such reorganization, Grupo Financiero Galicia holdsheld an 83% ownership interest in Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

    Regionales.

    On August 15, 2017, the shareholders of Grupo Financiero Galicia approved an increase of its share capital by issuing up to a maximum of 150,000,000 of new Class B shares, book-entry, with a right to one vote and a face value of Ps.1 per share.

    On September 26, 2017, the global primary follow-on offering period for Grupo Financiero Galicia’s new Class B shares ended and 109,999,996 class B shares were subscribed for a price of US$5 per share. Such shares

    were issued on September 29, 2017. The Company granted the underwriters the option to purchase additional class B ordinary shares at the offering price, and on October 2, 2017, the underwriters exercised such option and 16,500,004 additional class B shares at US$5 per share were issued on October 4, 2017.

    As a result of the foregoing offering, a total of 126,500,000 ordinary class B shares, book-entry, with a right to one vote and a face value of Ps.1 per share were issued. IssuedThe new issued and outstanding capital of Grupo Financiero Galicia was therefore Ps.1,426,764,597, represented by 281,221,650 ordinary class A shares, book-entry, entitled to five votes per share and a face value of Ps.1 per share and 1,145,542,947 ordinary class B shares, book-entry, entitled to one vote and a face value of Ps.1 per share.

    On December 27, 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia made a capital contribution to Banco Galicia of Ps.10,000,000,000, (which, as adjusted for inflation, wasis equal to Ps.22,712,675,768Ps.30,921,170,298 as of December 31, 2019)2020).

    On May 28, 2019, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia approved a capital contribution to Tarjetas Regionales S.A. for Ps.500,000,000 (which, as adjusted for inflation, wasis equal to Ps.645,455,576Ps.878,727,016 as of December 31, 2019)2020) to fund the creation of a new digital financial company, denominatedcalled “Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.” meantdesigned to reach and offer digital banking services to the unbankedunderbanked population of Argentina. Said capital contribution was effective in two payments of Ps.250,000,000 each, the first one made in June 2019 and the second one made in December 2019. The formation of said company was approved on September 16, 2019, by resolution numberResolution 205 of the Argentine Central Bank. The commencement of activities of Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U. are subject to prior compliance with the provisions required by the Argentine Central Bank within the first year anniversary of the aforementioned resolution number 205

    BCRA.

    On July 2, 2019, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia accepted an offer made by Galicia Valores,Inviu, to acquire 5% of the stock of Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A. for US$920,000. Such acquisition made Grupo Financiero Galicia the sole shareholder of Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.Fondos. Likewise, on the same date, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia approved the creation of a new company denominated IGAM LLC, to be registered in the state of Delaware, United States of America, to provide brokerage, investing and other financial services in Argentina and in other countries. The registration of IGAM LLC took place on July 3, 2019.

    On August 15, 2019, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia accepted a purchase offer made by Banco Galicia to sell 10,000 shares, representing 1% of the capital stock of Galicia Valores,Inviu , for Ps.695,308.54 (which, as adjusted for inflation, wasis equal to Ps.822,516.02Ps.1,119,778 as of December 31, 2019)2020). With this share purchase, Galicia ValoresInviu is 100% owned by our subsidiary Banco Galicia.

    29

    On September 20, 2019, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia approved a capital contribution to IGAM LLC for Ps.71,000,000, (which, as adjusted for inflation, wasis equal to Ps.79,320,966Ps.107,988,030 as of December 31, 2019)2020), to be applied to the purchase of the total stake in Galicia ValoresInviu owned by Banco Galicia. Said operation was closed at a total price of Ps.69,530,854 (which, as adjusted for inflation, wasis equal to Ps.77,679,641Ps.105,753,520 as of December 31, 2019)2020).

    On May 5, 2020, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia, with the goal of strengthening its brokerage service offerings approved a sale offer to purchase the entire capital stock of a brokerage company (an ALYC company -Agente de Liquidación y Compensación- meaning those Argentine entities with a broker-dealer license given by the Argentine Market Regulator) called 34 Grados Sur Securities S.A. Said operation was closed for a total price of US$441,230 and the company was re named Galicia Securities S.A.

    On May 28, 2020, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. agreed with the minority shareholders of Tarjetas Regionales to proceed with a corporate reorganization process. Through this corporate reorganization, the minority shareholders of Tarjetas Regionales, Fedler S.A. and Dusner S.A., holders of 17% of Tarjetas Regionales’s shares spun- off its shares in Tarjetas Regionales and they were absorbed, through a merger by Grupo Financiero Galicia. On September 14, 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia and the companies Dusner S.A. and Fedler S.A. signed the Preliminary Spin off - Merger Agreement and on December 15, 2020 the definitive Spin off - Merger Agreement was executed. As a result of said corporate reorganization, the shareholders of Fedler S.A. and Dusner S.A received GFG’s 47,927,494 Class B common shares, book-entry, with a par value of Ps.1 per share and 1 vote per share, representing their equity interest in Tarjetas Regionales and Grupo Financiero Galicia acquired the control of the 100% equity of Tarjetas Regionales.

    ii) Banco Galicia

    Banco Galicia is a banking corporation organized as a stock corporation under Argentine law and supervised and licensed to operate as a commercial bank by the Superintendencia de Entidades Financieras y Cambiarias (Superintendency of Financial Institutions and Exchange Bureaus or, the “Superintendency”).

    Banco Galicia was founded in September 1905 by a group of businessmen in Argentina and began operations in November 1905. Banco Galicia’s business and branch network increased significantly by the late 1950s and continued expanding in the following decades, after regulatory changes allowed Banco Galicia to exercise its potential and gain a reputation for innovation, thereby achieving a leading role within the domestic banking industry.

    In the late 1950s, Banco Galicia launched the equity mutual fund FIMA Acciones and founded the predecessor of the asset manager Galicia Administradora de Fondos.

    During the 1990s, Banco Galicia implemented a growth and modernization strategy directed at achieving economies of scale and increasing productivity and, therefore, heavily invested in developing new businesses, acquiring new customers, widening its product offering, developing its IT and human resources capabilities, and expanding its distribution capacity. This was comprised of traditional channels (branches) and, especially, alternative channels, including new types of branches (e.g., in-store), ATMs, banking centers, phone banking and online banking.

    As part of its growth strategy, Banco Galicia began expanding into rural areas in the Interior, where there was believed to be a high potential for growth. Historically, the Interior was underserved relative to Buenos Aires and its surroundings with respect to access to financial services, and its population tends to use fewer banking services. Between 1995 and 1999, Banco Galicia acquired equity interests in entities and formed several non-banking companies providing financial services to individuals in the Interior through the issuance of proprietary brand credit cards. See “—Tarjetas Regionales”Ecosistema NaranjaX” below.

    On January 12, 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia accepted an offer made by Mr. Julio A. Fraomeni and Galeno Capital S.A.U. to purchase 100% of CFA, a subsidiary of Banco Galicia. On December 4, 2017, pursuant to Resolution No.414, the Argentine Central BankBCRA authorized such transaction, which was completed on February 2, 2018.

    On March 31, 2017, Banco Galicia’s Board of Directors approved the sale of its stake (58.8% of the issued and oustandingoutstanding shares) in its subsidiary Tarjetas del Mar S.A. (“Tarjetas del Mar”) to Sociedad Anónima Importadora y Exportadora de la Patagonia (which already owned 40% of the total shares of Tarjetas del Mar). CFA also sold its stake (1.2% of the issued and outstanding shares) in Tarjetas del Mar to Federico Braun. Banco Galicia received approximately US$5,000,000 in respect of such sale.

    On December 27, 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia, in its capacity as sole shareholder and holder of 100% of the capital of Banco Galicia, integrated a capital contribution of Ps.10,000 millionPs.10,000,000,000 (which, as adjusted for inflation, wasis equal to Ps.14,765 millionPs.30,921,170,298 as of December 31, 2018)2020). The Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, through its Resolution No.35 dated January 11, 2018, approved the capital contribution and its consideration as computable capital.

    On January 21, 2019 Banco Galicia, sold to AI Zenith (Netherlands) B.V. 3,182,444 book-entry common shares, with face value of Ps.1 each and one vote per share, representing 7.7007% of Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. (“Prisma”) capital stock. Banco Galicia continues to hold 3,057,642 shares in Prisma, which represents 7.3988% of its capital stock.

    30

    In AugustSeptember 2019, the BankBanco Galicia accepted an offer to acquire 100% of the shareholding in Galicia ValoresInviu made by IGAM. The price of the operation amounted to Ps.70 million.Ps.69,530,854 (which as adjusted for inflation, is equal to Ps.105,753,520 as of December 31,2020). See “—Grupo Financiero Galicia”.

    During the fiscal year 2020, Banco Galicia, together with other financial institutions, formed a company named Play Digital S.A. (“Play Digital”) with the corporate purpose of developing and marketing a payment solution linked to the bank accounts of the financial system users, which will significantly enhance their payment experience. As of the date hereof, Banco Galicia held 12.976% of Play Digital.

    Tarjetas Regionales

    iii) Ecosistema NaranjaX

    In the mid-1990s, Banco Galicia made the strategic decision to target the “non-account“non-account holding” individuals market, which, in Argentina, typically includes the low and medium-low income segments of the population who live in the Interior of the country, in addition to certain parts of Greater Buenos Aires. To implement this strategic decision, in 1995 Banco Galicia began investing in non-bank companies (the “Regional Credit Card Companies”) operating in certain regions of the Interior. These companies provided financial services to individuals through the issuance of credit cards with proprietary brands and extended credit to its customers through such cards.

    In 1995, Banco Galicia made the first investment in this business by acquiring a minority stake in Tarjeta Naranja S.A. (“Tarjeta Naranja”) and in 1997 increased its ownership to 80%. This company had begun operations in 1985 in the city of Córdoba, where it marketed “Tarjeta Naranja”“Naranja”, its proprietary brand credit card, and had enjoyed local growth.

    In 1996, Banco Galicia formed Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A. (“Tarjetas Cuyanas”), to operate in the Cuyo Region (the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan and San Luis) in partnership with local businessmen. This company launched the “Nevada Card” in May 1996 in the city of Mendoza. Also, in 1996, Banco Galicia formed a new company, Tarjetas del Mar, to operate in the city of Mar del Plata and its area of influence. Tarjetas del Mar began marketing the “Mira Card” in March 1997.

    In early 1997, Banco Galicia purchased an interest in Comfiar S.A., a consumer finance company operating in the provinces of Santa Fe and Entre Ríos, which was merged into Tarjeta Naranja in January 2004.

    In 1999, Banco Galicia reorganized its participation in this business by forming Tarjetas Regionales S.A (“Tarjetas Regionales”). Tarjetas Regionales became the holding company, of Tarjeta Naranja, Comfiar S.A., Tarjetas Cuyanas, and Tarjetas del Mar. In addition, between 1999 and 2000, Tarjetas Regionales acquired Tarjetas del Sur S.A., a credit card company operating in southern Argentina. In March 2001, Tarjetas del Sur S.A. merged into Tarjeta Naranja.

    During 2012, the ownership interests in Tarjetas Regionales and its operating subsidiaries were modified due to the following events:

     

     

    As of December 31, 2016, Banco Galicia held a 77% ownership interest in Tarjetas Regionales. Tarjetas Regionales directly and indirectly held 100% of Tarjeta Naranja and 100% of Tarjetas Cuyanas.

    On March 31, 2017, Banco Galicia’s Board of Directors approved the sale of its stake (58.8% of the issued and outstanding shares) in its subsidiary Tarjetas del Mar to Sociedad Anónima Importadora y Exportadora de la Patagonia (which already owned 40% of the total shares of Tarjetas del Mar). CFA also sold its stake (1.2% of the issued and outstanding shares) in Tarjetas del Mar to Federico Braun. Banco Galicia received approximately US$5,000,000 in respect of such sale.

    On August 10, 2017, the Board of Directors of each of Tarjeta Naranja and Tarjetas Cuyanas approved the merger of such subsidiaries, by which Tarjetas Cuyanas would merge into Tarjeta Naranja. On September 5, 2017,

    31

    Tarjetas Naranja and Tarjetas Cuyanas executed a supplemental merger agreement pursuant to which Tarjeta Naranja acquired the assets and liabilities of Tarjetas Cuyanas effective as of October 1, 2017. Such merger was approved by the shareholders of each subsidiary at Extraordinary General Shareholders’ Meetings in October 2017.

    Additionally, in October 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia publicly announced its plan to undertake a corporate reorganization between Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia as discussed above in “History and Development of the Company”.

    Tarjeta

    Finally, in February 2019 and December 2019, Cobranzas Regionales S.A. received capital contributions from its shareholders, Naranja has experienced and Tarjetas Regionales, with the main purpose of maximize the growth of the “NPOS”(a significant expansionnew service of its customer base, in absolute termsNaranja mainly used by merchants to accept payments made from clients with any debit or credit card through a wireless device) business and with respectthe subsequent launch of the virtual wallet “NaranjaX”. As a result of such capital contributions, Cobranzas Regionales S.A. capital stock increased from Ps.1 million to Ps.391 million, represented by 391,000,000 shares of face value of Ps.1 each.

    In 2019, Tarjetas Regionales, created a new digital financial company, called “Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.” designed to reach and offer digital banking services to the rangeunderbanked population of customers served, numberArgentina. The formation of cards issued, distribution networkssaid company was approved by the BCRA on September 16, 2019, by Resolution 205 of the BCRA. Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera obtain the license to commenced operations from BCRA. For further information see “Item 4. “Information on the Company” – A. “History and sizeDevelopment of operations,the Company” – A.1 “History” -Grupo Financiero Galicia”.

    On May 28, 2020, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. agreed with the minority shareholders of Tarjetas Regionales to proceed with a corporate reorganization process. Through this corporate reorganization, the minority shareholders of Tarjetas Regionales, Fedler S.A. and Dusner S.A., holders of 17% of Tarjetas Regionales’s shares, spun-off their shares and were absorbed, through a merger by Grupo Financiero Galicia. On September 14, 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia and the companies Dusner S.A. and Fedler S.A. executed the Preliminary Spin off - Merger Agreement and on December 15, 2020 took place the definitive spin off - Merger Agreement. For further information see “Item 4. “Information on the Company” – A. “History and Development of the Company” – A.1 “History” - “—Grupo Financiero Galicia”.

    In September 2020 and October 2020, Cobranzas Regionales S.A. received from its shareholders, Naranja and Tarjetas Regionales, irrevocable equity contributions that were designed to absorb losses in a total amount of Ps.368,421,052.64 (which, as welladjusted for inflation, is equal to Ps.402,719,002 as a technological upgrade and general modernization. As of December 31, 2019, Tarjeta2020). At the same time Cobranzas Regionales launched “toque” a new service of Naranja had approximately 8.5 million issued cards and was the largest proprietary brandmainly used by merchants to accept payments made from clients with any debit or credit card operationthrough a wireless device and totally integrated with the electronic wallet, Naranja X.

    On September 15, 2020, Tarjetas Regionales signed an irrevocable equity contribution agreement with Grupo Financiero Galicia for a total amount of Ps.1,000,000,000 (which as adjusted for inflation is equal to Ps.1,113,270,500 as of December 31, 2020) to be paid in Argentina.two tranches. On the aforementioned date, Tarjetas Regionales received the first tranche of the irrevocable contribution in a total amount of Ps.175,000,000 (which as adjusted for inflation is equal to Ps.194,822,338 as of December 31, 2020). Tarjetas Regionales received the second tranche on October 30, 2020, in a total amount of Ps.825,000,000 (which as adjusted for inflation is equal to Ps.885,157,650 as of December 31, 2020).

    In terms of funding, Tarjeta Naranja, has historically used one or more of the following third-party sources of financing: merchants, bond issuances, bank loans and other credit lines, financial leases and securitizations using financial trust vehicles. This diversification has allowed Tarjeta Naranja to maintain and expand their business without depending excessively on one single source or provider.

    The business operation of Tarjeta Naranja is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations and interest rate fluctuations; however, Tarjeta Naranja mitigates the foreign exchange rate risk in respect of its business and operations through hedging transactions and tries to offset its interest rate exposure with assets that bear interest at similar floating rates. In addition, Tarjeta Naranja has an overall liquidity policy requiring it to maintain sufficient liquidity to cover at least three months of future operations and to formulate a cash flow projection for each upcoming year. These internal policies and practices ensure adequate working capital through which Tarjeta Naranja protects its operations against short-term cash shortages, allowing Tarjeta Naranja to focus on expanding its business and continuously better serving their clients. During 2020, Naranja continued to experience a significant expansion of its customer base, in absolute terms

    and with respect to the range of customers served, number of cards issued, distribution networks and size of operations, as well as a technological upgrade and general modernization. As of December 31, 2020, Naranja, had approximately 8.6 million issued cards and was the largest proprietary brand credit card operation in Argentina.

    Finally, in February 2019 and December 2019, Cobranzas Regionales S.A. received capital contributions from its shareholders, Tarjeta Naranja andwith all the businesses that Tarjetas Regionales withoversees, during 2020 and going forward, the main purpose of maximizegoal is to become the growth ofpreferred technological and financial platform by Argentines. In order to work towards this goal, during 2020 Tarjetas Regionales redefined its purpose. It is now focused on meeting the "NPOS"(noted goal, which it believes will allow it to offer new products and services in a streamlined and straightforward manner that will result in mass appeal and facilities an efficient customer and best-in-class customer experience. Related to this new approach, during 2020 Tarjetas Regionales launched a new service of Tarjeta Naranja mainly used by merchants to accept payments made from clients with any debit orumbrella brand for the entire business called Ecosistema NaranjaX, which includes all the businesses such as credit card, through a wireless device) businessmerchants and the subsequent launch of the virtual wallet "NaranjaX". As a result of such capital contributions, Cobranzas Regionales S.A. capital stock increased from Ps.1 million to Ps.391 million, represented by 391,000,000 shares of face value of Ps.1 each.financial services.

    iv) Sudamericana Holding

    In 1996, Banco Galicia entered the bank insurance business, through the establishment of a joint venture with Hartford Life International to sell life insurance and annuities, in which it had a 12.5% interest. In December 2000, Banco Galicia sold its interest in this company and purchased 12.5% of Sudamericana, a subsidiary of Hartford Life International. As a result of various acquisitions, Grupo Financiero Galicia owns 87.5% of Sudamericana (with the remaining 12.5% being held by Banco Galicia) which offers life, retirement, property and casualty insurance products in Argentina through its subsidiaries Galicia Seguros S.A. (“Galicia Seguros”), which provides property, casualty and life insurance, Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A., which provides retirement insurance and Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A., an insurance broker.

    In addition, during fiscal year 2012 Galicia Seguros, together with three other insurance companies, created Nova Re Compañía Argentina de Reaseguros S.A., the goal of which is to increase the scope of offerings of reinsurance products in Argentina. In September 2017, Galicia Seguros sold its ownership interest in such entity.

    32

    v) Galicia Administradora de Fondos

    Incorporated in 1958, Galicia Administradora de Fondos manages the FIMA family mutual funds that are distributed by Banco Galicia through its multiple channels (network of branches and home banking and investment centers, among others). Galicia Administradora de Fondos’ team is comprised of asset management professionals whose goal is to manage the FIMA family funds in order to meet the demand of individuals, companies and institutions. The assets of each fund are distributed across a variety of assets, such as bonds, negotiable obligations, trusts, shares and deposits, among others, in line with the fund’s investment objective.

    On April 15, 2014, Banco Galicia sold its 95% interest in Galicia Administradora de Fondos to Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    On July 2, 2019, Banco Galicia sold its 5% interest in Galicia Administración de Fondos to Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Net Investment (Liquidated)

    Net Investment was established in February 2000 as a holding company (87.5% owned by Grupo Financierovi) Galicia and 12.5% owned by Banco Galicia).

    On May 16, 2017, the General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Net Investment unanimously approved the early dissolution and subsequent liquidation of Net Investment. At such meeting, the shareholders appointed a liquidating committee that took all required actions leading to such entity’s actual liquidation, with the financial statements as of December 31, 2017 corresponding to its final liquidation. The final distribution of capital was made on January 9, 2018.

    Galicia Warrants

    Incorporated in 1993, Galicia Warrants provides financing services, secured by property in its custody, to the agricultural, industrial and agri-industrial sectors, as well as exporters and retailers. Its main objective is to provide access to credit to such sectors and customers. Its shareholders are Grupo Financiero Galicia, which holds 87.5% of the outstanding equity interests of Galicia Warrants, and Banco Galicia, which holds the remaining 12.5% outstanding equity interests.

    While the corporate headquarters of Galicia Warrants is located in Buenos Aires, its office in San Miguel de Tucumán carries out transactions in the warrants market, as well as other financing services related to its main sectors and customers it services as described above, throughout Argentina.

    vii) IGAM / Galicia Valores

    Inviu

    Incorporated in 2019, IGAM is the holding company of GaliciaInviu and IGAM Uruguay Agente de Valores andS.A. (formerly known as Nargelon S.A.). IGAM is registered in Delaware, USA.

    Galicia Valores

    Inviu operates in the investment management industry. Its purpose is to provide broker and financial advisory services while working to build trustworthy and long-term relationships with its clients and prospects. Galicia ValoresInviu scope of business is mostly local.

    As of 2019, Galicia ValoresInviu became a Mercado Abierto Electrónico (MAE) Agent. MAE is one of Argentina’s electronic markets and its main trading parties are institutional investors such as banks, insurance companies, investment brokers and mutual funds. As a MAE Agent, Galicia ValoresInviu can trade bonds, currency, futures and other derivatives within MAE. MAE’s.


    viii) Galicia Securities

    33

    34 Grados Sur Securities S.A. and was acquired by Grupo Financiero on May 5, 2020.


    On May 6, 2020, during an Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Galicia Securities, the shareholders of Galicia Securities approved a name change to Galicia Securities S.A.

    Galicia Securities is authorized to act as a settlement and compensation agent and placement and distribution agent of mutual funds in Argentine. The stated purpose of Galicia Securities is to conduct on its own behalf, on behalf of third parties, or through agents, agencies or branches, the operations which are typically performed by settlement and compensation agents and distribution agents and those authorized by current Argentine laws.

    Galicia Securities is a member of the Argentine Stock Exchange Market (“BYMA”) and the Argentine Electronic Open Market.

    A.2 Capital Investments and Divestitures

    During 2019,2020, our capital expenditures amounted to Ps.7,897Ps.7,124 million, allocated as follows:

     

    • Ps.3,546

      Ps.3,716 million in fixed assets (real estate, machinery and equipment, vehicles, furniture and fittings); and

     

    • Ps.4,351

      Ps.3,408 million in licenses and other intangible assets.

    During 2018,2019, our capital expenditures amounted to Ps.5,673Ps.10,752 million, allocated as follows:

     

    • Ps.3,595

      Ps.4.828 million in fixed assets (real estate, machinery and equipment, vehicles, furniture and fittings); and

    • Ps.2,078

      Ps.5,924 million in licenses and other intangible assets.

    During 2017,2018, our capital expenditures amounted to Ps.5,015Ps.8,581 million, allocated as follows:

     

    • Ps.4,187

      Ps.4,894 million in fixed assets (real estate, machinery and equipment, vehicles, furniture and fittings); and

    • Ps.828

      Ps.3,687 million in licenses and other intangible assets.

    These capital expenditures were primarily made in Argentina.

    For a description of our divestitures in 2020, 2019 2018 and 2017,2018, please see “─“—History” “Grupo Financiero Galicia”, “Banco Galicia” and “Tarjetas Regionales”.

    A.3 Investment Planning

    We have budgeted capital expenditures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020,2021, for the following purposes and amounts:

     

    December 31, 2020

    2021

    (in millions of Pesos)

    Infrastructure of Corporate Buildings, Tower and Branches (construction, furniture, equipment, phones and other fixed assets)

    1,539

    1,832

    Organizational and IT System Development

    8,315

     

     

    5,219

    Total Investment Planning

    10,147

     

     

    6,758

    These capital expenditures will primarily be made in Argentina. Management considersbelieves that internal funds will be sufficient to finance capital expenditures for the year ending December 31, 2020.2021.

    B. Business Overview

    B.1 Business

    i) Banking

    Banking

    Banco Galicia, our largest subsidiary, operates in Argentina and substantially all of its customers, operations and assets are located in Argentina. Banco Galicia is a bank that provides, directly or through Grupo Financiero Galicia subsidiaries, a wide variety of financial products and services to large corporations, SMEs, and individuals.


    34


    Banco Galicia is one of Argentina’s largest full-service banks and is a leading provider of financial services in Argentina. It is also our largest subsidiary. According to information publishedprovided by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, as of December 31, 2019,November 30, 2020, Banco Galicia ranked first in terms of loan portfolio and second in terms of assets and deposits within private-sector banks in Argentina. As of the same date, Banco Galicia also ranked first among private-sector domestic banks in terms of assets, loans and deposits. Its market share of private sector deposits and of loans to the private sector was 9.92%10.07% and 11.57%13.03%, respectively, as of December 31, 2019.2020. As of December 31, 2019,2020, Banco Galicia had total assets of Ps.616,356Ps.946,019 million, total loans and other financing of Ps.309,329Ps.439,306 million, total deposits of Ps.397,840Ps.678,103 million, and its shareholders’ equity amounted to Ps.96,297Ps.151,821 million.

    Banco Galicia provides a full range of financial services through one of the most extensive and diversified distribution platforms amongst private-sector financial institutions in Argentina. This distribution platform, as of December 31, 2019,2020, was comprised of 326 full service banking branches, located throughout the country, 2,054 ATMs and self-service terminals owned by Banco Galicia, phone banking and e-banking facilities. Banco Galicia’s customer base on an unconsolidated basis, was comprised of approximately 2.73 million customers, who were comprised of mostly individuals but who also included 104,01025,092 companies. Banco Galicia has a strong competitive position in retail banking, both with respect to individuals and SMEs. Specifically, based on internal studies undertaken by Banco Galicia, it is estimated that Banco Galicia is one of the primary providers of financial services to individuals, one of the largest providers of credit cards, one of the primary private-sector institutions serving SMEs, and has traditionally maintained a leading position in the agriculture and livestock sectors. Banco Galicia’s primary clients are classified into threetwo categories Wholesale Banking,or segments, Empresas (Companies) and Retail, Banking, and Financial Banking.as explained further below in the Segment Tribes subsection.

    Wholesale Banking

    Banco Galicia’s Wholesale Banking division is organized into the following three departments based on their client’ segment: (i) Corporate, Investment Banking and Capital Markets; (ii) Middle-Market Banking and (iii) Agricultural Sector.

    Corporate, Investment Banking and Capital Markets

    This department provides services to clients whose annual invoices start at Ps.3,000 million or which due to complexity of their businesses and / or their profile as a multinational corporation, require special treatment in terms of financial advice and structuring. The active portfolio of this segment showed an annual growth of 20% and 73% in deposits as compared to DecemberIn 2018, and as a result of its strategy focused on growth, customer experience and efficiency, Banco Galicia began to transform its operating model with the aim of enhancing its operational flexibility and ability to adapt to changes. In 2020, Banco Galicia believes that it achieved this transformation, ending with an agile organization that is both able to adapt to changes on a dynamic basis while maintaining its organizational stability. The traditional bank departments were replaced by new organizational departments and Banco Galicia’s organizational structure now includes various multidisciplinary teams that seek to constantly adapt and evolve to better meet their customer’s needs, adjust to market demands and allocate and reallocate resources in order to provide comprehensive customer solutions while also focusing on business continuity. These teams are organized in so-called “tribes”, expertise centers, back-end services and support areas, according to the type of value that each team adds to Banco Galicia and to the organizational services and tasks that they provide, all of which seeks to enhance the financial results of Banco Galicia. “Segment Tribes”

    a) Segment Tribes

    Segment tribes are multidisciplinary teams that are organized around one single objective: to offer clients a value proposition that meets their needs and behavior. Segment tribes are focused on Banco Galicia’s clients everyday operations and focus on, ensuring an agile and simple relationship between Banco Galicia and its clients that is designed to result in sustained customer growth. In order to best tailor its everyday client support and offerings, Banco Galicia has divided its clients in two “tribes” as described below.

    a.i) Retail tribe

    As of December 2019,31,2020, the “retail tribe” was comprised of 3,037,104 clients. Clients forming part of this segment serviced over 950 companies from 300 different economic groups.tribe can be either individuals or corporate entities, both, with annual sales of up to Ps.600 million.

    The retail tribe works to achieve the following matters:

     

    Corporate, Investment BankingThe acquisition and Capital Markets’ service model is based on developing long-term, strategic and commercial relationships with customers. Consideringretention of new clients, pursuing the needsachievement of eachthe highest recognition as a financial platform.

    Offering end-to-end business the economic activity involved and the markets where its customers operate, the Bank has designed suitable solutions in terms of requirements and response times, leveraged in digital transaction banking.

    The Corporate, Investment Banking and Capital Markets division focuses on providing adviceorder to wholesale banking clients onprovide the issuance of new public and private debt as well as refinancing their existing debt. In 2019, Banco Galicia consolidated its leadership asbest market experience for each one of the main banks operating in the local capital marketcluster indicated below and in structuring tailored financings for corporate, SME and agribusiness companies. The Bank was involved in more than 50 transactions, including 16 syndicated and structured loans, 6 restructurings and 28 public issuances in the capital market, offering a wide variety of products which included, among others, debt securities, short-term securities, sovereign and sub sovereign notes and financial trusts.through differentiated value propositions.

    Among the transactions denominated in Argentine pesos, noteworthy issuances included (i) government securities issued by the City of Buenos Aires and of the Province of Buenos Aires, for Ps.7,044 million, (ii) securities issued by affiliates, such as Tarjeta Naranja S.A., for Ps.1,584 million, and (iii) securities issued by banks, financial and automotive entities for more than Ps.6,405 million in the aggregate.

    Among the transactions denominated in US dollars, we can highlight (i) Banco Galicia's own issuance of bonds for US$82.7 million, (ii) securities issued by local financial institutions for US$488 million, and (ii) the participation of Banco Galicia as local placement agent for Pampa Energía’s international bond issuance for US$300 million.


    35

     

    The Bank participated in syndicated loans amountingUnderstanding Banco Galicia’s customer lifecycle, by identifying and understanding their needs and providing customized offers when it comes to more than Ps.850 millionproduct and US$560 million, governed by both local and international law, covering different sectors but mainly focusedfinancial services.

    Clients in the energy, oil & gas and agriculture areas. In termsRetail tribe are divided according to the type of liability management, this department managed to restructure transactions for over Ps.2,000 million and US$6 million.services that they are given in the following clusters as described below:

     

    In line with Banco Galicia's initiative to finance sustainable investment projects, the Bank granted financing for approximately US$50 million, among which it would highlight the bilateral loan granted to Grupo Insud to generate energy from forest biomass, awarded under the RenovAR 2.0 Program.Personas (Individuals)

     

    Middle-Market BankingMOVE

     

    This segment services all business sectorsPrefer

    EMINENT

    Banca Privada (Private Banking)

    Negocios & Profesionales (Business and companies, except for those that are serviced by the agricultural sector described below, whose annual revenues range from Ps.400 million to Ps.3,000 million. As compared to 2018, the volume of active portfolio for this segment in 2019 stagnated, but still managed to achieve with a 10% growth in the average cash balance.Professionals)

     

    Agricultural SectorPyMEs (Small and Medium Enterprisess “SMEs”)

    1.

    Personas, MOVE and Prefer Cluster: Banco Galicia serves more than 3 million clients, and 78% of those clients belong to this cluster. All of the clients not included in the other clusters are considered to be included within these 3 clusters. For the universe of Personas, MOVE and Prefer, during 2020, Banco Galicia decided to focus on its digital client strategy. In particular, during such year, Banco Galicia grew its ability to over 7 days per week, 24 hours service by offering digital initiatives that focused on the entire lifecycle of these clients, starting with digital registration and welcome steps through biometric processes that protect the clients’ identity, to digital access to solve their after-sales needs and requests.

    2.

    EMINENT Cluster:Banco Galicia seeks to satisfy the needs of its most demanding and outstanding clients through three pillars of service: exclusive attention, personalized benefits and experiences, and agile and simple processes. With the aim of establishing long-term and trustworthy relationships, Banco Galicia offers the Galicia ÉMINENT premium service, which provides differential and exclusive attention to its clients through ÉMINENT Executives in the branch network and also digitally through Galicia Conecta, using personal WhatsApp messages or e-mails, no matter the location.

    3.

    Banca Privada Cluster: Banca Privada (Private Banking) provides professional financial service to people with high net worth/equity through the administration of their investments and financial advice

    provided by highly trained officers. It offers its clients an assorted portfolio for investment comprised of domestic financial investments, such as Fima mutual funds (for further information about Fima, please see “Sales and Marketing” – “Fima Funds”, below) and deposits, public and private securities, and shares and trusts in which the Bank acts as underwriter.

    4.

    Business & Professionals (NyPs) and SMEs Cluster: For Business & Professionals and SMEs, Banco Galicia’s digital strategy is focused on providing a “One Stop Shop” service. It is aimed at satisfying clients’ needs from one single place, using one single platform, to enhance the client’s experience of self-management through digital channels, something that has helped achieve greater efficiency in both the service and the results of Banco Galicia. Banco Galicia believes that these clients are focused on self-financing growth and simplifying their day-to-day operations. Banco Galicia encourages and supports the growth of SMEs, businesses and, professionals with products and services that accompany the continued growth and training of such entity’s management, and it does so by offering funding, professional advice and tools that will expedite their operations, and also by promoting the exchange of experiences among the business owners that work along with strategic partners. In 2020, Banco Galicia was recognized by IDB Invest for its support to SMEs in the Southern Cone region. Within the service circles of “Business and Professionals” and “SMEs”, Banco Galicia further divides these clients into merchants and asset-based clients. For asset-based clients, during 2020 Banco Galicia focused on providing services to these clients taking into account two objectives: achieving greater coverage in terms of using Banco Galicia’s payroll services for more of these clients and helping those SMEs that already had a product to grow their business through cross-selling. A total of 28,828 SMEs began to use Banco Galicia’s pay roll services in 2020. As a consequence of the cross-selling of pay roll services, those SMEs that pay salaries through Banco Galicia had an increase in the number of products they hired with Banco Galicia, which went from 3.31 average products sold at the end of September to 3.37 by the end of November. This difference in the number of average cross-selling is equivalent to the placement of 2,832 new products for the universe of SMEs that have hired the pay roll services. During 2020 there was an increase in the volume of purchase transactions and the total amount of such purchases that the Bank pays to its merchant clients after the final costumer has made a purchase from the merchants with a credit card from the Bank, both for SMEs and NyPs, achieving an average monthly volume of Ps.11,125 million and $2,900 million respectively (representing a growth of 25% as compared to 2019). Lastly, together with allies such as the ASEA (“Asociacion de Emprendedores e Argentina”, the entrepreneurs association), ADIRAS (“Asociacion de Directorios Asociados” a civil non-profit group, formed by business men, business leaders and board members of SMEs.) and Grupo Set (an Argentine development group), Banco Galicia has been working with more than 10,000 entrepreneurs from all over the country to facilities training and provide business management tools, providing more than 30 online talks and more than 20 webinars through which hundreds of entrepreneurs were able to train and acquire some specific management and business tools that they can use to grow their own businesses.

    b.i) Companies tribe

    The Agricultural Sector is the only segment defined by its customers’ industry, regardless“companies tribe” was comprised of its profile25,092 customers as of December 31,2020 (both individuals and size. Banco Galicia tailors its product and service offerings to serve its customers in this segment, understanding that the development of digital solutions that more closely connect and communicatelegal entities) with customers in this segment are key to the growth of the business.

    In 2019, Galicia Rural Card remained one of the most valued products for covering the financial needs of customers in this segment, with such card being the leading credit card offered by private banks to clients in this sector in Argentina, with a 63% market share. Our inter-annual growth in loan volume was approximately 70%, making Banco Galicia the leading bank for providing financing in this sector.

    Retail Banking

    In 2019, Retail Banking continued to focus on implementing its commercial strategy, focusing on offering products tailored to the unique needs of each of the following segments: Business and Small and Medium Enterprises (“SMEs”), Galicia ÉMINENT, Private Banking and Individuals Segment. The following are the major challenges that the Bank believes this division will face in implementing this strategy for the period from 2017-2020:

    Regarding transactions, Banco Galicia offers its customers checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and payroll direct deposit, among other services. Banco Galicia’s customers have access to its services through its branch network as well as through its electronic distribution channels. The Bank’s Retail Banking Division offers various types of loans (i.e., personal loans and mortgages) and time deposits (in Pesos or foreign currencies). See “—Sales and Marketing.”


    36


    Business, professionals and SMEs

    an annual turnover higher than Ps.600 million.

    The Business, professionals and SMEs segmentcompany’s tribe is focused on providing financingits client with a business platform that offers specialized financial and other financial productsbusiness advise. This tribe works to provide a flexible and servicesstraightforward experience to businesses not serviced by the wholesale banking division and small- to medium-sized companies. Through the products offered by this segment,its clients. Banco Galicia aimedhopes that the provision of these services helps to encourageform lasting bonds with its clients and yield recurring usage by clients and growing financial results.

    As described above, the companies tribe focuses on three core areas: customer experience, efficiency and business growth, and, based on these three areas, the following objectives were determined:

    To maximize our clients’ profitability through an enhanced offerings and cross-selling, improving the length of the 255,900 businesses, professionalscustomer’s relationship with Banco Galicia.

    To provide the best experience by anticipating and companies it serviced in 2019responding to customer relevant events through digital and self-management channels.

    To optimize the digital relationship cycle by offering differentiated productsfacilitating and services designed to assist the day-to-day management of these businesses and companies. The Bank provides such clients with knowledge, services, products and tools that expedite their operations and promote the exchange of experiences among businesses served by this segment.

    This year, the Bank discontinued the delivery of physical statements to companies, generating savings of 1.4 million sheets of paper, and enabledencouraging the use of electronic checks, where its customers 48% of such clients being SMEs issued 4,800 e-checks. The Bank became the main platform to undertake transactions usingelectronic checksdigital products as well as generating a digital journey design for these companies.

    Clients in the country, with a market sharecompanies tribe are divided by the type of 75% of electronic checks issued.services that they are given in the following clusters as described below:

     

    Additionally, during 2019, Banco Galicia launched the first Minimum Viable Product (“MVP”) for this segment, to facilitate, and expedite customers’ registration as clients of the Bank. The registration process for clients of this segment was drastically simplified, going from 59-page long bank forms to none, from 14 signatures to a token, and by reducing the customer’s time to obtain its client number from 7 days to 10 minutes.Companies

    Likewise, the Bank eliminatedcharges for overdraft, streamline and clarified charges for SMEs, and added an automatic rating for SMEs based on their prior transaction behavior (with no need to submit additional documentation).

    In terms of loans, together with Garantizar, a Reciprocal Guarantee Company (Sociedad de Garantía Recíproca or “SGR”), the Bank implemented the credit engine named “Garantizar para Galicia”. Thus, it has simplified application submittals by handling them at only one place and 100% immediately, and started to pre-qualify prospects, which enables it to improve its credit offer to potential customers.

    Galicia ÉMINENT

    Galicia Éminent is the premium service of Banco Galicia that provides services targeted towards its high net worth customers. Its mission is that its clients always receive differential and exclusive attention, through 3 pillars of service: personalized relationship, exclusive benefits and experiences, and agile and simple processes.

    With the objective of establishing long-term trust relationships with customers, the Bank has a face-to-face, customized service system carried out by Éminent officers, and digitally with “Éminent Conecta Advisors” that customers may consult via WhatsApp, email or video conference. This differentiating service enabled the Bank to maintain its leadership in the Net Promoter Score (“NPS”) at a 30% and to continue to grow in terms of number of new customers by 4%. NPS is a private, online survey conducted by the Bank that gauges overall customer satisfaction and loyalty based on customers’ willingness to recommend a brand to others.

    Additionally, the services provided by Galicia Éminent aim to continue positioning the Bank as a leading investment bank and to improve key processes, such as the implementation of FCR to address certain claims.

    Private Banking

    Private Banking offers distinctive and professional financial services to high net worth individuals, through the management of their investments and the provision of financial advisory services by trained officers. Private Banking offers its customers a wide range of domestic financial investment alternatives, such as deposits, FIMA mutual funds, government and corporate securities, shares and trusts where the Bank acts as a dealer.

    Individuals Segment


    37

     

    Banco Galicia serves more than 2,700,000 customers, 77% of which are individuals –ranging from low income to high income– who make personal use of the products and services offered by the Bank based on their needs.Agrobusiness

    Financial Banking

    The Financial Banking Division includes the commercial department, financial institutions, public sector, trading and global markets, and investment products and global custody divisions. Additionally, it is also responsible for the mutual funds business, as the Bank is the main distribution channel for mutual funds.

    Commercial Department

    The Commercial Department is responsible for consolidating the Bank’s position in the Institutional Customers segment (funds, ANSES’ sustainability escrow fund (known as “FGS”), and insurance companies), and to channel investments from other segments serviced by the Bank (Corporate, Companies, Public Sector and Financial Institutions).

    The Department seeks to deepen the cross-selling of financial products and to promote the use of transactional products (collections and payment) and custody of assets, promoting the integral development of the entire range of products.

    During 2019, the behavior of institutional customers was characterized by what the Bank viewed as sound judgment in asset management, generally prioritizing liquidity and short-term investments.

    2019 was marked by a high level of volatility in the volume of assets traded by customers, with significant trading in the first part of the year, followed by a sharp decrease later in 2019 as a result of the restructuring (known locally as “reperfilamiento”) of public debt, the lack of private issuances and restrictions on the ability of Argentine investors to accessthe foreign exchange market.


    In terms of deposits by entities serviced by this department, the Bank saw an increase in the first quarter of 2019 in the volume of deposits made, followed by a decrease resulting from the replacement of deposits with 1-day Repo transactions directly made by the Mutual Funds in the Argentine Central Bank (during the fourth quarter, Repo transactions became the most important asset in the mutual fund industry portfolio).

    However, the income generated by this segment continue to increase, increasing by approximately 60% as compared to 2018.

    In qualitative measurements, the Bank continued to lead this segment in 2019. Market penetration, measured by the presence indicator (which measures the number of clients in the market that have chosen the Bank as its principal bank or alternative bank), was 88%, and the Bank's leading position indicator (which measures the number of operations performed by clients who have chosen the Bank as its principal bank)was 51%.

    Financial Institutions

    The Financial Institutions Department is responsible, at the international level, for managing the Bank’s business relationships with partner banks, international credit agencies, official credit banks, and export credit insurance companies, and, at the local level, with banks, financial companies, exchange bureaus, and other entities that carry out related activities.

    As in previous years, during 2019 bilateral meetings were held with the most active foreign partner banks in the foreign trade business, through which the Bank channeled the different products and services offered to its customers. Despite Argentina’s unfavorable macroeconomic situation, the number of credit lines given to customers did not decrease and represented a stable source for providing foreign trade financing to its clients. The Bank also continued to provide letters of credit and confirm stand-by letters of credit for its customers.


    38

     

    As a core aspect of Banco Galicia’s strategy in terms of sustainable financing, it continued to strengthen ties and analyze additional business opportunities with multilateral organizations and official credit banks, such as the IFC, IDB Invest, Proparco, FMO, BNDES, Andean Development Corporation (Corporación Andina de Fomento), DEG, KFW OFID and OPIC, among others, with the purpose of expanding its offer of credit lines in the medium and long -term to finance investment projects mainly oriented to the agro-industrial sector, and in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy.Corporate banking

     

    Likewise, the Bank continued to develop commercial relationships with the main export credit insurance companies, such as Hermes, COFACE, SACE, Cesce, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States (or “EXIM”), among others, in order to offer medium- and long-term financing to its customers for the import of capital goods.Finance banking

     

    At the local level, the analysis and detection of business opportunities with financial institutions continued, with an emphasis on improving customer’ experience and consolidating the Bank’s leading position, in an environment of reciprocity and creating stable and long-term relationships.
    1.

    Companies Cluster: Clients in this category are those clients whose annual total sales are between Ps.600 million and Ps.4.5 billion. This category of the companies tribe includes companies across all industries except for companies engaged in agricultural activity, which receives specific attention from the agrobusiness category due to its particular characteristics. According to companies within this category, there was a marked change in their needs during 2020. In response to the to these needs within the context of a global pandemic and with the objective of offering the best and most comprehensive customer service, the customer service model for companies in this category was based on business banking centers that were led by specialized executives, that were strategically distributed throughout the country and that were organized or grouped in five different regions. The customer service offered in-person at these business banking centers was complemented with additional customer service offered online through Banco Galicia’s digital channels, with the goal of making clients’ transactions easy and agile.

     

    Public Sector
    2.

    Agrobusiness Cluster: This category within the companies tribe is the only one that is determined by the activity of the clients it serves. Given the characteristics of every company, for companies that focus on agriculture and, in particular, the production of agricultural goods, it is crucial to offer a service model that will respond to their needs and complexity in a personalized way. Banco Galicia’s clients’ satisfaction is one of the strategic focuses on which this segment works hard and stands out, allowing it to maintain its leading position in the sector in Argentina. After the success of the Galicia Rural Conecta service model which was launched in 2018 for agricultural clients with accounts in the Greater Buenos Aires and City of Buenos Aires (“AMBA”) region, during 2020 this service was offered by Banco Galicia in three new areas: the cities of Rosario, Mar del Plata, and Córdoba. The inter-annual growth in loan volume for loans granted by Banco Galicia to companies in this category surpassed 80% by October 2020, and Banco Galicia became the leading provider of financing to companies in this category in Argentina. In terms of volume in treasury securities, there was an increase of more than 50% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

     

    The Public Sector Department is responsible for commercially interacting with the various state agencies at three main levels: National, Provincial and Municipal, providing financial solutions. Throughout 2019, this department continued to strengthen its presence throughout the country.
    3.

    Corporate Cluster: Banca Corporativa features a service model that is based on developing commercial, strategic and close, long-term relationships. This category is comprised of 300 economic groups with annual sales that start at Ps.4,500 million or that -given the complexity of their businesses or their multinational profile- might require very specific attention in terms of financial advice and structuring. After considering the particularities of the businesses within this category, the economic sectors in which they operate and the markets that companies in this category access (or hope to access), the Bank has designed solutions that are adapted to the particular demands of these companies with swift response times. Such solutions are also leveraged using digital transactional banking.

     

    In 2019, the Bank participated in different Corporate Social Responsibility programs, whose common objective was to encourage cooperation between the public and private sectors. In this regard, we worked on two essential issues: financial inclusion and health.
    4.

    Financial Cluster: Financial cluster includes (i) institutional financial clients and (ii) public sector, which are described below.

     

    Despite having gone through an electoral year mainly characterized by great volatility and uncertainty, this Department achieved significant positive results based on the proximity and trust it has with its customers. In the last quarter of 2019, the Bank started to dialogue with the new elected authorities in the different agencies.
    (i)

    Financial institutions: At an international level, Banco Galicia’s clients in the financial banking cluster within the companies tribe are comprised of correspondent banks, international credit agencies, official credit banks, and export credit insurance companies; whereas at a domestic level, Banco Galicia includes banks, financial companies, exchange bureaus, and other entities that carry out related financial activities. During 2020, given the particular context, virtual

    Finally, as a result of the Bank’s commercial management, the customer portfolio of this segment reached 690 agencies, which allowed, as compared to 2018, an approximately 85% increase in deposit balances, and an approximately 150% increase in income earned.

    Investment Products and Global Custody Department

    During 2019, the Investment Products and Global Custody Department continued with the development of new investment products and the re-launching of the Bank’s Global Custody service, by which it holds funds in custody for clients and invests such funds on behalf of its clients.


    As regards the Global Custody service, during 2019 the Bank continued increasing the product, positioning it, mainly with a focus on offering such service to insurance companies and other corporate entities.

    In 2019, this department experienced a growth of 123% as measured by assets under custody (AUC) as compared to the previous year, and a 65% increase in the number of insurance companies served (measured in number of customers), as compared to 2018.

    In addition to the above projects, the Investment Products and Global CustodyDepartment is also responsible for defining, prioritizing and managing different technological projects for the Financial Banking and Investment Products department of the Bank. Within the framework of the Bank’s digital transformation, in 2019 the investment process continued to go ahead with the replacement of the core system of Investment and Custody Products.

    During 2019, the FIMA Funds Subscription and Redemptions module was implemented, which enabled the implementation of new functionalities for our customers, such as enabling the placement of FIMA Funds through new underwriting agents. A new solution was also designed for brokerage and custody of securities, which will allow incorporating new self-management tools and providing a better experience for customers in 2020.


    meetings were held with the most active foreign correspondent banks in the foreign trade business, and it was through these virtual meetings that the Bank offered the different products and services offered to its clients. Despite the unfavorable macroeconomic situation in Argentina, and even though the supply of credit lines did not increase during 2020, said supply represented a stable source for offering foreign trade financing strategies to clients as well as for responding to requests regarding confirmation of letters of credit and 39stand-by letters. As the central axis of Banco Galicia’s strategy in terms of offering sustainable financing, the Bank continued to strengthen its long-term relationships with multilateral organizations and official credit banks, such as International Finance Corporation (IFC), Inter-American Development Bank Invest (IDB), Proparco, Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO), Banco de Desarrollo de Brasil (BNDES), Corporación Andina de Fomento, Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KFW DEG), OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), among others, with the purpose of expanding the range of credit lines they had to offer with medium and long term financing for investment projects which are mainly in the agro-industrial sector and in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energies. At a local level, the analysis and detection of business opportunities with financial institutions continued, with an emphasis on improving the experience and consolidating the leadership in an environment of reciprocity and long-term and stable relationships.

     

    (ii)

    Public Sector: The public sector category of the financial cluster within companies tribe is comprised of more than 300 companies. 2020 was a challenging year for companies within this category. After general elections, a new Government took office with resulting in changes of governmental contacts, requiring these companies to form new relationships and bonds with new governmental personnel. Banco Galicia believes in the public-private partnership model as a way of developing business, something that should allow everyone to work on several agendas for political-economic dialogue and generate long-term relationships. Regarding customer positioning -which is measured through the Net Promoter Score (“NPS”) methodology- Banco Galicia achieved a high percentage (48%) for 20202 (its second year of measurement). Last but not least, and within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, Banco Galicia implemented a program to help municipalities throughout the country, providing supplies and equipment that helped face and fight the pandemic, thus reinforcing their commitment as relevant community actors.

    b) Trading and& Global Markets Department

    One of the main responsibilities of the Office of Trading and& Global Markets Department is the managementadministration and operation of the positions in foreign currency, positions, financial derivatives, liquidity position and securities, public or private, securities, either for the Bank’sits own portfolio or intermediation, in the primary or secondary market, with counterparties or clients.

    With the latest information available in 2020 regarding the secondary market for brokerage with counterparts, institutional and international customers, companies or individuals. Likewise, this department is also responsible for developing and implementing the Bank’s investment strategies based on the risk parameters defined by the Board of Directors. By providing comprehensive financial advice,fixed income products, Banco Galicia was able to maintain, even in a year of few issuances, a leading positionranked the fifth place in the Argentine capital markets basedtotal ranking in MAE in the last twelve months, with a 5.62% market share, being the second bank on debt originationthe list and structuring for local issuers.

    In the international segment, following a favorable context during the first quarter ofone with national capital.

    In relation to the year, a strong outflow of fundsprimary market for fixed income, and according to the latest information available from Argentine assets was observed with the consequent impact on prices and the currency value. Despite high volatility and risk perception prevailingMAE, Banco Galicia continues to be ranked in the market,first place for the Bank’s commercial management of this division resulted in an increaseeighth consecutive year in the numberconsolidated ranking (Trusts, Corporations and Subsovereigns) of non-resident investors, mainly fromamounts awarded with a market share of 13.9%. Likewise, the United States, England, Brazil and Chile). Afterprovision of comprehensive advice to its clients has allowed Banco Galicia to stand out especially in the implementationplacement of corporate securities, also occupying the new Central Bank monetary policy from October 1 onward,first place in the Bank started to position its investment in local currency assets, which allowed the Bank to take advantageranking but with a market share of the exchange rate stability and the high interest rates.19.1%.

    In the foreign exchange market, Banco Galicia maintained its first position in the Mercado Abierto Eletrónico S.A. (MAE) rankings, having traded US$ 27,832 million out of the total US$223,324 tradedgot second place in the MAE Ranking, after having operated US$6,836 million of the US$63,438 during 2020. The volume traded was reduced by 75% in 2019, increasing its participationline with the market decline due to the new regulatory context.

    Regarding the bilateral market of futures, Banco Galicia got second place in the trading market from 11.85%. in 2018 to 12.46% in 2019. As regardsMAE Ranking, operating a total volume of US$648 million. Regarding the guaranteed MAE futures market, Banco Galicia achieved the first-place rankinggot third place, trading US$1,939 million with a 14% share, whereas in the MAEROFEX Ranking it ended in 2019, with a total volume of US$1,301 million, increasing its participation from 23.6% in 2018 to 32.14% in 2019. In ROFEX’s ranking, Galicia ranked fourth again (third among financial institutions). Theforeign tradevolume transactions amounted to US$13,435 million, a 47% increase as compared to 2018. In addition, the number of trading transactions in banknotes expressed in US dollars increased slightly, from US$6,521 million in 2018 to US$6,657 million in 2019.

    From January 2019 to December 2019, Banco Galicia went from the third position to the second position in the fixed income ranking prepared by Bolsas y Mercados Argentina in 2019 with a total of Ps.292,210 million traded in the Argentine market, representing 5.82% of the Argentine market share and making it the market leader in terms of market share. In turn, from January 2019 to December 2019, Banco Galicia went from second to thirdfifth place, falling one place in the total fixed income ranking prepared by the MAE with a total of US$ 25,683 million representing 10.83% of the Argentine market sharerelation to 2020.

    Digital transformation

    On the road to transformation

    The Bank’s customers and new competitors challenge the Bank to continuously evolve and offer experience enhancing services that are straightforward and agile. For this reason, during 2019 Banco Galicia accelerated its digital transformation, understanding it as an essential means to achieve efficiency and growth, while maintaining its culture, and its values of trust and transparency.

    With the purpose of developing these new technologies, the Bank organized open courses for employees on Introduction to Agility, UX (“User Experience”), Design, Design Thinking and Digital Mindset, and implemented training activities for employees who are part of the teams where an initial and general vision of the agile methodology was addressed.

    First Tribes

    Banco Galicia is taking steps to develop a new organizational design based on agile methodologies to enhance its customer experience. Offering the best customer experience in Argentina continues to be the Bank’s main challenge and goal, while focusing on achieving efficiency that enhances growth.


    40

    Table of Contents


    After a year of positive results in its digital transformation, in 2019 Banco Galicia decided to modernize its operating structure with the aim of becoming a fully agile organization, that is flexible, and efficient in adapting to its clients’ changing needs and more sophisticated requirements.

    Thus, the Bank reorganized its current teams and encouraged the internal mobility of its employees. In 2019, multidisciplinary teams, named “Squads”, were created. Squads are formed by employees of different backgrounds (coming from technical and commercial areas). The Squads take on smaller challenges, which allows them to deliver faster and continues solutions to our customers.

    Each Squad works as a specialized, autonomy body part of a larger group, named “Tribe”. The Tribes are in charge of assigning tasks to the Squads and give them autonomy to develop new ideas of services and products (or to improve or adapt the existing ones to the current needs of our clients) to achieve greater customer satisfaction, from a commercial and digital standpoints.

    During 2019, the Bank created the following Tribes:

    Collections and Payments: Created to transform the Bank’s collections and payments area and revolutionize the market with products and services that enable the Bank to digitalize the entire flow of collections and payments of the different aspects of customers lifes. The goals of this Tribe are to; (i) transform the Bank´s services for collections and payments, and be chosen as the customer’s first option for both current and new collection and payment products, (ii) develop new products that revolutionize the collection and payment market; and (iii) offer customers digital management tools and paperless interactions.

    Everyday Banking: Created to revolutionize customers' daily life, by providing a simple, but differentiated experiences for checking and savings accounts related products, and related services. The goals of this Tribe are: (i) provide the best market experience for everyday bank products for individual customers, with the goal of obtaining NPS of 33 in 2020; (ii) become the customers’ first choice for checking and savings accounts and related services, with the goal of reaching a 6.7% market share in transaction deposits by 2020; and (iii) improve checking and savings accounts and related services.

    Lending: Created to enhance business development and growth for Corporate, Companies, Agricultural, SMEs and Public Sector customers, offering simpler and timely financing to maximize their profitability and ensure a differentiated experience in the market.

    Segments: Created with the challenge of accompanying each customer in their daily activities, generating the best value and relationship proposal in the market, ensuring sustained growth of retail business and retail SMEs.

    Customer Trips: Created to increase the efficiency of the customer’s critical travels.

    Omni-channel: Created to develop and maintain an enabling omni-channel platform, providing autonomy and to reduce the Bank’s time-to-market through the granting of autonomy for channel squads and the building of accelerators.

    ii) Consumption

    Through Tarjeta Naranja,the commercial platform of Ecosistema NaranjaX, Grupo Financiero Galicia offers financing and digital services to low- and medium-income customer segments.segments in Argentina. In addition, through Banco Galicia, Grupo Financiero Galicia also offers credit cards to customers in Argentina.

    Tarjeta Naranja continued consolidating its leading position in the regional credit cards market in 2019. According to official data and private market studies, the Bank is the primary issuer of credit cards domestically and is ranked as the leading credit card brand in rural areas of Argentina.

    2020.

    In December 2019, Tarjeta2020, Naranja issued 3.02.9 million account statements, 6%5% less than in 2018.2019. Authorized cards totaled 8.6 million, including Naranja Clásica, Naranja Visa, Naranja MasterCard and Naranja American Express. In addition, purchase transactions at stores decreased 5%12% as compared to 2018.2019.


    41

    Tarjeta Naranja, Tarjetas Regionales’Ecosistema NaranjaX’ main subsidiary,company, will continue to rely on its strategic pillar of “Organizational Culture and Customer Experience” to grow its customer base and business.

    business during 2021.

    In connectionparallel with the Bank’s Digital Transformation, Tarjeta Naranja created two Tribes the:(i) Assisted Channels Tribe and (ii) Credit Cards Tribe.

    Tarjeta Naranja also adaptedBanco Galicia seeking to optimize its operational flexibility as described above, during 2020 Ecosistema NaranjaX sought to operate in a more agile way of operatingflexible manner by creating both multidisciplinary and autonomous businessindependent intelligence teams.teams, similarly organized into tribes, centers of excellence and squads. These teams operate underbased on the guidelinestenets of collaborative workcollaboration and agilityflexibility and focus on creating and testing the MVPs (products and services in an initial stage of development). Technological improvements were also incorporated into a new app offered by Tarjeta Naranja and a redesign of Naranja Online (“NOL”).

    Another highlight during 2019 inIn terms of consumption, one of the highlights in 2019, was the launching of Naranja X, the virtual wallet from Tarjeta Naranja, which focused on technology and digital channels. For more information see “Sales and Marketing”-“Service Channels”-“Digital Channels”-“NarajaNaranja X”.

    During 2020, Naranja launched Tarjeta Virtual Naranja, available in Naranja App and Naranja Online (“NOL”), to better assist clients in the context of the pandemic. This card allows customers to make purchases online in a more secure way.

    iii) Insurance

    Galicia Seguros provides life, property and casualty insurance to customers. With respect to property and casualty insurance products, Galicia Seguros primarily underwrites home and ATM theft insurance. With respect to life insurance, group life and personal accident insurance are its most significant source of revenues. Galicia Retiro offers annuity products and Galicia Broker is an insurance broker.

    Galicia Seguros, Galicia Retiro and Galicia Broker are subsidiaries that operate exclusively in Argentina and their total premiums and surcharges earned was equal to Ps.7.789 million in 2020.

    iv) Other Business

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos

    Since 1960, Galicia Administradora de Fondos has been dedicated to the administration of the FIMA Common Investment Funds that are distributed through the different commercial channels of Banco Galicia. It has a wide range of investment funds designed for each investor profile, which allows all types of investors to easily access the capital market through the various Fima funds.

    For more information please see “Sales and Marketing” – “Fima Funds”, below.

    B.2 Competition

    Due to our financial holding structure, competition is experienced at the level of our operating subsidiaries. We face strong competition in most of the areas in which our subsidiaries are active. For a breakdown of our total revenues, for each of the past two fiscal years, for the activities discussed below (i.e., banking, credit cards and insurance), see Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”-A. “Operating Results”.

    i) Banking

    Banco Galicia faces significant competition in all of its principal areas of operation from foreign banks operating in Argentina (mainly large retail banks which are subsidiaries or branches of banks with global operations), Argentine national and provincial government-owned banks, private-sector domestic banks and cooperative banks, as well as non-bank financial institutions.

    Regarding private-sector customers, Banco Galicia’s main competitors are large foreign banks and certain domestically owned private-sector banks. Banco Galicia also faces competition from government-owned banks.

    Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of private-sector deposits in the Argentine financial system was 10.07% as of December 31, 2020, as compared to 9.92% as of December 31, 2019 and 11.09% as of December 31, 2018.

    With respect to loans extended to the private sector, Banco Galicia’s Argentine market share was 13.03% as of December 31, 2020, as compared to 11.50% and 10.51% as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, according to the information published by the BCRA.

    According to the information published by the BCRA, as of November 30, 2020, Banco Galicia was the largest private-sector bank as measured by its loan portfolio and second as measured by its net worth and deposits.

    Banco Galicia believes that it has a strong competitive position in retail banking, both with respect to individuals and SMEs. Specifically, Banco Galicia believes it is one of the primary providers of financial services to individuals, the primary private-sector institution serving SMEs, and has traditionally maintained a leading position in the agriculture and livestock sector.

    ii) Argentine Banking System

    As of November 30, 2020, the Argentine financial system consisted of 79 financial institutions, of which 64 were banks and 15 were financial non-bank institutions (i.e., finance companies). Of the 64 banks, 13 were Argentine national and provincial government-owned or related banks. Of the 51 private-sector banks, 35 were private-sector domestically owned banks and 16 were foreign-owned banks (i.e., local branches or subsidiaries of foreign banks).

    As of November 30, 2020, the top 10 banks, in terms of total deposits (excluding Argentine national and provincial government-owned banks), were: Banco Santander Río, Banco Galicia, Banco Macro, Banco BBVA Argentina, HSBC, Credicoop ICBC and Banco Patagonia. Banco Galicia, Banco Macro and Credicoop are domestically owned banks and the others are foreign-owned banks. According to information published by the BCRA as of November 30, 2020, private-sector banks accounted for 65.8% of total deposits and 62.1% of total net loans in the Argentine financial system. As of the same date, financial institutions (other than banks) accounted for approximately 0.4% of deposits and 2.9% of net loans in the Argentine financial system.

    As of November 30, 2020, the largest Argentine national and provincial government-owned or related banks, in terms of total deposits, were Banco Nación, Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires and Banco Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Under the provisions of the Financial Institutions’ Law, public-sector banks have comparable rights and obligations to private banks, except that public-sector banks are usually chosen as depositaries for public-sector revenues and promote regional development and certain public-sector banks have preferential tax treatment. The bylaws of some public-sector banks provide that the governments that own them (both national and provincial governments) must guarantee their commitments. According to information published by the BCRA, as of November 30, 2020, government-owned banks and banks in which the national, provincial and municipal governments had an ownership interest accounted for 33.7% of deposits and 35% of loans in the Argentine financial system.

    Consolidation has been a dominant theme in the Argentine banking sector since the 1990s, with the total number of financial institutions declining from 214 in 1991 to 78 as of November, 2020, with the ten largest banks holding 75.8% of the system’s deposits from the private sector and 75.6% of the system’s loans to the private sector as of November 30, 2020.

    Foreign banks continue to have a significant presence in Argentina, despite the fact that the number of these financial institutions decreased from 39 at the end of 2001 to 16 as of November 2020, and the fact that their share of total deposits has decreased since the 2001-2002 financial crisis while the share of domestic private-sector banks has increased.

    The Argentine banking sector focuses on transactional business and lacks a robust supply of medium and long-term lending. Local financial system deposits and loans are equivalent to 27.8% and 12% of the GDP respectively, well below those same ratios for other countries in the region.

    iii) Credit Cards

    In the consumer loan market, Naranja competes with Argentine banks and other financial institutions that target similar economic segments within the credit cards market. The main players in this segment include Banco Supervielle, Banco Columbia, Banco Comafi, Banco Credicoop, Banco Macro, Banco MasVentas, Banco Municipal de Rosario, Banco Nación (Nativa card), Banco de Córdoba (Cordobesa card), Cabal card, Tarjeta Shopping card, Cencosud, CMR Falabella and CFA (Efectivo Si). Historically, certain international banks with a presence in Argentina have attempted to target consumers in these economic segments and have been, to date and for the most part, unsuccessful.

    In order to compete effectively at a national and regional level, Naranja targets low- to middle-income clients by offering personalized services in each region, focusing their commercial efforts mainly on such segments. While other Argentine credit card issuers and consumer loan providers focus on earning interest on outstanding personal loans and credit card balances, Naranja also focus on and has access to additional sources of revenues including merchant fees and commissions, which allows it to offer competitive pricing and financing terms. Furthermore, unlike other credit card issuers in Argentina, approximately 13.4% of Naranja’s clients pay their credit card bill through their branch network. The broad geographical reach of their distribution network, which is the second largest in Argentina, has allowed Naranja to establish a local presence in all the provinces of Argentina.

    Naranja believes that their diversified and consistent funding sources, significant network of branches, robust information technology infrastructure, relationships with 310,000 merchants and the brand recognition they enjoy provide them with a competitive edge to consolidate and expand their market share in their target market segment, making it difficult for new players to effectively compete in this market segment on a national scale.

    iv) Insurance

    Sudamericana’s subsidiaries face significant competition since, as of December 31, 2020, the Argentine insurance industry was comprised of approximately 181 insurance companies, 15 of which were dedicated exclusively to annuities. Subsidiaries of foreign insurance companies and the world’s largest insurance companies with global operations are among these companies.

    During 2020, the insurance industry continued to grow. Production amounted to Ps.840,557 million, 35% higher than the level recorded for the prior year. Out of the total insurance production in 2020, 84% related to property insurance, 15% related to life and personal insurance, and 1% related to retirement insurance.

    Within the 84% corresponding to property insurance, the automotive insurance segment continues to be the most significant segment, representing 37%, followed by the workers’ compensation segment, representing 23.5%. Within the life insurance segment, the group life insurance segment was the most significant, representing 51%, followed by individual life insurance, representing 28%, and personal accident insurance, representing 14%.

    As of December 31, 2020, based on internal studies undertaken by Galicia Seguros, it is estimated that GaliciaSeguros ranked fourth in terms of net premiums for personal accident insurance underwritten and first in terms of net premiums for home and theft insurance underwritten.

    B.3. Sales and Marketing

    i) Service Channels

    Grupo Galicia’s subsidiaries interact with their customers through a variety of marketing channels, which include digital tools and physical branches, tailored to meet specific customer needs.

    The strategy of the customer service model of Grupo Financiero Galicia is aimed at allowing its customers to access Grupo Financiero Galicia’s companies services (e.g. Banco Galicia, Ecosistema NaranjaX and Galicia Seguros, among others) through all the service channels provided, which allows customers to operate in different assisted channels, both digital and self-managed, and automatic banking, too.

    During 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia continued promoting the use of digital platforms and apps and worked on the development of the infrastructure for new online channels in order to replace in-person cashier services for ATM services. Additionally, it increased the limits on money withdrawals on ATMs. With this, online orders placed by the different business sectors can be safely covered and the clients’ demand can be easily satisfied.

    In addition, during 2020, Banco Galicia sought to maintain a close relationship with its clients, and with that goal in mind it implemented the following digital and self-managed channels:

    Chat conversations through its virtual assistant Gala on its online banking and office banking settings.

    Providing contact information for the officers assigned to clients on the office banking platform in order to improve communication.

    Online access to account statements, credit accounts, cards and purchases; providing reports on tax investments; and offering self-management instructions and tools for investments.

    Providing email messages with notifications and other relevant information.

    Foreign Trade follow-up consultations for clients on the office banking settings.

    The chart below sets forth Grupo Financiero Galicia’s sales network as of December 31,2020.

    As of December 31, 2020

    Branches (number)

    Banco Galicia

    326

    Naranja

    180

    Electronic banking terminals (number)

    ATMs

    1,013

    Self-Service Terminals

    1,095

    toque

    22,041

    Digital banking transactions (thousands per month)

    Galicia Mobile App

    52,737,180

    Online Banking

    48,038,820

    Office Banking

    18,612,657

    Clients (thousands)

    Banco Galicia

    3,062,196

    Naranja

    2,877,565

    Naranja X

    154,316

    Galicia Seguros

    2,040,906

    Galicia Adminitradora de Fondos

    90,764

     

    a) Digital and Self-Management Channels

    In order to take care of our clients and to provide them with ongoing service and assistance, Grupo Financiero Galicia is working to respond to the new COVID-19 reality by using updated digital channels and promoting self-management.

    During 2020, the particular context that the world was facing led to a sudden increase in the amount of times people accessed their information through virtual channels. The actions taken by our subsidiaries to respond to this are described below.

    By promoting self-management, Banco Galicia carried out the following actions in order to increase digital access for its clients:

    Extending the time window for when customers can invest in the “Fima Common Investment Funds” in order to provide 24/7 access for investing.

    Enabling the possibility of swapping sovereign debt securities using online banking so long as 98% of the holders of the debt to be swapped consent.

    Updating product offerings for undertaken transfers of funds to third parties and AFIP Payments (meaning, payments to the Argentine Customs and Tax Authority, “Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos”) in order to make conducting these transactions online more efficient and flexible.

    Allowing the digital registration, connection and disassociation of the overdraft agreements.

    Digitalizing statements and reports, which eliminated the process of printing, shipping and even reduced the use of paper.

    Enabling the deposit of paychecks in custody through the Bank’s self-service terminals (referred to as ITAS) and allowing for the recipient of a paycheck in custody to deposit the paycheck before its maturity date and to further request the redemption of the same without the need of an in-person cashier service.

    Likewise, Naranja continued working on the digitalization of its platforms and updated its features, adding new technologies and processes while also further refining existing channels in order to improve the overall customer experience. The developments implemented focused on three main objectives:

    Developing digital platforms with the best customer experience in the market.

    Enlarging the portfolio of fully digital clients by offering products and allowing consultations in all of its platforms.

    Enabling Naranja’s businesses to function through technological innovation.

    Galicia Seguros accelerated the implementation of new communication channels to facilitate the customer experience. Also, a chat room was added on the corporate website and the call center received a new tool called COLLAB, which allows Galicia Seguros to manage all customer service channels (telephone, WhatsApp, Chat, E-mail and Facebook Messenger) at the same time. All these assets were added to the traditional sales and service channels. Galicia Seguros is making progress in the automation of processes and using robotization tools that allow it to capture improvements in recurring procedures within the sales and after-sales processes. In order to achieve this, they have worked jointly and collaboratively with their business partners: Banco Galicia and Naranja. Accordingly, they developed new functionalities for the contracting process and after-sales management within the digital platforms of Online Banking, Naranja Online and their respective applications. One of them is the possibility of consulting and downloading the acquired policy, the contract for new coverage, the details regarding the assistance services, and the monitoring and follow-up of claims and complaints.

    As of the date hereof, these are some of the Grupo Financiero Galicia’s (or its subsidiaries) digital and self-management channels:

    1.

    Galicia App: this is the mobile online banking app for Banco Galicia. In 2020, this app experienced exponential growth in features offered and their use by clients. Among other functions, the ability to make an appointment at a branch office in advance online, withdraw funds from an ATM with no card, and access ATMs with a fingerprint were incorporated. Likewise, the main screen of the app was redesigned for an enhanced experience, and the option of sending or requesting money to someone registered on the mobile phone’s contact list was added. In order to guarantee the security of the users and their operations, Banco Galicia added the option of biometric fingerprint access, updated the process of connection to Token Galicia (Token Galicia is a numeric code that allows Banco Galicia’s customers to do banking transactions) to a 100% online process, and implemented on Online Banking an intelligence system for the recovery of credentials.

    2.

    Online Banking: Banco Galicia added the option to self-manage credit card payments as well as an option to pre-settle debt refinancing. The Bank worked to update services and streamline operations for its “Personas” (or individual) clients. Galicia Seguros provides life, property and casualty insurance to customers. With respect to property and casualty insurance products, Galicia Seguros primarily underwrites home and ATM theft insurance. With respect to life insurance, group life and personal accident insurance are its most significant source of revenues. Galicia Retiro offers annuityalso added more products and Galicia Broker is an insurance broker.

    Galicia Seguros, Galicia Retiro and Galicia Broker are subsidiaries that operate exclusively in Argentina and their total insurance underwriting was equalservices to Ps.4,857 million in 2019.

    Galicia Retiro was the first company in launching a retirement insurance with 100% digital procurement during 2019.

    In line with the Bank’s digital transformation, during 2019, Galicia Seguros and Naranja X worked together by adding specific products to the Naranja X appBanco Galicia’s online banking offerings, such as offeringpet insurance and a chat room in the section called “Tenencia de Seguros” (Insurance Holdings) in order to help clients at the same time that the inquiries arise.

    3.

    Office Banking: this is a web-based online platform that Banco Galicia offers to clients in its “companies tribe”. Banco Galicia has encouraged self-management, and companies are now able to carry out a credit assessment of themselves with just one click. During 2020, 95% of loans for companies and 75% of cash advances were carried out digitally managed free insurancefrom Office Banking.

    4.

    Gala: this is the name of Banco Galicia’s virtual assistant. It is featured in five different channels and it functions 24x7. Gala was designed to answer customer and non-customer inquiries, providing information on more than 200 topics related to products, services, password management and Quiero! Points, among other things. It also allows you to know the status of the shipment of products, and Banco Galicia is currently working on the pilot stage of checking balances and movements of accounts and cards through the WhatsApp channel. This virtual assistant is prepared to transfer clients to a bank official at the digital call center whenever it fails to understand what the person is trying to ask. The Bank continues to work on the evolution of its virtual assistant to provide solutions that will allow this self-management area to grow. During 2020, it increased its monthly average conversations by 350% as compared to 2019.

    5.

    Web Naranja: Naranja improved the website’s user help center search function, achieving a 96% success rate for users finding the answers they were seeking in comparison to that of 55% prior to this change.

    6.

    Naranja Online (NOL): this is Naranja’s web platform. During 2020, Naranja incorporated all of its products and services into Naranja Online, favoring users’ online operations; and it also allowed for non-digital clients to access digital products by providing payment links for the protectionpayment of statements that previously would have been made in person. In order to guarantee the security of the users, identity authentication tools were developed for access via text and email messages and also push notifications for sale and communication for users browsing Naranja online. Additionally, clients can now buy top-ups for their mobile phone screens. Whilelines from NOL without the need to pay in cash and instead by having the amount added to their monthly credit card billing statement.

    7.

    Tienda Naranja: the Tienda Naranja platform was relaunched, and its launching included an expansion in the range of screen damage coveredproducts offered, the inclusion of an app as a new sales channel, an algorithm that analyzes the clients behavior and suggests products accordingly, and the provision of estimates of shipping times, improvement in delivery times, etc. As a result, and due to the increase in online consumption nationwide, there was a year-on-year growth in sales of 300% and 260% in visits as compared to 2019.

    8.

    Naranja en tu Celular (Naranja on your phone): this is a service of notifications by this insurance increasestext messages (SMS) which informs clients about the latest movements in their accounts and allows them to check their balance and buy top-ups for a cell phone line and pay for them as part of their next monthly invoice. In 2020, Naranja also incorporated the user performs more operations throughpossibility of recharging public transportation cards via SMS and added new warning messages regarding cancellations and refunds.

    9.

    WhatsApp: Naranja X (previously mentioned) developed an automated service bot via WhatsApp in order to also be available app. This automated service bot was well-received by customers. By encouraging online payments, online downloads of products and online credit card purchases, the App,company contributed to the insurance continues to be free. Also, in line with the Digital Transformation,understanding of products and services as being a part of a single ecosystem. Galicia Seguros launched its corporate WhatsApp channel to streamline all procedures, and this channel became the clients’ first retirement insuranceoption when contacting the company.

    10.

    Social Networks: due to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, users turned to social networks in Argentinaa massive way. Faced with this new scenario with no open branch offices and no phone assistance, social networks played a significant role when it came to providing information to and communicating with our clients. In this sense, Banco Galicia created permanent and real-time content in order to be closer to its clients than ever. Naranja worked on a content strategy that could be fully subscribedfocused on providing users with useful information for online (the Futuro Mutual Fund)self-management, taking into account the most frequent inquiries received through the help center. This led to great growth in the number of clients joining the Bank’s Facebook account, going from 16,000 cases of monthly pre-pandemic consultations, to a peak of 72,000 cases in April 2020 and more than 60,000 in May of 2020. The number of officers assisting clients was twice as large, and the opening hours were extended in order to ensure a 24-hour response, and that included Sundays and national holidays. Likewise, the Bank activated social listening in order to truly understand how clients were feeling about these changes and what the most frequent questions were, and it used that as input for the design of the content, including the empathic tone in the conversations. On its Facebook Fan page, Galicia Seguros offers content aimed at enhancing its relationship with its clients and also content about its products, coverage and benefits. In addition, the Bank also manages claims and after-sales services from this network.

    b) Assisted Channels

    Officers and executives at Grupo Financiero Galicia offer clients assisted support. Banco Galicia and Naranja feature a large network of branch offices throughout the country, help centers for clients, and remote customer service.

    In order to take care of both clients and employees, Banco Galicia paid particular attention to safety features for the reopening of its branch offices, established a system of appointments, and implemented various security protocols.

    Also, Banco Galicia transferred simple paperwork to Galicia POINT: a phone channel through which representatives who work remotely can answer inquiries.

    Additionally, during 2020, Banco Galicia developed a new channel for its clients: supplementary financial services agents, also known as non-banking correspondents. Through this new channel, clients can carry out transaction operations, such as the payment of statement balances, receipt of ANSES subsidies (subsidies granted by the Argentine Government Department that administers the funds of the country’s state-run pension system Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social-), and make cash withdrawals, in stores or collecting companies, such as Pago Fácil (“easy pay”). In this way, Banco Galicia expanded its geographic coverage and further grew its network of face-to-face service channels, resulting in an improved customer experience.

    Plus, by moving a variety of transactions to non-banking correspondents, Banco Galicia was able to provide more efficient and better service at its various branches and through its online product offerings. By December 2020, an average of 150,000 monthly operations were performed at Banco Galicia’s non-banking correspondents, totalling Ps.1,200 million. Services were offered by non-banking correspondents at almost 300 points throughout the country in 2020. In addition, these non-banking correspondent, points were authorized and able to disburse ANSES social assistance benefits to Banco Galicia’s clients; such as, for example, the IFE plan -which stands for emergency family income and which was implemented as a way of social assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    During 2020, Naranja went ahead with the general deployment of its strategy called Sucursales del Futuro (Branches of the Future), a project that is focused on providing a better experience to clients, moving from spaces for transactions to places for relationships, advice and training. To implement the new model, branch offices in the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, Córdoba, San Luis, Santa Fe, Buenos Aires, Chubut, Santiago del Estero and Río Negro had to undergo some restoration, remodeling and relocation works. In 2020, the new service model reached 30 different branch offices, which were added to the nine already existing before December 31, 2019, making this service tool available to 28% of all clients throughout the country. For the fiscal year of 2021, the deployment is expected to reach another 31 branch offices, reaching 76% of the clients.

    Also, Naranja’s telephone channel became a 24x7 assistance channel.

    c) Automatic Banking

    Automatic banking comprises self-service terminals (TAS) and ATMs, all of them located at Banco Galicia and Naranja branch offices and other spots in the country.

    During 2020, Banco Galicia worked on the following initiatives, in order to offer clients more comfort while operating transactions:

    New withdrawal order functionalities in the self-service terminals and ATMs, with the aim of allowing clients to send money even to third parties that do not have a savings account or a Galicia debit card and a Banelco PIN (Personal Identification Number. This 4-digit number allows customers to operate through ATMs with a Galicia Debit Card).

    Increase in withdrawal limits.

    Deposit of paychecks in custody and sale of paychecks.

    The ability to use paychecks under custody to make pending payments.

    Withdrawal order for companies through Office Banking for an amount of up to Ps.100,000.

    During 2020, Naranja increased the number of digital service spots in 23 branch offices, installing 41 TAS and setting up 9 24-hour service areas. Not only was interrelation with clients made easier, but also Naranja began to offer safer and more agile channels and technology support tools.

    ii) Products and Services

    With a strategic vision to become a financial platform, Grupo Galicia provides products and services tailored for each customer, individual or company, that are designed to satisfy their unique needs. Through products and services tribes, Grupo Galicia creates and manages these products and services, including financing, E-checks, insurance, credit cards, investments, foreign trade operations, among others.

    a) Financing

    The application and registration processes in 2020 were 100% digital and adapted to the COVID-19 context, with the goal of allowing everyone to proceed with no difficulties or obstacles whatsoever. The average end-to-end interaction time during 2020 was 72 hours.

    Regarding the evolution of loans, interest rates remained relatively stable during the first semester of 2020, and that led to an average of approximately Ps.2,000 million per month of new loans extended to clients. As of April 2020, there was a drop in demand, and then this began to change during the second half of the year as a result of the slow but steady reactivation of certain activities.

    Among Banco Galicia’s financing products and services, the following stand out for 2020:

     

    1.

    Other BusinessesFinancing without guarantees: clients in the companies tribe had access to over 25,000 loans for over Ps.80,000 million.

     

    2.

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos

    Since 1960, Galicia Administradora de Fondos has been dedicated toFinancing with guarantees: more than 100 pledge agreements were generated with the administration of the FIMA Common Investment Funds that are distributedcountry’s main agricultural, construction and transportation brands, and 1,000 companies were financed for Ps.8,000 million through the different commercial channelsGalicia Convenios digital platform. Banco Galicia also used SGR (mutual guarantee associations)-guaranteed loans to finance MiPyMEs (as defined below) from various industrial and other business sectors. In 2020, Ps.3,700 million were granted, financing more than 1,000 clients.

    3.

    FOGAR Assistance: Banco Galicia was the largest underwriter within the FOGAR Assistance Line with a total amount of Ps.3,700 million. The Argentine guarantee fund (FoGar) is a public trust which helps Micro, Small and Medium companies (MiPyMEs) to obtain credit. The Government provides partial or total guarantees to companies which are used to help them receive loans through this fund.

    4.

    Discount of documents: 12,500 customers discounted checks.

    5.

    Préstamos Express (Express Loans): through Online Banking, Banco Galicia. It hasGalicia offers loans with a wide range of investment fundstotal repayment schedule that goes from 2 to 45 days. Préstamos Express is a product exclusively designed for each investor profile, which allows all types of investors to easily accessclients who have not hired the capital market through the various Fima funds.

    During 2019, the following initiatives stood out:

    • “Hacete Cliente” Landing: We allowed any user who enters our website fondosfima.com.ar, to become, by using digital tools, a customerpayroll services of Banco Galicia and Fima. Withwhich helps them better manage their finances. During 2020, the Bank reached an average of Ps.2,000 million of loans granted per month. Through the digital channels of Naranja, clients have access to pre-qualified personal loans, both in fixed installments and in Argentine pesos. In 2020, the Bank offered a few easy steps, individuals can become customers without havingmaximum of Ps.100,000 and 24 installments.

    6.

    Agro Lines: Financiamiento Galicia Rural, which evolved from Tarjeta Galicia Rural, was launched in 2020, and it featured an integrated platform that included the main brands in the financing of working capital sectors related to physically go to oneboth agricultural and livestock businesses.

    7.

    Mortgage Loans: the placement of mortgage loans in general and of mortgage loans adjusted by UVA, had already been affected during 2019 as a result of the Bank’s branches.Argentine national economic context

    prevailing at that time. In 2020, due to the increase in the price of UVA and the adverse effect that the pandemic had on the economy, the product was not offered by the Bank. In addition to the risk of affecting the fee / income ratio of our clients, the product continued to be subject to strong regulations by the Government. During the last months of 2019 and in the first months of 2020, with the purpose of unfreezing the mortgage loan value adjustments, the Government implemented a model whereby the value of UVA will be progressively incremented and updated until it reaches its fair market value. In March 2020, a national decree established a new freezing of the UVA value adjustment and consequently a freezing in the value adjustment of the mortgage loan, together with the suspension of foreclosure executions and the impossibility of reporting arrears due to non-payment, among other measures that were established within the framework of public emergency. As of January 31st,2021, the Government is carrying out a new model to increment the value of UVA again which foresees the unfreezing of UVA adjustment in 17 installments, the last one to be paid in June 2022.

     

    In 2020, Galicia Seguros updated its coverage by launching a new product for pets and a technical insurance with multi-risk coverage for companies, and it also added new telemedicine services and nutritional and psychological assistance to its home and life insurance product offerings.

    As part of the group of newly launched products, together with an insurtech company, WeCover, a 100% digital on-demand bicycle insurance was offered starting in June 2020. This insurance may be easily activated and deactivated in accordance with the client’s needs and desires at a given moment.

    A new product for pets was also presented: a complete insurance policy for dogs and cats which does not only cover accidents, illnesses, loss or death of the animal, but it also provides day-to-day services and assistance. Some of these services are: veterinary consultations, transfers needed due to an accident or a health issue, vaccinations, oral hygiene and daycare service, so that families can go on vacation knowing that their dog or cat is safe and being taken care of. This product can be acquired by Banco Galicia clients through Online Banking.

    Likewise, other services were incorporated into the home and life insurance offerings for a limited time and were particularly designed to accompany clients during the mandatory isolation period. This is how clients were able to make use of the telemedicine service and nutritional and psychological assistance. In this case, the possibility of contracting services through Naranja Online or through the Naranja and Banco Galicia applications was also incorporated.

    Finally, for clients in the companies tribe, Galicia Seguros launched Seguro Técnico (Technical Insurance), a multi-risk coverage that covers machinery and electronic equipment.

    In 2019, Galicia Seguros launched “Fondo Futuro”, a new 100% online retirement insurance product. Fondo Futuro is the first retirement insurance with 100% digital procurement in Argentina. It is a low-risk medium or long term savings and individual pension system. It works as a retirement supplement, to carry out an individual’s desired retirement plan. The individual insured may partially or totally withdraw the funds, as well as increase, decrease or suspend the contributions made, without generating any debt with Galicia Seguros. The launching of Fondo Futuro made Galicia Seguros the first Argentine entity to be able to issue a 100% online policy with this type of insurance.

    In 2020, the online retirement insurance product “Fondo Futuro” had an increase of 124% in the number of policies in force reaching a total of 824 insured clients, where 85% of them represents contributions in Ps. and the remainder corresponds to contributions in US$. By 2020, the total billing of Fondo Futuro was Ps.18.1 million with a monthly average of Ps.1.5 million.

    d) Credit Cards

    The companies of Grupo Financiero Galicia respond to the needs of their customers with an outstanding offer of services and benefits of credit and debit cards.

    Banco Galicia responds to the needs of its clients with an outstanding offer of services and benefits provided through its Galicia Credit and Debit Cards. Banco Galicia offers Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards, and they are offered to clients of all tribes. Some of the products offered are the International, Gold, Platinum, Black/Signature cards, which feature different consumer financing options and exclusive promotions for all their clients.

    As of December 31, 2020, Banco Galicia has a stock of active cards of more than 5 million, while Naranja surpasses 8.5 million cards.

    In alliance with Garmin (a watch manufacturer and company), Banco Galicia has launched contactless payments that can easily be made through a Garmin watch for Galicia Mastercard cards. The Bank also implemented tokenization in order to improve the safety of the transactions through ecommerce, subscriptions and face-to-face purchases. Over 300,000 token-based transactions were made in 2020.

    For its part, in 2020 Naranja launched the Naranja Virtual Card, which is available at Naranja and through the Naranja Online App and was designed to assist clients in the context of the current pandemic. This card allows clients to make purchases online in a more secure way. It has a CVV (Verification Code) that is generated every time the client needs to use it. The Naranja Virtual Card does not replace the actual plastic credit card, as it has a different OCR (Optical Character Recognition.) This card is available to be requested by more than 2.5 million clients, including account owners and their additional cardholders. Total purchases using this product since the product was launched in 2020 is, to date, higher than Ps.450 million, with an average purchase of Ps.8,000.

    Additionally, and as of the second quarter of 2020, clients can also use Ajnaran (Naranja spelled backwards), a credit card that is printed at the very moment the account owner wishes to make a purchase (rather than having to wait for a new credit card to be delivered to the client’s house) and which has a validity of three years. In 2020, and thanks to special home delivery services, delivery times for physical credit cards were also improved, achieving a significant reduction in the SLA (Service Level Agreement) for card delivery: 25% of clients now receive their cards in less than 48 hours, and 60% in 10 business days. In 2020, more than 58,000 Ajnaran cards were delivered throughout the country.

    e) Investments

    Banco Galicia has a wide range of investment products that meet the needs and the profile of every client. Before making an investment, all clients are surveyed in order to see their aversion to risk and to find the products that best suit their objectives. This survey is renewed every year.

    Additionally, the client receives personal advice coming from the branch network and through the Investment and Private Banking Center for clients in said cluster.

    In 2020, Banco Galicia continued to deepen its digital transformation by improving the value proposition of investment products, offering new functionalities and technological solutions in the different channels and also by strengthening its main system of investment and custody of products.

    f) Global Custody

    With regards to the Global Custody service in 2020, Banco Galicia has continued to increase the positioning of the product, mainly by focusing on the Insurance Companies and Corporate companies.

    When compared to 2019, this product has experienced a 45% growth in assets under custody (“AUC”), a 25% growth of Insurance Companies (measured in the number of clients), and 9% growth for the corporate cluster.

    g) Fima Funds

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos has a wide range of investment funds designed for each investor profile, which allows all types of investors to easily access the capital market through the various Fima funds. The market share of common investment funds was 9.97% as of December 31, 2020, increasing 37 basis points (“bp”) as compared to December 31, 2019. The following is a list of the Fima funds offered:

     

    42

    3.

    Fima Ahorro Plus: is an investment portfolio includes short/medium term bonds denominated in Argentine pesos with low volatility and high liquidity. This is an alternative for those investors looking for a balance of risk and return. Its investment portfolio includes treasury bills in pesos, negotiable liabilities of first-line companies, provincial Government debt securities, fixed terms, bonds and remunerated (interest generating) accounts, among others. The investor profile in this case is conservative/moderate and the recommended horizon is 90 to 120 days.

    4.

    Fima income in Argentine pesos: the aim of the fund is to maximize the yield of a portfolio of assets in pesos at a fixed and variable rate over a medium term. Its portfolio composition includes sovereign bonds, treasury bills denominated in Argentine pesos, negotiable liabilities and financial trusts, among others. Recommended for moderate investments that may last between 1 and 2 years.

    5.

    Fima renta plus:it invests mainly in a mixed portfolio of medium/long-term bonds denominated in Argentine pesos. It includes negotiable securities and public and private fixed income instruments in pesos, mainly sovereign bonds, negotiable liabilities, and provincial bonds and bills, among others. Suitable for moderate/risky investments of over 2 years

    6.

    Open Fima SMEs: the aim of the fund is to obtain returns from a portfolio comprised of instruments of fixed income or variable income that are issued by SMEs or companies with low market capitalization, with a long-term investment horizon.

    7.

    Fima Capital plus: its aim is to maximize the yield of a portfolio composed of dollar linked bonds and synthetic assets that replicate the evolution of the exchange rate, with liquidity in 48 hours.

    8.

    Fima international fixed income: this alternative seeks to obtain profitability from a portfolio of medium-term dollar bonds, mainly coming from Latin American markets and up to 25% in American treasury bonds. The design of the investment portfolio does not include local bonds, and ETFssomething that will reduce the volatility of the fund.

    9.

    Fima mix I:fund in pesos composed of local assets that seek to monitor the evolution of the “official dollar,” combined with a lower participation in variable income of shares that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. With thisExchange, through CEDEARs. Local fixed income assets provide the fund a new categorywith certain stability whereas the equity portion adds greater volatility in search of higher returns.

    10.

    Fima shares: the aim of the fund is inaugurated in FIMA for year 2019: international mixed income funds that enable operationslong-term capital appreciation, achieved by investing in Argentine pesoscompanies that are members of the S&P Merval panel. The investment policy that was developed with respect to the benchmark index (S&P Merval) is all about accompanying the actual growth of the economy through the selection of stocks with good performance in foreign markets.their indicators. Long-term shares of Argentine companies.

     

    Banco Galicia and La Nación co-created the podcast called “Los números también hablan” (Numbers Speak, Too) in which they talk about all the benefits and advantages of the Fima Funds. They also created a series of videos on YouTube and educational digital talks to stay close to their clients.

    h) Inviu

    It is through Inviu that Grupo Financiero Galicia has developed a digital investment platform that allows users, both investors and financial advisors, to manage their portfolios in an efficient, simple and user-friendly way. This platform was launched on the market in October 2020.

    i) Galicia Securities

    Galicia Securities offers financial and stock market services to individuals, companies and financial institutions. It is an agent of BYMA, MAE, MAV and performs CIDA services. This new company is already occupying leading positions in the Fixed Income market, given the fact that it ranked second in the BYMA ranking with 3.6% market share in the last quarter of 2020.

    j) Foreign Trade

    Through the office banking electronic platform, customers can make payments and manage their collections abroad. Likewise, the Galicia Comex department offers product and service options that are tailored to export and import operations, in addition to keeping customers continuously informed of the developments in this area. Banco Galicia continues to accompany its clients in their international businesses through a personalized electronic platform and differentiated funding lines.

    In 2020, the volume of foreign trade transactions undertaken by Banco Galicia was equal to US$16,153 million, representing 12.0% of the Argentine foreign trade market share. Of such amount, US$3,043 million was attributable to exports and imports of goods, representing 12.8% of the market share for such transaction. In terms of volume, in 2019, based on the above statistics, the Bank ranked third in Argentine for volume of foreign trade transactions. Through office banking, the Bank’s customers have access to special lines of financing: leasing of imported products, financing of imports and exports, guarantees (“avales”) and Stand By.

    Galicia Seguros has surety policies for every need: Temporary importation or exportation, differences in law, value or lack of documentation, land transit and replacement of precautionary measures. It also offers surety insurance coverage when this is required to guarantee liabilities before the AFIP. - Tax and Customs Administration . Through its Comex Tribe, Banco Galicia works to guarantee quality in end-to-end foreign trade operations and safety in the application of current regulations. In order to do this, the Bank implements a Call & Ops service model in which the service circle contacts clients directly and answers their questions, provides advice and resolves any difficulties during the preparation of the corresponding documentation.

    k) Capital Market & Investment Banking

    Banco Galicia consolidated its position in the Capital Market and Investment Banking by structuring various financial products that are tailored for corporate, SME and agricultural companies. In this regard, the Bank has organized more than 50 transactions in the capital market, with a wide variety of products that included, among others, debt securities, short-term securities, letters and financial trusts.

    The issuance of public securities by the City of Buenos Aires for $21,001 million and the ones made by the energy sector for $41,239 million are two of the most important operations that were placed in pesos. In addition to that, the appetite in the market for dollar linked bonds re-emerged during 2020. In that sense, in 2020, the Bank participated in 37 issuances for more than US$1,222 million, mainly from the energy industry and companies linked to the agricultural sector chain. Among the operations placed in Dollars, it is also worth highlighting the issuances for more than US$137 million made by the energy sector and the participation as local Underwriters in the exchanges abroad for both AA 2000 and CGC for US$502 million.

    From Investment Banking, and as a consequence of the difficulties faced by many companies as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis and the adverse macroeconomic context, the Bank focused on accompanying its clients by restructuring their liabilities with financing methods according to their needs and in the most sustainable way possible, thus completing more than 10 operations for more than $2,800 million.

    l) Benefits

    EMINENT benefits

    In order to provide a commensurate experience for EMINENT clients, we develop targeted proposals that are in line with the pillars of the EMINENT proposal. This is a value proposition focused on art, sports, fashion, gastronomy, women and family. Besides, this proposal adds a series of experiences related to personal well-being, through the concept of Wellness Life.

    Quiero! program

    Banco Galicia continues to offer more discounts and benefits, with a catalog of more than 1,500 options in different categories such as: savings, post-purchase, physical products, vouchers, and travel and tourism. The site of Quiero! shows clients relevant offers according to their profile and consumption patterns. This leads to a better experience regarding the redemption of points and makes the program simpler and more assertive. During 2020, 330,000 clients used at least one of the benefits.

    Benefits in Plan Z

    Naranja has assisted its clients with benefits in Plan Zeta (offering 3, 6, 9 and 12 payment installments), discounts, and special plans and deferred payment offers for the purchase of essential items such as those made in supermarkets, pharmacies, door-to-door services, and gas stations. As restrictions became more flexible, the Bank added other categories to the value proposition and encouraged online consumption through discounts and special payment plans. Benefits were activated for special dates such as Friendship Day, Father’s Day, Children’s Day, Mother’s Day and end-of-year parties in specific categories such as clothing, sports, construction and electro. This year, following the growth of online commerce, Naranja became an official sponsor of Cyber Monday for the first time, introducing itself as a means of payment. This participation had a positive impact on consumption, the negotiation of promotions aimed at online sales, and the positioning of the brand. Naranja communicated over 40 promotions every month, using the strategies of 360° communication approach and considering all types of media, especially the Internet. The Smartes (benefits given on Tuesdays) benefit helped clients obtain a 20% discount and then another discount for another 5% through the seniority promotion at Plan Z. At the end of the fiscal year, 30% of Naranja’s turnover was driven by more than monthly 2,500 promotions that were distributed in 9,500 different points throughout the country.

    Quiero! in Naranja

    The registration for the Naranja customer loyalty program was launched in May 2020. Some of the most outstanding events included the chance to access Quiero! through the NOL (Naranja Online) and App Naranja channels, the redemption points for discounts on certain items and businesses when using Naranja, the registration of 70% of the most important businesses in the country for the redemption points deal with Naranja, and login/registration functionality at quiero.com.ar through Naranja credentials. At the end of the fiscal year, there were 50,000 Naranja clients and 180,000 clients shared with Banco Galicia.

    Naranja X

    Since the launch of its prepaid card, Naranja X has been offering specific promotions for new customers and only on particular dates such as HotSale and CyberMonday. In addition, it has fixed discounts for all its customers in the payment of services and purchase of products.

    m) MODO

    MODO is the new digital payment solution, launched jointly by over thirty public and private banks in the country. This tool allows banked users to make transfers and payments in stores easily and from their cell phones. This virtual wallet allows the user to have an all-in-one app to check balances and transfer and receive money from other users from their bank accounts in other banks.

    From the Galicia app, you can access MODO and use the QR code to make payments to affiliated stores. Another feature is the possibility of transferring money to people registered as a contact on your cell phone, without the need to request a Unique Banking Key (Clave Bancaria Uniforme, “CBU”) or an Alias. This alliance is a great step for our clients because they will no longer need their physical wallet and they will have the chance to migrate to digital channels to make their daily transactions as secure, agile, and effective as always.

    n) Naranja X

    At the end of 2019 Grupo Financiero Galicia launched Naranja X, Naranja’s Fintech arm that is currently part of the Ecosistema NaranjaX.

    Naranja X developed an app with an account in Argentine pesos and a prepaid Naranja X Visa card, free of charge, with contactless technology and a vertical design which is new in this country. With this card, it is possible to make purchases and payments at any store or digital platform in the world, add your automatic debits, or withdraw cash through ATMs. Additionally, the app offers the possibility of transferring money immediately between virtual and bank accounts; buying top-ups for your cell phone lines; loading the public transportation card in every Argentine province; paying over 5,000 services; and paying the Naranja account’s statement.

    B.4 Selected Statistical Information

    You should read this information in conjunction with the other information provided in this annual report, including our audited consolidated financial statements and Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”. We prepared this information from our financial records in conformity with IFRS.

    i) Average Balance Sheet and Income from Interest-Earning Assets and Expenses from Interest-Bearing Liabilities

    The average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, including the related interest that is receivable and payable, are calculated on a monthly basis for Banco Galicia and Tarjetas Regionales on a consolidated basis. The average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are calculated on a quarterly basis for Grupo Financiero Galicia and its other non-banking subsidiaries.

    The following table shows our consolidated average balances, accrued interest and average yield for interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

       For the Fiscal Year Ended
    December 31, 2020
       For the Fiscal Year Ended
    December 31, 2019
       For the Fiscal Year Ended
    December 31, 2018
     
       Average
    Balance
       Accrued
    Interest
       Average
    Yield /
    Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Accrued
    Interest
       Average
    Yield /
    Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Accrued
    Interest
       Average
    Yield /
    Rate
     
       (in millions of Pesos, except otherwise noted) 

    Interest-Earning Assets

                      

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

                      

    Government Securities

       155,630    62,430    40.11    166,505    84,883    50.98    93,353    28,708    30.75 

    Others Debt Securities

       1,385    1,015    73.29    1,838    888    48.31    3,541    799    22.56 

    Total Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

       157,015    63,445    40.41    168,343    85,771    50.95    96,894    29,507    30.45 

    Repurchase Transactions

       35,871    8,968    25.00    18,170    9,713    53.46    16,479    1,553    9.42 

    Loans and Other Financing

                      

    Loans

       491,386    148,539    30.23    587,663    159,351    27.12    631,995    156,764    24.80 

    Financial Leases

       2,324    352    15.15    3,857    761    19.73    5,059    1,227    24.25 

    Other Loans and Other Financing

       2,265    313    13.82    3,317    670    20.20    1,244    589    47.35 

    Total Loans and Other Financing

       495,975    149,204    30.08    594,837    160,782    27.03    638,298    158,580    24.84 

    Other Interest-Earning Assets

       44,279    13,455    30.39    54,603    13,517    24.76    43,578    7,087    16.26 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

       733,140    235,072    32.06    835,953    269,783    32.27    795,249    196,727    24.74 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Interest-Bearing Liabilities

                      

    Deposits

                      

    Savings Accounts

       252,515    14,559    5.77    264,364    11,214    4.24    279,693    6,932    2.48 

    Time Deposits

       243,255    64,910    26.68    234,214    91,922    39.25    228,217    60,042    26.31 

    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

       495,770    79,469    16.03    498,578    103,136    20.69    507,910    66,974    13.19 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       19,815    2,505    12.64    38,319    5,054    13.19    42,944    5,498    12.80 

    Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities

       43,921    7,653    17.42    88,146    19,866    22.54    70,300    17,856    25.40 

    Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities

       1,916    293    15.29    13,315    952    7.15    3,393    406    11.97 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

       561,422    89,920    16.02    638,358    129,008    20.21    624,547    90,734    14.53 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Spread and Net Yield

                      

    Interest Rate Spread

           16.05        12.06        10.21 

    Cost of Funds Supporting Interest-Earning Assets

           12.27        15.43        11.41 

    Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets

           19.80        16.84        13.33 

     

    (*)

    CompetitionRates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    ii) Changes in Net Interest Income-Volume and Rate Analysis

    The following table allocates, changes in our consolidated interest income and interest expenses between changes in the average volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in their respective average yield/rate for (i) the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 compared with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and (ii) the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, compared with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Differences related to both rate and volume are allocated proportionally to the rate variance and the volume variance, respectively.

       Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 /
    Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019
    Increase  (Decrease) due to changes in
      Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019 /
    Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018
    Increase  (Decrease) due to changes in
     
       Volume  Rate  Net Change  Volume  Rate  Net Change 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Interest Earning Assets

           

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

           

    Government Securities

       (5,267  (17,186  (22,453  30,540   25,635   56,175 

    Others

       (116  243   127   (65  154   89 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

       (5,383  (16,943  (22,326  30,475   25,789   56,264 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Repurchase Transactions

       (1,642  897   (745  175   7,985   8,160 

    Loans and Other Financing

           

    Loans

       (36,117  25,305   (10,812  (7,877  10,464   2,587 

    Financial Leases

       (258  (151  (409  (261  (205  (466

    Other Loans and Other Financing

       (179  (178  (357  123   (42  81 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Loans and Other Financing

       (36,554  24,976   (11,578  (8,015  10,217   2,202 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Other Interest-Earning Assets

       305   (367  (62  2,099   4,331   6,430 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

       (43,274  8,563   (34,711  24,734   48,322   73,056 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Interest Bearing Liabilities

           

    Deposits

           

    Savings Account

       (477  3,822   3,345   (357  4,639   4,282 

    Time Deposits

       3,704   (30,716  (27,012  1,617   30,263   31,880 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

       3,227   (26,894  (23,667  1,260   34,902   36,162 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       (2,347  (202  (2,549  (617  173   (444

    Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities

       (8,410  (3,803  (12,213  3,614   (1,604  2,010 

    Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities

       1,995   (2,654  (659  633   (87  546 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

       (5,535  (33,553  (39,088  4,890   33,384   38,274 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    The decrease of Ps.34,711 million in interest income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to the previous year, is primarily attributable to a Ps.43,274 million decrease in the volume of interest-earning assets, partially offset by an increase of Ps.8,563 million in interest income due to an increase in interest rates.

    In particular, Ps.22,326 million of the decrease in interest income was due to a decrease in interest income from debt securities measured at fair value through profit or loss. This decrease primarily resulted from a decrease in interest rates earned from Government securities due to a 1,087 basis point (“bps”) decrease in the average interest rate for debts securities, from 50.98% in 2019 to 40.11% in 2020. The average volume of Government securities held by us amounted to Ps.155,630 million for fiscal year 2020, as compared to Ps.166,505 million for the previous fiscal year.

    The Ps.11,578 million decrease in interest from loans and other financing was due to a decrease in volume equal to Ps.36,554 million, mainly as a consequence of a decrease in the average volume of loans granted to the private sector. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in interest rates (accounting for Ps.24,976 million), mainly as a result of an increase in the average rate earned by us on loans and other financing provided.

    In terms of interest expenses, the Ps.39,088 million decrease for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, is primarily a result of an increase in the interest rate payable on time deposits of Ps.27,012 million (which increased from 39.25% in 2019 to 26.68% in 2020).

    iii) Debt and Equity Securities

    The following table shows our holdings of debt and equity securities at the balance sheet dates stated below. Our holdings of Government securities represent mainly holdings of Banco Galicia.

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Debt Securities at FV through profit or loss

       155,420    89,431 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Argentine Government Securities

       24,283    9,122 

    Government Bonds

       6,487    472 

    Provincial Bonds

       740    —   

    City of Buenos Aires Bonds

       91    164 

    Treasury Bills

       16,965    8,486 

    Argentine Central Bank´s Bill

       128,325    79,153 

    Leliq (liquidity Bills)

       128,325    79,153 

    Corporate Securities

       2,812    1,156 

    Debt Securities

       2,742    1,028 

    Debt Securities of Financial Trust

       70    128 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Other Debt Securities

       23,070    25,894 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Measured at FV through OCI

       4,185    21,669 

    Argentine Government Securities

       4,011    21,669 

    Government Bonds

       3,934    21,573 

    Treasury Bills

       77    —   

    City of Buenos Aires Bonds

       —      96 

    Argentine Central Bank´s Bill

       174    —   

    Leliq (liquidity Bills)

       174    —   

    Measured at Amortized Cost

       18,885    4,225 

    Argentine Government Securities

       17,887    (37

    Government Bonds

       17,931    2 

    Treasury Bills

       —      —   

    Allowance

       (44   (39

    Corporate Securities

       994    1,083 

    Debt Securities

       940    582 

    Debt Securities of Financial Trusts

       36    692 

    Others

       18    19 

    Allowance

       —      (210

    International Government Securities

       4    3,179 

    Treasury Bills

       4    3,179 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       5,712    6,201 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Domestic

       5,655    6,143 

    International

       57    58 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Debt and Equity Securities

       184,202    121,526 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    As of December 31, 2020, the increase in our holdings of debt and equity securities was mainly a result of an increase in the volume of Government bonds issued by the BCRA that we held. Our government securities issued by the BCRA increased Ps.49,172 million from Ps.79,153 million as of December 31, 2019 to Ps.128,325 million as of December 31, 2020.

    The amount of Argentine government securities recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2020 in an amount of Ps.24,283 million corresponded to securities issued by the National Treasury Bills (for Ps.16,965 million), the Government (for Ps.6,487 million), provincial governments (for Ps.740 million) and the City of Buenos Aires (for Ps.91 million).

    As of December 31, 2020, our holding of government securities denominated in Dollars was composed of Government bonds recorded at their fair value (for Ps.4,183 million), Government bonds recorded at their amortized cost (for Ps.1 million) and U.S. Treasury Bonds recorded at their amortized cost (for Ps.4 million).

    As of December 31, 2019, the amount of Argentine government securities, recorded at fair value amounted to Ps.9,122 million and corresponded to our holdings of debt securities mainly issued by the National Treasury Bills (for Ps.8,486 million), Government bonds (for Ps.472 million) and the City of Buenos Aires (for Ps.164 million).

    As of December 31, 2019, the holding of public securities denominated in Dollars was composed mainly of Government bonds recorded at fair value (for Ps.7,090 million), of National Treasury (for Ps.13 million), of Government bonds recorded at their amortized cost (for Ps.2 million) and U.S. Treasury Bonds recorded at their amortized cost (for Ps.4 million) .

    All local Government securities, except for the Leliq, which are issued by the BCRA, were issued by the Government, provincial governments or the City of Buenos Aires.

    Remaining Maturity and Weighted-Average Yield

    The following table analyzes the remaining maturity and weighted-average yield of our holdings of debt securities recorded at amortized cost as of December 31, 2020. Our debt securities portfolio yields do not contain any tax equivalency adjustments.

       Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 
           Maturing within 1
    year
      Maturing after 1
    year but within 5
    years
      Maturing after 5
    years but within
    10 years
      Maturing after
    10 years
     
       Total Book
    Value
       Book
    Value
       Yield
    (1)
      Book
    Value
       Yield  Book
    Value
       Yield
    (1)
      Book
    Value
       Yield
    (1)
     
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Other Debt Securities

                   

    Measured at Amortized Cost

                   

    Argentine Government Securities

       17,931    —      —    17,912    28.40  1    16.30  18    10.50

    Corporate Securities

       976    715    47.30  261    49.80  —      —    —      —  

    Debt Securities

       940    707    47.40  233    50.30  —      —    —      —  

    Debt Securities of Financial Trust

       36    8    40.00  28    45.00  —      —    —      —  
      

     

     

       

     

     

        

     

     

        

     

     

        

     

     

       

    Total Other Debt Securities Measured at Amortized Cost

       18,907    715     18,173     1     18   
      

     

     

       

     

     

        

     

     

        

     

     

        

     

     

       

    (1)

    Effective yield based on December 31, 2020 quoted market values.

    iv) Loan and Other Financing Portfolio

    Our total loans and other financing reflect Banco Galicia’s and Tarjetas Regionales’ loan and other financing portfolios including past due principal amounts. Personal loans and credit-card loans are typically loans to individuals granted by Banco Galicia or Naranja. Most of the Naranja’s loans are included under “credit card loans”. Also, certain amounts related to advances, promissory notes, mortgage loans and pledge loans are extended to individuals. However, advances and promissory notes mostly represent loans to companies. The following table analyzes our consolidated loan and other financing activities portfolio.

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Principal and Interest

        
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Non-Financial Public Sector

       —      9 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Argentine Central Bank

       13    30 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Financial Institutions

       14,701    14,697 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Non-Financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad (1)

        

    Loans

       537,207    492,932 

    Advances

       29,219    21,636 

    Overdrafts

       143,769    102,215 

    Mortgage Loans

       16,486    20,493 

    Pledge Loans

       11,587    4,368 

    Personal Loans

       36,504    37,637 

    Credit Card Loans

       241,793    203,476 

    Placements in Banks Abroad

       1,662    10,721 

    Pre-financing and financing of exports

       29,487    73,430 

    Other Loans

       5,283    (40

    Accrued Interest, Adjustment and Quotation Differences Receivable

       23,650    20,755 

    Documented Interest

       (2,233   (1,759

    Financial Leases

       1,855    3,030 

    Other Financing

       9,892    12,630 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       548,954    508,592 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Gross Loans and Other Financing

       563,668    523,328 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Allowance

        

    Loans Allowance

       (36,707   (34,891

    Financial Leases Allowance

       (35   (60

    Other Financing Allowance

       (492   (233

    Less: Allowances

       (37,234   (35,184
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       526,434    488,144 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    Categories of loans include:

    Advances: short-term obligations drawn on by customers through overdrafts.

    Overdrafts: endorsed promissory notes, notes and other promises to pay signed by one borrower or group of borrowers and factored loans.

    Mortgage Loans: loans granted to purchase or improve real estate and collateralized by such real estate and commercial loans secured by a real estate mortgage.

    Pledge Loans: loans secured by collateral (such as cars or machinery) other than real estate, where such collateral is an integral part of the loan documents.

    Personal Loans: loans to individuals.

    Credit-Card Loans: loans granted through credit cards to credit card holders.

    Placements in Banks Abroad: short-term loans to banks abroad.

    Pre-financing and financing of exports: loans for exports.

    Other Loans: loans not included in other categories.

    Documented Interest: discount on notes and bills.

    As of December 31, 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s loan and other financing portfolio before allowances for loan and other financing losses amounted to Ps.563,668 million, an 8% increase as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019.

    In line with the Government’s measures in order to address the impact of COVID-19, the BCRA issued some regulations related to financing, including loans with reduced rates and for production lines (for further information please see “Argentine Banking Regulations” – “Financing Loans for Economic Development”, below). Out of total loans, there are Ps.11.739 million that corresponded to financing lines for productive investment of small and medium companies. As of December 31, 2020, there are Ps.19,689 million that corresponded to loans with reduced rate (between 0% and 24%).

    Maturity Composition of the Loan Portfolio

    The following table sets forth an analysis by type of loan and time remaining to maturity of our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2020.

       As of December 31, 2020 
       In 1 year or less  After 1 year
    through 5 years
       After 5 years
    through 15 years
       After 15 years   Total at
    December 31,
    2020
     
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Variable Rates

             

    Non-Financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       22,215   15,979    282    —      38,476 

    Loans

       22,215   15,979    282    —      38,476 

    Advances

       1,100   —      —      —      1,100 

    Overdrafts

       15,808   11,468    136    —      27,412 

    Mortgage Loans

       2,896   3,435    146    —      6,477 

    Pledge Loans

       77   166    —      —      243 

    Personal Loans

       2,290   910    —      —      3,200 

    Pre-financing and financing of exports

       44   —      —      —      44 
      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Variable Rate

       22,215   15,979    282    —      38,476 
      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Fixed Rates

             

    Financial Institutions

       13,488   627        14,115 

    Non-Financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       420,502   45,289    481    14    466,286 

    Loans

       420,502   45,289    481    14    466,286 

    Advances

       28,116   3    —      —      28,119 

    Overdrafts

       108,486   7,864    7    —      116,357 

    Mortgage Loans

       1,112   1,468    37    11    2,628 

    Pledge Loans

       8,394   2,947    —      3    11,344 

    Personal Loans

       14,121   15,099    437    —      29,657 

    Credit Card Loans

       239,738   2,055    —      —      241,793 

    Placements in Banks Abroad

       1,662   —      —      —      1,662 

    Pre-financing and financing of exports

       13,590   15,853    —      —      29,443 

    Other Loans

       5,283   —      —      —      5,283 
      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Fixed Rate

       433,990   45,916    481    14    480,401 
      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Adjustable Rate

             

    Financial Institutions

       586   —      —      —      586 

    Non-Financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       4,362   6,309    357    —      11,028 

    Loans

       4,362   6,309    357    —      11,028 

    Mortgage Loans

       1,615   5,409    357    —      7,381 

    Personal Loans

       2,747   900    —      —      3,647 
      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Adjustable Rate

       4,948   6,309    357    —      11,614 
      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Loan

       461,153   68,204    1,120    14    530,491 

    Accrued Interest, Adjustment and Quotation Differences Receivable

       23,650   —      —      —      23,650 

    Documented Interest

       (2,233  —      —      —      (2,233

    Allowance

       (36,707  —      —      —      (36,707
      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    TOTAL

       445,863   68,204    1,120    14    515,201 
      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    Interest and the UVA/CER adjustment were assigned to the first month.

    v) Credit Review Process

    Credit risk is the potential for financial loss resulting from the failure of a borrower to honor its financial contractual obligations. Our credit risk arises mainly from Banco Galicia’s and Naranja’s lending activities, and from the fact that, in the normal course of business, these subsidiaries are parties to certain transactions with off-balance sheet treatment and associated risk, mainly commitments to extend credit and guarantees granted. See also Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”—A. “Operating Results”— “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”.

    Our credit approval and credit risk analysis is a centralized process based on balancing a variety of factors. In undertaking credit approval and credit risk analyses, the Bank’s risk management, credit and origination divisions, both with respect to retail and wholesale businesses, efficiently work together to management asset quality, proactively management problem loans, aggressive charge-offs for uncollectible loans, and adequate loan loss provisioning. These processes also include the update of financial models to measure portfolio risk at operational and customer levels, facilitating the detection of defaulting, or potentially defaulting, loans and losses associated therewith, which allows for the proactive management of the same in order to prevent portfolio deterioration, enabling appropriate protection of our assets.

    Banco Galicia

    The Risk Division is responsible for the overall risk management of the Bank in accordance with international best practices and handles solvency, financial, operational, credit, technological, reputational and strategic risks. The Risk Division is independent from the business areas of the Bank and its subsidiaries and it reports directly to the Bank’s General Division. The Risk Division works with the functional support of the Compliance and Money Laundering Prevention Division, a division that also reports to the Board of Directors, and whose purpose is to prevent the execution of financial operations with funds derived from illegal activities, and the use of the Bank as a vehicle for laundering money and funding terrorist activities. In addition, the Risk Division monitors compliance with the laws, regulations and internal policies in order to prevent financial and/or criminal penalties and to minimize any reputational impact. It is an independent role that coordinates and assists in identifying, providing advice on, monitoring, reporting and warning management regarding compliance risks.

    Moreover, in order to have timely information and a flexible structure in place to efficiently respond and adjust to macro and microeconomic variables, the Risk Division is responsible for credit extension and recovery functions for companies and individuals.

    The mission of the Risk Division is comprised of the following activities:

    The Risk Division’s responsibilities include:

    Banco Galicia complies with all regulatory requirements set forth by Law No.25,246, as amended, Resolution No.30/2017, as amended, issued by the Financial Information Unit (the “UIF”) and BCRA’s Communication “A” 6399, as supplemented and/or amended.

    The Bank has policies, procedures and control structures in place related to the features of the various products offered, which help monitor transactions in order to identify unusual or suspicious transactions and report them to the UIF. The Compliance and Money Laundering Prevention Division is responsible for managing this risk, through the implementation of control and prevention procedures as well as the communication thereof to the rest of the organization through the drafting of the corresponding handbooks and the training of all employees.

    Banco Galicia has appointed a Director responsible for the management of this risk, and has created a Committee in charge of planning, coordinating and enforcing the compliance with the policies set by the Board of Directors. The basic principle on which the regulations regarding prevention and control of money laundering are based is in line with the “know your customer” policy in force worldwide. Such risks are regularly reviewed through internal and external audits.

    The following subdivisions depend on support from the Risk Division: Wholesale Credit, Retail Credit and Credit Recovery. They are responsible for developing and proposing strategies for credit and credit-granting policies, as well as managing and monitoring credit origination processes, follow-up and control thereof, and the recovery of past-due loans. The goal of these divisions is to ensure the quality of the loan portfolio, minimize costs while maximizing efficiency, and recovery optimization, thus minimizing loan losses and optimizing efficiency in the credit extension process.

    The Retail Credit Division is responsible for ensuring that the fraud screening and prevention process is effective, thereby assuring the quality of the retail portfolio. This Division designs and manages complex credit decision-taking models and tools, directs the alignment efforts to implement retail business strategies, and works together with the business team to suggest business opportunities.

    The Wholesale Credit Division is responsible for the corporate rating process, thus assuring the quality of the wholesale portfolio. This Division directs alignment efforts to implement business strategies based on the customer service model, working together with the business team to suggest business opportunities. This Division deals specifically with complex businesses such as banks, public companies, capital markets transactions and investment projects.

    Before approving a loan, Banco Galicia performs an assessment of the potential borrower and his/her financial condition. Approvals of loans exceeding certain amounts are analyzed based on the credit line and the customer.

    Banco Galicia performs its risk assessment based on the following factors:

     

    Due to our financial holding structure, competition is experienced at the level of our operating subsidiaries. We face strong competition in most
    Qualitative AnalysisAssessment of the areascorporate borrower’s creditworthiness performed by the officer in which our subsidiaries are active. For a breakdown of our total revenues, for eachcharge of the past two fiscal years,account based on personal knowledge.
    Economic and Financial RiskQuantitative analysis of the borrower’s balance sheet amounts.
    Economic Risk of the SectorMeasurement of the general risk of the financial sector where the borrower operates (based on statistical information, internal and external).
    Environmental RiskEnvironmental impact analysis (required for the activities discussed below (i.e., banking, Tarjetas Regionalesall investment projects of significant amounts).

    Loans are generally approved pursuant to pre-set authorization levels, except loans exceeding certain amounts, which are approved by the Credit Committee.

    The Recovery Management Division is responsible for administering and managing both the Bank’s performing and under-performing credit portfolio, seeking to minimize the deterioration thereof and establishing recovery of such credit portfolios. Management models and specific strategies are applied to each type of portfolio, segments and tranches in arrears, from early defaults to out-of-court and judicial proceedings.

    Naranja

    Credit Risk

    Credit risk for Naranja arises from a variety of factors, including credit risk related to failures to pay by entities that Naranja lends money to and failures to pay outstanding credit card balances by individual clients that hold credit cards with Naranja.

    With respect to investments, Naranja evaluates its credit risk or exposure pursuant to an investment and credit evaluation policy. In accordance with this policy, the Company (i) has certain internal credit risk rating requirements that any company in which it invests must meet, (ii) requires certain debt to equity ratios be maintained by any company to which it lends money and (iii) has upper limits on the amount that it will invest in any given company.

    The Company actively monitors the creditworthiness of its clients to minimize its overall exposure to their credit risk. The Company uses the following tools to evaluate and manage the creditworthiness of its clients:

    Procedure for Credit Card Application

    The credit risk associated with a credit card applicant is evaluated by reviewing the information with respect to each applicant set forth above. The Risk Committee establishes the guidelines and requirements for credit card applicants. Such guidelines are based on statistical models and objective criteria in order for internal credit analysts to efficiently approve or reject each credit card application.

    In addition to reviewing each applicant’s credit record, the Company also verifies the credit score and payment history of each applicant. Once the information has been verified and, to the extent the customer meets all applicable requirements, the credit card is issued and delivered at the applicant’s address, or the applicant may arrange to pick it up at any of the Company’s branches.

    Determination of Credit Limits

    Customer’s credit limits are determined on the basis of an assessment of each customer’s specific financial situation. Based on such assessment, customers are assigned one of five risk levels: A, B, C, D or E, with A being the lowest risk segment and E being the highest risk segment. In making such assignment, certain factors are considered, including, but not limited to, monthly income, number of family members, geographic location and occupation. The customer is then assigned a credit limit based on his or her risk level, which is shared among all credit cards associated with such customer, whether as a primary or additional cardholder. The credit limit assigned to each customer includes: (i) the monthly balance limit; (ii) the long-term purchase limit (the maximum amount for a customer to purchase in six or more installments using the credit card); (iii) the total credit limit (the maximum amount that may be owed to the Company); (iv) the maximum balance limit for cash advances, which is determined based on risk segmentation, monthly income, and internal indebtedness as well as in the financial system, not being able to exceed the LCPL (long-term purchase limit plan).

    Below is a detail of the percentage limits and nominal caps assigned to each risk segment.

       Monthly Balance Limit   Long-term Purchase Limit   Total Credit Limit 
    Risk Segment  Income%   Floor in
    Ps.
       Top   Income
    %
       Floor in
    Ps.
       Top   Income
    %
       Floor in
    Ps.
       Top 

    A (Lowest)

       100    14,000    75,000    160    5,000    180,000    200    5,000    210,000 

    B

       90    11,000    55,000    150    4,500    12,000    180    4,500    150,000 

    C

       80    9,000    44,000    140    4,000    75,000    170    4,000    95,000 

    D

       70    7,000    31,000    120    3,500    50,000    150    3,500    60,000 

    E (Highest)

       60    6,000    15,000    100    3,000    35,000    120    3,000    40,000 

    Naranja reviews such credit limits on a daily basis and a credit limit may be automatically increased for eligible cardholders meeting certain requirements, including payment history. In addition, Naranja reviews cardholders’ applications for increases in the monthly limit and may, in its sole discretion, increase such limits based on the individual customer’s payment history and total income level.

    Credit cards are extended to clients active in a wide range of business sectors. As such, the Company maintains a diversified portfolio of risk exposure based on economic fluctuations.

    vi) Financial Instruments Classification and Loss Provisions

    General

    The “Expected Credit Loss” (“ECL”) model applies to financial assets which are valued at both amortized cost and fair value through other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The standard establishes three categories to classify financial instruments, primarily taking into account the credit risk evolution over time. Stage 1 includes financial assets with normal or no significant risk associated; Stage 2 includes financial assets for which a significant increase in credit risk has been identified but they are not yet deemed to be credit-impaired and Stage 3 comprises financial assets which are impaired and/or subject to serious risk of impairment. To calculate the provisions for credit impairment risk, IFRS 9 differentiates among these three stages by applying the following concepts:

    12- Month Expected Credit Losses: Possible events of default within the 12 months following the date of the presentation of financial statements. Assets included in Stage 1 have their ECL measured at 12-month ECL.

    Lifetime Expected Credit Losses: ECL during the active period of the financial asset, which results of calculating the probability of impairment of an asset throughout its duration, up until its maturity. Instruments in Stage 2 or 3 have their ECL measured based on lifetime ECL.

    The measurement of ECL in accordance with IFRS 9 should consider forward looking information. To estimate ECL, Grupo Galicia has applied the following definitions and parameters, in accordance with IFRS 9.

    Financial Instruments Classification

    Grupo Galicia classifies its financial instruments into the following groups: (i) retail loans, (ii) retail-like loans, (iii) wholesale loans and (iv) Naranja.

    Each subsidiary of Grupo Galicia classifies financial instruments subject to impairment under IFRS 9 in stages, as follows:

    See the Argentina Central Bank Classification, on —“Argentine Banking Regulation”— “Loan Classification System”.

    Definition of Default

    A financial instrument is considered to be in default whenever payment is more than 90 days past due, or if Grupo Galicia believes that the amount due will not be repaid in full. The credit analysis for wholesale loans is not the same as for retail loans and Grupo Galicia’s definition of default with respect to wholesale portfolios is based on a credit analysis of the individual borrower. The definition of default is applied consistently to produce models for the Probability of Default, Exposure at Default and Loss Given Default in Grupo Galicia’s expected loss calculations:

    A financial instrument is no longer considered to be in default when it does not meet any of the above-mentioned default criteria.

    Methodology for Expected Credit Loss Estimation

    ECL impairment allowances recognized in the financial statements reflect the effect of a variety of possible economic outcomes (as described below) and calculated on a probability-weighted basis. ECL measurement involves the application of judgment and estimates. It is necessary to formulate multiple forward-looking economic forecasts and incorporate them into the ECL estimates. Grupo Galicia uses a standard framework to form economic scenarios to reflect assumptions about future economic conditions, supplemented with the use of management judgment, which may result in using alternative or additional economic scenarios and/or management adjustments.

    IFRS 9 establishes the following standards regarding ECL:

    Grupo Galicia developed a forward-looking methodology to evaluate the impact of different future macroeconomic scenarios on the credit risk of the financial assets. Grupo Galicia prepared three outcomes with varying probabilities in accordance with IFRS: (i) a median scenario with a 70% probability of occurrence, (ii) a downside scenario with a 15% probability of occurrence and (iii) an upside scenario with a 15% probability of occurrence

    In order to account for time value of money, Grupo Galicia assumes expected losses will take place proportionally over time. The ECL is determined by determining the Probability of Default, Exposure at Default and the Loss Given Default for each future month for each collective segment. These three components are multiplied and adjusted, as applicable, to take into account any forward-looking information, thus calculating ECL for each month on a forward-looking basis, which is then discounted back to the reporting date and summed. The discount rate used in the ECL calculation is the original effective interest rate (or an estimate thereof).

    Post-model adjustments

    Since March 2020, the BCRA implemented a series of measures to reduce the economic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, among which are the deferral of payments and suspension of the collection of punitive interest in case of default in payments of loan installments, being the credit cards loans excluded from this benefit.

    Thus, considering the adverse economic context that the country is going through, borrower credit uncertainty and measures issued by the BCRA, the management recognized an additional credit loss allowance to that obtained through the statistical model of ECL on the deferred loan portfolio amounts, which shows the potential impairment due to the macroeconomic context, once the implemented measures are lifted for the BCRA.

    The management measured the additional impact on the allowance from the estimation of the expected credit loss of loan portfolios which have deferred payments, based on new PD estimated depending on actual past due date (without deferrals) and the projected performance of the affected products, modifying the staging classification through a “Lifetime Adjustment”.

    vii) Credit Risk Exposure of Financial Instruments

    The following table sets forth the credit risk exposure of financial instruments for which an ECL allowance is recognized.

       Retail Portfolio 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       115,541    47,518    —     163,059 

    1-30

       1,378    1,165    1,509   4,052 

    31-60

       —      998    49   1,047 

    61-90

       —      561    95   656 

    Default

       —      —      5,557   5,557 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       116,919    50,242    7,210   174,371 

    Loss allowance

       (4,954   (12,628   (5,894  (23,476
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       111,965    37,614    1,316   150,895 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            3.19

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            422.46

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            11.98

       Retail like Portfolio 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       104,800    12,160    962   117,922 

    1-30

       969    542    218   1,729 

    31-60

       —      210    6   216 

    61-90

       —      45    16   61 

    Default

       —      —      1,187   1,187 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       105,769    12,957    2,389   121,115 

    Loss allowance

       (559   (2,131   (1,832  (4,522
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       105,210    10,826    557   116,593 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            0.98

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            380.96

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            4.03

       Wholesale Portfolio 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    A

       263,742    12,557    —     276,299 

    B1

       —      1,002    —     1,002 

    Default

       —      —      796   796 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       263,742    13,559    796   278,097 

    Loss allowance

       (1,960   (623   (607  (3,190
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       261,782    12,936    189   274,907 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            0.29

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            400.75

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            1.50

       Naranja 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       85,989    1,004    263   87,256 

    1-30

       3,232    226    56   3,514 

    31-60

       —      853    48   901 

    61-90

       —      373    30   403 

    Default

       —      —      1,975   1,975 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       89,221    2,456    2,372   94,049 

    Loss allowance

       (3,708   (589   (1,848  (6,145
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       85,513    1,867    524   87,904 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            2.10

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            311.14

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            5.02

       Retail Portfolio 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging     
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3     
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime   Total 

    Days past due

            

    0

       106,961    39,205    1,242    147,408 

    1-30

       2,127    2,070    252    4,449 

    31-60

       —      1,718    222    1,940 

    61-90

       —      719    375    1,094 

    Default

       —      —      5,829    5,829 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       109,088    43,712    7,920    160,720 

    Loss allowance

       (5,514   (2,555   (6,230   (14,299
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       103,574    41,157    1,690    146,421 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

            

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

             3.63

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

             245.31

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

             6.06

       Retail like Portfolio 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime  Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       44,985    5,851    677   51,513 

    1-30

       1,779    725    225   2,729 

    31-60

       —      218    87   305 

    61-90

       —      234    202   436 

    Default

       —      —      3,318   3,318 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       46,764    7,028    4,509   58,301 

    Loss allowance

       (480   (199   (3,424  (4,103
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       46,284    6,829    1,085   54,198 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            5.69

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            123.66

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            8.14

       Wholesale Portfolio 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime  Total 

    Days past due

           

    A

       280,598    7,743    —     288,341 

    B1

       —      514    —     514 

    Default

       —      —      6,639   6,639 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       280,598    8,257    6,639   295,494 

    Loss allowance

       (679   (302   (6,116  (7,097
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       279,919    7,955    523   288,397 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            2.25

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            106.90

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            2.64

       Naranja 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime  Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       60,763    724    356   61,843 

    1-30

       3,314    217    122   3,653 

    31-60

       —      1,656    104   1,760 

    61-90

       —      856    63   919 

    Default

       —      —      7,597   7,597 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       64,077    3,453    8,242   75,772 

    Loss allowance

       (2,755   (958   (6,379  (10,092
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       61,322    2,495    1,863   65,680 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            10.03

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            132.84

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            10.49

    Under BCRA rules, we are required to cease the accrual of interest or to establish provisions equal to 100% of the interest earned on all loans pertaining to the non-accrual loan portfolio, meaning, all loans to borrowers in Stage 3.

    The table below shows the interest income that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans on which the accrual of interest was discontinued and the recoveries of interest on loans classified as non-accrual on which the accrual of interest had been discontinued:

       December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Interest Income that Would Have Been Recorded on Non-Accrual Loans on which the Accrual of Interest was Discontinued

       2,235    4,036    1,248 

    Recoveries of Interest on Loans Classified as Non-Accrual on which the Accrual of Interest had been Discontinued (1)

       112    202    63 

    (1)

    Recorded under “Other operating income”.

    viii) Loss Experience

    The following tables present the changes in the loss allowance between December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020 and the changes in the loss allowance between December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019.

       Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3        
       12-month  Lifetime  Lifetime  Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       9,428   4,014   22,149   —      35,591 

    Inflation effect

       (4,039  (3,267  (7,276  —      (14,582

    Movements with P&L Impact

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (667  667   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (267  —     267   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       422   (577  155   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       174   (536  362   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       290   —     (290  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     447   (447  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       4,487   1,097   3,099   —      8,683 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       1,467   1,557   1,273   —      4,297 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       1,340   11,186   3,686   —      16,212 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       1,985   2,357   1,146   —      5,488 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Write-offs and other movements

       (3,439  (974  (13,943  —      (18,356
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Loss allowance as of December 31, 2020

       11,181   15,971   10,181   —      37,333 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

       Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3        
       12-month  Lifetime  Lifetime  Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       9,989   9,461   13,603   —      33,053 

    Inflation effect

       (4,872  (3,846  (8,172  —      (16,890

    Movements with P&L Impact

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (879  879   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (224  —     224   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       1,664   (1,664  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (1,422  1,422   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     120   (120  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       43   —     (43  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       2,323   2,287   10,603   —      15,213 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       1,635   119   5,822   —      7,576 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       (745  261   647   —      163 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       2,043   364   4,300   —      6,707 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Write-offs and other movements

       (1,549  (2,545  (6,137  —      (10,231
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Loss allowance as of December 31, 2019

       9,428   4,014   22,149   —      35,591 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    ix) Deposits

    The following table sets out the composition of our deposits as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Deposits in pesos

        

    Checking Accounts

       105,028    91,984 

    Savings Accounts

       182,972    80,995 

    Time Deposits

       208,713    157,928 

    Time Deposits UVA

       5,565    1,021 

    Other Deposits (1)

       1,980    2,311 

    Plus: Accrued Interest, Quotation Differences Adjustment

       5,877    6,845 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Deposits in pesos

       510,135    341,084 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deposits in foreign currency

        

    Savings Accounts

       182,972    160,464 

    Time Deposits

       208,713    33,122 

    Other Deposits (1)

       1,980    1,277 

    Plus: Accrued Interest, Quotation Differences Adjustment

       5,877    86 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Deposits in foreign currency

       399,542    194,949 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Deposits

       909,677    536,033 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    Includes other deposits originated by Decree No.616/05, reprogrammed deposits under judicial proceedings and insurance),other demand deposits.

    As of December 31, 2020, our consolidated deposits increased 26% as compared to December 31 2019, mainly as a result of a Ps.101,977 million increase in deposits in peso denominated savings accounts and a Ps.50,785 million increase in deposits in time deposits denominated in pesos. These increases were mainly due to deposits received by Banco Galicia.

    For more information, see Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” – A.“Operating Results”- “Funding”.

    The following table provides a breakdown of our consolidated deposits by contractual term and currency of denomination as of December 31, 2020.

       December 31, 2020 
       Within 3
    Months
           After 3
    Months but
    Within 3
    Months
           After 6
    Months but
    Within 12
    Months
           1 year       After 1 but
    Within 5
    years
           Total 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Deposits in pesos

                          

    Savings Accounts

       180,178      —        —        180,178      —        180,178 

    Checking Accounts

       108,279      —        —        108,279      —        108,279 

    Time Deposits

       207,438      873      387      208,698      14      208,712 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits in pesos

       495,895      873      387      497,155      14      497,169 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Deposits in pesos + UVA adjustment

                            

    Savings Accounts

       1,437      —        —        1,437      —        1,437 

    Time Deposits

       5,286      274      78      5,638      14      5,652 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits in pesos + UVA adjustment

       6,723      274      78      7,075      14      7,089 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Deposits in foreign currency

                           —   

    Savings Accounts

       98,580      —        —        98,580      —        98,580 

    Checking Accounts

       36,460      —        —        36,460      —        36,460 

    Time Deposits

       27,128      2,023      1,915      31,066      63      31,129 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits in foreign currency

       162,168      2,023      1,915      166,106      63      166,169 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits

       664,786      3,170      2,380      670,336      91      670,427 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Savings Accounts

       280,195      —        —        280,195      —        280,195 

    Checking Accounts

       144,739      —        —        144,739      —        144,739 

    Time Deposits

       239,852      3,170      2,380      245,402      91      245,493 

    (1)

    Only principal. Includes the UVA adjustment.

    The chart above shows that the highest concentration of maturities for time deposits was in the period of up to 89 days, representing 97,7% of total time deposits. As of December 31, 2020, the average term for the raising of non-adjusted Peso-denominated time deposits was 41 days, for UVA-adjusted deposits the average term was 195 days and for those in foreign currency the term was about 54 days. Foreign currency-denominated deposits, equal to Ps.166,106 million, represented 24,8% of total deposits.

    x) Regulatory Capital

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Grupo Financiero Galicia and some of its subsidiaries are regulated by the Argentine General Corporations Law. Section 186 of the General Corporations Law.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s capital adequacy is not regulated by the BCRA, however Grupo Financiero Galicia is required to comply with the minimum capital requirement established by the General Corporations Law. On October 8, 2012, through Decree No.1331/12, such amount was established as Ps.100,000.

    Banco Galicia

    With respect to regulatory capital, Banco Galicia must comply with the regulations set forth by the BCRA. These regulations are based on the Basel Committee methodology, which provides the minimum capital requirements for financial institutions to cover the different risks inherent to its business activity and assets, such as credit risk, generated both by exposure to the private sector and to the public sector; operational risk (generated by the losses resulting from the non-adjustment or failures of internal processes) and market risk (generated by positions in securities and in foreign currency).

    Computable capital is divided as follows:

    The following percentages apply in determining minimum capital requirements:

    The following table sets forth the capital required in accordance with the BCRA regulations in force for each period indicated below.

       December 31, 
       2020   2019 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Minimum capital required (A)

        

    Allocated to Credit Risk

       42,458    29,149 

    Allocated to Market Risk

       1,419    905 

    Allocated to Operational Risk

       12,192    7,608 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total minimum capital required (A)

       56,069    37,662 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Computable Capital (B)

        

    Tier I

       129,584    61,393 

    Tier II

       27,477    19,392 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total computable capital (B)

       157,061    80,785 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Excess over Required Capital (B)-(A)

       100,992    43,123 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Risk assets

       685,407    459,900 

    Ratios (%)

        

    Equity / Total assets

       15.76    13.07 

    Excess / Minimum capital required

       180.12    114.50 

    Total Capital Ratio(1)

       22.92    17.57 

    Tier I Capital Ratio

       18.91    13.35 

    (1)

    Total computable capital / risk weighted assets credit, market and operational risks.

    As of December 31, 2020, the Bank’s computable capital amounted to Ps.157,061 million, Ps.100,992 million which was 180% higher than the Ps.56,069 million minimum capital requirement. As of December 31, 2019, this excess amounted to Ps.43,123 million which was 115% higher than the minimum capital requirement.

    As of December 31, 2020, the minimum capital requirement increased by Ps.18,407 million as compared to December 31, 2019, mainly because the value of risk weighted assets are now being adjusted to inflation. Computable capital increased by Ps.76,276 million as of December 31, 2020 as compared to December 31, 2019, primarily as consequence of the increase in the results generated during the fiscal year by Banco Galicia and to an increase in the Banco Galicia’s shareholders’ equity, all of these as a result of the inflation adjustment to both values. Banco Galicia’s total capital ratio was 22.92%, increasing 535 bps as of December 31, 2020 as compared to 17.57% as of December 31, 2019.

    Ecosistema NaranjaX

    Since the companies from Ecosistema NaranjaXare not financial institutions, their capital adequacy is not regulated by the BCRA. Tarjetas Regionales and its subsidiaries have to comply with the minimum capital requirement established by the Corporations Law, which was Ps.100,000 for 2020.

    Naranja Digital is a financial institution class “C” and for that condition is regulated by the BCRA and has to comply with the minimum capital requirement establish by the BCRA.

    Minimum Capital Requirements of Insurance Companies

    The insurance companies controlled by Sudamericana must meet the minimum capital requirements set by General Resolution No.39,957 of the National Insurance Superintendency. This resolution requires insurance companies to maintain a minimum capital level equivalent to the highest of the amounts calculated as follows:

    (a)

    By line of insurance: this method establishes a fixed amount by line of insurance.

    For vehicle insurance: Ps.80 million.

    For motorcycle insurance: Ps.48 million.

    Joint operation for vehicles and motorcycles insurance: Ps.96 million

    (b)

    By premiums and additional fees: to use this method, Sudamericana must calculate the sum of the premiums issued and additional fees earned in the last 12 months. Based on the total, Sudamericana must calculate 16% of such amount. Finally, it must adjust the total by the ratio of net paid claims to gross paid claims for the last 36 months. This ratio must not be lower than minimum capital requirements required for a particular line of insurance as set forth above in (a).

    (c)

    By claims: to use this method, Sudamericana must calculate the sum of gross claims paid during the 36 months prior to the end of the period under analysis. To that amount, it must add the difference between the balance of unpaid claims as of the end of the period under analysis and the balance of unpaid claims as of the 36th month prior to the end of the period under analysis. The resulting figure must be divided by three. Then Sudamericana must calculate 23%. The resulting figure must be adjusted by the ratio of net paid claims to gross paid claims for the last 36 months. This ratio must be at least 50%.

    (d)

    For life insurance companies that offer policies with an investment component, the figures obtained in b) and c) must be increased by an amount equal to 4% of the technical reserves adjusted by the ratio of net technical reserves to gross technical reserves (at least 85%), plus 0.3% of at-risk capital adjusted by the ratio of retained at-risk capital to total at-risk capital (at least 50%).

    The minimum required capital must then be compared to computable capital, defined as shareholders’ equity less non-computable assets. Non-computable assets consist mainly of deferred charges, pending capital contributions, proposed distributions and excess investments in authorized instruments.

    As of December 31, 2020, the computable capital of the companies controlled by Sudamericana exceeded the minimum requirement of Ps.1,067 million by Ps.167 million.

    Sudamericana also owns Galicia Broker, a company dedicated to brokerage in different lines of insurance that is regulated by the guidelines of the Corporations Law, which provided for a minimum capital requirement of Ps.100,000.

    B.5 Government Regulation

    i) General

    All companies operating in Argentina must be registered with the Argentine Public Registry of Commerce. In addition, any company with publicly issued equity or debt securities is subject to the rules and regulation of the CNV. Further, financial entities, such as Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia, are subject to BCRA regulations. As public issuers of securities in Argentina, Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia must comply

    with the disclosure, reporting, governance and other rules applicable to such companies in the markets in which they are listed and those of regulators in the countries in which they are listed, including the Capital Markets Law (as amended by the Productive Financing Law No. 27,440 and including Decree No. 471/2018), Law No.20,643, the Decrees No.659/1974 and No.2220/1980 (as amended by Decree No. 572/1996), and CNV’s General Resolution No.622/2013 (as amended and/or supplemented, the “CNV Rules”).

    In their capacity as public issuers of securities, Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia are subject to the aforementioned rules. Since Grupo Financiero Galicia has publicly listed American Depository Shares (or “ADSs”) in the United States, it is also subject to the reporting requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) for foreign private issuers and to the provisions applicable to foreign private issuers under the Sarbanes Oxley Act. See Item 9. “The Offer and Listing”.

    Banco Galicia’s operating subsidiaries are also subject to the following laws: Law No.27,442 (the Competition Defense Law or, in Spanish “Ley de Defensa de la Competencia”), Decree No. 274/2019 that repeals the Fair Business Practice Law (No. 22,802) and the Consumer Protection Law No. 24,240, as amended (or, in Spanish “Ley de Protección del Consumidor”).

    As a financial service holding company, we do not have a specific institution that regulates our activities. Our banking and insurance subsidiaries are regulated by different regulatory entities. The BCRA is the main regulatory and supervising entity for Banco Galicia.

    The banking industry is highly regulated in Argentina. Banking activities in Argentina are regulated by Law No.21,526, as amended (the “FIL”), which places the supervision and control of the Argentine banking system in the hands of the BCRA. The BCRA regulates all aspects of financial activity. See “Argentine Banking Regulation” below.

    Banco Galicia and our insurance subsidiaries are subject to Law No.25,246 which was passed on April 13, 2000 (as amended, among others, by Laws No.26,087, 26,119, 26,683, 26,734, and 27,446 together to which we refer to as the Anti-Money Laundering Law), which provides for an anti-money laundering framework in Argentina, including Laws No.26,268 and 27,304, which amend Law No.25,246 to include activities associated with terrorism and Law No. 27,401, which provides for the criminal liability of corporate entities upon their direct or indirect execution of prohibited activities. Furthermore, the Anti-Money Laundering Law created the Financial Information Unit (Unidad de Información Financiera), which established an administrative criminal system, compliance monitoring and the ability to impose sanctions.

    Sudamericana’s insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the National Insurance Superintendency and Laws No.17,418, as amended and modified by Law No.20,091. Galicia Broker is regulated by the National Insurance Superintendency, through Law No.22,400, as amended.

    Naranja and the credit card activities of Banco Galicia are regulated by the Credit Card Law No. 25,065, as amended. Both the BCRA and the Secretary of Domestic Trade have issued regulations to, among other things, enforce public disclosure of companies’ pricing (fees, interest rates, and advertising) in order to ensure consumer awareness of such pricing. See “Credit Cards Regulation”.

    On January 6, 2002, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No.25,561 (as amended and supplemented, the “Public Emergency Law” or in Spanish “Ley de Emergencia Pública”), which, together with various decrees and BCRA rules, provided for the principal measures with which to manage the 2001-2002 financial crisis, including Asymmetric Pesification and eliminating the requirement that the BCRA’s reserves in gold, foreign currency and foreign currency denominated debt be at all times equivalent to 100% of the monetary base, among others. The Argentine Government did not extend the term of the Public Emergency Law that was previously extended on an annual basis. However, on December 14, 2016, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,345, which extended the state of emergency on social matters until December 31, 2019. Additionally, on September 30th ,2019, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,519, which extends the state of national nutrition emergency until December 31, 2022, whereby the Government must ensure the nutrition of its population with state funds.

    On December 23, 2019, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No.27,541 (the “Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation Law” or, in Spanish “Ley de Solidaridad Social y Reactivación Productiva”), which declared yet again a public emergency in relation to certain economic, financial, fiscal, and social matters, among others. The goal of this law is to manage Argentina’s public debt and public spending in a sustainable manner. During 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID – 19), many of the provisions of the Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation Law were amended in order to address the economic and social consequences on Argentine citizens of the Country’s strictly enforced quarantines (such as, for example, providing tax benefits to certain sectors especially affected by the COVID – 19 pandemic and the extension of the health emergency, among others).

    On February 12, 2020, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,544 (the “Law on the Restoration of the Sustainability of Public Debt Issued under Foreign Law” or, in Spanish “Ley de Restauración de la Sostenibilidad de la Deuda Pública”), which granted the Argentine Executive Branch broad powers to negotiate and to restructure public debt issued currently held by the Government and governed by laws other than the laws of Argentina.

    ii)Foreign Exchange Market

    In January 2002, through the Public Emergency Law, Argentina declared a public emergency situation in respect of its social, economic, administrative, financial and foreign exchange matters and authorized the Argentine Executive Branch to establish a system to determine the foreign exchange rate between the Argentine Peso and foreign currencies and to issue foreign exchange-related rules and regulations.

    Within this context, on February 8, 2002, through Decree No. 260/2002, as amended by Decree No. 27/2018, the Argentine Executive Branch established (i) a single and free-floating foreign exchange market (a “MULC”, or “Mercado Único y Libre de Cambios”) through which all foreign exchange transactions in a foreign currency must be conducted, and (ii) that foreign exchange transactions in a foreign currency must be conducted at the foreign exchange rate to be freely agreed upon among the contracting parties, subject to the requirements and regulations imposed by the BCRA.

    On June 9, 2005, through Decree No.616/2005, the Argentine Executive Branch mandated that inflows of funds into the MULC arising from foreign debt incurred by residents (subject to certain exceptions) and all inflows of funds of non-residents channeled through the MULC for certain concepts were required to be credited into a local account and maintained for a “Minimum Stay Period”, requiring a mandatory deposit for 30% of the amount of the transaction for a period of 365 calendar days. Such requirements were eliminated by the former administration.

    In February 2017, the former Ministry of Economy and Public Finance issued Resolution No. 1/2017, which reduced the “Minimum Stay Period” described above to zero days. As of July 1, 2017, with the issuance of Communication “A” 6244, the foreign exchange rules and regulations described above were reversed. In the same sense, the Government issued Decree 27/2018 by which it modified the denomination of the “MULC”, or “Mercado Único y Libre de Cambios to “MLC” or “Mercado Libre de Cambios” (the “MLC”)

    On September 1, 2019, the Government issued Decree No. 609/19 (as later amended by Decree No. 91/19 on December 28, 2019), setting forth certain controls and restrictions on the acquisition, sale, and transfer of foreign currency, applicable to both individual persons and legal entities in Argentina. This decree also enabled the BCRA to establish, through regulations, the necessary measures to avoid “practices and operations aimed at avoiding, through public titles or other instruments” the restrictions set forth by the decree. In furtherance of such decree, since its date of implementation the BCRA has adopted a series of measures that regulate the MLC, which are all included in the Amended and Restated Text on Foreign Exchange (the “FX Regulatory Framework”).

    Inflow of Funds:

    Export of goods, provision of services, and sales of non-financial, non-locally produced assets: Funds entering into Argentina from (i) the export of Argentine goods, (ii) the provisions of services to a non-resident by a resident and (iii) payments received from the sale of non-financial, non-locally produced assets are required to enter through the MLC, be converted into Pesos, and be deposited into a local bank account, all within specifically prescribed periods

    Payments received from outstanding loans, payment of amounts earned from term deposits or payments received from the sale of any type of asset that is granted, set up or acquired after May 28, 2020: Furthermore, by means of Communication “A” 7030 (as amended), the BCRA set forth that, in order to grant their clients access to the MLC, financial entities must first request from such clients an affidavit stating, among others, that such client will agree to transfer into Argentina and convert into local currency through the MLC within five business days, any funds received abroad arising from payments received from outstanding loans, payments of amounts earned from term deposits held outside of Argentina or payments received from the sale of any type of asset (e.g. shares, securities, goods, etc.) outside of Argentina in case such loans, deposits or assets were granted, set up or acquired after May 28, 2020.

    Offshore financial indebtedness: Regarding offshore financial debts, the Argentine borrower receiving the foreign funds must convert such funds into Argentine Pesos in order to be able to access the MLC in the future for the payment of principal and interest payments when due on the foreign debt.

    Outflow of Funds:

    General Requirements: By means of Communication “A” 7030 (as amended from time to time) effective as of May 28, 2020, the BCRA introduced additional controls, limitations, and restrictions on foreign exchange operations. In this sense, in addition to the specific requirements that a foreign exchange transaction must meet in order for the payee to access the MLC, this law set forth broad new requirements of general application to most foreign exchange transactions, with some minor exceptions. In particular, in order to grant their clients access to the MLC, Argentine financial entities must first request from their clients an affidavit stating that: (i) all of its foreign currency holdings in Argentina are deposited in local financial entities; (ii) at the beginning of the day on which the affidavit is provided, the client does not have more than US$100,000 as “available foreign liquid assets” unless it is allowed to have more based on certain exceptions; (iii) it agrees that it will transfer into Argentina and convert into local currency in the MLC within 5 business days, any funds received abroad arising from payments received on outstanding loans, amounts earned on term deposits, or amounts received from sales of any type of assets; in each case, if such loans, deposits or assets were granted, constituted or acquired after May 28, 2020; and (iv) it has not sold securities with settlement in foreign currency or transferred them to international depository agencies abroad during the prior 90 calendar days, and will not engage in such activity on the date of the affidavit and within the same period or within 90 days following the date thereof.

    Additionally, through Communication “A” 7200, the BCRA created the “Registry on foreign exchange information of exporters and importers of goods”, in which certain import and export companies that are specifically included in the list published under Communication “C” 89476 must be registered no later than April 30, 2021 as a condition to access the MLC for the outflow of funds as of May 1, 2021.

    Import of Goods. The FX Regulatory Framework establishes the possibility for Argentine residents to access the MLC in order to pay amounts that they owe for the import of goods. Two different scenarios are contemplated. First, in most cases and where the cases are specifically covered in the FX Regulatory Framework, financial entities may grant their clients access to the MLC in order to pay for the import of goods if such goods have already been registered with the customs office and so long as certain requirements set forth in the FX Regulatory Framework are met (cases that are not specifically covered in the FX Regulatory Framework require the BCRA’s prior approval and registration with the customs office is not sufficient). In addition various quantitative and other limitations for the payment of various imports of goods and repayment of the principal of debt incurred in order to pay for certain imports of goods were set under Communication “A” 7030, as amended from time to time (these limitations are set to expire on June 30. 2021 unless such deadline is extended). Second, in respect of payments for imports of goods whose customs registration is pending as well as for payments in advance of receipt of the imported good, payments upon demand against review of the shipping documents and for the cancellation of commercial guarantees for imports of goods granted by local financial entities, access to the MLC can still be achieved so long as certain requirements are met. In addition, entities gaining access to the MLC in this manner must file supporting documentation proving they meet the requirements at the time that they make the payment to

    the foreign supplier of the import. Further, if a payment is made in advance of actual receipt of the imported goods, the payor must file certain custom documents showing the actual import of the good within 90 days of the advance payments being made. Finally, entities may also grant their clients access to the MLC for the payment of interest payments on outstanding debts so long as the transaction is declared in the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”.

    The BCRA’s prior authorization is required for the payment of commercial debts when importing goods into the country or purchasing foreign goods (i.e. at least 3 business day in advance of the necessary authorization). Moreover, certain special regimes that are applicable to special products, or financings of purchase facilities are established (i.e., leasing agreements, companies responsible for the purchase of medicine for patients, local governments for infrastructure works, supplies and goods for certain industries, etc.).

    Offshore Services. Financial entities may grant their clients access to the MLC for the payment of services provided that such provision of services was previously reported, if applicable, in the last presentation of the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”. With certain exceptions, the BCRA’s prior authorization is required to make payments prior to their scheduled due date, or to make payments to offshore related companies. Financial entities may also grant access to the MLC for the making of interest payments on offshore debt as long as the transaction was reported in the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”. Again, the BCRA’s prior authorization is required for early interest payments as described above.

    Dividends and Earnings. No authorization from the BCRA is required to carry out foreign exchange transactions to pay dividends and earnings to “non-residents”, provided that the following requirements are met: (i) the dividends and earnings arise from closed and audited financial statements, (ii) the payment is made in accordance with the relevant corporate documents, (iii) the total amount of transfers for this reason made as of January 17, 2020 and onward, does not exceed 30% of the value of new contributions of foreign direct investment in resident companies, entered and settled through the MLC as of the mentioned date, (iv) access to the MLC for the payment of dividends cannot occur sooner than 30 calendar days following the settlement of the last contribution (v) the payor submits sufficient documentation that evidences the final capitalization of the contributions, and (vi) the payment obligation is reported to the BCRA through the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”.

    Offshore Financial Indebtedness. Regarding offshore financial indebtedness, financial entities may only grant access to the MLC when: (i) the funds disbursed as of September 1, 2019 entered Argentina through the MLC, were converted into argentine pesos, and deposited into a local bank account(s); (ii) the transaction has been reported, if applicable, before the BCRA pursuant to the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”; and (iii) the payment is not made to an affiliated offshore company. Access to the MLC by Argentine residents for the prepayment of debt (principal and interest) more than 3 business days to its maturity date for principal or payment date for interest requires the prior authorization of the BCRA. However, this prior approval will not be required in certain specific cases. In particular, in certain circumstances, an amount of the outstanding principal of indebtedness issued by non-Argentine entities may be prepaid in advance. Specifically, by means of Communication “A” 7106 dated September 15, 2020, the BCRA has established that Argentine residents that have to make debt payments on debt issued by non-Argentine companies (including foreign financial indebtedness granted by non-financial non-related third parties, foreign financial indebtedness that required for the operation of the company, or the issuance of bonds in a foreign country with the public registration of such bonds in Argentina) with payments scheduled to fall between October 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021, must file a refinancing plan with the BCRA whereby (i) only 40% of the principal shall be paid during such timeframe; and (ii) the remaining principal shall be refinanced with new indebtedness with a minimum average duration of two years. This plan must be submitted to the BCRA within certain periods. In line with this requirement, Argentine residents may access the MLC to prepay the noted percentage of principal, subject to meeting certain criteria. The requirement to submit a refinancing plan to access the MLC does not apply to international organizations or related agencies or with official credit agencies or in respect of debt secured by such organizations or agencies and when the amount to pay for the principal of these type of indebtedness does not exceed the equivalent to US$1 million per calendar month.

    Furthermore, by means of Communication “A” 7230, dated February 25, 2020, the BCRA extended the obligation to submit the above described refinancing plan for payments with maturity dates between April 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. Such refinancing plan will not be necessary when the payment does not exceed the equivalent of US$2 million per calendar month, and neither when the maturities represent: (i) indebtedness incurred

    as of January 1, 2020 and the funds received from such incurrence have been transferred and sold in the MLC; (ii) indebtedness incurred as of January 1, 2020 in order to refinance principal amounts falling due after that date; and or (iii) the remaining portion of maturities already refinanced in accordance with the parameters of Comunication “A” 7106.

    Collateral trusts. Collateral trusts established by Argentine resident entities with the purpose of guaranteeing principal and interest payments for their obligations have access to the MLC in order to make such payments, as long as it is verified that the debtor would have also had access to make such payments on its own behalf because of its compliance with the applicable regulations, and that the payment abroad by the collateral trust is the only available option set forth in the transaction documents. Collateral trusts are able to access to the MLC to either transfer or purchase of foreign currency to comply with guarantee deposits of this type of indebtedness, as long as some requirements are met. However, this possibility is provided up to the equivalent payable amount in the relevant contract or the “value to be paid at the next maturity date of services”.

    Investment Instruments. The BCRA‘s prior authorization is required to access the MLC for the making of foreign investments, including the purchase of foreign currency for portfolio investments (“atesoramiento”) and the purchase of securities, (i) by legal entities, and non-Argentine residents (with certain exceptions -such as multilateral agencies, embassies, etc.-), for any amount; (ii) by individual residents, when the monthly sum of US$200 is exceeded; and (iii) for non- resident individual persons (for example, tourists), when the monthly sum of US$100 is exceeded.

    Application of collections from exports of goods and services: By means of Communication “A” 7123, the BCRA ruled that collection in foreign currencies from exports of goods and services may be used for (i) payments of principal and interest on financial indebtedness granted by a non-Argentine entity with an average maturity of no less than one year; and (ii) repatriation of direct investments by non-residents in companies that are not controlled by local financial entities -to the extent that said repatriation occurs after the conclusion and implementation of a direct investment project and at least one year after the transfer and settling of the capital contribution in the FX Market.

    For this purposes, the disbursed funds must have been (a) used to finance certain investment projects in Argentina that generate an increase in the production of goods that will be exported, and/or will enable the substitution of imports of goods; and/or will result in an increase in the transport capacity for the exportation of goods and services through the construction of infrastructure works in ports, airports and land terminals for international transport; and (b) transferred into Argentina and converted into local currency after October 2, 2020.

    Prior BCRA approval will be required for those cases where these requirements are not fulfilled. However it will not be required (either for the payment of offshore financial indebtedness with a foreign counterparty or for the repatriation of direct investment) when the funds received as of October 2, 2020 were transferred and converted into Argentine pesos through the MLC, and the repatriation takes place at least two years after such condition.

    Furthermore, on April 7, 2021, Decree No. 234/2021 created an “Investment Promotion Regime for Exports”. This regime provides companies with the option of submitting an “Export Investment Project” for approval. The project must be for a direct investment in Argentina in a foreign currency, in an amount equal to at least US$100 million and it must be in order to increase the production for the exportation of certain goods. If approved, the company that submitted the “Export Investment Project” for approval is entitled to receive up to 20% of the foreign exchange received from the export of goods that were part of the direct investment project, subject to an annual cap of -25% of the gross amount initially cleared through the FX Market in order to finance the project. In addition, such amounts may be applied once a calendar-year has elapsed since the direct investment was made. Once the company receives the above described amount of foreign current from the export of the noted goods, the company may use such funds - (i) for the payment of principal and interest on commercial liabilities or financial transactions abroad; (ii) for the payment of profits and dividends that correspond to closed and audited balance sheets; and/or (iii) for the repatriation of direct investments by non-residents. In the event that export proceeds are not applied immediately, such funds must be deposited in local financial entities until its application. The BCRA adopted these measures through Communication “A” 7259, dated April 9, 2021.

    iii)BCRA Reporting Regime

    The BCRA’s reporting regime has been updated as described below. Communication “A” 6401 introduced reporting requirements with respect to debt securities and external liabilities for the financial and private non-financial sector and direct investments of companies in such sector under the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”.

    The completion and validation of the information corresponding to the foregoing must be done electronically through the Federal Public Revenue Administration’s website. Such information, must be reported as of the first quarter of 2020, as follows: (i) at the end of any calendar quarter, by all individuals and legal entities who have outstanding offshore financial indebtedness (or if cancelled during that period, when filing the Foreign assets and liability informative regime); and (ii) in an annual presentation, by those individuals or legal entities for whom the balance of external assets and liabilities at the end of each year reaches or exceeds the equivalent of US$50 million.

    iv)Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime

    Exchange operations can only be carried out through the entities authorized for such purposes by the BCRA. As such, any exchangeoperation that does not comply with the provisions of the applicable regulations will be subject to the Law No. 19,359, as regulated by Decree 480/95, and BCRA regulations (“Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime”), pursuant to which the following constitute offenses: (i) any foreign exchange transaction not performed before an authorized institution; (ii) the completion of foreign exchange transactions without the applicable authorization; (iii) any misrepresentation related to foreign exchange transactions; (iv) the failure to make accurate representations or to complete the necessary procedures in cases where the actual transactions are different than those declared; (v) any foreign exchange transaction executed without fulfilling the conditions established by applicable regulations, regarding quantity, foreign currency exchange rate, dates, etc.; and (vi) any other omission or act performed in violation of the Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime.

    Violations to the Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime may be subject to fines of up to ten times the amount of the operation in breach and imprisonment in certain instances.

    B.6 Argentine Banking Regulation

    The following is a summary of certain matters relating to the Argentine banking system, including provisions of Argentine law and regulations applicable to financial entities in Argentina. This summary is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all laws and regulations applicable to financial entities in Argentina.

    i) General

    Since 1977, banking activities in Argentina have been regulated by the Argentine Financial Institutions Law No. 21.526 (the “FIL”), which places the supervision and control of the Argentine banking system in the hands of the autonomous BCRA, the principal monetary and financial authority in Argentina that operates independently from the Argentine government. The BCRA enforces the FIL and grants authorization to banks to operate in Argentina. The FIL confers numerous powers to the BCRA, including the ability to grant and revoke bank licenses, authorize the establishment of branches of Argentine banks outside of Argentina, approve bank mergers, capital increases and certain transfers of stock, set minimum capital, liquidity and solvency requirements and lending limits, grant certain credit facilities to financial entities in cases of temporary liquidity problems and to promulgate other regulations and to enforce the FIL. The BCRA has vested the Superintendency with most of the BCRA’s supervisory powers. Such entity is responsible for enforcing Argentina’s banking laws, establishing accounting and financial reporting requirements for the banking sector, monitoring and regulating the lending practices of financial entities and establishing rules for participation of financial entities in the MLC and the issuance of bonds and other securities, among other functions. In this section, unless otherwise stated, references to the BCRA should be understood to be references to the BCRA acting through the Superintendency. FIL grants the BCRA broad access to the accounting systems, books, correspondence, and other documents belonging to banking institutions. The BCRA regulates the supply of credit and monitors the liquidity, and generally supervises the operation, of the Argentine banking system.

    Current regulations equally regulate Argentine and foreign-owned banks.

    ii) Supervision

    As the regulator of the Argentine financial system, the BCRA requires financial entities to submit information on a daily, monthly, quarterly, semiannual and annual basis. These reports, which include balance sheets and income statements, information relating to reserve funds, use of deposits, portfolio quality (including details on debtors and any established loan loss provisions) and other pertinent information, allow the BCRA to monitor financial entities financial condition and business practices.

    The BCRA periodically carries out formal inspections of all banking institutions in order to monitor compliance by banks with legal and regulatory requirements and confirm the accuracy of the information provided to the BCRA. If BCRA rules are breached, it may impose various sanctions depending on the magnitude of the infringement. These sanctions range from warning calls up to the imposition of fines, or even the revocation of the financial institution’s operating license. Moreover, non-compliance with certain rules may result in the obligatory presentation to the BCRA of specific adequacy or regularization plans. The BCRA must approve these plans in order for the financial institution to remain operational.

    Financial institutions operating in Argentina have been subject to the supervision of the BCRA on a consolidated basis since 1994. Information regarding “Limitations on Types of Business”, “Capital Adequacy Requirements”, “Lending Limits”, and “Loan Classification System and Loan Loss Provisions” related to a bank’s loan portfolio is calculated on a consolidated basis. However, regulations relating to a bank’s deposits are not based on consolidated information, but on such bank’s deposits in Argentina (for example, liquidity requirements and contributions to the deposit insurance system).

    Examination by the BCRA

    The BCRA began to rate financial institutions based on the “CAMEL” quality rating system in 1994. Each letter of the CAMEL system corresponds to an area of the operations of each bank being rated, with: “C” standing for capital, “A” for assets, “M” for management, “E” for earnings, and “L” for liquidity. Each factor is evaluated and rated on a scale from one to five, with one being the highest rating an entity can receive. The BCRA modified the supervision system in September of 2000. The objectives and basic methodology of the new system, referred to as “CAMELBIG,” do not differ substantially from the CAMEL system. The components were redefined in order to evaluate business risks separately from management risks. The components used to rate the business risks are capital, assets, market, earnings, liquidity and business. The components to rate management risks are internal control and the quality of management. By combining the individual factors under evaluation, a combined index can be populated that represents the final rating for the financial institution.

    After temporarily halting such examinations as a result of the 2001-2002 financial and economic crisis, the BCRA resumed the examination process, which remains in effect as of the date of this filing. In Banco Galicia’s case, the first examination after the 2001-2002 financial crisis was on March 2017, and currently there is an ongoing examination as of December 2019.

    Regulatory Capital (Minimum Capital Requirements)

    Financial entities are subject to the capital adequacy rules of the BCRA, consequently Banco Galicia, as a commercial bank, must maintain a minimum capital amount measured as of each month’s closing. BCRA regulations establish that financial institutions legal capital should be equal to the greater value resulting from the comparison between the applicable basic requirement (corresponding to the type of entity) and the sum of those determined by credit and market risk, as well as operational risk.

    The minimum basic capital requirement for a commercial bank located in the City of Buenos Aires, such as Banco Galicia, is a capital reserve of at least Ps.26 million. The minimum capital requirements related to credit risk, which are calculated according to a formula established by the BCRA, are designed to establish the minimum capital necessary to offset the risk that the counterparty does not comply with its obligation in a transaction related to the assets that are being reviewed. The minimum capital requirements related to market risks are designed to offset the

    eventual losses generated by a change of market rates or of credit quality, which would affect the assets and liabilities of the bank. Such market risk includes (among other risks) liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Operational risk includes the possibility of incurring a failure or deficiency in losses as a result of external events or as a result of a failure or deficiency in internal processes, human error or internal systems.

    In order to verify compliance with the minimum capital requirements, the BCRA considers the computable regulatory capital (“RPC”) of a particular entity (i.e., capital that the entities actually have). Pursuant to the BCRA’s regulations, a bank’s RPC is the sum of the minimum core capital (Tier I capital) and supplementary capital (Tier II capital), minus certain deductible concepts. The BCRA considered Basel III requirements in order to regulate the RPC (and listed the assets included in each Tier as well the deductible concepts in accordance with such rules).

    According to the BCRA’s regulations, any financial entity operating with an RPC under the minimum capital requirements must: (i) pay-in the correspondent amount within the following two months from the month in which it fails to comply with the requirement, or (ii) submit to the Superintendency a regularization and reorganization plan within the following 30 calendar days counted as from the last day of the month in which it fails to comply with the requirement. The Superintendency may appoint a supervisor and impose restrictions on distribution of dividends, among other actions, when non-compliance with the RPC requirements occurs or any warning from the Superintendency is received.

    In addition, any financial entity operating under the daily integration of the minimum capital requirement related to market risk (when such failure is caused by the requirements established to guard against interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk or equity price risk), must pay-in the corresponding amount necessary to comply with the requirements and/or reduce its asset position until the applicable requirement is complied with, within a term of ten business days counted from the first failure to comply with the requirements. In case the non-compliance situation remains after such term has elapsed, the entity must submit to the Superintendency a regularization and reorganization plan within the following five days.

    iii) Legal Reserve

    The BCRA and FIL rules requires that every year banks allocate to a legal reserve a percentage of their net profits established by the BCRA, which currently amounts to 20% of their yearly income. Such reserve may only be used during periods in which such financial institution has incurred losses and has exhausted all other reserves. Distribution of dividends will not be allowed if the legal reserve is not met.

    iv) Profit Distribution

    Profit distribution of financial institutions (the concept pursuant to which a payment of dividends is included) must be authorized by the Superintendency. Financial institutions may distribute profits without exceeding the limits set forth in the “Distribution of Profits” rules established by the BCRA. The amount to be distributed must not compromise the entity’s liquidity and solvency. The Superintendency is entitled to intervene to verify the correct application of the procedures and regulations with respect to dividends approved and to be distributed by financial institutions. Nevertheless, as explained above, dividends to be paid in a foreign currency to international investors, may be subject to foreign exchange restrictions.

    The BCRA sets rules for the conditions under which financial institutions can make distributions of profits. BCRA regulations require that 20% of a company’s profits, subject to certain adjustments, be allocated to legal reserves. This requirement applies regardless of the company’s ratio of legal reserves to capital stock.

    In addition to the foregoing, BCRA regulations regarding profit distributions provide that profits can be distributed so long as a company’s results of operations are positive after deducting for required legal reserves, the difference between the carrying amount and the fair market value of public sector assets and/or debt instruments issued by the BCRA not valued at fair market price, and the amounts capitalized for legal proceedings related to deposits and any unrecorded adjustments required by external auditors or the BCRA. Furthermore, companies must also comply with capital adequacy rules, which set forth minimum capital requirements and required regulatory capital.

    Effective as of January 2016, all Argentine financial institutions are also required to maintain capital in an additional capital reserve equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets and 3.5% for financial institutions classified as systemically important, which must be comprised of only Tier I Common Capital, net of deductible items. Profit distributions of financial institutions will not be authorized if failing to meet with the required computable regulatory capital set forth above. In certain cases, that margin may be modified by the BCRA, as established in the “Distribution of Profits” rules.

    Profits, if any, resulting from the first-time application of IFRS may not be distributed. Any such profits will be allocated to a special reserve recorded under equity, which may only be released for capitalization purposes, or to otherwise offset potential losses.

    Despite the above-mentioned existing limitations, in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the BCRA issued on March 19, 2020, Communication “A” 6939, which suspended the ability of Argentine financial institutions to distribute dividends until June 30, 2020, in order to maintain the lending capacity of the financial institutions. This suspension was later extended by Communication “A” 7035 until December 31, 2020, and then by Communication “A” 7181 until June 30, 2021 (with the possibility of future extensions).

    v) Legal Reserve Requirements for Liquidity Purposes

    The deposit amount minus the minimum cash requirement determines the “lending capacity” of a particular deposit.

    The BCRA modifies the applicable minimum cash requirement from time to time depending on monetary policy considerations.

    The then-applicable minimum cash requirement is determined on the basis of the average daily balances of the obligations: (i) recorded at the end of each day, during the period prior to their integration for Argentine Pesos; and (ii) at the end of each day during each calendar month, for foreign currency and securities.

    The averages will be obtained by dividing the sum of the daily balances by the total amount of days of each month. For days in which no movement is recorded, the balance corresponding to the immediately preceding day. Compliance with minimum cash requirements must be made in the same debt currency and/or instrument that corresponds to the requirement (with certain exceptions), and might be completed through (i) checking accounts, denominated in Pesos, opened by financial entities in the BCRA; (ii) “Minimum Cash Accounts”, denominated in Dollars or other foreign currencies, opened by financial entities in the BCRA; (iii) special guarantee accounts in favor of clearing houses and for coverage of credit cards, vouchers and ATM operations and for transfer settlement of immediate funds; (iv) non-bank financial entities checking accounts opened in commercial banks for the requirement of minimum cash integration; (v) special accounts opened in the BCRA linked for the provision of social security benefits administered by National Social Security Administration (“Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social” or ANSES) and (vi) “sub-accounts 60” which are accounts that contain a minimum amount of cash received from investments in public securities and debt instruments issued by the BCRA, at market value.

    According to “Minimum Cash” rule of the BCRA (as modified and complemented), the percentages of minimum cash requirements are as follows:

    Please bear in mind that the above-mentioned peso-denominated rates may vary depending on certain circumstances set forth by the BCRA (e.g., locality, term deposits transactions arranged remotely).

    As of December 31, 2020, Banco Galicia was in compliance with its legal reserve requirements and continued to be in compliance as of the date of this annual report.

    vi) Limitations on Types of Business

    In accordance with the provisions of the FIL, commercial banks are authorized to carry out all activities and operations which are not strictly prohibited by law or by the BCRA regulations. Permitted activities include the capacity to: grant and receive loans; receive deposits from the general public in local and foreign currency; secure its customers’ debts; acquire, place and trade with shares and debt securities in the Argentine over-the-counter market (subject to prior approval of the CNV, if applicable); carry out operations in foreign currencies; act as trustee in financial trusts; and issue credit cards.

    In order to calculate the legal reserves requirements for liquidity purposes described above, it is not necessary to deduct the capital stock allocated to foreign branches from a bank’s shareholders’ equity.

    Pursuant to the BCRA’s regulations, financial institutions are not allowed to hold more than a 12.5% interest (or more than a specific percentage of the financial institution’s adjusted shareholders’ equity) in the outstanding capital of a company which does not provide services complementary to those offered by financial institutions, as established in the “Complementary services of financial activities” rules. The BCRA determines which services are complementary to those provided by financial institutions. To date has been determined that such services mainly include those offered in connection with stock brokerage, the issuance of credit, debit or similar cards, financial intermediation in leasing and factoring transactions.

    Non-banking financial institutions are not allowed to provide certain services and activities, such as opening checking accounts, among other activities.

    vii) Capitalization of Debt Instruments

    Communication “A” 6304 (as amended) of the BCRA provides that all regulations related to capital increases must be cash contributions. However, the regulation establishes that subject to the prior authorization of the Superintendency, the following instruments are allowed as capital contributions: (i) securities issued by the Argentine government, (ii) debt instruments issued by the BCRA, and (iii) a financial institution’s deposits and other liabilities resulting from its financial brokerage activities, including subordinated obligations. With respect to instruments (i) and (ii), the contributions must be recorded at their market value. It is understood that an instrument has a market value when it is regularly listed on regulated local or foreign stock markets and traded on such markets in such amounts that the liquidation of such instruments does not significantly affect the listing price of such instruments. With respect to clause (iii) above, contributions must be recorded at their market value, as defined in

    the previous sentence or, in the case of financial institutions that publicly offer their stock, at the price determined by the applicable regulatory authority. If the aforementioned conditions are not met, the instruments in question will not be contributable as capital.

    Deposits and other liabilities resulting from a given financial institution’s financial brokerage activities, including subordinated obligations that are not permitted to be traded in local or foreign regulated secondary markets, will be allowed to be contributed as capital at their accounting value, pursuant to BCRA rules.

    viii) Lending Limits

    According to the “large exposures to credit risk” and “minimum capital for financial institutions” rules, the total amount of all credit risk exposure values of a financial entity to a single counterparty or, where appropriate, a group of related counterparties, may not exceed at any time the limits established for level capital one (Tier 1) by the BCRA.

    In accordance with the BCRA’s regulations, the exposure limit to a counterpart or connected counterpart group of the non-financial private sector will be 15% of the Bank’s level one capital. However, this limit may be increased by 10% for exposures that are secured with preferred guarantees.

    The total amount of financial assistance a bank is authorized to provide to a borrower and its affiliates is also limited based on the borrower’s shareholders’ equity. The total amount of financial assistance granted to a borrower and its affiliates shall not be higher than, in the aggregate, 100% of such borrower’s shareholders’ equity, although such limit may be increased an additional 200% of the borrower’s shareholders’ equity if the sum does not exceed 2.5% of the bank’s adjusted shareholders’ equity.

    Global exposure to the public sector (national, provincial and municipal public sector) shall not be higher than 75% of an institution’s adjusted shareholders’ equity. Additionally, Section 12 of Communication “A” 3911, as amended, establishes that the average monthly financial assistance to non-financial public sector, in the aggregate, shall not be higher than 35% of the bank’s total assets as of the end of the previous month.

    The BCRA also regulates the level of “total financial exposure” a bank has to related parties. A party may be a “related party” by: a) control, when a human or legal person directly or indirectly exercises control over the bank or is controlled directly or indirectly by the bank; or b) personal relationship, regarding individuals (including their families and any other entity which they control) who serve as directors, trustees, general managers, or managers with credit attributions.

    The BCRA limits the level of total financial exposure that a bank can have outstanding to related parties, depending on the rating granted to each bank by the Superintendency. Banks rated 4 or 5 are forbidden to extend financial assistance to related parties. For banks ranked between 1 and 3, the financial assistance offered to related parties based on a relationship of control and without a guarantee, may not exceed 5% of the bank’s level one capital. The bank may increase this limit to 10% if the financial assistance is secured.

    Financial assistance to related parties based on a “personal relationship” have a 5% limit of Level 1 capital of the entity providing the financing (the limit is unique for all cases and includes operations with and without guarantees).

    However, a bank may grant additional financial assistance to such related parties up to the following limits:

    a)

    Individual maximum limits for customers over which a bank has control:

    Financial institutions rated 1, 2 or 3, subject to consolidation with the lender and its controller or the borrower:

    Financial institutions that do not meet the above conditions with the lender or the borrower: 10%

    Domestic companies with complementary services associated with brokerage activities, financial brokerage in leasing and factoring operations, and temporary acquisition of shares in companies to facilitate their development in order to sell such shares afterwards

    Domestic companies with complementary services related to the issuance of credit cards, debit cards or other cards:

    Domestic companies with complementary services, not subject to consolidation with the lender or the borrower: 10%

    Investment grade 10%

    No Investment grade: Unsecured 5%; with and without warrants 10%

    Unsecured 5%; with and without warrants 10%

    b)

    Individual maximum limits for customers over which there is a personal relationship

    In addition, the aggregate amount of a bank’s total financial exposure to its related parties, except for the ones subject to individual maximum limits higher than 10% (complementary services companies), may not exceed 20% of such bank’s TIER 1.

    Notwithstanding the limitations described above, the sum of computable exposure is also limited in order to prevent risk concentration. To that end, the total exposure independently of whether customers qualify as such bank’s related parties or not, in the case in which such exposure exceeds 10% of such bank’s TIER 1, may not exceed three times the bank’s TIER 1 excluding total financial exposure to domestic financial institutions, or five times the bank’s TIER 1, including such exposure.

    For a second-grade financial institution (i.e., a financial institution that provides financial products to other banks and not to retail customers), the latter limit is ten times such financial institution’s TIER 1.

    Banco Galicia has historically complied with such rules.

    ix) Loan Classification System

    General

    Banco Galicia is required to comply with the BCRA regulations. In 1994, the BCRA introduced the current loan classification system and the corresponding minimum loan-loss provision requirements applicable to loans and other types of credit (together, referred to as “loans”) to private sector borrowers.

    The current loan classification system applies certain criteria to classify loans in a bank’s “consumer” portfolio, and another set of criteria to classify loans in its “commercial” portfolio. The classification system is independent of the currency in which the loan is denominated.

    The loan classification criteria applied to loans in the consumer portfolio is based on objective guidelines related to the borrower’s credit score, legal status, and other information provided by credit rating agencies. However, if a borrower has defaulted in the past or is non-current on obligations, a lower rating is assigned by the Bank. In the event of any discrepancy, the guidelines indicating the higher risk level should be considered.

    For the purposes of the BCRA’s regulations, consumer loans are defined as mortgage loans, pledge loans, credit card loans and other types of loans in installments granted to individuals. All other loans are considered commercial loans. In addition, in accordance with an option set forth in these regulations, Banco Galicia prospectively applies the consumer portfolio classification criteria to commercial loans of up to Ps.72,64 million. This classification is based on the level of fulfillment and the situation thereof.

    The main classification criterion for loans in the commercial portfolio is each borrower’s ability to pay, mainly in terms of such borrower’s future cash flows. If a customer has both commercial and consumer loans, all of these loans will be considered as a whole to determine eligibility for classification in the corresponding portfolio. Loans backed with preferred guarantees will be considered at 50% of their face value.

    By applying the BCRA’s classification to commercial loans, banks must assess the following factors: the current and projected financial situation of the borrower, the customer’s exposure to currency risk, the customer’s managerial and operating background, the borrower’s ability to provide accurate and timely financial information, as well as the overall risk of the sector in which the borrower operates and the borrower’s relative position within that sector.

    The BCRA’s regulations also establish that a team independent from the departments responsible for credit origination must carry out a periodic review of the commercial portfolio. Banco Galicia’s Credit Division, which is independent from the business units that generate transactions, is responsible for these reviews.

    The review must be carried out on each borrower with debt pending payment equal to the lesser of the following amounts: Ps.72,64 million or 1% of the bank’s computable capital (the “RPC”). The frequency of the review of each borrower depends on the bank’s exposure to that borrower. The BCRA requires that the larger the exposure is, the more frequent the review should be. This review must be conducted every calendar quarter when credit exposure to that borrower is equal to or in excess of 5% of the bank’s RPC, or every six months when exposure equals or exceeds the lesser of the following amounts: Ps.72.64 million or 1% of the bank’s RPC. In all cases, at least 50% of Banco Galicia’s commercial portfolio must be reviewed once every six months; and all other borrowers in Banco Galicia’s commercial portfolio must be reviewed during the fiscal year, so that the entire commercial portfolio is reviewed every fiscal year.

    In addition, only one level of discrepancy is permitted between the classification assigned by a bank and the lowest classification assigned by at least two other banks whose combined credit to the borrower represents 40%

    or more of the total credit of the borrower, considering all banks. If Banco Galicia’s classification was different by more than one level from the lowest classification granted, Banco Galicia must immediately downgrade its classification of the debtor to the same classification level, or else within one classification level.

    Loan Classification

    The following tables contain the six loan classification categories corresponding to the different risk levels set forth by the BCRA. Banco Galicia’s total exposure to a private sector customer must be classified according to the riskier classification corresponding to any part of such exposure.

    Commercial Portfolio

    Loan Classification

    Description

    A. Normal Situation

    The debtor is widely able to meet its financial obligations, demonstrating significant cash flows, a liquid financial situation, an adequate financial structure, a timely payment record, competent management, available information in a timely, accurate manner and satisfactory internal controls.

    The debtor belongs to a sector of economic activity that records an acceptable future trend with good prospects and the debtor is competitive within such economic activity.

    B. With Special Follow-upCash flow analysis reflects that the debt may be repaid even though it is possible that the customer’s future payment ability may deteriorate without a proper follow-up.
    This category is divided into two subcategories:
    B1. Under Observation;
    B2. Under Negotiation or Refinancing Agreements.
    C. With ProblemsCash flow analysis evidences problems to repay the debt, and therefore, if these problems are not solved, there may be some losses. It also includes customers that maintain payment agreements resulting from judicial or extrajudicial agreements approved by the relevant insolvency court.
    D. High Risk of InsolvencyCash flow analysis evidences that repayment of the full debt is highly unlikely. It also includes customers who have been sued by the creditor financial institution for the payment of amounts due or that have requested the preventive tender or concluded, and extrajudicial preventive agreement not yet approved by the relevant insolvency court.
    E. UncollectibleThe amounts in this category are deemed total losses. Even though these assets may be recovered under certain future circumstances, inability to make payments is evident at the date of the analysis. It includes loans to insolvent or bankrupt borrowers.
    Additionally, this category includes loans to borrowers indicated by the BCRA to be in non-accrual status with financial institutions that have been liquidated or are being liquidated, or whose authorization to operate has been revoked. It also includes loans to foreign banks and other institutions that are not:

    (i) classified as “normal”;

    (ii)  subject to the supervision of the BCRA or other similar authority of the country of origin;

    (iii)  classified as “investment grade” by any of the rating agencies admitted pursuant to Communication “A” 2729 of the BCRA.

    Consumer Portfolio

    Loan Classification

    Description

    A. Normal Situation

    Loans with timely repayment or arrears not exceeding 31 days, both of principal and interest.

    A customer classified in “Normal” situation that has been refinanced more than twice in the last twelve months in this category, must be re-classified in “Low-Risk”.

    B. Low RiskOccasional late payments, with a payment in arrears of more than 32 days and up to 90 days. A customer classified as “Low Risk” having been refinanced may be recategorized to “Normal”, as long as he amortizes one principal installment (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 5% of principal.
    C. Medium RiskSome inability to make payments, with arrears of more than 91 days and up to 180 days. A customer classified as “Medium Risk” having been refinanced may be recategorized to “Low Risk” within this category, as long as he amortizes two principal installments (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 5% of principal.
    D. High RiskJudicial proceedings demanding payment have been initiated or arrears of more than 180 days and up to one year. A customer classified as “High Risk” having been refinanced may be recategorized to “Medium Risk” within this category, as long as he amortizes three principal installments (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 10% of principal.
    E. Uncollectible

    Loans to insolvent or bankrupt borrowers, or subject to judicial proceedings, with little or no possibility of collection, or with arrears in excess of one year. A customer classified as “Uncollectible” having been refinanced in this category, may be recategorized to “High Risk”, as long as he amortizes three principal installments (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 15% of the principal.

    Additionally, this category includes loans to borrowers indicated by the BCRA to be in non-accrual status with financial institutions that have been liquidated or are being liquidated, or whose authorization to operate has been revoked.

    On March 2020, the BCRA issued Communication “A” 6938, which provided for the addition of 60 days to the terms of arrears allowed for levels A, B and C for both the Commercial and Consumer Portfolio. These provisions were extended by complementary Communications until March 31, 2021.

    x) Limitation on Fees and Other Substantial Elements

    The BCRA has issued regulations limiting amounts that entities can charge as credit card fees, as well as fees that can be charged for financial services rendered by financial entities, credit card issuers (and other similar entities). Such regulations provide that such fees must be duly justified from a technical and economic point of view and must be in relation to the total financial costs incurred by any such financial institution. Further, such Laws provide that applicable interest rates must be set forth.

    In addition, such regulations provide that in order to modify fees and other conditions established in agreements executed by and between financial entities and consumers, the following requirements must be met (i) reasons for fees increases must be established in the agreements and must be duly justified; (ii) modifications cannot change the core or fundamental provisions of the agreement; (iii) the consumer must be duly informed of any such changes; and (iv) for the imposition of new fees, the consumer’s consent must be obtained.

    In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, the BCRA issued Communication “A” 6945, as amended (the most recent amendment was under Communication “A” 7181), which suspended the ability of banks to charge fees for the use of automatic teller machines (“ATMs”) until March 31, 2021. Also, as part of the protective measures taken, the BCRA has imposed an injunction on the payment of loans granted to the private sector, as per

    Communications “A” 6949 and “A” 6964, among other regulations, as amended from time to time. The BCRA has also mandated that (i) any payments due between April and March 2021 for loans previously granted by financial entities are deferred until the month following the loan’s maturity date; and (ii) credit card debts due between March 20 and April 30 of 2020 and not paid by the credit card holder will be automatically refinanced for at least a one-year term, pursuant to the following terms and conditions: (a) a 3-month grace period must be given to the debtor; (ii) the amount owed must be repaid in 9 equal and consecutive installments, and (iii) the maximum annual interest rate the creditor may charge is of 43%. The same condition applies to credit card debt due between September 1, and September 30, 2020, but with a maximum annual interest rate of 40%.

    xi) Foreign Currency General Position

    Pursuant to the FX Regulatory Framework, financial entities may determine their own Foreign Currency General Position, with certain limitations.

    xii) Deposit Insurance System

    In 1995, Law No.24,485 and Decree No.540/95, as amended, created a mandatory deposit insurance system for bank deposits and delegated to the BCRA the organization and start-up of the deposit insurance system. The deposit insurance system was implemented through the creation of a fund named Fondo de Garantía de los Depósitos (“FGD”), which is administered by Seguros de Depósitos S.A. (“Sedesa”). The shareholders of Sedesa are the Argentine government, through the BCRA, which holds at least one share, and a trust constituted by the financial institutions which participate in the fund. The BCRA establishes the extent of participation by each institution in proportion to the resources contributed by each such institution to the FGD. Banks must contribute to the FGD on a monthly basis in an amount that is currently equal to 0.015% of the monthly average of daily balances of such institution’s deposits (both Peso- and foreign currency-denominated).

    In addition, when the contributions to the FGD reach the greater of Ps.2 billion or 5.0% of total deposits, the Central Bank may suspend or reduce the monthly contributions and reinstate the same when contributions fall below such required level.

    The deposit insurance system covers all Peso and foreign currency deposits held in demand deposit accounts, savings accounts and time deposits for an amount up to Ps.1,500,000 per person, account and deposit. Certain deposits are not covered by the guarantee of the deposit insurance system, such as deposits received at rates higher than the reference rate in accordance with the limits established by the BCRA, deposits acquired by endorsement, and those made by persons related to the financial institution (as defined by BCRA regulations).

    The guarantee provided by the deposit insurance system must be made effective within 30 days from the revocation of the license of a financial institution, subject to the outcome of the exercise by depositors of their priority rights described under “—Priority Rights of Depositors” below. The BCRA may modify, at any time, and with general scope, the amount of the mandatory deposit guarantee insurance.

    Decree No.1292/96 enhanced Sedesa’s functions by allowing it to provide equity capital or make loans to Argentine financial institutions experiencing difficulties and to institutions that buy such financial institutions or their deposits. As a result of such decree, Sedesa has the flexibility to intervene in the restructuring of a financial institution experiencing difficulties prior to bankruptcy.

    Debt securities issued by banks are not covered by the deposit insurance system.

    xiii) Priority Rights of Depositors

    According to section 49(e) of the FIL, in the event of a judicial liquidation or the bankruptcy of a financial entity, the holders of deposits in Pesos and foreign currency benefit from a general priority right to obtain repayment of their deposits up to the amount set forth below, with priority over all other creditors, with the exception of the following: (i) deposits secured by a mortgage or pledge, (ii) rediscounts and overdrafts provided to financial entities by the BCRA, according to section 17 subsections (b), (c) and (f) of the BCRA Charter, (iii) credits provided by the Banking Liquidity Fund, which was created by Decree No.32, dated December 26, 2001, secured by a mortgage and pledge and (iv) certain labor credits, including accrued interest until the date of their total repayment.

    The holders of the following deposits are entitled to the general preferential right established by the FIL (following this order of preference):

    According to the FIL, the preferences set forth in previous paragraphs (i) and (ii) above are not applicable to deposits held by persons who are affiliates of the financial entity, either directly or indirectly as determined by the BCRA.

    In addition, pursuant to Section 53 of the FIL, the BCRA has an absolute priority over all other creditors of the entity, except as provided by the FIL.

    xiv) Deposit and Loans in Housing Units

    In order to facilitate access to mortgage loans, through Communication “A” 5945, dated as of April 8, 2016, and complementary regulations, the BCRA established a new type of loan denominated in Acquisition Value Units (Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo or “UVAs”). The value of such units will be updated using the Reference Stabilization Coefficient. The initial value of the UVA was Ps.47.16, and as of December 31, 2020, it was Ps.64.32.

    xv) Financing Loans for Economic Development

    The BCRA enacted several communications, by means of which it implemented several policies to promote economic development and productivity in Argentina. As from March 1, 2020, the required minimum cash to be held by financial institutions was reduced in an amount equivalent to 30% of the sum of outstanding financing granted in local currency to small and medium companies (PyME), provided such financing is granted at a maximum annual interest rate of (i) 40% until February 16, 2020, and (ii) 35% February 17, 2020 onwards.

    The required minimum cash to be held by financial institutions might also be reduced in the following cases:

    an amount that is the equivalent of: (i) 60% of the sum of the “Creditos a tasa cero” (i.e. zero rates loan) , “Créditos a tasa subsidiada para empresas” (i.e. subsidized rate loans for companies) and “Créditos a tasa cero cultura” (i.e. zero rate culture loans) agreed under Decree No. 332/2020 (as amended from time to time) and disbursed until November 5, 2020; (ii) 24% of the “Créditos a tasa subsidiada para empresas” disbursed as from November 6, 2020 at an annual nominal rate of 27%; and (iii) 7% of the “Créditos a tasa subsidiada para empresas” disbursed as from November 6, 2020 at an annual nominal rate of 33%. (Communication “A” 6993, as amended from time to time);

    xvi) Financial Institutions with Economic Difficulties

    The FIL establishes that financial institutions, including commercial banks such as Banco Galicia, which do not meet certain minimum cash reserve requirements , have not complied with certain required technical standards, including minimum capital requirements, or whose solvency or liquidity is deemed to be impaired by the BCRA, must submit a restructuring plan to the BCRA. Such restructuring plan must be presented to the BCRA on the date specified by the BCRA, which should not be later than 30 calendar days from the date on which the request is made by the BCRA. In order to facilitate the implementation of a restructuring plan, the BCRA is authorized to provide a temporary exemption from compliance with technical regulations and/or the payment of charges and fines that arise from such non-compliance.

    The BCRA may also, in relation to a restructuring plan presented by a financial institution, require such financial institution to provide guarantees or limit the distribution of profits, and appoint a supervisor, to oversee such financial institutions’ management, with the power to veto decisions taken by the financial institution’s corporate authorities.

    In addition, the BCRA’s charter authorizes the Superintendency, subject only to the prior approval of the president of the BCRA, to suspend for up to 30 days, in whole or in part, the operations of a financial institution if its liquidity or solvency have been adversely affected. Notice of this decision must be given to the board of directors of the BCRA. If at the end of such suspension period the Superintendency considers renewal necessary, such renewal can only be authorized by the board of directors of the BCRA for an additional period not to exceed 90 days. During the suspension period: (i) there is an automatic stay of claims, enforcement actions and precautionary measures; (ii) any commitment increasing the financial institution’s liabilities is void; and (iii) acceleration of indebtedness and interest accrual is suspended.

    If, in the judgment of the BCRA, a financial institution is in a situation which, under the FIL, would authorize the BCRA to revoke the financial institution’s license to operate as such, the BCRA may, prior to considering such revocation, order a variety of measures, including (i) taking steps to reduce, increase or sell the financial institution’s capital; (ii) revoking the approval granted to the shareholders of the financial institution to own an interest therein, giving a term for the transfer of such shares; (iii) excluding and transferring assets and liabilities; (iv) constituting trusts with part or all the financial institution’s assets; (v) granting of temporary exemptions to comply with technical regulations and/or pay charges and fines arising from such defective compliance; or (vi) appointing a bankruptcy trustee and removing statutory authorities.

    Furthermore, any actions authorized, commissioned or decided by the BCRA under Section 35 of the FIL involving the transfer of assets and liabilities, or complementing such transfers, or that are necessary to execute the restructuring of a financial institution, as well as those related to the reduction, increase or sale of equity, are not subject to any court authorization and cannot be deemed inefficient in respect of the creditors of the financial institution which was the owner of the excluded assets, even though its insolvency preceded any such actions.

    xvii) Dissolution and Liquidation of Financial Institutions

    The BCRA must be notified of any decision to dissolve a financial institution pursuant to the FIL. The BCRA, in turn, must then notify a court of competent jurisdiction, which will determine who will liquidate the entity: the corporate authorities (extrajudicial liquidation) or an appointed independent liquidator (judicial liquidation). This determination is based on whether or not sufficient assurances exist regarding the ability of such corporate authorities to carry out the liquidation properly.

    Pursuant to the FIL, the BCRA no longer acts as liquidator of financial institutions. However, when a restructuring plan has failed or is not considered viable, local and regulatory violations exist, or substantial changes have occurred in the financial institution’s condition since the original authorization was granted, the BCRA may decide to revoke the license of the financial institution to operate as such. In this case, the law allows judicial or extrajudicial liquidation as in the case of voluntary liquidation described in the preceding paragraph.

    The bankruptcy of a financial institution cannot be adjudicated until the license is revoked by the BCRA. No creditor, with the exception of the BCRA, may request the bankruptcy of the former financial institution before 60 calendar days have elapsed since the revocation of its license.

    B.7 Credit Cards Regulation

    The Credit Cards Law establishes the general framework for credit card activities. Among other regulations, this law:

    The BCRA has issued regulations to enforce public disclosure of companies’ pricing (fees and interest rates) to ensure consumer awareness of such pricing. In addition, during 2014 the BCRA issued a series of regulations in order to establish caps on interest rates on personal loans, pledge loans and credit card loans, as well as to establish a requirement for an authorization to increase fees. Through its Communication “A” 5853, dated December 17, 2015, the BCRA rescinded regulations related to limits on interest rates in respect of lending transactions.

    B.8 Concealment and Laundering of Assets of a Criminal Origin

    Law No.25,246 (as amended in July 2011 by Law No.26,683) incorporates money laundering as a crime under the Argentine Criminal Code. Additionally, with the goal of preventing money laundering, the UIF was created under the jurisdiction of the Argentine Ministry of Justice, Security and Human Rights. As a result of such modification, money laundering is now classified as a separate offense.

    In addition to the above, Law No.26,683 sanctions “self-laundering”, which sanctions money laundering tied to a crime the individual in question committed his or herself. It also includes certain tax offenses described in Article 303 of the Argentine Penal Code as punishable laundering behavior. The new standard falls under Article 303 of the Argentine Penal Code in the chapter titled “Crimes against economic and financial order”.

    The minimum and maximum of the criminal scale will be doubled when (i) the foregoing acts were crimes that are particularly serious, meaning those crimes with a punishment that is greater than three years of imprisonment; (ii) the perpetrator committed the crime for profit; and (iii) the perpetrator regularly performs concealment activities.

    The criminal scale can only be increased once, even when more than one of the above-mentioned acts occurs. In such case, the court may take into consideration the multiple acts when determining the original punishment.

    The “Committee for the Control and Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorist Activities” was formed in 2005 and is responsible for establishing and maintaining the general guidelines related to the Bank’s strategy to control and prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism. For more information, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Functions of the Board of Directors of Banco Galicia”.

    Banco Galicia has also appointed two directors to fulfill the roles of Compliance Officer and Substitute Compliance Officer. In addition, a specialized management unit was created in this area that is responsible for the execution of the policies approved by the committee and for the monitoring of the control systems and procedures to ensure that they are adequate.

    Law No.26,734 enacted on December 22, 2011, incorporated terrorism financing and the financing of terrorism as an aggravating circumstance to all criminal conduct in the Argentine Criminal Code.

    Such law punishes any individual who directly or indirectly collects or provides goods or money with the intention of being used, or knowing that they will be used, in whole or in part (i) to finance a crime with the purpose established in Section 41.5; (ii) for an organization who commits or attempts to commit crimes with the purpose established in Section 41.5; and (iii) for a person who commits or attempts to commit or participates in any way in committing crimes with the purpose established in Section 41.5.

    The new legislation also punishes terrorism as an aggravating factor in other punishable crimes when any such offense was committed in order to terrorize the population.

    The Bank has implemented measures to combat the use of the international financial system by criminal organizations. The Bank has policies, procedures and control structures in place to monitor operations based on client profiles and risk assessments based on the information and documentation related to the economic, patrimonial and financial situation of each client to detect clients that could be considered unusual, and eventual reporting to the UIF as appropriate. The Asset Laundering Prevention Management program is charged with the implementation of such control and prevention procedures, as well as communication of such procedures and measures within the Bank, drafting of compliance manuals and employee training. Such management program is also periodically reviewed by senior management.

    The Bank has appointed a Director as Compliance Officer, in accordance with Resolution 30/2017 of the UIF, who is responsible for ensuring the observance and implementation of procedures and obligations in the matter. The Compliance Officer contributes to the prevention and mitigation of the risks of criminal transactions and is involved in the establishment of internal policies and measures to monitor and prevent the same.

    C. Organizational Structure

    The following table illustrates our organizational structure as of December 31, 2020. Percentages indicate the ownership interests held by each entity.

    LOGO

    (*)

    The percentage of total votes is 54.1% .

    (**)

    IGAM Uruguay Agente de Valores S.A. its incorporated in Uruguay while IGAM LLC its registered in the state of Delaware, United States of America.

    D. Property, Plants and Equipment

    The following are our main property assets, as of December 31, 2020:

    Property

    Address

    Square meters
    (approx.)

    Main uses

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Rented

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 25th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina568Administrative activities
    Banco Galicia

    Owned

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 407, Buenos Aires, Argentina18,815Administrative activities
    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, Buenos Aires, Argentina41,547Administrative activities
    Corrientes 6287, Buenos Aires, Argentina34,000Administrative activities
    Ecosistema NaranjaX

    Owned

    Sucre 152, 154 and 541, Córdoba, Argentina6,300Administrative activities
    La Tablada 451, Humberto Primo 450 y 454, Córdoba, Argentina14,080Administrative activities
    Jujuy 542, Córdoba, Argentina853Administrative activities
    Ruta Nacional 36, km. 8, Córdoba, Argentina7,715Storage
    Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina309Administrative and commercial activities
    San Jerónimo 2348 and 2350, Santa Fe, Argentina1,475Administrative and commercial activities

    Rented

    Sucre 145/151, La Rioja 359, 364 and 375, Córdoba, Argentina3,564Administrative activities
    Av. Corrientes 3135, CABA, Argentina1,271Administrative activities
    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 19th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina173Administrative activities
    Galicia Administradora de Fondos

    Rented

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 22nd floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina220Administrative activities
    Galicia Warrants

    Owned

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 456, 6th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina118Administrative activities
    Alsina 3396/3510, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina12,800Storage (Investment Property)
    Galicia Seguros

    Owned

    Maipú 241, Buenos Aires, Argentina215,628Administrative activities
    Inviu

    Rented

    Corrientes 6287, Torre Leiva, 7th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina926Administrative activities
    Galicia Securities

    Rented

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 22nd floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina28Administrative activities

    As of December 31, 2020, our distribution network consisted of:

    Banco Galicia: 326 branches, located throughout Argentina’s 23 provinces, 149 of which were owned and 177 of which were leased by Banco Galicia.

    Naranja: 180 branches and 20 points of sale, located in 21 of the 23 Argentine provinces, 178 of which were leased by Naranja.

    Item 4A.

    Unresolved Staff Comments

    None.

    Item 5.

    Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”-A. “Operating Results”.Prospects

    A. Operating Results

    The following discussion and analysis are intended to help you understand and assess the significant changes and trends in our historical results of operations and the factors affecting our resources. You should read this section in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and their related notes included elsewhere in this annual report.

    A.1 Overview

    In recent years, we have strengthened our position as a leading domestic private-sector financial institution, increasing our market share of loans and deposits and strengthening Banco Galicia’s regulatory capital reserves through the issuance of subordinated bonds and follow-on equity offerings, the sale of CFA and internal profit origination.

    Despite the deterioration of the Argentine economy, reduction in Argentine GDP, high levels of inflation and the devaluation of the Peso, in 2020 we were able to maintain our asset quality and adequately cover credit risks and maintain liquidity and profitability metrics at reasonable levels.

    With the development of the COVID-19 outbreak, which was first alerted by the Chinese government in December 2019, many countries have suspended the business operations of many sectors of their economies, implemented travel restrictions and quarantine measures. Argentina has not been an exception to this rule. The Government implemented a series of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, providing for preventative and mandatory social isolation or distancing, with variations depending on the region of the country. As of the date of this report, commercial activities are gradually reopening, in compliance with the protocols established by the Government. Additionally, in response to the pandemic and the ensuing policies implemented by the Government, regulatory agencies established rules whose objectives were to provide assistance to the economic sectors whose operations were adversely affected by the pandemic and for providing health care for the community in general. In particular, the BCRA established many regulations, among which are the suspension of the ability of banks to charge fees for the use of automatic teller machines , the refinancing of certain credit card debts that were not paid by the credit card holder for a one-year term and relaxed the delinquency days and default terms for the benefit of the borrowers. In addition, with the purpose of increasing the financial resources available in the economy, the BCRA has suspended banks’ ability to distribute dividends until June 30, 2021.

    Accordingly, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia has been continually analyzing the evolution of the pandemic and its effect and taking all measures within its reach to safeguard it business continuity, to protect the health and safety of its employees, customers, and other stakeholders. Among the actions carried out to collaborate and comply with the regulations of the Government and of the BCRA, the following stand out: the subsidiaries of Group Financiero Galicia created interdisciplinary committees responsible for designing and executing various protocols and procedures for the provision of services; work from home policies were implemented, except for those employees who have activities that require their physical presence e.g. cash management logistics and customer service; appointments were required to conduct transactions at branch locations; various lines of credit were made available to clients with certain benefits such as reduction of interest rates, grace periods and the extension of payment terms; subsidies granted by the Government were credited to customer accounts and through the Banelco ATM network; new free-accounts were opened for retirement and subsidy beneficiaries; processes were modified so that they can be done 100% online through websites and / or mobile applications, without having to go to branches; new customer features and options were designed, such as the possibility of withdrawing money from ATMs and self-service terminals without a debit card; donations were made to various health centers, municipalities and families in vulnerable situations; solidarity campaigns were launched to promote customer collaboration and additional contribution from Grupo’s subsidiaries.

    Our business and prospects are subject to risks associated with and arising from the outbreak of COVID-19, and the uncertainty of the impacts, duration, and severity of the outbreak. This global pandemic creates substantial uncertainty as to our ability to achieve our financial projects and how it may affect our business operations.

    On another note but connected to the impact COVID-19 may have on how we operate our business, we have conducted a business impact analysis as part of our Business Continuity Program. The results of this analysis show that critical business functions will remain operative upon the occurrence of a disruptive event. In cases of mass absenteeism events, the analysis conducted identified the minimum quantity of personnel and positions needed to remain operative, the outcome being the leader of the relevant sector responsible for assigning personnel to such critical positions. New employees will be hired, and current employees will be relocated to guarantee that critical functions remain operative, if and where needed.

    Even though up to the date of this report, Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries have suffered a limited impact on their results as a consequence of the pandemic, the impact of a lower level of economic activity and a higher level of unemployment could have a significant impact on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations in the future.

    Taking into account the above, fiscal year 2021 is expected to be a challenging year as a result of the uncertainty related to the impact of COVID-19, the evolution of the sovereign debt restructuring process with the IMF, and the path to the normalization of certain macroeconomic imbalances in a volatile global economy, all of which could negatively impact the Argentine economy and Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations.

    A.2 The Argentine Economy

    The first weeks of 2020 continued to reflect the favorable trend observed in the last months of the previous year, driven mainly by the optimism generated by the progress in the U.S.-China trade negotiations, diverting investors’ focus to other events such as the U.S. presidential elections, which took place at the beginning of November 2020. However, the economic-financial dynamics in the world were completely altered by the outbreak of COVID-19, a virus categorized by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) as a global pandemic. An almost complete shutdown in global activity led to recessions with unprecedented economic and social costs across the world. As a reference, in the United States the unemployment rate peaked at 14.7% in 2020 (it was 6.7% in December 2020) and 21.4 million jobs were lost between March and April 2020 (almost 11.8 million were created by the end of the year), and the GDP fell 31.4% quarter over quarter in the second quarter ( it increased 33.4% in the third quarter and 4.3% in the fourth quarter ending with a year over year decrease of 2.4% in 2020).

    Confronted with this global context, both monetary entities and governments responded with important monetary and fiscal measures to ensure the correct functioning of the markets and to mitigate the negative economic and health effects generated by the virus.

    In the United States, fiscal measures reached a total of approximately US$3.9 trillion (~20% of GDP) in 2020, while the victory of the Democratic party boosted expectancy for further fiscal stimulus in the short-term. Likewise, the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced its interest rate range by 150 bps to 0%-0.25% and increased its balance sheet through various asset-buyback programs aimed at providing liquidity, amounting to 76.8% or US$3.2 trillion to almost US$7.4 trillion in 2020, representing about 37.8% of GDP, which is a level not observed since World War II. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Reserve updated its monetary policy framework, stating among the main changes that the level of rates consistent with full employment and long-term price stability had been reduced compared to its historical average, that higher risks to employment and inflation are expected, and that they will target full employment and an average inflation of 2%, hoping to see levels above such benchmark consistently. In the Eurozone, fiscal measures taken jointly in 2020 by country members reached € 1.4 trillion (around 10.1% of the aggregate GDP), while during 2020 the European Central Bank (ECB) maintained its interest rate range at -0.5% to 0.0% and expanded its balance sheet by 48.7% or € 2.3 trillion to € 7.0 trillion, representing around 16.9% of GDP. In addition, there were significant incremental fiscal measures implemented in Germany, the United Kingdom and France. Finally, in 2020 China announced fiscal measures for RMB 4.8 trillion (~4.7% of GDP), while the country’s Central Bank (PBC) cut its interest rate by 30 bps to 3.85% and introduced financing facilities for RMB 2.6 trillion. On the other hand, there is still significant uncertainty regarding whether the measures introduced so far are enough to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus or if additional efforts will be required from the relevant governmental authorities.

    The number of positive cases of coronavirus reached 83.9 million by the end of 2020, including a mortality rate of 2.9%, mainly focused in the United States (20.5 million), India (10.3 million) and Brazil (7.7 million). Moreover, different stages of the virus propagation and social distancing measures have been seen worldwide. In general, the first wave of propagation was followed by a second wave, and the spread of the virus was accelerating by the end of the year, reducing short and medium-term perspectives for economic recovery. On the other hand, several vaccines were approved for use by various governments in the last months of the year, although it was still unknown when approved vaccines would be available for widespread distribution with the goal of obtaining global herd immunity.

    Following the strike of COVID-19, stock indexes reflected a substantial correction between February and March of 2020, including maximum declines compared to the end of 2019 of 30.7% in the S&P 500 index in the United States ( it was up 16.3% in 2020 as compared to 2019 by the end of 2020), 36.3% in the SX5E in the Eurozone ( it was down 5.1% as compared to 2019 by the end of 2020) and 12.8% in the Shanghai Composite in China ( it was up 21.5% by the end of 2020 as compared to 2019). Among other relevant variables, the VIX volatility index peaked at 82.6 points to close 2020 at 22.75 points, a level still well above the average of approximately 15 points prior to the impact of the Coronavirus. Also, the DXY US dollar index rose to almost 103 points at the peak to decline up to around 90 points. For emerging markets, this meant an outflow of up to US$96.9 billion by the end of September 2020 resulting in a marked depreciation of related currencies against the Dollar, compared to inflows for US$62.2 billion in the last three months of 2020. The problem of the spread of the Coronavirus was compounded by the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Russia over oil. After both countries failed to reach an agreement to limit barrel production, Saudi Arabia decided to increase its production output, causing a price correction in the crude oil price (WTI) of up to 81% to US$11.6 per barrel in March 2020, although its price ended the year at US$48.5, boosted by global economic recovery.

    At the local level, the Argentine economy began 2020 unable to recover dynamism after ending 2019 with its second consecutive annual decline. In 2019, activity had fallen 2.1% (following the 2.6% contraction in 2018), a consequence of high political uncertainty, exchange rate volatility and accelerating inflation. The lack of confidence prevented the country from refinancing its debt maturities, and the new Government had to handle an external debt restructuring process during the first months in office. The outbreak of COVID-19 added to this situation, a pandemic that forced the Government to implement a number of restrictive measures regarding movement by the public and social distancing and isolation policies starting in mid-March, which negatively impacted production and trade. Therefore, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC), the Argentine GDP plunged an annual 9.9% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

    The labor market reflected the historical slump in economic activity, as the latest available data shows that the unemployment rate rose to 11.0% of the economically active population during the fourth quarter of 2020. These figures are compared to an unemployment rate of 8.9% in the same quarter of 2019. Moreover, the activity and employment rates reached 45.0% and 40.1%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2020. In both cases, this is below the 47.2% and 43.0% of the same quarter of the previous year.

    On the monetary front, the main aggregates accelerated their expansion pace during most of 2020, rising several points above inflation (+60.4% year-on-year in October as compared to 2019). Up to November 5, the latest data available at the time of writing this annual report, the monetary base increased by Ps.464,844 million, due mainly to the monetary entity’s provision of financing to the Argentine Treasury. The BCRA issued Ps.407,720 million in “temporary advances” to the Argentine Treasury and Ps.1,2020,000 million as a consequence of transferring all of 2019’s profits to the Argentine Treasury. This amounted to 6.0% of the GDP. The impact of these issuances was neutralized via the placement of repo transactions and LELIQ (Ps.646,072 million, net of interest), combined with the absorption of Argentine pesos resulting from the sale of foreign currency to the private sector (Ps.331,866 million) and to the public sector (Ps.126,391 million).

    Meanwhile, private M2 (comprised of currency held by the public, savings accounts and checking accounts of the private sector) also showed strong dynamism, registering an expansion of 79.3% as of December 30, 2020 with respect to the same period of 2019. Total M2 (which also includes public sector deposits) recorded a similar expansion (+80.9%) in the same period.

    During the first months of the year, domestic interest rates showed a downward trend. The BADLAR rate started at 36.2% in 2020, and by April it was at an average of 20%. However, exchange rate pressures and the growing liquidity in Argentine pesos led the BCRA to set a minimum interest rate level for term deposits of less than Ps.1 million equivalent to 70% of the LELIQ rate (nominal annual rate “TNA” of 26.6%). The minimum rate was later extended to fixed term deposits of up to $4 million, and subsequently to all time deposits. In June, the interest rate floor for all fixed-term deposits was raised to 79% of the LELIQ rate (TNA of 30.02%) and in August, it was raised to 87% (TNA of 33.06%), although this was only for retail deposits. At the beginning of October, the BCRA initiated a rate harmonization process, consisting of an increase in liability repurchase transactions rates (from 19% to 31% in four different segments) and a reduction in the LELIQ rate (from 38% to 36%). The rate floor for fixed-term deposits was also adjusted upwards, bringing fixed-term deposits of less than Ps.1 million currently yielding a minimum of 34% and those of more than Ps.1 million to 32%.

    The reference exchange rate of the BCRA went from Ps.59.90 to Ps.84.15 per dollar, between December 30, 2019 and December 30, 2020 (equivalent to an increase in the exchange rate of 40.5%). The average exchange rate went from Ps.59.88 per dollar in December 2019 to Ps.82.72 per dollar in December 2020.

    The National Consumer Price Index data published by INDEC showed a year-on-year variation of 36.1% in December 2020, 17.7 percentage points below the 53.8% variation of December 2019. This slowdown was partly due to the stabilization of the exchange rate, the implementation of capital controls, and the freezing of rates for public utilities and certain regulated goods and services. Additionally, it may be partially attributed to the statistical effect that the paralysis of activity had on price surveys during the months in which the strictest restrictions on mobility and production prevailed, in some cases, it was not possible to obtain measurements. The increase in the precautionary demand for money and the erosion of the purchasing power (a consequence of the increase in layoffs and salary cuts and of the fall in employment) also helped to contain the evolution of prices.

    On a fiscal level, during 2020, tax resources (grew 23.0% compared to the interannual expansion of 51.4% in 2019. Likewise, primary expenditures expanded 63.5% in 2020, above the 37.2% of the previous year. Thus, the national private sector registered a primary deficit of Ps.1,749,957 million, equivalent to —6.5% of the GDP. This figure indicated an impairment compared to the 2019 primary deficit of Ps.95,122 million (-0.4 p.p. of the GDP). After the payment of interest for Ps.542,873 million, the financial deficit for 2020 amounted to Ps.2,292,830 million, equivalent to -8.5% of GDP.

    In relation to the external sector, in 2020 the foreign exchange current account published by the BCRA (cash base) recorded a surplus of US$322 million, a drop of 94.9% compared to the surplus of US$6,277 million registered in 2019. Measured in relation to GDP, the surplus of the checking account was about 0.1%, showing a drop compared to the surplus of 1.4% of the previous year.

    The impairment observed in nominal terms was the result of lower net income from goods (US$8,492 million in 2020 as compared to US$23,444 million in 2019), an effect offset by a lower outflow of foreign currency via the balance of services (US$1,595 million up to September 2020) and by lower interest payments (US$6,528 million). In particular, income from the collections of goods exports totaled US$50,357 million in 2020, a 12.89% drop compared to the level observed in the previous year. Likewise, the import payments of the exchange balance sheet totaled US$41,865 million, registering an interannual growth of 22.0%

    In this context, the foreign exchange capital and financial account recorded a net currency outflow of US$8,048 million in 2020, compared to a net outflow of US$32,384 million in 2019. Likewise, the International Reserves of the BCRA amounted to US$39,387 million year-end, which is US$5,394 million below the figure of a previous year.

    A.3 The Argentine Financial System

    Total loans provided to the private sector by the financial system climbed to Ps.3,355,603 million in December 2020, reflecting a 29.6% increase over the same month of 2020. Consumer loans, consisting of loans granted through credit cards and personal loans, presented the greatest growth, a 39.2% increase as compared to December 31, 2019, totaling Ps.1,372,301 million as of December 31, 2020. On the other hand, commercial loans, consisting of current account overdrafts and drafts/bills (signature and purchased/discounted loans), finally totaled Ps.1,227,705 million, registering an increase of 25.2% year-on-year (YoY).

    Total deposits in the financial system climbed to Ps.7,977,812 million as of the end of December 2020, up by 67.0% as compared to December 31, 2019. Deposits from the non-financial private sector increased 64.0% annually, climbing to Ps.6,453,993 million, while public sector deposits totaled Ps.1,432,927 million, increase by 89.2% YoY. Within private sector deposits, transaction deposits ended at Ps 3,707,372 million, a 62.5% hike YoY, and time deposits at Ps.2,603,540million, a 68.9% annual growth.

    In December 2020, the average interest rate for 30-35-day term deposits in Argentine pesos from private banks (over Ps.1 million) was 34.2%, registering an interannual drop of 7.5 p.p. Regarding active rates, the one corresponding to advances in current account was 39.7% (-26.7 p.p. YoY).

    With data as of December 2020, financial institutions increased liquidity levels (in relation to total deposits) compared to the same month of the previous year, a ratio that stood at 65.0%, +4.9 p.p. (considering repurchase transactions and instruments of the BCRA).

    In terms of solvency, the equity of the financial system showed an interannual increase of Ps.777,586 million, finally totaling Ps.1,685,318 million, which implies an 85.7% increase. The profitability of the system accumulating 12 months as of December 2020 (Comprehensive Income adjusted by inflation) was equivalent to 2.3% of assets, while the return on Shareholders’ Equity was 15.8%.

    The nonperforming portfolio of loans to the non-financial private sector amounted to 3.9% in December 2020, minor than the 5.7% of the previous year. Hedging with allowances for private sector nonperforming loans was 151%, 53 p.p. higher than the measurement reported in the same month of 2019.

    As for the composition of the financial system, as of November 30, 2020, there were 79 financial institutions: 64 banks, of which 51 were private (35 of domestic capital and 16 foreigners) and 13 were public, and 15 non-banking financial institutions.

    With data as of September 2020, the latest information available, the financial system employed 104,657 people, which represented a 2.1% drop since September 30, 2019.

    A.4 The Argentine Insurance Industry

    According to the information published by the Superintencia de Seguros de la Nación, the insurance industry continued to grow throughout 2020. The total gross premiums in respect of property, life, and retirement insurance for such period was equal to Ps.840,557 million, an increase of 35% as compared to 2019.

    During 2020, the automotive and workers’ compensation insurance sectors were affected by high inflation and an increase in the filing of claims for compensation. Although inflation is not decreasing as expected, financial income is expected to cover any increased costs as a result of the foregoing.

    Home, life and personal accident insurance policies increased by 35% year-over-year. It is expected that this segment will continue to increase as the Argentine economy stabilizes. During this period, Galicia Seguros has maintained positive financial results. As of December 31, 2020, Sudamericana Holding, primarily through its main subsidiary Galicia Seguros reported a net income equal to Ps.1,318 million. This result includes Ps.7,789 million of insurance premiums and surcharges (related to both direct insurance and reinsurance).

    A.5 Inflation

    Historically, inflation in Argentina has played a significant role in influencing, often negatively, the economic conditions and, in turn, the operations and financial results of companies operating in Argentina, such as Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    In fiscal year 2015, due to changes in the authorities at the Institute of Statistics, the Wholesale Price Index and CPI series were discontinued beginning in October 2015. The Wholesale Price Index was republished beginning January 2016. A new CPI series was launched in May 2016 but did not contain historical information.

    The chart below presents a comparison of inflation rates published by INDEC, measured by the Whole Price Index and the CPI, for the fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018.

    In addition, the chart below presents the evolution of the CER and UVA indexes, published by the BCRA and used to adjust the principal of certain of our assets and liabilities for the specified periods.

       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in percentages) 

    Price Indices (1)

          

    WPI

       35.38    58.49    73.50 

    CPI

       36.14    53.83    47.65 

    Adjustment Indices

          

    CER

       25.49    18,70    12,34 

    UVA(2)

       64.32    47,16    31,06 

     

    (1)

    BankingData for December of each year as compared to December of the immediately preceding year.

    (2)

    BancoUnidad de Valor Adquisitivo (Acquisition Value Unit).

    In 2020, the CPI published by INDEC reflected a 36.1% increase, while the CER and UVA indexes went up 25.5% and 64.32% during the same period, respectively.

    In the first two months of 2021, the CPI published by INDEC reflected a 7.8% increase, while the CER and UVA indexes increased by 7.54% and 7.34% respectively, during the same period.

    A.6 Currency Composition of Our Balance Sheet

    The following table sets forth our assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency, in Pesos and adjustable by the CER/UVA, as of the dates indicated.

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (In millions of Pesos) 

    Assets

          

    In Pesos, Unadjusted

       805,797    620,363    731,530 

    In Pesos, Adjusted by the CER/UVA

       32,321    39,809    38,635 

    In Foreign Currency (1)

       217,161    275,182    422,931 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Assets

       1,055,279    935,354    1,193,096 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

          

    In Pesos, Unadjusted, Including Shareholders’ Equity

       831,019    657,516    764,365 

    In Pesos, Adjusted by the CER/UVA

       7,099    2,656    5,800 

    In Foreign Currency (1)

       217,161    275,182    422,931 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

       1,055,279    935,354    1,193,096 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    If adjusted to reflect forward sales and purchases of foreign exchange made by Grupo Financiero Galicia faces significant competition in all of its principal areas of operation from foreign banks operating in Argentina (mainly large retail banks which are subsidiaries or branches of banks with global operations), Argentine national and provincial government-owned banks, private-sector domestic banksrecorded off-balance sheet, assets amounted to Ps.241,110 and cooperative banks, as well as non-bank financial institutions.

    Regarding private-sector customers, Banco Galicia’s main competitors are large foreign banks and certain domestically owned private-sector banks. Banco Galicia also faces competition from government-owned banks.

    Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of private-sector deposits in the Argentine financial system was 9.92%liabilities Ps.241,650 million as of December 31, 2019, as compared to 11.09% as2020.

    Funding of Banco Galicia’s long position in CER/UVA-adjusted assets through Peso-denominated liabilities bearing a market interest rate (and no principal adjustment linked to inflation) exposes Banco Galicia to differential fluctuations in the inflation rate and in market interest rates, with a significant increase in market interest rates vis-à-vis the inflation rate (which is reflected in the CER/UVA variation), which has a negative impact on our gross brokerage margin.

    Two other currencies have been defined apart from the Argentine Peso: assets and liabilities adjusted by CER/UVA and foreign currency. Banco Galicia’s policy in force establishes limits in terms of maximum “net asset positions” (assets denominated in a currency which are higher than the liabilities denominated in such currency) and “net liability positions” (assets denominated in a currency which are lower than the liabilities denominated in such currency) for mismatches in foreign currency, as a proportion of Banco Galicia’s RPC, on a consolidated basis.

    An adequate balance between assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency characterizes the management strategy for this risk factor, seeking to achieve full coverage of long-term asset-liability mismatches and allowing a short-term mismatch management margin that contributes to the possibility of improving certain market situations. Short- and long-term goals are attained by appropriately managing assets and liabilities and by using the financial products available in our market, particularly “dollar futures” both in institutionalized markets (MAE and ROFEX) and in forward transactions performed with customers.

    Transactions in foreign currency futures (specifically, dollar futures) are subject to limits that take into consideration the particular characteristics of each trading environment.

    A.7 Results of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

    We discuss below our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 as compared with our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared with our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    i) Consolidated Income Statement

       For the Year Ended December 31,  Change (%) 
       2020  2019  2018  2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except otherwise noted) 

    Consolidated Income Statement

          

    Net Income from Interest

       76,632   47,417   69,873   62   (32

    Interest Income

       166,807   177,671   163,928   (6  8 

    Interest Expenses

       (90,175  (130,254  (94,055  (31  38 

    Net Fee Income

       36,558   38,233   44,756   (4  (15

    Fee Income

       46,476   47,847   51,094   (3  (6

    Fee Related Expenses

       (9,918  (9,614  (6,338  3   52 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments

       69,332   99,151   36,342   (30  173 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

       (3  299   464   (101  (36

    Exchange Rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

       7,047   11,832   7,910   (40  50 

    Other Operating Income

       22,323   28,770   21,863   (22  32 

    Income from Insurance Business

       5,502   5,001   6,009   10   (17

    Loan and Other Receivables Loss Provisions

       (34,680  (30,228  (34,136  15   (11
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Operating Income

       182,711   200,475   153,081   (9  31 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Personnel expenses

       (31,825  (33,285  (35,658  (4  (7

    Administrative Expenses

       (31,372  (33,105  (33,674  (5  (2

    Depreciations and Impairment of Assets

       (8,284  (6,895  (3,460  20   99 

    Other Operating Expenses

       (30,764  (35,083  (35,391  (12  (1

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

       (36,963  (41,929  (37,831  (12  11 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Operating Income

       43,503   50,178   7,067   (13  610 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Share of Profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

       (125  —     —     —     —   

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

       (17,845  (17,751  (14,477  1   23 

    Loss from Discontinued Operations

       —     —     (544  —     (100

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

       —     —     (66  —     100 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year

       25,533   32,427   (8,020  (21  504 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company’s Owner

       25,192   32,276   (7,258  (22  545 

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       341   151   (762  126   120 

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

       (210  548   (183  (138  399 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)

       25,323   32,975   (8,203  (23  502 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Company’s Owners

       24,982   32,824   (7,442  (24  541 

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       341   151   (761  126   120 
    Ratios (%)           Change (pbs) 

    Return on Assets

       2.39   3.46   (0.61  (107  407 

    Return on Shareholders’ Equity

       13.82   20.81   (5.76  (699  2,657 
                Change (%) 

    Basic Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

       17.46   22.62   (5.09  (23  545 

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.25,533 million, as compared to net income equal to Ps.32,427 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.6,894 million or 21% decrease. This result was mainly due to net income from: (i) banking activities (Banco Galicia) for Ps.20,928 million, (ii) Ecosistema NaranjaX for Ps.2,159 million and (iii) insurance services (Sudamerica Holding) for Ps.1,318 million.

    Net earnings per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to a Ps.17.46 per share, as compared to a Ps.22.62 per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    The return on assets and the return on shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to a 2.39% and 13.82%, respectively, as compared to a 3.46% and 20.81%, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to a lower net operating income, decreasing from Ps.200,475 million to Ps.182,711 million (a 9% decrease as compared to December 31, 2019) and was partially offset by (i) a Ps.4,966 million decrease in the loss on net monetary position, decreasing from Ps.41,929 million in 2019 to Ps.36,963 million in 2020 and (ii) a Ps.1,733 million decrease in administrative expenses, decreasing from Ps.33,105 million in 2019 to Ps.31,372 million in 2020.

    The decrease in net operating income from the year ended December 31, 2020 was mainly attributable to: (i) a Ps.29,819 million decrease in net income from financial instruments, from Ps.99,151 million in 2019 to Ps.69,332 million in 2020, (ii) a Ps.6,447 million decrease in other operating income from Ps.28,770 million in 2019 to Ps.22,323 million in 2020 and (iii) a Ps.4,785 million decrease in exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency from Ps.11,832 million in 2019 to Ps.7,047 million in 2020. Such decrease was partially offset by a Ps.29,215 increase in net income from interest from Ps.47,417 million in 2019 to Ps.76,632 million in 2020.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.32,427 million, as compared to net loss equal to Ps.8,020 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.40,447 million or 504% increase. This result was mainly due to net income (i) from banking activities (Banco Galicia) for Ps.30,336 million, (ii) from Ecosistema NaranjaX for Ps.889 million and (iii) from activities related to insurance services (Sudamerica Holding) for Ps.863 million.

    Net gain per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to a Ps.22.62 per share gain, as compared to a Ps.5.09 per share loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    The return on assets and the return on shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to a 3.46% and 20.81 %, respectively, as compared to a 0.61% loss and 5.76% loss, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    This result was attributable to (i) a growth of net operating income (31% increase compared to previous year) and (ii) a 7% decrease in personnel expenses.

    The increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to a higher net operating income from Ps.153,081 million to Ps.200,475 million (a 31% increase as compared to December 31, 2018) and was partially offset by (i) a Ps.4,098 million increase loss on net monetary position, increasing from Ps.37,831 million in 2018 to Ps.41,929 million in 2019 and (ii) a Ps.3,435 million increase in depreciation and impairment of assets, increasing from Ps.3,460 million in 2018 to Ps.6,895 million in 2019.

    The Ps.47,394 million increase in net operating income was mainly attributable to (i) a Ps.62,809 million increase in net income from financial instruments from Ps.36,342 million in 2018 to Ps.99,151 million in 2019, (ii) a Ps.6,907 million increase in other operating income from Ps.21,863 million in 2018 to Ps.28,770 million in 2019 and (iii) a Ps.3,922 million increase in exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency from Ps.7,910 million in 2018 to Ps.11,832 million in 2019. This increase was offset by (i) a Ps.36,199 million increase in interest expenses from Ps.94,055 million in 2018 to Ps.130,254 million in 2019, and (ii) a Ps.6,523 million decrease in net fee income from Ps.44,756 million in 2018 to Ps.38,233 million in 2019.

    ii) Interest-Earning Assets

    The following table shows our yields on interest-earning assets:

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average Yield
    / Rate
     
       (in millions of Pesos, except rates) 

    Interest-Earning Assets

                

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

                

    Government Securities

       155,630    40.11    166,505    50.98    93,353    30.75 

    Others Debt Securities

       1,385    73.29    1,838    48.31    3,541    22.56 

    Total Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

       157,015    40.41    168,343    50.95    96,894    30.45 

    Repurchase Transactions

       35,871    25.00    18,170    53.46    16,479    9.42 

    Loans and Other Financing

                

    Loans

       491,386    30.23    587,663    27.12    631,995    24.80 

    Financial Leases

       2,324    15.15    3,857    19.73    5,059    24.25 

    Other Loans and Other Financing

       2,265    13.82    3,317    20.20    1,244    47.35 

    Total Loans and Other Financing

       495,975    30.08    594,837    27.03    638,298    24.84 

    Other Interest-Earning Assets

       44,279    30.39    54,603    24.76    43,578    16.26 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

       733,140    32.06    835,953    32.27    795,249    24.74 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Spread and Net Yield

                

    Interest Spread, Nominal Basis (1)

         16.05      12.06      10.21 

    Cost of Funds Supporting Interest-Earning Assets

         12.27      15.43      11.41 

    Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets (2)

         19.80      16.84      13.33 

    (1)

    Reflects the difference between the average nominal interest rate on interest-earning assets and 10.20% as of December 31, 2017.

    With respect to loans extended to the private sector,average nominal interest rate on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest rates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    (2)

    Net interest earned divided by average interest-earning assets. Interest rates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    The average of interest-earning assets decreased Ps.102,813 million, from Ps.835,953 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 to Ps.733,140 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, representing a 12% decrease. Of this decrease, Ps.96,277 million was due to a decrease in the average size of the loan portfolio. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 32.06% in 2020, as compared to 32.27% in 2019, a 21 bps decrease, mainly attributable to a decrease in the average interest rate earned on repurchase transactions (decreasing 2,846 bps as compared to 2019) and government securities ( decreasing 1,087 bps as compared to 2019).

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    The average of interest-earning assets increased Ps.40,704 million, from Ps.795,249 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 to Ps.835,953 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 5% increase. Of this increase, Ps.73,152 million was due to an increase in the average size of the government securities holdings, offset by Ps.44,332 million in the average size of loans. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 32.27% in 2019, as compared to 24.74% in 2018, a 753 bps, that was primarily attributable to an increase in the average interest rate earned on repurchase transactions and an increase in the average interest rate earned Government securities.

    iii) Interest-Bearing Liabilities

    The following table shows our yields on cost of funds:

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
     
       (in millions of Pesos, except rates) 

    Interest-Bearing Liabilities

                

    Deposits

                

    Savings Accounts

       252,515    5.77    264,364    4.24    279,693    2.48 

    Time Deposits

       243,255    26.68    234,214    39.25    228,217    26.31 

    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

       495,770    16.03    498,578    20.69    507,910    13.19 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       19,815    12.64    38,319    13.19    42,944    12.80 

    Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities

       43,921    17.42    88,146    22.54    70,300    25.40 

    Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities

       1,916    15.29    13,315    7.15    3,393    11.97 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

       561,422    16.02    638,358    20.21    624,547    14.53 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    The average interest-bearing liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.561,422 million, as compared to Ps.638,358 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 12% decrease. Such decrease was primarily attributable to (i) a Ps.44,225 million decrease in the average balance of debt securities and subordinated debt securities, which decreased to Ps.43,921 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from Ps.88,146 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, (ii) a Ps.18,504 million decrease in the average balance of financing received from the BCRA and other financial institutions, which decreased to Ps.19,815 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from Ps.38,319 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and (iii) a Ps.2,808 million decrease in total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits), which decreased to Ps.495,770 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from Ps.498,578 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    The average interest-bearing liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.638,358 million, as compared to Ps.624,547 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of 2%. Such increase was primarily attributable to a Ps.17,846 million increase in debt securities, which increased to Ps.88,146 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 from Ps.70,300 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. This increase was offset by a decrease in the average balance of savings accounts deposits, which decreased to Ps.264,364 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 from Ps.279,693 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    iv) Interest Income

    Consolidated interest income was composed of the following:

       For the Year Ended December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Cash and due from banks

       3    11    2    (73  450 

    Corporate debt securities

       312    531    691    (41  (23

    Government debt securities

       9,183    6,405    2,908    43   120 

    On Loans and Other Financing Activities

       148,447    161,010    158,764    (8  1 

    Non-financial Public Sector

       —      —      1    —     (100

    Financial Sector

       3,126    4,300    4,406    (27  (2

    Non-financial Private Sector

       145,321    156,710    154,357    (7  2 

    Advances

       11,887    17,145    20,605    (31  (17

    Mortgage loans

       13,076    17,497    12,463    (25  40 

    Pledge loans

       1,422    956    891    49   7 

    Personal Loans

       16,299    16,636    19,160    (2  (13

    Credit Card Loans

       47,207    64,903    61,486    (27  6 

    Financial Leases

       352    761    1,266    (54  (40

    Others

       55,078    38,812    38,486    42   1 

    On Repurchase Transactions

       8,862    9,714    1,563    (9  521 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Income from Interest

       166,807    177,671    163,928    (6  8 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Interest income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.166,807 million, as compared to Ps.177,671 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 6% decrease. Such decrease was the result of a Ps.12,563 million or 8% decrease in interest from loans and other financing and was partially offset by a Ps.2,778 million increase in interest income from government debt securities measured at amortized cost.

    The average amount of loans granted for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.491,386 million, a 16% decrease as compared to the Ps.587,663 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The average interest rate on total loans was 30.23% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to 27.12% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 311 bps increase year-over-year.

    The decrease in interest earnings from loans and other financing was primarily a consequence of a Ps.17,696 million decrease in credit card loans. This decrease was due to the maximum annual interest rate imposed by the BCRA as a measure to reduce negative economic the consequences of COVID-19. For more information see – Item 4. Information on the Company –A. Business Overview – Argentine Banking Regulations – Limitations on Fees and Other Substantial Elements.

    Additionally, the decrease in interest from loans and other financing was due to a Ps.5,258 million decrease in interest from advances and a Ps.4,421 million decrease in interest from mortgage loans, offset by a Ps.16,266 million increase in others loans (mostly comprised of overdrafts and loans for the pre-financing and financing of exports).

    Interest income from banking activity amounted to Ps.144,685 million, a 4% decrease as compared to the Ps.150,712 million recorded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    According to BCRA information, as of December 31, 2020, Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of loans to the private sector was 13.03% as of December 31, 2020, as compared to 11.50% as of December 31, 2019.

    The following table indicates Banco Galicia market share in the segments listed below:

       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in percentages) 

    Total Loans

       12.95    11.52    10.60 

    Private-Sector Loans

       13.03    11.50    10.51 

    (*)

    Exclusively Banco Galicia within the Argentine market, share was 11.57% as of December 31, 2019, as compared to 10.51% and 9.65% as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, according to the daily information on loans published by the BCRA. balances as of the last day of each year.

    Interest income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.21,990 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a 17% decrease as compared to the Ps.26,500 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    Interest income related to insurance activity amounted to Ps.727 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a 37% decrease as compared to the Ps.1,145 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease was related to interest from debt securities recorded at amortized cost.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Interest income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was Ps.177,671 million, as compared to Ps.163,928 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 8% increase. Such increase was mainly the result of: (i) Ps.8,151 million in interest from repurchase transactions, (ii) Ps.3,497 million in interest from government debt securities measured at amortized cost and (iii) Ps.2,246 million in interest from loans and other financing.

    The average amount of repurchase transactions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.18,170 million, a 10% increase as compared to Ps.16,479 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The average interest rate on repurchase transactions was 53.46%, a 4,404 bps increase as compared to 9.46% as of December 31, 2018.

    The average amount of loans for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.587,663 million, a 7 % increase as compared to the Ps.631,995 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.This decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in overdraft, mortgage and credit card loans extended as part of the portfolio. The average interest rate on total loans was 27.12% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 24.80% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 232 bps increase year-over-year.

    Interest income from banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to Ps.150,712 million, a 25% increase as compared to the Ps.120,773 million recorded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    According to BCRA information, as of December 31, 2019 Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of loans to the private sector was 11.50%, a 99 pbs increase when compared with the 10.51% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Interest income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.26,500 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 16% decrease as compared to the Ps.31,707 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Interest income related to insurance services amounted to Ps.1,145 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 31% increase as compared to the Ps.875 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    v) Interest Expenses

    Consolidated interest expenses were comprised of the following:

       For the Year Ended December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    On Deposits

       79,483    103,158    68,499    (23  51 

    Non-financial Private Sector

       79,483    103,158    68,499    (23  51 

    Checking Accounts

       —      —      —      —     —   

    Savings Accounts

       11    9    11    22   (18

    Time Deposit and Term Investments

       62,824    90,832    59,909    (31  52 

    Others

       16,648    12,317    8,579    35   44 

    On Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       1,744    3,340    4,526    (48  (26

    On Repurchase Transactions

       304    921    463    (67  99 

    On Other Financial Liabilities

       953    1,778    1,629    (46  9 

    On Debt Securities

       6,097    19,389    17,407    (69  11 

    On Subordinated Debt Securities

       1,594    1,668    1,531    (4  9 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Interest Expenses

       90,175    130,254    94,055    (31  38 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Interest expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.90,175 million, as compared to Ps.130,254 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 31% decrease. Such decrease was primarily attributable to a 23% decrease in interest paid on deposits, as consequence of low rate yields.

    Interest expenses from deposits amounted to Ps.79,483 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to Ps.103,158 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.23,675 million decrease. This decrease was primarily due to increased interest expenses related to time deposits and term investments, which was equal to Ps.62,824 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, representing a 31% decrease as compared to Ps.90,832 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Such lower interest paid on time deposits was due to lower rates as compare to the rates of 2019, as consequence the regulated rates product of the monetary regulation.

    The total average interest-bearing deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to Ps.495,770 million, registering a decrease of 1%. Of this decrease, Ps.11,849 million were saving accounts deposits. This decrease was offset by an increase in time deposits for Ps.9,041 million.

    Out of total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the average interest rate of time deposits was 16.03%, as compared to 20.69% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 466 bps decrease.

    Savings accounts deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 accrued interest at an average rate of 5.77%, as compared to an average rate of 4.24% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 153 bps increase. The rate of time deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was 26.68%, as compared to 39.25% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 1,257 bps decrease.

    Interest expenses related to banking activity amounted to Ps.85,854 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to Ps.118,269 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 27% decrease.

    According BCRA information and considering only deposits from the private-sector deposits in checking and savings accounts and time deposits, Banco Galicia’s estimated Argentine deposit market share increased from 10.17% as of December 31, 2019 to 10.28% as of December 31, 2020.

    The following table indicates Banco Galicia´s market share in the segments listed below:

       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in percentages) 

    Total Deposits

       8.42    8.23    8.85 

    Total Deposits in Checking and Savings Accounts and Time Deposits

       10.28    10.17    11.33 

    Private-Sector Deposits

       10.07    9.92    11.09 

    (*)

    Exclusively Banco Galicia within the Argentine Central Bank.


    Accordingmarket, according to the daily information on deposits published by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA. balances as of November 30, 2019, Banco Galicia was the largest private-sector bank as measured by its loan portfolio and second as measured by its net worth and deposits.

    Banco Galicia believes that it has a strong competitive position in retail banking, both with respect to individuals and SMEs. Specifically, Banco Galicia believes it is onelast day of the primary providers of financial services to individuals, the primary private-sector institution serving SMEs, and has traditionally maintained a leading position in the agriculture and livestock sector.

    Argentine Banking System

    As of December 31, 2019, the Argentine financial system consisted of 78 financial institutions, of which 63 were banks and 15 were financial non-bank institutions (i.e., finance companies). Of the 62 banks, 13 were Argentine national and provincial government-owned or related banks. Of the 50 private-sector banks, 34 were private-sector domestically owned banks and 16 were foreign-owned banks (i.e., local branches or subsidiaries of foreign banks).

    As of December 31, 2019, the top 10 banks, in terms of total deposits (excluding Argentine national and provincial government-owned banks), were: Banco Santander Río, Banco Galicia, Banco BBVA Argentina, Banco Macro, HSBC, Credicoop Bank and ICBC. Banco Galicia, Banco Macro and Credicoop are domestically owned banks and the others are foreign-owned banks. According to information published by the Argentine Central Bank as of December 31, 2019, private-sector banks accounted for 57.1% of total deposits and 60.5% of total net loans in the Argentine financial system. As of the same date, financial institutions (other than banks) accounted for approximately 0.3% of deposits and 3.1% of net loans in the Argentine financial system.

    As of December 31, 2019, the largest Argentine national and provincial government-owned or related banks, in terms of total deposits, were Banco Nación, Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires and Banco Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Under the provisions of the Financial Institutions’ Law, public-sector banks have comparable rights and obligations to private banks, except that public-sector banks are usually chosen as depositaries for public-sector revenues and promote regional development and certain public-sector banks have preferential tax treatment. The bylaws of some public-sector banks provide that the governments that own them (both national and provincial governments) must guarantee their commitments. According to information published by the Argentine Central Bank, as of December 31, 2019, government-owned banks and banks in which the national, provincial and municipal governments had an ownership interest accounted for 42.6% of deposits and 36.4% of loans in the Argentine financial system.

    Consolidation has been a dominant theme in the Argentine banking sector since the 1990s, with the total number of financial institutions declining from 214 in 1991 to 78 as of December 31, 2019, with the ten largest banks holding 77.8% of the system’s deposits from the private sector and 75.4% of the system’s loans to the private sector as of December 31, 2019.

    Foreign banks continue to have a significant presence in Argentina, despite the fact that the number of these financial institutions decreased from 39 at the end of 2001 to 16 as of December 2019, and the fact that their share of total deposits has decreased since the 2001-2002 financial crisis while the share of domestic private-sector banks has increased.

    The Argentine banking sector focuses on transactional business and lacks a robust supply of medium and long-term lending. Local financial system deposits and loans are equivalent to 17.1% and 11.3% of the GDP respectively, well below those same ratios for other countries in the region.



    Credit Cards

    In the consumer loan market, Tarjeta Naranja competes with Argentine banks and other financial institutions that target similar economic segments. The main players in this segment include Banco Supervielle, Banco Columbia, Banco Comafi, Banco Credicoop, Banco Macro, Banco MasVentas, Banco Municipal de Rosario, Banco Nación (Nativa card), Banco de Córdoba (Cordobesa card), Cabal card, Tarjeta Shopping card and CFA (Efectivo Si). Historically, certain international banks with a presence in Argentina have attempted to target consumers in these economic segments and have been, to date and for the most part, unsuccessful.

    In order to compete effectively at a national and regional level, Tarjeta Naranja targets low- to middle-income clients by offering personalized services in each region, focusing their commercial efforts mainly on such segments. While other Argentine credit card issuers and consumer loan providers focus on earning interest on outstanding personal loans and credit card balances, Tarjeta Naranja also focus on and has access to additional sources of revenues including merchant fees and commissions, which allows it to offer competitive pricing and financing terms. Furthermore, unlike other credit card issuers in Argentina, approximately 26% of Tarjetas Regionales’ clients pay their credit card bill through their branch network. The broad geographical reach of their distribution network, which is the second largest in Argentina, has allowed Tarjetas Regionales to establish a local presence in all the provinces of Argentina.year.

    Tarjeta Naranja believes that their diversified and consistent funding sources, significant network of branches, robust information technology infrastructure, relationships with 273,000 merchants and the brand recognition they enjoy provide them with a competitive edge to consolidate and expand their market share in their target market segment, making it difficult for new players to effectively compete in this market segment on a national scale.

    Insurance

    Sudamericana’s subsidiaries face significant competition since, as of December 31, 2019, the Argentine insurance industry was comprised of approximately 190 insurance companies, 13 of which were dedicated exclusively to annuities. Subsidiaries of foreign insurance companies and the world’s largest insurance companies with global operations are among these companies.

    During 2019, the insurance industry continue to grow. Production amounted to Ps.534.6 million, 36% higher than the level recorded for the prior year. Out of the total insurance production in 2019, 83% related to property insurance, 15% related to life and personal insurance, and 2% related to retirement insurance.

    Within the 83% corresponding to property insurance, the automotive insurance segment continues to be the most significant segment, representing 45%, followed by the workers’ compensation segment, representing 30%. Within the life insurance segment, the group life insurance segment was the most significant, representing 52%, followed by individual life insurance, representing 23%, and personal accident insurance, representing 17%.

    As of December 31, 2019, based on internal studies undertaken by Galicia Seguros, it is estimated that GaliciaSeguros ranked fourth in terms of net premiums for personal accident insurance underwritten and first in terms of net premiums for home and theft insurance underwritten.

    Sales and Marketing


    Interest expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.5,150 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to Ps.13,232 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 58% decrease. This decrease was primarily a result of a decrease in interest expenses on debt securities issued by Naranja.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Interest expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.130,254 million, as compared to Ps.94,055 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 38% increase. Such increase was primarily attributable to an 51% increase in interest paid on deposits.

    Interest expenses from deposits amounted to Ps.103,158 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to Ps.68,499 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 a Ps.34,659 million increase. This increase was primarily due to increased interest expenses related to time deposits and term investments, which was equal to Ps.90,832 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 52% increase as compared to Ps.59,909 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Average deposits recorded a decrease of 2% as compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, with a decrease of 5% in savings account deposits and a 3% increase in time deposits.

    Out of total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 the average interest rate of time deposits was 20,69%, as compared to 13,19% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 750 bps increase.

    Interest expenses related to banking activity amounted Ps.118,269 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to Ps.79,349 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 49% increase.

    Using BCRA information and considering only deposits from the private-sector deposits in checking and savings accounts and time deposits, Banco Galicia’s estimated Argentine deposit market share decreased from 11.09% as of December 31, 2018 to 9.92% as of December 31, 2019.

    Interest expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.13,232 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to Ps.12,485 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 6% increase. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in interest expenses on debt securities issued by Naranja.

    45


    Service Channels

    Grupo Galicia’s subsidiaries interact with their customers through a variety of marketing channels, which include digital tools and physical branches, tailored to meet specific customer needs.

    vi) Net Fee Income

    Consolidated net fee income consisted of:

     

    As of December 31, 2019

    Branches (number)

    Bank Branches

    326

    Tarjeta Naranja Branches

    202

    Electronic banking terminals (number)

    ATMs

    1,034

    Self-Service Terminals

    1,020

    Digital banking transactions

    Mobile APP

    26,991,340

    Online Banking

    42,347,847

    Office Banking

    14,440,338

    Phone Banking

    73,133

    Digital Channels

    Grupo Galicia undertook the strategic commitment to transform into a comprehensive financial platform, that provides agile and efficient services to make life easier for its customers. Thus, during 2019 Grupo Galicia continued to work to innovate and provide digital channels that were tailored to the different needs of its customers.

    Banco Galicia, Tarjeta Naranja and Galicia Seguros have websites that have been updated and that and allow customers to operate and use the various services and benefits offered by Grupo Galicia. Grupo Galicia offers cutting-edge apps for its customers, and phone assistance, as well as personalized support by WhatsApp and virtual assistants to solve inquiries presented by customers.

    Banco Galicia

    During 2019, Banco Galicia provided solutions and responded to inquiries from more than 1,400,000 customers who communicated with the Bank through digital channels designed for different ages and customer profiles. In 2019, Banco Galicia’s digital channels included the (i) “Éminent Conecta Advisors” for high-income individuals, (ii) “Galicia Rural Conecta” for companies in the agricultural sector, (iii) Galicia App for other individuals and companies, (iv) the online banking platform and (v) customized telephone service provided by WhatsApp, for which it conducts customers' training and awareness so that customers are able to use such phone service in an agile and efficient manner.

    Additionally, Banco Galicia promotes the customers’ self-management in branches so that they can use the digital channels therein. Branches have posters with GALA’s (Banco Galicia's Virtual Assistant) QR code, to assist customers to solve inquiries about passwords or other procedures. Once the client scans the QR code with its phone, it can access GALA’s platform and solve their password problems by themselves.

    During 2019, Banco Galicia continued to expand its business strategy and presence through social media, joining Instagram with different accounts for each of Banco Galicia, Galicia MOVE, Talentos Galicia and Galicia Éminent. Galicia MOVE shows Galicia's digital proposal in a more unstructured way, communicates promotions and provides customer service. Talentos Galicia is an account devoted to generating an internal facing company brand, which seeks to spread the Bank's culture and working methodologies within the organization in order to attract individuals interested in working in the Bank.

    Tarjeta Naranja

    Tarjeta Naranja’s website is the starting point for accessing all of its products and services. Tarjeta Naranja is a company characterized by its strong culture. Through Naranja.com, it is constantly working to be able to position itself and convey the brand identity hand in hand with institutional information, as well as advancing its entire cultural agenda.


    46

    Thus, Naranja redesigned its sales-oriented Naranja.com website agile, dynamic and useful content - by using cutting-edge tools for the financial industry, which, in 2019, contributed to improved performance and management response times. At the closing of the 2019 fiscal year, Naranja Online recorded an average of 4 million visits per month, which represented a 23% increase in visits per month as compared to fiscal year 2018. Tarjeta Naranja also launched the new Naranja APP with enhanced technology, enabling to grow by 221% in the number of active users, as compared to 2018.

    Through its corporate page, Tarjeta Naranja aims to offer its customers accessible web content that can be accessed from their mobile phones, with better loading speed, as well as agile, dynamic and useful content. Users of Naranja.com can now obtain their cards online, in less than 5 minutes.

    In order to fulfill the aforementioned objectives, the following technologies are Tarjeta Naranja allies to provide the best experience:

    In 2019 Tarjeta Naranja redesigned its digital platform to obtain greater performance, availability and solid foundations to be able to scale up to the demand of current and future customers, considering NOL (Naranja Online) an essential part of Tarjeta Naranja’s products and services ecosystem. The new NOL was fully implemented in the Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) cloud, using a micro-services architecture enabling us to access customers'’ information, thus ensuring consistency with all the information accessed coming from the same data source. In terms of customer experience, the new design and the information architecture of NOL are based on the technology of Angular + PWA, front-end systems, which provides a better customer experience, and offers the possibility to adapt the site to the devices through which customers access the platform, enhancing the experience of information use and access.

    .

    Finally, Tarjeta Naranja provides customers with different channels for accessing products and services wherever the customer is located, 24/7. Such digital channels include:

    Naranja X

    In the framework of the strategy and synergies proposed for the companies controlled by Tarjetas Regionales S.A. for the development and evolution of the technology-based ecosystem of products and services, during the first quarter of 2019, the digital wallet called “Naranja Cuenta” or “NCuenta” launched a pilot app in Córdoba, which later was rolled out nationwide, for Android and iOS users. Through an online registration and a validation process, this app enables the use of the mobile phone to pay for services, send or receive money between accounts, pay with a QR code in shops, and recharge the local transport card.

    Subsequently, in order to address the need to contain the digital services ecosystem in one a specialized company, Cobranzas Regionales S.A. became involved in the development and use of this product. In this regard, Tarjeta Naranja entered into license contracts for the use of brands and their respective logos with Cobranzas Regionales  S.A., with the purpose of linking its trademark with new products that incorporate technology and participate in the digital universe.


    47


    Galicia Seguros

    During 2019, Galicia Seguros updated its website in order to allow customers to access to their insurance information from their mobile phones. Additionally, it developed an exclusive service channel for Integral SMEs customers, which includes customized advising, prevention tips, and greater agility. Galicia Seguros digital channels include:

    .

    Finally, during 2019 Galicia Seguros implemented the following measures through digital channels:

    Physical Channels

    Banco Galicia and Tarjeta Naranja have a network of branches throughout Argentina, providing face-to-face services, and bringing services close to customers. Galicia Seguros also promotes personalized attention through Banco Galicia branches.

    With the focus on improving customers’ experience, Banco Galicia has transformed face-to-face services and has migrated to automatic or digital channels, with self-service terminals located in branches with extended hours and providing exclusive money withdrawal channels for customers in a simpler way, withoutusing a debit card. In all branches, 100% of market transactions can be made through automatic banking.

    Tarjeta Naranja designed a new service model in its branches, called Casas del Futuro”. These are spaces that allow Tarjeta Naranja to provide face-to-face services, resolution of problems at the first contact and personalized training on how to use the available digital tools. The strategy of this model is to use cutting-edge technology that is simple and intuitive. In 2019, the Casas del Futuro were opened in strategic locations of the City of Buenos Aires, and the provinces of Buenos Aires and Cordoba.


    48


    Products and Services

    With a strategic vision to become a financial platform, we provide products and services tailored for each customer, individual or company, including personal and mortgage loans, insurance, credit cards, foreign trade operations, business financing, investment, and the Fondos Fima.

    Personal Loans

    During the first semester of 2019, Banco Galicia‘s interest rates were stable, which allowed loans to be placed at levels of, on average, Ps. 1,300 million per month. Beginning in August 2019, the average monthly value of loans granted was affected due to a significant increase in interest rates, falling to Ps.850 million per month, and, in turn, the acquisition of the UVA modality stopped. Subsequently in November, interest rates decreased again and the average monthly value of loans granted was similar to those seen at the beginning of 2018 (period dominated by low interest rates), with the average monthly value of loans granted being Ps.1,450 million per month.

    Banco Galicia created a loan product exclusively designed for salaried customers, aimed at enabling them to better manage their finances. The type of loan is tailored to each person's salary and can be obtained in an immediate manner through Online Banking. Therepayment term for the loan is between 2 to 45 days, with the customer selecting the term, and no commission is charged for prepayments.

    Mortgage Loans

    The Bank’s UVA denominated mortgage-backed loans were directly affected by the economic context of the country.

    In the first months of 2019, prior to the escalation of the value of the U.S. Dollar as compared to the Peso, the monthly average placement of UVA denominated mortgage-backed loans was of Ps.17 million. By August, however, the average placement had fell to an average monthly placement of Ps.11 million. Nonetheless, the biggest impact on the placement values occurred following the enactment of the new foreign exchange restriction in November, which led to a decrease of average monthly placements to Ps.2 million in December.

    During 2019, Ps. 246 million were granted in UVA denominated mortgage-backed loans, of which approximately 80% corresponds to UVA modality, while 20% were provided through Procrear, a subsidizedgovernmental program.

    E-Checks

    Banco Galicia implemented transactions using electronic checks, which resulted in a saving of 1.4 million sheets of paperby customers (48% SMEs). In 2019, Banco Galicia issued 4,800 E-Checks, making the Bank the largest provider of electronic checks in Argentina for such year, with a market share of 75% of electronic checks issued.

    Individual and Corporate Insurance

    Galicia Seguros has a wide range of products that, in turn, provide a large number of different insurance coverages, fully covering the different needs of customers, based on their occupation, age or income level.

    Insurance is sold to customers of Banco Galicia as well as of Tarjeta Naranja, so that Galicia Seguros scope of business includes the entire country and every economic segment. Galicia Seguros offers specific coverage through its broker, so that each customer feels protected and has support in everything it needs.

    In 2019, Galicia Seguros launched Fondo Futuro, a new 100% online retirement insurance product. Fondo Futuro is the first retirement insurance with 100% digital procurement. It is a low-risk medium or long term savings and individual pension system. It works as a retirement supplement, to carry out an individual’s desired retirement plan. The individual insured may partially or totally withdraw the funds, as well as increase, decrease or suspend the contributions made, without generating any debt with Galicia Seguros. The launching of Fondo Futuro made Galicia Seguros the first Argentine  entity to be able to issue a 100% online policy with this type of insurance.


    49

    Along with the launch of Fondo Futuro, Galicia Seguros updated the coverage of Family Protection (life) insurance in order to adapt it to the current needs of customers. If a customer procures both the Fondo Future and the Family Protection insurances, they were entitled to deduct up to Ps.24,000 from the income tax base (Ps.12,000 are deducted for each insurance) for 2019.  This amount increases to Ps.38,000 for year 2020. Finally, Galicia Seguros retained the leadership in the combined family and robbery coverage sector

       For the Year Ended December 31,  Change (%) 
       2020  2019  2018  2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Income From

          

    Determination of Credit CardsLimits

    Customer’s credit limits are determined on the basis of an assessment of each customer’s specific financial situation. Based on such assessment, customers are assigned one of five risk levels: A, B, C, D or E, with A being the lowest risk segment and E being the highest risk segment. In making such assignment, certain factors are considered, including, but not limited to, monthly income, number of family members, geographic location and occupation. The companies of Grupo Financiero Galicia respondcustomer is then assigned a credit limit based on his or her risk level, which is shared among all credit cards associated with such customer, whether as a primary or additional cardholder. The credit limit assigned to each customer includes: (i) the monthly balance limit; (ii) the long-term purchase limit (the maximum amount for a customer to purchase in six or more installments using the credit card); (iii) the total credit limit (the maximum amount that may be owed to the needs of their customers with an outstanding offer of servicesCompany); (iv) the maximum balance limit for cash advances, which is determined based on risk segmentation, monthly income, and benefits of credit and debit cards.

    For six years, Tarjeta Naranja has been the main issuer of credit cards nationwide, and the leading brandinternal indebtedness as well as in the interior of the country. The new technologies implemented by Tarjeta Naranja allow for contactless payment operations, which are faster and safer for customers.

    Banco Galicia responds to its customers' needs with a specialized and feature offering for services and benefits provided through its Galicia credit and debit cards. The Bank also offers Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards, covering all segments. The product range includes International, Gold, Platinum, Black/Signature cards, and they have different consumer financing options and exclusive promotions for all customers.

    In 2019, Banco Galicia implemented the additional debit card, positioning itself as the first bank to launch it in our country. This product allows the account holder to request a physical card for any individual above the age of 14, without having to be a co-account holder but stillfinancial system, not being able to accessexceed the LCPL (long-term purchase limit plan).

    Below is a detail of the percentage limits and nominal caps assigned to each risk segment.

       Monthly Balance Limit   Long-term Purchase Limit   Total Credit Limit 
    Risk Segment  Income%   Floor in
    Ps.
       Top   Income
    %
       Floor in
    Ps.
       Top   Income
    %
       Floor in
    Ps.
       Top 

    A (Lowest)

       100    14,000    75,000    160    5,000    180,000    200    5,000    210,000 

    B

       90    11,000    55,000    150    4,500    12,000    180    4,500    150,000 

    C

       80    9,000    44,000    140    4,000    75,000    170    4,000    95,000 

    D

       70    7,000    31,000    120    3,500    50,000    150    3,500    60,000 

    E (Highest)

       60    6,000    15,000    100    3,000    35,000    120    3,000    40,000 

    Naranja reviews such credit limits on a daily basis and a credit limit may be automatically increased for eligible cardholders meeting certain requirements, including payment history. In addition, Naranja reviews cardholders’ applications for increases in the monthly limit and may, in its sole discretion, increase such limits based on the individual customer’s payment history and total income level.

    Credit cards are extended to clients active in a wide range of business sectors. As such, the Company maintains a diversified portfolio of risk exposure based on economic fluctuations.

    vi) Financial Instruments Classification and Loss Provisions

    General

    The “Expected Credit Loss” (“ECL”) model applies to financial assets which are valued at both amortized cost and fair value through other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The standard establishes three categories to classify financial instruments, primarily taking into account the credit risk evolution over time. Stage 1 includes financial assets with normal or no significant risk associated; Stage 2 includes financial assets for which a significant increase in credit risk has been identified but they are not yet deemed to be credit-impaired and Stage 3 comprises financial assets which are impaired and/or subject to serious risk of impairment. To calculate the provisions for credit impairment risk, IFRS 9 differentiates among these three stages by applying the following concepts:

    12- Month Expected Credit Losses: Possible events of default within the 12 months following the date of the presentation of financial statements. Assets included in Stage 1 have their ECL measured at 12-month ECL.

    Lifetime Expected Credit Losses: ECL during the active period of the financial asset, which results of calculating the probability of impairment of an asset throughout its duration, up until its maturity. Instruments in Stage 2 or 3 have their ECL measured based on lifetime ECL.

    The measurement of ECL in accordance with IFRS 9 should consider forward looking information. To estimate ECL, Grupo Galicia has applied the following definitions and parameters, in accordance with IFRS 9.

    Financial Instruments Classification

    Grupo Galicia classifies its financial instruments into the following groups: (i) retail loans, (ii) retail-like loans, (iii) wholesale loans and (iv) Naranja.

    Each subsidiary of Grupo Galicia classifies financial instruments subject to impairment under IFRS 9 in stages, as follows:

    Stage 1: With respect to retail portfolios, Stage 1 includes every financial instrument up to 31 days past due. With respect to wholesale portfolios, Stage 1 includes every client whose BCRA situation indicates a normal status (rating A) (i.e. low risk of bankruptcy).

    Stage 2: This stage includes financial assets for which a significant increase in credit risk has been identified. This stage considers two groups:

    For retail and retail like Portfolios between 31 and 90 days past due. For wholesale it considers credit ratings for which the risk of default has increased significantly.

    Probability of Default or Score with impairment risk.

    Stage 3: For all portfolios, Stage 3 includes every client whose BCRA situation indicates a serious risk of bankruptcy (ratings C, D, E). With respect to retail portfolios, Stage 3 also includes financial instruments that are 90 or more days past due.

    See the Argentina Central Bank Classification, on —“Argentine Banking Regulation”— “Loan Classification System”.

    Definition of Default

    A financial instrument is considered to be in default whenever payment is more than 90 days past due, or if Grupo Galicia believes that the amount due will not be repaid in full. The credit analysis for wholesale loans is not the same features as for retail loans and Grupo Galicia’s definition of default with respect to wholesale portfolios is based on a credit analysis of the individual borrower. The definition of default is applied consistently to produce models for the Probability of Default, Exposure at Default and Loss Given Default in Grupo Galicia’s expected loss calculations:

    Probability of Default (“PD”): This is the likelihood of a borrower defaulting on its financial obligation, either over the next 12 months or during the remaining term of the obligation.

    Exposure at Default: This is based on the amounts Grupo Galicia expects to be owed at the time of default, either over the next 12 months or over the remaining term. For example, for a revolving commitment, Grupo Galicia includes the current draw down balance plus any further amount that it is expected to be drawn up to the current contractual limit by the time of default, should it occur.

    Loss Given Default: This represents Grupo Galicia’s expectation of the total loss it will incur in respect of an obligation in default and varies according to the counterparty, seniority of the claim and availability of collateral or other credit support. Loss Given Default is expressed as a percentage loss per Peso of exposure at the time of default and is calculated over the term of the relevant obligation or on a 12-month basis.

    A financial instrument is no longer considered to be in default when it does not meet any of the above-mentioned default criteria.

    Methodology for Expected Credit Loss Estimation

    ECL impairment allowances recognized in the financial statements reflect the effect of a variety of possible economic outcomes (as described below) and calculated on a probability-weighted basis. ECL measurement involves the application of judgment and estimates. It is necessary to formulate multiple forward-looking economic forecasts and incorporate them into the ECL estimates. Grupo Galicia uses a standard framework to form economic scenarios to reflect assumptions about future economic conditions, supplemented with the use of management judgment, which may result in using alternative or additional economic scenarios and/or management adjustments.

    IFRS 9 establishes the following standards regarding ECL:

    An unbiased weighted probability index, determined by the evaluation of different outcomes.

    Time value of money.

    Reasonable and sustainable information available at no additional cost or effort that provides evidence to support forecasts, as well as present conditions and past events.

    Grupo Galicia developed a forward-looking methodology to evaluate the impact of different future macroeconomic scenarios on the credit risk of the financial assets. Grupo Galicia prepared three outcomes with varying probabilities in accordance with IFRS: (i) a median scenario with a 70% probability of occurrence, (ii) a downside scenario with a 15% probability of occurrence and (iii) an upside scenario with a 15% probability of occurrence

    In order to account holder has.for time value of money, Grupo Galicia assumes expected losses will take place proportionally over time. The ECL is determined by determining the Probability of Default, Exposure at Default and the Loss Given Default for each future month for each collective segment. These three components are multiplied and adjusted, as applicable, to take into account holder hasany forward-looking information, thus calculating ECL for each month on a forward-looking basis, which is then discounted back to the option reporting date and summed. The discount rate used in the ECL calculation is the original effective interest rate (or an estimate thereof).

    Post-model adjustments

    Since March 2020, the BCRA implemented a series of setting withdrawal and purchase limits. The aim of this product ismeasures to reduce the useeconomic consequences of cashCOVID-19 pandemic, among which are the deferral of payments and increasesuspension of the collection of punitive interest in case of default in payments of loan installments, being the credit cards loans excluded from this benefit.

    Thus, considering the adverse economic context that the country is going through, borrower credit uncertainty and measures issued by the BCRA, the management recognized an additional credit loss allowance to that obtained through the statistical model of ECL on the deferred loan portfolio amounts, which shows the potential impairment due to the macroeconomic context, once the implemented measures are lifted for the BCRA.

    The management measured the additional impact on the allowance from the estimation of the expected credit loss of loan portfolios which have deferred payments, based on new PD estimated depending on actual past due date (without deferrals) and the projected performance of the affected products, modifying the staging classification through a “Lifetime Adjustment”.

    vii) Credit Risk Exposure of Financial Instruments

    The following table sets forth the credit risk exposure of financial education and inclusion.instruments for which an ECL allowance is recognized.

     

       Retail Portfolio 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       115,541    47,518    —     163,059 

    1-30

       1,378    1,165    1,509   4,052 

    31-60

       —      998    49   1,047 

    61-90

       —      561    95   656 

    Default

       —      —      5,557   5,557 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       116,919    50,242    7,210   174,371 

    Loss allowance

       (4,954   (12,628   (5,894  (23,476
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       111,965    37,614    1,316   150,895 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            3.19

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            422.46

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            11.98

    Investments

       Retail like Portfolio 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       104,800    12,160    962   117,922 

    1-30

       969    542    218   1,729 

    31-60

       —      210    6   216 

    61-90

       —      45    16   61 

    Default

       —      —      1,187   1,187 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       105,769    12,957    2,389   121,115 

    Loss allowance

       (559   (2,131   (1,832  (4,522
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       105,210    10,826    557   116,593 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            0.98

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            380.96

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            4.03

       Wholesale Portfolio 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    A

       263,742    12,557    —     276,299 

    B1

       —      1,002    —     1,002 

    Default

       —      —      796   796 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       263,742    13,559    796   278,097 

    Loss allowance

       (1,960   (623   (607  (3,190
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       261,782    12,936    189   274,907 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            0.29

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            400.75

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            1.50

       Naranja 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       85,989    1,004    263   87,256 

    1-30

       3,232    226    56   3,514 

    31-60

       —      853    48   901 

    61-90

       —      373    30   403 

    Default

       —      —      1,975   1,975 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       89,221    2,456    2,372   94,049 

    Loss allowance

       (3,708   (589   (1,848  (6,145
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       85,513    1,867    524   87,904 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            2.10

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            311.14

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            5.02

       Retail Portfolio 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging     
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3     
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime   Total 

    Days past due

            

    0

       106,961    39,205    1,242    147,408 

    1-30

       2,127    2,070    252    4,449 

    31-60

       —      1,718    222    1,940 

    61-90

       —      719    375    1,094 

    Default

       —      —      5,829    5,829 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       109,088    43,712    7,920    160,720 

    Loss allowance

       (5,514   (2,555   (6,230   (14,299
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       103,574    41,157    1,690    146,421 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

            

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

             3.63

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

             245.31

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

             6.06

       Retail like Portfolio 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime  Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       44,985    5,851    677   51,513 

    1-30

       1,779    725    225   2,729 

    31-60

       —      218    87   305 

    61-90

       —      234    202   436 

    Default

       —      —      3,318   3,318 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       46,764    7,028    4,509   58,301 

    Loss allowance

       (480   (199   (3,424  (4,103
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       46,284    6,829    1,085   54,198 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            5.69

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            123.66

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            8.14

       Wholesale Portfolio 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime  Total 

    Days past due

           

    A

       280,598    7,743    —     288,341 

    B1

       —      514    —     514 

    Default

       —      —      6,639   6,639 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       280,598    8,257    6,639   295,494 

    Loss allowance

       (679   (302   (6,116  (7,097
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       279,919    7,955    523   288,397 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            2.25

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            106.90

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            2.64

       Naranja 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime  Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       60,763    724    356   61,843 

    1-30

       3,314    217    122   3,653 

    31-60

       —      1,656    104   1,760 

    61-90

       —      856    63   919 

    Default

       —      —      7,597   7,597 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       64,077    3,453    8,242   75,772 

    Loss allowance

       (2,755   (958   (6,379  (10,092
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       61,322    2,495    1,863   65,680 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            10.03

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            132.84

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            10.49

    Under BCRA rules, we are required to cease the accrual of interest or to establish provisions equal to 100% of the interest earned on all loans pertaining to the non-accrual loan portfolio, meaning, all loans to borrowers in Stage 3.

    The table below shows the interest income that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans on which the accrual of interest was discontinued and the recoveries of interest on loans classified as non-accrual on which the accrual of interest had been discontinued:

     

       December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Interest Income that Would Have Been Recorded on Non-Accrual Loans on which the Accrual of Interest was Discontinued

       2,235    4,036    1,248 

    Recoveries of Interest on Loans Classified as Non-Accrual on which the Accrual of Interest had been Discontinued (1)

       112    202    63 

    (1)

    Recorded under “Other operating income”.

    viii) Loss Experience

    The Bank offers fixed term deposits denominated following tables present the changes in Argentine pesos or U.S. dollars, with the possibility of periodic interest payments,loss allowance between December 31, 2019 and adjustable by UVA with an additional interest rate. It provides preferential ratesDecember 31, 2020 and the changes in digital channels for all different segments,the loss allowance between December 31, 2018 and campaigns are periodically carried out to attract new investors. In 2019, the Bank extended the service hours of its digital channels from 6:00 a. m. to 10:00 p. m.December 31, 2019.

     

       Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3        
       12-month  Lifetime  Lifetime  Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       9,428   4,014   22,149   —      35,591 

    Inflation effect

       (4,039  (3,267  (7,276  —      (14,582

    Movements with P&L Impact

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (667  667   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (267  —     267   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       422   (577  155   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       174   (536  362   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       290   —     (290  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     447   (447  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       4,487   1,097   3,099   —      8,683 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       1,467   1,557   1,273   —      4,297 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       1,340   11,186   3,686   —      16,212 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       1,985   2,357   1,146   —      5,488 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Write-offs and other movements

       (3,439  (974  (13,943  —      (18,356
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Loss allowance as of December 31, 2020

       11,181   15,971   10,181   —      37,333 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Banco Galicia provides tailored product offerings to its customers based on such customers needs

       Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3        
       12-month  Lifetime  Lifetime  Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       9,989   9,461   13,603   —      33,053 

    Inflation effect

       (4,872  (3,846  (8,172  —      (16,890

    Movements with P&L Impact

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (879  879   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (224  —     224   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       1,664   (1,664  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (1,422  1,422   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     120   (120  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       43   —     (43  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       2,323   2,287   10,603   —      15,213 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       1,635   119   5,822   —      7,576 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       (745  261   647   —      163 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       2,043   364   4,300   —      6,707 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Write-offs and other movements

       (1,549  (2,545  (6,137  —      (10,231
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Loss allowance as of December 31, 2019

       9,428   4,014   22,149   —      35,591 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    ix) Deposits

    The following table sets out the composition of our deposits as of December 31, 2020 and profile. Before making an investment, a survey is provided to its customers to better understand their risk aversion and understand the products that best suit their objectives. This survey is annually refreshed. December 31, 2019.

     

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Deposits in pesos

        

    Checking Accounts

       105,028    91,984 

    Savings Accounts

       182,972    80,995 

    Time Deposits

       208,713    157,928 

    Time Deposits UVA

       5,565    1,021 

    Other Deposits (1)

       1,980    2,311 

    Plus: Accrued Interest, Quotation Differences Adjustment

       5,877    6,845 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Deposits in pesos

       510,135    341,084 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deposits in foreign currency

        

    Savings Accounts

       182,972    160,464 

    Time Deposits

       208,713    33,122 

    Other Deposits (1)

       1,980    1,277 

    Plus: Accrued Interest, Quotation Differences Adjustment

       5,877    86 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Deposits in foreign currency

       399,542    194,949 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Deposits

       909,677    536,033 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Additionally, Banco Galicia provides advice on

    (1)

    Includes other deposits originated by Decree No.616/05, reprogrammed deposits under judicial proceedings and other demand deposits.

    As of December 31, 2020, our consolidated deposits increased 26% as compared to December 31 2019, mainly as a face-to-face basis, throughout its entire branch network, through the investmentsresult of a Ps.101,977 million increase in deposits in peso denominated savings accounts and private banking center for customers of each segment. Within the Campus Galicia framework, the Bank has created the “Investments Academy”a Ps.50,785 million increase in deposits in time deposits denominated in pesos. These increases were mainly due to provide training to the Bank’s officials. Likewise, it provides information on each product on the Bank's websites, information that is constantly updated on the websites so that customers can self-manage.

    Foreign Trade

    Through the office banking electronic platform, customers can make payments and manage their collections abroad. Likewise, the Galicia Comex department offers product and service options that are tailored to export and import operations, in addition to keeping customers continuously informed of the developments in this area.

    In 2019, the volume of foreign trade transactions undertakendeposits received by Banco Galicia was equal to US$11,125 million, representing 12.0% of the Argentine foreign trade market share. Of such amount, US$3,043 million was attributable to exports and imports of goods, representing 12.8% of the market share for such transaction. In terms ofGalicia.


    volume, in 2019, based on the above statistics, the Bank ranked third in Argentine for volume of foreign trade transactions. Through office banking, the Bank’s customers have access to special lines of financing: leasing of imported products, financing of imports and exports, guarantees (“avales”) and Stand By.

    In addition, Galicia Seguros offers surety policies for different customer needs related to foreign trade, including: temporary import or export policies, related to claims from differences in law, value or lack of documentation and policies covering damage during land transit.

    Financing Granted to Companies

    Banco Galicia offers short-, mid- and long-term financing to companies, provides transactional services, and undertakes foreign trade operations for their clients. The Bank supports companies covering a broad spectrum of economic activities and sectors, such as industrial, agriculture, services, and marketing. Products and servicesin 2019 included the following:

    • Loans with SGR (mutual guarantee associations): The Bank provided financing to micro and small business across economic sectors by providing loans with SRG warranties. In 2019, Ps. 3,500 million of loans were granted to this sector providing financing for For more than 1,000 companies.

    • Green bond: During 2019, we supported renewable energy projects by financing green bonds worth more than US$44.09 million.

    Promotions and Benefits

    Banco Galicia

    Éminent Benefits

    The Éminent segment, aimed at high-income customers, offers different kinds of benefits to its customers, including discounts and promotions to go to restaurants, sports and arts events, house décor and fashion, among others.

    Quiero! Program

    Banco Galicia’s Quiero! Program continued to offer more than 1,500 options in different categories and 362 brands that allow customers to benefit from discounts and redemptions.

    New Frequent-Flyer Program

    As of 2020, all customers registered with Quiero! can redeem the points accrued in Quiero! and use them to purchase flight tickets through the Smiles miles program. The alliance with Smiles Argentina, enables the Bank to continue strengthening its loyalty program, generating new options and benefits for its customers.

    Tarjeta Naranja

    Financing of Single Purchases

    Tarjetas Naranja offers financing in three and six month fixed installments denominated in Argentine pesos for single purchases made with any Tarjeta Naranja card.

    Advance Funds Transfer

    Any person can send funds to the primary or additional cardholders who can then use such funds from anywhere in Argentina (such amounts appear as a credit to the recipient’s card).


    HBO GO

    On Demand content for Tarjeta Naranja customers, who can subscribe digitally or from Casas Naranja, and enjoy more than 3,000 high-quality movies and series.

    Movieclub

    Tarjeta Naranja customers can enjoy the Village Cinemas Program with significant benefits and discount.

    QUIERO! Launching in Naranja

    On July 2019, Tarjeta Naranja announced it would add Quiero! as its customers’ loyalty program. As of August 31, 2019, over 230,000 customers had started to accrue points in Quiero! to redeem them for products or other benefits.

    Selected Statistical Information

    You should read this information, in conjunction with the other information provided in this annual report, including our audited consolidated financial statements andsee Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” – A.“Operating Results”- “Funding”. We prepared this information from

    The following table provides a breakdown of our financial records in conformity with IFRS.consolidated deposits by contractual term and currency of denomination as of December 31, 2020.

     

       December 31, 2020 
       Within 3
    Months
           After 3
    Months but
    Within 3
    Months
           After 6
    Months but
    Within 12
    Months
           1 year       After 1 but
    Within 5
    years
           Total 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Deposits in pesos

                          

    Savings Accounts

       180,178      —        —        180,178      —        180,178 

    Checking Accounts

       108,279      —        —        108,279      —        108,279 

    Time Deposits

       207,438      873      387      208,698      14      208,712 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits in pesos

       495,895      873      387      497,155      14      497,169 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Deposits in pesos + UVA adjustment

                            

    Savings Accounts

       1,437      —        —        1,437      —        1,437 

    Time Deposits

       5,286      274      78      5,638      14      5,652 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits in pesos + UVA adjustment

       6,723      274      78      7,075      14      7,089 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Deposits in foreign currency

                           —   

    Savings Accounts

       98,580      —        —        98,580      —        98,580 

    Checking Accounts

       36,460      —        —        36,460      —        36,460 

    Time Deposits

       27,128      2,023      1,915      31,066      63      31,129 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits in foreign currency

       162,168      2,023      1,915      166,106      63      166,169 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits

       664,786      3,170      2,380      670,336      91      670,427 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Savings Accounts

       280,195      —        —        280,195      —        280,195 

    Checking Accounts

       144,739      —        —        144,739      —        144,739 

    Time Deposits

       239,852      3,170      2,380      245,402      91      245,493 

    Average Balance Sheet

    (1)

    Only principal. Includes the UVA adjustment.

    The chart above shows that the highest concentration of maturities for time deposits was in the period of up to 89 days, representing 97,7% of total time deposits. As of December 31, 2020, the average term for the raising of non-adjusted Peso-denominated time deposits was 41 days, for UVA-adjusted deposits the average term was 195 days and Incomefor those in foreign currency the term was about 54 days. Foreign currency-denominated deposits, equal to Ps.166,106 million, represented 24,8% of total deposits.

    x) Regulatory Capital

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Grupo Financiero Galicia and some of its subsidiaries are regulated by the Argentine General Corporations Law. Section 186 of the General Corporations Law.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s capital adequacy is not regulated by the BCRA, however Grupo Financiero Galicia is required to comply with the minimum capital requirement established by the General Corporations Law. On October 8, 2012, through Decree No.1331/12, such amount was established as Ps.100,000.

    Banco Galicia

    With respect to regulatory capital, Banco Galicia must comply with the regulations set forth by the BCRA. These regulations are based on the Basel Committee methodology, which provides the minimum capital requirements for financial institutions to cover the different risks inherent to its business activity and assets, such as credit risk, generated both by exposure to the private sector and to the public sector; operational risk (generated by the losses resulting from Interest-Earning Assetsthe non-adjustment or failures of internal processes) and Expenses from Interest-Bearing Liabilitiesmarket risk (generated by positions in securities and in foreign currency).

    Computable capital is divided as follows:

     

    Computable regulatory capital is divided into Basic Shareholders’ Equity (Tier I Capital) and Supplementary Shareholders’ Equity (Tier II Capital). Deductible items generally fall within Basic Shareholders’ Equity.

    Intangible assets and deferred tax asset credit balances should be deducted from the calculation of computable capital.

    Results for a given period are part of Basic Shareholders’ Equity (Income: 100% of audited results, 50% of unaudited results; Losses: 100%).

    Supplementary Shareholders’ Equity includes 100% of the allowance for the portfolio in normal situation (up to the limit of 1.25%) and for subordinated notes, with respect to which, as from each of the last five years of each issuance term, the computable amount shall be reduced by 20% of the face value issued.

    The following percentages apply in determining minimum capital requirements:

    Loans in Pesos to the Non-financial Public Sector: 0%.

    Property, Plant and Equipment and Miscellaneous Assets: 8%.

    Family Mortgage Loans: 35% over 8%, if the amount does not exceed 75% of the asset value.

    Retail Portfolio: 75% over 8%.

    The following table sets forth the capital required in accordance with the BCRA regulations in force for each period indicated below.

       December 31, 
       2020   2019 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Minimum capital required (A)

        

    Allocated to Credit Risk

       42,458    29,149 

    Allocated to Market Risk

       1,419    905 

    Allocated to Operational Risk

       12,192    7,608 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total minimum capital required (A)

       56,069    37,662 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Computable Capital (B)

        

    Tier I

       129,584    61,393 

    Tier II

       27,477    19,392 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total computable capital (B)

       157,061    80,785 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Excess over Required Capital (B)-(A)

       100,992    43,123 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Risk assets

       685,407    459,900 

    Ratios (%)

        

    Equity / Total assets

       15.76    13.07 

    Excess / Minimum capital required

       180.12    114.50 

    Total Capital Ratio(1)

       22.92    17.57 

    Tier I Capital Ratio

       18.91    13.35 

    (1)

    Total computable capital / risk weighted assets credit, market and operational risks.

    As of December 31, 2020, the Bank’s computable capital amounted to Ps.157,061 million, Ps.100,992 million which was 180% higher than the Ps.56,069 million minimum capital requirement. As of December 31, 2019, this excess amounted to Ps.43,123 million which was 115% higher than the minimum capital requirement.

    As of December 31, 2020, the minimum capital requirement increased by Ps.18,407 million as compared to December 31, 2019, mainly because the value of risk weighted assets are now being adjusted to inflation. Computable capital increased by Ps.76,276 million as of December 31, 2020 as compared to December 31, 2019, primarily as consequence of the increase in the results generated during the fiscal year by Banco Galicia and to an increase in the Banco Galicia’s shareholders’ equity, all of these as a result of the inflation adjustment to both values. Banco Galicia’s total capital ratio was 22.92%, increasing 535 bps as of December 31, 2020 as compared to 17.57% as of December 31, 2019.

    Ecosistema NaranjaX

    Since the companies from Ecosistema NaranjaXare not financial institutions, their capital adequacy is not regulated by the BCRA. Tarjetas Regionales and its subsidiaries have to comply with the minimum capital requirement established by the Corporations Law, which was Ps.100,000 for 2020.

    Naranja Digital is a financial institution class “C” and for that condition is regulated by the BCRA and has to comply with the minimum capital requirement establish by the BCRA.

    Minimum Capital Requirements of Insurance Companies

    The insurance companies controlled by Sudamericana must meet the minimum capital requirements set by General Resolution No.39,957 of the National Insurance Superintendency. This resolution requires insurance companies to maintain a minimum capital level equivalent to the highest of the amounts calculated as follows:

    (a)

    By line of insurance: this method establishes a fixed amount by line of insurance.

    For vehicle insurance: Ps.80 million.

    For motorcycle insurance: Ps.48 million.

    Joint operation for vehicles and motorcycles insurance: Ps.96 million

    Civil liability for public transportation vehicles / Labor insurance / retirement insurance: Ps.80 million

    Civil and air navigation liability insurance / warranty and credit default insurances /general damage insurance / personal insurances including life insurance (individual and joint policies, which do not require a technical reserve), burial insurance, personal accident insurance, health insurance: Ps.24 million

    Environmental insurance: Ps.16 million

    Joint operation of Vehicles and motorcycles insurance, Civil and air navigation liability insurances, Warranty and credit default insurance and damage insurance: Ps.120 million

    Burial insurance: Ps.12 million

    Life insurance (Individual and Collective, which requires a technical reserve: Ps.24 million

    (b)

    By premiums and additional fees: to use this method, Sudamericana must calculate the sum of the premiums issued and additional fees earned in the last 12 months. Based on the total, Sudamericana must calculate 16% of such amount. Finally, it must adjust the total by the ratio of net paid claims to gross paid claims for the last 36 months. This ratio must not be lower than minimum capital requirements required for a particular line of insurance as set forth above in (a).

    (c)

    By claims: to use this method, Sudamericana must calculate the sum of gross claims paid during the 36 months prior to the end of the period under analysis. To that amount, it must add the difference between the balance of unpaid claims as of the end of the period under analysis and the balance of unpaid claims as of the 36th month prior to the end of the period under analysis. The resulting figure must be divided by three. Then Sudamericana must calculate 23%. The resulting figure must be adjusted by the ratio of net paid claims to gross paid claims for the last 36 months. This ratio must be at least 50%.

    (d)

    For life insurance companies that offer policies with an investment component, the figures obtained in b) and c) must be increased by an amount equal to 4% of the technical reserves adjusted by the ratio of net technical reserves to gross technical reserves (at least 85%), plus 0.3% of at-risk capital adjusted by the ratio of retained at-risk capital to total at-risk capital (at least 50%).

    The minimum required capital must then be compared to computable capital, defined as shareholders’ equity less non-computable assets. Non-computable assets consist mainly of deferred charges, pending capital contributions, proposed distributions and excess investments in authorized instruments.

    As of December 31, 2020, the computable capital of the companies controlled by Sudamericana exceeded the minimum requirement of Ps.1,067 million by Ps.167 million.

    Sudamericana also owns Galicia Broker, a company dedicated to brokerage in different lines of insurance that is regulated by the guidelines of the Corporations Law, which provided for a minimum capital requirement of Ps.100,000.

    B.5 Government Regulation

    i) General

    All companies operating in Argentina must be registered with the Argentine Public Registry of Commerce. In addition, any company with publicly issued equity or debt securities is subject to the rules and regulation of the CNV. Further, financial entities, such as Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia, are subject to BCRA regulations. As public issuers of securities in Argentina, Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia must comply

    with the disclosure, reporting, governance and other rules applicable to such companies in the markets in which they are listed and those of regulators in the countries in which they are listed, including the Capital Markets Law (as amended by the Productive Financing Law No. 27,440 and including Decree No. 471/2018), Law No.20,643, the Decrees No.659/1974 and No.2220/1980 (as amended by Decree No. 572/1996), and CNV’s General Resolution No.622/2013 (as amended and/or supplemented, the “CNV Rules”).

    In their capacity as public issuers of securities, Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia are subject to the aforementioned rules. Since Grupo Financiero Galicia has publicly listed American Depository Shares (or “ADSs”) in the United States, it is also subject to the reporting requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) for foreign private issuers and to the provisions applicable to foreign private issuers under the Sarbanes Oxley Act. See Item 9. “The Offer and Listing”.

    Banco Galicia’s operating subsidiaries are also subject to the following laws: Law No.27,442 (the Competition Defense Law or, in Spanish “Ley de Defensa de la Competencia”), Decree No. 274/2019 that repeals the Fair Business Practice Law (No. 22,802) and the Consumer Protection Law No. 24,240, as amended (or, in Spanish “Ley de Protección del Consumidor”).

    As a financial service holding company, we do not have a specific institution that regulates our activities. Our banking and insurance subsidiaries are regulated by different regulatory entities. The BCRA is the main regulatory and supervising entity for Banco Galicia.

    The banking industry is highly regulated in Argentina. Banking activities in Argentina are regulated by Law No.21,526, as amended (the “FIL”), which places the supervision and control of the Argentine banking system in the hands of the BCRA. The BCRA regulates all aspects of financial activity. See “Argentine Banking Regulation” below.

    Banco Galicia and our insurance subsidiaries are subject to Law No.25,246 which was passed on April 13, 2000 (as amended, among others, by Laws No.26,087, 26,119, 26,683, 26,734, and 27,446 together to which we refer to as the Anti-Money Laundering Law), which provides for an anti-money laundering framework in Argentina, including Laws No.26,268 and 27,304, which amend Law No.25,246 to include activities associated with terrorism and Law No. 27,401, which provides for the criminal liability of corporate entities upon their direct or indirect execution of prohibited activities. Furthermore, the Anti-Money Laundering Law created the Financial Information Unit (Unidad de Información Financiera), which established an administrative criminal system, compliance monitoring and the ability to impose sanctions.

    Sudamericana’s insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the National Insurance Superintendency and Laws No.17,418, as amended and modified by Law No.20,091. Galicia Broker is regulated by the National Insurance Superintendency, through Law No.22,400, as amended.

    Naranja and the credit card activities of Banco Galicia are regulated by the Credit Card Law No. 25,065, as amended. Both the BCRA and the Secretary of Domestic Trade have issued regulations to, among other things, enforce public disclosure of companies’ pricing (fees, interest rates, and advertising) in order to ensure consumer awareness of such pricing. See “Credit Cards Regulation”.

    On January 6, 2002, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No.25,561 (as amended and supplemented, the “Public Emergency Law” or in Spanish “Ley de Emergencia Pública”), which, together with various decrees and BCRA rules, provided for the principal measures with which to manage the 2001-2002 financial crisis, including Asymmetric Pesification and eliminating the requirement that the BCRA’s reserves in gold, foreign currency and foreign currency denominated debt be at all times equivalent to 100% of the monetary base, among others. The Argentine Government did not extend the term of the Public Emergency Law that was previously extended on an annual basis. However, on December 14, 2016, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,345, which extended the state of emergency on social matters until December 31, 2019. Additionally, on September 30th ,2019, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,519, which extends the state of national nutrition emergency until December 31, 2022, whereby the Government must ensure the nutrition of its population with state funds.

    On December 23, 2019, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No.27,541 (the “Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation Law” or, in Spanish “Ley de Solidaridad Social y Reactivación Productiva”), which declared yet again a public emergency in relation to certain economic, financial, fiscal, and social matters, among others. The goal of this law is to manage Argentina’s public debt and public spending in a sustainable manner. During 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID – 19), many of the provisions of the Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation Law were amended in order to address the economic and social consequences on Argentine citizens of the Country’s strictly enforced quarantines (such as, for example, providing tax benefits to certain sectors especially affected by the COVID – 19 pandemic and the extension of the health emergency, among others).

    On February 12, 2020, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,544 (the “Law on the Restoration of the Sustainability of Public Debt Issued under Foreign Law” or, in Spanish “Ley de Restauración de la Sostenibilidad de la Deuda Pública”), which granted the Argentine Executive Branch broad powers to negotiate and to restructure public debt issued currently held by the Government and governed by laws other than the laws of Argentina.

    ii)Foreign Exchange Market

    In January 2002, through the Public Emergency Law, Argentina declared a public emergency situation in respect of its social, economic, administrative, financial and foreign exchange matters and authorized the Argentine Executive Branch to establish a system to determine the foreign exchange rate between the Argentine Peso and foreign currencies and to issue foreign exchange-related rules and regulations.

    Within this context, on February 8, 2002, through Decree No. 260/2002, as amended by Decree No. 27/2018, the Argentine Executive Branch established (i) a single and free-floating foreign exchange market (a “MULC”, or “Mercado Único y Libre de Cambios”) through which all foreign exchange transactions in a foreign currency must be conducted, and (ii) that foreign exchange transactions in a foreign currency must be conducted at the foreign exchange rate to be freely agreed upon among the contracting parties, subject to the requirements and regulations imposed by the BCRA.

    On June 9, 2005, through Decree No.616/2005, the Argentine Executive Branch mandated that inflows of funds into the MULC arising from foreign debt incurred by residents (subject to certain exceptions) and all inflows of funds of non-residents channeled through the MULC for certain concepts were required to be credited into a local account and maintained for a “Minimum Stay Period”, requiring a mandatory deposit for 30% of the amount of the transaction for a period of 365 calendar days. Such requirements were eliminated by the former administration.

    In February 2017, the former Ministry of Economy and Public Finance issued Resolution No. 1/2017, which reduced the “Minimum Stay Period” described above to zero days. As of July 1, 2017, with the issuance of Communication “A” 6244, the foreign exchange rules and regulations described above were reversed. In the same sense, the Government issued Decree 27/2018 by which it modified the denomination of the “MULC”, or “Mercado Único y Libre de Cambios to “MLC” or “Mercado Libre de Cambios” (the “MLC”)

    On September 1, 2019, the Government issued Decree No. 609/19 (as later amended by Decree No. 91/19 on December 28, 2019), setting forth certain controls and restrictions on the acquisition, sale, and transfer of foreign currency, applicable to both individual persons and legal entities in Argentina. This decree also enabled the BCRA to establish, through regulations, the necessary measures to avoid “practices and operations aimed at avoiding, through public titles or other instruments” the restrictions set forth by the decree. In furtherance of such decree, since its date of implementation the BCRA has adopted a series of measures that regulate the MLC, which are all included in the Amended and Restated Text on Foreign Exchange (the “FX Regulatory Framework”).

    Inflow of Funds:

    Export of goods, provision of services, and sales of non-financial, non-locally produced assets: Funds entering into Argentina from (i) the export of Argentine goods, (ii) the provisions of services to a non-resident by a resident and (iii) payments received from the sale of non-financial, non-locally produced assets are required to enter through the MLC, be converted into Pesos, and be deposited into a local bank account, all within specifically prescribed periods

    Payments received from outstanding loans, payment of amounts earned from term deposits or payments received from the sale of any type of asset that is granted, set up or acquired after May 28, 2020: Furthermore, by means of Communication “A” 7030 (as amended), the BCRA set forth that, in order to grant their clients access to the MLC, financial entities must first request from such clients an affidavit stating, among others, that such client will agree to transfer into Argentina and convert into local currency through the MLC within five business days, any funds received abroad arising from payments received from outstanding loans, payments of amounts earned from term deposits held outside of Argentina or payments received from the sale of any type of asset (e.g. shares, securities, goods, etc.) outside of Argentina in case such loans, deposits or assets were granted, set up or acquired after May 28, 2020.

    Offshore financial indebtedness: Regarding offshore financial debts, the Argentine borrower receiving the foreign funds must convert such funds into Argentine Pesos in order to be able to access the MLC in the future for the payment of principal and interest payments when due on the foreign debt.

    Outflow of Funds:

    General Requirements: By means of Communication “A” 7030 (as amended from time to time) effective as of May 28, 2020, the BCRA introduced additional controls, limitations, and restrictions on foreign exchange operations. In this sense, in addition to the specific requirements that a foreign exchange transaction must meet in order for the payee to access the MLC, this law set forth broad new requirements of general application to most foreign exchange transactions, with some minor exceptions. In particular, in order to grant their clients access to the MLC, Argentine financial entities must first request from their clients an affidavit stating that: (i) all of its foreign currency holdings in Argentina are deposited in local financial entities; (ii) at the beginning of the day on which the affidavit is provided, the client does not have more than US$100,000 as “available foreign liquid assets” unless it is allowed to have more based on certain exceptions; (iii) it agrees that it will transfer into Argentina and convert into local currency in the MLC within 5 business days, any funds received abroad arising from payments received on outstanding loans, amounts earned on term deposits, or amounts received from sales of any type of assets; in each case, if such loans, deposits or assets were granted, constituted or acquired after May 28, 2020; and (iv) it has not sold securities with settlement in foreign currency or transferred them to international depository agencies abroad during the prior 90 calendar days, and will not engage in such activity on the date of the affidavit and within the same period or within 90 days following the date thereof.

    Additionally, through Communication “A” 7200, the BCRA created the “Registry on foreign exchange information of exporters and importers of goods”, in which certain import and export companies that are specifically included in the list published under Communication “C” 89476 must be registered no later than April 30, 2021 as a condition to access the MLC for the outflow of funds as of May 1, 2021.

    Import of Goods. The FX Regulatory Framework establishes the possibility for Argentine residents to access the MLC in order to pay amounts that they owe for the import of goods. Two different scenarios are contemplated. First, in most cases and where the cases are specifically covered in the FX Regulatory Framework, financial entities may grant their clients access to the MLC in order to pay for the import of goods if such goods have already been registered with the customs office and so long as certain requirements set forth in the FX Regulatory Framework are met (cases that are not specifically covered in the FX Regulatory Framework require the BCRA’s prior approval and registration with the customs office is not sufficient). In addition various quantitative and other limitations for the payment of various imports of goods and repayment of the principal of debt incurred in order to pay for certain imports of goods were set under Communication “A” 7030, as amended from time to time (these limitations are set to expire on June 30. 2021 unless such deadline is extended). Second, in respect of payments for imports of goods whose customs registration is pending as well as for payments in advance of receipt of the imported good, payments upon demand against review of the shipping documents and for the cancellation of commercial guarantees for imports of goods granted by local financial entities, access to the MLC can still be achieved so long as certain requirements are met. In addition, entities gaining access to the MLC in this manner must file supporting documentation proving they meet the requirements at the time that they make the payment to

    the foreign supplier of the import. Further, if a payment is made in advance of actual receipt of the imported goods, the payor must file certain custom documents showing the actual import of the good within 90 days of the advance payments being made. Finally, entities may also grant their clients access to the MLC for the payment of interest payments on outstanding debts so long as the transaction is declared in the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”.

    The BCRA’s prior authorization is required for the payment of commercial debts when importing goods into the country or purchasing foreign goods (i.e. at least 3 business day in advance of the necessary authorization). Moreover, certain special regimes that are applicable to special products, or financings of purchase facilities are established (i.e., leasing agreements, companies responsible for the purchase of medicine for patients, local governments for infrastructure works, supplies and goods for certain industries, etc.).

    Offshore Services. Financial entities may grant their clients access to the MLC for the payment of services provided that such provision of services was previously reported, if applicable, in the last presentation of the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”. With certain exceptions, the BCRA’s prior authorization is required to make payments prior to their scheduled due date, or to make payments to offshore related companies. Financial entities may also grant access to the MLC for the making of interest payments on offshore debt as long as the transaction was reported in the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”. Again, the BCRA’s prior authorization is required for early interest payments as described above.

    Dividends and Earnings. No authorization from the BCRA is required to carry out foreign exchange transactions to pay dividends and earnings to “non-residents”, provided that the following requirements are met: (i) the dividends and earnings arise from closed and audited financial statements, (ii) the payment is made in accordance with the relevant corporate documents, (iii) the total amount of transfers for this reason made as of January 17, 2020 and onward, does not exceed 30% of the value of new contributions of foreign direct investment in resident companies, entered and settled through the MLC as of the mentioned date, (iv) access to the MLC for the payment of dividends cannot occur sooner than 30 calendar days following the settlement of the last contribution (v) the payor submits sufficient documentation that evidences the final capitalization of the contributions, and (vi) the payment obligation is reported to the BCRA through the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”.

    Offshore Financial Indebtedness. Regarding offshore financial indebtedness, financial entities may only grant access to the MLC when: (i) the funds disbursed as of September 1, 2019 entered Argentina through the MLC, were converted into argentine pesos, and deposited into a local bank account(s); (ii) the transaction has been reported, if applicable, before the BCRA pursuant to the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”; and (iii) the payment is not made to an affiliated offshore company. Access to the MLC by Argentine residents for the prepayment of debt (principal and interest) more than 3 business days to its maturity date for principal or payment date for interest requires the prior authorization of the BCRA. However, this prior approval will not be required in certain specific cases. In particular, in certain circumstances, an amount of the outstanding principal of indebtedness issued by non-Argentine entities may be prepaid in advance. Specifically, by means of Communication “A” 7106 dated September 15, 2020, the BCRA has established that Argentine residents that have to make debt payments on debt issued by non-Argentine companies (including foreign financial indebtedness granted by non-financial non-related third parties, foreign financial indebtedness that required for the operation of the company, or the issuance of bonds in a foreign country with the public registration of such bonds in Argentina) with payments scheduled to fall between October 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021, must file a refinancing plan with the BCRA whereby (i) only 40% of the principal shall be paid during such timeframe; and (ii) the remaining principal shall be refinanced with new indebtedness with a minimum average duration of two years. This plan must be submitted to the BCRA within certain periods. In line with this requirement, Argentine residents may access the MLC to prepay the noted percentage of principal, subject to meeting certain criteria. The requirement to submit a refinancing plan to access the MLC does not apply to international organizations or related agencies or with official credit agencies or in respect of debt secured by such organizations or agencies and when the amount to pay for the principal of these type of indebtedness does not exceed the equivalent to US$1 million per calendar month.

    Furthermore, by means of Communication “A” 7230, dated February 25, 2020, the BCRA extended the obligation to submit the above described refinancing plan for payments with maturity dates between April 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. Such refinancing plan will not be necessary when the payment does not exceed the equivalent of US$2 million per calendar month, and neither when the maturities represent: (i) indebtedness incurred

    as of January 1, 2020 and the funds received from such incurrence have been transferred and sold in the MLC; (ii) indebtedness incurred as of January 1, 2020 in order to refinance principal amounts falling due after that date; and or (iii) the remaining portion of maturities already refinanced in accordance with the parameters of Comunication “A” 7106.

    Collateral trusts. Collateral trusts established by Argentine resident entities with the purpose of guaranteeing principal and interest payments for their obligations have access to the MLC in order to make such payments, as long as it is verified that the debtor would have also had access to make such payments on its own behalf because of its compliance with the applicable regulations, and that the payment abroad by the collateral trust is the only available option set forth in the transaction documents. Collateral trusts are able to access to the MLC to either transfer or purchase of foreign currency to comply with guarantee deposits of this type of indebtedness, as long as some requirements are met. However, this possibility is provided up to the equivalent payable amount in the relevant contract or the “value to be paid at the next maturity date of services”.

    Investment Instruments. The BCRA‘s prior authorization is required to access the MLC for the making of foreign investments, including the purchase of foreign currency for portfolio investments (“atesoramiento”) and the purchase of securities, (i) by legal entities, and non-Argentine residents (with certain exceptions -such as multilateral agencies, embassies, etc.-), for any amount; (ii) by individual residents, when the monthly sum of US$200 is exceeded; and (iii) for non- resident individual persons (for example, tourists), when the monthly sum of US$100 is exceeded.

    Application of collections from exports of goods and services: By means of Communication “A” 7123, the BCRA ruled that collection in foreign currencies from exports of goods and services may be used for (i) payments of principal and interest on financial indebtedness granted by a non-Argentine entity with an average maturity of no less than one year; and (ii) repatriation of direct investments by non-residents in companies that are not controlled by local financial entities -to the extent that said repatriation occurs after the conclusion and implementation of a direct investment project and at least one year after the transfer and settling of the capital contribution in the FX Market.

    For this purposes, the disbursed funds must have been (a) used to finance certain investment projects in Argentina that generate an increase in the production of goods that will be exported, and/or will enable the substitution of imports of goods; and/or will result in an increase in the transport capacity for the exportation of goods and services through the construction of infrastructure works in ports, airports and land terminals for international transport; and (b) transferred into Argentina and converted into local currency after October 2, 2020.

    Prior BCRA approval will be required for those cases where these requirements are not fulfilled. However it will not be required (either for the payment of offshore financial indebtedness with a foreign counterparty or for the repatriation of direct investment) when the funds received as of October 2, 2020 were transferred and converted into Argentine pesos through the MLC, and the repatriation takes place at least two years after such condition.

    Furthermore, on April 7, 2021, Decree No. 234/2021 created an “Investment Promotion Regime for Exports”. This regime provides companies with the option of submitting an “Export Investment Project” for approval. The project must be for a direct investment in Argentina in a foreign currency, in an amount equal to at least US$100 million and it must be in order to increase the production for the exportation of certain goods. If approved, the company that submitted the “Export Investment Project” for approval is entitled to receive up to 20% of the foreign exchange received from the export of goods that were part of the direct investment project, subject to an annual cap of -25% of the gross amount initially cleared through the FX Market in order to finance the project. In addition, such amounts may be applied once a calendar-year has elapsed since the direct investment was made. Once the company receives the above described amount of foreign current from the export of the noted goods, the company may use such funds - (i) for the payment of principal and interest on commercial liabilities or financial transactions abroad; (ii) for the payment of profits and dividends that correspond to closed and audited balance sheets; and/or (iii) for the repatriation of direct investments by non-residents. In the event that export proceeds are not applied immediately, such funds must be deposited in local financial entities until its application. The BCRA adopted these measures through Communication “A” 7259, dated April 9, 2021.

    iii)BCRA Reporting Regime

    The BCRA’s reporting regime has been updated as described below. Communication “A” 6401 introduced reporting requirements with respect to debt securities and external liabilities for the financial and private non-financial sector and direct investments of companies in such sector under the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”.

    The completion and validation of the information corresponding to the foregoing must be done electronically through the Federal Public Revenue Administration’s website. Such information, must be reported as of the first quarter of 2020, as follows: (i) at the end of any calendar quarter, by all individuals and legal entities who have outstanding offshore financial indebtedness (or if cancelled during that period, when filing the Foreign assets and liability informative regime); and (ii) in an annual presentation, by those individuals or legal entities for whom the balance of external assets and liabilities at the end of each year reaches or exceeds the equivalent of US$50 million.

    iv)Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime

    Exchange operations can only be carried out through the entities authorized for such purposes by the BCRA. As such, any exchangeoperation that does not comply with the provisions of the applicable regulations will be subject to the Law No. 19,359, as regulated by Decree 480/95, and BCRA regulations (“Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime”), pursuant to which the following constitute offenses: (i) any foreign exchange transaction not performed before an authorized institution; (ii) the completion of foreign exchange transactions without the applicable authorization; (iii) any misrepresentation related to foreign exchange transactions; (iv) the failure to make accurate representations or to complete the necessary procedures in cases where the actual transactions are different than those declared; (v) any foreign exchange transaction executed without fulfilling the conditions established by applicable regulations, regarding quantity, foreign currency exchange rate, dates, etc.; and (vi) any other omission or act performed in violation of the Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime.

    Violations to the Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime may be subject to fines of up to ten times the amount of the operation in breach and imprisonment in certain instances.

    B.6 Argentine Banking Regulation

    The following is a summary of certain matters relating to the Argentine banking system, including provisions of Argentine law and regulations applicable to financial entities in Argentina. This summary is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all laws and regulations applicable to financial entities in Argentina.

    i) General

    Since 1977, banking activities in Argentina have been regulated by the Argentine Financial Institutions Law No. 21.526 (the “FIL”), which places the supervision and control of the Argentine banking system in the hands of the autonomous BCRA, the principal monetary and financial authority in Argentina that operates independently from the Argentine government. The BCRA enforces the FIL and grants authorization to banks to operate in Argentina. The FIL confers numerous powers to the BCRA, including the ability to grant and revoke bank licenses, authorize the establishment of branches of Argentine banks outside of Argentina, approve bank mergers, capital increases and certain transfers of stock, set minimum capital, liquidity and solvency requirements and lending limits, grant certain credit facilities to financial entities in cases of temporary liquidity problems and to promulgate other regulations and to enforce the FIL. The BCRA has vested the Superintendency with most of the BCRA’s supervisory powers. Such entity is responsible for enforcing Argentina’s banking laws, establishing accounting and financial reporting requirements for the banking sector, monitoring and regulating the lending practices of financial entities and establishing rules for participation of financial entities in the MLC and the issuance of bonds and other securities, among other functions. In this section, unless otherwise stated, references to the BCRA should be understood to be references to the BCRA acting through the Superintendency. FIL grants the BCRA broad access to the accounting systems, books, correspondence, and other documents belonging to banking institutions. The BCRA regulates the supply of credit and monitors the liquidity, and generally supervises the operation, of the Argentine banking system.

    Current regulations equally regulate Argentine and foreign-owned banks.

    ii) Supervision

    As the regulator of the Argentine financial system, the BCRA requires financial entities to submit information on a daily, monthly, quarterly, semiannual and annual basis. These reports, which include balance sheets and income statements, information relating to reserve funds, use of deposits, portfolio quality (including details on debtors and any established loan loss provisions) and other pertinent information, allow the BCRA to monitor financial entities financial condition and business practices.

    The BCRA periodically carries out formal inspections of all banking institutions in order to monitor compliance by banks with legal and regulatory requirements and confirm the accuracy of the information provided to the BCRA. If BCRA rules are breached, it may impose various sanctions depending on the magnitude of the infringement. These sanctions range from warning calls up to the imposition of fines, or even the revocation of the financial institution’s operating license. Moreover, non-compliance with certain rules may result in the obligatory presentation to the BCRA of specific adequacy or regularization plans. The BCRA must approve these plans in order for the financial institution to remain operational.

    Financial institutions operating in Argentina have been subject to the supervision of the BCRA on a consolidated basis since 1994. Information regarding “Limitations on Types of Business”, “Capital Adequacy Requirements”, “Lending Limits”, and “Loan Classification System and Loan Loss Provisions” related to a bank’s loan portfolio is calculated on a consolidated basis. However, regulations relating to a bank’s deposits are not based on consolidated information, but on such bank’s deposits in Argentina (for example, liquidity requirements and contributions to the deposit insurance system).

    Examination by the BCRA

    The BCRA began to rate financial institutions based on the “CAMEL” quality rating system in 1994. Each letter of the CAMEL system corresponds to an area of the operations of each bank being rated, with: “C” standing for capital, “A” for assets, “M” for management, “E” for earnings, and “L” for liquidity. Each factor is evaluated and rated on a scale from one to five, with one being the highest rating an entity can receive. The BCRA modified the supervision system in September of 2000. The objectives and basic methodology of the new system, referred to as “CAMELBIG,” do not differ substantially from the CAMEL system. The components were redefined in order to evaluate business risks separately from management risks. The components used to rate the business risks are capital, assets, market, earnings, liquidity and business. The components to rate management risks are internal control and the quality of management. By combining the individual factors under evaluation, a combined index can be populated that represents the final rating for the financial institution.

    After temporarily halting such examinations as a result of the 2001-2002 financial and economic crisis, the BCRA resumed the examination process, which remains in effect as of the date of this filing. In Banco Galicia’s case, the first examination after the 2001-2002 financial crisis was on March 2017, and currently there is an ongoing examination as of December 2019.

    Regulatory Capital (Minimum Capital Requirements)

    Financial entities are subject to the capital adequacy rules of the BCRA, consequently Banco Galicia, as a commercial bank, must maintain a minimum capital amount measured as of each month’s closing. BCRA regulations establish that financial institutions legal capital should be equal to the greater value resulting from the comparison between the applicable basic requirement (corresponding to the type of entity) and the sum of those determined by credit and market risk, as well as operational risk.

    The minimum basic capital requirement for a commercial bank located in the City of Buenos Aires, such as Banco Galicia, is a capital reserve of at least Ps.26 million. The minimum capital requirements related to credit risk, which are calculated according to a formula established by the BCRA, are designed to establish the minimum capital necessary to offset the risk that the counterparty does not comply with its obligation in a transaction related to the assets that are being reviewed. The minimum capital requirements related to market risks are designed to offset the

    eventual losses generated by a change of market rates or of credit quality, which would affect the assets and liabilities of the bank. Such market risk includes (among other risks) liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Operational risk includes the possibility of incurring a failure or deficiency in losses as a result of external events or as a result of a failure or deficiency in internal processes, human error or internal systems.

    In order to verify compliance with the minimum capital requirements, the BCRA considers the computable regulatory capital (“RPC”) of a particular entity (i.e., capital that the entities actually have). Pursuant to the BCRA’s regulations, a bank’s RPC is the sum of the minimum core capital (Tier I capital) and supplementary capital (Tier II capital), minus certain deductible concepts. The BCRA considered Basel III requirements in order to regulate the RPC (and listed the assets included in each Tier as well the deductible concepts in accordance with such rules).

    According to the BCRA’s regulations, any financial entity operating with an RPC under the minimum capital requirements must: (i) pay-in the correspondent amount within the following two months from the month in which it fails to comply with the requirement, or (ii) submit to the Superintendency a regularization and reorganization plan within the following 30 calendar days counted as from the last day of the month in which it fails to comply with the requirement. The Superintendency may appoint a supervisor and impose restrictions on distribution of dividends, among other actions, when non-compliance with the RPC requirements occurs or any warning from the Superintendency is received.

    In addition, any financial entity operating under the daily integration of the minimum capital requirement related to market risk (when such failure is caused by the requirements established to guard against interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk or equity price risk), must pay-in the corresponding amount necessary to comply with the requirements and/or reduce its asset position until the applicable requirement is complied with, within a term of ten business days counted from the first failure to comply with the requirements. In case the non-compliance situation remains after such term has elapsed, the entity must submit to the Superintendency a regularization and reorganization plan within the following five days.

    iii) Legal Reserve

    The BCRA and FIL rules requires that every year banks allocate to a legal reserve a percentage of their net profits established by the BCRA, which currently amounts to 20% of their yearly income. Such reserve may only be used during periods in which such financial institution has incurred losses and has exhausted all other reserves. Distribution of dividends will not be allowed if the legal reserve is not met.

    iv) Profit Distribution

    Profit distribution of financial institutions (the concept pursuant to which a payment of dividends is included) must be authorized by the Superintendency. Financial institutions may distribute profits without exceeding the limits set forth in the “Distribution of Profits” rules established by the BCRA. The amount to be distributed must not compromise the entity’s liquidity and solvency. The Superintendency is entitled to intervene to verify the correct application of the procedures and regulations with respect to dividends approved and to be distributed by financial institutions. Nevertheless, as explained above, dividends to be paid in a foreign currency to international investors, may be subject to foreign exchange restrictions.

    The BCRA sets rules for the conditions under which financial institutions can make distributions of profits. BCRA regulations require that 20% of a company’s profits, subject to certain adjustments, be allocated to legal reserves. This requirement applies regardless of the company’s ratio of legal reserves to capital stock.

    In addition to the foregoing, BCRA regulations regarding profit distributions provide that profits can be distributed so long as a company’s results of operations are positive after deducting for required legal reserves, the difference between the carrying amount and the fair market value of public sector assets and/or debt instruments issued by the BCRA not valued at fair market price, and the amounts capitalized for legal proceedings related to deposits and any unrecorded adjustments required by external auditors or the BCRA. Furthermore, companies must also comply with capital adequacy rules, which set forth minimum capital requirements and required regulatory capital.

    Effective as of January 2016, all Argentine financial institutions are also required to maintain capital in an additional capital reserve equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets and 3.5% for financial institutions classified as systemically important, which must be comprised of only Tier I Common Capital, net of deductible items. Profit distributions of financial institutions will not be authorized if failing to meet with the required computable regulatory capital set forth above. In certain cases, that margin may be modified by the BCRA, as established in the “Distribution of Profits” rules.

    Profits, if any, resulting from the first-time application of IFRS may not be distributed. Any such profits will be allocated to a special reserve recorded under equity, which may only be released for capitalization purposes, or to otherwise offset potential losses.

    Despite the above-mentioned existing limitations, in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the BCRA issued on March 19, 2020, Communication “A” 6939, which suspended the ability of Argentine financial institutions to distribute dividends until June 30, 2020, in order to maintain the lending capacity of the financial institutions. This suspension was later extended by Communication “A” 7035 until December 31, 2020, and then by Communication “A” 7181 until June 30, 2021 (with the possibility of future extensions).

    v) Legal Reserve Requirements for Liquidity Purposes

    The deposit amount minus the minimum cash requirement determines the “lending capacity” of a particular deposit.

    The BCRA modifies the applicable minimum cash requirement from time to time depending on monetary policy considerations.

    The then-applicable minimum cash requirement is determined on the basis of the average daily balances of interest-earningthe obligations: (i) recorded at the end of each day, during the period prior to their integration for Argentine Pesos; and (ii) at the end of each day during each calendar month, for foreign currency and securities.

    The averages will be obtained by dividing the sum of the daily balances by the total amount of days of each month. For days in which no movement is recorded, the balance corresponding to the immediately preceding day. Compliance with minimum cash requirements must be made in the same debt currency and/or instrument that corresponds to the requirement (with certain exceptions), and might be completed through (i) checking accounts, denominated in Pesos, opened by financial entities in the BCRA; (ii) “Minimum Cash Accounts”, denominated in Dollars or other foreign currencies, opened by financial entities in the BCRA; (iii) special guarantee accounts in favor of clearing houses and for coverage of credit cards, vouchers and ATM operations and for transfer settlement of immediate funds; (iv) non-bank financial entities checking accounts opened in commercial banks for the requirement of minimum cash integration; (v) special accounts opened in the BCRA linked for the provision of social security benefits administered by National Social Security Administration (“Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social” or ANSES) and (vi) “sub-accounts 60” which are accounts that contain a minimum amount of cash received from investments in public securities and debt instruments issued by the BCRA, at market value.

    According to “Minimum Cash” rule of the BCRA (as modified and complemented), the percentages of minimum cash requirements are as follows:

    Demand deposits:

    Peso-denominated checking accounts and savings accounts: 45%.

    Savings accounts denominated in foreign currency: 25%.

    Fixed term deposits:

    Peso-denominated: (i) up to 29 days, 32%; (ii) 30 to 59 days, 22%; (iii) 60 to 89 days, 4%; (iv) 90 days or more, 0%.

    Foreign currency-denominated: (i) up to 29 days, 23%; (ii) 30 to 59 days, 17%; (iii) 60 to 89 days, 11%; (iv) 90 to 179 days, 5%; (v) 180 to 365 days, 2% and (vi) more than 365 days, 0%.

    Fixed term deposits adjusted by UVA/UVI (by remaining maturity):

    (i) up to 29 days, 7%; (ii) from 30 to 59 days, 5%; (iii) from 60 to 89 days, 3%; (iv) 90 days or more, 0%.

    Please bear in mind that the above-mentioned peso-denominated rates may vary depending on certain circumstances set forth by the BCRA (e.g., locality, term deposits transactions arranged remotely).

    As of December 31, 2020, Banco Galicia was in compliance with its legal reserve requirements and continued to be in compliance as of the date of this annual report.

    vi) Limitations on Types of Business

    In accordance with the provisions of the FIL, commercial banks are authorized to carry out all activities and operations which are not strictly prohibited by law or by the BCRA regulations. Permitted activities include the capacity to: grant and receive loans; receive deposits from the general public in local and foreign currency; secure its customers’ debts; acquire, place and trade with shares and debt securities in the Argentine over-the-counter market (subject to prior approval of the CNV, if applicable); carry out operations in foreign currencies; act as trustee in financial trusts; and issue credit cards.

    In order to calculate the legal reserves requirements for liquidity purposes described above, it is not necessary to deduct the capital stock allocated to foreign branches from a bank’s shareholders’ equity.

    Pursuant to the BCRA’s regulations, financial institutions are not allowed to hold more than a 12.5% interest (or more than a specific percentage of the financial institution’s adjusted shareholders’ equity) in the outstanding capital of a company which does not provide services complementary to those offered by financial institutions, as established in the “Complementary services of financial activities” rules. The BCRA determines which services are complementary to those provided by financial institutions. To date has been determined that such services mainly include those offered in connection with stock brokerage, the issuance of credit, debit or similar cards, financial intermediation in leasing and factoring transactions.

    Non-banking financial institutions are not allowed to provide certain services and activities, such as opening checking accounts, among other activities.

    vii) Capitalization of Debt Instruments

    Communication “A” 6304 (as amended) of the BCRA provides that all regulations related to capital increases must be cash contributions. However, the regulation establishes that subject to the prior authorization of the Superintendency, the following instruments are allowed as capital contributions: (i) securities issued by the Argentine government, (ii) debt instruments issued by the BCRA, and (iii) a financial institution’s deposits and other liabilities resulting from its financial brokerage activities, including subordinated obligations. With respect to instruments (i) and (ii), the contributions must be recorded at their market value. It is understood that an instrument has a market value when it is regularly listed on regulated local or foreign stock markets and traded on such markets in such amounts that the liquidation of such instruments does not significantly affect the listing price of such instruments. With respect to clause (iii) above, contributions must be recorded at their market value, as defined in

    the previous sentence or, in the case of financial institutions that publicly offer their stock, at the price determined by the applicable regulatory authority. If the aforementioned conditions are not met, the instruments in question will not be contributable as capital.

    Deposits and other liabilities resulting from a given financial institution’s financial brokerage activities, including subordinated obligations that are not permitted to be traded in local or foreign regulated secondary markets, will be allowed to be contributed as capital at their accounting value, pursuant to BCRA rules.

    viii) Lending Limits

    According to the “large exposures to credit risk” and “minimum capital for financial institutions” rules, the total amount of all credit risk exposure values of a financial entity to a single counterparty or, where appropriate, a group of related counterparties, may not exceed at any time the limits established for level capital one (Tier 1) by the BCRA.

    In accordance with the BCRA’s regulations, the exposure limit to a counterpart or connected counterpart group of the non-financial private sector will be 15% of the Bank’s level one capital. However, this limit may be increased by 10% for exposures that are secured with preferred guarantees.

    The total amount of financial assistance a bank is authorized to provide to a borrower and its affiliates is also limited based on the borrower’s shareholders’ equity. The total amount of financial assistance granted to a borrower and its affiliates shall not be higher than, in the aggregate, 100% of such borrower’s shareholders’ equity, although such limit may be increased an additional 200% of the borrower’s shareholders’ equity if the sum does not exceed 2.5% of the bank’s adjusted shareholders’ equity.

    Global exposure to the public sector (national, provincial and municipal public sector) shall not be higher than 75% of an institution’s adjusted shareholders’ equity. Additionally, Section 12 of Communication “A” 3911, as amended, establishes that the average monthly financial assistance to non-financial public sector, in the aggregate, shall not be higher than 35% of the bank’s total assets as of the end of the previous month.

    The BCRA also regulates the level of “total financial exposure” a bank has to related parties. A party may be a “related party” by: a) control, when a human or legal person directly or indirectly exercises control over the bank or is controlled directly or indirectly by the bank; or b) personal relationship, regarding individuals (including their families and interest-bearing liabilities,any other entity which they control) who serve as directors, trustees, general managers, or managers with credit attributions.

    The BCRA limits the level of total financial exposure that a bank can have outstanding to related parties, depending on the rating granted to each bank by the Superintendency. Banks rated 4 or 5 are forbidden to extend financial assistance to related parties. For banks ranked between 1 and 3, the financial assistance offered to related parties based on a relationship of control and without a guarantee, may not exceed 5% of the bank’s level one capital. The bank may increase this limit to 10% if the financial assistance is secured.

    Financial assistance to related parties based on a “personal relationship” have a 5% limit of Level 1 capital of the entity providing the financing (the limit is unique for all cases and includes operations with and without guarantees).

    However, a bank may grant additional financial assistance to such related parties up to the following limits:

    a)

    Individual maximum limits for customers over which a bank has control:

    Domestic financial entities:

    Financial institutions rated 1, 2 or 3, subject to consolidation with the lender and its controller or the borrower:

    If the affiliate is a financial institution rated 1, the amount of total financial exposure can reach 100% of a bank’s TIER 1, and 50% for additional financial assistance

    If the receiving affiliate financial institution is rated 2, the amount of total financial exposure can reach 20% and an additional 105% can be included

    If the affiliate is a financial institution rated 3, the amount of total financial exposure can reach 10%, and additional financial assistance can reach 40%

    Financial institutions that do not meet the above conditions with the lender or the borrower: 10%

    Domestic companies with complementary services:

    Domestic companies with complementary services associated with brokerage activities, financial brokerage in leasing and factoring operations, and temporary acquisition of shares in companies to facilitate their development in order to sell such shares afterwards

    Controlling company rated 1: General assistance 100%

    Controlling company rated 2: General assistance 10% / Additional assistance 90%

    Domestic companies with complementary services related to the issuance of credit cards, debit cards or other cards:

    Controlling company rated 1: General assistance 100% / Additional assistance 50%

    Controlling company rated 2: General assistance 20% / Additional assistance 105%

    Controlling company rated 3: General assistance 10% / Additional assistance 40%

    Domestic companies with complementary services, not subject to consolidation with the lender or the borrower: 10%

    Foreign financial entities:

    Investment grade 10%

    No Investment grade: Unsecured 5%; with and without warrants 10%

    Other counterparties related by control

    Unsecured 5%; with and without warrants 10%

    b)

    Individual maximum limits for customers over which there is a personal relationship

    Lender is ranked from 1 to 3: 5% of its TIER 1

    In addition, the aggregate amount of a bank’s total financial exposure to its related parties, except for the ones subject to individual maximum limits higher than 10% (complementary services companies), may not exceed 20% of such bank’s TIER 1.

    Notwithstanding the limitations described above, the sum of computable exposure is also limited in order to prevent risk concentration. To that end, the total exposure independently of whether customers qualify as such bank’s related parties or not, in the case in which such exposure exceeds 10% of such bank’s TIER 1, may not exceed three times the bank’s TIER 1 excluding total financial exposure to domestic financial institutions, or five times the bank’s TIER 1, including such exposure.

    For a second-grade financial institution (i.e., a financial institution that provides financial products to other banks and not to retail customers), the latter limit is ten times such financial institution’s TIER 1.

    Banco Galicia has historically complied with such rules.

    ix) Loan Classification System

    General

    Banco Galicia is required to comply with the BCRA regulations. In 1994, the BCRA introduced the current loan classification system and the corresponding minimum loan-loss provision requirements applicable to loans and other types of credit (together, referred to as “loans”) to private sector borrowers.

    The current loan classification system applies certain criteria to classify loans in a bank’s “consumer” portfolio, and another set of criteria to classify loans in its “commercial” portfolio. The classification system is independent of the currency in which the loan is denominated.

    The loan classification criteria applied to loans in the consumer portfolio is based on objective guidelines related to the borrower’s credit score, legal status, and other information provided by credit rating agencies. However, if a borrower has defaulted in the past or is non-current on obligations, a lower rating is assigned by the Bank. In the event of any discrepancy, the guidelines indicating the higher risk level should be considered.

    For the purposes of the BCRA’s regulations, consumer loans are defined as mortgage loans, pledge loans, credit card loans and other types of loans in installments granted to individuals. All other loans are considered commercial loans. In addition, in accordance with an option set forth in these regulations, Banco Galicia prospectively applies the consumer portfolio classification criteria to commercial loans of up to Ps.72,64 million. This classification is based on the level of fulfillment and the situation thereof.

    The main classification criterion for loans in the commercial portfolio is each borrower’s ability to pay, mainly in terms of such borrower’s future cash flows. If a customer has both commercial and consumer loans, all of these loans will be considered as a whole to determine eligibility for classification in the corresponding portfolio. Loans backed with preferred guarantees will be considered at 50% of their face value.

    By applying the BCRA’s classification to commercial loans, banks must assess the following factors: the current and projected financial situation of the borrower, the customer’s exposure to currency risk, the customer’s managerial and operating background, the borrower’s ability to provide accurate and timely financial information, as well as the overall risk of the sector in which the borrower operates and the borrower’s relative position within that sector.

    The BCRA’s regulations also establish that a team independent from the departments responsible for credit origination must carry out a periodic review of the commercial portfolio. Banco Galicia’s Credit Division, which is independent from the business units that generate transactions, is responsible for these reviews.

    The review must be carried out on each borrower with debt pending payment equal to the lesser of the following amounts: Ps.72,64 million or 1% of the bank’s computable capital (the “RPC”). The frequency of the review of each borrower depends on the bank’s exposure to that borrower. The BCRA requires that the larger the exposure is, the more frequent the review should be. This review must be conducted every calendar quarter when credit exposure to that borrower is equal to or in excess of 5% of the bank’s RPC, or every six months when exposure equals or exceeds the lesser of the following amounts: Ps.72.64 million or 1% of the bank’s RPC. In all cases, at least 50% of Banco Galicia’s commercial portfolio must be reviewed once every six months; and all other borrowers in Banco Galicia’s commercial portfolio must be reviewed during the fiscal year, so that the entire commercial portfolio is reviewed every fiscal year.

    In addition, only one level of discrepancy is permitted between the classification assigned by a bank and the lowest classification assigned by at least two other banks whose combined credit to the borrower represents 40%

    or more of the total credit of the borrower, considering all banks. If Banco Galicia’s classification was different by more than one level from the lowest classification granted, Banco Galicia must immediately downgrade its classification of the debtor to the same classification level, or else within one classification level.

    Loan Classification

    The following tables contain the six loan classification categories corresponding to the different risk levels set forth by the BCRA. Banco Galicia’s total exposure to a private sector customer must be classified according to the riskier classification corresponding to any part of such exposure.

    Commercial Portfolio

    Loan Classification

    Description

    A. Normal Situation

    The debtor is widely able to meet its financial obligations, demonstrating significant cash flows, a liquid financial situation, an adequate financial structure, a timely payment record, competent management, available information in a timely, accurate manner and satisfactory internal controls.

    The debtor belongs to a sector of economic activity that records an acceptable future trend with good prospects and the debtor is competitive within such economic activity.

    B. With Special Follow-upCash flow analysis reflects that the debt may be repaid even though it is possible that the customer’s future payment ability may deteriorate without a proper follow-up.
    This category is divided into two subcategories:
    B1. Under Observation;
    B2. Under Negotiation or Refinancing Agreements.
    C. With ProblemsCash flow analysis evidences problems to repay the debt, and therefore, if these problems are not solved, there may be some losses. It also includes customers that maintain payment agreements resulting from judicial or extrajudicial agreements approved by the relevant insolvency court.
    D. High Risk of InsolvencyCash flow analysis evidences that repayment of the full debt is highly unlikely. It also includes customers who have been sued by the creditor financial institution for the payment of amounts due or that have requested the preventive tender or concluded, and extrajudicial preventive agreement not yet approved by the relevant insolvency court.
    E. UncollectibleThe amounts in this category are deemed total losses. Even though these assets may be recovered under certain future circumstances, inability to make payments is evident at the date of the analysis. It includes loans to insolvent or bankrupt borrowers.
    Additionally, this category includes loans to borrowers indicated by the BCRA to be in non-accrual status with financial institutions that have been liquidated or are being liquidated, or whose authorization to operate has been revoked. It also includes loans to foreign banks and other institutions that are not:

    (i) classified as “normal”;

    (ii)  subject to the supervision of the BCRA or other similar authority of the country of origin;

    (iii)  classified as “investment grade” by any of the rating agencies admitted pursuant to Communication “A” 2729 of the BCRA.

    Consumer Portfolio

    Loan Classification

    Description

    A. Normal Situation

    Loans with timely repayment or arrears not exceeding 31 days, both of principal and interest.

    A customer classified in “Normal” situation that has been refinanced more than twice in the last twelve months in this category, must be re-classified in “Low-Risk”.

    B. Low RiskOccasional late payments, with a payment in arrears of more than 32 days and up to 90 days. A customer classified as “Low Risk” having been refinanced may be recategorized to “Normal”, as long as he amortizes one principal installment (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 5% of principal.
    C. Medium RiskSome inability to make payments, with arrears of more than 91 days and up to 180 days. A customer classified as “Medium Risk” having been refinanced may be recategorized to “Low Risk” within this category, as long as he amortizes two principal installments (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 5% of principal.
    D. High RiskJudicial proceedings demanding payment have been initiated or arrears of more than 180 days and up to one year. A customer classified as “High Risk” having been refinanced may be recategorized to “Medium Risk” within this category, as long as he amortizes three principal installments (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 10% of principal.
    E. Uncollectible

    Loans to insolvent or bankrupt borrowers, or subject to judicial proceedings, with little or no possibility of collection, or with arrears in excess of one year. A customer classified as “Uncollectible” having been refinanced in this category, may be recategorized to “High Risk”, as long as he amortizes three principal installments (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 15% of the principal.

    Additionally, this category includes loans to borrowers indicated by the BCRA to be in non-accrual status with financial institutions that have been liquidated or are being liquidated, or whose authorization to operate has been revoked.

    On March 2020, the BCRA issued Communication “A” 6938, which provided for the addition of 60 days to the terms of arrears allowed for levels A, B and C for both the Commercial and Consumer Portfolio. These provisions were extended by complementary Communications until March 31, 2021.

    x) Limitation on Fees and Other Substantial Elements

    The BCRA has issued regulations limiting amounts that entities can charge as credit card fees, as well as fees that can be charged for financial services rendered by financial entities, credit card issuers (and other similar entities). Such regulations provide that such fees must be duly justified from a technical and economic point of view and must be in relation to the total financial costs incurred by any such financial institution. Further, such Laws provide that applicable interest rates must be set forth.

    In addition, such regulations provide that in order to modify fees and other conditions established in agreements executed by and between financial entities and consumers, the following requirements must be met (i) reasons for fees increases must be established in the agreements and must be duly justified; (ii) modifications cannot change the core or fundamental provisions of the agreement; (iii) the consumer must be duly informed of any such changes; and (iv) for the imposition of new fees, the consumer’s consent must be obtained.

    In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, the BCRA issued Communication “A” 6945, as amended (the most recent amendment was under Communication “A” 7181), which suspended the ability of banks to charge fees for the use of automatic teller machines (“ATMs”) until March 31, 2021. Also, as part of the protective measures taken, the BCRA has imposed an injunction on the payment of loans granted to the private sector, as per

    Communications “A” 6949 and “A” 6964, among other regulations, as amended from time to time. The BCRA has also mandated that (i) any payments due between April and March 2021 for loans previously granted by financial entities are deferred until the month following the loan’s maturity date; and (ii) credit card debts due between March 20 and April 30 of 2020 and not paid by the credit card holder will be automatically refinanced for at least a one-year term, pursuant to the following terms and conditions: (a) a 3-month grace period must be given to the debtor; (ii) the amount owed must be repaid in 9 equal and consecutive installments, and (iii) the maximum annual interest rate the creditor may charge is receivableof 43%. The same condition applies to credit card debt due between September 1, and payable,September 30, 2020, but with a maximum annual interest rate of 40%.

    xi) Foreign Currency General Position

    Pursuant to the FX Regulatory Framework, financial entities may determine their own Foreign Currency General Position, with certain limitations.

    xii) Deposit Insurance System

    In 1995, Law No.24,485 and Decree No.540/95, as amended, created a mandatory deposit insurance system for bank deposits and delegated to the BCRA the organization and start-up of the deposit insurance system. The deposit insurance system was implemented through the creation of a fund named Fondo de Garantía de los Depósitos (“FGD”), which is administered by Seguros de Depósitos S.A. (“Sedesa”). The shareholders of Sedesa are calculatedthe Argentine government, through the BCRA, which holds at least one share, and a trust constituted by the financial institutions which participate in the fund. The BCRA establishes the extent of participation by each institution in proportion to the resources contributed by each such institution to the FGD. Banks must contribute to the FGD on a monthly basis in an amount that is currently equal to 0.015% of the monthly average of daily balances of such institution’s deposits (both Peso- and foreign currency-denominated).

    In addition, when the contributions to the FGD reach the greater of Ps.2 billion or 5.0% of total deposits, the Central Bank may suspend or reduce the monthly contributions and reinstate the same when contributions fall below such required level.

    The deposit insurance system covers all Peso and foreign currency deposits held in demand deposit accounts, savings accounts and time deposits for an amount up to Ps.1,500,000 per person, account and deposit. Certain deposits are not covered by the guarantee of the deposit insurance system, such as deposits received at rates higher than the reference rate in accordance with the limits established by the BCRA, deposits acquired by endorsement, and those made by persons related to the financial institution (as defined by BCRA regulations).

    The guarantee provided by the deposit insurance system must be made effective within 30 days from the revocation of the license of a financial institution, subject to the outcome of the exercise by depositors of their priority rights described under “—Priority Rights of Depositors” below. The BCRA may modify, at any time, and with general scope, the amount of the mandatory deposit guarantee insurance.

    Decree No.1292/96 enhanced Sedesa’s functions by allowing it to provide equity capital or make loans to Argentine financial institutions experiencing difficulties and to institutions that buy such financial institutions or their deposits. As a result of such decree, Sedesa has the flexibility to intervene in the restructuring of a financial institution experiencing difficulties prior to bankruptcy.

    Debt securities issued by banks are not covered by the deposit insurance system.

    xiii) Priority Rights of Depositors

    According to section 49(e) of the FIL, in the event of a judicial liquidation or the bankruptcy of a financial entity, the holders of deposits in Pesos and foreign currency benefit from a general priority right to obtain repayment of their deposits up to the amount set forth below, with priority over all other creditors, with the exception of the following: (i) deposits secured by a mortgage or pledge, (ii) rediscounts and overdrafts provided to financial entities by the BCRA, according to section 17 subsections (b), (c) and (f) of the BCRA Charter, (iii) credits provided by the Banking Liquidity Fund, which was created by Decree No.32, dated December 26, 2001, secured by a mortgage and pledge and (iv) certain labor credits, including accrued interest until the date of their total repayment.

    The holders of the following deposits are entitled to the general preferential right established by the FIL (following this order of preference):

    deposits of individuals or entities up to Ps.50,000, or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency, with only one person per deposit being able to use this preference. For the determination of this preference, all deposits of the same person registered by the entity are computed;

    deposits in excess of Ps.50,000, or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency, referred to above;

    liabilities originated on commercial credit lines provided to the financial entity, which are directly related to international trade.

    According to the FIL, the preferences set forth in previous paragraphs (i) and (ii) above are not applicable to deposits held by persons who are affiliates of the financial entity, either directly or indirectly as determined by the BCRA.

    In addition, pursuant to Section 53 of the FIL, the BCRA has an absolute priority over all other creditors of the entity, except as provided by the FIL.

    xiv) Deposit and Loans in Housing Units

    In order to facilitate access to mortgage loans, through Communication “A” 5945, dated as of April 8, 2016, and complementary regulations, the BCRA established a new type of loan denominated in Acquisition Value Units (Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo or “UVAs”). The value of such units will be updated using the Reference Stabilization Coefficient. The initial value of the UVA was Ps.47.16, and as of December 31, 2020, it was Ps.64.32.

    xv) Financing Loans for Economic Development

    The BCRA enacted several communications, by means of which it implemented several policies to promote economic development and productivity in Argentina. As from March 1, 2020, the required minimum cash to be held by financial institutions was reduced in an amount equivalent to 30% of the sum of outstanding financing granted in local currency to small and medium companies (PyME), provided such financing is granted at a maximum annual interest rate of (i) 40% until February 16, 2020, and (ii) 35% February 17, 2020 onwards.

    The required minimum cash to be held by financial institutions might also be reduced in the following cases:

    an amount equivalent to 35 % of the sum of credit card financings granted in local currency under the program “Ahora 12” (a government program that allows users to make payments in 12 monthly installments) until September 30, 2019, and an amount equivalent to 50% for financings granted under such program on and after October 1, 2020. (Communication “A” 6916, as amended from time to time);

    an amount equivalent to 40% of the amount of a financing provided that is denominated in Argentine pesos and granted with an annual nominal interest rate of up to 24% for: (i) small and medium companies, where at least 50% of such amount is used for working capital lines; (ii) providers of human health services within the framework of the declared health emergency in Argentina, provided that the funds are destined to the purchase of medical supplies and equipment; and (iii) non-small and medium companies, to the extent that the funds are destined to the purchase of machinery and equipment produced by local medium and small companies. This amount may include financing granted to other financial institutions and non-financial credit providers where within 3 business days from the date on which they receive the assistance, those entities allocate the funds to grant financing to small and mediums companies, among other requirements (Communication “A” 6937, as amended from time to time);

    an amount that is the equivalent of: (i) 60% of the sum of the “Creditos a tasa cero” (i.e. zero rates loan) , “Créditos a tasa subsidiada para empresas” (i.e. subsidized rate loans for companies) and “Créditos a tasa cero cultura” (i.e. zero rate culture loans) agreed under Decree No. 332/2020 (as amended from time to time) and disbursed until November 5, 2020; (ii) 24% of the “Créditos a tasa subsidiada para empresas” disbursed as from November 6, 2020 at an annual nominal rate of 27%; and (iii) 7% of the “Créditos a tasa subsidiada para empresas” disbursed as from November 6, 2020 at an annual nominal rate of 33%. (Communication “A” 6993, as amended from time to time);

    an amount equivalent to 40% of a financing provided that is denominated in Argentine pesos to small and medium companies and that are granted at an annual nominal interest rate of up to 24%, measured as a monthly average of daily balances of the previous month, provided that such companies are not reported in the “Central of debtors of the financial system” of the BCRA (Communication “A” 7006, as amended from time to time);

    an amount equivalent to 14 % of a financing foreseen under section 4.1. of Communication “A” 7161 for the “Financing line for productive investment of small and medium companies” that are provided at an annual nominal interest rate of up to 30 %, and that are measured on a monthly average of daily balances of the previous month (Communication “A” 7161). In this regard, by means of Communication “A” 7240, the BCRA established the extension of the term of such Financing line for productive investment of small and medium companies’ program.

    xvi) Financial Institutions with Economic Difficulties

    The FIL establishes that financial institutions, including commercial banks such as Banco Galicia, which do not meet certain minimum cash reserve requirements , have not complied with certain required technical standards, including minimum capital requirements, or whose solvency or liquidity is deemed to be impaired by the BCRA, must submit a restructuring plan to the BCRA. Such restructuring plan must be presented to the BCRA on the date specified by the BCRA, which should not be later than 30 calendar days from the date on which the request is made by the BCRA. In order to facilitate the implementation of a restructuring plan, the BCRA is authorized to provide a temporary exemption from compliance with technical regulations and/or the payment of charges and Tarjetas Regionales onfines that arise from such non-compliance.

    The BCRA may also, in relation to a consolidated basis. The average balancesrestructuring plan presented by a financial institution, require such financial institution to provide guarantees or limit the distribution of interest-earningprofits, and appoint a supervisor, to oversee such financial institutions’ management, with the power to veto decisions taken by the financial institution’s corporate authorities.

    In addition, the BCRA’s charter authorizes the Superintendency, subject only to the prior approval of the president of the BCRA, to suspend for up to 30 days, in whole or in part, the operations of a financial institution if its liquidity or solvency have been adversely affected. Notice of this decision must be given to the board of directors of the BCRA. If at the end of such suspension period the Superintendency considers renewal necessary, such renewal can only be authorized by the board of directors of the BCRA for an additional period not to exceed 90 days. During the suspension period: (i) there is an automatic stay of claims, enforcement actions and precautionary measures; (ii) any commitment increasing the financial institution’s liabilities is void; and (iii) acceleration of indebtedness and interest accrual is suspended.

    If, in the judgment of the BCRA, a financial institution is in a situation which, under the FIL, would authorize the BCRA to revoke the financial institution’s license to operate as such, the BCRA may, prior to considering such revocation, order a variety of measures, including (i) taking steps to reduce, increase or sell the financial institution’s capital; (ii) revoking the approval granted to the shareholders of the financial institution to own an interest therein, giving a term for the transfer of such shares; (iii) excluding and transferring assets and interest-bearingliabilities; (iv) constituting trusts with part or all the financial institution’s assets; (v) granting of temporary exemptions to comply with technical regulations and/or pay charges and fines arising from such defective compliance; or (vi) appointing a bankruptcy trustee and removing statutory authorities.

    Furthermore, any actions authorized, commissioned or decided by the BCRA under Section 35 of the FIL involving the transfer of assets and liabilities, or complementing such transfers, or that are necessary to execute the restructuring of a financial institution, as well as those related to the reduction, increase or sale of equity, are not subject to any court authorization and cannot be deemed inefficient in respect of the creditors of the financial institution which was the owner of the excluded assets, even though its insolvency preceded any such actions.

    xvii) Dissolution and Liquidation of Financial Institutions

    The BCRA must be notified of any decision to dissolve a financial institution pursuant to the FIL. The BCRA, in turn, must then notify a court of competent jurisdiction, which will determine who will liquidate the entity: the corporate authorities (extrajudicial liquidation) or an appointed independent liquidator (judicial liquidation). This determination is based on whether or not sufficient assurances exist regarding the ability of such corporate authorities to carry out the liquidation properly.

    Pursuant to the FIL, the BCRA no longer acts as liquidator of financial institutions. However, when a restructuring plan has failed or is not considered viable, local and regulatory violations exist, or substantial changes have occurred in the financial institution’s condition since the original authorization was granted, the BCRA may decide to revoke the license of the financial institution to operate as such. In this case, the law allows judicial or extrajudicial liquidation as in the case of voluntary liquidation described in the preceding paragraph.

    The bankruptcy of a financial institution cannot be adjudicated until the license is revoked by the BCRA. No creditor, with the exception of the BCRA, may request the bankruptcy of the former financial institution before 60 calendar days have elapsed since the revocation of its license.

    B.7 Credit Cards Regulation

    The Credit Cards Law establishes the general framework for credit card activities. Among other regulations, this law:

    sets a 2.00% cap on the rate a credit card company can charge merchants for processing customer card holders’ transactions with such merchants, calculated as a percentage of the customers’ purchases. With respect to debit cards, the cap is set at 1.0% and the amounts relating to the customers’ purchases should be processed in a maximum of three business days;

    establishes that credit card companies must provide the BCRA with the information on their loan portfolio that such entity requires; and

    sets a quarterly basiscap on the interest rate a credit card company can charge a card holder, which cannot exceed the average interest rate charged by the issuer on personal loans by more than 25%; for non-bank issuers, such amount cannot exceed the financial system’s average interest rate on personal loans (published by the BCRA) by more than 25%.

    The BCRA has issued regulations to enforce public disclosure of companies’ pricing (fees and interest rates) to ensure consumer awareness of such pricing. In addition, during 2014 the BCRA issued a series of regulations in order to establish caps on interest rates on personal loans, pledge loans and credit card loans, as well as to establish a requirement for an authorization to increase fees. Through its Communication “A” 5853, dated December 17, 2015, the BCRA rescinded regulations related to limits on interest rates in respect of lending transactions.

    B.8 Concealment and Laundering of Assets of a Criminal Origin

    Law No.25,246 (as amended in July 2011 by Law No.26,683) incorporates money laundering as a crime under the Argentine Criminal Code. Additionally, with the goal of preventing money laundering, the UIF was created under the jurisdiction of the Argentine Ministry of Justice, Security and Human Rights. As a result of such modification, money laundering is now classified as a separate offense.

    In addition to the above, Law No.26,683 sanctions “self-laundering”, which sanctions money laundering tied to a crime the individual in question committed his or herself. It also includes certain tax offenses described in Article 303 of the Argentine Penal Code as punishable laundering behavior. The new standard falls under Article 303 of the Argentine Penal Code in the chapter titled “Crimes against economic and financial order”.

    The minimum and maximum of the criminal scale will be doubled when (i) the foregoing acts were crimes that are particularly serious, meaning those crimes with a punishment that is greater than three years of imprisonment; (ii) the perpetrator committed the crime for profit; and (iii) the perpetrator regularly performs concealment activities.

    The criminal scale can only be increased once, even when more than one of the above-mentioned acts occurs. In such case, the court may take into consideration the multiple acts when determining the original punishment.

    The “Committee for the Control and Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorist Activities” was formed in 2005 and is responsible for establishing and maintaining the general guidelines related to the Bank’s strategy to control and prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism. For more information, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Functions of the Board of Directors of Banco Galicia”.

    Banco Galicia has also appointed two directors to fulfill the roles of Compliance Officer and Substitute Compliance Officer. In addition, a specialized management unit was created in this area that is responsible for the execution of the policies approved by the committee and for the monitoring of the control systems and procedures to ensure that they are adequate.

    Law No.26,734 enacted on December 22, 2011, incorporated terrorism financing and the financing of terrorism as an aggravating circumstance to all criminal conduct in the Argentine Criminal Code.

    Such law punishes any individual who directly or indirectly collects or provides goods or money with the intention of being used, or knowing that they will be used, in whole or in part (i) to finance a crime with the purpose established in Section 41.5; (ii) for an organization who commits or attempts to commit crimes with the purpose established in Section 41.5; and (iii) for a person who commits or attempts to commit or participates in any way in committing crimes with the purpose established in Section 41.5.

    The new legislation also punishes terrorism as an aggravating factor in other punishable crimes when any such offense was committed in order to terrorize the population.

    The Bank has implemented measures to combat the use of the international financial system by criminal organizations. The Bank has policies, procedures and control structures in place to monitor operations based on client profiles and risk assessments based on the information and documentation related to the economic, patrimonial and financial situation of each client to detect clients that could be considered unusual, and eventual reporting to the UIF as appropriate. The Asset Laundering Prevention Management program is charged with the implementation of such control and prevention procedures, as well as communication of such procedures and measures within the Bank, drafting of compliance manuals and employee training. Such management program is also periodically reviewed by senior management.

    The Bank has appointed a Director as Compliance Officer, in accordance with Resolution 30/2017 of the UIF, who is responsible for ensuring the observance and implementation of procedures and obligations in the matter. The Compliance Officer contributes to the prevention and mitigation of the risks of criminal transactions and is involved in the establishment of internal policies and measures to monitor and prevent the same.

    C. Organizational Structure

    The following table illustrates our organizational structure as of December 31, 2020. Percentages indicate the ownership interests held by each entity.

    LOGO

    (*)

    The percentage of total votes is 54.1% .

    (**)

    IGAM Uruguay Agente de Valores S.A. its incorporated in Uruguay while IGAM LLC its registered in the state of Delaware, United States of America.

    D. Property, Plants and Equipment

    The following are our main property assets, as of December 31, 2020:

    Property

    Address

    Square meters
    (approx.)

    Main uses

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Rented

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 25th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina568Administrative activities
    Banco Galicia

    Owned

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 407, Buenos Aires, Argentina18,815Administrative activities
    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, Buenos Aires, Argentina41,547Administrative activities
    Corrientes 6287, Buenos Aires, Argentina34,000Administrative activities
    Ecosistema NaranjaX

    Owned

    Sucre 152, 154 and 541, Córdoba, Argentina6,300Administrative activities
    La Tablada 451, Humberto Primo 450 y 454, Córdoba, Argentina14,080Administrative activities
    Jujuy 542, Córdoba, Argentina853Administrative activities
    Ruta Nacional 36, km. 8, Córdoba, Argentina7,715Storage
    Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina309Administrative and commercial activities
    San Jerónimo 2348 and 2350, Santa Fe, Argentina1,475Administrative and commercial activities

    Rented

    Sucre 145/151, La Rioja 359, 364 and 375, Córdoba, Argentina3,564Administrative activities
    Av. Corrientes 3135, CABA, Argentina1,271Administrative activities
    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 19th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina173Administrative activities
    Galicia Administradora de Fondos

    Rented

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 22nd floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina220Administrative activities
    Galicia Warrants

    Owned

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 456, 6th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina118Administrative activities
    Alsina 3396/3510, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina12,800Storage (Investment Property)
    Galicia Seguros

    Owned

    Maipú 241, Buenos Aires, Argentina215,628Administrative activities
    Inviu

    Rented

    Corrientes 6287, Torre Leiva, 7th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina926Administrative activities
    Galicia Securities

    Rented

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 22nd floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina28Administrative activities

    As of December 31, 2020, our distribution network consisted of:

    Banco Galicia: 326 branches, located throughout Argentina’s 23 provinces, 149 of which were owned and 177 of which were leased by Banco Galicia.

    Naranja: 180 branches and 20 points of sale, located in 21 of the 23 Argentine provinces, 178 of which were leased by Naranja.

    Item 4A.

    Unresolved Staff Comments

    None.

    Item 5.

    Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

    A. Operating Results

    The following discussion and analysis are intended to help you understand and assess the significant changes and trends in our historical results of operations and the factors affecting our resources. You should read this section in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and their related notes included elsewhere in this annual report.

    A.1 Overview

    In recent years, we have strengthened our position as a leading domestic private-sector financial institution, increasing our market share of loans and deposits and strengthening Banco Galicia’s regulatory capital reserves through the issuance of subordinated bonds and follow-on equity offerings, the sale of CFA and internal profit origination.

    Despite the deterioration of the Argentine economy, reduction in Argentine GDP, high levels of inflation and the devaluation of the Peso, in 2020 we were able to maintain our asset quality and adequately cover credit risks and maintain liquidity and profitability metrics at reasonable levels.

    With the development of the COVID-19 outbreak, which was first alerted by the Chinese government in December 2019, many countries have suspended the business operations of many sectors of their economies, implemented travel restrictions and quarantine measures. Argentina has not been an exception to this rule. The Government implemented a series of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, providing for preventative and mandatory social isolation or distancing, with variations depending on the region of the country. As of the date of this report, commercial activities are gradually reopening, in compliance with the protocols established by the Government. Additionally, in response to the pandemic and the ensuing policies implemented by the Government, regulatory agencies established rules whose objectives were to provide assistance to the economic sectors whose operations were adversely affected by the pandemic and for providing health care for the community in general. In particular, the BCRA established many regulations, among which are the suspension of the ability of banks to charge fees for the use of automatic teller machines , the refinancing of certain credit card debts that were not paid by the credit card holder for a one-year term and relaxed the delinquency days and default terms for the benefit of the borrowers. In addition, with the purpose of increasing the financial resources available in the economy, the BCRA has suspended banks’ ability to distribute dividends until June 30, 2021.

    Accordingly, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia has been continually analyzing the evolution of the pandemic and its effect and taking all measures within its reach to safeguard it business continuity, to protect the health and safety of its employees, customers, and other stakeholders. Among the actions carried out to collaborate and comply with the regulations of the Government and of the BCRA, the following stand out: the subsidiaries of Group Financiero Galicia created interdisciplinary committees responsible for designing and executing various protocols and procedures for the provision of services; work from home policies were implemented, except for those employees who have activities that require their physical presence e.g. cash management logistics and customer service; appointments were required to conduct transactions at branch locations; various lines of credit were made available to clients with certain benefits such as reduction of interest rates, grace periods and the extension of payment terms; subsidies granted by the Government were credited to customer accounts and through the Banelco ATM network; new free-accounts were opened for retirement and subsidy beneficiaries; processes were modified so that they can be done 100% online through websites and / or mobile applications, without having to go to branches; new customer features and options were designed, such as the possibility of withdrawing money from ATMs and self-service terminals without a debit card; donations were made to various health centers, municipalities and families in vulnerable situations; solidarity campaigns were launched to promote customer collaboration and additional contribution from Grupo’s subsidiaries.

    Our business and prospects are subject to risks associated with and arising from the outbreak of COVID-19, and the uncertainty of the impacts, duration, and severity of the outbreak. This global pandemic creates substantial uncertainty as to our ability to achieve our financial projects and how it may affect our business operations.

    On another note but connected to the impact COVID-19 may have on how we operate our business, we have conducted a business impact analysis as part of our Business Continuity Program. The results of this analysis show that critical business functions will remain operative upon the occurrence of a disruptive event. In cases of mass absenteeism events, the analysis conducted identified the minimum quantity of personnel and positions needed to remain operative, the outcome being the leader of the relevant sector responsible for assigning personnel to such critical positions. New employees will be hired, and current employees will be relocated to guarantee that critical functions remain operative, if and where needed.

    Even though up to the date of this report, Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries have suffered a limited impact on their results as a consequence of the pandemic, the impact of a lower level of economic activity and a higher level of unemployment could have a significant impact on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations in the future.

    Taking into account the above, fiscal year 2021 is expected to be a challenging year as a result of the uncertainty related to the impact of COVID-19, the evolution of the sovereign debt restructuring process with the IMF, and the path to the normalization of certain macroeconomic imbalances in a volatile global economy, all of which could negatively impact the Argentine economy and Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations.

    A.2 The Argentine Economy

    The first weeks of 2020 continued to reflect the favorable trend observed in the last months of the previous year, driven mainly by the optimism generated by the progress in the U.S.-China trade negotiations, diverting investors’ focus to other events such as the U.S. presidential elections, which took place at the beginning of November 2020. However, the economic-financial dynamics in the world were completely altered by the outbreak of COVID-19, a virus categorized by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) as a global pandemic. An almost complete shutdown in global activity led to recessions with unprecedented economic and social costs across the world. As a reference, in the United States the unemployment rate peaked at 14.7% in 2020 (it was 6.7% in December 2020) and 21.4 million jobs were lost between March and April 2020 (almost 11.8 million were created by the end of the year), and the GDP fell 31.4% quarter over quarter in the second quarter ( it increased 33.4% in the third quarter and 4.3% in the fourth quarter ending with a year over year decrease of 2.4% in 2020).

    Confronted with this global context, both monetary entities and governments responded with important monetary and fiscal measures to ensure the correct functioning of the markets and to mitigate the negative economic and health effects generated by the virus.

    In the United States, fiscal measures reached a total of approximately US$3.9 trillion (~20% of GDP) in 2020, while the victory of the Democratic party boosted expectancy for further fiscal stimulus in the short-term. Likewise, the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced its interest rate range by 150 bps to 0%-0.25% and increased its balance sheet through various asset-buyback programs aimed at providing liquidity, amounting to 76.8% or US$3.2 trillion to almost US$7.4 trillion in 2020, representing about 37.8% of GDP, which is a level not observed since World War II. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Reserve updated its monetary policy framework, stating among the main changes that the level of rates consistent with full employment and long-term price stability had been reduced compared to its historical average, that higher risks to employment and inflation are expected, and that they will target full employment and an average inflation of 2%, hoping to see levels above such benchmark consistently. In the Eurozone, fiscal measures taken jointly in 2020 by country members reached € 1.4 trillion (around 10.1% of the aggregate GDP), while during 2020 the European Central Bank (ECB) maintained its interest rate range at -0.5% to 0.0% and expanded its balance sheet by 48.7% or € 2.3 trillion to € 7.0 trillion, representing around 16.9% of GDP. In addition, there were significant incremental fiscal measures implemented in Germany, the United Kingdom and France. Finally, in 2020 China announced fiscal measures for RMB 4.8 trillion (~4.7% of GDP), while the country’s Central Bank (PBC) cut its interest rate by 30 bps to 3.85% and introduced financing facilities for RMB 2.6 trillion. On the other hand, there is still significant uncertainty regarding whether the measures introduced so far are enough to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus or if additional efforts will be required from the relevant governmental authorities.

    The number of positive cases of coronavirus reached 83.9 million by the end of 2020, including a mortality rate of 2.9%, mainly focused in the United States (20.5 million), India (10.3 million) and Brazil (7.7 million). Moreover, different stages of the virus propagation and social distancing measures have been seen worldwide. In general, the first wave of propagation was followed by a second wave, and the spread of the virus was accelerating by the end of the year, reducing short and medium-term perspectives for economic recovery. On the other hand, several vaccines were approved for use by various governments in the last months of the year, although it was still unknown when approved vaccines would be available for widespread distribution with the goal of obtaining global herd immunity.

    Following the strike of COVID-19, stock indexes reflected a substantial correction between February and March of 2020, including maximum declines compared to the end of 2019 of 30.7% in the S&P 500 index in the United States ( it was up 16.3% in 2020 as compared to 2019 by the end of 2020), 36.3% in the SX5E in the Eurozone ( it was down 5.1% as compared to 2019 by the end of 2020) and 12.8% in the Shanghai Composite in China ( it was up 21.5% by the end of 2020 as compared to 2019). Among other relevant variables, the VIX volatility index peaked at 82.6 points to close 2020 at 22.75 points, a level still well above the average of approximately 15 points prior to the impact of the Coronavirus. Also, the DXY US dollar index rose to almost 103 points at the peak to decline up to around 90 points. For emerging markets, this meant an outflow of up to US$96.9 billion by the end of September 2020 resulting in a marked depreciation of related currencies against the Dollar, compared to inflows for US$62.2 billion in the last three months of 2020. The problem of the spread of the Coronavirus was compounded by the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Russia over oil. After both countries failed to reach an agreement to limit barrel production, Saudi Arabia decided to increase its production output, causing a price correction in the crude oil price (WTI) of up to 81% to US$11.6 per barrel in March 2020, although its price ended the year at US$48.5, boosted by global economic recovery.

    At the local level, the Argentine economy began 2020 unable to recover dynamism after ending 2019 with its second consecutive annual decline. In 2019, activity had fallen 2.1% (following the 2.6% contraction in 2018), a consequence of high political uncertainty, exchange rate volatility and accelerating inflation. The lack of confidence prevented the country from refinancing its debt maturities, and the new Government had to handle an external debt restructuring process during the first months in office. The outbreak of COVID-19 added to this situation, a pandemic that forced the Government to implement a number of restrictive measures regarding movement by the public and social distancing and isolation policies starting in mid-March, which negatively impacted production and trade. Therefore, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC), the Argentine GDP plunged an annual 9.9% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

    The labor market reflected the historical slump in economic activity, as the latest available data shows that the unemployment rate rose to 11.0% of the economically active population during the fourth quarter of 2020. These figures are compared to an unemployment rate of 8.9% in the same quarter of 2019. Moreover, the activity and employment rates reached 45.0% and 40.1%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2020. In both cases, this is below the 47.2% and 43.0% of the same quarter of the previous year.

    On the monetary front, the main aggregates accelerated their expansion pace during most of 2020, rising several points above inflation (+60.4% year-on-year in October as compared to 2019). Up to November 5, the latest data available at the time of writing this annual report, the monetary base increased by Ps.464,844 million, due mainly to the monetary entity’s provision of financing to the Argentine Treasury. The BCRA issued Ps.407,720 million in “temporary advances” to the Argentine Treasury and Ps.1,2020,000 million as a consequence of transferring all of 2019’s profits to the Argentine Treasury. This amounted to 6.0% of the GDP. The impact of these issuances was neutralized via the placement of repo transactions and LELIQ (Ps.646,072 million, net of interest), combined with the absorption of Argentine pesos resulting from the sale of foreign currency to the private sector (Ps.331,866 million) and to the public sector (Ps.126,391 million).

    Meanwhile, private M2 (comprised of currency held by the public, savings accounts and checking accounts of the private sector) also showed strong dynamism, registering an expansion of 79.3% as of December 30, 2020 with respect to the same period of 2019. Total M2 (which also includes public sector deposits) recorded a similar expansion (+80.9%) in the same period.

    During the first months of the year, domestic interest rates showed a downward trend. The BADLAR rate started at 36.2% in 2020, and by April it was at an average of 20%. However, exchange rate pressures and the growing liquidity in Argentine pesos led the BCRA to set a minimum interest rate level for term deposits of less than Ps.1 million equivalent to 70% of the LELIQ rate (nominal annual rate “TNA” of 26.6%). The minimum rate was later extended to fixed term deposits of up to $4 million, and subsequently to all time deposits. In June, the interest rate floor for all fixed-term deposits was raised to 79% of the LELIQ rate (TNA of 30.02%) and in August, it was raised to 87% (TNA of 33.06%), although this was only for retail deposits. At the beginning of October, the BCRA initiated a rate harmonization process, consisting of an increase in liability repurchase transactions rates (from 19% to 31% in four different segments) and a reduction in the LELIQ rate (from 38% to 36%). The rate floor for fixed-term deposits was also adjusted upwards, bringing fixed-term deposits of less than Ps.1 million currently yielding a minimum of 34% and those of more than Ps.1 million to 32%.

    The reference exchange rate of the BCRA went from Ps.59.90 to Ps.84.15 per dollar, between December 30, 2019 and December 30, 2020 (equivalent to an increase in the exchange rate of 40.5%). The average exchange rate went from Ps.59.88 per dollar in December 2019 to Ps.82.72 per dollar in December 2020.

    The National Consumer Price Index data published by INDEC showed a year-on-year variation of 36.1% in December 2020, 17.7 percentage points below the 53.8% variation of December 2019. This slowdown was partly due to the stabilization of the exchange rate, the implementation of capital controls, and the freezing of rates for public utilities and certain regulated goods and services. Additionally, it may be partially attributed to the statistical effect that the paralysis of activity had on price surveys during the months in which the strictest restrictions on mobility and production prevailed, in some cases, it was not possible to obtain measurements. The increase in the precautionary demand for money and the erosion of the purchasing power (a consequence of the increase in layoffs and salary cuts and of the fall in employment) also helped to contain the evolution of prices.

    On a fiscal level, during 2020, tax resources (grew 23.0% compared to the interannual expansion of 51.4% in 2019. Likewise, primary expenditures expanded 63.5% in 2020, above the 37.2% of the previous year. Thus, the national private sector registered a primary deficit of Ps.1,749,957 million, equivalent to —6.5% of the GDP. This figure indicated an impairment compared to the 2019 primary deficit of Ps.95,122 million (-0.4 p.p. of the GDP). After the payment of interest for Ps.542,873 million, the financial deficit for 2020 amounted to Ps.2,292,830 million, equivalent to -8.5% of GDP.

    In relation to the external sector, in 2020 the foreign exchange current account published by the BCRA (cash base) recorded a surplus of US$322 million, a drop of 94.9% compared to the surplus of US$6,277 million registered in 2019. Measured in relation to GDP, the surplus of the checking account was about 0.1%, showing a drop compared to the surplus of 1.4% of the previous year.

    The impairment observed in nominal terms was the result of lower net income from goods (US$8,492 million in 2020 as compared to US$23,444 million in 2019), an effect offset by a lower outflow of foreign currency via the balance of services (US$1,595 million up to September 2020) and by lower interest payments (US$6,528 million). In particular, income from the collections of goods exports totaled US$50,357 million in 2020, a 12.89% drop compared to the level observed in the previous year. Likewise, the import payments of the exchange balance sheet totaled US$41,865 million, registering an interannual growth of 22.0%

    In this context, the foreign exchange capital and financial account recorded a net currency outflow of US$8,048 million in 2020, compared to a net outflow of US$32,384 million in 2019. Likewise, the International Reserves of the BCRA amounted to US$39,387 million year-end, which is US$5,394 million below the figure of a previous year.

    A.3 The Argentine Financial System

    Total loans provided to the private sector by the financial system climbed to Ps.3,355,603 million in December 2020, reflecting a 29.6% increase over the same month of 2020. Consumer loans, consisting of loans granted through credit cards and personal loans, presented the greatest growth, a 39.2% increase as compared to December 31, 2019, totaling Ps.1,372,301 million as of December 31, 2020. On the other hand, commercial loans, consisting of current account overdrafts and drafts/bills (signature and purchased/discounted loans), finally totaled Ps.1,227,705 million, registering an increase of 25.2% year-on-year (YoY).

    Total deposits in the financial system climbed to Ps.7,977,812 million as of the end of December 2020, up by 67.0% as compared to December 31, 2019. Deposits from the non-financial private sector increased 64.0% annually, climbing to Ps.6,453,993 million, while public sector deposits totaled Ps.1,432,927 million, increase by 89.2% YoY. Within private sector deposits, transaction deposits ended at Ps 3,707,372 million, a 62.5% hike YoY, and time deposits at Ps.2,603,540million, a 68.9% annual growth.

    In December 2020, the average interest rate for 30-35-day term deposits in Argentine pesos from private banks (over Ps.1 million) was 34.2%, registering an interannual drop of 7.5 p.p. Regarding active rates, the one corresponding to advances in current account was 39.7% (-26.7 p.p. YoY).

    With data as of December 2020, financial institutions increased liquidity levels (in relation to total deposits) compared to the same month of the previous year, a ratio that stood at 65.0%, +4.9 p.p. (considering repurchase transactions and instruments of the BCRA).

    In terms of solvency, the equity of the financial system showed an interannual increase of Ps.777,586 million, finally totaling Ps.1,685,318 million, which implies an 85.7% increase. The profitability of the system accumulating 12 months as of December 2020 (Comprehensive Income adjusted by inflation) was equivalent to 2.3% of assets, while the return on Shareholders’ Equity was 15.8%.

    The nonperforming portfolio of loans to the non-financial private sector amounted to 3.9% in December 2020, minor than the 5.7% of the previous year. Hedging with allowances for private sector nonperforming loans was 151%, 53 p.p. higher than the measurement reported in the same month of 2019.

    As for the composition of the financial system, as of November 30, 2020, there were 79 financial institutions: 64 banks, of which 51 were private (35 of domestic capital and 16 foreigners) and 13 were public, and 15 non-banking subsidiaries.financial institutions.

    With data as of September 2020, the latest information available, the financial system employed 104,657 people, which represented a 2.1% drop since September 30, 2019.

    A.4 The Argentine Insurance Industry

    According to the information published by the Superintencia de Seguros de la Nación, the insurance industry continued to grow throughout 2020. The total gross premiums in respect of property, life, and retirement insurance for such period was equal to Ps.840,557 million, an increase of 35% as compared to 2019.

    During 2020, the automotive and workers’ compensation insurance sectors were affected by high inflation and an increase in the filing of claims for compensation. Although inflation is not decreasing as expected, financial income is expected to cover any increased costs as a result of the foregoing.

    Home, life and personal accident insurance policies increased by 35% year-over-year. It is expected that this segment will continue to increase as the Argentine economy stabilizes. During this period, Galicia Seguros has maintained positive financial results. As of December 31, 2020, Sudamericana Holding, primarily through its main subsidiary Galicia Seguros reported a net income equal to Ps.1,318 million. This result includes Ps.7,789 million of insurance premiums and surcharges (related to both direct insurance and reinsurance).

    A.5 Inflation

    Historically, inflation in Argentina has played a significant role in influencing, often negatively, the economic conditions and, in turn, the operations and financial results of companies operating in Argentina, such as Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    In fiscal year 2015, due to changes in the authorities at the Institute of Statistics, the Wholesale Price Index and CPI series were discontinued beginning in October 2015. The Wholesale Price Index was republished beginning January 2016. A new CPI series was launched in May 2016 but did not contain historical information.

    The chart below presents a comparison of inflation rates published by INDEC, measured by the Whole Price Index and the CPI, for the fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018.

    In addition, the chart below presents the evolution of the CER and UVA indexes, published by the BCRA and used to adjust the principal of certain of our assets and liabilities for the specified periods.

     

       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in percentages) 

    Price Indices (1)

          

    WPI

       35.38    58.49    73.50 

    CPI

       36.14    53.83    47.65 

    Adjustment Indices

          

    CER

       25.49    18,70    12,34 

    UVA(2)

       64.32    47,16    31,06 

    (1)

    Data for December of each year as compared to December of the immediately preceding year.

    (2)

    Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo (Acquisition Value Unit).

    In 2020, the CPI published by INDEC reflected a 36.1% increase, while the CER and UVA indexes went up 25.5% and 64.32% during the same period, respectively.

    In the first two months of 2021, the CPI published by INDEC reflected a 7.8% increase, while the CER and UVA indexes increased by 7.54% and 7.34% respectively, during the same period.

    A.6 Currency Composition of Our Balance Sheet

    The following table sets forth our assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency, in Pesos and adjustable by the CER/UVA, as of the dates indicated.

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (In millions of Pesos) 

    Assets

          

    In Pesos, Unadjusted

       805,797    620,363    731,530 

    In Pesos, Adjusted by the CER/UVA

       32,321    39,809    38,635 

    In Foreign Currency (1)

       217,161    275,182    422,931 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Assets

       1,055,279    935,354    1,193,096 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

          

    In Pesos, Unadjusted, Including Shareholders’ Equity

       831,019    657,516    764,365 

    In Pesos, Adjusted by the CER/UVA

       7,099    2,656    5,800 

    In Foreign Currency (1)

       217,161    275,182    422,931 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

       1,055,279    935,354    1,193,096 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    If adjusted to reflect forward sales and purchases of foreign exchange made by Grupo Financiero Galicia and recorded off-balance sheet, assets amounted to Ps.241,110 and liabilities Ps.241,650 million as of December 31, 2020.

    Funding of Banco Galicia’s long position in CER/UVA-adjusted assets through Peso-denominated liabilities bearing a market interest rate (and no principal adjustment linked to inflation) exposes Banco Galicia to differential fluctuations in the inflation rate and in market interest rates, with a significant increase in market interest rates vis-à-vis the inflation rate (which is reflected in the CER/UVA variation), which has a negative impact on our gross brokerage margin.

    Two other currencies have been defined apart from the Argentine Peso: assets and liabilities adjusted by CER/UVA and foreign currency. Banco Galicia’s policy in force establishes limits in terms of maximum “net asset positions” (assets denominated in a currency which are higher than the liabilities denominated in such currency) and “net liability positions” (assets denominated in a currency which are lower than the liabilities denominated in such currency) for mismatches in foreign currency, as a proportion of Banco Galicia’s RPC, on a consolidated basis.

    An adequate balance between assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency characterizes the management strategy for this risk factor, seeking to achieve full coverage of long-term asset-liability mismatches and allowing a short-term mismatch management margin that contributes to the possibility of improving certain market situations. Short- and long-term goals are attained by appropriately managing assets and liabilities and by using the financial products available in our market, particularly “dollar futures” both in institutionalized markets (MAE and ROFEX) and in forward transactions performed with customers.

    Transactions in foreign currency futures (specifically, dollar futures) are subject to limits that take into consideration the particular characteristics of each trading environment.

    A.7 Results of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

    We discuss below our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 as compared with our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared with our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    i) Consolidated Income Statement

       For the Year Ended December 31,  Change (%) 
       2020  2019  2018  2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except otherwise noted) 

    Consolidated Income Statement

          

    Net Income from Interest

       76,632   47,417   69,873   62   (32

    Interest Income

       166,807   177,671   163,928   (6  8 

    Interest Expenses

       (90,175  (130,254  (94,055  (31  38 

    Net Fee Income

       36,558   38,233   44,756   (4  (15

    Fee Income

       46,476   47,847   51,094   (3  (6

    Fee Related Expenses

       (9,918  (9,614  (6,338  3   52 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments

       69,332   99,151   36,342   (30  173 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

       (3  299   464   (101  (36

    Exchange Rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

       7,047   11,832   7,910   (40  50 

    Other Operating Income

       22,323   28,770   21,863   (22  32 

    Income from Insurance Business

       5,502   5,001   6,009   10   (17

    Loan and Other Receivables Loss Provisions

       (34,680  (30,228  (34,136  15   (11
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Operating Income

       182,711   200,475   153,081   (9  31 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Personnel expenses

       (31,825  (33,285  (35,658  (4  (7

    Administrative Expenses

       (31,372  (33,105  (33,674  (5  (2

    Depreciations and Impairment of Assets

       (8,284  (6,895  (3,460  20   99 

    Other Operating Expenses

       (30,764  (35,083  (35,391  (12  (1

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

       (36,963  (41,929  (37,831  (12  11 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Operating Income

       43,503   50,178   7,067   (13  610 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Share of Profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

       (125  —     —     —     —   

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

       (17,845  (17,751  (14,477  1   23 

    Loss from Discontinued Operations

       —     —     (544  —     (100

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

       —     —     (66  —     100 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year

       25,533   32,427   (8,020  (21  504 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company’s Owner

       25,192   32,276   (7,258  (22  545 

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       341   151   (762  126   120 

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

       (210  548   (183  (138  399 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)

       25,323   32,975   (8,203  (23  502 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Company’s Owners

       24,982   32,824   (7,442  (24  541 

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       341   151   (761  126   120 
    Ratios (%)           Change (pbs) 

    Return on Assets

       2.39   3.46   (0.61  (107  407 

    Return on Shareholders’ Equity

       13.82   20.81   (5.76  (699  2,657 
                Change (%) 

    Basic Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

       17.46   22.62   (5.09  (23  545 

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.25,533 million, as compared to net income equal to Ps.32,427 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.6,894 million or 21% decrease. This result was mainly due to net income from: (i) banking activities (Banco Galicia) for Ps.20,928 million, (ii) Ecosistema NaranjaX for Ps.2,159 million and (iii) insurance services (Sudamerica Holding) for Ps.1,318 million.

    Net earnings per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to a Ps.17.46 per share, as compared to a Ps.22.62 per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    The return on assets and the return on shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to a 2.39% and 13.82%, respectively, as compared to a 3.46% and 20.81%, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to a lower net operating income, decreasing from Ps.200,475 million to Ps.182,711 million (a 9% decrease as compared to December 31, 2019) and was partially offset by (i) a Ps.4,966 million decrease in the loss on net monetary position, decreasing from Ps.41,929 million in 2019 to Ps.36,963 million in 2020 and (ii) a Ps.1,733 million decrease in administrative expenses, decreasing from Ps.33,105 million in 2019 to Ps.31,372 million in 2020.

    The decrease in net operating income from the year ended December 31, 2020 was mainly attributable to: (i) a Ps.29,819 million decrease in net income from financial instruments, from Ps.99,151 million in 2019 to Ps.69,332 million in 2020, (ii) a Ps.6,447 million decrease in other operating income from Ps.28,770 million in 2019 to Ps.22,323 million in 2020 and (iii) a Ps.4,785 million decrease in exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency from Ps.11,832 million in 2019 to Ps.7,047 million in 2020. Such decrease was partially offset by a Ps.29,215 increase in net income from interest from Ps.47,417 million in 2019 to Ps.76,632 million in 2020.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.32,427 million, as compared to net loss equal to Ps.8,020 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.40,447 million or 504% increase. This result was mainly due to net income (i) from banking activities (Banco Galicia) for Ps.30,336 million, (ii) from Ecosistema NaranjaX for Ps.889 million and (iii) from activities related to insurance services (Sudamerica Holding) for Ps.863 million.

    Net gain per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to a Ps.22.62 per share gain, as compared to a Ps.5.09 per share loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    The return on assets and the return on shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to a 3.46% and 20.81 %, respectively, as compared to a 0.61% loss and 5.76% loss, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    This result was attributable to (i) a growth of net operating income (31% increase compared to previous year) and (ii) a 7% decrease in personnel expenses.

    The increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to a higher net operating income from Ps.153,081 million to Ps.200,475 million (a 31% increase as compared to December 31, 2018) and was partially offset by (i) a Ps.4,098 million increase loss on net monetary position, increasing from Ps.37,831 million in 2018 to Ps.41,929 million in 2019 and (ii) a Ps.3,435 million increase in depreciation and impairment of assets, increasing from Ps.3,460 million in 2018 to Ps.6,895 million in 2019.

    The Ps.47,394 million increase in net operating income was mainly attributable to (i) a Ps.62,809 million increase in net income from financial instruments from Ps.36,342 million in 2018 to Ps.99,151 million in 2019, (ii) a Ps.6,907 million increase in other operating income from Ps.21,863 million in 2018 to Ps.28,770 million in 2019 and (iii) a Ps.3,922 million increase in exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency from Ps.7,910 million in 2018 to Ps.11,832 million in 2019. This increase was offset by (i) a Ps.36,199 million increase in interest expenses from Ps.94,055 million in 2018 to Ps.130,254 million in 2019, and (ii) a Ps.6,523 million decrease in net fee income from Ps.44,756 million in 2018 to Ps.38,233 million in 2019.

    ii) Interest-Earning Assets

    The following table shows our consolidatedyields on interest-earning assets:

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average Yield
    / Rate
     
       (in millions of Pesos, except rates) 

    Interest-Earning Assets

                

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

                

    Government Securities

       155,630    40.11    166,505    50.98    93,353    30.75 

    Others Debt Securities

       1,385    73.29    1,838    48.31    3,541    22.56 

    Total Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

       157,015    40.41    168,343    50.95    96,894    30.45 

    Repurchase Transactions

       35,871    25.00    18,170    53.46    16,479    9.42 

    Loans and Other Financing

                

    Loans

       491,386    30.23    587,663    27.12    631,995    24.80 

    Financial Leases

       2,324    15.15    3,857    19.73    5,059    24.25 

    Other Loans and Other Financing

       2,265    13.82    3,317    20.20    1,244    47.35 

    Total Loans and Other Financing

       495,975    30.08    594,837    27.03    638,298    24.84 

    Other Interest-Earning Assets

       44,279    30.39    54,603    24.76    43,578    16.26 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

       733,140    32.06    835,953    32.27    795,249    24.74 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Spread and Net Yield

                

    Interest Spread, Nominal Basis (1)

         16.05      12.06      10.21 

    Cost of Funds Supporting Interest-Earning Assets

         12.27      15.43      11.41 

    Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets (2)

         19.80      16.84      13.33 

    (1)

    Reflects the difference between the average nominal interest rate on interest-earning assets and the average nominal interest rate on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest rates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    (2)

    Net interest earned divided by average interest-earning assets. Interest rates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    The average balances, accrued interest andof interest-earning assets decreased Ps.102,813 million, from Ps.835,953 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 to Ps.733,140 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, representing a 12% decrease. Of this decrease, Ps.96,277 million was due to a decrease in the average size of the loan portfolio. The average yield foron interest-earning assets was 32.06% in 2020, as compared to 32.27% in 2019, a 21 bps decrease, mainly attributable to a decrease in the average interest rate earned on repurchase transactions (decreasing 2,846 bps as compared to 2019) and government securities ( decreasing 1,087 bps as compared to 2019).

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    The average of interest-earning assets increased Ps.40,704 million, from Ps.795,249 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 to Ps.835,953 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 5% increase. Of this increase, Ps.73,152 million was due to an increase in the average size of the government securities holdings, offset by Ps.44,332 million in the average size of loans. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 32.27% in 2019, as compared to 24.74% in 2018, a 753 bps, that was primarily attributable to an increase in the average interest rate earned on repurchase transactions and an increase in the average interest rate earned Government securities.

    iii) Interest-Bearing Liabilities

    The following table shows our yields on cost of funds:

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
     
       (in millions of Pesos, except rates) 

    Interest-Bearing Liabilities

                

    Deposits

                

    Savings Accounts

       252,515    5.77    264,364    4.24    279,693    2.48 

    Time Deposits

       243,255    26.68    234,214    39.25    228,217    26.31 

    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

       495,770    16.03    498,578    20.69    507,910    13.19 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       19,815    12.64    38,319    13.19    42,944    12.80 

    Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities

       43,921    17.42    88,146    22.54    70,300    25.40 

    Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities

       1,916    15.29    13,315    7.15    3,393    11.97 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

       561,422    16.02    638,358    20.21    624,547    14.53 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    The average interest-bearing liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.561,422 million, as compared to Ps.638,358 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 12% decrease. Such decrease was primarily attributable to (i) a Ps.44,225 million decrease in the average balance of debt securities and subordinated debt securities, which decreased to Ps.43,921 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from Ps.88,146 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, (ii) a Ps.18,504 million decrease in the average balance of financing received from the BCRA and other financial institutions, which decreased to Ps.19,815 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from Ps.38,319 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and (iii) a Ps.2,808 million decrease in total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits), which decreased to Ps.495,770 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from Ps.498,578 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    The average interest-bearing liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.638,358 million, as compared to Ps.624,547 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017.


     

     

    For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019

     

     

    For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

     

     

    For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017

     

     

     

    Total

     

     

    Total

     

     

    Total

     




    Average Balance


    Accrued Interest


    Average Yield / Rate


    Average Balance


    Accrued Interest


    Average Yield / Rate


    Average Balance


    Accrued Interest


    Average Yield / Rate

    Assets

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Government Securities

     

     

    130,598

     

     

     

    66,324

     

     

     

    50.78

     

     

     

    81,012

     

     

     

    23,533

     

     

     

    29.05

     

     

     

    63,438

     

     

     

    10,596

     

     

     

    16.70

     

    Loans

     

     

    375,272

     

     

     

    117,084

     

     

     

    31.20

     

     

     

    464,013

     

     

     

    114,258

     

     

     

    24.62

     

     

     

    406,404

     

     

     

    71,623

     

     

     

    17.62

     

    Other

     

     

    24,567

     

     

     

    18,756

     

     

     

    76.35

     

     

     

    25,292

     

     

     

    5,161

     

     

     

    20.41

     

     

     

    27,230

     

     

     

    4,939

     

     

     

    18.14

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

     

     

    530,437

     

     

     

    202,164

     

     

     

    38.11

     

     

     

    570,317

     

     

     

    142,952

     

     

     

    25.07

     

     

     

    497,072

     

     

     

    87,158

     

     

     

    17.53

     

    Liabilities and Equity

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Deposits

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    171,701

     

     

     

    504

     

     

     

    0.29

     

     

     

    178,696

     

     

     

    346

     

     

     

    0.19

     

     

     

    152,318

     

     

     

    110

     

     

     

    0.07

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    196,846

     

     

     

    76,386

     

     

     

    38.80

     

     

     

    196,269

     

     

     

    43,149

     

     

     

    21.98

     

     

     

    155,546

     

     

     

    24,739

     

     

     

    15.90

     

    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

     

     

    368,547

     

     

     

    76,890

     

     

     

    20.86

     

     

     

    374,965

     

     

     

    43,495

     

     

     

    11.60

     

     

     

    307,864

     

     

     

    24,849

     

     

     

    8.07

     

    Debt Securities

     

     

    52,092

     

     

     

    14,874

     

     

     

    28.55

     

     

     

    53,144

     

     

     

    13,307

     

     

     

    25.04

     

     

     

    43,040

     

     

     

    6,457

     

     

     

    15.00

     

    Other

     

     

    29,481

     

     

     

    4,668

     

     

     

    15.83

     

     

     

    34,277

     

     

     

    6,390

     

     

     

    18.64

     

     

     

    16,973

     

     

     

    2,609

     

     

     

    15.37

     

    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     

     

    450,120

     

     

     

    96,432

     

     

     

    21.42

     

     

     

    462,386

     

     

     

    63,192

     

     

     

    13.67

     

     

     

    367,877

     

     

     

    33,915

     

     

     

    9.22

     

    Spread and Net Yield

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Interest Rate Spread

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    16.69

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    11.40

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    8.32

     

    Cost of Funds Supporting Interest-Earning Assets

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    18.18

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    11.08

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    6.82

     

    Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    19.93

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    13.99

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    10.71

     

    (*) Rates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    (1) Non-accruing loans have been included2%. Such increase was primarily attributable to a Ps.17,846 million increase in average loans.

    Changes in Net Interest Income-Volume and Rate Analysis

    The following table allocates, by currencydebt securities, which increased to Ps.88,146 million as of the underlying asset or liability, changes in our consolidated interest income and interest expenses between changes in the average volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in their respective average yield/rate for (i) the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 from Ps.70,300 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. This increase was offset by a decrease in the average balance of savings accounts deposits, which decreased to Ps.264,364 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 from Ps.279,693 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    iv) Interest Income

    Consolidated interest income was composed of the following:

       For the Year Ended December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Cash and due from banks

       3    11    2    (73  450 

    Corporate debt securities

       312    531    691    (41  (23

    Government debt securities

       9,183    6,405    2,908    43   120 

    On Loans and Other Financing Activities

       148,447    161,010    158,764    (8  1 

    Non-financial Public Sector

       —      —      1    —     (100

    Financial Sector

       3,126    4,300    4,406    (27  (2

    Non-financial Private Sector

       145,321    156,710    154,357    (7  2 

    Advances

       11,887    17,145    20,605    (31  (17

    Mortgage loans

       13,076    17,497    12,463    (25  40 

    Pledge loans

       1,422    956    891    49   7 

    Personal Loans

       16,299    16,636    19,160    (2  (13

    Credit Card Loans

       47,207    64,903    61,486    (27  6 

    Financial Leases

       352    761    1,266    (54  (40

    Others

       55,078    38,812    38,486    42   1 

    On Repurchase Transactions

       8,862    9,714    1,563    (9  521 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Income from Interest

       166,807    177,671    163,928    (6  8 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared withto Fiscal Year 2019

    Interest income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.166,807 million, as compared to Ps.177,671 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 6% decrease. Such decrease was the result of a Ps.12,563 million or 8% decrease in interest from loans and other financing and was partially offset by a Ps.2,778 million increase in interest income from government debt securities measured at amortized cost.

    The average amount of loans granted for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.491,386 million, a 16% decrease as compared to the Ps.587,663 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The average interest rate on total loans was 30.23% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to 27.12% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 311 bps increase year-over-year.

    The decrease in interest earnings from loans and other financing was primarily a consequence of a Ps.17,696 million decrease in credit card loans. This decrease was due to the maximum annual interest rate imposed by the BCRA as a measure to reduce negative economic the consequences of COVID-19. For more information see – Item 4. Information on the Company –A. Business Overview – Argentine Banking Regulations – Limitations on Fees and Other Substantial Elements.

    Additionally, the decrease in interest from loans and other financing was due to a Ps.5,258 million decrease in interest from advances and a Ps.4,421 million decrease in interest from mortgage loans, offset by a Ps.16,266 million increase in others loans (mostly comprised of overdrafts and loans for the pre-financing and financing of exports).

    Interest income from banking activity amounted to Ps.144,685 million, a 4% decrease as compared to the Ps.150,712 million recorded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    According to BCRA information, as of December 31, 2020, Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of loans to the private sector was 13.03% as of December 31, 2020, as compared to 11.50% as of December 31, 2019.

    The following table indicates Banco Galicia market share in the segments listed below:

       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in percentages) 

    Total Loans

       12.95    11.52    10.60 

    Private-Sector Loans

       13.03    11.50    10.51 

    (*)

    Exclusively Banco Galicia within the Argentine market, according to the daily information on loans published by the BCRA. balances as of the last day of each year.

    Interest income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.21,990 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a 17% decrease as compared to the Ps.26,500 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    Interest income related to insurance activity amounted to Ps.727 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a 37% decrease as compared to the Ps.1,145 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease was related to interest from debt securities recorded at amortized cost.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Interest income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was Ps.177,671 million, as compared to Ps.163,928 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 8% increase. Such increase was mainly the result of: (i) Ps.8,151 million in interest from repurchase transactions, (ii) Ps.3,497 million in interest from government debt securities measured at amortized cost and (ii)(iii) Ps.2,246 million in interest from loans and other financing.

    The average amount of repurchase transactions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018,2019 was equal to Ps.18,170 million, a 10% increase as compared withto Ps.16,479 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Differences related2018. The average interest rate on repurchase transactions was 53.46%, a 4,404 bps increase as compared to both rate and volume are allocated proportionally9.46% as of December 31, 2018.

    The average amount of loans for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.587,663 million, a 7 % increase as compared to the Ps.631,995 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.This decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in overdraft, mortgage and credit card loans extended as part of the portfolio. The average interest rate variance and the volume variance, respectively.

     

     

    Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019 / Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

     

     

    Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018 / Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017

     

     

     

    Increase (Decrease) due to changes in

     

     

    Increase (Decrease) due to changes in

     




    Volume


    Rate


    Net Change


    Volume



    Rate



    Net Change


    (in millions of Pesos)

    (in millions of Pesos)

    Interest Earning Assets

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Government Securities

     

     

    22,111

     

     

     

    20,680

     

     

     

    42,791

     

     

     

    2,569

     

     

     

    10,368

     

     

     

    12,936

     

    Loans(1)

     

     

    (312

    )

     

     

    3,138

     

     

     

    2,826

     

     

     

    3,574

     

     

     

    39,061

     

     

     

    42,635

     

    Other

     

     

    5

     

     

     

    13,590

     

     

     

    13,595

     

     

     

    (175

    )

     

     

    397

     

     

     

    223

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

     

     

    21,804

     

     

     

    37,408

     

     

     

    59,212

     

     

     

    5,968

     

     

     

    49,826

     

     

     

    55,794

     

    Interest Bearing Liabilities

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Savings Account

     

     

    (58

    )

     

     

    216

     

     

     

    158

     

     

     

    (13

    )

     

     

    249

     

     

     

    236

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    2,899

     

     

     

    30,338

     

     

     

    33,237

     

     

     

    3,454

     

     

     

    14,956

     

     

     

    18,410

     

    Debt Securities

     

     

    (753

    )

     

     

    2,320

     

     

     

    1,567

     

     

     

    1,626

     

     

     

    5,224

     

     

     

    6,850

     

    Other Liabilities

     

     

    (2,025

    )

     

     

    303

     

     

     

    (1,722

    )

     

     

    1,117

     

     

     

    2,664

     

     

     

    3,781

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

     

     

    63

     

     

     

    33,177

     

     

     

    33,240

     

     

     

    6,184

     

     

     

    23,093

     

     

     

    29,277

     

    (1)Non-accruingon total loans have been included in average loans.

    The increase of Ps.59,212 million in interest incomewas 27.12% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to the previous year, is primarily attributable to a Ps.21,804 million increase in the volume of interest-earning assets, together with an increase of Ps.37,558 million in interest income due to an increase in interest rates.

    In particular, Ps.42,791 million of the increase was due to an increase in interest income from debt securities. The average volume of debt securities amounted to Ps.130,598 million for fiscal year 2019, as compared to Ps.81,012 million for the previous fiscal year. This increase was due to Ps.42,791 million increase in interest income from debt securities, which resulted from an increase in interest rates earned from debt securities due to a 2,173 basis point (“bps”) increase in the average interest rate for loans, from 29.05% in 2018 to 50.78% in 2019.

    The Ps.13,595 million increase in interest from other assets was due to an increase in volume equal to Ps.5 million, and an increase in interest rates (accounting for Ps.13,590 million), mainly as a result of an increase in the average rate earned on other assets. This increase was mainly as consequence of (i) an increase in the average volume and rate on repurchase transaction with the Central Bank, and (ii) a higher result from change in valuation criteria of the Bank’s interest in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A.

    Interest income from loans increased Ps.2,826 million from Ps.114,25824.80% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 232 bps increase year-over-year.

    Interest income from banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to Ps.117,084Ps.150,712 million, a 25% increase as compared to the Ps.120,773 million recorded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    According to BCRA information, as of December 31, 2019 Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of loans to the private sector was 11.50%, a 99 pbs increase when compared with the 10.51% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Interest income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.26,500 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 16% decrease as compared to the Ps.31,707 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Interest income related to insurance services amounted to Ps.1,145 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 31% increase as compared to the Ps.875 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    v) Interest Expenses

    Consolidated interest expenses were comprised of the following:

       For the Year Ended December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    On Deposits

       79,483    103,158    68,499    (23  51 

    Non-financial Private Sector

       79,483    103,158    68,499    (23  51 

    Checking Accounts

       —      —      —      —     —   

    Savings Accounts

       11    9    11    22   (18

    Time Deposit and Term Investments

       62,824    90,832    59,909    (31  52 

    Others

       16,648    12,317    8,579    35   44 

    On Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       1,744    3,340    4,526    (48  (26

    On Repurchase Transactions

       304    921    463    (67  99 

    On Other Financial Liabilities

       953    1,778    1,629    (46  9 

    On Debt Securities

       6,097    19,389    17,407    (69  11 

    On Subordinated Debt Securities

       1,594    1,668    1,531    (4  9 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Interest Expenses

       90,175    130,254    94,055    (31  38 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Interest expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.90,175 million, as compared to Ps.130,254 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 31% decrease. Such decrease was primarily attributable to a 23% decrease in interest paid on deposits, as consequence of low rate yields.

    Interest expenses from deposits amounted to Ps.79,483 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to Ps.103,158 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.23,675 million decrease. This decrease was primarily due to increased interest expenses related to time deposits and term investments, which was equal to Ps.62,824 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, representing a 31% decrease as compared to Ps.90,832 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. This increaseSuch lower interest paid on time deposits was due to lower rates as compare to the rates of 2019, as consequence the regulated rates product of the monetary regulation.

    The total average interest-bearing deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to Ps.495,770 million, registering a decrease in volume equal to Ps.312of 1%. Of this decrease, Ps.11,849 million andwere saving accounts deposits. This decrease was offset by an increase in interest rates equal to Ps.3,138time deposits for Ps.9,041 million.

    Out of total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the average interest rate of time deposits was 16.03%, as compared to 20.69% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 466 bps decrease.

    In termsSavings accounts deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 accrued interest at an average rate of interest5.77%, as compared to an average rate of 4.24% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 153 bps increase. The rate of time deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was 26.68%, as compared to 39.25% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 1,257 bps decrease.

    Interest expenses related to banking activity amounted to Ps.85,854 million for the Ps.32,240fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to Ps.118,269 million increasefor the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 27% decrease.

    According BCRA information and considering only deposits from the private-sector deposits in checking and savings accounts and time deposits, Banco Galicia’s estimated Argentine deposit market share increased from 10.17% as of December 31, 2019 to 10.28% as of December 31, 2020.

    The following table indicates Banco Galicia´s market share in the segments listed below:

       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in percentages) 

    Total Deposits

       8.42    8.23    8.85 

    Total Deposits in Checking and Savings Accounts and Time Deposits

       10.28    10.17    11.33 

    Private-Sector Deposits

       10.07    9.92    11.09 

    (*)

    Exclusively Banco Galicia within the Argentine market, according to the daily information on deposits published by the BCRA. balances as of the last day of each year.

    Interest expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.5,150 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to Ps.13,232 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 58% decrease. This decrease was primarily a result of a decrease in interest expenses on debt securities issued by Naranja.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Interest expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.130,254 million, as compared to Ps.94,055 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, isrepresenting a 38% increase. Such increase was primarily a result ofattributable to an 51% increase in the interest rate payablepaid on timedeposits.

    Interest expenses from deposits of Ps.30,338amounted to Ps.103,158 million (which increased from 21.98% in 2018 to 38.80% in 2019).

    Debt and Equity Securities

    The following table shows our holdings of debt and equity securities at the balance sheet dates stated below. Our holdings of government securities represent mainly holdings of Banco Galicia.

     

     


    As of December 31,

     




    2019


    2018


    2017


    (in  millions of Pesos)

    Debt Securities at FV through profit or loss

     

     

    65,690

     

     

     

    116,813

     

     

     

    65,760

     

    Argentine Government Securities

     

     

    6,700

     

     

     

    7,230

     

     

     

    21,418

     

    Government Bonds

     

     

    347

     

     

     

    2,285

     

     

     

    1,927

     

    Provincial Bonds

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,514

     

     

     

    5,676

     

    City of Buenos Aires Bonds

     

     

    120

     

     

     

    65

     

     

     

    1,741

     

    Treasury Bills

     

     

    6,233

     

     

     

    3,366

     

     

     

    12,074

     

    Argentine Central Bank´s Bill

     

     

    58,141

     

     

     

    107,833

     

     

     

    40,562

     

    Lebacs

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    40,562

     

    Leliq

     

     

    58,141

     

     

     

    107,833

     

     

     

     

    Corporate Securities

     

     

    849

     

     

     

    1,750

     

     

     

    3,780

     

    Debt Securities

     

     

    755

     

     

     

    1,060

     

     

     

    2,899

     

    Debt Securities of Financial Trust

     

     

    94

     

     

     

    157

     

     

     

    555

     

    Participation Certificates in Financial Trust

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    533

     

     

     

    326

     

    Other Debt Securities

     

     

    19,020

     

     

     

    22,189

     

     

     

    6,434

     

    Measured at FV through OCI

     

     

    15,917

     

     

     

    14,017

     

     

     

    219

     

    Government Securities

     

     

    15,917

     

     

     

    14,017

     

     

     

    219

     

    Measured at Amortized Cost

     

     

    3,103

     

     

     

    8,172

     

     

     

    6,215

     

    Argentine Government Securities

     

     

    2

     

     

     

    5

     

     

     

    53

     

    Treasury Bills

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    3

     

     

     

    116

     

    Argentine Central Bank's Bill and Bonds

     

     

    2,335

     

     

     

    337

     

     

     

    256

     

    Corporate Securities

     

     

    795

     

     

     

    7,827

     

     

     

    5,790

     

    Allowance

     

     

    (29

    )

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Investments in Equity Instruments

     

     

    4,554

     

     

     

    248

     

     

     

    172

     

    Domestic

     

     

    4,512

     

     

     

    205

     

     

     

    125

     

    Internacional

     

     

    42

     

     

     

    43

     

     

     

    47

     

    Total Debt and Equity Securities

     

     

    89,264

     

     

     

    139,250

     

     

     

    72,366

     

    As of December 31, 2019, the decrease in our debt and equity securities was mainly a result of a decrease in the volume of Government Bonds issued by the Argentine Central Bank and the corresponding purchase of the same. Our government securities issued by the Argentine Central Bank decreased Ps.49,692 million from Ps.107,833 million as of December 31, 2018 to Ps.58,141 million as of December 31, 2019.


    The amount of Argentine government securities recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2019 for Ps.6,700 million corresponded to securities issued by the City of Buenos Aires (for Ps.120 million) Argentine bonds (for Ps.347 million); and Treasury Bills (for Ps.6,233 million).

    As of December 31, 2019, the holding of public securities denominated in Dollars was composed mainly of Government Bonds (for Ps.4,982 million), recorded at fair value, and of Government Bonds (for Ps.11 million) and U.S. Treasury Bonds (for Ps.3 million) recorded at cost plus yield.

    As of December 31, 2018, the amount of Argentine government securities, recorded at fair value for Ps.7,230 million, corresponded to our holdings of debt securities mainly issued by the provinces of Buenos Aires (for Ps.822 million), Neuquén (for Ps.410 million), Río Negro (for Ps.268 million), Mendoza (for Ps.14 million) and City of Buenos Aires (for Ps.65 million); and Government Bonds (for Ps.2,285 million) and treasury bills (for Ps.3,366 million).

    As of December 31, 2018, the holding of public securities denominated in Dollars was composed mainly of Argentine Treasury Bills (Letes) (for Ps.283 million) and Government Bonds (for Ps.26 million), recorded at fair value and Argentine Treasury Bills (Letes) (for Ps.5 million) U.S. Treasury Bonds due in 2022 (for Ps.2 million), recorded at cost plus yield.

    All local government securities, except for the Lebac and Leliq, which are issued by the Argentine Central Bank, were issued by the Argentine government.

    Remaining Maturity and Weighted-Average Yield

    The following table analyzes the remaining maturity and weighted-average yield of our holdings of debt securities at fair value through profit or loss as of December 31, 2019. Our government securities portfolio yields do not contain any tax equivalency adjustments.


     

     

    Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Maturing within 1 year

     

     

    Maturing after 1 year but within 5 years

     

     

    Maturing after 5 years but within 10 years

     

     

    Maturing after 10 years

     

     




    Total Book Value


    Book Value


    Yield  (1)


    Book Value

    Yield 



    Book Value


    Yield  (1)


    Book Value


    Yield  (1)



    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

    Debt Securities at FV through Profit or loss

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Argentine Government Securities

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Pesos

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Government Bonds

     

     

    108

     

     

     

    38

     

     

     

    277.27

     

    %

     

    62

     

     

     

    49.64

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    8

     

     

     

    11.70

     

    %

    Provincial Bonds

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    %

    City of Buenos Aires Bonds

     

     

    120

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    %

     

    116

     

     

     

    66.85

     

    %

     

    4

     

     

     

    64.69

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

    Treasury Bills

     

     

    1,049

     

     

     

    1,049

     

     

     

    50.00

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

      Foreign Currency

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Government Bonds

     

     

    239

     

     

     

    116

     

     

     

    175.63

     

    %

     

    123

     

     

     

    65.56

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

    Treasury Bills

     

     

    5,184

     

     

     

    5,184

     

     

     

    4.25

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

    Argentine Central Bank´s Bill and Bonds

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Pesos

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Leliq

     

     

    58,141

     

     

     

    58,141

     

     

     

    52.30

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

    Corporate Securities

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Pesos

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Debt Securities

     

     

    657

     

     

     

    653

     

     

     

    45.63

     

    %

     

    4

     

     

     

    51.71

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

    Debt Securities of Financial Trust

     

     

    52

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    47.95

     

    %

     

    52

     

     

     

    51.00

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

    Participation Certificates in Financial Trust

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

      Foreign Currency

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Debt Securities

     

     

    98

     

     

     

    14

     

     

     

    8.08

     

    %

     

    79

     

     

     

    6.52

     

    %

     

    5

     

     

     

    6.75

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

    Debt Securities of Financial Trust

     

     

    42

     

     

     

    14

     

     

     

    -

     

    %

     

    28

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

    Participation Certificates in Financial Trust

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    %

     

    -

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

     

     

     

     

     

    %

    Debt Securities at FV through Profit or loss

     

     

    65,690

     

     

     

    65,209

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    464

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    9

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    8

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (1) Effective yield based on December 31, 2019 quoted market values.

    Loan and Other Financing Portfolio

    Our total loans and other financing reflect Banco Galicia’s and Tarjetas Regionales’ loan and other financing portfolios including past due principal amounts. Personal loans and credit-card loans are typically loans to individuals granted by Banco Galicia or Tarjetas Regionales. Most of the Tarjetas Regionales’ loans are included under “credit card loans”. Also, certain amounts related to advances, promissory notes, mortgage loans and pledge loans are extended to individuals. However, advances and promissory notes mostly represent loans to companies. The following table analyzes our consolidated loan and other financing activities portfolio.


     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     




    2019


    2018



    2017


     

    (in  millions of Pesos)

     

     

    Principal and Interest











    Non- Financial Public Sector

     


    7

     

     

    18

     

     

    13

     

     

    Financial Institutions

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Loans

     

     

    10,796

     

     

     

    12,218

     

     

     

    10,674

     

     

    Other financing

     

     

    22

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    6

     

     

    Total Financial Institutions

     

     

    10,818

     

     

     

    12,219

     

     

     

    10,680

     

     

    Non-Financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad (1)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Loans

     

     

    362,076

     

     

     

    436,182

     

     

     

    432,070

     

     

    Advances

     

     

    15,892

     

     

     

    22,199

     

     

     

    25,661

     

     

    Overdrafts

     

     

    75,080

     

     

     

    55,411

     

     

     

    80,693

     

     

    Mortgage Loans

     

     

    15,053

     

     

     

    18,141

     

     

     

    12,976

     

     

    Pledge Loans

     

     

    3,209

     

     

     

    1,535

     

     

     

    2,448

     

     

    Personal Loans

     

     

    27,646

     

     

     

    44,834

     

     

     

    53,276

     

     

    Credit Card Loans

     

     

    149,460

     

     

     

    174,439

     

     

     

    192,561

     

     

    Placements in Banks Abroad

     

     

    7,875

     

     

     

    8,155

     

     

     

    656

     

     

    Other Loans

     

     

    53,908

     

     

     

    106,902

     

     

     

    68,511

     

     

    Accrued Interest, Adjustment and Quotation Differences Receivable

     

     

    15,245

     

     

     

    8,289

     

     

     

    516

     

     

    Documented Interest

     

     

    (1,292

    )

     

     

    (3,723

    )

     

     

    (5,228

    )

     

    Financial Leases

     

     

    2,225

     

     

     

    3,381

     

     

     

    3,809

     

     

    Other Financing

     

     

    9,277

     

     

     

    7,186

     

     

     

    5,065

     

     

    Total Non-Financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

     

     

    373,578

     

     

     

    446,749

     

     

     

    440,944

     

     

    Total Gross Loans and Other Financing

     

     

    384,403

     

     

     

    458,986

     

     

     

    451,637

     

     

    Allowance for Loan and Other Financing Losses

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Loans

     

     

    (25,629

    )

     

     

    (23,921

    )

     

     

    (14,043

    )

     

    Financial Leases

     

     

    (44

    )

     

     

    (45

    )

     

     

    (51

    )

     

    Others Financing

     

     

    (171

    )

     

     

    (120

    )

     

     

    (113

    )

     

    Total Allowance

     

     

    (25,844

    )

     

     

    (24,086

    )

     

     

    (14,207

    )

     

    Total Loans and Other Financing

     

     

    358,559

     

     

     

    434,900

     

     

     

    437,430

     

     

    (1) Categories of loans include:

    • Advances: short-term obligations drawn on by customers through overdrafts.
    • Overdrafts: endorsed promissory notes, notes and other promises to pay signed by one borrower or group of borrowers and factored loans.
    • Mortgage Loans: loans granted to purchase or improve real estate and collateralized by such real estate and commercial loans secured by a real estate mortgage.
    • Pledge Loans: loans secured by collateral (such as cars or machinery) other than real estate, where such collateral is an integral part of the loan documents.
    • Personal Loans: loans to individuals.
    • Credit-Card Loans: loans granted through credit cards to credit card holders.
    • Placements in Banks Abroad: short-term loans to banks abroad.
    • Other Loans: loans not included in other categories.
    • Documented Interest: discount on notes and bills.

    As of December 31, 2019, Grupo Galicia’s loan and other financing portfolio before allowances for loan and other financing losses amounted to Ps.384,403 million, a 16% decrease as compared to thefiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    For2019 as compared to Ps.68,499 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 Grupo Galicia’s loana Ps.34,659 million increase. This increase was primarily due to increased interest expenses related to time deposits and other financing portfolio before allowances for loan and other financing losses amountedterm investments, which was equal to Ps.458,986Ps.90,832 million a 2% increase year-over-year.

    The table below showing such information for the fiscal yearsyear ended December 31, 20162019, representing a 52% increase as compared to Ps.59,909 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Average deposits recorded a decrease of 2% as compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, with a decrease of 5% in savings account deposits and 2015 is not adjusted for inflation, and was prepareda 3% increase in accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP.time deposits.

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

     

    2016

     

     

    2015

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos)

     

    Principal and Interest

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Non-Financial Public Sector

     

     

    -

     

     

    -

     

    Local Financial Sector

     

     

     

    2,098

     

     

     

    762

     

    Non-Financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad (1)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Advances

     

     

     

    10,063

     

     

     

    8,549

     

    Promissory Notes

     

     

     

    25,298

     

     

     

    22,752

     

    Mortgage Loans

     

     

     

    2,178

     

     

     

    2,099

     

    Pledge Loans

     

     

     

    678

     

     

     

    487

     

    Personal Loans

     

     

     

    15,312

     

     

     

    9,259

     

    Credit Card Loans

     

     

     

    72,766

     

     

    56,260

     

    Placements in Banks Abroad

     

     

     

    1,227

     

     

     

    232

     

    Other Loans

     

     

     

    11,405

     

     

     

    692

     

    Accrued Interest, Adjustment and Quotation Differences

     

     

     

    1,775

     

     

     

    1,407

     

    Receivable

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Documented Interest

     

     

     

    (642

    )

     

     

    (597

    )

    Total Non-Financial Private-Sector and Residents Abroad

     

     

     

    140,060

     

     

    101,140

     

    Total Gross Loans

     

     

     

    142,158

     

     

     

    101,902

     

    Allowance for Loan Losses

     

     

     

    (4,707

    )

     

     

    (3,560

    )

    Total Loans

     

     

     

    137,451

     

     

     

    98,342

     

    Loans with Guarantees

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees (2)

     

     

     

    3,322

     

     

     

    2,988

     

    Other Guarantees

     

     

     

    18,984

     

     

     

    13,508

     

    Total Loans with Guarantees

     

     

     

    22,306

     

     

     

    16,496

     

    (1) Includes local and international financial sectors.

    (2) Before the allowance for loan losses.

    Maturity Composition of the Loan Portfolio

    The following table sets forth an analysis by type of loantotal interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time remainingdeposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 the average interest rate of time deposits was 20,69%, as compared to maturity13,19% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 750 bps increase.

    Interest expenses related to banking activity amounted Ps.118,269 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to Ps.79,349 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 49% increase.

    Using BCRA information and considering only deposits from the private-sector deposits in checking and savings accounts and time deposits, Banco Galicia’s estimated Argentine deposit market share decreased from 11.09% as of our loan portfolioDecember 31, 2018 to 9.92% as of December 31, 2019.

     

     

    As of December 31, 2019

     




    Within 1 Year


    After 1 Year but within 5 Years


    After 5 Years


    Total at December 31, 2019


    (in millions of Pesos)

    Non-Financial Public Sector (1)

     

     

    7

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    7

     

    Financial Sector (1)

     

     

    8,027

     

     

     

    2,769

     

     

     

     

     

     

    10,796

     

    Private Sector and Residents Abroad

     

     

    288,669

     

     

     

    69,712

     

     

     

    10,216

     

     

     

    368,597

     

    Advances

     

     

    14,363

     

     

     

    1,529

     

     

     

     

     

     

    15,892

     

    Overdrafts

     

     

    51,885

     

     

     

    22,603

     

     

     

    592

     

     

     

    75,080

     

    Mortgage Loans

     

     

    3,619

     

     

     

    8,981

     

     

     

    2,453

     

     

     

    15,053

     

    Pledge Loans

     

     

    1,057

     

     

     

    1,934

     

     

     

    218

     

     

     

    3,209

     

    Personal Loans

     

     

    14,703

     

     

     

    12,569

     

     

     

    376

     

     

     

    27,648

     

    Credit-Card Loans

     

     

    146,825

     

     

     

    2,635

     

     

     

     

     

     

    149,460

     

    Other Loans

     

     

    35,804

     

     

     

    19,461

     

     

     

    6,577

     

     

     

    61,842

     

    Accrued Interest and Quotation

     

     

    20,471

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    20,471

     

    Documented Interest

     

     

    (59

    )

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (59

    )

    Total Loans

     

     

    296,703

     

     

     

    72,481

     

     

     

    10,216

     

     

     

    379,400

     

    (1) Interest andexpenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.13,232 million for the UVA/CER adjustment were assignedfiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to Ps.12,485 million for the first month.fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 6% increase. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in interest expenses on debt securities issued by Naranja.

    vi) Net Fee Income

    Interest Rate Sensitivity of Outstanding LoansConsolidated net fee income consisted of:

     

    The following table presents the interest rate sensitivity of our outstanding loans due after one year by denomination as of December 31, 2019.

     

     

    As of December 31, 2019

     

     

     

    In millions of Pesos

     

     

    As a % of Total Loans

     

    Variable Rate (1)(2)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Pesos

     

     

    3,558

     

     

     

    4.30

     

    Foreign Currency

     

     

    4,727

     

     

     

    5.72

     

    Total

     

     

    8,285

     

     

     

    10.02

     

    Fixed Rate (2)(3)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Pesos

     

     

    44,480

     

     

     

    53.79

     

    Foreign Currency

     

     

    29,932

     

     

     

    36.19

     

    Total

     

     

    74,412

     

     

     

    89.98

     

    (1) Includes overdraft loans.

    (2) Includes past due loans and excludes interest receivable, differences in quotations and the UVA/CER adjustment.

    (3) Includes short-term and long-term loans whose rates are determined at the beginning of the loans’ life.

    Credit Review Process

    Credit risk is the potential for financial loss resulting from the failure of a borrower to honor its financial contractual obligations. Our credit risk arises mainly from Banco Galicia’s and Tarjeta Naranja’s lending activities, and from the fact that, in the normal course of business, these subsidiaries are parties to certain transactions with off-balance sheet treatment and associated risk, mainly commitments to extend credit and guarantees granted. See also Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”─A. “Operating Results”─ “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”.

    Our credit approval and credit risk analysis is a centralized process based balancing a variety of factors. In undertaking credit approval and credit risk analyses, the Bank’s risk management, credit and origination divisions, both with respect to retail and wholesale businesses, efficiently work together to management asset quality, proactively management problem loans, aggressive charge-offs for uncollectible loans, and adequate loan loss provisioning. These processes also include the update of financial models to measure portfolio risk at operational and customer levels, facilitating the detection of defaulting, or potentially defaulting, loans and losses associated therewith, which allows for the proactive management of the same in order to prevent portfolio deterioration, enabling appropriate protection of our assets.

    Banco Galicia

    The Risk Division is responsible for the overall risk management of the Bank in accordance with international best practices and handles solvency, financial, operational, credit, technological, reputational and strategic risks. The Risk Division is independent from the business areas of the Bank and its subsidiaries and it reports directly to the Bank’s General Division. The Risk Division works with the functional support of the Compliance and Money Laundering Prevention Division, a division that also reports to the Board of Directors, and whose purpose is to prevent the execution of financial operations with funds derived from illegal activities, and the use of the Bank as a vehicle for laundering money and funding terrorist activities. In addition, the Risk Division monitors compliance with the laws, regulations and internal policies in order to prevent financial and/or criminal penalties and to minimize any reputational impact. It is an independent role that coordinates and assists in identifying, providing advice on, monitoring, reporting and warning management regarding compliance risks.

    Moreover, in order to have timely information and a flexible structure in place to efficiently respond and adjust to macro and microeconomic variables, the Risk Division is responsible for credit extension and recovery functions for companies and individuals.

    The mission of the Risk Division is comprised of the following activities:

    • actively and comprehensively managing and monitoring the risks taken by Banco Galicia and its subsidiaries, ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulations in force;
    • keeping the Board of Directors informed of the risks faced by the Bank, proposing how to deal with such risks;
    • helping to strengthen a risk management culture;
    • establishing the risks, the Bank is willing to take and designing policies and procedures to monitor, control and mitigate the same;
    • escalating deviations from internal policies to the Bank’s General Division; and
    • managing the evaluation process of available financing capabilities and required capital resources to maintain an appropriate risk profile.

    The Risk Division’s responsibilities include:

    • ensuring action and contingency plans are in place to address any deviations from acceptable thresholds for risks posing a threat to business continuity;
    • recommending the most suitable methodologies for the Bank to measure identified risks;
    • guaranteeing that the launching of any new product includes a previous assessment of potential risks involved;
    • providing technical support and assisting the Management Division regarding risk management;
    • developing and proposing the strategies for credit and credit-granting policies; and
    • managing and monitoring the credit origination processes, follow-up and control thereof, and the recovery of past-due loans.

    Banco Galicia complies with all regulatory requirements set forth by Law No.25,246, as amended, Resolution No.30/2017, as amended, issued by the Financial Information Unit (the “UIF”) and Argentine Central Bank’s Communication “A” 6399, as supplemented and/or amended.

    The Bank has policies, procedures and control structures in place related to the features of the various products offered, which help monitor transactions in order to identify unusual or suspicious transactions and report them to the UIF. The Compliance and Money Laundering Prevention Division is responsible for managing this risk, through the implementation of control and prevention procedures as well as the communication thereof to the rest of the organization through the drafting of the corresponding handbooks and the training of all employees.

    Banco Galicia has appointed a Director responsible for the management of this risk, and has created a Committee in charge of planning, coordinating and enforcing the compliance with the policies set by the Board of Directors. The basic principle on which the regulations regarding prevention and control of money laundering are based is in line with the “know your customer” policy in force worldwide. Such risks are regularly reviewed through internal and external audits.

    The following subdivisions depend on support from the Risk Division: Wholesale Credit, Retail Credit and Credit Recovery. They are responsible for developing and proposing strategies for credit and credit-granting policies, as well as managing and monitoring credit origination processes, follow-up and control thereof, and the recovery of past-due loans. The goal of these divisions is to ensure the quality of the loan portfolio, minimize costs

    while maximizing efficiency, and recovery optimization, thus minimizing loan losses and optimizing efficiency in the credit extension process.

    The Retail Credit Division is responsible for ensuring that the fraud screening and prevention process is effective, thereby assuring the quality of the retail portfolio. This Division designs and manages complex credit decision-taking models and tools, directs the alignment efforts to implement retail business strategies, and works together with the business team to suggest business opportunities.

    The Wholesale Credit Division is responsible for the corporate rating process, thus assuring the quality of the wholesale portfolio. This Division directs alignment efforts to implement business strategies based on the customer service model, working together with the business team to suggest business opportunities. This Division deals specifically with complex businesses such as banks, public companies, capital markets transactions and investment projects.

    Before approving a loan, Banco Galicia performs an assessment of the potential borrower and his/her financial condition. Approvals of loans exceeding certain amounts are analyzed based on the credit line and the customer.

    Banco Galicia performs its risk assessment based on the following factors:

    Qualitative Analysis

    Assessment of the corporate borrower’s creditworthiness performed by the officer in charge of the account based on personal knowledge.

    Economic and Financial Risk

    Quantitative analysis of the borrower’s balance sheet amounts.

    Economic Risk of the Sector

    Measurement of the general risk of the financial sector where the borrower operates (based on statistical information, internal and external).

    Environmental Risk

    Environmental impact analysis (required for all investment projects of significant amounts).

    Loans are generally approved pursuant to pre-set authorization levels, except loans exceeding certain amounts, which are approved by the Credit Committee.

    The Recovery Management Division is responsible for administering and managing both the Bank’s performing and under-performing credit portfolio, seeking to minimize the deterioration thereof and establishing recovery of such credit portfolios. Management models and specific strategies are applied to each type of portfolio, segments and tranches in arrears, from early defaults to out-of-court and judicial proceedings.


    Tarjeta Naranja

    Credit Risk

    Credit risk for Tarjeta Naranja arises from a variety of factors, including credit risk related to failures to pay by entities that Tarjeta Naranja lends money to and failures to pay outstanding credit card balances by individual clients that hold credit cards with Tarjeta Naranja.

    With respect to investments, Tarjeta Naranja evaluates its credit risk or exposure pursuant to an investment and credit evaluation policy. In accordance with this policy, the Company (i) has certain internal credit risk rating requirements that any company in which it invests must meet, (ii) requires certain debt to equity ratios be maintained by any company to which it lends money and (iii) has upper limits on the amount that it will invest in any given company.

    The Company actively monitors the creditworthiness of its clients to minimize its overall exposure to their credit risk. The Company uses the following tools to evaluate and manage the creditworthiness of its clients:

    • statistical models that determine the amount of credit that Tarjeta Naranja is comfortable extending to a client based on the client’s specific financial situation;
    • guidelines for providing credit cards and loans based on the client’s specific financial situation (i.e., verification of the applicant’s identity, monthly income, number of family members, geographic location and occupation);
    • case-by-case evaluation of appropriate credit limits for each applicant; and
    • ongoing monitoring of each client’s credit position and payment history.

    Procedure for Credit Card Application

    The credit risk associated with a credit card applicant is evaluated by reviewing the information with respect to each applicant set forth above. The Risk Committee establishes the guidelines and requirements for credit card applicants. Such guidelines are based on statistical models and objective criteria in order for internal credit analysts to efficiently approve or reject each credit card application.

    In addition to reviewing each applicant’s credit record, the Company also verifies the credit score and payment history of each applicant. Once the information has been verified and, to the extent the customer meets all applicable requirements, the credit card is issued and delivered at the applicant’s address, or the applicant may arrange to pick it up at any of the Company’s branches.

       For the Year Ended December 31,  Change (%) 
       2020  2019  2018  2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Income From

          

    Determination of Credit Limits

    Customer’s credit limits are determined on the basis of an assessment of each customer’s specific financial situation. Based on such assessment, customers are assigned one of five risk levels: A, B, C, D or E, with A being the lowest risk segment and E being the highest risk segment. In making such assignment, certain factors are considered, including, but not limited to, monthly income, number of family members, geographic location and occupation. The customer is then assigned a credit limit based on his or her risk level, which is shared among all credit cards associated with such customer, whether as a primary or additional cardholder. The credit limit assigned to each customer includes: (i) the monthly balance limit; (ii) the long-term purchase limit (the maximum amount for a customer to purchase in six or more installments using the credit card); (iii) the total credit limit (the maximum amount that may be owed to the Company); (iv) the maximum balance limit for cash advances, which is determined based on risk segmentation, monthly income, and internal indebtedness as well as in the financial system, not being able to exceed the LCPL (long-term purchase limit plan).

    Below is a detail of the percentage limits and nominal caps assigned to each risk segment.


     

     

    Monthly Balance Limit

     

     

    Long-term Purchase Limit

     

     

    Total Credit Limit

     

      Monthly Balance Limit   Long-term Purchase Limit   Total Credit Limit 

    Risk Segment

     

    Income %

     

     

    Floor in Ps.

     

     

    Top

     

     

    Income %

     

     

    Floor in Ps.

     

     

    Top

     

     

    Income %

     

     

    Floor in Ps.

     

     

    Top

     

      Income%   Floor in
    Ps.
       Top   Income
    %
       Floor in
    Ps.
       Top   Income
    %
       Floor in
    Ps.
       Top 

    A (Lowest)

     

     

    100

     

     

     

    5,000

     

     

     

    50,000

     

     

     

    160

     

     

     

    5,000

     

     

     

    120,000

     

     

     

    200

     

     

     

    5,000

     

     

     

    140,000

     

       100    14,000    75,000    160    5,000    180,000    200    5,000    210,000 

    B

     

     

    90

     

     

     

    4,500

     

     

     

    35,000

     

     

     

    150

     

     

     

    4,500

     

     

     

    80,000

     

     

     

    180

     

     

     

    4,500

     

     

     

    100,000

     

       90    11,000    55,000    150    4,500    12,000    180    4,500    150,000 

    C

     

     

    80

     

     

     

    4,000

     

     

     

    22,000

     

     

     

    140

     

     

     

    4,000

     

     

     

    50,000

     

     

     

    170

     

     

     

    4,000

     

     

     

    60,000

     

       80    9,000    44,000    140    4,000    75,000    170    4,000    95,000 

    D

     

     

    70

     

     

     

    3,500

     

     

     

    15,000

     

     

     

    120

     

     

     

    3,500

     

     

     

    35,000

     

     

     

    150

     

     

     

    3,500

     

     

     

    40,000

     

       70    7,000    31,000    120    3,500    50,000    150    3,500    60,000 

    E (Highest)

     

     

    60

     

     

     

    3,000

     

     

     

    10,000

     

     

     

    100

     

     

     

    3,000

     

     

     

    25,000

     

     

     

    120

     

     

     

    3,000

     

     

     

    30,000

     

       60    6,000    15,000    100    3,000    35,000    120    3,000    40,000 

    Tarjeta Naranja reviews such credit limits on a daily basis and a credit limit may be automatically increased for eligible cardholders meeting certain requirements, including payment history. In addition, Tarjeta Naranja reviews cardholders’ applications for increases in the monthly limit and may, in its sole discretion, increase such limits based on the individual customer’s payment history and total income level.

    Credit cards are extended to clients active in a wide range of business sectors. As such, the Company maintains a diversified portfolio of risk exposure based on economic fluctuations.

    vi) Financial Instruments Classification and Loss Provisions

    General

    The “Expected Credit Loss” (“ECL”) model applies to financial assets which are valued at both amortized cost and fair value through other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The standard establishes three categories to classify financial instruments, primarily taking into account the credit risk evolution over time. Stage 1 includes financial assets with normal or no significant risk associated; Stage 2 includes financial assets for which a significant increase in credit risk has been identified but they are not yet deemed to be credit-impaired and Stage 3 comprises financial assets which are impaired and/or subject to serious risk of impairment. To calculate the provisions for credit impairment risk, IFRS 9 differentiates among these three stages by applying the following concepts:

     

    • 12- Month Expected Credit Losses: Possible events of default within the 12 months following the date of the presentation of financial statements. Assets included in Stage 1 have their ECL measured at 12-month ECL.

    Lifetime Expected Credit Losses: ECL during the active period of the financial asset, which results of calculating the probability of impairment of an asset throughout its duration, up until its maturity. Instruments in Stage 2 or 3 have their ECL measured based on lifetime ECL.

    The measurement of ECL in accordance with IFRS 9 should consider forward looking information. To estimate ECL, Grupo Galicia has applied the following definitions and parameters, in accordance with IFRS 9.

    Financial Instruments Classification

    Grupo Galicia classifies its financial instruments into the following groups: (i) retail loans, (ii) retail-like loans, (iii) wholesale loans and (iv) Tarjeta Naranja.

    Each subsidiary of Grupo Galicia classifies financial instruments subject to impairment under IFRS 9 in stages, as follows:

     

    • Stage 1: With respect to retail portfolios, Stage 1 includes every financial instrument up to 31 days past due. With respect to wholesale portfolios, Stage 1 includes every client whose Argentine Central BankBCRA situation indicates a normal status (rating A) (i.e. low risk of bankruptcy).

     

    • Stage 2: This stage includes financial assets for which a significant increase in credit risk has been identified. This stage considers two groups:

     


    • For retail and retail like Portfolios between 31 and 90 days past due. For wholesale it considers credit ratings for which the risk of default has increased significantly.

    Probability of Default or Score with impairment risk.

     

    • Stage 3: For all portfolios, Stage 3 includes every client whose Argentine Central BankBCRA situation indicates a serious risk of bankruptcy (ratings C, D, E, F)E). With respect to retail portfolios, Stage 3 also includes financial instruments that are 90 or more days past due.

    See the Argentina Central Bank Classification, on ─“—“Argentine Banking Regulation” “Loan Classification System”.

    Definition of Default

    A financial instrument is considered to be in default whenever payment is more than 90 days past due, or if Grupo Galicia believes that the amount due will not be repaid in full. The credit analysis for wholesale loans is not the same as for retail loans and Grupo Galicia’s definition of default with respect to wholesale portfolios is based on a credit analysis of the individual borrower. The definition of default is applied consistently to produce models for the Probability of Default, Exposure at Default and Loss Given Default in Grupo Galicia’s expected loss calculations:

     

    • Probability of Default:Default (“PD”): This is the likelihood of a borrower defaulting on its financial obligation, either over the next 12 months or during the remaining term of the obligation.

    • Exposure at Default: This is based on the amounts Grupo Galicia expects to be owed at the time of default, either over the next 12 months or over the remaining term. For example, for a revolving commitment, Grupo Galicia includes the current draw down balance plus any further amount that it is expected to be drawn up to the current contractual limit by the time of default, should it occur.

    • Loss Given Default: This represents Grupo Galicia’s expectation of the total loss it will incur in respect of an obligation in default and varies according to the counterparty, seniority of the claim and availability of collateral or other credit support. Loss Given Default is expressed as a percentage loss per Peso of exposure at the time of default and is calculated over the term of the relevant obligation or on a 12-month basis.

    A financial instrument is no longer considered to be in default when it does not meet any of the above-mentioned default criteria.

    Methodology for Expected Credit Loss Estimation

    ECL impairment allowances recognized in the financial statements reflect the effect of a variety of possible economic outcomes (as described below) and calculated on a probability-weighted basis. ECL measurement involves the application of judgment and estimates. It is necessary to formulate multiple forward-looking economic forecasts and incorporate them into the ECL estimates. Grupo Galicia uses a standard framework to form economic scenarios to reflect assumptions about future economic conditions, supplemented with the use of management judgment, which may result in using alternative or additional economic scenarios and/or management adjustments.

    IFRS 9 establishes the following standards regarding ECL:

     

    • An unbiased weighted probability index, determined by the evaluation of different outcomes.

    Time value of money.

  • Reasonable and sustainable information available at no additional cost or effort that provides evidence to support forecasts, as well as present conditions and past events.


    Grupo Galicia developed a forward-looking methodology to evaluate the impact of different future macroeconomic scenarios on the credit risk of the financial assets. Grupo Galicia prepared three outcomes with varying probabilities in accordance with IFRS: (i) a median scenario with a 70% probability of occurrence, (ii) a downside scenario with a 15% probability of occurrence and (iii) an upside scenario with a 15% probability of occurrence

    In order to account for time value of money, Grupo Galicia assumes expected losses will take place proportionally over time. The ECL is determined by determining the Probability of Default, Exposure at Default and the Loss Given Default for each future month for each collective segment. These three components are multiplied and adjusted, as applicable, to take into account any forward-looking information, thus calculating ECL for each month on a forward-looking basis, which is then discounted back to the reporting date and summed. The discount rate used in the ECL calculation is the original effective interest rate (or an estimate thereof).

    Post-model adjustments

    Since March 2020, the BCRA implemented a series of measures to reduce the economic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, among which are the deferral of payments and suspension of the collection of punitive interest in case of default in payments of loan installments, being the credit cards loans excluded from this benefit.

    Thus, considering the adverse economic context that the country is going through, borrower credit uncertainty and measures issued by the BCRA, the management recognized an additional credit loss allowance to that obtained through the statistical model of ECL on the deferred loan portfolio amounts, which shows the potential impairment due to the macroeconomic context, once the implemented measures are lifted for the BCRA.

    The management measured the additional impact on the allowance from the estimation of the expected credit loss of loan portfolios which have deferred payments, based on new PD estimated depending on actual past due date (without deferrals) and the projected performance of the affected products, modifying the staging classification through a “Lifetime Adjustment”.

    vii) Credit Risk Exposure of Financial Instruments

    The following table sets forth the credit risk exposure of financial instruments for which an ECL allowance is recognized.

     

    Retail Portfolio

     

      Retail Portfolio 

    December 31, 2019

     

      December 31, 2020 

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

      ECL Staging   

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   

    12-month

    ECL

     

     

    Lifetime

    ECL

     

     

    Lifetime

    ECL

     

     

    Total

     

      12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
     Total 

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

           

    0

     

    78,567

     

     

     

    28,798

     

     

     

    912

     

     

     

    108,277

     

       115,541    47,518    —     163,059 

    1-30

     

    1,696

     

     

     

    1,520

     

     

     

    185

     

     

     

    3,401

     

       1,378    1,165    1,509   4,052 

    31-60

     

    (134

    )

     

     

    1,262

     

     

     

    163

     

     

     

    1,291

     

       —      998    49   1,047 

    61-90

     

    -

     

     

     

    528

     

     

     

    275

     

     

     

    803

     

       —      561    95   656 

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    4,282

     

     

     

    4,282

     

       —      —      5,557   5,557 
      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    80,129

     

     

     

    32,108

     

     

     

    5,817

     

     

     

    118,054

     

       116,919    50,242    7,210   174,371 

    Loss allowance

     

    4,050

     

     

     

    1,877

     

     

     

    4,576

     

     

     

    10,503

     

       (4,954   (12,628   (5,894  (23,476

    Carrying amount

     

    76,079

     

     

     

    30,231

     

     

     

    1,241

     

     

     

    107,551

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       111,965    37,614    1,316   150,895 
      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            3.19

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            422.46

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            11.98

     

    Retail like Portfolio

     

      Retail like Portfolio 

    December 31, 2019

     

      December 31, 2020 

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

      ECL Staging   

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   

    12-month

    ECL

     

     

    Lifetime

    ECL

     

     

    Lifetime

    ECL

     

     

    Total

     

      12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
     Total 

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

           

    0

     

    33,043

     

     

     

    4,298

     

     

     

    497

     

     

     

    37,838

     

       104,800    12,160    962   117,922 

    1-30

     

    1,307

     

     

     

    533

     

     

     

    165

     

     

     

    2,005

     

       969    542    218   1,729 

    31-60

     

    -

     

     

     

    160

     

     

     

    64

     

     

     

    224

     

       —      210    6   216 

    61-90

     

    -

     

     

     

    172

     

     

     

    148

     

     

     

    320

     

       —      45    16   61 

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    2,437

     

     

     

    2,437

     

       —      —      1,187   1,187 
      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    34,350

     

     

     

    5,163

     

     

     

    3,311

     

     

     

    42,824

     

       105,769    12,957    2,389   121,115 

    Loss allowance

     

    353

     

     

     

    147

     

     

     

    2,514

     

     

     

    3,014

     

       (559   (2,131   (1,832  (4,522

    Carrying amount

     

    33,997

     

     

     

    5,016

     

     

     

    797

     

     

     

    39,810

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       105,210    10,826    557   116,593 
      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            0.98

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            380.96

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            4.03

       Wholesale Portfolio 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    A

       263,742    12,557    —     276,299 

    B1

       —      1,002    —     1,002 

    Default

       —      —      796   796 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       263,742    13,559    796   278,097 

    Loss allowance

       (1,960   (623   (607  (3,190
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       261,782    12,936    189   274,907 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            0.29

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            400.75

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            1.50

     

       Naranja 
       December 31, 2020 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
      Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       85,989    1,004    263   87,256 

    1-30

       3,232    226    56   3,514 

    31-60

       —      853    48   901 

    61-90

       —      373    30   403 

    Default

       —      —      1,975   1,975 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       89,221    2,456    2,372   94,049 

    Loss allowance

       (3,708   (589   (1,848  (6,145
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       85,513    1,867    524   87,904 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            2.10

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            311.14

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            5.02


    Wholesale Portfolio

     

      Retail Portfolio 

    December 31, 2019

     

      December 31, 2019 

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

      ECL Staging     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3     

    12-month

    ECL

     

     

    Lifetime

    ECL

     

     

    Lifetime

    ECL

     

     

    Total

     

      12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime   Total 

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

            

    A

     

    206,109

     

     

     

    5,687

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    211,796

     

    B1

     

    -

     

     

     

    378

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    378

     

    0

       106,961    39,205    1,242    147,408 

    1-30

       2,127    2,070    252    4,449 

    31-60

       —      1,718    222    1,940 

    61-90

       —      719    375    1,094 

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    4,876

     

     

     

    4,876

     

       —      —      5,829    5,829 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    206,109

     

     

     

    6,065

     

     

     

    4,876

     

     

     

    217,050

     

       109,088    43,712    7,920    160,720 

    Loss allowance

     

    540

     

     

     

    180

     

     

     

    4,493

     

     

     

    5,213

     

       (5,514   (2,555   (6,230   (14,299

    Carrying amount

     

    205,569

     

     

     

    5,885

     

     

     

    383

     

     

     

    211,837

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       103,574    41,157    1,690    146,421 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Credit Quality

            

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

             3.63

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

             245.31

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

             6.06

     

    Tarjeta Naranja

     

      Retail like Portfolio 

    December 31, 2019

     

      December 31, 2019 

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

      ECL Staging   

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   

    12-month

    ECL

     

     

    Lifetime

    ECL

     

     

    Lifetime

    ECL

     

     

    Total

     

      12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime Total 

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

           

    0

     

    44,633

     

     

     

    532

     

     

     

    261

     

     

     

    45,426

     

       44,985    5,851    677   51,513 

    1-30

     

    2,434

     

     

     

    159

     

     

     

    90

     

     

     

    2,683

     

       1,779    725    225   2,729 

    31-60

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,217

     

     

     

    76

     

     

     

    1,293

     

       —      218    87   305 

    61-90

     

    -

     

     

     

    629

     

     

     

    46

     

     

     

    675

     

       —      234    202   436 

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    5,581

     

     

     

    5,581

     

       —      —      3,318   3,318 
      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    47,067

     

     

     

    2,537

     

     

     

    6,054

     

     

     

    55,658

     

       46,764    7,028    4,509   58,301 

    Loss allowance

     

    2,023

     

     

     

    704

     

     

     

    4,686

     

     

     

    7,413

     

       (480   (199   (3,424  (4,103

    Carrying amount

     

    45,044

     

     

     

    1,833

     

     

     

    1,368

     

     

     

    48,245

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       46,284    6,829    1,085   54,198 
      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            5.69

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            123.66

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            8.14

       Wholesale Portfolio 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime  Total 

    Days past due

           

    A

       280,598    7,743    —     288,341 

    B1

       —      514    —     514 

    Default

       —      —      6,639   6,639 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       280,598    8,257    6,639   295,494 

    Loss allowance

       (679   (302   (6,116  (7,097
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       279,919    7,955    523   288,397 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            2.25

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            106.90

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            2.64

     

     

    Retail Portfolio

     

     

    December 31, 2018

     

     

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Total

     

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    0

     

    123,255

     

     

     

    15,978

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    139,233

     

    1-30

     

    3,416

     

     

     

    1,847

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    5,263

     

    31-60

     

    -

     

     

     

    2,343

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    2,343

     

    61-90

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,214

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,214

     

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    5,201

     

     

     

    5,201

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    126,671

     

     

     

    21,382

     

     

     

    5,201

     

     

     

    153,254

     

    Loss allowance

     

    4,000

     

     

     

    3,566

     

     

     

    3,937

     

     

     

    11,503

     

    Carrying amount

     

    122,671

     

     

     

    17,816

     

     

     

    1,264

     

     

     

    141,751

     

     

    Retail like Portfolio

     

     

    December 31, 2018

     

     

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Total

     

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    0

    ��

    45,032

     

     

     

    4,773

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    49,805

     

    1-30

     

    1,334

     

     

     

    704

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    2,038

     

    31-60

     

    -

     

     

     

    517

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    517

     

    61-90

     

    -

     

     

     

    403

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    403

     

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    2,765

     

     

     

    2,765

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    46,366

     

     

     

    6,397

     

     

     

    2,765

     

     

     

    55,528

     

    Loss allowance

     

    411

     

     

     

    431

     

     

     

    1,814

     

     

     

    2,656

     

    Carrying amount

     

    45,955

     

     

     

    5,966

     

     

     

    951

     

     

     

    52,872

     



     

    Wholesale Portfolio

     

     

    December 31, 2018

     

     

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Total

     

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    A

     

    208,463

     

     

     

    9,304

     

     

     

    8

     

     

     

    217,775

     

    B1

     

    (3,442

    )

     

     

    60

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    (3,382

    )

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    3,870

     

     

     

    3,870

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    205,021

     

     

     

    9,364

     

     

     

    3,878

     

     

     

    218,263

     

    Loss allowance

     

    809

     

     

     

    119

     

     

     

    1,027

     

     

     

    1,955

     

    Carrying amount

     

    204,212

     

     

     

    9,245

     

     

     

    2,851

     

     

     

    216,308

     

     

    Tarjeta Naranja

     

     

    December 31, 2018

     

     

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Total

     

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    0

     

    56,167

     

     

     

    4,652

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    60,819

     

    1-30

     

    3,956

     

     

     

    1,457

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    5,413

     

    31-60

     

    -

     

     

     

    2,618

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    2,618

     

    61-90

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,445

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,445

     

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    5,826

     

     

     

    5,826

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    60,123

     

     

     

    10,172

     

     

     

    5,826

     

     

     

    76,121

     

    Loss allowance

     

    2,117

     

     

     

    2,835

     

     

     

    3,212

     

     

     

    8,164

     

    Carrying amount

     

    58,006

     

     

     

    7,337

     

     

     

    2,614

     

     

     

    67,957

     

     

    Retail Portfolio

     

     

    December 31, 2017

     

     

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Total

     

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    0

     

    139,594

     

     

     

    17,703

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    157,297

     

    1-30

     

    3,486

     

     

     

    1,793

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    5,279

     

    31-60

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,750

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,750

     

    61-90

     

    -

     

     

     

    754

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    754

     

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    4,009

     

     

     

    4,009

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    143,080

     

     

     

    22,000

     

     

     

    4,009

     

     

     

    169,089

     

    Loss allowance

     

    1,682

     

     

     

    1,411

     

     

     

    2,579

     

     

     

    5,672

     

    Carrying amount

     

    141,398

     

     

     

    20,589

     

     

     

    1,430

     

     

     

    163,417

     

     

    Retail like Portfolio

     

     

    December 31, 2017

     

     

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Total

     

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    0

     

    42,502

     

     

     

    4,569

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    47,071

     

    1-30

     

    606

     

     

     

    488

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,094

     

    31-60

     

    -

     

     

     

    210

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    210

     

    61-90

     

    -

     

     

     

    151

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    151

     

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,234

     

     

     

    1,234

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    43,108

     

     

     

    5,418

     

     

     

    1,234

     

     

     

    49,760

     

    Loss allowance

     

    341

     

     

     

    195

     

     

     

    949

     

     

     

    1,485

     

    Carrying amount

     

    42,767

     

     

     

    5,223

     

     

     

    285

     

     

     

    48,275

     


     

    Wholesale Portfolio

     

     

    December 31, 2017

     

     

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Total

     

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    A

     

    188,139

     

     

     

    12,519

     

     

     

    2

     

     

     

    200,660

     

    B1

     

    -

     

     

     

    119

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    119

     

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,243

     

     

     

    1,243

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    188,139

     

     

     

    12,638

     

     

     

    1,245

     

     

     

    202,022

     

    Loss allowance

     

    326

     

     

     

    69

     

     

     

    759

     

     

     

    1,154

     

    Carrying amount

     

    187,813

     

     

     

    12,569

     

     

     

    486

     

     

     

    200,868

     

     

    Tarjeta Naranja

     

     

    December 31, 2017

     

     

    ECL Staging

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Total

     

    Days past due

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    0

     

    60,347

     

     

     

    6,408

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    66,755

     

    1-30

     

    2,786

     

     

     

    2,429

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    5,215

     

    31-60

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,736

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,736

     

    61-90

     

    -

     

     

     

    811

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    811

     

    Default

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    4,515

     

     

     

    4,515

     

    Gross Carrying amount

     

    63,133

     

     

     

    11,384

     

     

     

    4,515

     

     

     

    79,032

     

    Loss allowance

     

    1,391

     

     

     

    1,954

     

     

     

    2,620

     

     

     

    5,965

     

    Carrying amount

     

    61,742

     

     

     

    9,430

     

     

     

    1,895

     

     

     

    73,067

     

       Naranja 
       December 31, 2019 
       ECL Staging    
       Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3    
       12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime  Total 

    Days past due

           

    0

       60,763    724    356   61,843 

    1-30

       3,314    217    122   3,653 

    31-60

       —      1,656    104   1,760 

    61-90

       —      856    63   919 

    Default

       —      —      7,597   7,597 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       64,077    3,453    8,242   75,772 

    Loss allowance

       (2,755   (958   (6,379  (10,092
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       61,322    2,495    1,863   65,680 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Credit Quality

           

    Default as a Percentage of Total Financial Instruments Portfolio

            10.03

    Allowance for Financial Instruments as a Percentage of Default

            132.84

    Net Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Financial Instruments Portfolio

            10.49

    Under Argentine Central BankBCRA rules, we are required to cease the accrual of interest or to establish provisions equal to 100% of the interest earned on all loans pertaining to the non-accrual loan portfolio, meaning, all loans to borrowers in Stage 3.

    The table below shows the interest income that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans on which the accrual of interest was discontinued and the recoveries of interest on loans classified as non-accrual on which the accrual of interest had been discontinued:

     

     

    December 31,

     

     


    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos)

     

    Interest Income that Would Have Been Recorded on Non-Accrual Loans on which the Accrual of Interest was Discontinued

     

    4,036

     

     

     

    1,248

     

     

     

    411

     

    Recoveries of Interest on Loans Classified as Non-Accrual on which the Accrual of Interest had been Discontinued (1)

     

    202

     

     

     

    63

     

     

    20

     

    (1) Recorded under “Other operating income”.

       December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Interest Income that Would Have Been Recorded on Non-Accrual Loans on which the Accrual of Interest was Discontinued

       2,235    4,036    1,248 

    Recoveries of Interest on Loans Classified as Non-Accrual on which the Accrual of Interest had been Discontinued (1)

       112    202    63 

     

    The table below sets forth such information for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, which is not adjusted for inflation and, was prepared in accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP.


    68(1)

    Recorded under “Other operating income”.



     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

    2016

     

     

    2015

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except ratios)

     

    Total Loans (1)

     

    142,158

     

     

     

    101,902

     

    Non-Accrual Loans (2)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees

     

    96

     

     

    106

     

    With Other Guarantees

     

    88

     

     

    103

     

    Without Guarantees

     

    4,520

     

     

     

    2,958

     

    Total Non-Accrual Loans (2)

     

    4,704

     

     

     

    3,167

     

    Past Due Loan Portfolio

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Non-Financial Public Sector

     

    -

     

     

    -

     

    Local Financial Sector

     

    -

     

     

    -

     

    Non-Financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Advances

     

    189

     

     

    188

     

    Promissory Notes

     

    144

     

     

    192

     

    Mortgage Loans

     

    79

     

     

    45

     

    Pledge Loans

     

    3

     

     

    8

     

    Personal Loans

     

    274

     

     

    304

     

    Credit-Card Loans

     

    2,673

     

     

     

    1,693

     

    Other Loans

     

    93

     

     

    74

     

    Total Past Due Loans

     

    3,455

     

     

     

    2,504

     

    Past Due Loans

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees

     

    60

     

     

    59

     

    With Other Guarantees

     

    60

     

     

    97

     

    Without Guarantees

     

    3,335

     

     

     

    2,348

     

    Total Past Due Loans

     

    3,455

     

     

     

    2,504

     

    Allowance for Loan Losses

     

    4,707

     

     

    3,560

     

    Ratios (%)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    As a % of Total Loans:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Total Past Due Loans

     

    2.43

     

     

    2.46

     

    Past Due Loans with Preferred Guarantees

     

    0.04

     

     

    0.06

     

    Past Due Loans with Other Guarantees

     

    0.04

     

     

    0.10

     

    Past Due Unsecured Amounts

     

    2.35

     

     

    2.30

     

    Non-Accrual Loans (2)

     

    3.31

     

     

    3.11

     

    Non-Accrual Loans (2) (Excluding Interbank Loans)

     

    3.36

     

     

    3.12

     

    Non-Accrual Loans (2) as a Percentage of Loans to the Private Sector

     

    3.31

     

     

    3.11

     

    Allowance for Loan Losses as a % of:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Total Loans

     

    3.31

     

     

    3.49

     

    Total Loans Excluding Interbank Loans

     

    3.36

     

     

    3.50

     

    Total Non-Accrual Loans (2)

     

    100.06

     

     

    112.41

     

    Non-Accrual Loans with Guarantees as a Percentage of Non-Accrual Loans (2)

     

    3.91

     

     

     

    6.60

     

    Non-Accrual Loans as a Percentage of Total Past Due Loans

     

    136.15

     

     

    126.48

     

    (1) Before the allowance for loan losses.

    (2) Non-Accrual loans are defined as those loans in the categories of: (a) Consumer portfolio: “Medium Risk”, “High Risk”, “Uncollectible”, and “Uncollectible Due to Technical Reasons”, and (b) Commercial portfolio: “With problems”, “High Risk of Insolvency”, “Uncollectible”, and “Uncollectible Due to Technical Reasons”.

     

    As of December 31,

     


    2016

     

     

    2015

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos)

    Interest Income that Would Have Been Recorded on Non-Accrual Loans on which the Accrual of Interest was Discontinued

     

    173

     

     

     

    159

     

    Recoveries of Interest on Loans Classified as Non-Accrual on which the Accrual of Interest had been Discontinued (1)

     

    9

     

     

     

    8

     

    (1) Recorded under “Miscellaneous Income”.


    69

    viii) Loss Experience

    The following tables present the changes in the loss allowance between December 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2019,2020 and the changes in the loss allowance between December 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2018, and the changes in the loss allowance between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.2019.

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

    Lifetime

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Purchased

    credit-

    impaired

     

     

    Total

     

      Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

     

    7,336

     

     

     

    6,952

     

     

     

    9,990

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    24,278

     

      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       9,428   4,014   22,149   —      35,591 

    Inflation effect

    Inflation effect

     

    (2,568

    )

     

     

    (2,432

    )

     

     

    (3,496

    )

     

    -

     

     

     

    (8,496

    )

       (4,039  (3,267  (7,276  —      (14,582

    Movements with P&L Impact

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

     

    (646

    )

     

     

    646

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       (667  667   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

     

    (165

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    165

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       (267  —     267   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

     

    1,223

     

     

     

    (1,223

    )

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       422   (577  155   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    (1,045

    )

     

     

    1,045

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       174   (536  362   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       290   —     (290  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    88

     

     

     

    (88

    )

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       —     447   (447  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

     

     

    32

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    (32

    )

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

     

    1,701

     

     

     

    1,629

     

     

     

    7,624

     

    -

     

     

     

    10,954

     

       4,487   1,097   3,099   —      8,683 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

     

    2,424

     

     

     

    552

     

     

     

    6,982

     

    -

     

     

     

    9,958

     

       1,467   1,557   1,273   —      4,297 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

     

    (507

    )

     

     

    151

     

     

     

    1,592

     

    -

     

     

     

    1,236

     

       1,340   11,186   3,686   —      16,212 

    Modification of contractual cash flows of financial assets

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Foreign exchange and other movements

    Foreign exchange and other movements

     

    237

     

     

     

    (220

    )

     

     

    39

     

    -

     

     

     

    56

     

       1,985   2,357   1,146   —      5,488 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfers:

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Write-offs

     

    (2,103

    )

     

     

    (2,188

    )

     

     

    (7,552

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    (11,843

    )

    Loss allowance as of December 31, 2019

     

    6,964

     

     

     

    2,910

     

     

     

    16,269

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    26,143

     

    Write-offs and other movements

       (3,439  (974  (13,943  —      (18,356
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss allowance as of December 31, 2020

       11,181   15,971   10,181   —      37,333 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

    Lifetime

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Purchased

    credit-

    impaired

     

     

    Total

     

      Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

     

    3,739

     

     

     

    3,631

     

     

     

    6,906

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    14,276

     

      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       9,989   9,461   13,603   —      33,053 

    Inflation effect

    Inflation effect

     

    (1,207

    )

     

     

    (1,171

    )

     

     

    (2,229

    )

     

    -

     

     

     

    (4,607

    )

       (4,872  (3,846  (8,172  —      (16,890

    Movements with P&L Impact

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

     

    (236

    )

     

     

    236

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       (879  879   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

     

    (83

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    83

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       (224  —     224   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

     

    445

     

     

     

    (445

    )

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       1,664   (1,664  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (1,422  1,422   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     120   (120  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       43   —     (43  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

     

    2,730

     

     

     

    3,616

     

     

     

    4,619

     

    -

     

     

     

    10,965

     

       2,323   2,287   10,603   —      15,213 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

     

    3,019

     

     

     

    3,514

     

     

     

    7,422

     

    -

     

     

     

    13,955

     

       1,635   119   5,822   —      7,576 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

       (745  261   647   —      163 

    Modification of contractual cash flows of financial assets

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Foreign exchange and other movements

    Foreign exchange and other movements

     

    (110

    )

     

     

    (242

    )

     

     

    506

     

    -

     

     

     

    154

     

       2,043   364   4,300   —      6,707 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfers:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

     

    -

     

     

     

    (508

    )

     

     

    508

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

     

    -

     

     

     

    66

     

     

     

    (66

    )

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

     

    15

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    (15

    )

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Write-offs

     

    (976

    )

     

     

    (1,745

    )

     

     

    (7,744

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    (10,465

    )

    Loss allowance as of December 31, 2018

     

    7,336

     

     

     

    6,952

     

     

     

    9,990

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    24,278

     

    Write-offs and other movements

       (1,549  (2,545  (6,137  —      (10,231
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss allowance as of December 31, 2019

       9,428   4,014   22,149   —      35,591 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

     

    Stage 1

     

     

    Stage 2

     

     

    Stage 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    12-month

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Lifetime

     

     

    Purchased

    credit-

    impaired

     

     

    Total

     

    Loss Allowance as of January 1, 2017

     

    3,499

     

     

     

    3,937

     

     

     

    5,985

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    13,421

     

    Inflation effect

     

    (695

    )

     

     

    (782

    )

     

     

    (1,189

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    (2,666

    )

    Movements with P&L Impact

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

     

    (161

    )

     

     

    161

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

     

    (58

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    58

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

     

    931

     

     

     

    (931

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

     

    1,389

     

     

     

    1,809

     

     

     

    2,214

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    5,412

     

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

     

    (233

    )

     

     

    1,613

     

     

     

    4,329

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    5,709

     

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Modification of contractual cash flows of financial assets

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Foreign exchange and other movements

     

    (97

    )

     

     

    (250

    )

     

     

    446

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    99

     

    Other movements with no P&L impact

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Transfers:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

     

    -

     

     

     

    (472

    )

     

     

    472

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

     

    -

     

     

     

    57

     

     

     

    (57

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

     

    56

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    (56

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

    Write-offs

     

    (892

    )

     

     

    (1,511

    )

     

     

    (5,296

    )

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    (7,699

    )

    Loss allowance as of December 31, 2017

     

    3,739

     

     

     

    3,631

     

     

     

    6,906

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    14,276

     

    The table below sets forth such information for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, which is no adjusted for inflation and was prepared in accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP.

     

    Fiscal Year Ended December 31,

     

     

     

     

    2016

     

     

    2015

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except ratios)

     

    Total Loans, Average (1)

     

     

     

    111,166

     

     

     

    77,832

     

    Allowance for Loan Losses at Beginning of Period (2)

     

     

     

    3,560

     

     

     

    2,615

     

    Changes in the Allowance for Loan Losses During the Period (2)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Provisions Charged to Income

     

     

     

    3,389

     

     

     

    2,128

     

    Prior Allowances Reversed

     

     

     

    (117

    )

     

    -

     

    Charge-Offs (A)

     

     

     

    (2,125

    )

     

     

    (1,203

    )

    Inflation and Foreign Exchange Effect and Other Adjustments

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    20

     

    Allowance for Loan Losses at End of Period

     

     

     

    4,707

     

     

    3,560

     

    Charge to the Income Statement during the Period

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Provisions Charged to Income (2)

     

     

     

    3,389

     

     

     

    2,128

     

    Direct Charge-Offs, Net of Recoveries (B)

     

     

     

    (272

    )

     

     

    (226

    )

    Recoveries of Provisions

     

     

     

    (117

    )

     

    -

     

    Net Charge (Benefit) to the Income Statement

     

     

     

    3,000

     

     

     

    1,902

     

    Ratios (%)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Charge-Offs Net of Recoveries (A+B) to Average Loans (3)

     

     

    1.67

     

     

    1.26

     

    Net Charge to the Income Statement to Average Loans(3)

     

     

     

    2.70

     

     

    2.44

     

    (1) Before the allowance for loan losses.

    (2) Includes quotation differences for Galicia Uruguay.

    (3) Charge-offs plus direct charge-offs minus bad debts recovered.

    Allocation of the Allowance for Financial Instruments

    The following table presents the allocation of our allowance for financial instruments losses among the various financial instruments’ categories.

     

     

    As of December 31, 2019

     

    Item

     

    Gross Carrying Amount

     

     

    Loss Allowances

     

     

    Net Carrying Amount

     

     

    Collateral´s Fair Value

     

    Advances

     

     

    15,892

     

     

     

    316

     

     

     

    15,576

     

     

     

    -

     

    Mortgage Loans

     

     

    15,053

     

     

     

    896

     

     

     

    14,157

     

     

     

    38,776

     

    Pledge Loans

     

     

    3,209

     

     

     

    55

     

     

     

    3,154

     

     

     

    1,960

     

    Personal Loans

     

     

    27,646

     

     

     

    3,078

     

     

     

    24,568

     

     

     

    -

     

    Credit Card Loans

     

     

    149,460

     

     

     

    13,887

     

     

     

    135,573

     

     

     

    -

     

    Financial Leases

     

     

    2,225

     

     

     

    62

     

     

     

    2,163

     

     

     

    -

     

    Overdrafts

     

     

    75,080

     

     

     

    5,431

     

     

     

    69,649

     

     

     

    -

     

    Pre-financing export loans

     

     

    53,937

     

     

     

    241

     

     

     

    53,696

     

     

     

    -

     

    Others

     

     

    88,747

     

     

     

    2,148

     

     

     

    86,599

     

     

     

    4,599

     

    Public Securities

     

     

    2,337

     

     

     

    29

     

     

     

    2,308

     

     

     

    -

     

    Total as of December 31, 2019

     

     

    433,586

     

     

     

    26,143

     

     

     

    407,443

     

     

     

    45,335

     

     

     

    As of December 31, 2018

     

    Item

     

    Gross Carrying Amount

     

     

    Loss Allowances

     

     

    Net Carrying Amount

     

     

    Collateral´s Fair Value

     

    Advances

     

     

    22,199

     

     

     

    683

     

     

     

    21,516

     

     

     

    -

     

    Mortgage Loans

     

     

    18,141

     

     

     

    389

     

     

     

    17,752

     

     

     

    75,010

     

    Pledge Loans

     

     

    1,535

     

     

     

    16

     

     

     

    1,519

     

     

     

    6,212

     

    Personal Loans

     

     

    44,834

     

     

     

    1,726

     

     

     

    43,108

     

     

     

    -

     

    Credit Card Loans

     

     

    174,439

     

     

     

    14,470

     

     

     

    159,969

     

     

     

    -

     

    Financial Leases

     

     

    3,381

     

     

     

    40

     

     

     

    3,341

     

     

     

    -

     

    Overdrafts

     

     

    55,411

     

     

     

    650

     

     

     

    54,761

     

     

     

    -

     

    Pre-financing export loans

     

     

    106,969

     

     

     

    2,527

     

     

     

    104,442

     

     

     

    -

     

    Others

     

     

    53,875

     

     

     

    3,584

     

     

     

    50,291

     

     

     

    3,736

     

    Public Securities

     

     

    22,382

     

     

     

    193

     

     

     

    22,189

     

     

     

    -

     

    Total as of December 31, 2018

     

     

    503,166

     

     

     

    24,278

     

     

     

    478,888

     

     

     

    84,958

     

    The table below sets forth such information for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, which is not adjusted for inflation, and was prepared in accordance with Argentine Banking GAAP.

     

     


    As of December 31,


     

     


    2016

     

    2015


     

     


    Amount

     


    % of Loans 


    Loan Category %


    Amount

     


    % of Loans 


    Loan Category %








    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)







    Non-Financial Public Sector

     


    -

     

     

    -

     

    -

     

    -

     

     

    -

     

    -


    Local Financial Sector

     


    -

     

     

    -

     

    1.5

     

    -

     

     

    -

     

    0.8


    Non-Financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

     


     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


    Advances

     


    161

     

     

    0.1

     

    7.1

     

    157

     

     

    0.2

     

    8.4


    Promissory Notes

     


    103

     

     

    0.1

     

    17.8

     

    150

     

     

    0.2

     

    22.3


    Mortgage Loans

     


    43

     

     

    -

     

    1.5

     

    33

     

     

    -

     

    2.1


    Pledge Loans

     


    3

     

     

    -

     

    0.5

     

    7

     

     

    -

     

    0.4


    Personal Loans

     


    324

     

     

    0.2

     

    10.8

     

    311

     

     

    0.3

     

    9.1


    Credit-Card Loans

     


    1,808

     

     

    1.3

     

    51.2

     

    1,295

     

     

    1.3

     

    55.2


    Placements in Correspondent Banks

     


    -

     

     

    -

     

    0.9

     

    -

     

     

    -

     

    0.2


    Other

     


    51

     

     

    -

     

    8.7

     

    49

     

     

    -

     

    1.5


    Unallocated(1)

     


    2,214

     

     

    1.6

     

    -

     

    1,558

     

     

    1.5

     

    -


    Total

     


    4,707

     

     

    3.3

     

    100.0

     

    3,560

     

     

    3.5

     

    100.0


    (1) The unallocated reserve consists of the allowances established on the portfolio classified in the “normal situation” category and includes additional reserves in excess of Argentine Central Bank minimum requirements.

    ix) Deposits

    The following table sets out the composition of our deposits as of December 31, 2019, December 31, 20182020 and December 31, 2017.2019.

     

     

     

    As of December 31,

     




    2019


    2018


    2017


    (in millions of Pesos)

    Deposits in pesos

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Checking Accounts

     

     

    67,566

     

     

     

    61,309

     

     

     

    75,223

     

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    59,494

     

     

     

    94,036

     

     

     

    93,944

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    116,003

     

     

     

    137,226

     

     

     

    120,204

     

    Time Deposits UVA

     

     

    750

     

     

     

    3,053

     

     

     

    1,368

     

    Other Deposits (1)

     

     

    1,697

     

     

     

    1,959

     

     

     

    2,012

     

    Plus: Accrued Interest, Quotation Differences Adjustment

     

     

    5,028

     

     

     

    6,128

     

     

     

    3,242

     

    Total Deposits in pesos

     

     

    250,538

     

     

     

    303,711

     

     

     

    295,993

     

    Deposits in foreign currency

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    117,866

     

     

     

    211,923

     

     

     

    134,113

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    24,330

     

     

     

    37,018

     

     

     

    24,863

     

    Other Deposits (1)

     

     

    938

     

     

     

    1,220

     

     

     

    904

     

    Plus: Accrued Interest, Quotation Differences Adjustment

     

     

    63

     

     

     

    74

     

     

     

    36

     

    Total Deposits in foreign currency

     

     

    143,197

     

     

     

    250,235

     

     

     

    159,916

     

    Total Deposits

     

     

    393,735

     

     

     

    553,946

     

     

     

    455,909

     

    (1) Includes other deposits originated by Decree No.616/05, reprogrammed deposits under judicial proceedings and other demand deposits.

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Deposits in pesos

        

    Checking Accounts

       105,028    91,984 

    Savings Accounts

       182,972    80,995 

    Time Deposits

       208,713    157,928 

    Time Deposits UVA

       5,565    1,021 

    Other Deposits (1)

       1,980    2,311 

    Plus: Accrued Interest, Quotation Differences Adjustment

       5,877    6,845 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Deposits in pesos

       510,135    341,084 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deposits in foreign currency

        

    Savings Accounts

       182,972    160,464 

    Time Deposits

       208,713    33,122 

    Other Deposits (1)

       1,980    1,277 

    Plus: Accrued Interest, Quotation Differences Adjustment

       5,877    86 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Deposits in foreign currency

       399,542    194,949 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Deposits

       909,677    536,033 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

    (1)

    Includes other deposits originated by Decree No.616/05, reprogrammed deposits under judicial proceedings and other demand deposits.

    In 2019,As of December 31, 2020, our consolidated deposits decreased 29%increased 26% as compared to December 31 2019, mainly as a result of a Ps.94,057Ps.101,977 million decreaseincrease in foreign currencydeposits in peso denominated savings accounts and a Ps.34,542 million decrease in savings accounts in pesos. These decreases were mainly due to deposits received by Banco Galicia.

    In 2018, our consolidated deposits increased 22% mainly as a result of a Ps.77,810Ps.50,785 million increase in foreign currency savings accounts and a Ps.17,022 million increasedeposits in time deposits denominated in pesos. These increases were mainly due to deposits received by Banco Galicia.

    For more information, see Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” – A.“Operating Results”- “Funding”.

    The following table provides a breakdown of our consolidated deposits by contractual term and currency of denomination as of December 31, 2019.

     

     

    December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

     

    Within 3 Months

     

     

    After 3 Months but Within 3 Months

     

     

    After 6 Months but Within 12 Months

     

     

    1 year

     

     

    After 1 but Within 5 years

     

     

    Total

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Deposits in pesos

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    59,204

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    59,204

     

     

     

     

     

     

    59,204

     

    Checking Accounts

     

     

    68,629

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    68,629

     

     

     

     

     

     

    68,629

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    113,425

     

     

     

    1,892

     

     

     

    674

     

     

     

    115,991

     

     

     

    11

     

     

     

    116,002

     

    Total deposits in pesos

     

     

    241,258

     

     

     

    1,892

     

     

     

    674

     

     

     

    243,824

     

     

     

    11

     

     

     

    243,835

     

    Deposits in pesos + UVA adjustment

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    1,175

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1,175

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1,175

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    658

     

     

     

    75

     

     

     

    16

     

     

     

    749

     

     

     

     

     

     

    749

     

    Total deposits in pesos + UVA adjustment

     

     

    1,833

     

     

     

    75

     

     

     

    16

     

     

     

    1,924

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1,924

     

    Deposits in foreign currency

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    118,037

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    118,037

     

     

     

     

     

     

    118,037

     

    Checking Accounts

     

     

    939

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    939

     

     

     

     

     

     

    939

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    20,589

     

     

     

    2,583

     

     

     

    1,115

     

     

     

    24,287

     

     

     

    42

     

     

     

    24,329

     

    Total deposits in foreign currency

     

     

    139,565

     

     

     

    2,583

     

     

     

    1,115

     

     

     

    143,263

     

     

     

    42

     

     

     

    143,305

     

    Total deposits

     

     

    382,656

     

     

     

    4,550

     

     

     

    1,805

     

     

     

    389,011

     

     

     

    53

     

     

     

    389,064

     

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    178,416

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    178,416

     

     

     

     

     

     

    178,416

     

    Checking Accounts

     

     

    69,568

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    69,568

     

     

     

     

     

     

    69,568

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    134,672

     

     

     

    4,550

     

     

     

    1,805

     

     

     

    141,027

     

     

     

    53

     

     

     

    141,080

     

    (1) Only principal. Includes the UVA adjustment.2020.

     

       December 31, 2020 
       Within 3
    Months
           After 3
    Months but
    Within 3
    Months
           After 6
    Months but
    Within 12
    Months
           1 year       After 1 but
    Within 5
    years
           Total 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Deposits in pesos

                          

    Savings Accounts

       180,178      —        —        180,178      —        180,178 

    Checking Accounts

       108,279      —        —        108,279      —        108,279 

    Time Deposits

       207,438      873      387      208,698      14      208,712 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits in pesos

       495,895      873      387      497,155      14      497,169 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Deposits in pesos + UVA adjustment

                            

    Savings Accounts

       1,437      —        —        1,437      —        1,437 

    Time Deposits

       5,286      274      78      5,638      14      5,652 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits in pesos + UVA adjustment

       6,723      274      78      7,075      14      7,089 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Deposits in foreign currency

                           —   

    Savings Accounts

       98,580      —        —        98,580      —        98,580 

    Checking Accounts

       36,460      —        —        36,460      —        36,460 

    Time Deposits

       27,128      2,023      1,915      31,066      63      31,129 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits in foreign currency

       162,168      2,023      1,915      166,106      63      166,169 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Total deposits

       664,786      3,170      2,380      670,336      91      670,427 
      

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

         

     

     

     

    Savings Accounts

       280,195      —        —        280,195      —        280,195 

    Checking Accounts

       144,739      —        —        144,739      —        144,739 

    Time Deposits

       239,852      3,170      2,380      245,402      91      245,493 

    (1)

    Only principal. Includes the UVA adjustment.

    The chart above shows that the highest concentration of maturities for time deposits was in the period of up to 89 days, representing 95.5%97,7% of total time deposits. As of December 31, 2019,2020, the average term for the raising of non-adjusted Peso-denominated time deposits was 41 days, for UVA-adjusted deposits the average term was 195 days and for those in foreign currency the term was about 54 days. Foreign currency-denominated deposits, equal to Ps.146,248Ps.166,106 million, represented 37.2%24,8% of total deposits.

    The following table provides information about the maturity of our outstanding time deposits exceeding US$100,000, as of December 31, 2019.

    December 31,

    2019

    (in millions of Pesos)

    Deposits over US$100,000

    Time Deposits

    Within 30 Days

    19,991

    After 31 Days but Within 59 Days

    64,428

    After 60 Days but Within 89 Days

    17,210

    After 90 Days but Within 179 Days

    14,141

    After 180 Days but Within 365 Days

    20,255

    After 365 Days

    1,552

    Total Outstanding Time Deposits Exceeding US$100.000 (1)

    137,577

    (1) Only principal.

    Return on Equity and Assets

    The following table presents certain selected financial information and ratios for the periods indicated.

     

     

    As of December 31,

     




    2019


    2018



    2017


    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

    (Loss) / Income for the Year Attributable to GFG

     

     

    23,708

     

     

     

    (5,332

    )

     

     

    10,451

     

    Total Assets

     

     

    685,519

     

     

     

    876,371

     

     

     

    753,227

     

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to GFG

     

     

    113,942

     

     

     

    92,492

     

     

     

    99,260

     

    Net Income as a Percentage of:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Total Assets

     

     

    3.46

     

     

     

    (0.61

    )

     

     

    1.39

     

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to GFG

     

     

    20.81

     

     

     

    (5.76

    )

     

     

    10.53

     

    Declared Cash Dividends

     

    (1)

     

     

     

    2,661

     

     

     

    2,487

     

    Dividend Payout Ratio

     

    (1)

     

     

     

    (49.91

    )

     

     

    23.80

     

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to GFG as a Percentage of Total Assets

     

     

    16.62

     

     

     

    10.55

     

     

     

    13.18

     

    (1) The cash dividend distribution for the fiscal year ended at December 31, 2019, is pending approval. For more information see Item 8. “Financial Information”-A.“Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information”-“Dividend Policy and Dividends”-“Dividends” -“Grupo Financiero Galicia”.

    Short-Term Borrowings

    Our short-term borrowings include all of our borrowings (including repurchase agreement transactions, debt securities) with a contractual maturity of less than one year, owed to foreign or domestic financial institutions or holders of notes.

     

     

    As of December 31,

     




    2019


    2018



    2017


    (in millions of Pesos)

    Short-Term Borrowings

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Argentine Central Bank

     

     

    23

     

     

     

    44

     

     

     

    35

     

    Other Domestic Financial Institutions and International Banks

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Credit Lines from Domestic Financial Institutions

     

     

    2,498

     

     

     

    4,221

     

     

     

    452

     

    International Banks and Credit Agencies

     

     

    11,168

     

     

     

    11,573

     

     

     

    9,465

     

    Repurchase Transactions

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2,571

     

    Debt Securities

     

     

    1,411

     

     

     

    2,745

     

     

     

     

    Total short-term borrowings

     

     

    15,100

     

     

     

    18,583

     

     

     

    12,523

     

    As of December 31, 2019, our short-term borrowings consisted of (i) credit lines from the Argentine Central Bank, (ii) credit lines from domestic financial institutions (other than the Argentine Central Bank) and international banks, which represented 91% of our short term borrowings and (iii) debt securities, which represented 9% of our short-term borrowings.

    We also borrow funds under various credit arrangements with domestic and foreign banks and /or lending agencies, which is reflected in the following table:

     

     


    As of December 31,

     




    2019


    2018



    2017


    (in millions of Pesos)

    International Banks and Credit Agencies

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Prefinancing of exportations

     

     

    1,456

     

     

     

    8,113

     

     

     

    8,772

     

    Export and Import Operations

     

     

    9,712

     

     

     

    3,460

     

     

     

    693

     

    Total Banks and Credit Agencies

     

     

    11,168

     

     

     

    11,573

     

     

     

    9,465

     

    Domestic Financial Institutions

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Call

     

     

    504

     

     

     

    1,237

     

     

     

    143

     

    Tarjetas Regionales Credit Line

     

     

    1,994

     

     

     

    2,984

     

     

     

    309

     

    Total Domestic Financial Institutions

     

     

    2,498

     

     

     

    4,221

     

     

     

    452

     

    Total Domestic Financial Institutions and International Banks

     

     

    13,666

     

     

     

    15,794

     

     

     

    9,917

     

    The following table sets forth the items listed below for our significant short-term borrowings for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

    • the weighted-average interest rate at year-end,
    • the maximum balance recorded at the monthly closing dates of the periods,
    • the average balances for each period calculated on a daily basis, and
    • the weighted-average interest rate for each period.

     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

     


    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

     

    Argentine Central Bank

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Weighted-average Interest Rate at End of Period

     

     

     

    %

     

     

    %

     

     

    %

    Maximum Balance Recorded at the Monthly Closing Dates

     

     

    55

     

     

     

    49

     

     

     

    25

     

     

    Average Balances for Each Period

     

     

    32

     

     

     

    37

     

     

     

    15

     

     

    Weighted-average Interest Rate for the Period

     

     

     

    %

     

     

    %

     

     

    %

    Credit Lines from Domestic Banks

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Weighted-average Interest Rate at End of Period

     

     

    62.7

     

    %

     

    36.1

     

    %

     

    27

     

    %

    Maximum Balance Recorded at the Monthly Closing Dates

     

     

    3,231

     

     

     

    4,971

     

     

     

    1,680

     

     

    Average Balances for Each Period

     

     

    2,273

     

     

     

    3,068

     

     

     

    676

     

     

    Weighted-average Interest Rate for the Period

     

     

    45.6

     

    %

     

    44.9

     

    %

     

    26

     

    %

    Credit Lines from Foreign Banks

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Weighted-average Interest Rate at End of Period

     

     

    6.0

     

    %

     

    2.9

     

    %

     

    3

     

    %

    Maximum Balance Recorded at the Monthly Closing Dates

     

     

    20,469

     

     

     

    25,811

     

     

     

    4,132

     

     

    Average Balances for Each Period

     

     

    10,792

     

     

     

    15,449

     

     

     

    2,584

     

     

    Weighted-average Interest Rate for the Period

     

     

    6

     

    %

     

    3

     

    %

     

    3

     

    %

    Repurchases with Domestic Banks

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Weighted-average Interest Rate at End of Period

     

     

     

    %

     

    50

     

    %

     

    27

     

    %

    Maximum Balance Recorded at the Monthly Closing Dates

     

     

    2,235

     

     

     

    1,466

     

     

     

    4,519

     

     

    Average Balances for Each Period

     

     

    997

     

     

     

    620

     

     

     

    868

     

     

    Weighted-average Interest Rate for the Period

     

     

    49

     

    %

     

    27

     

    %

     

    25.7

     

    %

    Repurchases with Foreign Banks

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    %

    Weighted-average Interest Rate at End of Period

     

     

     

    %

     

    4

     

    %

     

     

    %

    Maximum Balance Recorded at the Monthly Closing Dates

     

     

     

    %

     

    5,767

     

    %

     

     

    %

    Average Balances for Each Period

     

     

     

    %

     

    2,827

     

    %

     

     

    %

    Weighted-average Interest Rate for the Period

     

     

     

    %

     

    3

     

    %

     

     

    %

    Debt securities in pesos

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Weighted average interest rate at end of year

     

     

    49

     

    %

     

    56

     

    %

     

     

    %

    Maximum balance recorded at the monthly closing dates

     

     

    9,936

     

     

     

    3,239

     

     

     

     

     

    Average balances for each fiscal year

     

     

    5,957

     

     

     

    249

     

     

     

     

     

    Weighted average interest rate for the year

     

     

    34

     

    %

     

    55

     

    %

     

     

    %

    Debt securities in foreign currency

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Weighted average interest rate at end of year

     

     

     

    %

     

     

    %

     

     

    %

    Maximum balance recorded at the monthly closing dates

     

     

    4,929

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Average balances for each fiscal year

     

     

    2,629

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Weighted average interest rate for the year

     

     

    5

     

    %

     

     

    %

     

     

    %

    x) Regulatory Capital

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Grupo Financiero Galicia and some of its subsidiaries are regulated by the Argentine General Corporations Law. Section 186 of the General Corporations Law establishes the minimum capital amount of a corporation at Ps.100,000.Law.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s capital adequacy is not regulated by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, however Grupo Financiero Galicia is required to comply with the minimum capital requirement established by the General Corporations Law. On October 8, 2012, through Decree No.1331/12, such amount was established as Ps.100,000.

    Banco Galicia

    With respect to regulatory capital, Banco Galicia must comply with the regulations set forth by the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. These regulations are based on the Basel Committee methodology, which provides the minimum capital requirements for financial institutions to cover the different risks inherent to its business activity and assets, such as credit risk, generated both by exposure to the private sector and to the public sector; operational risk (generated by the losses resulting from the non-adjustment or failures of internal processes) and market risk (generated by positions in securities and in foreign currency).

    Computable capital is divided as follows:

     

    • Computable regulatory capital is divided into Basic Shareholders’ Equity (Tier I Capital) and Supplementary Shareholders’ Equity (Tier II Capital). Deductible Items start to be mainly part of theitems generally fall within Basic Shareholders’ Equity.

    Intangible assets and deferred tax asset credit balances should be deducted from the calculation of computable capital.

  • Results for thea given period are part of the Basic Shareholders’ Equity (Income: 100% of audited results, 50% of unaudited results; Losses: 100%).

  • Supplementary Shareholders’ Equity includes 100% of the allowance for the portfolio in normal situation (up to the limit of 1.25%) and for subordinated notes, with respect to which, as from each of the last five years of each issuance term, the computable amount shall be reduced by 20% of the face value issued.

    The following percentages apply in determining minimum capital requirements:

     

    • Loans in Pesos to the Non-financial Public Sector: 0%.

    Property, Plant and Equipment and Miscellaneous Assets: 8%.

  • Family Mortgage Loans: 35% over the 8%, if the amount does not exceed 75% of the asset value.

  • Retail Portfolio: 75% over 8%.

    The following table sets forth the capital required in accordance with the Argentine Central BankBCRA regulations in force for each period indicated below.


       December 31, 
       2020   2019 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Minimum capital required (A)

        

    Allocated to Credit Risk

       42,458    29,149 

    Allocated to Market Risk

       1,419    905 

    Allocated to Operational Risk

       12,192    7,608 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total minimum capital required (A)

       56,069    37,662 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Computable Capital (B)

        

    Tier I

       129,584    61,393 

    Tier II

       27,477    19,392 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total computable capital (B)

       157,061    80,785 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Excess over Required Capital (B)-(A)

       100,992    43,123 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Risk assets

       685,407    459,900 

    Ratios (%)

        

    Equity / Total assets

       15.76    13.07 

    Excess / Minimum capital required

       180.12    114.50 

    Total Capital Ratio(1)

       22.92    17.57 

    Tier I Capital Ratio

       18.91    13.35 

    77(1)

    Total computable capital / risk weighted assets credit, market and operational risks.


     

     

    December 31,

     




    2019


    2018



    2017



    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

    Minimum capital required (A)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Allocated to Credit Risk

     

     

    29,149

     

     

     

    22,171

     

     

     

    14,414

     

    Allocated to Market Risk

     

     

    905

     

     

     

    969

     

     

     

    1,126

     

    Allocated to Operational Risk

     

     

    7,608

     

     

     

    4,023

     

     

     

    2,655

     

    Total minimum capital required (A)

     

     

    37,662

     

     

     

    27,163

     

     

     

    18,195

     

    Computable Capital (B)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Tier I

     

     

    61,393

     

     

     

    36,584

     

     

     

    16,221

     

    Tier II

     

     

    19,392

     

     

     

    12,745

     

     

     

    6,583

     

    Total computable capital (B)

     

     

    80,785

     

     

     

    49,329

     

     

     

    22,804

     

    Excess over Required Capital (B)-(A)

     

     

    43,123

     

     

     

    22,166

     

     

     

    4,609

     

    Risk assets

     

     

    459,900

     

     

     

    325,853

     

     

     

    221,472

     

    Ratios (%)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Equity / Total assets

     

     

    13.07

     

     

     

    8.60

     

     

     

    13.32

     

    Excess / Minimum capital required

     

     

    114.50

     

     

     

    81.60

     

     

     

    25.33

     

    Total Capital Ratio(1)

     

     

    17.57

     

     

     

    15.14

     

     

     

    10.30

     

    Tier I Capital Ratio

     

     

    13.35

     

     

     

    11.23

     

     

     

    7.32

     

    In accordance with Argentine Central Bank rules applicable at each date

    (1) TotalDecember 31, 2020, the Bank’s computable capital / risk weighted assets credit, market and operational risks.

    amounted to Ps.157,061 million, Ps.100,992 million which was 180% higher than the Ps.56,069 million minimum capital requirement. As of December 31, 2019, this excess amounted to Ps.43,123 million which was 115% higher than the minimum capital requirement.

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, the Bank’s computable capital exceeded the minimum capital requirement by Ps.43,123 million (or 114.50%). The minimum capital requirement was Ps.37,662 million for 2019. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank’s computable capital exceeded the minimum capital requirement by Ps.22,166 million (or 81.60%).

    The minimum capital requirement increased by Ps.10,499 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to December 31, 2018, mainly due to an increase related to financing balances in an amount equal to Ps.6,978 million and operational risk in an amount equal to Ps.3,585 million.

    Computable capital increased by Ps.31,456Ps.18,407 million as compared to December 31, 2018, due2019, mainly because the value of risk weighted assets are now being adjusted to inflation. Computable capital increased by Ps.76,276 million as of December 31, 2020 as compared to December 31, 2019, primarily as consequence of the increase in the results generated during the fiscal year by Banco Galicia and to an increase in the Banco Galicia’s shareholders’ equity, all of Ps.24,809 million in Tier I Common Capital, primarilythese as a result of the inflation adjustment to both values. Banco Galicia’s total capital increase consummated by Grupo Galicia, partially offset by deductionsratio was 22.92%, increasing 535 bps as of capital.December 31, 2020 as compared to 17.57% as of December 31, 2019.

    Ecosistema NaranjaX

    Tier II Common Capital increased by Ps.6,647 million as a result ofSince the impact of the exchange rate increase on the outstanding balance of subordinated notes issued in July 2016 for an aggregate principal amount of US$250 million and the increase in the allowance for loan losses on current loan portfolios.

    Tarjetas Regionales

    Since Tarjetas Regionales and its subsidiariescompanies from Ecosistema NaranjaXare not financial institutions, their capital adequacy is not regulated by the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. Tarjetas Regionales and its subsidiarieshave to comply with the minimum capital requirement established by the Corporations Law, which was Ps.100,000.Ps.100,000 for 2020.

    Naranja Digital is a financial institution class “C” and for that condition is regulated by the BCRA and has to comply with the minimum capital requirement establish by the BCRA.

    Minimum Capital Requirements of Insurance Companies

    The insurance companies controlled by Sudamericana must meet the minimum capital requirements set by General Resolution No.39,957 of the National Insurance Superintendency. This resolution requires insurance companies to maintain a minimum capital level equivalent to the highest of the amounts calculated as follows:

    (a)   

    (a)

    By line of insurance: this method establishes a fixed amount by line of insurance.

    For vehicle insurance: this method establishes a fixed amount by line of insurance. Ps.80 million.

    For motorcycle insurance: Ps.48 million.

    Joint operation for vehicles and motorcycles insurance: Ps.96 million

    Civil liability for public transportation vehicles / Labor insurance / retirement insurance: Ps.80 million

    Civil and air navigation liability insurance / warranty and credit default insurances /general damage insurance / personal insurances including life insurance companies, it is Ps.22.1 million, increasing to Ps.22.2 million for companies that offer pension-linked life insurance. For providers of retirement insurance that(individual and joint policies, which do not offer pension-linked annuities, the requirement is Ps.44.3 million. For companies that offer propertyrequire a technical reserve), burial insurance, that includes damagepersonal accident insurance, health insurance: Ps.24 million

     

    Environmental insurance: Ps.16 million

    Joint operation of Vehicles and motorcycles insurance, Civil and air navigation liability insurances, Warranty and credit default insurance and damage insurance: Ps.120 million

    Burial insurance: Ps.12 million

    Life insurance (Individual and Collective, which requires a technical reserve: Ps.24 million

    78(b)

    By premiums and additional fees: to use this method, Sudamericana must calculate the sum of the premiums issued and additional fees earned in the last 12 months. Based on the total, Sudamericana must calculate 16% of such amount. Finally, it must adjust the total by the ratio of net paid claims to gross paid claims for the last 36 months. This ratio must not be lower than minimum capital requirements required for a particular line of insurance as set forth above in (a).


     coverage (excluding those related to vehicles) the requirement is Ps.22.1 million (increasing to Ps.88.6 million for companies that offer all property and casualty products).

    (c)

    By claims: to use this method, Sudamericana must calculate the sum of gross claims paid during the 36 months prior to the end of the period under analysis. To that amount, it must add the difference between the balance of unpaid claims as of the end of the period under analysis and the balance of unpaid claims as of the 36th month prior to the end of the period under analysis. The resulting figure must be divided by three. Then Sudamericana must calculate 23%. The resulting figure must be adjusted by the ratio of net paid claims to gross paid claims for the last 36 months. This ratio must be at least 50%.

    (b)   By premiums and additional fees: to use this method, Sudamericana must calculate the sum of the premiums issued and additional fees earned in the last 12 months. Based on the total, Sudamericana must calculate 16% of such amount. Finally, it must adjust the total by the ratio of net paid claims to gross paid claims for the last 36 months. This ratio must be at least 50%.

    (c)   By claims: to use this method, Sudamericana must calculate the sum of gross claims paid during the 36 months prior to the end of the period under analysis. To that amount, it must add the difference between the balance of unpaid claims as of the end of the period under analysis and the balance of unpaid claims as of the 36
    (d)

    For life insurance companies that offer policies with an investment component, the figures obtained in b) and c) must be increased by an amount equal to 4% of the technical reserves adjusted by the ratio of net technical reserves to gross technical reserves (at least 85%), plus 0.3% of at-risk capital adjusted by the ratio of retained at-risk capital to total at-riskth month prior to the end of the period under analysis. The resulting figure must be divided by three. Then Sudamericana must calculate 23%. The resulting figure must be adjusted by the ratio of net paid claims to gross paid claims for the last 36 months. This ratio must be at least 50%.

    (d)   For life insurance companies that offer policies with an investment component, the figures obtained in b) and c) must be increased by an amount equal to 4% of the technical reserves adjusted by the ratio of net technical reserves to gross technical reserves (at least 85%), plus 0.3% of at-risk capital adjusted by the ratio of retained at-risk capital to total at-risk capital (at least 50%).

    The minimum required capital must then be compared to computable capital, defined as shareholders’ equity less non-computable assets. Non-computable assets consist mainly of deferred charges, pending capital contributions, proposed distributions and excess investments in authorized instruments.

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, the computable capital of the companies controlled by Sudamericana exceeded the minimum requirement of Ps.815,4Ps.1,067 million by Ps.274,9Ps.167 million.

    Sudamericana also owns Galicia Broker, a company dedicated to brokerage in different lines of insurance that is regulated by the guidelines of the Corporations Law, which provided for a minimum capital requirement of Ps.100,000.

    B.5 Government Regulation

    i) General

    All companies operating in Argentina must be registered with the Argentine Public Registry of Commerce. In addition, any company with publicly issued equity or debt securities is subject to the rules and regulation of the CNV. Further, financial institutions,entities, such as Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia, are subject to Argentine Central BankBCRA regulations. As companies listedpublic issuers of securities in Argentina, Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia must comply

    with the disclosure, reporting, governance and other rules applicable to such companies in the markets in which they are listed and those of regulators in the countries in which they are listed, including the Capital Markets Law (as amended by the Productive Financing Law No. 27,440 and including Decree No. 471/2018), Law No.20,643, the Decrees No.659/1974 and No.2220/1980 (as amended by Decree No. 572/1996), and CNV’s General Resolution No.622/2013 (as amended and/or supplemented, the “CNV Rules”).

    In their capacity as public issuers of securities, Grupo Financiero Galicia and Banco Galicia are subject to the aforementioned rules. Since Grupo Financiero Galicia has publicly listed American Depository Shares (or “ADSs”) in the United States, it is also subject to the reporting requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) for foreign private issuers and to the provisions applicable to foreign private issuers under the Sarbanes Oxley Act. See Item 9. “The Offer and Listing”.

    Banco Galicia’s operating subsidiaries are also subject to the following laws: Law No.27,442 (the Competition Defense Law or, in Spanish “Ley de Defensa de la Competencia”), the Emergency Decree No.

    274/2019 that repeals the Fair Business Practice Law (No. 22,802) and the Consumer Protection Law No. 24,240, as amended (or, in Spanish “Ley de Protección del Consumidor”).

    As a financial servicesservice holding company, we do not have a specific institution that regulates our activities. Our banking and insurance subsidiaries are regulated by different regulatory entities. The Argentine Central BankBCRA is the main regulatory and supervising entity for Banco Galicia.

    The banking industry is highly regulated in Argentina. Banking activities in Argentina are regulated by Law No.21,526, as amended (the “FIL”), which places the supervision and control of the Argentine banking system in the hands of the Argentine Central Bank. BCRA. The Argentine Central BankBCRA regulates all aspects of financial activity. See “Argentine Banking Regulation” below.

    Banco Galicia and our insurance subsidiaries are subject to Law No.25,246 which was passed on April 13, 2000 (as amended, among others, by Laws No.26,087, 26,119, 26,683, 26,734, and 27,446 together to which we refer to as the Anti-Money Laundering Law), which provides for an anti-money laundering framework in Argentina, including Laws No.26,268 and 27,304, which amend Law No.25,246 to include activities associated with terrorism and Law No. 27,401, which provides for the criminal liability of corporate entities upon their direct or indirect execution of prohibited activities. Furthermore, the Anti-Money Laundering Law created the Financial Information Unit (Unidad de Información Financiera), which established an administrative criminal system, compliance monitoring and the ability to impose sanctions.

    Sudamericana’s insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the National Insurance Superintendency and Laws No.17,418,No.17,418, as amended and modified by Law No.20,091.No.20,091. Galicia Broker is regulated by the National Insurance Superintendency, through Law No.22,400.No.22,400, as amended.

    Tarjeta Naranja and the credit card activities of Banco Galicia are regulated by the Credit Card Law.Law No. 25,065, as amended. Both the Argentine Central BankBCRA and the UndersecretarySecretary of Domestic Trade have issued regulations to, among other things, enforce public disclosure of companies’ pricing (fees, interest rates, and advertising) in order to ensure consumer awareness of such pricing. See “Credit Cards Regulation”.

    On January 6, 2002, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No.25,561 (as amended and supplemented, the “Public Emergency Law” or in Spanish “LeyLey de Emergencia Pública”Pública), which, together with various decrees and Argentine Central BankBCRA rules, provided for the principal measures with which to manage the 2001-2002 financial crisis, including Asymmetric Pesification and eliminating the requirement that the Central Bank’sBCRA’s reserves in gold, foreign currency and foreign currency denominated debt be at all times equivalent to 100% of the monetary base, among others. The Argentine Government did not extend the term of the Public Emergency Law that was previously extended on an annual basis. OnHowever, on December 14, 2016, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,345, which extended the state of emergency on social matters until December 31, 2019. Additionally, on September 30th ,2019, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,519, which extends the state of national nutrition emergency until December 31, 2022, whereby the Government must ensure the nutrition of its population with state funds.

    On December 23, 2019, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No.27,541 (the “Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation Law” or, in Spanish “LeyLey de Solidaridad Social y ReactivacióReactivación Productiva”Productiva), which declared yet again a public emergency in relation to certain economic, financial, fiscal, and social matters, among others. The goal of this law is to manage Argentina’s public debt and public spending in a sustainable manner. Somemanner. During 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID – 19), many of the most important aspectsprovisions of the new regulation are: (i) it declares a continued public emergency across a variety of areas such as economicSocial Solidarity and financial, among others, until December 31, 2020, (ii) it increases taxes (for example, on exports of commodities or for foreign currency purchases); and (iii) it authorizes the government to use Central Bank reservesProductive Reactivation Law were amended in order to make paymentsaddress the economic and social consequences on Argentine citizens of the Country’s strictly enforced quarantines (such as, for example, providing tax benefits to certain sectors especially affected by the COVID – 19 pandemic and the extension of the health emergency, among others).

    On February 12, 2020, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,544 (the “Law on the country’sRestoration of the Sustainability of Public Debt Issued under Foreign Law” or, in Spanish “Ley de Restauración de la Sostenibilidad de la Deuda Pública”), which granted the Argentine Executive Branch broad powers to negotiate and to restructure public debt among others.issued currently held by the Government and governed by laws other than the laws of Argentina.

    ii)Foreign Exchange Market

    In January 2002, through the Public Emergency Law, Argentina declared a public emergency situation in respect of its social, economic, administrative, financial and foreign exchange matters and authorized the Argentine Executive Branch to establish a system to determine the foreign exchange rate between the Argentine Peso and foreign currencies and to issue foreign exchange-related rules and regulations.

    Within this context, on February 8, 2002, through Decree No. 260/2002, as amended by Decree No. 27/2018, the Argentine Executive Branch established (i) a single and free-floating foreign exchange market (a “MULC”, or “Mercado Único y Libre de Cambios”) through which all foreign exchange transactions in a foreign currency must be conducted, and (ii) that foreign exchange transactions in a foreign currency must be conducted at the foreign exchange rate to be freely agreed upon among the contracting parties, subject to the requirements and regulations imposed by the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA.

    On June 9, 2005, through Decree No.616/2005, the Argentine Executive Branch mandated that inflows of funds into the MULC arising from foreign debt incurred by residents (subject to certain exceptions) and all inflows of funds of non-residents channeled through the MULC for certain concepts were required to be credited into a local account and maintained for a “Minimum Stay Period”, requiring a mandatory deposit for 30% of the amount of the transaction for a period of 365 calendar days. Such requirements were eliminated by the former administration.

    In February 2017, the former Ministry of Economy and Public Finance issued Resolution No. 1/2017, which reduced the “Minimum Stay Period” described above to zero days. As of July 1, 2017, with the issuance of Communication “A” 6244, the foreign exchange rules and regulations described above were reversed. In the same sense, the Government issued Decree 27/2018 by which it modified the denomination of the “MULC”, or “Mercado ÚnicoÚnico y Libre de Cambios”Cambios to “MLC” or “Mercado Libre de Cambios. (the “MLC”)

    However, as a result of several economic measures taken in Argentina, onOn September 1, 2019, the Argentine Central BankGovernment issued Communication “A” 6770, which wasDecree No. 609/19 (as later amended and restated by Communication “A” 6844 (currently in force, as amended)Decree No. 91/19 on December 28, 2019), through which thesetting forth certain controls and restrictions on the acquisition, sale, and transfer of foreign currency, were (re)introduced. The main provisions which currently governapplicable to both individual persons and legal entities in Argentina. This decree also enabled the BCRA to establish, through regulations, the necessary measures to avoid “practices and operations aimed at avoiding, through public titles or other instruments” the restrictions set forth by the decree. In furtherance of such decree, since its date of implementation the BCRA has adopted a series of measures that regulate the MLC, which are summarized below:all included in the Amended and Restated Text on Foreign Exchange (the “FX Regulatory Framework”).

    Inflow of Funds:

    Export of goods, provision of services, and sales of non-financial, non-locally produced assets: Funds entering into Argentina from (i) the export of Argentine goods, (ii) the provisions of services to a non-resident by a resident and (iii) payments received from the sale of non-financial, non-locally, non-local produced assets are required to enter through the MLC, be converted into Pesos, and be deposited into a local bank account, all within specifically prescribed periods.

    Payments received from outstanding loans, payment of amounts earned from term deposits or payments received from the sale of any type of asset that is granted, set up or acquired after May 28, 2020: Furthermore, by means of Communication “A” 7030 (as amended), the BCRA set forth that, in order to grant their clients access to the MLC, financial entities must first request from such clients an affidavit stating, among others, that such client will agree to transfer into Argentina and convert into local currency through the MLC within five business days, any funds received abroad arising from payments received from outstanding loans, payments of amounts earned from term deposits held outside of Argentina or payments received from the sale of any type of asset (e.g. shares, securities, goods, etc.) outside of Argentina in case such loans, deposits or assets were granted, set up or acquired after May 28, 2020.

    Offshore financial indebtedness: Regarding offshore financial debts,, the Argentine borrower receiving the foreign funds must convert such funds into Argentine Pesos in order to be able to access the MLC in the future for the payment of principal and interest payments when due on the foreign debt.debt.

    Outflow of Funds:

    General Requirements: By means of Communication “A” 7030 (as amended from time to time) effective as of May 28, 2020, the BCRA introduced additional controls, limitations, and restrictions on foreign exchange operations. In this sense, in addition to the specific requirements that a foreign exchange transaction must meet in order for the payee to access the MLC, this law set forth broad new requirements of general application to most foreign exchange transactions, with some minor exceptions. In particular, in order to grant their clients access to the MLC, Argentine financial entities must first request from their clients an affidavit stating that: (i) all of its foreign currency holdings in Argentina are deposited in local financial entities; (ii) at the beginning of the day on which the affidavit is provided, the client does not have more than US$100,000 as “available foreign liquid assets” unless it is allowed to have more based on certain exceptions; (iii) it agrees that it will transfer into Argentina and convert into local currency in the MLC within 5 business days, any funds received abroad arising from payments received on outstanding loans, amounts earned on term deposits, or amounts received from sales of any type of assets; in each case, if such loans, deposits or assets were granted, constituted or acquired after May 28, 2020; and (iv) it has not sold securities with settlement in foreign currency or transferred them to international depository agencies abroad during the prior 90 calendar days, and will not engage in such activity on the date of the affidavit and within the same period or within 90 days following the date thereof.

    Additionally, through Communication “A” 7200, the BCRA created the “Registry on foreign exchange information of exporters and importers of goods”, in which certain import and export companies that are specifically included in the list published under Communication “C” 89476 must be registered no later than April 30, 2021 as a condition to access the MLC for the outflow of funds as of May 1, 2021.

    Import of Goods. Communication “A” 6844, as amendedThe FX Regulatory Framework establishes the possibility for Argentine residents to access the MLC in order to pay amounts that they owe for the import of goods. Two different scenarios are contemplated. First, in most cases and where the cases are specifically covered in the FX Regulatory Framework, financial entities may grant their clients access to the MLC in order to pay amounts due for the import of goods. This regulation contemplates two different scenarios: (i) payments for importedgoods if such goods have already been registered with the customs office; and (ii) payments for imported goods with a customs’ registration still pending. As a general rule, and subject to the compliance withso long as certain requirements set forth in the FX Regulatory Framework are met (cases that are not specifically covered in the FX Regulatory Framework require the BCRA’s prior approval and registration with the customs office is not sufficient). In addition various quantitative and other limitations for the payment of various imports of goods and repayment of the principal of debt incurred in order to pay for certain imports of goods were set under Communication “A” 7030, as amended from time to time (these limitations are set to expire on June 30. 2021 unless such deadline is extended). Second, in respect of payments for imports of goods whose customs registration is pending as well as for payments in advance of receipt of the imported good, payments upon demand against review of the shipping documents and for the cancellation of commercial guarantees for imports of goods granted by local financial institutions may grantentities, access to the MLC for offshore payments for Argentine imports of goods, or other purchases of goodscan still be achieved so long as certain requirements are met. In addition, entities gaining access to the MLC in this manner must file supporting documentation proving they meet the requirements at the time that were importedthey make the payment to Argentina. The cases that are not specifically established in

    the regulation are subject to prior approvalforeign supplier of the Argentine Central Bank.

    Offshore Services. Pursuant to Communication “A” 6401, financialimport. Further, if a payment is made in advance of actual receipt of the imported goods, the payor must file certain custom documents showing the actual import of the good within 90 days of the advance payments being made. Finally, entities may also grant their clients access to the MLC for the payment of interest payments on outstanding debts so long as the transaction is declared in the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”.

    The BCRA’s prior authorization is required for the payment of commercial debts when importing goods into the country or purchasing foreign goods (i.e. at least 3 business day in advance of the necessary authorization). Moreover, certain special regimes that are applicable to special products, or financings of purchase facilities are established (i.e., leasing agreements, companies responsible for the purchase of medicine for patients, local governments for infrastructure works, supplies and goods for certain industries, etc.).

    Offshore Services. Financial entities may grant their clients access to the MLC for the payment of services provided ifthat such provision of services was previously reported,, if applicable, in the last presentationof the Foreign“Foreign assets and liability informative regimeregime”. With certain exceptions, the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s prior authorization is required to make payments for early payments,prior to their scheduled due date, or to make payments to offshore related companies. Financial entities may also grant access to the MLC for the making of interest payments on offshore debt as long as the transaction was reported in the Foreign“Foreign assets and liability informative regimeregime”. Again, the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s prior authorization is required for early interest payments. as described above.

    Dividends and Earnings. No authorization from the Argentine Central BankBCRA is required to carry out foreign exchange transactions to pay dividends and earnings to “non-residents”“non-residents”, provided that the following requirements are met: (i) the dividends and earnings arise from closed and audited financial statements, (ii) the payment is made in accordance with the relevant corporate documents, (iii) the total amount of transfers for this reason made as of January 17, 2020 and onward, does not exceed 30% of the value of new contributions of foreign direct investment in resident companies, entered and settled through the MLC as of the mentioned date, (iv) access to the MLC for the payment of dividends cannot occur sooner than 30 calendar days following the settlement of the last contribution(v) the payor submits sufficient documentation that evidences the final capitalization of the contributions, and (vi) the payment obligation is reported to the Argentine Central BankBCRA through the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”.

    Offshore Financial Indebtedness. Regarding offshore financial indebtedness, financial entities may only grant access to the MLC when: (i) the funds disbursed as of September 1, 2019 entered Argentina through the MLC, were converted into argentine pesos, and deposited into a local bank account(s); and (ii) the transaction has been reported,, if applicable, before the Argentine Central BankBCRA pursuant to the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime. Regarding funds disbursed before; and (iii) the aforementionedpayment is not made to an affiliated offshore company. Access to the MLC by Argentine residents for the prepayment of debt (principal and interest) more than 3 business days to its maturity date financialfor principal or payment date for interest requires the prior authorization of the BCRA. However, this prior approval will not be required in certain specific cases. In particular, in certain circumstances, an amount of the outstanding principal of indebtedness issued by non-Argentine entities may grantbe prepaid in advance. Specifically, by means of Communication “A” 7106 dated September 15, 2020, the BCRA has established that Argentine residents that have to make debt payments on debt issued by non-Argentine companies (including foreign financial indebtedness granted by non-financial non-related third parties, foreign financial indebtedness that required for the operation of the company, or the issuance of bonds in a foreign country with the public registration of such bonds in Argentina) with payments scheduled to fall between October 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021, must file a refinancing plan with the BCRA whereby (i) only 40% of the principal shall be paid during such timeframe; and (ii) the remaining principal shall be refinanced with new indebtedness with a minimum average duration of two years. This plan must be submitted to the BCRA within certain periods. In line with this requirement, Argentine residents may access the MLC to prepay the noted percentage of principal, subject to meeting certain criteria. The requirement to submit a refinancing plan to access the MLC does not apply to international organizations or related agencies or with official credit agencies or in respect of debt secured by such organizations or agencies and when the amount to pay for the principal of these type of indebtedness does not exceed the equivalent to US$1 million per calendar month.

    Furthermore, by means of Communication “A” 7230, dated February 25, 2020, the BCRA extended the obligation to submit the above described refinancing plan for payments with maturity dates between April 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. Such refinancing plan will not be necessary when the payment does not exceed the equivalent of US$2 million per calendar month, and neither when the maturities represent: (i) indebtedness incurred

    as of January 1, 2020 and the funds received from such incurrence have been transferred and sold in the MLC; (ii) indebtedness incurred as of January 1, 2020 in order to refinance principal amounts falling due after that date; and or (iii) the remaining portion of maturities already refinanced in accordance with the parameters of Comunication “A” 7106.

    Collateral trusts. Collateral trusts established by Argentine resident entities with the purpose of guaranteeing principal and interest payments for their obligations have access to the MLC forin order to make such payments, as long as it is verified that the repayment ifdebtor would have also had access to make such payments on its own behalf because of its compliance with the applicable regulations, and that the payment abroad by the collateral trust is the only available option set forth in the transaction has been reported before the Argentine Central Bank pursuantdocuments. Collateral trusts are able to access to the “Foreign assets and liability informative regime”MLC to either transfer or purchase of foreign currency to comply with guarantee deposits of this type of indebtedness, as long as some requirements are met. However, this possibility is provided up to the equivalent payable amount in the relevant contract or the “value to be paid at the next maturity date of services.

    Investment Instruments. The Argentine Central Bank ‘s BCRA‘s prior authorization is required to access the MLC for the making of foreign investments, including the purchase of foreign currency for portfolio investments (“atesoramientoatesoramiento”) and the purchase of securities, by(i) by legal entities,, and non-Argentine residents (with certain exceptions -such as multilateral agencies, embassies, etc.-), for any amount; and (ii) by individual residents, when the monthly sum of US$200 is exceeded; and (iii) for non- resident individual persons (for example, tourists), when the monthly sum of US$ 200100 is exceededexceeded.

    Argentine Central Bank Reporting Regime

    Application of collections from exports of goods and services: By means of Communication “A” 7123, the BCRA ruled that collection in foreign currencies from exports of goods and services may be used for (i) payments of principal and interest on financial indebtedness granted by a In lightnon-Argentine entity with an average maturity of no less than one year; and (ii) repatriation of direct investments by non-residents in companies that are not controlled by local financial entities -to the extent that said repatriation occurs after the conclusion and implementation of a direct investment project and at least one year after the transfer and settling of the foregoing,capital contribution in the FX Market.

    For this purposes, the disbursed funds must have been (a) used to finance certain investment projects in Argentina that generate an increase in the production of goods that will be exported, and/or will enable the substitution of imports of goods; and/or will result in an increase in the transport capacity for the exportation of goods and services through the construction of infrastructure works in ports, airports and land terminals for international transport; and (b) transferred into Argentina and converted into local currency after October 2, 2020.

    Prior BCRA approval will be required for those cases where these requirements are not fulfilled. However it will not be required (either for the payment of offshore financial indebtedness with a foreign counterparty or for the repatriation of direct investment) when the funds received as of October 2, 2020 were transferred and converted into Argentine Central Bank’spesos through the MLC, and the repatriation takes place at least two years after such condition.

    Furthermore, on April 7, 2021, Decree No. 234/2021 created an “Investment Promotion Regime for Exports”. This regime provides companies with the option of submitting an “Export Investment Project” for approval. The project must be for a direct investment in Argentina in a foreign currency, in an amount equal to at least US$100 million and it must be in order to increase the production for the exportation of certain goods. If approved, the company that submitted the “Export Investment Project” for approval is entitled to receive up to 20% of the foreign exchange received from the export of goods that were part of the direct investment project, subject to an annual cap of -25% of the gross amount initially cleared through the FX Market in order to finance the project. In addition, such amounts may be applied once a calendar-year has elapsed since the direct investment was made. Once the company receives the above described amount of foreign current from the export of the noted goods, the company may use such funds - (i) for the payment of principal and interest on commercial liabilities or financial transactions abroad; (ii) for the payment of profits and dividends that correspond to closed and audited balance sheets; and/or (iii) for the repatriation of direct investments by non-residents. In the event that export proceeds are not applied immediately, such funds must be deposited in local financial entities until its application. The BCRA adopted these measures through Communication “A” 7259, dated April 9, 2021.

    iii)BCRA Reporting Regime

    The BCRA’s reporting regime has been updated as described below. Communication “A” 6401 introduced reporting requirements with respect to debt securities and external liabilities for the financial and private non-financial sector and direct investments of companies in such sector under the Foreign“Foreign assets and liability informative regimeregime”.

    The completion and validation of the information corresponding to the foregoing must be done electronically through the Federal Public Revenue Administration’sAdministration’s website. Such information,, must be reported as of the first quarter of 2020, as follows: (i) at the end of any calendar quarter, by all individuals and legal entities who have outstanding offshore financial indebtedness (or(or if cancelled during that period, when filing the Foreign assets and liability informative regime)regime); and (ii) in an annual presentation, by those individuals or legal entities for whom the balance of external assets and liabilities at the end of each year reaches or exceeds the equivalent of US$50 million.

    iv)Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime

    Exchange operations can only be carried out through the entities authorized for such purposes by the Argentine Central BankBCRA. As such, any exchangeoperation that does not comply with the provisions of the applicable regulations will be subject to the Law No. 19,359, as regulated by Decree 480/95, and Argentine Central BankBCRA regulations (“Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime”), pursuant to whichthe following constitute offenses:offenses: (i) any foreign exchange transaction not performed before an authorized institution; (ii) the completion of foreign exchange transactions without the applicable authorization; (iii) any misrepresentation related to foreign exchange transactions; (iv) the failure to make accurate representations or to complete the necessary procedures in cases where the actual transactions are different than those declared; (v) any foreign exchange transaction executed without fulfilling the conditions established by applicable regulations, regarding quantity, foreign currency exchange rate, dates, etc.; and (vi) any other omission or act performed in violation of the Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime.Regime.

    Violations to the Foreign Exchange Criminal Regime may be subject to fines of up to ten times the amount of the operation in breach and imprisonment in certain instances.

    B.6 Argentine Banking Regulation

    The following is a summary of certain matters relating to the Argentine banking system, including provisions of Argentine law and regulations applicable to financial institutionsentities in Argentina. This summary is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all laws and regulations applicable to financial institutionsentities in Argentina.

    i) General

    Since 1977, banking activities in Argentina have been regulated by the Argentine Financial Institutions Law No. 21.526 (the “FIL”), which places the supervision and control of the Argentine banking system in the hands of the autonomous Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, the principal monetary and financial authority in Argentina that operates independently from the Argentine government. The Argentine Central BankBCRA enforces the FIL and grants authorization to banks to operate in Argentina. The FIL confers numerous powers to the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, including the ability to grant and revoke bank licenses, authorize the establishment of branches of Argentine banks outside of Argentina, approve bank mergers, capital increases and certain transfers of stock, set minimum capital, liquidity and solvency requirements and lending limits, grant certain credit facilities to financial institutionsentities in cases of temporary liquidity problems and to promulgate other regulations and to enforce the FIL. The Argentine Central BankBCRA has vested the Superintendency with most of the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s supervisory powers. Such entity is responsible for enforcing Argentina’s banking laws, establishing accounting and financial reporting requirements for the banking sector, monitoring and regulating the lending practices of financial institutionsentities and establishing rules for participation of financial institutionsentities in the foreign exchange marketMLC and the issuance of bonds and other securities, among other functions. In this section, unless otherwise stated, references to the Argentine Central BankBCRA should be understood to be references to the Argentine Central BankBCRA acting through the Superintendency. FIL grants the Argentine Central BankBCRA broad access to the accounting systems, books, correspondence, and other documents belonging to banking institutions. The Argentine Central BankBCRA regulates the supply of credit and monitors the liquidity, and generally supervises the operation, of the Argentine banking system.

    Current regulations equally regulate Argentine and foreign-owned banks.

    ii) Supervision

    As the regulator of the Argentine financial system, the Argentine Central BankBCRA requires financial institutionsentities to submit information on a daily, monthly, quarterly, semiannual and annual basis. These reports, which include balance sheets and income statements, information relating to reserve funds, use of deposits, portfolio quality (including details on debtors and any established loan loss provisions) and other pertinent information, allow the Argentine Central BankBCRA to monitor financial institutionsentities financial condition and business practices.

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA periodically carries out formal inspections of all banking institutions in order to monitor compliance by banks with legal and regulatory requirements and confirm the accuracy of the information provided to the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. If Argentine Central BankBCRA rules are breached, it may impose various sanctions depending on the magnitude of the infringement. These sanctions range from warning calls up to the imposition of fines, or even the revocation of the financial institution’s operating license. Moreover, non-compliance with certain rules may result in the obligatory presentation to the Argentine Central BankBCRA of specific adequacy or regularization plans. The Argentine Central BankBCRA must approve these plans in order for the financial institution to remain operational.

    Financial institutions operating in Argentina have been subject to the supervision of the Argentine Central BankBCRA on a consolidated basis since 1994. Information regarding “Limitations on Types of Business”, “Capital Adequacy Requirements”, “Lending Limits”, and “Loan Classification System and Loan Loss Provisions” related to a bank’s loan portfolio is calculated on a consolidated basis. However, regulations relating to a bank’s deposits are not based on consolidated information, but on such bank’s deposits in Argentina (for example, liquidity requirements and contributions to the deposit insurance system).

    Examination by the Argentine Central BankBCRA

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA began to rate financial institutions based on the “CAMEL” quality rating system in 1994. Each letter of the CAMEL system corresponds to an area of the operations of each bank being rated, with: “C” standing for capital, “A” for assets, “M” for management, “E” for earnings, and “L” for liquidity. Each factor is evaluated and rated on a scale from one to five, with one being the highest rating an entity can receive. The Argentine Central BankBCRA modified the supervision system in September of 2000. The objectives and basic methodology of the new system, referred to as “CAMELBIG,” do not differ substantially from the CAMEL system. The components were redefined in order to evaluate business risks separately from management risks. The components used to rate the business risks are capital, assets, market, earnings, liquidity and business. The components to rate management risks are internal control and the quality of management. By combining the individual factors under evaluation, a combined index can be populated that represents the final rating for the financial institution.

    After temporarily halting such examinations as a result of the 2001-2002 financial and economic crisis, the Argentine Central BankBCRA resumed the examination process, which remains in effect as of the date of this filing. In Banco Galicia’s case, the first examination after the 2001-2002 financial crisis was on March 2017, and currently there is an ongoing examination as of December 2019.

    Regulatory Capital (Minimum Capital Requirements)

    Financial entities are subject to the capital adequacy rules of the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, consequently Banco Galicia, as a commercial bank, must maintain a minimum capital amount measured as of each month’s closing. Argentine Central BankBCRA regulations establish that financial institutions legal capital should be equal to the greater value resulting from the comparison between the applicable basic requirement (corresponding to the type of entity) and the sum of those determined by credit and market risk, as well as operational risk.

    The minimum basic capital requirement for a commercial bank located in the City of Buenos Aires, such as Banco Galicia, is a capital reserve of at least Ps.26 million. The minimum capital requirements related to credit risk, which are calculated according to a formula established by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, are designed to establish the minimum capital necessary to offset the risk that the counterparty does not comply with its obligation in a transaction related to the assets that are being reviewed. The minimum capital requirements related to market risks are designed to offset the

    eventual losses generated by a change of market rates or of credit quality, which would affect the assets and liabilities of the bank. Such market risk includes (among other risks) liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Operational risk includes the possibility of incurring a failure or deficiency in losses as a result of external events or as a result of a failure or deficiency in internal processes, human error or internal systems.

    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the regulatory capital of commercial banks acting as custodians of securities representing investments of the Fondo de Garantía de Sustentabilidad del Sistema Integrado Previsional Argentino must be equal to or exceed the greater of Ps.400 million or an amount equivalent to 1% of the total book value of the securities in custody.

    In order to verify compliance with the minimum capital requirements, the Argentine Central BankBCRA considers the computable regulatory capital (“RPC”) of a particular entity (i.e., capital that the entities actually have). Pursuant to the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s regulations, a bank’s RPC is the sum of the minimum core capital (Tier I capital) and supplementary capital (Tier II capital), minus certain deductible concepts. The Argentine Central BankBCRA considered Basel III requirements in order to regulate the RPC (and listed the assets included in each Tier as well the deductible concepts in accordance with such rules).

    According to the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s regulations, any financial institutionentity operating with an RPC under the minimum capital requirements must: (i) pay-in the correspondent amount within the following two months from the month in which it fails to comply with the requirement, or (ii) submit to the Superintendency a regularization and reorganization plan within the following 30 calendar days counted as from the last day of the month in which it fails to comply with the requirement. The Superintendency may appoint a supervisor and impose restrictions on distribution of dividends, among other actions, when non-compliance with the RPC requirements occurs or any warning from the Superintendency is received.

    In addition, any financial institutionentity operating under the daily integration of the minimum capital requirement related to market risk (when such failure is caused by the requirements established to guard against interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk or equity price risk), must pay-in the corresponding amount necessary to comply with the requirements and/or reduce its asset position until the applicable requirement is complied with, within a term of ten business days counted from the first failure to comply with the requirements. In case the non-compliance situation remains after such term has elapsed, the entity must submit to the Superintendency a regularization and reorganization plan within the following five days.

    iii) Legal Reserve

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA and FIL rules requires that every year banks allocate to a legal reserve a percentage of their net profits established by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, which currently amounts to 20% of their yearly income. Such reserve may only be used during periods in which such financial institution has incurred losses and has exhausted all other reserves. Distribution of dividends will not be allowed if the legal reserve is not met.

    iv) Profit Distribution

    Profit Distribution

    In accordance with Communications “A” 5827 (as amended), “A” 6464 (as amended) and “A” 6304 (as amended), profit distribution of financial institutions (the concept pursuant to which a payment of dividends is included) must be authorized by the Superintendency. Financial institutions may distribute profits without exceeding the limits set forth in the “Distribution of Profits” rules established by the BCRA. The amount to be distributed must not compromise the entity’s liquidity and solvency. The Superintendency is entitled to intervene to verify the correct application of the procedures and regulations with respect to dividends approved and to be distributed by financial institutions. Nevertheless, as explained above, dividends to be paid in a foreign currency to international investors, may be subject to foreign exchange restrictions.

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA sets rules for the conditions under which financial institutions can make distributions of profits. Argentine Central BankBCRA regulations require that 20% of a company’s profits, subject to certain adjustments, be allocated to legal reserves.

    This requirement applies regardless of the company’s ratio of legal reserves to capital stock.

    In addition to the foregoing, Argentine Central BankBCRA regulations regarding profit distributions provide that profits can be distributed so long as a company’s results of operations are positive after deducting for required legal reserves, the difference between the carrying amount and the fair market value of public sector assets and/or debtdebt instruments issued by the Argentine Central BankBCRA not valued at fair market price, and the amounts capitalized for legal proceedings related to deposits and any unrecorded adjustments required by external auditors or the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. Furthermore, companies must also comply with capital adequacy rules, which set forth minimum capital requirements and required regulatory capital.

    Effective as of January 2016, all Argentine financial institutions are also required to maintain capital in an additional capital reserve equal to 3.5%2.5% of risk-weighted assets and 3.5% for financial institutions classified as systemically important, which must be comprised of only Tier I Common Capital, net of deductible items. Profit distributions of financial institutions will be not be authorized if failing to meet with the required computable regulatory capital set forth above.

    Prior authorization of In certain cases, that margin may be modified by the Argentine Central Bank is required for profit distribuitons of financial institutions. Notwithstanding the above, note thatBCRA, as established in the context“Distribution of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Argentine Central Bank issued on March 19, 2020, Communication “A” 6939 which restricted any dividend distribution of Argentine financial institutions until June 30, 2020.Profits” rules.

    Profits, if any, resulting from the first-time application of IFRS may not be distributed. Any such profits will be allocated to a special reserve recorded under equity, which may only be released for capitalization purposes, or to otherwise offset potential losses.

    Despite the above-mentioned existing limitations, in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the BCRA issued on March 19, 2020, Communication “A” 6939, which suspended the ability of Argentine financial institutions to distribute dividends until June 30, 2020, in order to maintain the lending capacity of the financial institutions. This suspension was later extended by Communication “A” 7035 until December 31, 2020, and then by Communication “A” 7181 until June 30, 2021 (with the possibility of future extensions).

    v) Legal Reserve Requirements for Liquidity Purposes

    The deposit amount minus the minimum cash requirement determines the “lending capacity” of a particular deposit.

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA modifies the applicable minimum cash requirement from time to time depending on monetary policy considerations.

    The then-applicable minimum cash requirement is determined on the basis of the average daily balances of the obligations: (i) recorded at the end of each day, during the period prior to their integration for Argentine Pesos; and (ii) at the end of each day during each calendar month, for foreign currency and securities.

    The averages will be obtained by dividing the sum of the daily balances by the total amount of days of each month. For days in which no movement is recorded, the balance corresponding to the immediately preceding day. Compliance with minimum cash requirements must be made in the same debt currency and/or instrument that corresponds to the requirement (with certain exceptions), and might be completed through (i) checking accounts, denominated in Pesos, opened by financial entities in the Argentine Central Bank;BCRA; (ii) “Minimum Cash Accounts”, denominated in dollarsDollars or other foreign currencies, opened by financial entities in the Argentine Central Bank;BCRA; (iii) special guarantee accounts in favor of clearing houses and for coverage of credit cards, vouchers and ATM operations and for transfer settlement of immediate funds; (iv) non-bank financial entities checking accounts opened in commercial banks for the requirement of minimum cash integration; (v) special accounts opened in the Argentine Central BankBCRA linked for the provision of social security benefits administered by National Social Security Administration (“AdministracióAdministración Nacional de la Seguridad Social” or ANSES) and (vi) “sub-accounts“sub-accounts 60” which are accounts that contain a minimum amount of cash received from investments in public securities and debt instruments issued by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, at market value.

    According to Communication “A” 6341“Minimum Cash” rule of the BCRA (as modified and complemented), the percentages of minimum cash requirements applicable in accordance with Argentine Central Bank rules, are as follows:

    • Demand deposits:

    Peso-denominated checking accounts and savings accounts: 54%45%.

  • Savings accounts denominated in foreign currency: 25%.

     

    • Fixed term deposits:

    Peso-denominated: (i) up to 29 days, 32%; (ii) 30 to 59 days, 22%; (iii) 60 to 89 days, 4%; (iv) 90 days or more, 0%.

  • Foreign currency-denominated: (i) up to 29 days, 23%; (ii) 30 to 59 days, 17%; (iii) 60 to 89 days, 11%; (iv) 90 to 179 days, 5%; (v) 180 to 365 days, 2% and (vi) more than 365 days, 0%.

  • Fixed term deposits adjusted by UVA/UVI (by remaining maturity):

  • (i) up to 29 days, 7%; (ii) from 30 to 59 days, 5%; (iii) from 60 to 89 days, 3%; (iv) 90 days or more, 0%.

    Please bear in mind that the above-mentioned peso-denominated rates may vary depending on certain circumstances set forth by the BCRA (e.g., locality, term deposits transactions arranged remotely).

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, Banco Galicia was in compliance with its legal reserve requirements and continued to be in compliance as of the date of this annual report.

    vi) Limitations on Types of Business

    In accordance with the provisions of the FIL, commercial banks are authorized to carry out all activities and operations which are not strictly prohibited by law or by the Argentine Central BankBCRA regulations. Permitted activities include the capacity to: grant and receive loans; receive deposits from the general public in local and foreign currency; secure its customers’ debts; acquire, place and trade with shares and debt securities in the Argentine over-the-counter market (subject to prior approval of the CNV, if applicable); carry out operations in foreign currencies; act as trustee in financial trusts; and issue credit cards.

    In order to calculate the legal reserves requirements for liquidity purposes described above, it is not necessary to deduct the capital stock allocated to foreign branches from a bank’s shareholders’ equity.

    Pursuant to the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s regulations, financial institutions are not allowed to hold more than a 12.5% interest (or more than a specific percentage of the financial institution’s adjusted shareholders’ equity) in the outstanding capital of a company which does not provide services complementary to those offered by financial institutions.institutions, as established in the “Complementary services of financial activities” rules. The Argentine Central BankBCRA determines which services are complementary to those provided by financial institutions. To date has been determined that such services mainly include those offered in connection with stock brokerage, the issuance of credit, debit or similar cards, financial intermediation in leasing and factoring transactions.

    Non-banking financial institutions are not allowed to provide certain services and activities, such as opening checking accounts, among other activities.

    vii) Capitalization of Debt Instruments

    Communication “A” 6304 (as amended) of the Argentine Central BankBCRA provides that all regulations related to capital increases must be cash contributions. However, the regulation establishes that subject to the prior authorization of the Superintendency, the following instruments are allowed as capital contributions: (i) securities issued by the Argentine government, (ii) debt instruments issued by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, and (iii) a financial institution’s deposits and other liabilities resulting from its financial brokerage activities, including subordinated obligations. With respect to instruments (i) and (ii), the contributions must be recorded at their market value. It is understood that an instrument has a market value when it is regularly listed on regulated local or foreign stock markets and traded on such markets in such amounts that the liquidation of such instruments does not significantly affect the listing price of such instruments. With respect to clause (iii) above, contributions must be recorded at their market value, as defined in

    the previous sentence or, in the case of financial institutions that publicly offer their stock, at the price determined by the applicable regulatory authority. If the aforementioned conditions are not met, the instruments in question will not be contributable as capital.

    Deposits and other liabilities resulting from a given financial institution’s financial brokerage activities, including subordinated obligations that are not permitted to be traded in local or foreign regulated secondary markets, will be allowed to be contributed as capital at their accounting value, pursuant to Argentine Central BankBCRA rules.

    viii) Lending Limits

    According to the “large exposures to credit risk” and “minimum capital for financial institutions” rules, the total amount of all credit risk exposure values of a financial entity to a single counterparty or, where appropriate, a group of related counterparties, may not exceed at any time the limits established for level capital one (Tier 1) by the Argentine Central Bank.

    BCRA.

    In accordance with the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s regulations, the exposure limit to a counterpart or connected counterpart group of the non-financial private sector will be 15% of the Bank'sBank’s level one capital. However, this limit may be increased by 10% for exposures that are secured with preferred guarantees.

    The total amount of financial assistance a bank is authorized to provide to a borrower and its affiliates is also limited based on the borrower’s shareholders’ equity. The total amount of financial assistance granted to a borrower and its affiliates shall not be higher than, in the aggregate, 100% of such borrower’s shareholders’ equity, although such limit may be increased an additional 200% of the borrower’s shareholders’ equity if the sum does not exceed 2.5% of the bank’s adjusted shareholders’ equity.

    Global exposure to the public sector (national, provincial and municipal public sector) shall not be higher than 75% of an institution’s adjusted shareholders’ equity. Additionally, Section 12 of Communication “A” 3911, as amended, establishes that the average monthly financial assistance to non-financial public sector, in the aggregate, shall not be higher than 35% of the bank’s total assets as of the end of the previous month.

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA also regulates the level of “total financial exposure” a bank has to related parties. A party may be a “related party” by: a) control, when a human or legal person directly or indirectly exercises control over the bank or is controlled directly or indirectly by the bank; or b) personal relationship, regarding individuals (including their families and any other entity which they control) who serve as directors, trustees, general managers, or managers with credit attributions.

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA limits the level of total financial exposure that a bank can have outstanding to related parties, depending on the rating granted to each bank by the Superintendency. Banks rated 4 or 5 are forbidden to extend financial assistance to related parties. For banks ranked between 1 and 3, the financial assistance offered to related parties based on a relationship of control and without a guarantee, may not exceed 5% of the bank'sbank’s level one capital. The bank may increase this limit to 10% if the financial assistance is secured.

    Financial assistance to related parties based on a "personal relationship"“personal relationship” have a 5% limit of Level 1 capital of the entity providing the financing (the limit is unique for all cases and includes operations with and without guarantees).

    However, a bank may grant additional financial assistance to such related parties up to the following limits:

     

    a)

    Individual maximum limits for customers over which a bank has control:

    a)Individual maximum limits for customers over which a bank has control:

    • Domestic financial entities:

    Financial institutions rated 1, 2 or 3, subject to consolidation with the lender and its controller or the borrower:

    • Financial institutions rated 1, 2 or 3, subject to consolidation with the lender and its controller or the borrower:

      If the affiliate is a financial institution rated 1, the amount of total financial exposure can reach 100% of a bank’s TIER 1,, and 50% for additional financial assistance

    • If the receiving affiliate financial institution is rated 2, the amount of total financial exposure can reach 20% and an additional 105% can be included

    If the affiliate is a financial institution rated 3, the amount of total financial exposure can reach 10%, and additional financial assistance can reach 40%

    Financial institutions that do not meet the above conditions with the lender or the borrower: 10%

    • Financial institutions that do not meet the above conditions with the lender or the borrower: 10%

      Domestic companies with complementary services:

    Domestic companies with complementary services associated with brokerage activities, financial brokerage in leasing and factoring operations, and temporary acquisition of shares in companies to facilitate their development in order to sell such shares afterwards

    • Domestic companies with complementary services associated with brokerage activities, financial brokerage in leasing and factoring operations, and temporary acquisition of shares in companies to facilitate their development in order to sell such shares afterwards

      Controlling company rated 1: General assistance 100%

    • Controlling company rated 2: General assistance 10% / Additional assistance 90%

    Domestic companies with complementary services related to the issuance of credit cards, debit cards or other cards:

    • Domestic companies with complementary services related to the issuance of credit cards, debit cards or other cards:

      Controlling company rated 1: General assistance 100% / Additional assistance 50%

    • Controlling company rated 2: General assistance 20% / Additional assistance 105%

    • Controlling company rated 3: General assistance 10% / Additional assistance 40%

    Domestic companies with complementary services, not subject to consolidation with the lender or the borrower: 10%

    • Domestic companies with complementary services, not subject to consolidation with the lender or the borrower: 10%

      Foreign financial entities:

    Investment grade 10%

    Investment grade 10%

    No Investment grade: Unsecured 5%; with and without warrants10%

    • No Investment grade: Unsecured 5%; with and without warrants 10%

      Other counterparties related by control

    Unsecured 5%; with and without warrants10%

    Unsecured 5%; with and without warrants 10%

    b)Individual maximum limits for customers over which there is a personal relationship

    • b)

      Individual maximum limits for customers over which there is a personal relationship

      Lender is ranked from 1 to 3: 5% of its TIER 1

    In addition, the aggregate amount of a bank’s total financial exposureto its related parties, except for the ones subject to individual maximum limits higher than 10% (complementary services companies), may not exceed 20% of such bank’s TIER 1.

    Notwithstanding the limitations described above, the sum of computable exposure is also limited in order to prevent risk concentration. To that end, the total exposure independently of whether customers qualify as such bank’s related parties or not, in the case in which such exposure exceeds 10% of such bank’s TIER 1, may not exceed three times the bank’s TIER 1 excluding total financial exposure to domestic financial institutions, or five times the bank’s TIER 1, including such exposure.

    For a second-grade financial institution (i.e., a financial institution that provides financial products to other banks and not to retail customers), the latter limit is ten times such financial institution’s TIER 1.

    Banco Galicia has historically complied with such rules.

    ix) Loan Classification System and Loan Loss Provisions

    General

    Banco Galicia is required to comply with the Argentine Central BankBCRA regulations. In 1994, the Argentine Central BankBCRA introduced the current loan classification system and the corresponding minimum loan-loss provision requirements applicable to loans and other types of credit (together, referred to as “loans”) to private sector borrowers.

    The current loan classification system applies certain criteria to classify loans in a bank’s “consumer” portfolio, and another set of criteria to classify loans in its “commercial” portfolio. The classification system is independent of the currency in which the loan is denominated.

    The loan classification criteria applied to loans in the consumer portfolio is based on objective guidelines related to the borrower’s credit score, legal status, and other information provided by credit rating agencies. However, if a borrower has defaulted in the past or is non-current on obligations, a lower rating is assigned by the Bank. In the event of any discrepancy, the guidelines indicating the higher risk level should be considered.

    For the purposes of the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s regulations, consumer loans are defined as mortgage loans, pledge loans, credit card loans and other types of loans in installments granted to individuals. All other loans are considered commercial loans. In addition, in accordance with an option set forth in these regulations, Banco Galicia prospectively applies the consumer portfolio classification criteria to commercial loans of up to Ps.2.5Ps.72,64 million. This classification is based on the level of fulfillment and the situation thereof.

    The main classification criterion for loans in the commercial portfolio is each borrower’s ability to pay, mainly in terms of such borrower’s future cash flows. If a customer has both commercial and consumer loans, all of these loans will be considered as a whole to determine eligibility for classification in the corresponding portfolio. Loans backed with preferred guarantees will be considered at 50% of their face value.

    By applying the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s classification to commercial loans, banks must assess the following factors: the current and projected financial situation of the borrower, the customer’s exposure to currency risk, the customer’s managerial and operating background, the borrower’s ability to provide accurate and timely financial information, as well as the overall risk of the sector in which the borrower operates and the borrower’s relative position within that sector.

    The Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s regulations also establish that a team independent from the departments responsible for credit origination must carry out a periodic review of the commercial portfolio. Banco Galicia’s Credit Division, which is independent from the business units that generate transactions, is responsible for these reviews.

    The review must be carried out on each borrower with debt pending payment equal to the lesser of the following amounts: Ps.12.5Ps.72,64 million or 1% of the bank’s computable capital (the “RPC”) but, in any case, the review shall cover at least 20% of the total loan portfolio.. The frequency of the review of each borrower depends on the bank’s exposure to that borrower. The Argentine Central BankBCRA requires that the larger the exposure is, the more frequent the review should be. This review must be conducted every calendar quarter when credit exposure to that borrower is equal to or in excess of 5% of the bank’s RPC, or every six months when exposure equals or exceeds the lesser of the following amounts: Ps.12.5Ps.72.64 million or 1% of the bank’s RPC. In all cases, at least 50% of Banco Galicia’s commercial portfolio must be reviewed once every six months; and all other borrowers in Banco Galicia’s commercial portfolio must be reviewed during the fiscal year, so that the entire commercial portfolio is reviewed every fiscal year.

    In addition, only one level of discrepancy is permitted between the classification assigned by a bank and the lowest classification assigned by at least two other banks whose combined credit to the borrowerborrower represents 40%

    or more of the total credit of the borrower, considering all banks. If Banco Galicia’s classification was different by more than one level from the lowest classification granted, Banco Galicia must immediately downgrade its classification of the debtor to the same classification level, or else within one classification level.

    Loan Classification

    The following tables contain the six loan classification categories corresponding to the different risk levels set forth by the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. Banco Galicia’s total exposure to a private sector customer must be classified according to the riskier classification corresponding to any part of such exposure.

    Commercial Portfolio

     

    Loan Classification

    Description

    A. Normal Situation

    The debtor is widely able to meet its financial obligations, demonstrating significant cash flows, a liquid financial situation, an adequate financial structure, a timely payment record, competent management, available information in a timely, accurate manner and satisfactory internal controls.

    The debtor belongs to a sector of economic activity that records an acceptable future trend with good prospects and the debtor is competitive within such economic activity.

    B. With Special Follow-up

    Cash flow analysis reflects that the debt may be repaid even though it is possible that the customer’s future payment ability may deteriorate without a proper follow-up.

    This category is divided into two subcategories:

    B1. Under Observation;

    B2. Under Negotiation or Refinancing Agreements.

    C. With Problems

    Cash flow analysis evidences problems to repay the debt, and therefore, if these problems are not solved, there may be some losses. It also includes customers that maintain payment agreements resulting from judicial or extrajudicial agreements approved by the relevant insolvency court.

    D. High Risk of Insolvency

    Cash flow analysis evidences that repayment of the full debt is highly unlikely. It also includes customers who have been sued by the creditor financial institution for the payment of amounts due or that have requested the preventive tender or concluded, and extrajudicial preventive agreement not yet approved by the relevant insolvency court.

    E. Uncollectible

    The amounts in this category are deemed total losses. Even though these assets may be recovered under certain future circumstances, inability to make payments is evident at the date of the analysis. It includes loans to insolvent or bankrupt borrowers.

    F.  Uncollectible due to Technical Reasons

    LoansAdditionally, this category includes loans to borrowers indicated by the Argentine Central BankBCRA to be in non-accrual status with financial institutions that have been liquidated or are being liquidated, or whose authorization to operate has been revoked. It also includes loans to foreign banks and other institutions that are not:

    (i) classified as “normal”;

    (ii)  subject to the supervision of the Argentine Central BankBCRA or other similar authority of the country of origin;

    (iii)  classified as “investment grade” by any of the rating agencies admitted pursuant to Communication “A” 2729 of the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA.

    Consumer Portfolio

     

    Loan Classification

    Description

    A. Normal Situation

    Loans with timely repayment or arrears not exceeding 31 days, both of principal and interest.

    A customer classified in “Normal” situation that has been refinanced more than twice in the last twelve months in this category, must be re-classified in “Low-Risk”.

    B. Low Risk

    Occasional late payments, with a payment in arrears of more than 32 days and up to 90 days. A customer classified as “Low Risk” having been refinanced may be recategorized to “Normal”, as long as he amortizes one principal installment (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 5% of principal.

    C. Medium Risk

    Some inability to make payments, with arrears of more than 91 days and up to 180 days. A customer classified as “Medium Risk” having been refinanced may be recategorized to “Low Risk” within this category, as long as he amortizes two principal installments (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 5% of principal.

    D. High Risk

    Judicial proceedings demanding payment have been initiated or arrears of more than 180 days and up to one year. A customer classified as “High Risk” having been refinanced may be recategorized to “Medium Risk” within this category, as long as he amortizes three principal installments (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 10% of principal.

    E. Uncollectible

    Loans to insolvent or bankrupt borrowers, or subject to judicial proceedings, with little or no possibility of collection, or with arrears in excess of one year. A customer classified as “Uncollectible” having been refinanced in this category, may be recategorized to “High Risk”, as long as he amortizes three principal installments (whether monthly or bimonthly) or repays 15% of the principal.

     

    F.  Uncollectible due to Technical Reasons

    LoansAdditionally, this category includes loans to borrowers who fall withinindicated by the conditions described above under “Commercial Portfolio-Uncollectible dueBCRA to Technical Reasons”.be in non-accrual status with financial institutions that have been liquidated or are being liquidated, or whose authorization to operate has been revoked.

    On March 2020, the BCRA issued Communication “A” 6938, which provided for the addition of 60 days to the terms of arrears allowed for levels A, B and C for both the Commercial and Consumer Portfolio. These provisions were extended by complementary Communications until March 31, 2021.

    x) Limitation on Fees and Other Substantial Elements

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA has issued regulations limiting amounts that entities can charge as credit card fees, as well as fees that can be charged for financial services rendered by financial entities, credit card issuers (and other similar entities). Such regulations provide that such fees must be duly justified from a technical and economic point of view and must be in relation to the total financial costs incurred by any such financial institution. Further, such Laws provide that applicable interest rates must be set forth.

    In addition, such regulations provide that in order to modify fees and other conditions established in agreements executed by and between financial entities and consumers, the following requirements must be met (i) reasons for fees increases must be established in the agreements and must be duly justified; (ii) modifications cannot change the core or fundamental provisions of the agreement; (iii) the consumer must be duly informed of any such changes; and (iv) for the imposition of new fees, the consumer’s consent must be obtained.

    On March 26, 2020, inIn the context of the COVID-19 COVID-19 outbreak,, the Argentine Central BankBCRA issued Communication “A” 6945, as amended (the most recent amendment was under Communication “A” 7181), which suspended the ability of banks to charge fees for the use of automatic teller machines (“ATMs”) until June 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. Also, as part of the protective measures taken,, the Argentine Central BankBCRA has imposed an injunction on the payment of loans granted to the private sector,, as per

    Communications “A” 6949 and “A” 6964, among other regulations. regulations, as amended from time to time. The Argentine Central Bank BCRA has also mandated that (i) any payments due between April and June 2020March 2021 for loans previously granted by financial entities are deferred until the month following the loan’s maturity date;date; and (ii) credit card debts due between March 20 and April 30 of 2020 and not paid by the credit card issuer holder will be automatically refinanced for at least for a one-year term, pursuant to the following terms and conditions: (a) a 3-month grace period must be given to the debtor; (ii) the amount owed must be repaid in 9 equal and consecutive installments, and (iii) the maximum annual interest rate the creditor may charge is of 43%. The same condition applies to credit card debt due between September 1, and September 30, 2020, but with a maximum annual interest rate of 40%.

    xi) Foreign Currency General Position

    Pursuant to Communication “A” 6844, as amended,the FX Regulatory Framework, financial entities may determine their own Foreign Currency General Position, with certain limitations: (i) Overall net negative FX position - this position may not exceed 30 % of the computable assets of the prior corresponding month and (ii) Overall net positive FX position - this daily position may not exceed 5 % of the computable assets of the prior corresponding month, and it can be increased to 30% if certain requirements are met.limitations.

    xii) Deposit Insurance System

    In 1995, Law No.24,485 and Decree No.540/95, as amended, created a mandatory deposit insurance system for bank deposits and delegated to the Argentine Central BankBCRA the organization and start-up of the deposit insurance system. The deposit insurance system was implemented through the creation of a fund named Fondo de Garantía de los Depósitos (“FGD”), which is administered by Seguros de Depósitos S.A. (“Sedesa”). The shareholders of Sedesa are the Argentine government, through the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, which holds at least one share, and a trust constituted by the financial institutions which participate in the fund.

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA establishes the extent of participation by each institution in proportion to the resources contributed by each such institution to the FGD. Banks must contribute to the FGD on a monthly basis in an amount that is currently equal to 0.015% of the monthly average of daily balances of such institution’s deposits (both Peso- and foreign currency-denominated).

    In addition, when the contributions to the FGD reach the greater of Ps.2 billion or 5.0% of total deposits, the Central Bank may suspend or reduce the monthly contributions and reinstate the same when contributions fall below such required level.

    The deposit insurance system covers all Peso and foreign currency deposits held in demand deposit accounts, savings accounts and time deposits for an amount up to Ps.1,000,000Ps.1,500,000 per person, account and deposit. Certain deposits are not covered by the guarantee of the deposit insurance system, such as deposits received at rates higher than the reference rate in accordance with the limits established by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, deposits acquired by endorsement, and those made by persons related to the financial institution (as defined by Argentine Central BankBCRA regulations).

    The guarantee provided by the deposit insurance system must be made effective within 30 days from the revocation of the license of a financial institution, subject to the outcome of the exercise by depositors of their priority rights described under “—Priority Rights of Depositors” below. The Argentine Central BankBCRA may modify, at any time, and with general scope, the amount of the mandatory deposit guarantee insurance.

    Decree No.1292/96 enhanced Sedesa’s functions by allowing it to provide equity capital or make loans to Argentine financial institutions experiencing difficulties and to institutions that buy such financial institutions or their deposits. As a result of such decree, Sedesa has the flexibility to intervene in the restructuring of a financial institution experiencing difficulties prior to bankruptcy.

    Debt securities issued by banks are not covered by the deposit insurance system.

    xiii) Priority Rights of Depositors

    According to section 49(e) of the FIL, in the event of a judicial liquidation or the bankruptcy of a financial entity, the holders of deposits in Pesos and foreign currency benefit from a general priority right to obtain repayment of their deposits up to the amount set forth below, with priority over all other creditors, with the exception of the following: (i) deposits secured by a mortgage or pledge, (ii) rediscounts and overdrafts provided to financial entities by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, according to section 17 subsections (b), (c) and (f) of the Argentine Central BankBCRA Charter, (iii) credits provided by the Banking Liquidity Fund, which was created by Decree No.32, dated December

    26, 2001, secured by a mortgage and pledge and (iv) certain labor credits, including accrued interest until the date of their total repayment.

    The holders of the following deposits are entitled to the general preferential right established by the FIL (following this order of preference):

    • deposits of individuals or entities up to Ps.50,000, or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency, with only one person per deposit being able to use this preference. For the determination of this preference, all deposits of the same person registered by the entity are computed;

    deposits in excess of Ps.50,000, or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency, referred to above;

  • liabilities originated on commercial credit lines provided to the financial entity, which are directly related to international trade.

    According to the FIL, the preferences set forth in previous paragraphs (i) and (ii) above are not applicable to deposits held by persons who are affiliates of the financial entity, either directly or indirectly as determined by the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA.

    In addition, pursuant to Section 53 of the FIL, the Argentine Central BankBCRA has an absolute priority over all other creditors of the entity, except as provided by the FIL.

    xiv) Deposit and Loans in Housing Units

    In order to facilitate access to mortgage loans, through Communication “A” 5945, dated as of April 8, 2016, and complementary regulations, the Argentine Central BankBCRA established a new type of loan denominated in Acquisition Value Units (Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo or “UVAs”). The value of such units will be updated using the Reference Stabilization Coefficient. The initial value of the UVA was Ps.47.16, representing the cost of construction of one thousandth square meter of housingand as of December 31, 2019.2020, it was Ps.64.32.

    xv) Financing Loans for Economic Development

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA enacted Communication “A” 6901 and Communication “A” 6916,several communications, by means of which it implemented several policies to promote economic development and productivity in Argentina. As from March 1, 2020, the required minimum cash to be held by financial institutions was reduced in an amount equivalent to 30% of the sum of outstanding financing granted in local currency to small and medium companies (PyME), provided such financing is granted at a maximum annual interest rate of (i) 40% until February 16, 2020, and (ii) 35% February 17, 2020 onwards. Also through Communication “A” 6916, the Argentine Central Bank reduced the required minimum cash to be held by financial institutions on an amount equivalent to 35 % (capped on a 46% of the computable assets of the previous month) of the sum of credit card financings granted in local currency under the program “Ahora 12”. The Ahora 12 program allows credit cards users to financing their purchases in 12 monthly installments at no interest.

    On another note, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Argentine Central Bank issued Communication “A” 6937, effective as of March 20th, 2020, which set forth the following:

    (i)The holding of liquidity bonds issued by the Argentine Central Bank (“LELIQs” for its Spanish acronym) by financial institutions that exceed the holdings allowed for the integration of the minimum cash requirement in pesos, may not exceed: (a) a sum equal to 90% of the exceeding holdings registered up to April 30, 2020; and (b) the following as of May 20:

    Percentage of permitted “potential” finance to small and medium companies

    Permitted excess holding (as a percentage of those registered as of (03/19/2020)

    100%

    90%

    < from 100 % up to 75 %

    85%

    < from 75 % up to 50 %

    80%

    < from 50% up to 25 %

    75%

    < from 25 %

    70%

    (ii)          Moreover, the Argentine Central Bank reduced the required minimum cash to be held by financial institutions might also be reduced in the following cases:

    an amount equivalent to 35 % of the sum of credit card financings granted in local currency under the program “Ahora 12” (a government program that allows users to make payments in 12 monthly installments) until September 30, 2019, and an amount equivalent to 50% for financings granted under such program on and after October 1, 2020. (Communication “A” 6916, as amended from time to time);

    an amount equivalent to 40% of the amount of a financing provided that is denominated in Argentine pesos and granted with an annual nominal interest rate of up to 24% for: (i) small and medium companies, where at least 50% of such amount is used for working capital lines; (ii) providers of human health services within the framework of the declared health emergency in Argentina, provided that the funds are destined to the purchase of medical supplies and equipment; and (iii) non-small and medium companies, to the extent that the funds are destined to the purchase of machinery and equipment produced by local medium and small companies. This amount may include financing granted to other financial institutions and non-financial credit providers where within 3 business days from the date on which they receive the assistance, those entities allocate the funds to grant financing to small and mediums companies, among other requirements (Communication “A” 6937, as amended from time to time);

    an amount that is the equivalent of: (i) 60% of the sum of the “Creditos a tasa cero” (i.e. zero rates loan) , “Créditos a tasa subsidiada para empresas” (i.e. subsidized rate loans for companies) and “Créditos a tasa cero cultura” (i.e. zero rate culture loans) agreed under Decree No. 332/2020 (as amended from time to time) and disbursed until November 5, 2020; (ii) 24% of the “Créditos a tasa subsidiada para empresas” disbursed as from November 6, 2020 at an annual nominal rate of 27%; and (iii) 7% of the “Créditos a tasa subsidiada para empresas” disbursed as from November 6, 2020 at an annual nominal rate of 33%. (Communication “A” 6993, as amended from time to time);

    an amount equivalent to 40% of a financing provided that is denominated in Argentine pesos to small and medium companies onand that are granted at an annual nominal interest rate of up to 24%, measured as a 40% (capped on a 4%monthly average of the computable assetsdaily balances of the previous month),month, provided that such companies are not reported in the “Central of debtors of the financial system” of the BCRA (Communication “A” 7006, as amended from time to time);

    an amount equivalent to 14 % of a financing has a maximumforeseen under section 4.1. of Communication “A” 7161 for the “Financing line for productive investment of small and medium companies” that are provided at an annual nominal interest rate of 24%up to 30 %, and at least 50%that are measured on a monthly average of daily balances of the previous month (Communication “A” 7161). In this regard, by means of Communication “A” 7240, the BCRA established the extension of the term of such financing is usedFinancing line for working capital expenses.productive investment of small and medium companies’ program.

    xvi) Financial Institutions with Economic Difficulties

    The FIL establishes that financial institutions, including commercial banks such as Banco Galicia, which evidence a deficiency in theirdo not meet certain minimum cash reserves,reserve requirements , have not complied with certain required technical standards, including minimum capital requirements, or whose solvency or liquidity is deemed to be impaired by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, must submit a restructuring plan to the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. Such restructuring plan must be presented to the Argentine Central BankBCRA on the date specified by the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, which should not be later than 30 calendar days from the date on which the request is made by the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. In order to facilitate the implementation of a restructuring plan, the Argentine Central BankBCRA is authorized to provide a temporary exemption from compliance with technical regulations and/or the payment of charges and fines that arise from such non-compliance.

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA may also, in relation to a restructuring plan presented by a financial institution, require such financial institution to provide guarantees or limit the distribution of profits, and appoint a supervisor, to oversee such financial institutions’ management, with the power to veto decisions taken by the financial institution’s corporate authorities.

    In addition, the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s charter authorizes the Superintendency, subject only to the prior approval of the president of the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, to suspend for up to 30 days, in whole or in part, the operations of a financial institution if its liquidity or solvency have been adversely affected. Notice of this decision must be given to the board of directors of the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. If at the end of such suspension period the Superintendency considers renewal necessary, such renewal can only be authorized by the board of directors of the Argentine Central BankBCRA for an additional period not to exceed 90 days. During the suspension period: (i) there is an automatic stay of claims, enforcement actions and precautionary measures; (ii) any commitment increasing the financial institution’s liabilities is void; and (iii) acceleration of indebtedness and interest accrual is suspended.

    If, in the judgment of the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, a financial institution is in a situation which, under the FIL, would authorize the Argentine Central BankBCRA to revoke the financial institution’s license to operate as such, the Argentine Central BankBCRA may, prior to considering such revocation, order a variety of measures, including (i) taking steps to reduce, increase or sell the financial institution’s capital; (ii) revoking the approval granted to the shareholders of the financial institution to own an interest therein, giving a term for the transfer of such shares; (iii) excluding and transferring assets and liabilities; (iv) constituting trusts with part or all the financial institution’s assets; (v) granting of temporary exemptions to comply with technical regulations and/or pay charges and fines arising from such defective compliance; or (vi) appointing a bankruptcy trustee and removing statutory authorities.

    Furthermore, any actions authorized, commissioned or decided by the Argentine Central BankBCRA under Section 35 of the FIL involving the transfer of assets and liabilities, or complementing such transfers, or that are necessary to execute the restructuring of a financial institution, as well as those related to the reduction, increase or sale of equity, are not subject to any court authorization and cannot be deemed inefficient in respect of the creditors of the financial institution which was the owner of the excluded assets, even though its insolvency preceded any such actions.

    xvii) Dissolution and Liquidation of Financial Institutions

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA must be notified of any decision to dissolve a financial institution pursuant to the FIL. The Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, in turn, must then notify a court of competent jurisdiction, which will determine who will liquidate the entity: the corporate authorities (extrajudicial liquidation) or an appointed independent liquidator (judicial liquidation). This determination is based on whether or not sufficient assurances exist regarding the ability of such corporate authorities to carry out the liquidation properly.

    Pursuant to the FIL, the Argentine Central BankBCRA no longer acts as liquidator of financial institutions. However, when a restructuring plan has failed or is not considered viable, local and regulatory violations exist, or substantial changes have occurred in the financial institution’s condition since the original authorization was granted, the Argentine Central BankBCRA may decide to revoke the license of the financial institution to operate as such. In this case, the law allows judicial or extrajudicial liquidation as in the case of voluntary liquidation described in the preceding paragraph.

    The bankruptcy of a financial institution cannot be adjudicated until the license is revoked by the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. No creditor, with the exception of the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, may request the bankruptcy of the former financial institution before 60 calendar days have elapsed since the revocation of its license.

    B.7 Credit Cards Regulation

    The Credit Cards Law establishes the general framework for credit card activities. Among other regulations, this law:

    • sets a 2.15%2.00% cap on the rate a credit card company can charge merchants for processing customer card holders’ transactions with such merchants, calculated as a percentage of the customers’ purchases. With respect to debit cards, the cap is set at 1.0% and the amounts relating to the customers’ purchases should be processed in a maximum of three business days;

    establishes that credit card companies must provide the Argentine Central BankBCRA with the information on their loan portfolio that such entity requires; and

  • sets a cap on the interest rate a credit card company can charge a card holder, which cannot exceed the average interest rate charged by the issuer on personal loans by more than 25%; for non-bank issuers, such amount cannot exceed the financial system’s average interest rate on personal loans (published by the Argentine Central Bank)BCRA) by more than 25%.

    The Argentine Central BankBCRA has issued regulations to enforce public disclosure of companies’ pricing (fees and interest rates) to ensure consumer awareness of such pricing. In addition, during 2014 the Argentine Central BankBCRA issued a series of regulations in order to establish caps on interest rates on personal loans, pledge loans and credit card loans, as well as to establish a requirement for an authorization to increase fees. Through its Communication “A” 5853, dated December 17, 2015, the Argentine Central BankBCRA rescinded regulations related to limits on interest rates in respect of lending transactions.

    B.8 Concealment and Laundering of Assets of a Criminal Origin

    Law No.25,246 (as amended in July 2011 by Law No.26,683) incorporates money laundering as a crime under the Argentine Criminal Code. Additionally, with the goal of preventing money laundering, the UIF was

    created under the jurisdiction of the Argentine Ministry of Justice, Security and Human Rights. As a result of such modification, money laundering is now classified as a separate offense.

    In addition to the above, Law No.26,683 punishessanctions “self-laundering”, which punishessanctions money laundering tied to a crime the individual in question committed his or herself. It also includes certain tax offenses described in Article 303 of the Argentine Penal Code as punishable laundering behavior. The new standard falls under Article 303 of the Argentine Penal Code in the chapter titled “Crimes against economic and financial order”.

    The minimum and maximum of the criminal scale will be doubled when (i) the foregoing acts were crimes that are particularly serious, meaning those crimes with a punishment that is greater than three years of imprisonment; (ii) the perpetrator committed the crime for profit; and (iii) the perpetrator regularly performs concealment activities.

    The criminal scale can only be increased once, even when more than one of the above-mentioned acts occurs. In such case, the court may take into consideration the multiple acts when determining the original punishment.

    The “Committee for the Control and Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorist Activities” was formed in 2005 and is responsible for establishing and maintaining the general guidelines related to the Bank’s strategy to control and prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism. For more information, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Functions of the Board of Directors of Banco Galicia”.

    Banco Galicia has also appointed two directors to fulfill the roles of Compliance Officer and Substitute Compliance Officer. In addition, a specialized management unit was created in this area that is responsible for the execution of the policies approved by the committee and for the monitoring of the control systems and procedures to ensure that they are adequate.

    Law No.26,734 enacted on December 22, 2011, incorporated terrorism financing and the financing of terrorism as an aggravating circumstance to all criminal conduct in the Argentine Criminal Code.

    Such law punishes any individual who directly or indirectly collects or provides goods or money with the intention of being used, or knowing that they will be used, in whole or in part (i) to finance a crime with the purpose established in Section 41.5; (ii) for an organization who commits or attempts to commit crimes with the purpose established in Section 41.5; and (iii) for a person who commits or attempts to commit or participates in any way in committing crimes with the purpose established in Section 41.5.

    The new legislation also punishes terrorism as an aggravating factor in other punishable crimes when any such offense was committed in order to terrorize the population.

    The Bank has implemented measures to combat the use of the international financial system by criminal organizations. The Bank has policies, procedures and control structures in place to monitor operations based on client profiles and risk assessments based on the information and documentation related to the economic, patrimonial and financial situation of each client to detect clients that could be considered unusual, and eventual reporting to the UIF as appropriate. The Asset Laundering Prevention Management program is charged with the implementation of such control and prevention procedures, as well as communication of such procedures and measures within the Bank, drafting of compliance manuals and employee training. Such management program is also periodically reviewed by senior management.

    The Bank has appointed a Director as Compliance Officer, in accordance with Resolution 30/2017 of the UIF, who is responsible for ensuring the observance and implementation of procedures and obligations in the matter. The Compliance Officer contributes to the prevention and mitigation of the risks of criminal transactions and is involved in the establishment of internal policies and measures to monitor and prevent the same.

    The following table illustrates our organizational structure as of December 31, 2019.2020. Percentages indicate the ownership interests held by each entity.

    Graphics

    LOGO

     

    98(*)

    The percentage of total votes is 54.1% .


    Table of Contents
    (**)

    IGAM Uruguay Agente de Valores S.A. its incorporated in Uruguay while IGAM LLC its registered in the state of Delaware, United States of America.

    D. Property, Plants and Equipment

    The following are our main property assets, as of December 31, 2019:2020:

     

    Property

    Address

    Square meters
    (approx.)

    Main uses

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Rented

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 25th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    89

    568

    Administrative activities

    Banco Galicia

    Owned

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 407, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    18.815

    18,815

    Administrative activities

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    41.547

    41,547

    Administrative activities

    Corrientes 6287, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    34.000

    34,000

    Administrative activities

    Tarjeta Naranja

    Ecosistema NaranjaX

    Owned

    Sucre 152, 154 and 541, Córdoba, Argentina

    6.300

    6,300

    Administrative activities

    La Tablada 451, Humberto Primo 450 y 454, Córdoba, Argentina

    14.080

    14,080

    Administrative activities

    Jujuy 542, Córdoba, Argentina

    853

    853

    Administrative activities

    Ruta Nacional 36, km. 8, Córdoba, Argentina

    7.715

    7,715

    Storage

    Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

    309

    309

    Administrative and commercial activities

    San Jerónimo 2348 and 2350, Santa Fe, Argentina

    1.475

    1,475

    Administrative and commercial activities

    Rented

    Sucre 145/151, La Rioja 359, 364 and 375, Córdoba, Argentina

    3.564

    3,564

    Administrative activities

    Av. Corrientes 3135, CABA, Argentina

    1.271

    1,271

    Administrative activities

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 19th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina173Administrative activities
    Galicia Administradora de Fondos

    Rented

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 430, 22nd floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina220Administrative activities
    Galicia Warrants

    Owned

    Tte. Gral. Juan D. Perón 456, 6th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    118

    118

    Administrative activities

    Alsina 3396/3510, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina

    12,800Storage (Investment Property)
    Galicia Seguros

    Owned

    Maipú 241, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    12.800

    215,628

    Storage

    Administrative activities
    Inviu

    Rented

    Alto Verde, Chicligasta, Tucumán,Corrientes 6287, Torre Leiva, 7th floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    2.000

    926

    Storage

    Administrative activities
    Galicia Securities

    Rented

    Ruta Nº 301- Acceso Famaillá, TucumáTte. Gral. Juan D. Perón Argentina

    3.150

    Storage

    Galicia Seguros

    Owned

    Maipú 241,430, 22nd floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    215.628

    28

    Administrative activities

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, our distribution network consisted of:

     

    • Banco Galicia: 326 branches, located throughout Argentina’s 23 provinces, 149 of which were owned and 177 of which were leased by Banco Galicia.

    • Tarjeta

    Naranja: 182180 branches and 20 points of sale, located in 21 of the 23 Argentine provinces, 184178 of which were leased by Tarjeta Naranja.

    Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

    Item 4A.

    Unresolved Staff Comments

    None.

     

    Item 5.

    Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

    Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

    A. Operating Results

    The following discussion and analysis are intended to help you understand and assess the significant changes and trends in our historical results of operations and the factors affecting our resources. You should read this section in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and their related notes included elsewhere in this annual report.

    A.1 Overview

    In recent years, we have strengthened our position as a leading domestic private-sector financial institution, increasing our market share of loans and deposits and strengthening Banco Galicia’s regulatory capital reserves through the issuance of subordinated bonds and follow-on equity offerings, the sale of CFA and internal profit origination.

    Despite the deterioration of the Argentine economy, reduction in Argentine GDP, high levels of inflation and the devaluation of the Peso, in 20192020 we were able to maintain our asset quality and adequately cover credit risks and maintain liquidity and profitability metrics at reasonable levels.

    With the development of the COVID-19 outbreak, which was first alerted by the Chinese government in December 2019, many countries have suspended the business operations of many sectors of their economies, implemented travel restrictions and quarantine measures. Argentina has not been an exemptionexception to this rule. The current administration has closedGovernment implemented a series of measures to reduce the bordersspread of COVID-19, providing for preventative and mandatory social isolation or distancing, with variations depending on the region of the country until further noticecountry. As of the date of this report, commercial activities are gradually reopening, in compliance with the protocols established by the Government. Additionally, in response to the pandemic and has imposed a lock down form March 20, 2020the ensuing policies implemented by the Government, regulatory agencies established rules whose objectives were to May 10, 2020 (which could be extended ifprovide assistance to the government considers it necessary), allowing onlyeconomic sectors whose operations were adversely affected by the continuity of businesses considered essentialpandemic and for providing health care for the local economy.

    On March 26, 2020,community in general. In particular, the contextBCRA established many regulations, among which are the suspension of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Argentine Central Bank issued Communication “A” 6945 which suspended the ability of banks to charge fees for the use of automatic teller machines (“ATMs”) until June 30, 2020. The Argentine Central Bank has also mandated, the refinancing of certain credit card debts due between March 20 and April 30 of 2020 andthat were not paid by the credit card issuer will be automatically refinanced at leastholder for a one-year term and relaxed the delinquency days and default terms for the benefit of the borrowers. In addition, with the aimpurpose of increasing the financial resources available in the economy, the Argentine Central BankBCRA has suspended banks’ ability to distribute dividends until June 30, 2020.2021.

    Accordingly, the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia has been continually analyzing the evolution of the pandemic and its effect and taking all measures within its reach to safeguard it business continuity, to protect the health and safety of its employees, customers, and other stakeholders. Among the actions carried out to collaborate and comply with the regulations of the Government and of the BCRA, the following stand out: the subsidiaries of Group Financiero Galicia created interdisciplinary committees responsible for designing and executing various protocols and procedures for the provision of services; work from home policies were implemented, except for those employees who have activities that require their physical presence e.g. cash management logistics and customer service; appointments were required to conduct transactions at branch locations; various lines of credit were made available to clients with certain benefits such as reduction of interest rates, grace periods and the extension of payment terms; subsidies granted by the Government were credited to customer accounts and through the Banelco ATM network; new free-accounts were opened for retirement and subsidy beneficiaries; processes were modified so that they can be done 100% online through websites and / or mobile applications, without having to go to branches; new customer features and options were designed, such as the possibility of withdrawing money from ATMs and self-service terminals without a debit card; donations were made to various health centers, municipalities and families in vulnerable situations; solidarity campaigns were launched to promote customer collaboration and additional contribution from Grupo’s subsidiaries.

    Our business and prospects are subject to risks associated with and arising from the outbreak of COVID-19, and the uncertainty of the impacts, duration, and severity of the outbreak. This global pandemic creates substantial uncertainty as to the Bank’sour ability to achieve itsour financial projects and how it may affect itsour business operations.

    On another note but connected to the impact COVID-19 may have on how we operate our business, we have conducted a business impact analysis as part of our Business Continuity Program. The results of this analysis show that critical business functions will remain operative upon the occurrence of a disruptive event. In cases of mass absenteeism events, the analysis conducted identified the minimum quantity of personnel and positions needed to remain operative, the outcome being the leader of the relevant sector responsible for assigning personnel to such critical positions. New employees will be hired, and current employees will be relocated to guarantee that critical functions remain operative, if and where needed.

    Even though up to the date of this report, Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries have suffered a limited impact on their results as a consequence of the pandemic, the impact of a lower level of economic activity and a higher level of unemployment could have a significant impact on Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations in the future.

    ConsideringTaking into account the mentioned above, fiscal year 20202021 is expected to be a challenging year as a result of the change in government, the uncertainty related to the impact of COVID-19, the evolution of the sovereign debt restructuring process with the impactIMF, and the path to the normalization of COVID-19 andcertain macroeconomic imbalances in a volatile global economy, all of which could negatively impact the Argentine economy.economy and Grupo Financiero Galicia’s results of operations.

    A.2 The Argentine Economy

    In 2019,The first weeks of 2020 continued to reflect the favorable trend observed in the last months of the previous year, driven mainly by the optimism generated by the progress in the U.S.-China trade negotiations, diverting investors’ focus to other events such as the U.S. presidential elections, which took place at the beginning of November 2020. However, the economic-financial dynamics in the world were completely altered by the outbreak of COVID-19, a virus categorized by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) as a global stock indices managedpandemic. An almost complete shutdown in global activity led to recover overrecessions with unprecedented economic and social costs across the marked generalized dropsworld. As a reference, in the United States the unemployment rate peaked at 14.7% in 2020 (it was 6.7% in December 2020) and 21.4 million jobs were lost between March and April 2020 (almost 11.8 million were created by the end of the previous year. This was explained mainlyyear), and the GDP fell 31.4% quarter over quarter in the second quarter ( it increased 33.4% in the third quarter and 4.3% in the fourth quarter ending with a year over year decrease of 2.4% in 2020).

    Confronted with this global context, both monetary entities and governments responded with important monetary and fiscal measures to ensure the correct functioning of the markets and to mitigate the negative economic and health effects generated by the deepening of expansive monetary policies by the major Central Banks of the world, as well as the solid economic indicators ofvirus.

    In the United States, and China. With regard to monetary policies, particularlyfiscal measures reached a total of approximately US$3.9 trillion (~20% of GDP) in 2020, while the victory of the Democratic party boosted expectancy for further fiscal stimulus in the short-term. Likewise, the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced its interest rate range by 150 bps to 0%-0.25% and increased its balance sheet through various asset-buyback programs aimed at providing liquidity, amounting to 76.8% or US$3.2 trillion to almost US$7.4 trillion in 2020, representing about 37.8% of GDP, which is a level not observed since World War II. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Reserve updated its monetary policy framework, stating among the main changes that the level of rates consistent with full employment and long-term price stability had been reduced compared to its historical average, that higher risks to employment and inflation are expected, and that they will target full employment and an average inflation of 2%, hoping to see levels above such benchmark consistently. In the Eurozone, fiscal measures taken jointly in 2020 by country members reached € 1.4 trillion (around 10.1% of the aggregate GDP), while during 2020 the European Central Bank (ECB) maintained its interest rate range at -0.5% to 0.0% and expanded its balance sheet by 48.7% or € 2.3 trillion to € 7.0 trillion, representing around 16.9% of GDP. In addition, there were significant incremental fiscal measures implemented in Germany, the United Kingdom and France. Finally, in 2020 China announced fiscal measures for RMB 4.8 trillion (~4.7% of GDP), while the country’s Central Bank (PBC) cut its interest rate by 30 bps to 3.85% and introduced financing facilities for RMB 2.6 trillion. On the other hand, there is still significant uncertainty regarding whether the measures introduced so far are enough to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus or if additional efforts will be required from the relevant governmental authorities.

    The number of positive cases of coronavirus reached 83.9 million by the end of 2020, including a mortality rate of 2.9%, mainly focused in the United States joined the trend(20.5 million), India (10.3 million) and Brazil (7.7 million). Moreover, different stages of the major Central Banks asvirus propagation and social distancing measures have been seen worldwide. In general, the first wave of propagation was followed by a consequencesecond wave, and the spread of the turbulence towards the end of 2018 and inflation indicators in the country that began to fall significantly below the Federal reserve’s target. After increasing the range of interest rates four times in 2018, the Federal Reserve of the United States reduced ratesvirus was accelerating by 25 basis points (bp) on three consecutive occasions (July, September and October), to a range from 1.5% to 1.75%. Later, at the last meeting of the year, the Federal Reserve of the United States claimed that this monetary policy stance was appropriate and the members of its committee projected stability in the rate range until 2021. Meanwhile, in 2019 the US unemployment rate fell to its minimum level in over 50 years, and economic activity remained driven by domestic consumption, although mitigated by a slowdown in the growth of the industrial activity. In addition, on average during 2019, US companies in all industries continued to consistently deliver revenues that surpassed industry estimates. Still, since the global spread

    of the COVID-19 in early 2020, the Federal Reserve held unscheduled meetings and decided to reduce its rates by a total of 150 bps to a range from 0.0% to 0.25%, while unemployment rate started to pick up and companies’ results of operations reflected the impact of a significantly lower global demand.

    In contrast, global economic growth slowed down in general terms during 2019 highlighting the fall of the industrial activity in the Eurozone and a greater uncertainty in commercial terms. During 2019, trade conflicts between the United States, both with China and with the European Union, continued to escalate, while the resolution of the “Brexit” plan added uncertainty. Finally, towards the end of the year, Chinareducing short and medium-term perspectives for economic recovery. On the other hand, several vaccines were approved for use by various governments in the last months of the year, although it was still unknown when approved vaccines would be available for widespread distribution with the goal of obtaining global herd immunity.

    Following the strike of COVID-19, stock indexes reflected a substantial correction between February and March of 2020, including maximum declines compared to the end of 2019 of 30.7% in the S&P 500 index in the United States confirmed the approval of the first phase of a potential trade agreement to be signed( it was up 16.3% in January 2020 including commitments of structural changes by China and lower fees by the counterparty. Likewise, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom obtained the support of members of Parliament in favor of a bill for existing the EU, which bill became effective as of January 31, 2020, and set December 31, 2020, as the end of the transition period.

    In this context, the DXY dollar index, which reflects the strength of the US dollar in relation to a basket of currencies representative of US foreign trade, increased only by 0.2%, while the dollar appreciated by 1.4% as compared to the currencies of emerging countries. Meanwhile, in line with the reductions in the range of Federal Reserve of the United States reference rates, the 2- and 10-year treasury rates compressed 92 bp and 77 bp, respectively, and the spread between both rates reached negative levels2019 by the end of August 2019.

    On the other hand, shares reflected significant increases that mainly affected developed markets with a rise of 24.0% and, to a lesser extent, emerging markets, including a 15.4% increase2020), 36.3% in the respective indexes. The main stock indexesSX5E in the United States showed increases of 28.9% for the S&P500, 22.3% in the Dow Jones and 35.2% in the case of Nasdaq. Meanwhile, stock exchanges increasedEurozone ( it was down 5.1% as compared to 2019 by 24.8% in Europe (EuroStoxx50), and the rise was of 19.8% in Japan (Nikkei).

    Commodity prices increased after marked drops in 2018, including a 9.4% rise in the general index, accelerating towards the end of 2020) and 12.8% in the year. The greater dynamismShanghai Composite in China ( it was explained in partup 21.5% by the optimismend of 2020 as compared to 2019). Among other relevant variables, the VIX volatility index peaked at 82.6 points to close 2020 at 22.75 points, a level still well above the average of approximately 15 points prior to the impact of the Coronavirus. Also, the DXY US dollar index rose to almost 103 points at the peak to decline up to around 90 points. For emerging markets, this meant an outflow of up to US$96.9 billion by the first phaseend of September 2020 resulting in a potential trade agreement between China andmarked depreciation of related currencies against the United States. Among others, a 25.6% rise in the price of oil was highlighted, after a 24% dropDollar, compared to inflows for US$62.2 billion in the last quarterthree months of 2018, driven2020. The problem of the spread of the Coronavirus was compounded by geopolitical conflicts that at times reduced supplythe conflict between Saudi Arabia and increasedRussia over oil. After both uncertainty and risk of transportation, as well ascountries failed to reach an agreement to limit barrel production, Saudi Arabia decided to increase its production output, causing a surprise drop in US inventories in December. Additionally, significant increases in precious metals generated greater uncertainty, including increases of 18.3% and 15.2%price correction in the crude oil price (WTI) of gold and silver, respectively. Meanwhile, wheat and soybeans rose 0.9% and 6.9%, respectively, reversing falls observedup to 81% to US$11.6 per barrel in the most part ofMarch 2020, although its price ended the year in contrast to a 4.7% drop in the price of corn.

    at US$48.5, boosted by global economic recovery.

    At the domesticlocal level, the Argentine economy began 2020 unable to recover dynamism after ending 2019 with its second consecutive annual decline. In 2019, activity had fallen 2.1% (following the 2.6% contraction in 2019 Argentina continued to exhibit2018), a poor economic performance, mainly associated withconsequence of high political uncertainty, exchange rate volatility which wasand accelerating inflation. The lack of confidence prevented the country from refinancing its debt maturities, and the new Government had to handle an external debt restructuring process during the first months in turnoffice. The outbreak of COVID-19 added to this situation, a consequencepandemic that forced the Government to implement a number of the political uncertainty. The economy had shown a drop of 2.5% in 2018, and private estimates reflect for 2019 an economic contraction around 2.2% (official data reportedrestrictive measures regarding movement by the INDEC until September 2019 accumulated a drop-in activitypublic and social distancing and isolation policies starting in mid-March, which negatively impacted production and trade. Therefore, according to the National Institute of 2.5%).

    In terms ofStatistics and Censuses (INDEC), the Argentine GDP plunged an annual 9.9% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

    The labor market reflected the deterioration observedhistorical slump in the economic activity, had an impact on employment dynamics. Theas the latest available data shows that the unemployment rate for the third quarter of 2019 – the last available data as of the date hereof - amountedrose to 9.7%11.0% of the economically active population during the fourth quarter of 2020. These figures are compared to 9.0%an unemployment rate of 8.9% in the same quarter of 2018.

    2019. Moreover, the activity and employment rates reached 45.0% and 40.1%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2020. In both cases, this is below the 47.2% and 43.0% of the same quarter of the previous year.

    On the monetary level,front, the main aggregates grew belowaccelerated their expansion pace during most of 2020, rising several points above inflation falling(+60.4% year-on-year in real terms. TheOctober as compared to 2019). Up to November 5, the latest data available at the time of writing this annual report, the monetary base ended 2019 with an interannual expansion of 34.5%, 6.2 percentage points (p.p.) below year-on-year growth at the end of 2018. In particular, this monetary aggregate expandedincreased by Ps.486,404Ps.464,844 million, which isdue mainly explained by the accrual of interest for Ps.692,713 million and transfers to the Nationalmonetary entity’s provision of financing to the Argentine Treasury. The BCRA issued Ps.407,720 million in “temporary advances” to the Argentine Treasury forand Ps.1,2020,000 million as a totalconsequence of Ps.204,245 million (Ps.350,000 on cash advances and Ps.204,245 million fromtransferring all of 2019’s profits to the remittanceArgentine Treasury. This amounted to 6.0% of 2018’s dividends). This issuethe GDP. The impact of these issuances was partially offset byneutralized via the placement of 1-day repurchaserepo transactions and Central Bank Liquidity Bills (LELIQ) for a totalLELIQ (Ps.646,072 million, net of Ps.451,967 million and FX salesinterest), combined with the absorption of Argentine pesos resulting from the sale of foreign currency to the private sector (Ps.331,866 million) and to the National Treasury (absorbing Ps.271,361public sector (Ps.126,391 million). Private

    Meanwhile, private M2 (comprised of the currency held by the public, savings banksaccounts and checking accounts of the private sector) also grew below inflation,showed strong dynamism, registering an expansion of 41.9%79.3% as of December 201930, 2020 with respect to the same period of 2018.2019. Total M2 (also(which also includes deposits frompublic sector deposits) recorded a similar expansion (+80.9%) in the public sector) ended 2019 with an interannual expansionsame period.

    During the first months of 29.4%.

    With respect to the dynamics ofyear, domestic interest rates they exhibited strong volatility throughoutshowed a downward trend. The BADLAR rate started at 36.2% in 2020, and by April it was at an average of 20%. However, exchange rate pressures and the year, accompanyinggrowing liquidity in Argentine pesos led the evolutionBCRA to set a minimum interest rate level for term deposits of less than Ps.1 million equivalent to 70% of the monetary policy rate. Although betweenLELIQ rate (nominal annual rate “TNA” of 26.6%). The minimum rate was later extended to fixed term deposits of up to $4 million, and subsequently to all time deposits. In June, the interest rate floor for all fixed-term deposits was raised to 79% of the LELIQ rate (TNA of 30.02%) and in August, it was raised to 87% (TNA of 33.06%), although this was only for retail deposits. At the beginning of JanuaryOctober, the BCRA initiated a rate harmonization process, consisting of an increase in liability repurchase transactions rates (from 19% to 31% in four different segments) and the end of February there was a cutreduction in the interestLELIQ rate of the LELIQ, which went from 59.41%(from 38% to 43.94%, then it was increased to deal with exchange rate pressures. In addition, after the primary elections, the reference rate showed a jump of 22 p.p, reaching levels of 85.99% in mid-September, then being cut gradually and closing the year at a level of 55.00%36%). The BADLAR rate accompanied the fluctuationsfloor for fixed-term deposits was also adjusted upwards, bringing fixed-term deposits of the reference rate, reaching 39.44% at the endless than Ps.1 million currently yielding a minimum of December.

    34% and those of more than Ps.1 million to 32%.

    The reference exchange rate of Argentine Central Bankthe BCRA went from Ps.37.81Ps.59.90 to Ps.59.90Ps.84.15 per dollar, between December 28, 201830, 2019 and December 30, 20192020 (equivalent to an increase in the exchange rate of 58.4%40.5%). The average exchange rate went from Ps.37.89Ps.59.88 per dollar in December 20182019 to Ps.59.93Ps.82.72 per dollar in December 2019.

    2020.

    The National Consumer Price Index data published by INDEC showed a year-on-year variation of 36.1% in December 2020, 17.7 percentage points below the INDEC closed the year 2019 in 53.8% per year, 6.2 p.p. above the 2018 inflation (47.6% per year).variation of December 2019. This accelerationslowdown was largelypartly due to the depreciationstabilization of the exchange rate, the implementation of capital controls, and the freezing of rates for public utilities and certain regulated goods and services. Additionally, it may be partially attributed to the statistical effect that the paralysis of activity had on price surveys during the months in which the correctionsstrictest restrictions on mobility and production prevailed, in some cases, it was not possible to obtain measurements. The increase in the rates of public services were added duringprecautionary demand for money and the first halferosion of the year.             

    purchasing power (a consequence of the increase in layoffs and salary cuts and of the fall in employment) also helped to contain the evolution of prices.

    On a fiscal level, during 20192020, tax resources - including social security - grew 48.2%,(grew 23.0% compared to the interannual (i.a.) expansion of 25.6%51.4% in 2018. Meanwhile, the2019. Likewise, primary expenditures expanded 37.2%,63.5% in 2020, above 22.4% of the accumulated rate by December37.2% of the previous year. Thus, the national private sector registered a primary deficit of Ps.95,122Ps.1,749,957 million, equivalent to -0.4%—6.5% of the GDP. This figure indicated an improvementimpairment compared to the 20182019 primary deficit of Ps.338,987Ps.95,122 million (-2.3(-0.4 p.p. of the GDP). After the payment of interest for Ps.724,285Ps.542,873 million, the financial deficit of 2019for 2020 amounted to Ps.819,407Ps.2,292,830 million, equivalent to 3.8%-8.5% of the GDP. However, there was an extraordinary revenue during 2019, coming from selling certain assets. If this revenue is not computed, the primary deficit was 0.96% of the GDP and the financial deficit amounted to 4.3%.

    In relation to the external sector, in 20192020 the foreign exchange balance’s current account published by the Argentine Central BankBCRA (cash base) recorded a surplus of US$6,277322 million, an improvementa drop of 94.9% compared to the deficitsurplus of US$6,277 million registered in the same period of 2018, that had amounted to US$11,329 million.2019. Measured in relation to the GDP, the currentsurplus of the checking account surplus was about 1.4% in 2019,0.1%, showing an improvementa drop compared to the 2.1% redsurplus of 1.4% of the previous year.

    The improvementimpairment observed in nominal terms was basically a consequencethe result of higherlower net income from goods (US$23,444 in 2019 against US$8,3238,492 million in 2018) and lower net expenses for services (US$5,482 in 2019 against2020 as compared to US$9,46023,444 million in 2018)2019), an effect offset by a lower outflow of foreign currency via the balance of services (US$1,595 million up to September 2020) and by lower interest payments (US$6,528 million). In particular, income from the collections of goods exports totaled US$50,357 million in 2019 US$57,747 million,2020, a 13.2% increase12.89% drop compared to the level observed in the previous year. For its part,Likewise, the import payments of the exchange balance sheet goods amounted tototaled US$34,30341,865 million, registering an interannual contractiongrowth of 19.6%.

    22.0%

    In this context, the principalforeign exchange capital and financial account of the exchange balance sheet recorded a net currency outflow of US$32,4018,048 million in 2019, a figure that is2020, compared to a net incomeoutflow of US$15,86632,384 million in 2018. For its part,2019. Likewise, the International Reserves of the Argentine Central BankBCRA amounted to US$44,78139,387 million year-end, which is US$21,0255,394 million below to what was observed by the endfigure of 2018.a previous year.

    A.3 The Argentine Financial System

    Total loans provided to the private sector by the financial system climbed to Ps.2,460,218Ps.3,355,603 million in December 2019,2020, reflecting a 15.6%29.6% increase over the same month of 2018.2020. Consumer loans, consisting of loans granted through credit cards and personal loans, presented the greatest growth, a 21.9%39.2% increase as compared to December 31, 2018,2019, totaling Ps.985,658Ps.1,372,301 million as of December 31, 2019.2020. On the other hand, commercial loans, consisting of current account overdrafts and drafts/bills (signature and purchased/discounted loans), finally totaled Ps.980,919Ps.1,227,705 million, registering an increase of 12.5%25.2% year-on-year (YoY). Mortgage loans, which were growing above the total a year ago, registered a 6.0% increase in 2019, totaling Ps.237,675 million by the end of the year.

    Total deposits in the financial system climbed to Ps.4,777,159Ps.7,977,812 million as of the end of December 2019,2020, up by 18.6%67.0% as compared to December 31, 2018.2019. Deposits from the non-financial private sector increased 25.3%

    64.0% annually, climbing to Ps.3,935,726Ps.6,453,993 million, while public sector deposits totaled Ps.757,545Ps.1,432,927 million, downincrease by 11.6%89.2% YoY. Within private sector deposits, transaction deposits ended at Ps 2,281,2133,707,372 million, a 28.3%62.5% hike YoY, and termtime deposits ended at Ps.1,541,756 million,Ps.2,603,540million, a 20.6%68.9% annual growth.

    In December 2019,2020, the average interest rate for 30-35-day term deposits in Argentine pesos from private banks (over Ps.1 million) was 41.8%34.2%, registering an interannual drop of 6.87.5 p.p. Regarding active rates, the one corresponding to advances in current account was 66.5% (-4.339.7% (-26.7 p.p. YoY).

    With data as of December 2019,2020, financial institutions increased liquidity levels (in relation to total deposits) compared to the same month of the previous year, a ratio that stood at 60.1%65.0%, +3.5+4.9 p.p. (considering repurchase transactions and instruments of the Argentine Central Bank)BCRA).

    In terms of solvency, the equity of the financial system showed an interannual increase of Ps.290,288Ps.777,586 million, finally totaling Ps.900,925Ps.1,685,318 million, which implies a 47.5%an 85.7% increase. The profitability of the system (accumulatingaccumulating 12 months as of December 20192020 (Comprehensive Income adjusted by inflation) was equivalent to 5.2%2.3% of assets, (+1.1 p.p. YoY), while the return on Shareholders’ Equity was 44.9% (+8.8 p.p. YoY)15.8%.

    The nonperforming portfolio of loans to the non-financial private sector amounted to 5.7%3.9% in December 2019, greater2020, minor than the 2.6%5.7% of the previous year. Hedging with allowances for private sector nonperforming loans was 96%151%, 2453 p.p. lowerhigher than the measurement reported in the same month of 2018.

    2019.

    As for the composition of the financial system, as of December 31, 2019,November 30, 2020, there were 7879 financial institutions: 6364 banks, of which 5051 were private (34(35 of domestic capital and 16 foreigners) and 13 were public, and 15 non-banking financial institutions.

    The concentration of the system, measured by the market share in private sector deposits of the top ten banks, reached 77.8% as of December 31, 2019, 1.0 p.p. less than the one registered in the same month of 2018 (78.8%).

    With data as of December 2019,September 2020, the latest information available, the financial system employed 106,043104,657 people, which represented a 1.8%2.1% drop since December 31, 2018.September 30, 2019.

    A.4 The Argentine Insurance Industry

    According to the information published by the Superintencia de Seguros de la Nación, the insurance industry continued to grow throughout 2019.2020. The total gross premiums in respect of property, life, and retirement insurance for such period was equal to Ps.534,630Ps.840,557 million, an increase of 36%35% as compared to 2018.

    2019.

    During 2019,2020, the automotive and workers’ compensation insurance sectors were affected by high inflation and an increase in the filing of claims for compensation. Although inflation is not decreasing as expected, financial income is expected to cover any increased costs as a result of the foregoing.

    Home, life and personal accident insurance policies increased by 32%35% year-over-year. It is expected that this segment will continue to increase as the Argentine economy stabilizes. During this period, Galicia Seguros has maintained positive financial results. As of December 31, 2019,2020, Sudamericana Holding, primarily through its main subsidiary Galicia Seguros reported a net income equal to Ps.623Ps.1,318 million. This result includes Ps.5,588Ps.7,789 million of insurance premiums and surcharges (related to both direct insurance and reinsurance).

    A.5 Inflation

    Historically, inflation in Argentina has played a significant role in influencing, often negatively, the economic conditions in Argentina and, in turn, the operations and financial results of companies operating in Argentina, such as Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    In fiscal year 2015, due to changes in the authorities at the Institute of Statistics, the Wholesale Price Index and CPI series were discontinued beginning in October 2015. The Wholesale Price Index was republished beginning January 2016. A new CPI series was launched in May 2016 but did not contain historical information.

    The chart below presents a comparison of inflation rates published by INDEC, measured by the Whole Price Index and the CPI, for the fiscal years 2020, 2019 2018 and 2017.2018.

    In addition, the chart below presents the evolution of the CER and UVA indexes, published by the Argentine Central BankBCRA and used to adjust the principal of certain of our assets and liabilities for the specified periods.

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     




    2019


    2018



    2017


    (in percentages)

    Price Indices (1)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    WPI

     

    58.49

     

     

    73.50

     

     

    18.80

     

    CPI

     

    53.83

     

     

    47.65

     

     

    24.80

     

    Adjustment Indices

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    CER

     

     

    18.70

     

     

     

    12.34

     

     

     

    8.38

     

    UVA(2)

     

     

    47.16

     

     

     

    31.06

     

     

    21.15

     

    (1) Data for December of each year as compared to December of the immediately preceding year.

    (2) Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo (Acquisition Value Unit).

     

       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in percentages) 

    Price Indices (1)

          

    WPI

       35.38    58.49    73.50 

    CPI

       36.14    53.83    47.65 

    Adjustment Indices

          

    CER

       25.49    18,70    12,34 

    UVA(2)

       64.32    47,16    31,06 

    (1)

    Data for December of each year as compared to December of the immediately preceding year.

    (2)

    Unidad de Valor Adquisitivo (Acquisition Value Unit).

    In 2019,2020, the CPI published by INDEC reflected a 53.83%36.1% increase, while the CER and UVA indexes went up 51.56%25.5% and 51.84%64.32% during the same period, respectively.

    In the first monthtwo months of 2019,2021, the CPI published by INDEC reflected a 2.3%7.8% increase, while the CER and UVA indexes increased by 3.99%7.54% and 4.01%7.34% respectively, during the same period.

    A.6 Currency Composition of Our Balance Sheet

    The following table sets forth our assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency, in Pesos and adjustable by the CER/UVA, as of the dates indicated.

     

     

     


    As of December 31,

     




    2019


    2018



    2017


    (In millions of Pesos)

    Assets

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In Pesos, Unadjusted

     

     

    451,676

     

     

     

    537,334

     

     

     

    546,717

     

    In Pesos, Adjusted by the CER/UVA

     

     

    28,335

     

     

     

    28,379

     

     

     

    10,212

     

    In Foreign Currency (1)

     

     

    205,398

     

     

     

    310,658

     

     

     

    196,298

     

    Total Assets

     

     

    685,409

     

     

     

    876,371

     

     

     

    753,227

     

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In Pesos, Unadjusted, Including Shareholders’ Equity

     

     

    478,061

     

     

     

    561,453

     

     

     

    555,541

     

    In Pesos, Adjusted by the CER/UVA

     

     

    1,950

     

     

     

    4,260

     

     

     

    1,388

     

    In Foreign Currency (1)

     

     

    205,398

     

     

     

    310,658

     

     

     

    196,298

     

    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

     

     

    685,409

     

     

     

    876,371

     

     

     

    753,227

     

    (1)If adjusted to reflect forward sales and purchases of foreign exchange made by Grupo Financiero Galicia and recorded off-balance sheet, assets amounted to Ps.231,419 and liabilities Ps.231,396 million as of December 31, 2019.

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (In millions of Pesos) 

    Assets

          

    In Pesos, Unadjusted

       805,797    620,363    731,530 

    In Pesos, Adjusted by the CER/UVA

       32,321    39,809    38,635 

    In Foreign Currency (1)

       217,161    275,182    422,931 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Assets

       1,055,279    935,354    1,193,096 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

          

    In Pesos, Unadjusted, Including Shareholders’ Equity

       831,019    657,516    764,365 

    In Pesos, Adjusted by the CER/UVA

       7,099    2,656    5,800 

    In Foreign Currency (1)

       217,161    275,182    422,931 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

       1,055,279    935,354    1,193,096 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

    (1)

    If adjusted to reflect forward sales and purchases of foreign exchange made by Grupo Financiero Galicia and recorded off-balance sheet, assets amounted to Ps.241,110 and liabilities Ps.241,650 million as of December 31, 2020.

    Funding of Banco Galicia’s long position in CER/UVA-adjusted assets through Peso-denominated liabilities bearing a market interest rate (and no principal adjustment linked to inflation) exposes Banco Galicia to differential fluctuations in the inflation rate and in market interest rates, with a significant increase in market interest rates vis-à-vis the inflation rate (which is reflected in the CER/UVA variation), which has a negative impact on our gross brokerage margin.

    Two other currencies have been defined apart from the Argentine Peso: assets and liabilities adjusted by CER/UVA and foreign currency. Banco Galicia’s policy in force establishes limits in terms of maximum “net asset positions” (assets denominated in a currency which are higher than the liabilities denominated in such currency) and “net liability positions” (assets denominated in a currency which are lower than the liabilities denominated in such currency) for mismatches in foreign currency, as a proportion of Banco Galicia’s RPC, on a consolidated basis.

    An adequate balance between assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency characterizes the management strategy for this risk factor, seeking to achieve full coverage of long-term asset-liability mismatches and allowing a short-term mismatch management margin that contributes to the possibility of improving certain market situations. Short- and long-term goals are attained by appropriately managing assets and liabilities and by using the financial products available in our market, particularly “dollar futures” both in institutionalized markets (MAE and ROFEX) and in forward transactions performed with customers.

    Transactions in foreign currency futures (specifically, dollar futures) are subject to limits that take into consideration the particular characteristics of each trading environment.

    A.7 Results of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

    2018.

    We discuss below our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 as compared with our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared with our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 as compared with our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2018.



    i) Consolidated Income Statement

     

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     

     

     

    2019

     

    2018

     

    2017

     

     

    2019/2018

     

    2018/2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except otherwise noted)

     

    Consolidated Income Statement

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Net Income from Interest

     

     

    34,830

     

     

    51,324

     

     

    45,956

     

     

     

    (32

    )

     

    12

     

    Interest Income

     

     

    130,506

     

     

    120,411

     

     

    84,137

     

     

     

    8

     

     

    43

     

    Interest Expenses

     

     

    (95,676

    )

     

    (69,087

    )

     

    (38,181

    )

     

     

    38

     

     

    81

     

    Net Fee Income

     

     

    28,083

     

     

    32,875

     

     

    32,563

     

     

     

    (15

    )

     

    1

     

    Fee Income

     

     

    35,145

     

     

    37,530

     

     

    37,567

     

     

     

    (6

    )

     

     

    Fee Related Expenses

     

     

    (7,062

    )

     

    (4,655

    )

     

    (5,004

    )

     

     

    52

     

     

    (7

    )

    Net Income from Financial Instruments

     

     

    72,830

     

     

    26,694

     

     

    13,016

     

     

     

    173

     

     

    105

     

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

     

     

    220

     

     

    341

     

     

     

     

     

    (35

    )

     

     

    Exchange Rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

     

     

    8,691

     

     

    5,810

     

     

    5,352

     

     

     

    50

     

     

    9

     

    Other Operating Income

     

     

    21,132

     

     

    16,059

     

     

    15,344

     

     

     

    32

     

     

    5

     

    Income from Insurance Business

     

     

    3,673

     

     

    4,414

     

     

    5,099

     

     

     

    (17

    )

     

    (13

    )

    Loan and Other Receivables Loss Provisions

     

     

    (22,203

    )

     

    (25,074

    )

     

    (11,220

    )

     

     

    (11

    )

     

    123

     

    Net Operating Income

     

     

    147,256

     

     

    112,443

     

     

    106,110

     

     

     

    31

     

     

    6

     

    Personnel expenses

     

     

    (24,449

    )

     

    (26,192

    )

     

    (26,288

    )

     

     

    (7

    )

     

     

    Administrative Expenses

     

     

    (24,317

    )

     

    (24,735

    )

     

    (22,188

    )

     

     

    (2

    )

     

    11

     

    Depreciations and Impairment of Assets

     

     

    (5,064

    )

     

    (2,541

    )

     

    (2,214

    )

     

     

    99

     

     

    15

     

    Other Operating Expenses

     

     

    (25,770

    )

     

    (25,996

    )

     

    (22,468

    )

     

     

    (1

    )

     

    16

     

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

     

     

    (30,798

    )

     

    (27,788

    )

     

    (10,496

    )

     

     

    11

     

     

    165

     

    Operating Income

     

     

    36,858

     

     

    5,191

     

     

    22,456

     

     

     

    610

     

     

    (77

    )

    Share of Profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

     

     

     

     

     

     

    494

     

     

     

     

     

    (100

    )

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

     

     

    (13,038

    )

     

    (10,634

    )

     

    (11,259

    )

     

     

    23

     

     

    (6

    )

    Net Income from Discontinuing Operations

     

     

     

     

    (448

    )

     

    (495

    )

     

     

    100

     

     

    9

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year

     

     

    23,819

     

     

    (5,891

    )

     

    11,196

     

     

     

    504

     

     

    (153

    )

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company´s Owner

     

     

    23,708

     

     

    (5,332

    )

     

    10,451

     

     

     

    545

     

     

    (151

    )

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

     

     

    111

     

     

    (559

    )

     

    745

     

     

     

    120

     

     

    (175

    )

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     

     

    403

     

     

    (135

    )

     

    (669

    )

     

     

    399

     

     

    80

     

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     

     

    24,222

     

     

    (6,026

    )

     

    10,527

     

     

     

    502

     

     

    (157

    )

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Company´s Owners

     

     

    24,111

     

     

    (5,467

    )

     

    9,782

     

     

     

    541

     

     

    (156

    )

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

     

     

    111

     

     

    (559

    )

     

    745

     

     

     

    120

     

     

    (175

    )

    Ratios (%)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Change (pbs)

     

    Return on Assets

     

     

    3.46

     

     

    (0.61

    )

     

    1.39

     

     

     

    407

     

     

    (200

    )

    Return on Shareholders’ Equity 

     

     

    20.81

     

     

    (5.76

    )

     

    10.53

     

     

     

    2,657

     

     

    (1,629

    )

    v

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Change (%)

     

    Basic Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

     

     

    16.62

     

     

    (3.74

    )

     

    7.32

     

     

     

    545

     

     

    (151

    )

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.23,819 million, as compared to net loss equal to Ps.5,891 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.29,710 million, or 504% increase. This result was mainly due to net income from: (i) banking activities (Banco Galicia) for Ps.22,283 million, (ii) Tarjetas Regionales for Ps.653 million and (iii) insurance services (Sudamerica Holding) for Ps.634 million.

    Net earnings per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to a Ps.16.62 per share gain, as compared to a Ps.3.74 per share loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    The return on assets and the return on shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to a 3.46% gain and 20.81% gain, respectively, as compared to a 0.61% loss and 5.76% loss, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.



    The increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to a higher net operating income, from Ps.112,443 million to Ps.147,256 million (a 31% increase as compared to December 31, 2018), and was partially offset by (i) a Ps.3,010 million increase loss on net monetary position, increasing from Ps.27,788 million in 2018 to Ps.30,798 million in 2019, and (ii) a Ps.2,523 million increase in depreciation and impairment of assets, increasing from Ps.2,541 million in 2018 to Ps.5,064 million in 2019.

    The increase in net operating income from the year ended December 31, 2019 was mainly attributable to (i) a Ps.46,136 million increase in net income from financial instruments, from Ps.26,694 million in 2018 to Ps.72,830 million in 2019, (ii) a Ps.10,095 million increase in interest income from Ps.120,411 million in 2018 to Ps.130,506 million in 2019, and (iii) a Ps.5,073 million increase in other operating income from Ps.16,059 million in 2018 to Ps.21,132 million in 2019.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Net loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.5,891 million, as compared to net income equal to Ps.11,196 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a Ps.17,087 million, or 153% decrease. This result was mainly due to net loss (i) from banking activities (Banco Galicia) for Ps.3,150 million, and (ii) from Tarjetas Regionales for Ps.3,291 million and was partially offset by net income from activities related to insurance services (Sudamerica Holding) for Ps.310 million.

    Net loss per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to a Ps.3.74 per share, as compared to a Ps.7.32 per share gain for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

    The return on assets and the return on shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to a 0.61% loss and 5.76 % loss, respectively, as compared to a 1.39% and 10.53%, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

    This net loss was attributable to (i) a low growth of net operating income (6% increase compared to previous year) and (ii) a 165% increase in loss on net monetary position.

    The result of a Ps.17,292 million increase in loss on net monetary position was attributable to higher inflation levels.

    The Ps.6,333 million increase in net operating income was mainly attributable to (i) a Ps.36,274 million increase in interest income from Ps.84,137 million in 2017 to Ps.120,411 million in 2018, and (ii) a Ps.13,678 million increase in net income from financial instruments from Ps.13,016 million in 2017 to Ps.26,694 million in 2018. This increase was offset by (i) a Ps.30,906 million increase in interest expenses from Ps.38,181 million in 2017 to Ps.69,087 million in 2018, and (ii) a Ps.13,854 million increase in loan and other receivables loss provisions from Ps.11,220 million in 2017 to Ps.25,074 million in 2018.

    Interest-Earning Assets

    The following table shows our yields on interest-earning assets:



     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    Average Balance

     

     

    Average Yield / Rate

     

     

    Average

    Balance

     

     

    Average Yield / Rate

     

     

    Average Balance

     

     

    Average Yield / Rate

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except rates)

     

    Interest-Earning Assets

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Government Securities

     

     

    130,598

     

     

     

    50.78

     

     

     

    81,012

     

     

     

    29.05

     

     

     

    63,438

     

     

     

    16.70

     

    Loans

     

     

    375,272

     

     

     

    31.20

     

     

     

    464,013

     

     

     

    24.62

     

     

     

    406,404

     

     

     

    17.62

     

    Other

     

     

    24,567

     

     

     

    76.35

     

     

     

    25,292

     

     

     

    20.41

     

     

     

    27,230

     

     

     

    18.14

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

     

     

    530,437

     

     

     

    38.11

     

     

     

    570,317

     

     

     

    25.07

     

     

     

    497,072

     

     

     

    17.53

     

    Spread and Net Yield

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Interest Spread, Nominal Basis (1)

     

     

     

     

     

     

    16.69

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    11.40

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    8.32

     

    Cost of Funds Supporting Interest-Earning Assets

     

     

     

     

     

     

    18.18

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    11.08

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    6.82

     

    Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets (2)

     

     

     

     

     

     

    19.93

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    13.99

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    10.71

     

    (1) Reflects the difference between the average nominal interest rate on interest-earning assets and the average nominal interest rate on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest rates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    (2) Net interest earned divided by average interest-earning assets. Interest rates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    The average of interest-earning assets decreased Ps.39,880 million, from Ps.570,317 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 to Ps.530,437 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 7% decrease. Of this decrease, Ps.88,741 million was due to a decrease in the average size of the loan portfolio. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 38.11% in 2019, as compared to 25.07% in 2018, a 1,304 bps increase, mainly attributable to an increase in the average interest rate earned on repurchase transactions and government securities.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    The average of interest-earning assets increased Ps.73,245 million, from Ps.497,072 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 to Ps.570,317 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 15% increase. Of this increase, Ps.57,609 million was due to an increase in the average size of the loan portfolio. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 25.07 % in 2018, as compared to 17.53% in 2017, a 754 bps, that was primarily attributable to an increase in the average interest rate earned on government securities and an increase in the average interest rate earned on outstanding loans.

    Interest-Bearing Liabilities

    The following table shows our yields on cost of funds:

     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    Average Balance

     

     

    Average Yield / Rate

     

     

    Average Balance

     

     

    Average Yield / Rate

     

     

    Average Balance

     

     

    Average Yield / Rate

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except rates)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    171,701

     

     

     

    0.29

     

     

     

    178,696

     

     

     

    0.19

     

     

     

    152,318

     

     

     

    0.07

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    196,846

     

     

     

    38.80

     

     

     

    196,269

     

     

     

    21.98

     

     

     

    155,546

     

     

     

    15.90

     

    Debt Securities

     

     

    52,092

     

     

     

    28.55

     

     

     

    53,144

     

     

     

    25.04

     

     

     

    43,040

     

     

     

    15.00

     

    Other Interest-bearing Liabilities

     

     

    29,481

     

     

     

    15.83

     

     

     

    34,277

     

     

     

    18.64

     

     

     

    16,973

     

     

     

    15.37

     

    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     

     

    450,120

     

     

     

    21.42

     

     

     

    462,386

     

     

     

    13.67

     

     

     

    367,877

     

     

     

    9.22

     

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    The average interest-bearing liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.450,120 million, as compared to Ps.462,386 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 3% decrease.



    Such decrease was primarily attributable to (i) a Ps.6,418 million decrease in total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits), which decreased to Ps.368,547 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 from Ps.374,965 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and (ii) a Ps.4,796 million decrease in the average balance of other interest-bearing liabilities, which decreased to Ps.29,481 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 from Ps.34,277 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    The average interest-bearing liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.462,386 million, as compared to Ps.367,877 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of 26%. Such increase was primarily attributable to a Ps.67,101 million increase in total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits), which increased to Ps.374,965 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 from Ps.307,864 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and a Ps.17,304 million increase in the average balance of other interest-bearing liabilities, which increased to Ps.34,277 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 from Ps.16,973 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

    Interest Income

    Our consolidated interest income was composed of the following:

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    2019/2018

     

     

    2018/2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Cash and due from banks

     

     

    8

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    700

     

     

     

     

    Private sector securities

     

     

    390

     

     

     

    508

     

     

     

    384

     

     

     

    (23

    )

     

     

    32

     

    Public sector securities

     

     

    4,705

     

     

     

    2,136

     

     

     

    690

     

     

     

    120

     

     

     

    210

     

    On Loans and Other Financing Activities

     

     

    118,268

     

     

     

    116,618

     

     

     

    81,089

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    44

     

    Non-financial Public Sector

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    6

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (100

    )

    Financial Sector

     

     

    3,159

     

     

     

    3,237

     

     

     

    1,702

     

     

     

    (2

    )

     

     

    90

     

    Non-financial Private Sector

     

     

    115,109

     

     

     

    113,381

     

     

     

    79,381

     

     

     

    2

     

     

     

    43

     

    Advances

     

     

    12,594

     

     

     

    15,135

     

     

     

    6,783

     

     

     

    (17

    )

     

     

    123

     

    Mortgage loans

     

     

    12,853

     

     

     

    9,155

     

     

     

    1,447

     

     

     

    40

     

     

     

    533

     

    Pledge loans

     

     

    702

     

     

     

    655

     

     

     

    284

     

     

     

    7

     

     

     

    131

     

    Personal Loans

     

     

    12,219

     

     

     

    14,074

     

     

     

    11,872

     

     

     

    (13

    )

     

     

    19

     

    Credit Card Loans

     

     

    47,674

     

     

     

    45,163

     

     

     

    38,310

     

     

     

    6

     

     

     

    18

     

    Financial Leases

     

     

    559

     

     

     

    930

     

     

     

    830

     

     

     

    (40

    )

     

     

    12

     

    Others

     

     

    28,508

     

     

     

    28,269

     

     

     

    19,855

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    42

     

    On Repurchase Transactions

     

     

    7,135

     

     

     

    1,148

     

     

     

    1,974

     

     

     

    522

     

     

     

    (42

    )

    Total Income from Interest

     

     

    130,506

     

     

     

    120,411

     

     

     

    84,137

     

     

     

    8

     

     

     

    43

     

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Interest income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.130,506 million, as compared to Ps.120,411 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 8% increase. Such increase was the result of (i) a Ps.5,987 million or 522% increase in interest recorded on repurchase transactions, (ii) a Ps.2,569 million or 120% increase in interest from public sector securities and (iii) a Ps.1,728 million or 2% increase on interest from non-financial private sector loans and other financing.

    The average amount of loans for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.375,272 million, a 19% decrease as compared to the Ps.464,013 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. This was primarily attributable to a decrease in the volume of loans denominated in pesos.

    The average interest rate on total loans was 31.20% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 24.62% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 658 bps increase year-over-year.



    The average interest rate on Peso-denominated loans to the private sector was 43.81% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to an average interest rate of 32.59% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 1,122 bps increase year-over-year.

    The increase in interest from non-financial private sector loans and other financing was 2% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, which was primarily attributable to (i) a Ps.3,698 million increase in interest from mortgages loans and (ii) a Ps.2,510 million increase in interest form credit cards loans.

    Interest income from banking activity amounted to Ps.110,703 million, a 15% increase as compared to the Ps.96,474 million recorded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    According to Argentine Central Bank information, as of December 31, 2019, Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of loans to the private sector was 11.57% as of December 31, 2019, as compared to 10.51% as of December 31, 2018.

    The following table indicates Banco Galicia market share in the segments listed below:

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    (in percentages)

     

    Total Loans

     

     

    11.59

     

     

     

    10.62

     

     

     

    9.53

     

    Private-Sector Loans

     

     

    11.57

     

     

     

    10.51

     

     

     

    9.65

     

    (*) Exclusively Banco Galicia within the Argentine market, according to the daily information on loans published by the Argentine Central Bank. balances as of the last day of each year.

    Interest income related to Tarjetas Regionales amounted to Ps.19,465 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 16% decrease as compared to the Ps.23,290 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Interest income related to insurance activity amounted to Ps.841 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 29% increase as compared to the Ps.651 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Interest income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was Ps.120,411 million, as compared to Ps.84,137 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 43% increase. Such increase was mainly the result of a higher average volume of interest-earning assets and the higher average interest rates charged thereon.

    The average amount of loans for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.464,013 million, a 14% increase as compared to the Ps.406,404 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in overdraft, mortgage and credit card loans extended as part of the portfolio.

    The average interest rate on total loans was 24.62% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 17.62% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, representing a 700 bps increase year-over-year.

    The average interest rate on Peso-denominated loans to the private sector was 32.59% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to an average interest rate of 21.37% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, representing a 1,122 bps increase year-over-year.

    Interest income from banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to Ps.96,474 million, a 55% increase as compared to the Ps.62,328 million recorded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

    According to Argentine Central Bank information, as of, December 31, 2018 Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of loans to the private sector was 10.51%, an 86 pbs increase when compared with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.



    Interest income related to Tarjetas Regionales amounted to Ps.23,290 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an 11% increase as compared to the Ps.20,889 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

    Interest income related to insurance services amounted to Ps.651 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a 1% decrease as compared to the Ps.658 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

       For the Year Ended December 31,  Change (%) 
       2020  2019  2018  2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except otherwise noted) 

    Consolidated Income Statement

          

    Net Income from Interest

       76,632   47,417   69,873   62   (32

    Interest Income

       166,807   177,671   163,928   (6  8 

    Interest Expenses

    (90,175(130,254(94,055(3138

    Net Fee Income

    36,55838,23344,756(4(15

    Fee Income

    46,47647,84751,094(3(6

    Fee Related Expenses

    (9,918(9,614(6,338352

    Net Income from Financial Instruments

    69,33299,15136,342(30173

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

    (3299464(101(36

    Exchange Rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

    7,04711,8327,910(4050

    Other Operating Income

    22,32328,77021,863(2232

    Income from Insurance Business

    5,5025,0016,00910(17

    Loan and Other Receivables Loss Provisions

    (34,680(30,228(34,13615(11

     

    Our consolidated

    Net Operating Income

    182,711200,475153,081(931

    Personnel expenses

    (31,825(33,285(35,658(4(7

    Administrative Expenses

    (31,372(33,105(33,674(5(2

    Depreciations and Impairment of Assets

    (8,284(6,895(3,4602099

    Other Operating Expenses

    (30,764(35,083(35,391(12(1

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

    (36,963(41,929(37,831(1211

    Operating Income

    43,50350,1787,067(13610

    Share of Profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

    (125—  —  —  —  

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

    (17,845(17,751(14,477123

    Loss from Discontinued Operations

    —  —  (544—  (100

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

    —  —  (66—  100

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year

    25,53332,427(8,020(21504

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company’s Owner

    25,19232,276(7,258(22545

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

    341151(762126120

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

    (210548(183(138399

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)

    25,32332,975(8,203(23502

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Company’s Owners

    24,98232,824(7,442(24541

    Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

    341151(761126120
    Ratios (%)Change (pbs)

    Return on Assets

    2.393.46(0.61(107407

    Return on Shareholders’ Equity

    13.8220.81(5.76(6992,657
    Change (%)

    Basic Earnings per Share (in Pesos)

    17.4622.62(5.09(23545

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.25,533 million, as compared to net income equal to Ps.32,427 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.6,894 million or 21% decrease. This result was mainly due to net income from: (i) banking activities (Banco Galicia) for Ps.20,928 million, (ii) Ecosistema NaranjaX for Ps.2,159 million and (iii) insurance services (Sudamerica Holding) for Ps.1,318 million.

    Net earnings per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to a Ps.17.46 per share, as compared to a Ps.22.62 per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    The return on assets and the return on shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to a 2.39% and 13.82%, respectively, as compared to a 3.46% and 20.81%, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to a lower net operating income, decreasing from Ps.200,475 million to Ps.182,711 million (a 9% decrease as compared to December 31, 2019) and was partially offset by (i) a Ps.4,966 million decrease in the loss on net monetary position, decreasing from Ps.41,929 million in 2019 to Ps.36,963 million in 2020 and (ii) a Ps.1,733 million decrease in administrative expenses, decreasing from Ps.33,105 million in 2019 to Ps.31,372 million in 2020.

    The decrease in net operating income from the year ended December 31, 2020 was mainly attributable to: (i) a Ps.29,819 million decrease in net income from financial instruments, from Ps.99,151 million in 2019 to Ps.69,332 million in 2020, (ii) a Ps.6,447 million decrease in other operating income from Ps.28,770 million in 2019 to Ps.22,323 million in 2020 and (iii) a Ps.4,785 million decrease in exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency from Ps.11,832 million in 2019 to Ps.7,047 million in 2020. Such decrease was partially offset by a Ps.29,215 increase in net income from interest from Ps.47,417 million in 2019 to Ps.76,632 million in 2020.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.32,427 million, as compared to net loss equal to Ps.8,020 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.40,447 million or 504% increase. This result was mainly due to net income (i) from banking activities (Banco Galicia) for Ps.30,336 million, (ii) from Ecosistema NaranjaX for Ps.889 million and (iii) from activities related to insurance services (Sudamerica Holding) for Ps.863 million.

    Net gain per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to a Ps.22.62 per share gain, as compared to a Ps.5.09 per share loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    The return on assets and the return on shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to a 3.46% and 20.81 %, respectively, as compared to a 0.61% loss and 5.76% loss, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    This result was attributable to (i) a growth of net operating income (31% increase compared to previous year) and (ii) a 7% decrease in personnel expenses.

    The increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to a higher net operating income from Ps.153,081 million to Ps.200,475 million (a 31% increase as compared to December 31, 2018) and was partially offset by (i) a Ps.4,098 million increase loss on net monetary position, increasing from Ps.37,831 million in 2018 to Ps.41,929 million in 2019 and (ii) a Ps.3,435 million increase in depreciation and impairment of assets, increasing from Ps.3,460 million in 2018 to Ps.6,895 million in 2019.

    The Ps.47,394 million increase in net operating income was mainly attributable to (i) a Ps.62,809 million increase in net income from financial instruments from Ps.36,342 million in 2018 to Ps.99,151 million in 2019, (ii) a Ps.6,907 million increase in other operating income from Ps.21,863 million in 2018 to Ps.28,770 million in 2019 and (iii) a Ps.3,922 million increase in exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency from Ps.7,910 million in 2018 to Ps.11,832 million in 2019. This increase was offset by (i) a Ps.36,199 million increase in interest expenses from Ps.94,055 million in 2018 to Ps.130,254 million in 2019, and (ii) a Ps.6,523 million decrease in net fee income from Ps.44,756 million in 2018 to Ps.38,233 million in 2019.

    ii) Interest-Earning Assets

    The following table shows our yields on interest-earning assets:

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average Yield
    / Rate
     
       (in millions of Pesos, except rates) 

    Interest-Earning Assets

                

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

                

    Government Securities

       155,630    40.11    166,505    50.98    93,353    30.75 

    Others Debt Securities

       1,385    73.29    1,838    48.31    3,541    22.56 

    Total Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

       157,015    40.41    168,343    50.95    96,894    30.45 

    Repurchase Transactions

       35,871    25.00    18,170    53.46    16,479    9.42 

    Loans and Other Financing

                

    Loans

       491,386    30.23    587,663    27.12    631,995    24.80 

    Financial Leases

       2,324    15.15    3,857    19.73    5,059    24.25 

    Other Loans and Other Financing

       2,265    13.82    3,317    20.20    1,244    47.35 

    Total Loans and Other Financing

       495,975    30.08    594,837    27.03    638,298    24.84 

    Other Interest-Earning Assets

       44,279    30.39    54,603    24.76    43,578    16.26 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Earning Assets

       733,140    32.06    835,953    32.27    795,249    24.74 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Spread and Net Yield

                

    Interest Spread, Nominal Basis (1)

         16.05      12.06      10.21 

    Cost of Funds Supporting Interest-Earning Assets

         12.27      15.43      11.41 

    Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets (2)

         19.80      16.84      13.33 

    (1)

    Reflects the difference between the average nominal interest expensesrate on interest-earning assets and the average nominal interest rate on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest rates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    (2)

    Net interest earned divided by average interest-earning assets. Interest rates include the CER/UVA adjustment.

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    The average of interest-earning assets decreased Ps.102,813 million, from Ps.835,953 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 to Ps.733,140 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, representing a 12% decrease. Of this decrease, Ps.96,277 million was due to a decrease in the average size of the loan portfolio. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 32.06% in 2020, as compared to 32.27% in 2019, a 21 bps decrease, mainly attributable to a decrease in the average interest rate earned on repurchase transactions (decreasing 2,846 bps as compared to 2019) and government securities ( decreasing 1,087 bps as compared to 2019).

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    The average of interest-earning assets increased Ps.40,704 million, from Ps.795,249 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 to Ps.835,953 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 5% increase. Of this increase, Ps.73,152 million was due to an increase in the average size of the government securities holdings, offset by Ps.44,332 million in the average size of loans. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 32.27% in 2019, as compared to 24.74% in 2018, a 753 bps, that was primarily attributable to an increase in the average interest rate earned on repurchase transactions and an increase in the average interest rate earned Government securities.

    iii) Interest-Bearing Liabilities

    The following table shows our yields on cost of funds:

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
       Average
    Balance
       Average
    Yield / Rate
     
       (in millions of Pesos, except rates) 

    Interest-Bearing Liabilities

                

    Deposits

                

    Savings Accounts

       252,515    5.77    264,364    4.24    279,693    2.48 

    Time Deposits

       243,255    26.68    234,214    39.25    228,217    26.31 

    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

       495,770    16.03    498,578    20.69    507,910    13.19 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       19,815    12.64    38,319    13.19    42,944    12.80 

    Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities

       43,921    17.42    88,146    22.54    70,300    25.40 

    Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities

       1,916    15.29    13,315    7.15    3,393    11.97 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

       561,422    16.02    638,358    20.21    624,547    14.53 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    The average interest-bearing liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.561,422 million, as compared to Ps.638,358 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 12% decrease. Such decrease was primarily attributable to (i) a Ps.44,225 million decrease in the average balance of debt securities and subordinated debt securities, which decreased to Ps.43,921 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from Ps.88,146 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, (ii) a Ps.18,504 million decrease in the average balance of financing received from the BCRA and other financial institutions, which decreased to Ps.19,815 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from Ps.38,319 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and (iii) a Ps.2,808 million decrease in total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits), which decreased to Ps.495,770 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from Ps.498,578 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    The average interest-bearing liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.638,358 million, as compared to Ps.624,547 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of 2%. Such increase was primarily attributable to a Ps.17,846 million increase in debt securities, which increased to Ps.88,146 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 from Ps.70,300 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. This increase was offset by a decrease in the average balance of savings accounts deposits, which decreased to Ps.264,364 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 from Ps.279,693 million as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    iv) Interest Income

    Consolidated interest income was composed of the following:

       For the Year Ended December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Cash and due from banks

       3    11    2    (73  450 

    Corporate debt securities

       312    531    691    (41  (23

    Government debt securities

       9,183    6,405    2,908    43   120 

    On Loans and Other Financing Activities

       148,447    161,010    158,764    (8  1 

    Non-financial Public Sector

       —      —      1    —     (100

    Financial Sector

       3,126    4,300    4,406    (27  (2

    Non-financial Private Sector

       145,321    156,710    154,357    (7  2 

    Advances

       11,887    17,145    20,605    (31  (17

    Mortgage loans

       13,076    17,497    12,463    (25  40 

    Pledge loans

       1,422    956    891    49   7 

    Personal Loans

       16,299    16,636    19,160    (2  (13

    Credit Card Loans

       47,207    64,903    61,486    (27  6 

    Financial Leases

       352    761    1,266    (54  (40

    Others

       55,078    38,812    38,486    42   1 

    On Repurchase Transactions

       8,862    9,714    1,563    (9  521 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Income from Interest

       166,807    177,671    163,928    (6  8 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Interest income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.166,807 million, as compared to Ps.177,671 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 6% decrease. Such decrease was the result of a Ps.12,563 million or 8% decrease in interest from loans and other financing and was partially offset by a Ps.2,778 million increase in interest income from government debt securities measured at amortized cost.

    The average amount of loans granted for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.491,386 million, a 16% decrease as compared to the Ps.587,663 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The average interest rate on total loans was 30.23% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to 27.12% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 311 bps increase year-over-year.

    The decrease in interest earnings from loans and other financing was primarily a consequence of a Ps.17,696 million decrease in credit card loans. This decrease was due to the maximum annual interest rate imposed by the BCRA as a measure to reduce negative economic the consequences of COVID-19. For more information see – Item 4. Information on the Company –A. Business Overview – Argentine Banking Regulations – Limitations on Fees and Other Substantial Elements.

    Additionally, the decrease in interest from loans and other financing was due to a Ps.5,258 million decrease in interest from advances and a Ps.4,421 million decrease in interest from mortgage loans, offset by a Ps.16,266 million increase in others loans (mostly comprised of overdrafts and loans for the pre-financing and financing of exports).

    Interest income from banking activity amounted to Ps.144,685 million, a 4% decrease as compared to the Ps.150,712 million recorded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    According to BCRA information, as of December 31, 2020, Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of loans to the private sector was 13.03% as of December 31, 2020, as compared to 11.50% as of December 31, 2019.

    The following table indicates Banco Galicia market share in the segments listed below:

       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in percentages) 

    Total Loans

       12.95    11.52    10.60 

    Private-Sector Loans

       13.03    11.50    10.51 

    (*)

    Exclusively Banco Galicia within the Argentine market, according to the daily information on loans published by the BCRA. balances as of the last day of each year.

    Interest income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.21,990 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a 17% decrease as compared to the Ps.26,500 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    Interest income related to insurance activity amounted to Ps.727 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a 37% decrease as compared to the Ps.1,145 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease was related to interest from debt securities recorded at amortized cost.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Interest income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was Ps.177,671 million, as compared to Ps.163,928 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 8% increase. Such increase was mainly the result of: (i) Ps.8,151 million in interest from repurchase transactions, (ii) Ps.3,497 million in interest from government debt securities measured at amortized cost and (iii) Ps.2,246 million in interest from loans and other financing.

    The average amount of repurchase transactions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.18,170 million, a 10% increase as compared to Ps.16,479 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The average interest rate on repurchase transactions was 53.46%, a 4,404 bps increase as compared to 9.46% as of December 31, 2018.

    The average amount of loans for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.587,663 million, a 7 % increase as compared to the Ps.631,995 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.This decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in overdraft, mortgage and credit card loans extended as part of the portfolio. The average interest rate on total loans was 27.12% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 24.80% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 232 bps increase year-over-year.

    Interest income from banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to Ps.150,712 million, a 25% increase as compared to the Ps.120,773 million recorded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    According to BCRA information, as of December 31, 2019 Banco Galicia’s estimated market share of loans to the private sector was 11.50%, a 99 pbs increase when compared with the 10.51% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Interest income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.26,500 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 16% decrease as compared to the Ps.31,707 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Interest income related to insurance services amounted to Ps.1,145 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 31% increase as compared to the Ps.875 million recorded for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    v) Interest Expenses

    Consolidated interest expenses were comprised of the following:

       For the Year Ended December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    On Deposits

       79,483    103,158    68,499    (23  51 

    Non-financial Private Sector

       79,483    103,158    68,499    (23  51 

    Checking Accounts

       —      —      —      —     —   

    Savings Accounts

       11    9    11    22   (18

    Time Deposit and Term Investments

       62,824    90,832    59,909    (31  52 

    Others

       16,648    12,317    8,579    35   44 

    On Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       1,744    3,340    4,526    (48  (26

    On Repurchase Transactions

       304    921    463    (67  99 

    On Other Financial Liabilities

       953    1,778    1,629    (46  9 

    On Debt Securities

       6,097    19,389    17,407    (69  11 

    On Subordinated Debt Securities

       1,594    1,668    1,531    (4  9 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Interest Expenses

       90,175    130,254    94,055    (31  38 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Interest expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.90,175 million, as compared to Ps.130,254 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 31% decrease. Such decrease was primarily attributable to a 23% decrease in interest paid on deposits, as consequence of low rate yields.

    Interest expenses from deposits amounted to Ps.79,483 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to Ps.103,158 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.23,675 million decrease. This decrease was primarily due to increased interest expenses related to time deposits and term investments, which was equal to Ps.62,824 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, representing a 31% decrease as compared to Ps.90,832 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Such lower interest paid on time deposits was due to lower rates as compare to the rates of 2019, as consequence the regulated rates product of the monetary regulation.

    The total average interest-bearing deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to Ps.495,770 million, registering a decrease of 1%. Of this decrease, Ps.11,849 million were saving accounts deposits. This decrease was offset by an increase in time deposits for Ps.9,041 million.

    Out of total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the average interest rate of time deposits was 16.03%, as compared to 20.69% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 466 bps decrease.

    Savings accounts deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 accrued interest at an average rate of 5.77%, as compared to an average rate of 4.24% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 153 bps increase. The rate of time deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was 26.68%, as compared to 39.25% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 1,257 bps decrease.

    Interest expenses related to banking activity amounted to Ps.85,854 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to Ps.118,269 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 27% decrease.

    According BCRA information and considering only deposits from the private-sector deposits in checking and savings accounts and time deposits, Banco Galicia’s estimated Argentine deposit market share increased from 10.17% as of December 31, 2019 to 10.28% as of December 31, 2020.

    The following table indicates Banco Galicia´s market share in the segments listed below:

       For the Year Ended December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in percentages) 

    Total Deposits

       8.42    8.23    8.85 

    Total Deposits in Checking and Savings Accounts and Time Deposits

       10.28    10.17    11.33 

    Private-Sector Deposits

       10.07    9.92    11.09 

     

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    2019/2018

     

     

    2018/2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    On Deposits

     

     

    75,773

     

     

     

    50,315

     

     

     

    26,942

     

     

     

    51

     

     

     

    87

     

    Non-financial Private Sector

     

     

    75,773

     

     

     

    50,315

     

     

     

    26,942

     

     

     

    51

     

     

     

    87

     

    Checking Accounts

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (100

    )

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    6

     

     

     

    8

     

     

     

    8

     

     

     

    (25

    )

     

     

     

    Time Deposit and Term Investments

     

     

    66,719

     

     

     

    44,005

     

     

     

    25,665

     

     

     

    52

     

     

     

    71

     

    Others

     

     

    9,048

     

     

     

    6,302

     

     

     

    1,267

     

     

     

    44

     

     

     

    397

     

    On Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

     

     

    2,454

     

     

     

    3,324

     

     

     

    1,837

     

     

     

    (26

    )

     

     

    81

     

    On Repurchase Transactions

     

     

    676

     

     

     

    340

     

     

     

    551

     

     

     

    99

     

     

     

    (38

    )

    On Other Financial Liabilities

     

     

    1,306

     

     

     

    1,197

     

     

     

    1,544

     

     

     

    9

     

     

     

    (22

    )

    On Debt Securities

     

     

    15,467

     

     

     

    13,911

     

     

     

    7,307

     

     

     

    11

     

     

     

    90

     

    Total Interest Expenses

     

     

    95,676

     

     

     

    69,087

     

     

     

    38,181

     

     

     

    38

     

     

     

    81

     

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Interest expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.95,676 million, as compared to Ps.69,087 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 38% increase. Such increase was primarily attributable to a 51% increase in interest paid on deposits, as consequence of higher rate yields.  

    Interest expenses from deposits amounted Ps.75,773 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to Ps.50,315 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.25,458 million increase. This increase was primarily due to increased interest expenses related to time deposits and term investments, which was equal to Ps.66,719 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 52% increase as compared to Ps.44,005 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    The total average interest-bearing deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 remained stable, registering a decrease of 2%. Of this decrease, Ps.204,058 million were Peso-denominated deposits and Ps.164,489 million were foreign currency-denominated deposits, as compared to Ps.208,680 million and Ps.166,285 million, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 a 2% and 1% decrease, respectively.

    Out of total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the average interest rate of time deposits was 20.86%, as compared to 11.60% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 926 bps increase.

    Peso-denominated deposits (savings accounts and time deposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 accrued interest at an average rate of 37.52%, as compared to an average rate of 20.66% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 1,686 bps increase. The rate of foreign currency-denominated deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was 0.20%, as compared to 0.23% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 3 bps decrease.


    Interest expenses related to banking activity amounted Ps.86,873 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to Ps.60,152 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 44% increase.

    Using Argentine Central Bank information and considering only deposits from the private-sector deposits in checking and savings accounts and time deposits, Banco Galicia’s estimated Argentine deposit market share decreased from 11.09% as of December 31, 2018 to 9.92% as of December 31, 2019.

    The following table indicates Banco Galicia´s market share in the segments listed below:

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    (in percentages)

     

    Total Deposits

     

     

    8.23

     

     

    8.86

     

     

     

    8.23

     

    Private-Sector Deposits

     

     

    9.92

     

     

    11.09

     

     

     

    10.20

     

    Total Deposits in Checking and Savings Accounts and Time Deposits

     

     

    10.16

     

     

     

    11.33

     

     

     

    10.48

     

    (*)

    Exclusively Banco Galicia within the Argentine market, according to the daily information on deposits published by the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA. balances as of the last day of each year.

    Interest expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.5,150 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to Ps.13,232 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 58% decrease. This decrease was primarily a result of a decrease in interest expenses on debt securities issued by Naranja.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Interest expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.130,254 million, as compared to Ps.94,055 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 38% increase. Such increase was primarily attributable to an 51% increase in interest paid on deposits.

    Interest expenses from deposits amounted to Ps.103,158 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to Ps.68,499 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 a Ps.34,659 million increase. This increase was primarily due to increased interest expenses related to time deposits and term investments, which was equal to Ps.90,832 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 52% increase as compared to Ps.59,909 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Average deposits recorded a decrease of 2% as compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, with a decrease of 5% in savings account deposits and a 3% increase in time deposits.

    Out of total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 the average interest rate of time deposits was 20,69%, as compared to 13,19% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 750 bps increase.

    Interest expenses related to banking activity amounted Ps.118,269 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to Ps.79,349 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 49% increase.

    Using BCRA information and considering only deposits from the private-sector deposits in checking and savings accounts and time deposits, Banco Galicia’s estimated Argentine deposit market share decreased from 11.09% as of December 31, 2018 to 9.92% as of December 31, 2019.

    Interest expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX amounted to Ps.13,232 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to Ps.12,485 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 6% increase. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in interest expenses on debt securities issued by Naranja.

    vi) Net Fee Income

    Consolidated net fee income consisted of:

       For the Year Ended December 31,  Change (%) 
       2020  2019  2018  2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Income From

          

    Credit Cards

       23,841   24,204   23,839   (1  2 

    Deposit Accounts

       4,638   5,994   7,290   (23  (18

    Insurances

       1,716   1,797   2,170   (5  (17

    Financial fees

       202   427   626   (53  (32

    Credit-related fees

       7,424   6,403   8,647   16   (26

    Foreign trade

       1,999   2,132   2,023   (6  5 

    Collections

       1,776   1,698   1,543   5   10 

    Utility-bills collection services

       2,207   2,361   1,839   (7  28 

    Mutual funds

       814   1,220   1,007   (33  21 

    Others

       1,859   1,611   2,110   15   (24
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total fee income

       46,476   47,847   51,094   (3  (6
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total fee expenses

       (9,918  (9,614  (6,338  3   52 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net fee income

       36,558   38,233   44,756   (4  (15
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Our net fee income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.36,558 million, as compared to Ps.38,233 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 4% decrease. This decrease was mainly due to a 23% decrease in deposit accounts fees.

    Fees related to deposit accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.4,638, as compared to Ps.5,994 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.1,356 million decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in fees related to maintaining a checking account with us or our subsidiaries. Total deposit accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were 6.2 million, as compared to 5.2 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 17% increase.

    Additionally, credit- related fees, amounted to Ps.7,424 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, a Ps.1,021 million increase as compared to Ps.6,403 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    Income from credit card transactions, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was Ps.23,841 million, as compared to Ps.24,204 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.363 million decrease. Such decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease in fees recorded by Naranja.

    The total number of credit cards managed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was 13,688,430, as compared to 13,545,870 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 1% increase.

    The following table sets forth the number of credit cards outstanding as of the dates indicated:

       December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (number of credit cards, except otherwise noted)   (percentages) 

    Visa

       3,133,068    3,044,890    3,136,166    3   (3

    “Gold”

       726,381    706,257    744,771    3   (5

    International

       1,048,598    1,096,441    1,282,617    (4  (15

    Domestic

       30,881    36,246    50,091    (15  (28

    “Business”

       164,310    159,245    148,549    3   7 

    “Platinum”

       644,364    591,817    359,477    9   65 

    “Signature”

       518,534    461,274    550,661    12   (16

    Galicia Rural

       17,864    17,965    18,188    (1  (1

    American Express

       761,267    750,581    893,314    1   (16

    “Gold”

       204,397    213,080    280,239    (4  (24

    “International”

       104,712    123,451    184,437    (15  (33

    “Platinum”

       198,697    178,638    270,068    11   (34

    “Signature”

       253,461    239,246    158,570    6   51 

    MasterCard

       1,162,879    1,177,111    1,050,041    (1  12 

    “Gold”

       324,811    315,152    284,340    3   11 

    MasterCard

       374,133    417,605    414,559    (10  1 

    Argencard

       75    1,371    148    (95  826 

    “Platinum”

       220,848    213,632    170,202    3   26 

    “Black”

       243,012    234,463    180,792    4   30 

    Naranja

       8,613,352    8,560,435    8,817,871    1   (3

    Naranja

       4,619,426    4,606,528    4,777,286    —     (4

    Visa

       3,513,542    3,452,555    3,503,792    2   (1

    MasterCard

       415,901    455,038    491,231    (9  (7

    American Express

       64,483    50,148    45,562    29   10 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Credit Cards

       13,688,430    13,547,148    13,915,580    1   (3
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Amount of Purchases (in millions of Pesos)

       216,219,471    140,503,110    636,062,774    54   (78
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total fee expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.9,918 million, as compared to Ps.9,614 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 3% increase. Such increase was mainly attributable to an increase in expenses related to credit card transactions for a 12%, as compared to the previous fiscal year.

    Net fee income related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.20,980 million, as compared to Ps.21,760 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 4% decrease.

    This decrease was mainly attributable to a Ps.1,357 million decrease in fees related to deposit accounts, from Ps.5,994 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 to Ps.4,637 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, fees related to deposit accounts were equal to Ps.4,638 million, as compared to Ps.5,994 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.1,357 million decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in fees paid for maintaining a checking account with us or our subsidiaries.

    Net fee income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to Ps.16,670 million as compared to Ps.17,674 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 6% decrease. For more information about fees, please see – Item 4. “Information on the Company” –A. “Business Overview” – “Argentine Banking Regulations” – “Limitations on Fees and Other Substantial Elements”.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Our net fee income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.38,233 million, as compared to Ps.44,756 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 15% decrease. This decrease was mainly due to a 26% decrease in credit-related fees.

    Credit- related fees, amounted to Ps.6.403 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.2,244 million decrease as compared to Ps.8,647 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. This decrease was a consequence of a decrease in fees charged by Ecosistema NaranjaX as a result of (i) the merger of accounts held by Naranja and Tarjetas Cuyanas and (ii) a decrease in fees overall charged due to regulatory restrictions.

    Income from credit card transactions, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was Ps.24,204 million, as compared to Ps.23,839 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.365 million increase. Such increase was mainly attributable to an increase in fees recorded by Naranja, partially offset by the fees related to issuance of credit cards.

    The total number of credit cards managed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was 13,547,148 as compared to 13,915,580 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, mainly attributable to the merger of accounts between Naranja and Tarjetas Cuyanas.

    Fees related to deposit accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.5,994 million, as compared to Ps.7,290 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 18% decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in fees related to the maintenance of checking accounts. Total deposit accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were 5.2 million as compared to 4.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31,2018, a 9% increase.

    Total fee expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.9,614 million, as compared to Ps.6,338 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 52% increase. Such increase was mainly attributable to an increase in expenses related to credit card transactions.

    Net fee income related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.21,760 million, as compared to Ps.26,131 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 17% decrease.

    This decrease was mainly attributable to a Ps.2,034 million decrease in fees related to credit cards transactions, from Ps.13,635 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 to Ps.11,601 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease was due to lower fees recorded by the issuance of credit cards.

    Fees related to deposit accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to Ps.5,994 million, as compared to Ps.4,423 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 36% increase. This decrease was primarily attributable to smaller amounts of total fees received for the maintenance of checking accounts.

    Net fee income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to Ps.17,674 million, as compared to Ps.18,702 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 5% decrease. This decrease was primarily the result of decrease in consumption by credit card users and a decrease in the number of credit cards issued due to the merger with Tarjeta Nevada.

    vii) Net Income from Financial Instruments

    Consolidated net income from financial instruments was comprised of:

       For the Year Ended December 31,  Change (%) 
       2020   2019  2018  2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Income from Government Securities

       62,141    84,885   29,127   (27  191 

    Income from Corporate Securities

       4,722    12,698   3,236   (63  292 

    Income from Derivative Instruments

       2,469    1,597   3,957   55   (60

    Repurchase Transactions

       1,747    1,746   4,187   —     (58

    Rate Swaps

       36    (149  (230  124   (35

    Options

       686    —     —     —     —   

    Income from Other Financial Assets

       —      (29  22   (100  (232
      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Net Results from Financial Instruments

       69,332    99,151   36,342   (30  173 
      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Net income from financial instruments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.69,332 million, as compared to Ps.99,151 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 30% decrease. This decrease was due to a decrease in interest earnings related to Government securities for 27%, from Ps.84,885 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 to Ps.62,141 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

    The average position in government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was Ps.155,630 million, as compared to Ps.166,505 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 7% decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower balances of securities (LELIQS) issued by the BCRA.

    The average yield on government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was 40.11%, as compared to 50.98% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 1,087 bps increase. This increase was primarily attributable to a higher average yield with respect to Peso-denominated government securities.

    These variations were mainly a result of net income from financial instruments related to Banco Galicia, which represents 95% of our total consolidated net result from financial instruments. Banco Galicia’s net income from financial instruments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to Ps.65,986 million, as compared to Ps.95,152 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 31% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in income from Government securities.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Net income from financial instruments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.99,152 million, as compared to Ps.36,342 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 173% increase. This increase was principally due to an increase on income from Government Securities from Ps.29,127 million for the fiscal year 2018 to Ps.84,885 million for the fiscal year 2019, a 191% increase.

    The average position in Government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was Ps.166,505 million, as compared to Ps.93,353 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 78% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to higher balances of securities (LELIQS) issued by the BCRA.

    The average yield on Government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was 50.98%, as compared to 30.75% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 2,023 bps increase.

    These variations were mainly a result of net income from financial instruments related to Banco Galicia, which represents 92% of our total consolidated net result from financial instruments. Banco Galicia’s net income from financial instruments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 amounted Ps.95,152 million, as compared to Ps.33,482 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 184% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in income from government securities.

    viii) Exchange Rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.7,047 million, as compared to Ps.11,832 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 40% or Ps.4,785 million decrease. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in foreign currency brokerage at Banco Galicia for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 equal to Ps.5,096 million as compared to Ps.10,460 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 49% decrease. Such decrease in foreign currency brokerage was due to the restrictions placed on the purchase of foreign currency. For more information see – Item 4. Information on the Company –A. Business Overview – Government Regulations – Foreign Exchange Market.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.11,832 million, as compared to Ps.7,910 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 a 50% or

    Ps.3,922 million increase. This was primarily the result of an increase in foreign currency brokerage at Banco Galicia for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 equal to Ps.10,460 million, as compared to Ps.5,042 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 37% increase.

    ix) Other Operating Income

    The following table sets forth the various components of other operating income.

       For the Year Ended December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Other financial income (1) (2)

       579    1,578    353    (63  347 

    Commission on Product Package (1)

       6,297    5,685    5,719    11   (1

    Rental of safe deposit boxes (1)

       1,295    1,011    1,081    28   (6

    Other fee income (1)

       4,238    3,341    6,177    27   (46

    Other adjustments and interest on miscellaneous receivables

       5,246    3,110    3,350    69   (7

    Income for sale of non-currents assets held for sale

       —      9,676    1,027    (100  842 

    Other

       4,668    4,369    4,156    7   5 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total other operating income

       22,323    28,770    21,863    (22  32 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

     

    1)

    Interest expenses related to Tarjetas Regionales amounted Ps.9,719 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to Ps.9,171 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 6% increase.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Interest expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.69,087 million, as compared to Ps.38,181 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, representing a 81% increase. Such increase was primarily attributable to an 87% increase in interest paid on deposits.

    Interest expenses from deposits amounted Ps.50,315 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to Ps.26,942 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 a Ps.23,373 million increase. This increase was primarily due to increased interest expenses related to time deposits and term investments, which was equal to Ps.44,005 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, representing a 71% increase as compared to Ps.25,665 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

    With respect to the total average interest-bearing deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Ps.208,680 million were Peso-denominated deposits and Ps.166,285 million were foreign currency-denominated deposits, a 4% increase and 56% increase, respectively, as compared to Ps.201,106 million and Ps.106,758 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Average deposits recorded an increase of 22% as compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, with an increase of 17% in savings account deposits and a 26% increase in time deposits.

    Out of total interest-bearing deposits (savings accounts and time deposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 the average interest rate of time deposits was 11.60%, as compared to 8.07% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 353 bps increase.

    Peso-denominated deposits (savings accounts and time deposits) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 accrued interest at an average rate of 20.65%, as compared to an average rate of 12.29% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, an 836 bps increase. The rate of foreign currency-denominated deposits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was 0.23%, as compared to 0.12% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 11 bps increase.

    Interest expenses related to banking activity amounted Ps.60,152 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to Ps.31,985 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, representing an 88% increase.


    Using Argentine Central Bank information and considering only deposits from the private-sector deposits in checking and savings accounts and time deposits, Banco Galicia’s estimated Argentine deposit market share increased from 10.20% as of December 31, 2017 to 11.09% as of December 31, 2018.

    Interest expenses related to Tarjetas Regionales amounted Ps.9,171 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to Ps.6,197 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, representing a 48% increase. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in interest expenses on debt securities issued by Tarjetas Regionales or its subsidiaries.

    Net Fee Income

    Our consolidated net fee income consisted of:

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    2019/2018

     

     

    2018/2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Income From

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Credit Cards

     

     

    17,780

     

     

     

    17,511

     

     

     

    18,565

     

     

     

    2

     

     

     

    (6

    )

    Deposit Accounts

     

     

    4,404

     

     

     

    5,355

     

     

     

    4,161

     

     

     

    (18

    )

     

     

    29

     

    Insurances

     

     

    1,320

     

     

     

    1,594

     

     

     

    334

     

     

     

    (17

    )

     

     

    377

     

    Financial fees

     

     

    314

     

     

     

    460

     

     

     

    745

     

     

     

    (32

    )

     

     

    (38

    )

    Credit-related fees

     

     

    4,703

     

     

    ��

    6,351

     

     

     

    7,586

     

     

     

    (26

    )

     

     

    (16

    )

    Foreign trade

     

     

    1,566

     

     

     

    1,486

     

     

     

    2,437

     

     

     

    5

     

     

     

    (39

    )

    Collections

     

     

    1,247

     

     

     

    1,134

     

     

     

    1,142

     

     

     

    10

     

     

     

    (1

    )

    Utility-bills collection services

     

     

    1,734

     

     

     

    1,350

     

     

     

    970

     

     

     

    28

     

     

     

    39

     

    Mutual funds

     

     

    896

     

     

     

    740

     

     

     

    288

     

     

     

    21

     

     

     

    157

     

    Others

     

     

    1,181

     

     

     

    1,549

     

     

     

    1,339

     

     

     

    (24

    )

     

     

    16

     

    Total fee income

     

     

    35,145

     

     

     

    37,530

     

     

     

    37,567

     

     

     

    (6

    )

     

     

    -

     

    Total fee expenses

     

     

    (7,062

    )

     

     

    (4,655

    )

     

     

    (5,004

    )

     

     

    52

     

     

     

    (7

    )

    Net fee income

     

     

    28,083

     

     

     

    32,875

     

     

     

    32,563

     

     

     

    (15

    )

     

     

    1

     

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Our net fee income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.28,083 million, as compared to Ps.32,875 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 15% decrease. This decrease was mainly due to a 26% decrease in credit-related fees.

    Credit- related fees, amounted to Ps.4,703 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.1,648 million decrease as compared to Ps.6,351 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. This decrease was consequence of a decrease in fees charged by Tarjetas Regionales as a result of (i) the merger of accounts held by Tarjeta Naranja and Tarjeta Nevada and (ii) a decrease in fees rates.

    Income from credit card transactions, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was Ps.17,780 million, as compared to Ps.17,511 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.269 million increase. Such increase was mainly attributable to an increase in fees recorded by Tarjetas Regionales, partially offset by the fees related to issuance of credit cards.

    The total number of credit cards managed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was 13,545,870, as compared to 13,915,580 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 3% decrease, mainly attributable to the merger of accounts between Tarjeta Naranja and Tarjeta Nevada.

    Fees related to deposit accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.4,404, as compared to Ps.5,355 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.951 million decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in fees related to the maintenance of checking accounts. Total deposit accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were 5.2 million, as compared to 4.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 9% increase.



    Total fee expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.7,062 million, as compared to Ps.4,655 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 52% increase. Such increase was mainly attributable to an increase in expenses related to credit card transactions.

    The following table sets forth the number of credit cards outstanding as of the dates indicated:

     

     

    December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    2019/2018

     

     

    2018/2017

     

     

     

    (number of credit cards, except otherwise noted)

     

     

    (percentages)

     

    Visa

     

     

    3,044,890

     

     

     

    3,136,166

     

     

     

    2,979,993

     

     

     

    (3

    )

     

     

    5

     

    “Gold”

     

     

    704,979

     

     

     

    744,771

     

     

     

    705,990

     

     

     

    (5

    )

     

     

    5

     

    International

     

     

    1,095,163

     

     

     

    1,282,617

     

     

     

    1,368,945

     

     

     

    (15

    )

     

     

    (6

    )

    Domestic

     

     

    36,246

     

     

     

    50,091

     

     

     

    55,956

     

     

     

    (28

    )

     

     

    (10

    )

    “Business”

     

     

    157,967

     

     

     

    148,549

     

     

     

    131,547

     

     

     

    6

     

     

     

    13

     

    “Signature”

     

     

    459,996

     

     

     

    359,477

     

     

     

    258,121

     

     

     

    28

     

     

     

    39

     

    “Platinum”

     

     

    590,539

     

     

     

    550,661

     

     

     

    459,434

     

     

     

    7

     

     

     

    20

     

    Galicia Rural

     

     

    16,687

     

     

     

    18,188

     

     

     

    17,960

     

     

     

    (8

    )

     

     

    1

     

    American Express

     

     

    749,303

     

     

     

    893,314

     

     

     

    964,007

     

     

     

    (16

    )

     

     

    (7

    )

    “Gold”

     

     

    211,802

     

     

     

    280,239

     

     

     

    313,580

     

     

     

    (24

    )

     

     

    (11

    )

    “International”

     

     

    122,173

     

     

     

    184,437

     

     

     

    240,441

     

     

     

    (34

    )

     

     

    (23

    )

    “Platinum”

     

     

    237,968

     

     

     

    270,068

     

     

     

    274,717

     

     

     

    (12

    )

     

     

    (2

    )

    "Signature"

     

     

    177,360

     

     

     

    158,570

     

     

     

    135,269

     

     

     

    12

     

     

     

    17

     

    MasterCard

     

     

    1,175,833

     

     

     

    1,050,041

     

     

     

    784,316

     

     

     

    12

     

     

     

    34

     

    “Gold”

     

     

    313,874

     

     

     

    284,340

     

     

     

    196,911

     

     

     

    10

     

     

     

    44

     

    MasterCard

     

     

    416,327

     

     

     

    414,559

     

     

     

    381,215

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    9

     

    Argencard

     

     

    93

     

     

     

    148

     

     

     

    200

     

     

     

    (37

    )

     

     

    (26

    )

    “Platinum”

     

     

    212,354

     

     

     

    170,202

     

     

     

    96,068

     

     

     

    25

     

     

     

    77

     

    “Black”

     

     

    233,185

     

     

     

    180,792

     

     

     

    109,922

     

     

     

    29

     

     

     

    64

     

    Tarjeta Naranja

     

     

    8,559,157

     

     

     

    8,817,871

     

     

     

    9,148,043

     

     

     

    (3

    )

     

     

    (4

    )

    Naranja(1)

     

     

    4,605,250

     

     

     

    4,777,286

     

     

     

    5,045,881

     

     

     

    (4

    )

     

     

    (5

    )

    Visa

     

     

    3,451,277

     

     

     

    3,503,792

     

     

     

    3,529,516

     

     

     

    (1

    )

     

     

    (1

    )

    MasterCard

     

     

    453,760

     

     

     

    491,231

     

     

     

    531,398

     

     

     

    (8

    )

     

     

    (8

    )

    American Express

     

     

    48,870

     

     

     

    45,562

     

     

     

    41,248

     

     

     

    7

     

     

     

    10

     

    Total Credit Cards

     

     

    13,545,870

     

     

     

    13,915,580

     

     

     

    13,894,319

     

     

     

    (3

    )

     

     

     

    Total Amount of Purchases (in millions of Pesos)

     

     

    519,837,524

     

     

     

    636,062,774

     

     

     

    265,581,905

     

     

     

    (18

    )

     

     

    139

     

    (1)For the fiscal years 2018 and 2017, it corresponds to Tarjeta Naranja S.A. and Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    Net fee income related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.15,984 million, as compared to Ps.19,194 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 17% decrease.

    This decrease was mainly attributable to a Ps.1,416 million decrease in fees related to credit cards transactions, from Ps.9,938 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 to Ps.8,522 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease was due to lower fees recorded by the issuance of credit cards.

    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, fees related to deposit accounts were equal to Ps.4,404 million, as compared to Ps.5,355 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.951 million decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in fees recorded by the maintenance of checking accounts.

    Net fee income related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to Ps.12,983 million, as compared to Ps.13,737 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 5% decrease. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in consumption by credit card users and a decrease in the number of credit cards issued due to the merger with Tarjeta Nevada.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Our net fee income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.32,875 million, as compared to Ps.32,563 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 1% increase. This variation was stable as consequence of increased fees at similar rates of inflation.



    Income from credit card transactions, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was Ps.17,511 million, as compared to Ps.18,565 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a Ps.1,054 million decrease. Such was mainly attributable to a decrease in costs associated with the maintenance of issued credit cards as a result of a decrease in credit card fees and stagnant consumer consumption as a result of the inflationary Argentine economy. The total number of credit cards managed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was,13,915,580 as compared to 13,894,319 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

    Fees related to deposit accounts for the fiscal year endedDecember 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.5,355, as compared to Ps.4,161 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 29% increase. This was due to an increase in the number of deposit accounts managed. Total deposit accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were 4.7 million, as compared to 4.2 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, an 12% increase.

    Total fee expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.4,655 million, as compared to Ps.5,004 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 7% decrease.

    Net fee income related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.19,194 million, as compared to Ps.18,711 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 3% increase.

    The fees related to deposit accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 amounted Ps.5,355million, as compared to Ps.4,161 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 29% increase.

    Revenue generated by credit card transactions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.9,938 million, as compared to Ps.9,994 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 1% decrease.

    Net fee income related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to Ps.13,737 million, as compared to Ps.16,239 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 15% decrease. This decrease was primarily the result of decrease in consumption by credit card users and a decrease in the number of credit cards issued due to the merger with Tarjeta Nevada.  

    Net Income from Financial Instruments

    Our consolidated net income from financial instruments was comprised of:

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    2019/2018

     

     

    2018/2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Income from Government Securities

     

     

    62,351

     

     

     

    21,394

     

     

     

    11,519

     

     

     

    191

     

     

     

    86

     

    Income from Corporate Securities

     

     

    9,327

     

     

     

    2,377

     

     

     

    2,417

     

     

     

    292

     

     

     

    (2

    )

    Income from Derivative Instruments

     

     

    1,173

     

     

     

    2,907

     

     

     

    (920

    )

     

     

    (60

    )

     

     

    416

     

       Repurchase Transactions

     

     

    1,282

     

     

     

    3,076

     

     

     

    (915

    )

     

     

    (58

    )

     

     

    436

     

       Rate Swaps

     

     

    (109

    )

     

     

    (169

    )

     

     

     

     

     

    36

     

     

     

     

    Options

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (5

    )

     

     

     

     

     

    (100

    )

    Income from Other Financial Assets

     

     

    (21

    )

     

     

    16

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (231

    )

     

     

     

    Total Net Results from Financial Instruments

     

     

    72,830

     

     

     

    26,694

     

     

     

    13,016

     

     

     

    173

     

     

     

    105

     

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Our net income from financial instruments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.72,830 million, as compared to Ps.26,694 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 173% increase.

    The average position in government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was Ps.130,598 million, as compared to Ps.81,012 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 61% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of Ps.44,214 million in the average position in Peso-denominated government securities and of Ps.1,372 million in the average position in foreign currency-denominated government securities.



    The average position in Peso-denominated government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was Ps.117,132 million, as compared to Ps.68,918 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 70% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to higher balances of securities (LELIQS) issued by the Argentine Central Bank. The average position in foreign currency-denominated government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was Ps.13,466 million, as compared to Ps.12,094 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 11% increase.

    The average yield on government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was 50.78%, as compared to 29.05% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 2,173 bps increase. This increase was primarily attributable to a higher average yield with respect to Peso-denominated government securities.

    The average interest rate on Peso-denominated government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was 58.59%, as compared to 33.66% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 2,493 bps increase. This increase was primarily attributable to higher interest rates on securities issued by the Argentine Central Bank (LELIQS). The average interest rate of foreign currency-denominated government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was 17.09% loss, as compared to 2.75% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. This decrease was primarily attributable to changes in the investment portfolio.

    These variations were mainly a result of net income from financial instruments related to Banco Galicia, which represents 96% of our total consolidated net result from financial instruments. Banco Galicia’s net income from financial instruments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 amounted Ps.69,893 million, as compared to Ps.24,594 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 184% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in income from government securities.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Our net income from financial instruments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.26,694 million, as compared to Ps.13,016 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 105% increase.

    The average position in government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was Ps.81,012 million, as compared to Ps.63,438 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 28% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of Ps.13,736 million in the average position in Peso-denominated government securities and of Ps.3,838 million in the average position in foreign currency-denominated government securities.

    The average position in Peso-denominated government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was Ps.68,918 million, as compared to Ps.55,182 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 25% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to higher balances of securities (LELIQS) issued by the Argentine Central Bank. The average position in foreign currency-denominated government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was Ps.12,094 million, as compared to Ps.8,256 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 46% increase.

    The average yield on government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was 29.05%, as compared to 16.70% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 1,235 bps increase. This increase was primarily attributable to a higher average yield with respect to Peso-denominated government securities.

    The average interest rate on Peso-denominated government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was 33.66%, as compared to 18.50% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.This increase, was primarily attributable to higher interest rates on securities (LELIQS) issued by the Argentine Central Bank. The average interest rate of foreign currency-denominated government securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was 2.75%, as compared to 4.68% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 193 bps decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to changes in the investment portfolio.

    These variations were mainly a result of net income from financial instruments related to Banco Galicia, which represents 92% of our total consolidated net result from financial instruments. Banco Galicia’s net income from financial instruments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 amounted Ps.24,594 million, as compared to



    Ps.10,346 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 138% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in income from government securities.

    Exchange Rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.8,691 million, as compared to Ps.5,810 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 50% or Ps.2,881 million increase. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in foreign currency brokerage at Banco Galicia for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 equal to Ps.12,644 million, as compared to Ps.9,214 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 37% increase.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.5,810 million, as compared to Ps.5,352 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 a 9% or Ps.458 million increase. This was primarily the result of an increase in foreign currency brokerage at Banco Galicia for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 equal to Ps.9,214 million, as compared to Ps.4,527 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 104% increase.

    Other Operating Income

    The following table sets forth the various components of other operating income.

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    2019/2018

     

     

    2018/2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Other financial income (1) (2)

     

     

    1,159

     

     

     

    259

     

     

     

    90

     

     

     

    347

     

     

     

    188

     

    Commission on Product Package (1)

     

     

    4,175

     

     

     

    4,201

     

     

     

    4,313

     

     

     

    (1

    )

     

     

    (3

    )

    Rental of safe deposit boxes (1)

     

     

    742

     

     

     

    794

     

     

     

    788

     

     

     

    (7

    )

     

     

    1

     

    Other fee income (1)

     

     

    2,454

     

     

     

    4,537

     

     

     

    6,390

     

     

     

    (46

    )

     

     

    (29

    )

    Other adjustments and interest on miscellaneous receivables

     

     

    2,285

     

     

     

    2,460

     

     

     

    702

     

     

     

    (7

    )

     

     

    250

     

    Other

     

     

    10,317

     

     

     

    3,808

     

     

     

    3,061

     

     

     

    171

     

     

     

    24

     

    Total other operating income

     

     

    21,132

     

     

     

    16,059

     

     

     

    15,344

    ��

     

     

    32

     

     

     

    5

     

    1) Item included for calculating the efficiency ratio.

    2)

    2) Item included for calculating the financial margin.

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Other operating income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.22,323 million, as compared to Ps.28,770 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 22% decrease. This decrease was mainly the result of a decrease in income from the sale of non-current assets held for sale for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, a 100% decrease.

    The decrease on the sale of non-current assets held for sale was due to Ps.9,676 million obtained from the sale of 51% of the stake in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A., which represented 34% of other operating income during the fiscal year 2019.

    Other operating income related to banking activity was equal to Ps.17,173 million, as compared to Ps.23,727 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 28% decrease, mainly attributable to the result of the sale of 51% of the stake on Prisma Medios de Pago S.A, during the fiscal year 2019.

    Other operating income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.3,475 million, as compared to Ps.4,922 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 29% decrease.

    Other operating income related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.505 million, as compared to Ps.539 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 6% decrease.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Other operating income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.28,770 million, as compared to Ps.21,863 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 32% increase. This increase was mainly the result of an increase in income from the sale of non-current assets held for sale for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, which was equal to Ps.9,676 million, as compared to Ps.1,027 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 842% increase. The increase in the sale of non-current assets held for sale was due to Ps.9,676 million obtained from the sale of 51% of the stake in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A., which represented 34% of other operating income.

    Other operating income related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.23,727 million, as compared to Ps.14,554 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 a 63% increase, mainly attributable to the result of the sale of 51% of the stake on Prisma Medios de Pago S.A.

    Other operating income related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.4,922 million, as compared to Ps.7,711 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 36% decrease.

    Other operating income related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.539 million, as compared to Ps.343 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 57% increase.

    x) Income from Insurance Activities

    The following table shows the results generated by insurance activities:

       For the Year Ended December 31,  Change (%) 
       2020  2019  2018  2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Premiums and Surcharges Accrued

       7,789   7,607   9,816   2   (23

    Claims Accrued

       (1,127  (1,053  (1,122  7   (6

    Surrenders

       (17  (18  (12  (6  50 

    Life and Ordinary Annuities

       (13  (16  (18  (19  (11

    Underwriting and Operating Expenses

       (1,065  (1,515  (2,691  (30  (44

    Other Income and Expenses

       (65  (4  36   1,525   (111
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Income from Insurance Activities

       5,502   5,001   6,009   10   (17
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Income from insurance activities (excluding administrative expenses and taxes, net of eliminations related to related-party transactions) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.5,502 million, as compared to Ps.5,001 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 10% increase. This increase was mainly due to lower underwriting and operating expenses, which for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.1,065 million, as compared to Ps.1,515 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 a 30% decrease.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Income from insurance activities (excluding administrative expenses and taxes, net of eliminations related to related-party transactions) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.5,001 million as compared to Ps.6,009 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 17% decrease. This decrease was mainly due to the decrease in the volume of earned premiums and surcharges as consequence of the decrease in the amount of policies providing by the products of CFA, resulting from the sale of its stake, a decrease which began in 2017.

    xi) Loan and Other Receivables Loss Provisions

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.34,680 million, as compared to Ps.30,228 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 15% increase. This increase was primarily related higher charges from banking activity, offset by lower charges from Ecosistema NaranjaX.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions related to banking activity were equal to Ps.29,972 million, as compared to Ps.22,229 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 35% increase. This result was due to an additional loss provision due to the COVID-19.

    Since March 2020, the BCRA implemented a series of measures to reduce the economic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, among which are the deferral of payments and suspension of the collection of punitive interest in the case of default in payments of loan installments credit cards loans are excluded. Thus, considering the adverse economic context that the country is going through, the borrower credit uncertainty and measures issued by the BCRA, Banco Galicia recognized an additional credit loss provision calculated using the statistical model of ECL on the deferred loan portfolio amounts, which shows the potential impairment due to the macroeconomic context, once the protective measures currently implemented are lifted for the BCRA. Banco Galicia measured the additional impact on the allowance from the estimation of the expected credit loss of loan portfolio which has deferred payments, based on new probabilities of default (PD) estimated depending on actual default (without deferrals) and the projected performance of the affected products, modifying the staging classification.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, were equal to Ps.4,725 million, as compared to Ps.8,089 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 42% decrease. This decrease was related to a decrease in non-accrual portfolio due to an improved performance of Naranja clients.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.30,228 million, as compared to Ps.34,136 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 11% decrease. This decrease was primarily related to lower charges for the evolution of used parameters for PD, EAD and LGD, partially offset by a charge generated for changes to model assumptions and methodologies, as compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.22,229 million, as compared to Ps.22,771 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 2% decrease. This decrease was due primarily to lower charges for the evolution of used parameters for PD, EAD and LGD related to retail portfolio, partially offset by a charge generated for changes to model assumptions and methodologies, as compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.8,089 million as compared to Ps.11,202 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 28% decrease. This decrease was related to lower charges for the change in the parameters used for PD, EAD and LGD, as compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    xii) Personnel Expenses

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Personnel expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.31,825 million, as compared to Ps.33,285 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a Ps.1,460 million decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a 5% decrease in the number of employees.

    Personnel expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.22,090 million, as compared to Ps.24,304 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 9% decrease, due to a decrease in the number of employees.

    Personnel expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.8,080 million as compared to Ps.7,544 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 7% increase. This increase was due to hiring more employees in Naranja X.

    Personnel expenses related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.1,218 million as compared to Ps.1,109 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 10% increase.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Personnel expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.33,285 million, as compared to Ps.35,658 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.2,373 million decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a 5% decrease in the number of employees.

    Personnel expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.24,304 million, as compared to Ps.24,155 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 1% increase.

    Personnel expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.7,544 million as compared to Ps.10,034 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 25% decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to the merger of Tarjeta Nevada with Naranja that started in 2018.

    Personnel expenses related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.1,109 million, as compared to Ps.1,204 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 8% decrease due to a decrease in the number of employees.

    xiii) Administrative Expenses

    The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated administrative expenses:

       For the Year Ended December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Fees and Compensation for Services

       2,723    3,980    2,548    (32  56 

    Directors’ and Syndics’ Fees

       473    222    365    113   (39

    Advertising and Publicity

       1,743    2,960    2,676    (41  11 

    Taxes

       7,362    7,052    7,056    4   —   

    Maintenance and Repairs

       5,296    4,911    2,965    8   66 

    Electricity and Communication

       2,371    2,484    2,013    (5  23 

    Entertainment and Transportation Expenses

       58    172    214    (66  (20

    Stationery and Office Supplies

       419    514    441    (18  17 

    Rentals(1)

       309    136    1,731    127   (92

    Administrative Services Hired

       4,231    3,370    2,710    26   24 

    Security

       1,162    1,332    1,170    (13  14 

    Insurance

       251    180    952    39   (81

    Armored Transportation Services

       1,559    2,803   ��2,368    (44  18 

    Others

       3,415    2,989    6,465    14   (54
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Administrative Expenses

       31,372    33,105    33,674    (5  (2
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

     

    1)

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Other operating income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.21,132 million, as compared to Ps.16,059 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 32% increase. This increase was mainly the result of an increase in income from other item for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, which was equal to Ps.10,317 million, as compared to Ps.3,808 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 171% increase. The increase in other item includes Ps.6,750 million obtained from the sale of 51% of the stake in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A., which represented 32% of other operating income.  

    Other operating income related to banking activity was equal to Ps.17,428 million, as compared to Ps.10,690 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 63% increase, mainly attributable to the result of the sale of 51% of the stake on Prisma Medios de Pago S.A.

    Other operating income related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.3,615 million, as compared to Ps.5,664 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 36% decrease. 



    Other operating income related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.396 million, as compared to Ps.252 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 57% increase.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Other operating income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.16,059 million, as compared to Ps.15,344 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 5% increase. This was mainly the result of an increase in income from adjustments and interest on miscellaneous receivables for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 which was equal to Ps.2,460 million, as compared to Ps.702 million for the fiscal year ended. December 31, 2017, a 250% increase.

    Other operating income related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.10,690 million, as compared to Ps.7,818 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 a 37% increase.

    Other operating income related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.5,664 million, as compared to Ps.5,429 million for the fiscal year endedDecember 31, 2017, a 4% increase.

    Other operating income related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.252 million, as compared to Ps.112 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 125% increase.

    Income from Insurance Activities

    The following table shows the results generated by insurance activities:

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     



    2019

    2018

    2017

    2019/2018

    2018/2017

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Premiums and Surcharges Accrued(1)

     

     

    5,588

     

     

     

    7,210

     

     

     

    8,093

     

     

     

    (22

    )

     

     

    (11

    )

    Claims Accrued

     

     

    (773

    )

     

     

    (824

    )

     

     

    (931

    )

     

     

    (6

    )

     

     

    (11

    )

    Surrenders

     

     

    (14

    )

     

     

    (9

    )

     

     

    (12

    )

     

     

    56

     

     

     

    (25

    )

    Life and Ordinary Annuities

     

     

    (12

    )

     

     

    (13

    )

     

     

    (14

    )

     

     

    (8

    )

     

     

    (7

    )

    Underwriting and Operating Expenses

     

     

    (1,113

    )

     

     

    (1,977

    )

     

     

    (1,999

    )

     

     

    (44

    )

     

     

    (1

    )

    Other Income and Expenses

     

     

    (3

    )

     

     

    27

     

     

     

    (38

    )

     

     

    (111

    )

     

     

    (171

    )

    Total Income from Insurance Activities

     

     

    3,673

     

     

     

    4,414

     

     

     

    5,099

     

     

     

    (17

    )

     

     

    (13

    )

    1) Item included for calculating the efficiency ratio and financial margin.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Income from insurance activities (excluding administrative expenses and taxes, net of eliminations related to related-party transactions) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.3,673 million, as compared to Ps.4,414 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 17% decrease. This decrease was mainly due to the decrease in the volume of earned premiums and surcharges as consequence of the decrease in the amount of policies providing by the products of CFA, resulting from the sale of its stake, a decrease which began in 2017.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Income from insurance activities (excluding administrative expenses and taxes, net of eliminations related to related-party transactions) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.4,414 million, as compared to Ps.5,099 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 13% decrease. This was mainly due to the decrease in the volume of earned premiums and surcharges but was partially offset by a decrease in the number of insurance claims filed. The decrease in premiums and surcharges was due to the decrease in the amount of policies providing by the products of CFA, resulting from the sale of its stake.

    Loan and Other Receivables Loss Provisions





    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.22,203 million, as compared to Ps.25,074 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 11% decrease. This decrease was primarily related to lower charges for the evolution of used parameters for PD, EAD and LGD, partially offset by a charge generated for changes to model assumptions and methodologies, as compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions related to banking activity were equal to Ps.16,328 million, as compared to Ps.16,726 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 2% decrease. This decrease was due primarily to lower charges for the evolution of used parameters for PD, EAD and LGD related to retail portfolio, partially offset by a charge generated for changes to model assumptions and methodologies, as compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, were equal to Ps.5,941 million, as compared to Ps.8,228 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 28% decrease. This decrease was related to lower charges for the change in the parameters used for PD, EAD and LGD, as compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.25,074 million, as compared to Ps.11,220 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 123% increase. This increase wasprimarily attributable to (i) an increase in the cost of financial instruments (mainly loans) in arrears, as consequence of the evolution of used parameters for PD, EAD and LGD and (ii) an increase in charges, due to new credit portfolio originated during the year.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.16,726 million, as compared to Ps.6,162 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, an 171% increase. This was related to (i) an increase in the cost related to retail loans in default, as consequence of the evolution of used parameters for PD, EAD and LGD and (ii) an increase in charges associated with the new credit portfolio originated during the year, primarily in retail portfolio.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.8,228 million, as compared to Ps.5,035 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 63% increase. This increase was related to (i) an increase in the cost related to loans in default, as consequence of the evolution of used parameters for PD, EAD and LGD and (ii) an increase in charges associated with the new credit portfolio originated during the year.

    Personnel Expenses

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Personnel expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.24,449 million, as compared to Ps.26,192 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.1,743 million decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a 5% decrease in the number of employees.

    Personnel expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.17,852 million, as compared to Ps.17,742 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 1% increase.

    Personnel expenses related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.5,541 million, as compared to Ps.7,371 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 25% decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to the merger of Tarjeta Naranja and Tarjeta Nevada that started in 2018.

    Personnel expenses related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.815 million, as compared to Ps.884 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 8% decrease.




    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Personnel expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.26,192 million, as compared to Ps.26,288 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a Ps.96 million decrease. This lower decrease was primarily attributable to an agreement with labor unions to index employee salaries for inflation with the objective of maintaining wages in line with inflation.

    Personnel expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.17,742 million, as compared to Ps.17,469 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 2% increase.

    Personnel expenses related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.7,371 million, as compared to Ps.7,708 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 4% decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to the merger of Tarjeta Nevada with Tarjeta Naranja.

    Personnel expenses related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.884 million, as compared to Ps.848 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 4% increase.

    Administrative Expenses

    The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated administrative expenses:

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    2019/2018

     

     

    2018/2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Fees and Compensation for Services

     

     

    2,924

     

     

     

    1,871

     

     

     

    798

     

     

     

    56

     

     

     

    134

     

    Directors’ and Syndics' Fees

     

     

    163

     

     

     

    268

     

     

     

    207

     

     

     

    (39

    )

     

     

    29

     

    Advertising and Publicity

     

     

    2,174

     

     

     

    1,966

     

     

     

    1,904

     

     

     

    11

     

     

     

    3

     

    Taxes

     

     

    5,179

     

     

     

    5,183

     

     

     

    5,419

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (4

    )

    Maintenance and Repairs

     

     

    3,607

     

     

     

    2,178

     

     

     

    1,594

     

     

     

    66

     

     

     

    37

     

    Electricity and Communication

     

     

    1,825

     

     

     

    1,479

     

     

     

    1,415

     

     

     

    23

     

     

     

    5

     

    Entertainment and Transportation Expenses

     

     

    127

     

     

     

    157

     

     

     

    201

     

     

     

    (19

    )

     

     

    (22

    )

    Stationery and Office Supplies

     

     

    378

     

     

     

    324

     

     

     

    310

     

     

     

    17

     

     

     

    5

     

    Rentals(1)

     

     

    100

     

     

     

    1,271

     

     

     

    1,136

     

     

     

    (92

    )

     

     

    12

     

    Administrative Services Hired

     

     

    2,475

     

     

     

    1,991

     

     

     

    1,979

     

     

     

    24

     

     

     

    1

     

    Security

     

     

    979

     

     

     

    859

     

     

     

    961

     

     

     

    14

     

     

     

    (11

    )

    Insurance

     

     

    132

     

     

     

    699

     

     

     

    701

     

     

     

    (81

    )

     

     

     

    Others

     

     

    4,254

     

     

     

    6,489

     

     

     

    5,563

     

     

     

    (34

    )

     

     

    17

     

    Total Administrative Expenses

     

     

    24,317

     

     

     

    24,735

     

     

     

    22,188

     

     

     

    (2

    )

     

     

    11

     

    1) As of fiscal year, 2019, due to the application of IFRS 16, rentals are recognized as a right-of-use asset and a financial liability, consequently the results are exposed in depreciation and impairment of assets and other operating expenses, respectively. The amounts for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 correspond to low value rentals and short term rental (an exception from IFRS 16).

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.31,372 million as compared to Ps.33,105 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 5% decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a (i) Ps.1,257 million decrease in fees and compensation for services, (ii) Ps.1,244 million decrease in armored transportation services and (iii) Ps.1,217 million decrease in advertising and publicity.

    Fees and compensation for services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.2,723 million, as compared to Ps.3,980 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 32% decrease. This decrease was due to the hiring of consultants for digital transformation projects during 2019.

    Armored transportation services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.1,559 million, as compared to Ps.2,803 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 44% decrease. Such decrease was due to the fact that in 2019 there were additional expenses related to the transportation of banknotes abroad.

    Advertising and publicity expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.1,743 million, as compared to Ps.2,960 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 41% decrease. This decrease was as a consequence of fewer advertising campaigns during 2020 due to the COVID-19 context.

    Administrative expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.21,429 million, as compared to Ps.23,885 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 10% decrease.

    Administrative expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.8,679 million, as compared to Ps.8,248 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 5% increase.

    Administrative expenses related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.657 million, as compared to Ps.712 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, an 8% decrease.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.33,105 million, as compared to Ps.33,674 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 2% decrease. This decrease was attributable to (i) Ps.3,476 million decrease in other administrative expenses, primarily attributable to a drop in Ecosistema NaranjaX’ s fund transfers and (ii) Ps.1,595 million decrease in rentals, as consequence of the application of IFRS 16. This decrease was partially offset by (i) Ps.1,946 million increase in maintenance and repairs and (ii) Ps.1,432 million increase in fees and compensation for services.

    Maintenance and repairs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.4,911 million as compared to Ps.2,965 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 66% increase. This increase was as consequence of higher expenses related to the maintenance of systems related to Banco Galicia.

    Fees and compensation for services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.3,980 million, as compared to Ps.2,548 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 56% increase. This increase was due to the hiring of consultants for digital transformation projects.

    Administrative expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.23,885 million, as compared to Ps.21,901 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 9% increase.

    Administrative expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.8,248 million, as compared to Ps.10,378 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 21% decrease.

    Administrative expenses related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.712 million, as compared to Ps.856 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 17% decrease.

    xiv) Other Operating Expenses

       For the Year Ended December 31,   Change (%) 
       2020   2019   2018   2020/2019  2019/2018 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Turnover tax

       15,663    17,814    18,110    (12  (2

    On operating income (1) (2)

       9,969    12,090    9,810    (18  23 

    On fees (1)

       5,217    4,961    7,798    5   (36

    On other items

       477    763    502    (37  52 

    Contributions to the Guarantee Fund (1) (2)

       1,059    1,175    1,070    (10  10 

    Charges for Other Provisions

       2,869    2,315    2,212    24   5 

    Claims

       375    458    650    (18  (30

    Other Financial Expenses (1) (2)

       286    2,499    1,145    (89  118 

    Interest on leases

       399    511    —      (22  —   

    Credit-card-relates expenses(1)

       4,487    6,046    6,161    (26  (2

    Other Expenses from Services(1)

       3,921    2,979    4,456    32   (33

    Others

       1,705    1,286    1,587    33   (19
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total other operating expenses

       30,764    35,083    35,391    (12  (1
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

     

    (1)

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.24,317 million, as compared to Ps.24,735 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 2% decrease. This decrease was attributable to (i) Ps.2,235 million decrease in other administrative expenses, due to Ps.2,059 million related to armored transportation services; and (ii) Ps.1,171 million decrease in rentals, as consequence of the application of IFRS 16. This decrease was offset by (i) Ps.1,429 million increase in maintenance; and repairs and (ii) Ps.1,053 million increase in fees and compensation for services.

    Fees and compensation for services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.2,924 million, as compared to Ps.1,871 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 56% increase. This increase was due to the hiring of consultants for Digital Transformation projects.




    Maintenance and repairs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.3,607 million, as compared to Ps.2,178 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 66% increase. This increase was as consequence of higher expenses related to maintenance of systems related to Banco Galicia.

    Administrative expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.17,545 million, as compared to Ps.16,087 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 9% increase.

    Administrative expenses related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.6,060 million, as compared to Ps.7,623 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 21% decrease.

    Administrative expenses related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.523 million, as compared to Ps.629 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 17% decrease.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.24,735 million, as compared to Ps.22,188 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, an 11% increase.

    Fees and compensation for services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.1,871 million, as compared to Ps.798 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 134% increase. Our remaining administrative expenses remained stable year-over-year.

    Administrative expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.16,087 million, as compared to Ps.14,287 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 13% increase.

    Administrative expenses related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.7,623 million, as compared to Ps.6,948 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 10% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in costs related to different services rendered.

    Administrative expenses related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.629 million, as compared to Ps.692 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 9% decrease.

    Other Operating Expenses

     

     

    For the Year Ended December 31,

     

     

    Change (%)

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

    2019/2018

     

     

    2018/2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Contributions to the Deposit Insurance Scheme (1) (2)

     

     

    863

     

     

     

    786

     

     

     

    675

     

     

     

    10

     

     

     

    16

     

    Other financial expenses (1) (2)

     

     

    1,835

     

     

     

    840

     

     

     

    492

     

     

     

    118

     

     

     

    71

     

    Turnover tax (1)

     

     

    13,085

     

     

     

    13,303

     

     

     

    10,732

     

     

     

    (2

    )

     

     

    24

     

    On financial services (2)

     

     

    8,881

     

     

     

    7,206

     

     

     

    6,179

     

     

     

    23

     

     

     

    17

     

    On fees

     

     

    3,644

     

     

     

    5,729

     

     

     

    4,310

     

     

     

    (36

    )

     

     

    33

     

    On other items

     

     

    560

     

     

     

    368

     

     

     

    243

     

     

     

    52

     

     

     

    51

     

    Credit-card-relates expenses (2)

     

     

    4,441

     

     

     

    4,526

     

     

     

    4,029

     

     

     

    (2

    )

     

     

    12

     

    Other expenses from services (2)

     

     

    2,188

     

     

     

    3,273

     

     

     

    3,350

     

     

     

    (33

    )

     

     

    (2

    )

    Charges for other provisions

     

     

    1,701

     

     

     

    1,625

     

     

     

    555

     

     

     

    5

     

     

     

    193

     

    Interest on leases

     

     

    376

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Claims

     

     

    336

     

     

     

    478

     

     

     

    306

     

     

     

    (30

    )

     

     

    56

     

    Other

     

     

    945

     

     

     

    1,165

     

     

     

    2,329

     

     

     

    (19

    )

     

     

    (50

    )

    Total other operating expenses

     

     

    25,770

     

     

     

    25,996

     

     

     

    22,468

     

     

     

    (1

    )

     

     

    16

     

    (1) Item included for calculating the efficiency ratio.

    (2)

    (2) Item included for calculating the financial margin.



    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Other operating expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.30,764 million, as compared to Ps.35,083 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 12% decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a 12% decrease in turnover tax on fees and an 89% decrease in other financial expenses, offset by a 24% increase in charges for other provisions.

    Turnover tax for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.15,663 million as compared to Ps.17,814 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 a 12% decrease.

    Other financial expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.286 million as compared to Ps.2,499 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 an 89% decrease.

    Other provisions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.2,869 million as compared to Ps.2,315 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 a 24% increase.

    Other operating expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.23,844 million, as compared to Ps.28,555 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 16% decrease.

    Other operating expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were equal to Ps.6,671 million, as compared to Ps.6,378 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 5% increase.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Other operating expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.35,083 million, as compared to Ps.35,391 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 1% decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a 33% decrease in other expenses from services, offset by a 23% increase in turnover tax related to financial services and a 118% increase in other financial expenses.

    Other expenses from services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.2,979 million as compared to Ps.4,456 million for the fiscal year ended, December 31, 2018 a 33% decrease.

    Other operating expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.28,555 million, as compared to Ps.26,853 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 6% increase.


    Other operating expenses related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.6,378 million, as compared to Ps.8,387 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a Ps.2,009 million or 24% decrease.

    xv) Loss on Net Monetary Position

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Loss on net monetary position for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.36,963 million as compared to Ps.41,929 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 12% decrease.

    Loss on net monetary position related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.30,368 million as compared to Ps.33,702 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, a 10% decrease.

    Loss on net monetary position related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.4,919 million as compared to Ps.6,306 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 22% decrease.

    Loss on net monetary position related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.815 million as compared to Ps.1,036 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 21% decrease.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Loss on net monetary position for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.41,929 million as compared to Ps.37,831 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 11% increase.

    Loss on net monetary position related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.33,702 million as compared to Ps.27,238 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 a 24% increase.

    Loss on net monetary position related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.6,306 million as compared to Ps.8,052 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 22% decrease.

    Loss on net monetary position related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.1,036 million as compared to Ps.1,174 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 12% decrease.

    xvi) Income Tax from Continuing Operations

    Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

    Income tax from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.17,845 million as compared to Ps.17,751 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019; a 1% increase.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.14,277 million as compared to Ps.16,724 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 15% decrease.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.2,245 million as compared to Ps.523 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 329% increase.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 was equal to Ps.513 million as compared to Ps.467 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 , a 10% increase.

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Income tax from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.17,751 million, as compared to Ps.14,477 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 23% increase.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.16,724 million as compared to Ps.10,492 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 59% increase.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to Ecosistema NaranjaX for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.523 million as compared to Ps.2,693 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 81% decrease.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.467 million as compared to Ps.649 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 28% decrease.

    A.3 Consolidated Assets

    The main components of our consolidated assets as of the dates indicated below were as follows:

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       Amounts   %   Amounts   %   Amounts   % 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Cash and due from banks

       175,423    17    177,866    19    300,131    25 

    Debt Securities

       155,420    15    89,431    10    159,030    13 

    Loans and other financing

       526,434    50    488,144    52    592,075    50 

    Other Financial Assets

       96,325    9    84,870    9    57,228    5 

    Equity investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint businesses

       89    —      —      —      —      —   

    Property, Plant and Equipment

       43,731    4    44,877    5    40,551    3 

    Intangible Assets

       14,469    1    11,834    1    9,607    1 

    Other Assets

       43,359    4    36,195    4    33,201    3 

    Assets available for sale

       29    —      53    —      1,273    —   
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Assets

       1,055,279    100    933,270    100    1,193,096    100 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Of our Ps.1,055,279 million total assets as of December 31, 2020, Ps.946,019 million, or 89.6%, corresponded to Banco Galicia and Ps.103,071 million, or 9.8% corresponded to Ecosistema NaranjaX (Tarjetas Regionales on a consolidated basis). The remaining was primarily attributable to Sudamericana on a consolidated basis. The composition of our assets demonstrates an increase in the amounts of main line items.

    The item “Cash and Due from Banks” included cash for Ps.175,423 million, balances held at the BCRA for Ps.102,598 million and balances held in correspondent banks for Ps.108,491 million. The balance held at the BCRA is used for meeting the minimum cash requirements set by the BCRA.

    Our holdings of debt securities as of December 31, 2020 was Ps.155,420 million. Our holdings of government and private securities are shown in more detail in Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B. “Operating Overview” — “Selected Statistical Information”— “Debt and Equity Securities”.

    Our total net loans and other financing were Ps.526,434 million as of December 31, 2020, of which Ps.439,306 million corresponded to Banco Galicia’s portfolio and Ps.88,546 corresponded to Ecosistema NaranjaX’ portfolios, the remaining amount to secured loans held by Sudamericana. For more information on loan and other financing activities portfolios, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B. “Operating Overview” — “Selected Statistical Information”— “Loan and Other Financing Portfolio”.

    A.4 Exposure to the Argentine Public Sector

    The following table shows our total net exposure, primarily related to Banco Galicia, to the Argentine public sector as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018.

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Government securities net position

       182,088    128,296    197,244 

    Leliq

       128,325    79,153    146,805 

    Botes

       3,580    14,744    18,798 

    Other

       50,183    34,399    31,641 

    Other Financing Assets

       61,039    41,027    140 

    Repurchase agreement transactions - BCRA

       60,996    40,944    21 

    Loans and Others Financing

       13    39    27 

    Certificate of Participation in Trusts

       30    44    92 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total (1)

       243,127    169,323    197,384 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

    (1)

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Other operating expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.25,770 million, as compared to Ps.25,996 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, an 1% decrease. This decrease was primarily attributable to a 36% decrease in over tax on fees and a 33% decrease in other expenses from services, offset by a 23% increase in over tax related to financial services and a 118% increase in other financial expenses.

    Other operating expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.20,975 million, as compared to Ps.19,725 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 6% increase.

    Other operating expenses related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were equal to Ps.4,685 million, as compared to Ps.6,160 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 24% decrease.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Other operating expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.25,996 million, as compared to Ps.22,468 million of the fiscal year endedDecember 31, 2017, a 16% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to a 24% increase in turnover tax.

    Other operating expenses related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.19,725 million, as compared to Ps.16,163 million of the fiscal year endedDecember 31, 2017, a 22% increase.

    Other operating expenses related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were equal to Ps.6,160 million, as compared to Ps.6,183 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a Ps.23 million decrease.

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Loss on net monetary position for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.30,798 million, as compared to Ps.27,788 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 11% increase.

    Loss on net monetary position related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.24,754 million, as compared to Ps.20,007 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, a 24% increase.

    Loss on net monetary position related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.4,631 million, as compared to Ps.5,914 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 22% decrease.

    Loss on net monetary position related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.761 million, as compared to Ps.862 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 12% decrease.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Loss on net monetary position for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.27,788 million, as compared to Ps.10,496 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 165% increase.




    Loss on net monetary position related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.20,007 million, as compared to Ps.4,757 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 a 321% increase.

    Loss on net monetary position related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.5,914 million, as compared to Ps.3,248 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 82% increase.

    Loss on net monetary position related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.862 million, as compared to Ps.530 million of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 63% increase.

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

    Fiscal Year 2019 compared to Fiscal Year 2018

    Income tax from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.13,038 million, as compared to Ps.10,634 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 23% increase.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.12,284 million, as compared to Ps.7,706 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 59% increase.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.385 million, as compared to Ps.1,978 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 81% decrease.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was equal to Ps.343 million, as compared to Ps.477 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, a 28% decrease.

    Fiscal Year 2018 compared to Fiscal Year 2017

    Income tax from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.10,634 million, as compared to Ps.11,259 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 6% decrease.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to banking activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.7,706 million, as compared to Ps.5,663 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 36% increase.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to Tarjetas Regionales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.1,978 million, as compared to Ps.4,268 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 54% decrease.

    Income tax from continuing operations related to insurance activity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was equal to Ps.477 million, as compared to Ps.631 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, a 24% decrease.

    Consolidated Assets




    The main components of our consolidated assets as of the dates indicated below were as follows:

     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    Amounts

     

     

    %

     

     

    Amounts

     

     

    %

     

     

    Amounts

     

     

    %

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Cash and due from banks

     

     

    130,649

     

     

     

    19

     

     

     

    220,456

     

     

     

    25

     

     

     

    133,903

     

     

     

    18

     

    Debt Securities

     

     

    65,690

     

     

     

    10

     

     

     

    116,813

     

     

     

    13

     

     

     

    65,760

     

     

     

    9

     

    Loans and other financing

     

     

    358,559

     

     

     

    52

     

     

     

    434,900

     

     

     

    50

     

     

     

    437,430

     

     

     

    58

     

    Other Financial Assets

     

     

    78,444

     

     

     

    11

     

     

     

    58,925

     

     

     

    7

     

     

     

    60,060

     

     

     

    8

     

    Property, Plant and Equipment

     

     

    32,964

     

     

     

    5

     

     

     

    29,786

     

     

     

    3

     

     

     

    28,011

     

     

     

    4

     

    Intangible Assets

     

     

    8,693

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    7,057

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    2,654

     

     

     

     

    Other Assets

     

     

    10,481

     

     

     

    2

     

     

     

    7,499

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    8,702

     

     

     

    1

     

    Assets available for sale

     

     

    39

     

     

     

     

     

     

    935

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

    16,707

     

     

     

    2

     

    Total Assets

     

     

    685,519

     

     

     

    100

     

     

     

    876,371

     

     

     

    100

     

     

     

    753,227

     

     

     

    100

     

    Of our Ps.685,409 million total assets as of December 31, 2019, Ps.616,356 million, or 90%, corresponded to Banco Galicia and Ps.66,117 million, or 9,6% corresponded to Tarjetas Regionales on a consolidated basis. The remaining was primarily attributable to Sudamericana on a consolidated basis. The composition of our assets demonstrates a decrease in the amounts of main line items.

    The item “Cash and Due from Banks” included cash for Ps.130,649 million, balances held at the Argentine Central Bank for Ps.75,542 million and balances held in correspondent banks for Ps.2,379 million. The balance held at the Argentine Central Bank is used for meeting the minimum cash requirements set by the Argentine Central Bank.

    Our holdings of debt securities as of December 31, 2019 was Ps.65,690 million. Our holdings of government and private securities are shown in more detail in Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B.Operating Overview”─ “Selected Statistical Information” “Debt and Equity Securities”.

    Our total net loans and other financing were Ps.358,559 million as of December 31, 2019, of which Ps.309,329 million corresponded to Banco Galicia’ portfolio and Ps.48,427 corresponded to Tarjetas Regionales’ portfolios, the remaining amount to secured loans held by Sudamericana. For more information on loan and other financing activities portfolios, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B.Operating Overview”─ “Selected Statistical Information” “Loan and Other Financing Portfolio”.

    Exposure to the Argentine Public Sector

    The following table shows our total net exposure, primarily related to Banco Galicia, to the Argentine public sector as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and 2017.

     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos)

     

    Government securities net position

     

     

    83,407

     

     

     

    130,725

     

     

     

    66,069

     

    Lebacs

     

     

     

     

     

    83

     

     

     

    41,448

     

    Leliq

     

     

    58,141

     

     

     

    107,924

     

     

     

     

    Botes

     

     

    10,830

     

     

     

    13,842

     

     

     

     

    Other

     

     

    14,436

     

     

     

    8,876

     

     

     

    24,621

     

    Other Financing Assets

     

     

    30,057

     

     

     

    3,168

     

     

     

    103

     

    Repurchase agreement transactions - BCRA

     

     

    29,996

     

     

     

    3,080

     

     

     

     

    Loans and Others Financing

     

     

    29

     

     

     

    20

     

     

     

    19

     

    Certificate of Participation in Trusts

     

     

    32

     

     

     

    68

     

     

     

    84

     

    Total (1)

     

     

    113,464

     

     

     

    133,893

     

     

     

    66,172

     

    (1) Does not include deposits with the Argentine Central Bank,BCRA, which constitute one of the items by which Banco Galicia complies with the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s minimum cash requirements.



    As of December 31, 2020, the exposure to the public sector amounted to Ps.243,127 million, an increase of 44% as compared to Ps.169,323 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the debt securities issued by the BCRA, the Bank’s exposure amounted to Ps.53,806 million equal to 5% of total assets.

    A.5 Funding

    Banco Galicia’s and Ecosistema NaranjaX’ lending activities are our main asset-generating businesses. Accordingly, most of our borrowing and liquidity needs are associated with these activities. We also have liquidity needs at the level of our holding company, which are discussed in Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”—B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources”—“Liquidity-Holding Company on an Individual Basis”. Our objective is to maintain cost-effective and well diversified funding to support current and future asset growth in our businesses. For this, we rely on diverse sources of funding. The use and availability of funding sources depends on market conditions, both local and foreign, and prevailing interest rates. Market conditions in Argentina include a structurally limited availability of domestic long-term funding.


    Our funding activities and liquidity planning are integrated into our asset and liability management and our financial risks management and policies. The liquidity policy of Grupo Financiero Galicia is described in Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”—B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources”—“Liquidity Management” and our other financial risk policies, including interest rate, currency and market risks are described in Item 11. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”. Our funding sources are discussed below.

    Traditionally, our primary source of funding has been Banco Galicia’s deposit taking activity. Although Banco Galicia has access to BCRA financing, management does not view this as a primary source of funding in line with our overall strategies discussed herein. Other important sources of funding have traditionally included issuing foreign currency-denominated medium and long-term debt securities issued in foreign capital markets and borrowing from international banks and multilateral credit agencies. Banco Galicia entered into a master loan agreement with the International Finance Corporation (“IFC”) in 2016, for US$130 million, divided into two parts, one of them with the purpose of funding long-term loans to SMEs and the other part with the purpose of funding renewable energy project and efficiency energy power project. Additionally, Banco Galicia entered into master bond agreements with the IFC for US$100 million in order to expand its loan program for environmental efficiency projects.

    Selling government securities under repurchase agreement transactions has been a recurrent source of funding for Banco Galicia. Although not presently a key source of funding, repurchase agreement transactions are part of the liquidity policy of the Bank. Within its liquidity policy, Banco Galicia considers its unencumbered liquid government securities holdings as part of its available excess liquidity. See Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” —B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources”—“Liquidity Management”.

    Ecosistema NaranjaX fund their business through the issuance of debt securities in the local and international capital markets, borrowing from local financial institutions and debt with merchants generated in the ordinary course of business of any credit card issuing company. In 2020, Naranja issued debt securities in an amount equal to Ps.6,632 million (approximately US$78 million).

    Below is a breakdown of our funding as of the dates indicated:

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       Amounts   %   Amounts   %   Amounts   % 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Deposits

       676,396    64    536,034    57    754,146    63 

    Checking Accounts

       105,028    10    91,985    10    83,467    7 

    Savings Accounts

       316,983    30    241,460    26    416,535    35 

    Time Deposits

       239,847    23    191,050    20    237,217    20 

    Time Deposits - UVA

       5,565    1    1,021    —      4,156    —   

    Others

       3,003    —      3,587    —      4,327    2 

    Interests And Adjustments

       5,970    1    6,931    1    8,444    1 

    Credit Lines

       13,833    1    30,936    3    40,725    3 

    Argentine Central Bank

       21    —      31    —      60    —   

    Correspondents

       1,927    —      509    —      3,316    —   

    Financing from Local Financial Institutions

       7,036    1    7,621    1    11,978    1 

    Financing from Foreign Financial Institutions

       —      —      14,254    2    15,653    1 

    Financing from International Financial Institutions

       4,849    —      8,521    1    9,718    1 

    Debt Securities (Unsubordinated and Subordinated) (1)

       38,728    4    60,910    7    83,251    7 

    Other obligations (2)

       143,988    14    146,330    16    185,447    17 

    Shareholders’ Equity

       182,334    17    159,060    17    129,527    10 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       1,055,279    100    933,270    100    1,193,096    100 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

    (1)

    As of December 31, 2019, the exposure to the public sector amounted to Ps.113,464 million, a decrease of 15% as compared to Ps.133,893 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the debt securities issued by the Argentine Central Bank, the Bank’s exposure amounted to Ps.55,323 million equal to 8% of total assets.

    Funding

    Banco Galicia’s and Tarjetas Regionales’ lending activities are our main asset-generating businesses. Accordingly, most of our borrowing and liquidity needs are associated with these activities. We also have liquidity needs at the level of our holding company, which are discussed in Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources”—“Liquidity-Holding Company on an Individual Basis”. Our objective is to maintain cost-effective and well diversified funding to support current and future asset growth in our businesses. For this, we rely on diverse sources of funding. The use and availability of funding sources depends on market conditions, both local and foreign, and prevailing interest rates. Market conditions in Argentina include a structurally limited availability of domestic long-term funding.

    Our funding activities and liquidity planning are integrated into our asset and liability management and our financial risks management and policies. The liquidity policy of Grupo Financiero Galicia is described in Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources”“Liquidity Management” and our other financial risk policies, including interest rate, currency and market risks are described in Item 11. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”. Our funding sources are discussed below.

    Traditionally, our primary source of funding has been Banco Galicia’s deposit taking activity. Although Banco Galicia has access to Argentine Central Bank financing, management does not view this as a primary source of funding in line with our overall strategies discussed herein. Other important sources of funding have traditionally included issuing foreign currency-denominated medium and long-term debt securities issued in foreign capital markets and borrowing from international banks and multilateral credit agencies. Banco Galicia entered into a master loan agreement with the IFC in 2016, for US$130 million, divided into two parts, one of them with the purpose of funding long-term loans to SMEs and the other part with the purpose of funding renewable energy project and efficiency energy power project. Additionally, Banco Galicia entered into master bond agreements with the IFC for US$100 million in order to expand its loan program for environmental efficiency projects.

    Selling government securities under repurchase agreement transactions has been a recurrent source of funding for Banco Galicia. Although not presently a key source of funding, repurchase agreement transactions are part of the liquidity policy of the Bank. Within its liquidity policy, Banco Galicia considers its unencumbered liquid government securities holdings as part of its available excess liquidity. See Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources”—“Liquidity Management”.

    Tarjetas Regionales fund their business through the issuance of notes in the local and international capital markets, borrowing from local financial institutions and debt with merchants generated in the ordinary course of business of any credit card issuing company. In 2019, Tarjetas Regionales issued notes in an amount equal to Ps.1,584 million (approximately US$40.3 million).




    Below is a breakdown of our funding as of the dates indicated:

     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    Amounts

     

     

    %

     

     

    Amounts

     

     

    %

     

     

    Amounts

     

     

    %

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Deposits

     

     

    393,735

     

     

     

    57

     

     

     

    553,946

     

     

     

    63

     

     

     

    455,909

     

     

     

    61

     

    Checking Accounts

     

     

    67,566

     

     

     

    10

     

     

     

    61,309

     

     

     

    7

     

     

     

    75,223

     

     

     

    10

     

    Savings Accounts

     

     

    177,360

     

     

     

    26

     

     

     

    305,959

     

     

     

    35

     

     

     

    228,057

     

     

     

    30

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    140,333

     

     

     

    20

     

     

     

    174,244

     

     

     

    20

     

     

     

    145,067

     

     

     

    19

     

    Time Deposits - UVA

     

     

    750

     

     

     

     

     

     

    3,053

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1,368

     

     

     

     

    Others

     

     

    2,635

     

     

     

     

     

     

    3,179

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2,916

     

     

     

    2

     

    Interests and Adjustments

     

     

    5,091

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    6,202

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    3,278

     

     

     

     

    Credit Lines

     

     

    22,724

     

     

     

    3

     

     

     

    29,914

     

     

     

    3

     

     

     

    17,873

     

     

     

    2

     

    Argentine Central Bank

     

     

    23

     

     

     

     

     

     

    44

     

     

     

     

     

     

    35

     

     

     

     

    Domestic Financial Institutions

     

     

    5,972

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    11,234

     

     

     

    1

     

     

     

    6,411

     

     

     

    1

     

    International Banks and Credit Agencies

     

     

    16,729

     

     

     

    2

     

     

     

    18,636

     

     

     

    2

     

     

     

    11,427

     

     

     

    2

     

    Debt Securities (Unsubordinated and Subordinated) (1)

     

     

    44,740

     

     

     

    7

     

     

     

    61,151

     

     

     

    7

     

     

     

    42,162

     

     

     

    6

     

    Other obligations (2)

     

     

    107,485

     

     

     

    16

     

     

     

    136,218

     

     

     

    16

     

     

     

    133,479

     

     

     

    19

     

    Shareholders’ Equity

     

     

    116,835

     

     

     

    17

     

     

     

    95,142

     

     

     

    11

     

     

     

    103,804

     

     

     

    14

     

    Total

     

     

    685,519

     

     

     

    160

     

     

     

    876,371

     

     

     

    100

     

     

     

    753,227

     

     

     

    100

     

    (1) Each item includes principal, interest accrued, exchange rate differences and premiums payable, as well as UVA adjustment, where applicable.

    (2)

    (2) It includes debts with stores due to credit card transactions, collections on account of third parties in Pesos and foreign currency, miscellaneous obligations and allowances, among others.

    The main sources of funds are deposits from the private sector, lines of credit extended by local banks and entities, international banks and multilateral credit agencies, repurchase transactions mainly related to government securities, mid- and long-term debt securities placed in the local and international capital market and debts with stores due to credit card transactions.

    As of December 31, 2020, deposits represented 64% of our funding, increase from 57% compared to December 31, 2019. Our deposit base increased 26% in 2020 as compared to 2019. During fiscal year 2020, the Ps.140,362 million increase in deposits was due to an increase in transactional deposits (deposits in savings accounts and time deposits, with increases of 31% and 26%, respectively). For more information on deposits, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B. “Business Overview” — “Selected Statistical Information”—“Deposits”.

    As of December 31, 2020, credit lines from international financial institutions amounted to Ps.4,849 million, which corresponded to amounts received from the IFC pursuant to a loan agreement. Also as of December 31,2020, correspondents amounted to Ps.1,927 million and financing from local financial institutions totaled Ps.7,036 million, of this total Ps.3,165 million corresponded to amounts received from the BICE (Argentine subsidiary of development bank called BICE “Banco de Inversion y Comercio Exterior”), pursuant to a loan agreement and Ps.3,661 million corresponded to amounts received by Naranja.

    Our debt securities outstanding (only principal) were Ps.38,728 million as of December 31, 2020, as compared to Ps.60,910 million as of December 31, 2019.

    Of the total debt securities outstanding as of December 31, 2020, Ps.12,245 million corresponded to Peso-denominated debt, of which Ps.2,988 million corresponded to debt securities issued by Banco Galicia and Ps.9,257 million corresponded to debt securities issued by Naranja (which includes debt securities issued by Tarjetas Cuyanas). The remaining Ps.26,483 million of outstanding debt securities corresponded to foreign currency-denominated debt in respect of subordinated debt securities due in 2026 issued by Banco Galicia and the green bond with the IFC.

    As of December 31, 2020, the breakdown of our debt was as follows:

       

    December 31, 2020

     
       

    Currency

      Expiration   

    Annual Interest Rate

      Total(*) 
       

    (in millions of Pesos, except for rates)

     

    Banco Galicia

            

    ON Subordinated(1)

      US$   07.19.26   (2)    21,654 

    Green Bond

      US$   06.21.25   5.90%   4,829 

    Class V Series II

      $   04.26.21   Badlar + 3.50%   1,732 

    Class VIII

      $   08.20.21   Badlar + 2.25%   1,256 

    Naranja

            

    XXXVII

      $   04.11.22   Minimum 15% Rate/Badlar + 3.50%   2,645 

    XLIV

      $   01.08.22   Badlar + 4%   3,609 

    XLV

      $   12.18.21   Badlar + 5%   2,641 

    Naranja(**)

            

    XXVIII Series II

      $   06.09.21   Minimum 25% Rate/Badlar + 3.70%   362 
            

     

     

     

    Total

             38,728 
            

     

     

     

     

    The main sources of funds are deposits from the private sector, lines of credit extended by local banks and entities, international banks and multilateral credit agencies, repurchase transactions mainly related to government securities, mid- and long-term debt securities placed in the local and international capital market and debts with stores due to credit card transactions.

    As of December 31, 2019, deposits represented 57% of our funding, down from 63% as of December 31, 2018. Our deposit base decreased 29% in 2019 as compared to 2018. During fiscal year 2019, the Ps.160,211 million decrease in deposits was due to a decrease in transactional deposits (deposits in savings accounts and time deposits, with decreases of 42% and 19%, respectively). For more information on deposits, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B. “Business Overview” — “Selected Statistical Information”—“Deposits”.

    As of December 31, 2019, credit lines from international banks and credit agencies amounted to Ps.16,729 million. Of this total, Ps.9,970 million corresponded to prefinancing and foreign trade transactions; Ps.6,259 million corresponded to amounts received from the IFC pursuant to a loan agreement and Ps.500 million corresponded to amounts received from the IDB pursuant to a loan agreement.

    Our debt securities outstanding (only principal) were Ps.44,740 million as of December 31, 2019, as compared to Ps.61,151 million as of December 31, 2018.

    Of the total debt securities outstanding as of December 31, 2019, Ps.23,071 million corresponded to Peso-denominated debt, of which Ps.12,733 million corresponded to debt securities issued by Banco Galicia and Ps.10,338 million corresponded to debt securities issued by Tarjeta Naranja (which includes debt securities issued by Tarjetas Cuyanas). The remaining Ps.21,669 million of outstanding debt securities corresponded to foreign currency-denominated debt in respect of subordinated debt securities due in 2026 issued by Banco Galicia and the green bond with the IFC.

    As of December 31, 2019, the breakdown of our debt was as follows:




     

     

    December 31, 2019

     

     

     

    Currency

     

    Expiration

     

    Annual Interest Rate

     

     

    Total(*)

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except for rates)

     

    Banco Galicia

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ON Subordinated

     

    US$

     

    07.19.26

     

    (2)(3)

     

     

     

    15,499

     

    Green Bond

     

    US$

     

    06.21.25

     

    5.90%

     

     

     

    6,170

     

    Class III

     

    $

     

    02.17.20

     

    (1)(3)

     

     

     

    1,060

     

    Class IV

     

    $

     

    05.18.20

     

    (2)(4)

     

     

     

    1,730

     

    Class V Series I

     

    $

     

    04.26.20

     

     

    (5)

     

     

     

    3,868

     

    Class V Series II

     

    $

     

    04.26.21

     

     

    (6)

     

     

     

    1,803

     

    Class VII

     

    $

     

    05.25.20

     

     

    (7)

     

     

     

    4,272

     

    Tarjeta Naranja

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    XXXIV Series II

     

    $

     

    06.29.20

     

    Minimum 32% Rate/Badlar +4.67%

     

     

     

    396

     

    XXXV Series II

     

    $

     

    09.27.20

     

    Minimum 26% Rate/Badlar +3.99%

     

     

     

    655

     

    XXXVII

     

    $

     

    04.11.22

     

    Minimum 15% Rate/Badlar + 3.50%

     

     

     

    4,342

     

    XL Series II

     

    $

     

    10.10.20

     

    Minimum 27% Rate/Badlar + 3.69%

     

     

     

    1,464

     

    XLI Series II

     

    $

     

    05.15.20

     

    Badlar + 10%

     

     

     

    351

     

    XLIII

     

    $

     

    08.18.20

     

    Badlar + 7%

     

     

     

    1,483

     

    Tarjeta Naranja(**)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    XXV

     

    $

     

    07.26.20

     

    Minimum 30% Rate/Badlar + 3.94%

     

     

     

    424

     

    XXVI Series II

     

    $

     

    10.24.20

     

    Minimum 26% Rate/Badlar + 4.00%

     

     

     

    373

     

    XXVII Series II

     

    $

     

    02.10.20

     

    Minimum 23.5% Rate/Badlar + 3.50%

     

     

     

    476

     

    XXVIII Series II

     

    $

     

    06.09.21

     

    Minimum 25% Rate/Badlar + 3.70%

     

     

     

    374

     

    Total

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    44,740

     

    (*)

    Includes principal and interest.

    (**)

    Debt securities absorbed as part of the merger with Tarjeta Naranja S.A.Naranja.

    (1)

    (1) As specifiedPrincipal will be paid in full on the terms and conditionsmaturity date, on July 19, 2026, unless redeemed in full, at the issuer’s option, at a price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal plus accrued and unpaid interest.

    (2)

    Fixed 8.25% rate per annum (as from the issuance they were converteddate to Ps.2,360,360 Investor assumes the exchange rate risk since the service of interestJuly 19, 2021, inclusively); and principal is calculated based on the principal amount in Pesos converted into US Dollars on each payment date.

    (2) The net proceeds from this issuance of negotiable obligations was appliedmargin to investments in working capital, loans, other loans and other uses envisaged by the provisions of the Law on Negotiable Obligations and the Argentine Central Bank regulations.

    (3) Variable rate equalbe added to the simple arithmetic averagenominal Benchmark Readjustment Rate of private Badlar, plus 2.69%, which will7.156% per annum to the maturity date. Such interest shall be payable quarterlysemiannually on January 19 and July 19 as from May 17, 2017 onwards.2017.

    (4) Variable rate equal to the simple arithmetic average of private Badlar, plus 2.98%, which will be payable quarterly as from August 18, 2017 onwards.

    (5) Annual nominal fixed 25.98% rate; principal and interest will be settled in full upon maturity.

    (6) Variable rate equal to the simple arithmetic average of private Badlar, plus 3.5%, which will be payable quarterly as from July 26, 2018 onwards. Principal in respect of this Series will be repaid upon maturity.

    (7) Variable rate equivalent to simple arithmetical average of private Badlar rates plus 4%, to be paid on February 25, 2020 and May 25, 2020.





    For more information see “—Contractual Obligations” below.

    i) Ratings

    The following are our ratings as of the date of this annual report:

    December 31, 2020

    Standard &

    Poor’s

    Fix Scr

    Fitch Argentina

    Evaluadora

    Latinoamericana

    Moody’s

    Local Ratings

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Rating of Shares

    1

    Banco Galicia

    Counterparty Rating

    raBBB-

    Debt (Long-Term / Short Term)

    AA+(arg)/A1+(arg)

    Subordinated Debt

    A+

    Deposits (Long Term / Short Term)

    raBBB -/ raA-3

    Deposits (Local Currency / Foreign Currency)

    AA.ar / BBB+.ar

    Trustee

    TQ2+

    Naranja

    Medium-/Long-Term Debt

    AA-(arg)CCCCaa2

    Tarjetas Cuyanas

    Long-Term Debt

    AA-(arg)CCCCaa2

    International Ratings

    Banco Galicia

    Issuer Credit Rating

    CCC+

    Counterparty Risk Rating (Local Currency / Foreign Currency)

    Caa2 / Caa3

    Bank Deposits (Local Currency / Foreign Currency)

    Caa2 / Caa3

    Subordinated Debt Securities

    CCC-Ca

    (*)

    See “—Contractual Obligations” below..

    Ratings

    The following are our ratings as of the date of this annual report:

    ii) Debt Programs

    On March 9, 2009, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s shareholders, during an ordinary shareholders’ meeting, and the Board of Directors created a global short-, medium- and long-term notes program, for a maximum outstanding amount of US$60 million. This program was authorized by the CNV pursuant to Resolution No.16,113 of April 29, 2009.

    In August 2012, during an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, it was decided to ratify the decision made at the ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held in April 2010 with regard to the approval of the US$40 million increase in the amount of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s global notes program. Therefore, once approved by the CNV, the amount was for up to US$100 million or its equivalent in other currencies. On May 8, 2014, the CNV, pursuant to Resolution No.17,343, granted an extension of the debt program for another five-year period. On August 6, 2019, the CNV, pursuant to Resolution No. DI-2019-63-APN-GE#CNV granted an extension of the debt program for another five-year period.

    Currently, Grupo Financiero Galicia does not have any outstanding debt under its notes program that was put into place in 2009.

    Banco Galicia has a program in place for the issuance and re-issuance of non-convertible notes, subordinated or non-subordinated, floating or fixed-rate, secured or unsecured, with a term from 30 days to up to 30 years, for a maximum outstanding principal amount of up to US$483.25 million. This program was originally approved by the CNV on November 4, 2005 and was mostly recently extended on January 26, 2017 by the CNV until January 26, 2022. Pursuant to Resolution No.18,480, the CNV also approved an increase of the maximum outstanding principal amount under the program to US$1,100 million. Pursuant to Resolution No.19,520, dated May 17, 2018, the CNV approved an increase of the maximum outstanding principal amount under the program to US$2,100 million and the modification of the terms and conditions of the same.

    Banco Galicia, also has a program for frequent issuance of notes, approved by the CNV on November 13, 2019; and registered under the number 11 for a maximum outstanding principal amount of US$2,100 million.

    During the 2016 fiscal year, Banco Galicia issued certain subordinated Class II notes due 2026 for a nominal value of US$250 million. The proceeds of this issuance were used to redeem the Bank’s outstanding subordinated notes due 2019.

    During the 2018 fiscal year, Banco Galicia issued Series I Class V notes in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.4,209 million due 2020 and Series II Class V notes in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.2,032 million due 2021.

    On November 20, 2020, Banco Galicia issued Class VIII notes in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.1,589 million due 2021.

    Naranja has a Global Short-Term, Medium-Term and Long-Term Note Program for the issuance of up to US$1,000 million (or the equivalent amount in other currencies) that was approved by the CNV on May 10, 2018. Such notes may be unsecured or secured, denominated in Pesos, Dollars or, at Naranja’s option, in other currencies, with maturities of not less than 30 days after their issuance date. Also, they may be offered in separate classes and/or series and may be re issued, as applicable, in the amounts, at the prices and under the conditions to be established and specified in the applicable pricing supplement.

    The program contains certain restrictions on liens, subject to the provisions established in the applicable pricing supplement with respect to each class and/or series of notes, so long as any note issued under such program remains outstanding.

    Certain notes issued under Naranja’s program are subject to covenants that limit the ability of Naranja and their subsidiaries, subject to important qualifications and exceptions, to declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution in respect of its capital stock; redeem, repurchase or retire its capital stock; make certain restricted payments; consolidate, merge or transfer assets; and incur any indebtedness, among others.

    As a result of the merger with Tarjetas Cuyanas, as of October 1, 2017, Naranja incorporated into its assets Tarjetas Cuyanas’ outstanding debt. Beginning on October 1, 2017, Naranja made principal and interest payments in respect of such debt.

    As of December 31, 2020, Naranja’s total debt issued under both programs was equal to an outstanding principal amount outstanding of Ps.9,567 million (approximately US$113.7 million).

    A.6 Contractual Obligations

    The table below identifies the total amounts (principal and interest) of our main on balance-sheet contractual obligations, their currency of denomination, remaining maturity and interest rate and the breakdown of payments due as of December 31, 2020.

     

       December 31, 2020 
       Maturity   Annual
    Interest Rate
      Total   Less than 1
    Year
       1 to 3
    Years
       3 to 5
    Years
       Over 5
    Years
     

    Banco Galicia

                 

    Deposits

                 

    Time Deposits (Ps./US$)

       Various    Various   245,497    245,406    91    —      —   

    Debt Securities

                 

    Class V Serie II Due 2020 (Ps.) (4)

       2021    Badlar + 350 bp   1,256    1,256    —      —      —   

    Class VIII Due 2020 (Ps.) (5)

       2021    Badlar + 225 bp   1,657    1,657    —      —      —   

    2026 Subordinated (US$) (5)

       2026    8.30%   21,036    —      —      —      21,036 

    Green Bond - IFC (US$)

       2025    5.90%   4,818    1,071    2,141    1,606    —   

    Loans

                 

    IFC Financial Loans (US$)

       Varios    Varios   4,848    2,605    1,963    280    —   

    Other Financial Loans (US$) (6)

       Varios    Varios   —      —      —      —      —   

    IDB Financial Loans (Ps.)

       Varios    Varios   109    43    56    10    —   

    BICE Financial Loans (Ps.)

       Varios    Varios   1,312    856    442    14    —   

    BICE Financial Loans (US$)

       Varios    Varios   1,818    363    721    137    597 

    Short-term Interbank Loans (Ps.)

       2021    41.60%   210    210    —      —      —   

    Corresponsales

       2021    0.00%   1,927    1,927       

    BCRA (Ps.)

       2021    0.00%   21    21       

    Ecosistema NaranjaX

                 

    Financial Loans with Local Banks (Ps.)

       Various    Various   3,589    3,589       

    Debt Securities (Ps.)

       Various    Various   8,621    6,514    2,107     
         

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

          296,719    265,518    7,521    2,047    21,633 
         

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Principal and interest. Includes the UVA adjustment, where applicable.

    (1)

    December 31, 2019

    Standard & Poor’s

    Fitch Argentina

    Evaluadora Latinoamericana

    Moody’s

    Local Ratings

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.

    Rating of Shares

    1

    Banco de Galicia

    Counterparty Rating

    raBBB+

    Debt (Long-Term / Short Term)

    AA+(arg)/A1+(arg)

    Subordinated Debt

    A+

    Deposits (Long Term / Short Term)

    raBBB+ / raA-2

    Deposits (Local Currency / Foreign Currency)

    B1.ar / Ca.ar

    Trustee

    TQ2+

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

    Medium-/Long-Term Debt

    AA-(arg)

    Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    Long-Term Debt

    AA-(arg)

    International Ratings

    Banco de Galicia

    Long-Term Debt

    B-

    Ca

    Subordinated Debt

    CCC

    Ca

    (*) See “Contractual Obligations”.

    Debt Programs

    On March 9, 2009, Grupo Financiero Galicia’s shareholders, during an ordinary shareholders’ meeting, and the Board of Directors created a global short‑, medium‑ and long‑term notes program, for a maximum outstanding amount of US$60 million. This program was authorized by the CNV pursuant to Resolution No.16,113 of April 29, 2009.

    In August 2012, during an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, it was decided to ratify the decision made at the ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held in April 2010 with regard to the approval of the US$40 million increase in the amount of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s global notes program. Therefore, once approved by the CNV, the amount was for up to US$100 million or its equivalent in other currencies. On May 8, 2014, the CNV, pursuant to Resolution No.17,343, granted an extension of the debt program for another five-year period.

    On January 30, 2014, Grupo Financiero Galicia issued its Class V notes, in two series, in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.180 million with the following terms and conditions: (i) Ps.102 million of Series I notes, with a variable interest rate equal to the benchmark rate (Badlar) plus 4.25%, with an 18 month maturity and (ii) Ps.78 million of Series II notes, with a variable interest rate equal to the benchmark rate (Badlar) plus 5.25%, with a 36 month maturity. Both series pay interest on a quarterly basis. In addition, certain of the Class V notes were subscribed for with Class III notes for a face value of Ps.20,622,455.



    In October 2014, Grupo Financiero Galicia issued its Class VI notes, in two series, in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.250.0 million with the following terms and conditions: (i) Ps.140.2 million of Series I notes, with a variable interest rate equal to the benchmark rate (Badlar) plus 3.25%, with an 18 month maturity and (ii) Ps.109.8 million of Series II notes, with a variable interest rate equal to the benchmark rate (Badlar) plus 4.25%, with a 36 month maturity. Both series pay interest on a quarterly basis. In addition, certain of the Class VI notes were subscribed with Class IV notes for a face value of Ps.30,997,382.

    In July 2015, Grupo Financiero Galicia issued its Class VII notes for an aggregate principal amount of Ps.160 million. Such notes mature on the date that is 24 months after the date of their issuance and accrue interest at a fixed rate equal to 27% from the date of their issuance through the ninth month after their issuance and at a floating rate equal to Badlar plus 4.25% from the 10th month of their issuance through their maturity date. The Class VII notes pay interest on a quarterly basis. The aggregate principal amount of such notes will be repaid upon maturity. On July 31, 2015 Grupo Financiero Galicia cancelled, upon maturity, all of its outstanding Class V Series I notes.

    In April 2016, Grupo Financiero Galicia cancelled, upon maturity, all of its outstanding Class VI Series I notes.

    On January 31, 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia cancelled, upon maturity, all of its outstanding Class V, Series II notes.

    On July 27, 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia cancelled, upon maturity, all of its outstanding Class VII notes.

    On October 23, 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia cancelled, upon maturity, all of its outstanding Class VI Series II notes.

    Currently, Grupo Financiero Galicia does not have any outstanding debt under its notes program that was put into place in 2009.

    Banco Galicia has a program in place for the issuance and re-issuance of non-convertible notes, subordinated or non-subordinated, floating or fixed-rate, secured or unsecured, with a term from 30 days to up to 30 years, for a maximum outstanding principal amount of up to US$483.25 million. This program was originally approved by the CNV on November 4, 2005 and was mostly recently extended on January 26, 2017 by the CNV until January 26, 2022. Pursuant to Resolution No.18,480, the CNV also approved an increase of the maximum outstanding principal amount under the program to US$1,100 million. Pursuant to Resolution No.19,520, dated May 17, 2018, the CNV approved an increase of the maximum outstanding principal amount under the program to US$2,100 million and the modification of the terms and conditions of the same.

    Banco Galicia, also has a program for frequent issuance of notes, approved by the CNV on November 13th, 2019; and registered under the number 11th for a maximum outstanding principal amount of US$ 2,100 million.

    During the 2016 fiscal year, Banco Galicia issued certain subordinated Class II notes due 2026 for a nominal value of US$250 million. The proceeds of this issuance were used to redeem the Bank’s outstanding subordinated notes due 2019.

    On May 18, 2017, Banco Galicia issued Class IV notes in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.2,000 million due 2020.

    During the 2018 fiscal year, Banco Galicia issued Series I Class V notes in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.4,209 million due 2020 and Series II Class V notes in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.2,032 million due 2021.

    On November 25, 2019, Banco Galicia issued Class VII notes in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.4,182 million due 2020.



    Tarjeta Naranja has a Global Short-Term, Medium-Term and Long-Term Note Program for the issuance of up to US$1,000 million (or the equivalent amount in other currencies) that was approved by the CNV on May 10, 2018. Such notes may be unsecured or secured, denominated in Pesos, Dollars or, at Tarjeta Naranja’s option, in other currencies, with maturities of not less than 30 days after their issuance date. Also, they may be offered in separate classes and/or series and may be re issued, as applicable, in the amounts, at the prices and under the conditions to be established and specified in the applicable pricing supplement.

    The program contains certain restrictions on liens, subject to the provisions established in the applicable pricing supplement with respect to each class and/or series of notes, so long as any note issued under such program remains outstanding.

    Certain notes issued under Tarjeta Naranja’s program are subject to covenants that limit the ability of Naranja and their subsidiaries, subject to important qualifications and exceptions, to declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution in respect of its capital stock; redeem, repurchase or retire its capital stock; make certain restricted payments; consolidate, merge or transfer assets; and incur any indebtedness, among others.

    As a result of the merger with Tarjetas Cuyanas, as of October 1, 2017, Tarjeta Naranja incorporated into its assets Tarjetas Cuyanas’ outstanding debt. Beginning on October 1, 2017, Tarjeta Naranja made principal and interest payments in respect of such debt.

    As of December 31, 2019, Tarjeta Naranja’s total debt issued under both programs was equal to an outstanding principal amount outstanding of Ps.9,601 million (approximately US$160.3 million).

    Contractual Obligations


    The table below identifies the total amounts (principal and interest) of our main on balance-sheet contractual obligations, their currency of denomination, remaining maturity and interest rate and the breakdown of payments due as of December 31, 2019.


     

     

    December 31, 2019

     

     

     

    Maturity

     

    Annual Interest Rate

     

     

    Total

     

     

    Less than 1 Year

     

     

    1 to 3 Years

     

     

    3 to 5 Years

     

     

    Over 5 Years

     

    Banco Galicia

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Deposits

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Time Deposits (Ps./US$)

     

    Various

     


    Various

     

     

     

    141,083

     

     

     

    141,030

     

     

    48

     

     

    5

     

     

     

     

    Bonds

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Notes Class III Due 2020 (Ps.) (1)

     

    2020

     


    Badlar  + 269 bp

     

     

     

    1,008

     

     

     

    1,008

     

     

     

    0

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Notes Class IV Due 2020 (Ps.) (2)

     

    2020

     


    Badlar  + 298 bp

     

     

     

    1,640

     

     

     

    1,640

     

     

     

    0

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Notes Class V Serie II Due 2020 (Ps.) (3)

     

    2020

     


    26.00%

     

     

     

    2,692

     

     

     

    2,692

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Notes Class V Serie II Due 2020 (Ps.) (4)

     

    2021

     


    Badlar  + 350 bp

     

     

     

    1,656

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1,656

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Notes Class VII Due 2020 (Ps.) (5)

     

    2020

     


    Badlar  + 400 bp

     

     

     

    4,085

     

     

     

    4,085

     

     

     

    0

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Green Bond - IFC (U.$. S)

     

    2025

     


    5.90%

     

     

     

    5,954

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2,646

     

     

     

    2,646

     

     

     

    662

     

    2026 Subordinated Notes (US$) (5)

     

    2026

     


    8.30%

     

     

     

    14,974

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    14,974

     

    Loans

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    IFC Financial Loans (US$)

     

    Varios

     


    Varios

     

     

     

    5,562

     

     

     

    2,111

     

     

     

    2,852

     

     

    599

     

     

    0

     

    Other Financial Loans (US$) (6)

     

    Varios

     


    Varios

     

     

     

    10,668

     

     

     

    10,668

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    IDB Financial Loans (US$)

     

    Varios

     


    Varios

     

     

     

    500

     

     

     

    500

     

     

    0

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    IDB Financial Loans (Ps.)

     

    Varios

     


    Varios

     

     

    141

     

     

    45

     

     

    70

     

     

    26

     

     

    0

     

    Linea Fontar

     

    Varios

     


    Varios

     

     

    1

     

     

    1

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    BICE Financial Loans (Ps.)

     

    Varios

     


    Varios

     

     

     

    1,897

     

     

    774

     

     

     

    975

     

     

     

    148

     

     

     

     

    BICE Financial Loans (US$)

     

    Varios

     


    Varios

     

     

    879

     

     

    79

     

     

    472

     

     

    328

     

     

     

     

    Short-term Interbank Loans (Ps.)

     

    2020

     


    41.60%

     

     

    501

     

     

    501

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Corresponsales

     

    2020

     


    0.00%

     

     

     

    374

     

     

     

    374

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Argentine Central Bank

     

    2020

     


    0.00%

     

     

    22

     

     

    22

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Argentine Central Bank

     

    2020

     


    0.00%

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Repos

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Repos (Ps.)

     

    2020

     


    50.00%

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Repos (US$)

     

    2020

     


    4.02

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Tarjetas Regionales

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Financial Loans with Local Banks (Ps.)

     

    Various

     


    Various

     

     

     

    2,011

     

     

     

    2,011

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Notes (Ps.)

     

    Various

     


    Various

     

     

     

    9,415

     

     

     

    6,519

     

     

     

    2,896

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Total

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    205,063

     

     

     

    174,060

     

     

     

    11,615

     

     

     

    3,752

     

     

     

    15,636

     

    Principal and interest. Includes the UVA adjustment, where applicable.

    (1) Interest payable quarterly in cash, adjustable rate of Badlar + 269 bps Principal payable in full on February 17, 2020.

    (2)

    (2) Interest payable in cash quarterly in cash, adjustable rate of Badlar + 298 bps Principal payable in full on May 18, 2020.

    (3)

    (3) Interest payable in cash and principal payable in full on April 26, 2020.

    (4)

    (4) Interest payable in cash quarterly in cash, adjustable rate of Badlar + 350 bps Principal payable in full on April 26, 2021.

    (5)

    (5) Interest payable in cash semi-annually, fixed rate of 8.25%, up to July 19, 2021, when benchmark rate will be a 7.156% additional. Principal payable in full on July 19, 2026.

    (6)

    (6) Borrowings to finance international trade operations to Bank customers.

    i) Leases

    The following tables provides information for leases where Grupo Financiero Galicia is the lessee:

     

    December 31, 2020
    (In millions of Pesos)

    LeasesAmounts recognized in the Statement of Financial Position:

    Right-of-use asset (1)

    4,053

    Lease Liabilities (2)

    4,363

     

    (1)

    The following tables provides information for leases where Grupo Financiero Galicia is the lessee:



    December 31, 2019

    (In millions of Pesos)

    Amounts recognized in the Statement of Financial Position:

    Right-of-use asset (1)

    3,681

    Lease Liabilities (2)

    3,768

    (1) Recorded in the Property, Plant and Equipment item, for right of use of real property.

    (2)

    (2) Recorded in the item Other Financial Liabilities.

    December 31, 2020
    (In millions of Pesos)

    Amounts recognized in the Statement of Income:

    Charge for depreciation of right-of-use assets (1)(2)

    1,312

    Interest Expenses (3)

    399

    Expenses related to short-term leases (4)

    142

    Expenses related to low-value assets leases (4)

    167

    Sublease Income (5)

    10

     

    (1)

    December 31, 2019

    (In millions of Pesos)

    Amounts recognized in the Statement of Income:

    Charge for depreciation of right-of-use assets (1)(2)

    965

    Interest Expenses (3)

    375

    Expenses related to short-term leases (4)

    24

    Expenses related to low-value assets leases (4)

    75

    Sublease Income (5)

    2

    (1) Depreciation for right of use of Real Property.

    (2)

    (2) Recorded in the item Depreciation and Impairment of assets.

    (3)

    (3) Recorded in the item Other Operating Expenses, Lease Interest.

    (4)

    (4) Recorded in the item Administrative Expenses.

    (5)

    (5) Recorded in the item Other Operating Income.

    Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

    Our off-balance sheet risks mainly arise from Banco Galicia’s activities. In the normal course of its business and in order to meet customer financing needs, Grupo Galicia is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These instruments expose us to credit risk in addition to loans recognized on our consolidated balance sheets. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and guarantees.

    The same internal regulations and policies apply for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and guarantees. Outstanding commitments and guarantees do not represent an unusually high credit risk for Grupo Galicia.

    Commitments to Extend Credit

    Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer at a future date, subject to meeting certain contractual terms. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require the payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent actual future cash requirements. We evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.

    Guarantees

    Guarantees are agreements and/or commitments to reimburse or make payment on account of any losses or non-payments by a borrower in an event of default scenario and include surety guarantees in connection with transactions between two parties.

    A.7 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

    Our off-balance sheet risks mainly arise from Banco Galicia’s activities. In the normal course of its business and in order to meet customer financing needs, Grupo Galicia is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These instruments expose us to credit risk in addition to loans recognized on our consolidated balance sheets. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and guarantees.

    The same internal regulations and policies apply for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and guarantees. Outstanding commitments and guarantees do not represent an unusually high credit risk for Grupo Galicia.

    i) Commitments to Extend Credit

    Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer at a future date, subject to meeting certain contractual terms. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require the payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent actual future cash requirements. We evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.

    ii) Guarantees

    Guarantees are agreements and/or commitments to reimburse or make payment on account of any losses or non-payments by a borrower in an event of default scenario and include surety guarantees in connection with transactions between two parties.

    iii) Stand-By Letters of Credit and Foreign Trade Transactions

    Standby letters of credit and guarantees granted are conditional commitments issued by Banco Galicia to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Banco Galicia also provides conditional commitments for foreign trade transactions.

    Our exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, guarantees granted and acceptances is represented by the contractual notional amount of those investments.

    Our credit exposure related to these items as of December 31, 2020 is set forth below:

    December 31, 2020
    (in millions of Pesos)

    Agreed Commitments

    33,134

    Export and Import Documentary Credits

    2,483

    Guarantees Granted

    12,659

    Responsibilities for Foreign Trade Transactions

    917

    The credit risk of these instruments is similar as the credit risk associated with credit facilities provided to individuals and companies. To provide guarantees to our customers, we may require counter-guarantees, which are classified as follows:

     

    Standby letters
    December 31, 2020
    (in millions of credit and guarantees granted are conditional commitments issued by Banco Galicia to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Banco Galicia also provides conditional commitments for foreign trade transactions.Pesos)

    Other Preferred Guarantees Received

    66

    Other Guarantees Received

    285

    In addition, checks to be debited and credited, notes, invoices and miscellaneous items subject to collection are recorded in memorandum accounts until such instruments are approved or accepted.

    The risk of loss in these offsetting transactions is not significant.

     

    Our exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, guarantees granted and acceptances is represented by the contractual notional amount of those investments.



    Our credit exposure related to these items as of

    December 31, 2019 is set forth below:2020
    (in millions of Pesos)

    Checks and Drafts to be Debited

    7,001

    Checks and Drafts to be Credited

    10,519

    Values for Collection

    85,197

    Grupo Galicia acts as trustee pursuant to trust agreements to secure obligations in connection with financing transaction undertaken by its customers. The amount of funds and securities held in trust as of December 31, 2020 is as follows:

    December 31, 2020
    (in millions of Pesos)

    Trust Funds

    8,781

    Securities Held in Custody

    804,332

    These funds and securities are not included in Grupo Galicia’s consolidated financial statements as it does not have control over the same. For additional information regarding off-balance sheet financial instruments, see Note 48 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

    A.8 Principal Trends

    i) Related to Argentina

    The Argentine economy contract 9.9% in 2020 as compared to 2019. Following such contraction in 2020, a rebound in activity is expected for 2021. This rebound could be partially explained by last year’s statistical carry-over, due to the greater mobility of people in the second half of the year. The increase in exports and the partial return of private consumption are expected to be the key factors in the economy’s evolution. Any anticipated rebound is be subject to the performance and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and their effectiveness against any new strains, which will ultimately determine the need to reimplement isolation measures, with the consequent impact on economic activity.

    To the extent that the economy does rebound in 2021, such rebound is expected to allow for the recovery of treasury revenues, which in combination with an elimination, at least in part, of the fiscal package used to contain the pandemic during 2020, would be expected to result in a reduction of the primary deficit from the 6.5% of GDP reached in 2020.

    This year’s primary fiscal deficit together with the Government debt security upcoming maturity dates in the local market and with international organizations will worsen the situation in terms of national financing needs. Although the Government is hoping to refinance a portion of its outstanding debt, the evolution of the negotiations, in particular with the International Monetary Fund with whom it will negotiate for maturities of approximately US$53 million, will be crucial.

    In respect of the IMF debt alone, US$3.6 million are due in 2021 unless a refinancing is agreed upon. The possibility of Argentina returning to the international debt markets still seems distant, since the “Country Risk” as determined by JP Morgan’s Emerging Markets Bonds Index is above 1.500 bps. The Treasury’s requirements would be covered again through the issuance of additional money, through the BCRA’s profit sharing and “Temporary Advances”, and through the issuance of new debt in the domestic market and access to lines of credit from international organizations.

    After a year in which the monetization of the economy reached historically high levels as a result of the financing via money issuance of the fiscal package to contain the effects of the pandemic, more money supply could put upward pressure on domestic prices. For this reason, plus the accumulation of restrained inflation in the last months of 2020, an increase in inflation rates is expected during 2021.

    Monetary levels of the fiscal deficit will also define the pressure on the different dollar exchange rates and will eventually define the levels of exchange gap. In a context where the real exchange rate does not appear to be excessively appreciated, and where a trade surplus similar to that of 2020 is possible, the levels of the exchange gap will be the key to the pressure on the official exchange market, and finally on international reserves.

    ii) Related to the Financial System

    The Argentine financial system will continue interacting mainly with the private sector, with short-term financing and financial products, maintaining high liquidity levels at the same time.

    In the coming year, there is a risk of an adverse evolution of the pandemic at the local and international level. This could have an impact on the domestic activity level, world production and international trade. In this context, the impact on the payment capacity of Argentine families and companies could have repercussions on the profits of local financial institutions.

    To mitigate the possibility of massive cuts in the payment chain, in the context of health policies establishing distancing due to the pandemic, it is expected that policies of (temporary) flexibility of the parameters with which bank debtors are classified will continue in 2021. In addition, the monetary authority will continue to promote credit lines for productive activity, with interest rates below the inflation expected by the market consensus. Meanwhile, the BCRA will also continue with its policy of minimum rates for time deposits.

    Despite the points observed in the previous paragraphs, it is expected that banks will continue to show positive real benefits, such as those recorded in 2020, allowing capitalization levels to be maintained above the minimum capital requirements established by the Basel Committee. The institutions will continue working on expenses in order to improve efficiency indicators.

    Although the current situation seems very challenging, a solid systemic position is expected to continue prevailing, in a context where credit growth relative to gross domestic product is not projected for the year that has begun. High levels of irregularity hedge through allowances and excess capital are a strength in a context of high level of arrears. Low leverage in companies and families, regionally compared, evidences the potential of Argentine financial institutions.

    Within the above scheme, Grupo Financiero Galicia (through Banco Galicia) will further its objective of strengthening its leadership position in the market. The quality of its products and services provided to current and future customers will continue to be the central focus, in addition to continuing the process of improving operational efficiency as a key factor in generating value both for customers and shareholders.

    iii) Related to Us

    Similar to our expectations for 2020, we believe that 2021 will be a year marked with high levels of economic volatility and uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be far from being controlled and, therefore, we believe that the Argentine economy will continue to be impacted - possibly to a lesser extent than observed in 2020 - by the economic and social effects of the pandemic. In the same sense, we expect that at least part of the public policy measures taken during 2020 and as described herein will remain in place for 2021 in order to help spur economic activity and generate employment.

    In addition to this, the results of upcoming legislative elections in 2021 may lead to legislative and other changes that require a review and reevaluation of both the impacts of such new policies on Argentina’s overall macroeconomic state as well as on Grupo Galicia’s particular lines of business.

    In a context of weak economic recovery and pressure on prices, it is expected that the activity will continue to be regulated. On the one hand, in terms of directed credit through the different versions of financing lines for productive investments of small and medium companies -which nevertheless tend to include benefits or exemptions on reserve requirements- the presence of minimum deposit rates or maximum placement rates for certain lines and the limits on the placement of excess liquidity in economic policy instruments. On the other hand, the limits on the use of the credit lines as a source of financing for the development of the economy.

    In Banco Galicia, these policies affect the financial margin, both in the net interest margin and in the lower profitability resulting from the placement of liquidity in bank notes (both in terms of volume and rate).

    It is expected that in 2021 the exchange market will be under pressure again. Given this, another aspect to be considered in terms of the impact of regulations implemented during 2020 are the effects, already known and analyzed during 2020, on the results from foreign currency purchase and sale transactions. In addition, regulations that prevented increases in the levels of commissions charged or that restricted or prohibited the collection of certain commissions (e.g.: for the use of ATMs), may be gradually eased or relaxed as the Argentine economy improves.

    Finally, although a certain rebound in the level of activity and employment is currently expected which could have a positive impact on our subsidiaries non-performing loan portfolios; it should be taken into account that the waivers and sources of funding and subsidies granted by the BCRA in 2020 prevented a true analysis of the real impact on the deterioration of our subsidiaries loan portfolios. For this reason, uncollectibility continues to be a significant risk, both at Banco Galicia and Naranja.

    As a consequence, of the above-mentioned situation, we foresee the following impacts from COVID-19 during 2020 on Banco Galicia’s operations:

     

    December 31, 2019

    (in millions of Pesos)

    Agreed Commitments

    19,952

    Export and Import Documentary Credits

    2,596

    Guarantees Granted

    16,133

    Responsibilities for Foreign Trade Transactions

    1,702

    The credit risk of these instruments is similar as the credit risk associated with credit facilities provided to individuals and companies. To provide guarantees to our customers, we may require counter-guarantees, which are classified as follows:

    Fee income will be reduced, due to regulations limiting price increases, which could be offset by a moderate increase of volume.

    Financial income will be affected by: (i) a lower average lending rate as a consequence of the directed credit at maximum interest rates, and (ii) a demand driven by subsidized credit. This could be partially offset by improving the structure of liabilities, due to the less attractive placement conditions. Additionally, and compared to 2020, the profitability from investing the excess liquidity will decrease, both due to the regulatory limits to the volumes invested and the downward trend in rates.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions could reflect a strong deterioration as compared to 2020.

    Administrative expenses will not experience significant changes with respect to our estimate for 2021, considering the containment policy and the digital transformation that the Bank is going through by generating efficient captures.

    As for volumes, the expansionary monetary policy with foreign exchange control imposed by the administration will probably continue generating dynamism in deposits, growing slightly above the system. As regards credit, although we do not believe that there is a very dynamic demand, considering the expected level of economic activity, credit boost policies and the need to rebuild working capital are expected to generate growth in terms of Gross Domestic Product when the economy begins to stabilize.

    To conclude, we estimate that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a negative impact on Banco Galicia’s income, mainly as a consequence of: (i) the negative impact on income from financings, due to the reasons stated above; (ii) restrictions imposed by governmental regulations on fees charged; (iii) still higher loan and other receivables loss provisions; and (iv) impact of inflation on the foregoing and overall results.

    Still, it is currently believe, based on the information known to date, that Banco Galicia’s current liquidity and solvency levels will allow it to cope with this situation in the short term, assuming it is under control by the end of 2021.

    With respect to Naranja, as it is a credit-and-consumption-related business, it is certainly difficult for us to make any forecast for the coming months due to the current high level of economic volatility. Based on the 2021 Argentine budget this year is expected to be marked by the aftermath of the social and health crisis triggered by the COVID-19 in 2020 and the estimated impact will be reflected in a potential drop in the volume of operations or customer transactions. Therefore, revenue obtained from services will be affected.

    Additionally, the Naranja access to financing through the capital market may be limited, which in turn would leave Naranja with less ability to offer financing plans or loans to its customers, with the consequent impact that would have on financial income. However, Naranja has so far been able to maintain the liquidity and solvency levels that would allow it to address the obligations incurred.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions will increase as a consequence of the general impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the economy and expected increase in unemployment rates.

    In conclusion, we expect a negative impact on Naranja’s future income during 2021, mainly caused by the decrease of financial and service revenues, and higher charges for arrearage.

    Regarding Ecosistema NaranjaX, it is important to point out that the company Naranja Digital has recently obtained the license from the BCRA to start operating. At the same time, Naranja X will continue deploying its new service model at additional branches, reaching 76% of the customer base. Finally, it will engage in further efforts on “Futuro del Trabajo” (Future of Employment)—an initiative focused on enhancing its employees’ experience by giving priority to their care and welfare.

    On the other hand, Sudamericana Holding does not foresee significant consequences on their business during 2021 related to COVID-19 and derived by the new regulations, either in economic or financial terms.

    As for Galicia Administradora de Fondos, it is estimated that, in 2021, it will obtain a growth of close to 70% in the volume of assets under management and will maintain its leading position in the Argentine industry by leading the Argentine fund market.

    The current economic context suggests that investments will be concentrated primarily in money market or short-term bond funds, and to a lesser extent in the rest of the funds.

    In addition, this line of business plans to continue to deepen and expand the marketing of its products through the use of distribution and placement agents, a niche that is expected to continue to grow.

    The organizational structure within the company is expected to remain stable during the year, and this company plans to continue to focus on the automation of its services and on the roll out of technological changes being implemented across the Grupo Galicia family that are aimed at improving efficiency and their customer’s digital experience.

    The operational management of the Group Financiero Galicia’s subsidiaries is stable, enabling us to comply with the needs and demands of our customers and of the control and supervision bodies. The implementation of work from home policies for our employees and our technological infrastructure have become invaluable tools to remain operative.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia will continue with the objective of strengthening its leadership position in the market. The high quality of the products and services it (and its subsidiaries) provide to current and future customers will continue to have a central role, in addition to continuing the process of improving operational efficiency as a key factor in generating value for its customers and shareholders.

    Likewise, the quarantine, social distancing and restrictions on face-to-face activities were driving forces to continue promoting and accelerating our digital transformation process. We continue working on projects that are designed to enrich the experience of our customers and employees. We plan to leverage new business lines like Naranja X, INVIU investment platform and MODO’s Systematic Payments play, and we remain focused on transforming Banco Galicia into a 100% digital platform, with the purpose of growing and capturing new customers.

    The business growth of all the companies that make up Grupo Financiero Galicia takes place within the framework of a sustainable management. To this end, we will continue to seek new opportunities aimed at the common good and care for the environment.

    The Board of Directors is closely monitoring this situation and taking all the required measures within their reach to preserve human life and our operations.

    The analysis of these trends should be read in conjunction with the discussion in Item 3. “Key Information”— D. “Risk Factors”, and with consideration that the Argentine economy has been historically volatile, which has negatively affected the volume and growth of the financial system.

    B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

    B.1 Liquidity - Holding Company on an Individual Basis

    We generate our net earnings/losses from our operating subsidiaries, specifically Banco Galicia, our main operating subsidiary. Banco Galicia’s dividend-paying ability has been affected since late 2001 by the effects of the 2001-2002 liquidity crisis and its impact on Banco Galicia’s income-generation capacity. In addition, there were other restrictions on Banco Galicia’s ability to pay dividends resulting from applicable BCRA rules and the loan agreements entered into by Banco Galicia as part of its foreign debt restructuring. See Item 8. “Financial Information”—“Dividend Policy and Dividends.”

    From 2002 to 2010 we did not receive any dividends from Banco Galicia, which is the primary source of funds available to us. On April 27, 2011, during the shareholders’ meeting of Banco Galicia, a distribution of cash dividends for a total amount of Ps.100 million was approved and the payment of distributions resumed. Most recently, on April 2019, we received from Banco Galicia a cash dividend of Ps.1,500 million (equivalent to Ps.2,717 million as of December 2020) for fiscal year 2018.

    Due to the regulations recently passed by the BCRA within the framework of the measures taken by the government to respond to the COVID-19, the capacity of the Argentine financial system to pay cash dividends has been suspended until June 30, 2021 (subject to further extensions). As such, Grupo Financiero Galicia did not receive any dividends from Banco Galicia during 2020. However, Grupo Financiero Galicia did distribute dividends to its shareholders during 2020 as indicated below.

    The extent to which a banking subsidiary may extend credit or otherwise provide funds to a holding company is limited by BCRA rules. For a description of these rules, see Item 4. “Information on the Company-Argentine Banking Regulation-Lending Limits.”

    During fiscal years 2018 and 2019, Grupo Financiero Galicia received from its subsidiaries dividends for Ps.1,152 million (equivalent to Ps.3,094 million as of December 2020), and Ps.2,392 million (equivalent to Ps.4,140 as of December 2020), respectively. During fiscal year 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia received dividends for Ps.2,367 million (equivalent to Ps.2,725 million as of December 2020) from Sudamericana Holding S.A.; Galicia Warrants S.A.; Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.U and Tarjetas Regionales S.A. During February 2021, Sudamericana Holding paid a cash dividend of Ps.963 million and during March 2021 the Shareholders’ meeting of Galicia Warrants, Galicia Administradora de Fondos and Galicia Securities announced dividends to be paid in cash during April 2021, for Ps.40 million, Ps.800 million and Ps.150 million respectively.

    According to Grupo Financiero Galicia’s policy for the distribution of dividends and due to Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and the fact that most of the profits for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 also corresponded to income from holdings (with just a fraction corresponding to the realized and liquid profits meeting the requirements to be distributed as per Section 68 of the Corporations Law) a proposal was made by the Board of Directors, to be treated at the next Shareholders’ Meeting to be held on April 27, 2021. The proposal was to absorb the negative results generated by the application of the accounting inflation adjustment method and to distribute a cash dividend for an amount that, when inflation adjusted, pursuant to Resolution 777/2018 of the Argentine Securities Exchange Commission, results in Ps.1,500,000,000 (which represents 101,7161%) being distributed with regard to 1,474,692,091 class A and B ordinary shares, with a face value of Ps.1 each, through the partial reduction of the discretionary reserve for future dividends’ distributions created during the year 2020.

    For fiscal year 2018, the shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2019 approved the distribution of cash dividends for Ps.2,000 million, (equivalent to Ps.3,515 million as of December 2020), which represented a dividend of 140.18% with respect to 1,426,764,597 class A and B ordinary shares of Grupo Financiero Galicia with a face value of Ps.1 each. Similarly, for fiscal year 2019, the shareholders’ meeting held on September 22, 2020 approved the distribution of cash dividends for Ps.1,700 million (equivalent to Ps.1,893 million as of December 2020), which represented a dividend of 119.1507% with respect to 1,426,764,597 class A and B ordinary shares of Grupo Financiero Galicia with a face value of Ps.1 each.

    Due to Act. No. 27,260, Grupo Financiero Galicia neither reimbursed nor withheld any amount for tax purposes on the dividends paid for fiscal year 2018.

    For fiscal year 2019, pursuant to what is set forth in the third paragraph of the article without number incorporated after article 25 of Act No. 23,966, replaced by article 4 of Act No. 26,452, when corresponding, Grupo Financiero Galicia was reimbursed of the amounts paid for the fiscal year 2019 in its capacity as substitute taxpayer of the shareholders’ subject to the tax on personal assets. Similarly, for fiscal year 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia will withhold, when corresponding, some amount for taxes on personal assets on the dividends to be distributed.

    As of December 31, 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia, on an individual basis, had cash and due from banks in an amount of Ps.0.8 million, short-term investments made up of special checking account deposits, mutual funds and government securities and foreign currency in an amount of Ps.645 million.

    As of December 31, 2019, Grupo Financiero Galicia, on an individual basis, had cash and amounts due from banks in an amount of Ps.0.3 million, short-term investments made up of special checking account deposits, mutual funds and government securities and foreign currency in an amount of Ps.810 million (equivalent to Ps.1,103 as of December 2020).

    As of December 31, 2018, Grupo Financiero Galicia, on an individual basis, had cash and amounts due from banks in an amount of Ps.0.2 million and short-term investments made up of special checking account deposits, mutual funds and government securities and foreign currency in an amount of Ps.885 million, (equivalent to Ps.1,854 million as of December 2020).

    During fiscal year 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia made capital contributions for a total amount of Ps.1,081 million (equivalent to Ps.1,167 million as of December 2020), Ps.1,000 million were applied to Tarjetas Regionales, Ps.4 million to IGAM and Ps.77 million to Galicia Securities.

    For a description of the notes issued by Grupo Financiero Galicia, see —Item 5.A. “Operating Results” —” Debt Programs”.

    Each of our subsidiaries is responsible for their own liquidity management. For a discussion of Banco Galicia’s liquidity management, see “Banco Galicia’s Liquidity Management-Banco Galicia Liquidity Management”.

    B.2 Consolidated Cash Flows

    Our consolidated statements of cash flows were prepared in accordance with IAS 7 (Statements of Cash Flows). See our consolidated cash flow statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 included in this annual report.

    As of December 31, 2020, on a consolidated basis, we had Ps.378,820 million in available cash (defined as total cash and cash equivalents), representing a Ps.62,812 million increase as compared to the Ps.316,008 million in available cash as of December 31, 2019.

    As of December 31, 2019, on a consolidated basis, we had Ps.316,008 million in available cash, representing a Ps.157,025 million decrease as compared to the Ps.473,033 million in available cash as of December 31, 2018.

    Cash equivalents are comprised of the following: BCRA debt instruments having a remaining maturity that does not exceed 90 days, securities in connection with reverse repurchase agreement transactions with the BCRA, local interbank loans and overnight placements in correspondent banks abroad. Cash equivalents also comprise, in the case of Tarjetas Regionales, time deposit certificates and mutual fund shares.

    The table below summarizes the information from our consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

     

    December 31, 2019

    (in millions of Pesos)

    Other Preferred Guarantees Received

    930

    Other Guarantees Received

    524

    In addition, checks to be debited and credited, notes, invoices and miscellaneous items subject to collection are recorded in memorandum accounts until such instruments are approved or accepted.


    The risk of loss in these offsetting transactions is not significant.
       December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Operating Activities

       183,754    (26,226   188,241 

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Investment Activities

       (6,782   (7,103   (7,510

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Financing Activities

       (35,106   (25,098   16,409 

    Exchange income/(losses) on Cash and Cash Equivalents

       32,806    69,535    94,158 

    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

       174,672    11,108    291,298 

    Monetary loss related to cash and cash equivalents

       (111,860   (168,133   (94,623

    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

       316,008    473,033    276,358 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

       378,820    316,008    473,033 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Our operating activities include the operating results, the origination of loans and other financing transactions with the private sector, as well as raising customer deposits and entering into sales of government securities under repurchase agreement transactions. Our investing activities primarily consist of the acquisition of equity investments and purchasing of bank premises and equipment. Our financing activities include issuing bonds in the local and foreign capital markets and borrowing from foreign and local banks and international credit agencies.

    Management believes that cash flows from operations and available cash and cash equivalent balances, will be sufficient to fund our financial commitments and capital expenditures for fiscal year 2021.

    i) Cash Flows from Operating Activities

     

    December 31, 2019

    (in millions of Pesos)

    Checks and Drafts to be Debited

    5,370

    Checks and Drafts to be Credited

    6,756

    Values for Collection

    38,508

    Grupo Galicia acts as trustee pursuant to trust agreements to secure obligations in connection with financing transaction undertaken by its customers. The amount of funds and securities held in trust as of December 31, 2019 is as follows:
       December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities

          

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

       43,378    50,178    7,067 

    Adjustment to Obtain the Operating Activities Flows:

          

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

       34,680    30,228    34,136 

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

       8,284    6,895    3,460 

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

       36,963    41,929    37,830 

    Other Operations

       33,809    45,547    (15,846

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Assets:

          

    Debt securities measured at fair value through profit or loss

       (16,817   1,907    25,023 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       1,006    569    (2,115

    Repurchase Transactions

       (46   (4,167   628 

    Other Financial Assets

       763    2,738    3,292 

    Net Loans and Other Financing

          

    - Non-financial Public Sector

       11    18    (7

    - Other Financial Institutions

       (2,769   (1,073   7,583 

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       (70,130   72,480    (28,998

    Other Debt Securities

       2,823    4,315    (21,449

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       (2,992   6,930    (3,080

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       309    (5,863   (103

    Other Non-financial Assets

       872    (2,210   (2,364

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       24    1,220    21,471 

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Liabilities:

          

    Deposits

          

    - Non-financial Public Sector

       18,906    (15,315   14,347 

    - Financial Sector

       1,333    (877   1,135 

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       120,123    (201,920   117,987 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       (1,936   (2,556   4,492 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       (1,142   (2,645   2,072 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       1,298    (40,408   16,512 

    Provisions

       36    704    1,156 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       44    (1,096   (20,447

    Income Tax Collections/Payments

       (25,076   (13,754   (15,541
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Operating Activities

       183,754    (26,226   188,241 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    In fiscal year 2020, net cash generated by operating activities including the inflationary effect amounted to Ps.183,754 million, mainly due to a Ps.120,123 million net increase in net cash generated from deposits from the non-financial private sector and from residents abroad. Such amount was partially offset by net cash used of Ps.70,130 million related to an increase in net loans and other financing to the non-financial private sector and to residents abroad.

    In fiscal year 2019, net cash used in operating activities including the inflationary effect amounted to Ps.26,226 million, mainly due to: (i) a Ps.201,920 million net decrease in deposits to non-financial private sector and residents abroad and (ii) a Ps.40,408 million decrease in other financial liabilities. Such amount was partially offset by net cash provided by Ps.72,480 million related to a decrease in net loans and other financing to non-financial private sector and residents abroad.

    In fiscal year 2018, net cash generated by operating activities including the inflationary effect amounted to Ps.188,241 million, mainly due to: (i) a Ps.117,987 million increase in deposits from non-financial private sector and residents abroad, (ii) a Ps.25,023 million decrease in debt securities measured at fair value through profit or loss and (iii) a Ps.21,471 million decrease in non-current assets held for sale, partially offset due to: (i) a Ps.28,998 million increase in loans to non-financial private sector and residents abroad, (ii) a Ps.21,449 million increase in other debt securities and (iii) Ps.20,447 million decrease in other non-financial liabilities.

    ii) Cash Flows from Investing Activities

     

    December 31, 2019

    (in millions of Pesos)

    Trust Funds

    6,964

    Securities Held in Custody

    465,283

    These funds and securities are not included in Grupo Galicia’s consolidated financial statements as it does not have control over the same. For additional information regarding off-balance sheet financial instruments, see Note 48 to our audited consolidated financial statements.
       December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Cash Flows from Investment Operations

          

    Payments:

          

    Purchase of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

       (7,124   (10,751   (7,723

    Interests in other companies

       (102   —      —   

    Collections:

          

    Sale of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

       265    3,648    213 

    Dividends earned

       179    —      —   
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Investment Activities

       (6,782   (7,103   (7,510
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    In fiscal year 2020, net cash used in investing activities amounted to Ps.6,782 million mainly attributable to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and other assets for Ps.7,124 million. Such amount was partially offset by funds provided by the sale of property, plants and equipment, intangible assets and other assets for Ps.265 million and for the dividends received from investment in equity instruments for Ps.179 million.

    In fiscal year 2019, net cash used in investing activities amounted to Ps.7,103 million mainly attributable to the acquisition of property, plants and equipment, intangible assets and other assets for Ps.10,751 million. Such amount was partially offset by funds provided by the sale of property, plants and equipment, intangible assets and other assets for Ps.3,648 million.

    In fiscal year 2018, net cash used in investing activities amounted to Ps.7,510 million mainly attributable to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and other assets for Ps.7,723 million.

    iii) Cash Flows from Financing Activities

       December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Cash Flows from Financing Activities

          

    Payments:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

       (27,839   (20,826   (2,851

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

       (35,157   (70,419   (25,579

    Dividends

       (2,036   (3,622   (3,589

    Leases payment

       (1,333   (1,362   —   

    Collections:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

       11,728    7,726    23,558 

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

       19,531    63,225    24,870 

    Capital increase

       —      180    —   
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Financing Activities

       (35,106   (25,098   16,409 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    In fiscal year 2020, net cash used in financing activities amounted to Ps.35,106 million due to: (i) Ps.35,157 million as consequence of payments of loans obtained from local financial institutions and (ii) Ps.27,839 million of payments of principal and interest on unsubordinated debt securities issued by Grupo Financiero Galicia or its subsidiaries. Such amount was partially offset by: (i) funds provided by loans from local financial institutions for Ps.19,531 million and (ii) issuances by Grupo Financiero Galicia or its subsidiaries of unsubordinated debt securities for approximately Ps.11,728 million during 2020.

    In fiscal year 2019, net cash used in financing activities amounted to Ps.25,098 million due to: (i) Ps.70,419 million as consequence of payments of loans obtained from local financial institutions, (ii) Ps.20,826 million of

    payments of principal and interest on unsubordinated debt securities issued by Grupo Financiero Galicia or its subsidiaries, (iii) Ps.3,622 million of payments of dividends and (iv) Ps.1,362 million for leases payments. Such amount was partially offset by funds provided by loans from local financial institutions for Ps.63,225 million.

    In fiscal year 2018, financing activities provided cash in the amount of Ps.16,409 million due to: (i) an increase in loans from local financial institutions for Ps.24,870 million,(ii) issuances by Grupo Financiero Galicia or its subsidiaries of unsubordinated debt securities for approximately Ps.23,558 million during 2018 and (iii) Ps.6,771 million of the payments of principal and interest on subordinated debt securities. Such amount was partially offset by funds provided by loans from local financial institutions for Ps.25,579 million.

    iv) Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents

    In fiscal year 2020, the effect of the exchange rate on consolidated cash flow amounted to Ps.32,806 million, a decrease of Ps.36.729 million as compared to fiscal year 2019. The exchange rate as of December 31, 2020 was Ps.84,145 per US$1.

    In fiscal year 2019, the effect of the exchange rate on consolidated cash flow amounted to Ps.69,535 million, a decrease of Ps.24,623 million as compared to fiscal year 2018. The exchange rate as of December 31, 2019 was Ps.59.8950 per US$1.

    In fiscal year 2018, the effect of the exchange rate on consolidated cash flow amounted to Ps.94,158 million. The exchange rate as of December 31, 2018 was Ps.37.8083 per US$1.

    For a description of the types of financial interests we use and the maturity profile of our debt, currency and interest rate structure, see Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”— A.“Operating Results”.

    B.3 Liquidity Management

    i) Liquidity Gaps

    Liquidity risk is the risk that Grupo Financiero Galicia does not have a sufficient level of liquid assets to meet its contractual commitments and the operational needs of the business without affecting market prices. The goal of liquidity management is to maintain an adequate level of liquid assets that allows it to meet financial commitments at contractual maturity, take advantage of potential investment opportunities and meet demand for credit. To monitor and control liquidity risk, Grupo Financiero Galicia monitors and systematically calculates gaps in liquidity through the application of an internal model that is subject to periodic review.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s liquidity policy covers three areas of liquidity risk:

     

    Principal Trends

    Related to Argentina

    Argentina's financial program still depends on the outcome of the ongoing debt restructuring process. Access to debt market has not recovered yet, and the possibility of recovering it will depend on the offer made by the Government, the consistency of the macroeconomic plan and the international context and the consequences that the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has on it.

    As regards the foreign exchange market, current controls allowed the Peso to depreciate less than other currencies in the region in this context. As external pressures continue, it would be expected that the Argentine Central Bank would allow a faster depreciation so as not to overvalue the peso in real terms.

    With respect to the monetary policy, 2019 was mostly characterized by a great interest rate increase for the purpose of containing the devaluation of the Argentine peso. Nevertheless, the monetary policy became more relaxed by the end of the year. This is likely to continue in 2020, with interest rate cuts and issuances in Argentine pesos.



    In the fiscal front, towards the end of 2019 and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Argentine Congress passed a law that created new taxes, stopped certain tax reductions that were meant to occur during 2020 and increased other taxes. These changes were made in order to allow the government to increase public spending, financed by an increase in tax collections. Added to this, the government announced a tax package consisting of social transfers, increases in pensions and cuts in employers´ contributions—among others—in order to face the economic and health consequences of the pandemic. All in all, 2020 should be a year of lax fiscal policy that will be mainly financed by monetary issuance, in the absence of access to debt markets.

    .

    Related to the Financial System

    The Argentine financial system will continue to interact with the private sector, which is expected to maintain its current capital structure, characterized by a focus on short term credit and high liquidity assets. We do not expect credit to grow in terms of GDP during 2020.

    Portfolio quality indicators are expected to be influenced by macroeconomic factors, and social-distancing measures taken to stem the COVID-19 pandemic are affecting several economic activities, increasing the risk to cut the chain of payments. The Argentine Central Bank relaxed delinquency days and default terms for the benefit of borrowers. We believe these measures could have an impact on the profit levels of financial institutions. Simultaneously, the Argentina Central Bank is promoting financing alternatives at lower interest rates, mainly for SMEs. This situation could have negative consequences on the financial income of banks, which will depend, among other important aspects, on the evolution of the pandemic.

    In terms of the solvency of the Argentine financial system, it is expected that the net results of the banks in 2020 will enable the system overall to exceed the minimum capitalization requirements set forth in the Basel Committee regulations. Income from holdings, in particular those associated with returns on liquidity, is expected to reduce its contribution to the operating income in 2020 and this effect would be compensated by interest on loans. At the same time, those banks will continue to improve their operating efficiency.

    A solid systemic position of the Argentine financial system is expected to prevail in 2020. In addition, the level of hedging arrangements and excess capital will be a source of strength to the extent loan portfolios in default continue to increase. Low leverage levels as compared to companies and individuals in the region demonstrate the potential for Argentine financial institutions to remain strong despite the inflation and the volatility of the Peso.

    Related to Us

    The volatile and uncertain context which the Argentine economy is currently going through, marked by the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and all the public policy measures that were taken and will continue to be taken, added to the pre-existing macroeconomic situation and the debt renegotiation, requires a thorough review and monitoring of the macroeconomic scenarios where Grupo Financiero Galicia operates and of the impact analysis on the different business lines as set forth below.

    We consider that 2020 will be characterized by a more lenient lax policy, essentially financed through money issuance (on account of the virtual closure of international markets for Argentina). Such an expansionary monetary policy, in the context of a strict foreign exchange control, mainly impacts on the financial system.

    To this we must add a more regulated activity in terms of directed credit, as it has already begun to occur with regulations that encourage granting loans to SMEs at maximum rates, through the benefits or exemptions in bank reserve, or limits on placement of excess liquidity in economic policy instruments.

    In Banco Galicia, these policies affect the financial margin, namely the brokerage margin and the lower profitability resulting from placing Liquidity Bills (both for volume and rates).



    These regulations may also impact the income from the purchase and sale of foreign currency, already known and analyzed since the end of 2019. In addition, regulations aimed at preventing an increase in prices of fees for the entire 2020 and the recent ban to charge fees for the use of ATMs until June 2020, must be considered.

    Finally, the decrease of the economic activity and the subsequent increase in unemployment will considerably impact on the quality of portfolios, increasing charges for uncollectible accounts, both in Banco Galicia and Tarjeta Naranja.

    As a consequence of the above-mentioned situation, Banco Galicia foresees the following impacts from COVID-19 during 2020:

    • Fee income will be reduced, due to lower prices and lower volumes.
    • Financial income will be affected by: (i) a lower average lending rate as a consequence of the directed credit at maximum interest rates, and (ii) a demand driven by subsidized credit. This could be partially offset by improving the structure of liabilities, due to the less attractive placement conditions. Additionally, and compared to 2019, the profitability from investing the excess liquidity will decrease, both due to the regulatory limits to the volumes invested and the downward trend in rates.
    • Loan and other receivables loss provisions will be significantly accelerated, considering the impact generated by a reduction in the activity and employment levels.
    • Administrative expenses will not experience significant changes with respect to our estimate for 2020, considering the containment policy and the digital transformation that the Bank is going through by generating efficient captures.
    • As for volumes, the expansionary monetary policy with foreign exchange control imposed by the administration will probably continue generating dynamism in deposits, growing slightly above the system. As regards credit, although we do not believe that there is a very dynamic demand, considering the expected level of economic activity, credit boost policies and the need to rebuild working capital will generate growth in terms of Gross Domestic Product when the economy begins to stabilize.

    To conclude, we estimate that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a negative impact on the Bank's income, mainly as a consequence of: (i) the negative impact of the financial income, due to the reasons stated above; (ii) restrictions imposed by regulations to charge fees; (iii) higher loan and other receivables loss provisions; and (iv) the higher nominality of savings in expenses.

    Still, it is currently believe, based on the information known to date, that the Bank’s current liquidity and solvency levels will allow it to cope with this situation in the short term, assuming it is under control by the end of 2020.

    With regards to Tarjeta Naranja, as it is a credit-and-consumption-related business, the estimated impact will be reflected in a potential drop in the volume of operations or customer transactions; therefore, revenue obtained from services will be affected.

    Additionally, the Tarjeta Naranja access to financing through the capital market may be limited, which in turn would leave Tarjeta Naranja with less ability to offer financing plans or loans to its customers, with the consequent impact that would have on financial income. However, Tarjeta Naranja has so far been able to maintain the liquidity and solvency levels that would allow it to address the obligations incurred.

    Loan and other receivables loss provisions will increase as a consequence of the general impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the economy and expected increase in unemployment rates.

    In conclusion, we expect a negative impact on Tarjeta Naranja's future income during 2020, mainly caused by the decrease of financial and service revenues, and higher charges for arrearage.



    On the other hand, Sudamericana Holding does not foresee significant consequences on their business during 2020 related to COVID-19 and derived by the new regulations, either in economic or financial terms.

    The operational management of the Group Galicia’s subsidiaries is stable, enabling us to comply with the needs and demands of our customers and of the control and supervision bodies. The implementation of work from home policies for our employees and our technological infrastructure have become invaluable tools to remain operative.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia will continue with the objective of strengthening its leadership position in the market. The high quality of the products and services it (and its subsidiaries) provide to current and future customers will continue to have a central role, in addition to continuing the process of improving operational efficiency as a key factor in generating value for its customers and shareholders.

    Likewise, thequarantine, social distancing and restrictions on face-to-face activities are driving forces to continue promoting and accelerating our Digital Transformation process. We continue working on projects that enrich the experience of our customers and employees. We leverage new business lines like Naranja X, and we remain focused on transforming Banco Galicia into a 100% digital platform, with the purpose of growing and capturing new customers.

    The business growth of all the companies that make up Grupo Galicia takes place within the framework of a sustainable management. To this end, we will continue to seek new opportunitiesaimed at the common good and care for the environment.

    The Board of Directors is closely monitoring this situation and taking all the required measures within their reach to preserve human life and our operations.

    The analysis of these trends should be read in conjunction with the discussion in Item 3. “Key Information”— D. “Risk Factors”, and with consideration that the Argentine economy has been historically volatile, which has negatively affected the volume and growth of the financial system.

    B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

    Liquidity - Holding Company on an Individual Basis

    We generate our net earnings/losses from our operating subsidiaries, specifically Banco Galicia, our main operating subsidiary. Banco Galicia’s dividend-paying ability has been affected since late 2001 by the effects of the 2001-2002 liquidity crisis and its impact on Banco Galicia’s income-generation capacity. In addition, there were other restrictions on Banco Galicia’s ability to pay dividends resulting from applicable Argentine Central Bank rules and the loan agreements entered into by Banco Galicia as part of its foreign debt restructuring. See Item 8. “Financial Information”—"Dividend Policy and Dividends.”

    From 2002 to 2010 we did not receive any dividends from Banco Galicia, which is the primary source of funds available to us. On April 27, 2011, during the shareholders’ meeting of Banco Galicia, a distribution of cash dividends for a total amount of Ps.100 million was approved.

    During fiscal years 2017 and 2018, Grupo Financiero Galicia received dividends from its subsidiaries in the amount of Ps.658 million, (equivalent to Ps.1,667 million as of December 2019), and Ps.1,152 million, (equivalent to Ps.2,273 million as of December 2019), respectively. During fiscal year 2019, Grupo Financiero Galicia received dividends for Ps.2,392 million, (equivalent to Ps.3,041 million as of December 2019). During March 2020, the shareholders’ meeting of Galicia Warrants S.A. and Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A. approved the distribution of dividends in cash during April 2020, for Ps.40 million and Ps.316 million respectively.

    On April 2019, Grupo Financiero Galicia received a cash dividend from Banco Galicia in the amount of Ps.1,500 million (equivalent to Ps.1,996 million as of December 2019) for fiscal year 2018.



    Due to the regulations recently passed by the Argentine Central Bank within the framework of the measures taken by the government to respond to the COVID-19, the capacity of the Argentine financial system to pay cash dividends has been suspended until June 30, 2020.

    The extent to which a banking subsidiary may extend credit or otherwise provide funds to a holding company is limited by Argentine Central Bank rules. For a description of these rules, see Item 4. “Information on the Company-Argentine Banking Regulation-Lending Limits.”

    According to Grupo Financiero Galicia’s policy for the distribution of dividends and due to Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and the fact that most of the profits for fiscal years 2017 and 2018 also corresponded to income from holdings (with just a fraction corresponding to the realized and liquid profits meeting the requirements to be distributed as per Section 68 of the Corporations Law) the shareholders' meeting held on April 28, 2020 approved to increase the discretionary reserve for future dividends’ distribution and to grant to the Board of Directors the ability to partially use said reserve to pay cash dividends, in an amount equal to Ps.4,000 million,. This amount represents 280.3546% with regard to 1,426,764,597 class A and B ordinary shares, with a face value of Ps.1 each, and the distribution is subject to Banco Galicia’s capacity to pay cash dividends in at least the same amount.

    For fiscal year 2017, the shareholders’ meeting held on April 24, 2018 approved the distribution of cash dividends for Ps.1,200 million, equivalent to Ps.2,487 million as of December 2019 which represented a dividend of 84.11% with respect to 1,426,764,597 class A and B ordinary shares of Grupo Financiero Galicia with a face value of Ps.1 each. Similarly, for fiscal year 2018, the shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2019 approved the distribution of cash dividends for Ps.2,000 million, (equivalent to Ps.2,582 million as of December 2019), which represented a dividend of 140.18% with respect to 1,426,764,597 class A and B ordinary shares of Grupo Financiero Galicia with a face value of Ps.1 each.

    Due to Act. No. 27,260, Grupo Financiero Galicia neither reimbursed nor withheld any amount for tax purposes on the dividends paid for fiscal year 2017 and 2018. For fiscal year 2019, due to regulations in force, Grupo Financiero Galicia may withhold some amount for tax purposes on the dividends to be distributed.

    As of December 31, 2019, Grupo Financiero Galicia, on an individual basis, had cash and amounts due from banks in an amount of Ps.0.3 million, short-term investments made up of special checking account deposits, mutual funds and government securities and foreign currency in an amount of Ps.810 million.

    As of December 31, 2018, Grupo Financiero Galicia, on an individual basis, had cash and amounts due from banks in an amount of Ps.0.2 million and short-term investments made up of special checking account deposits, mutual funds and government securities and foreign currency in an amount of Ps.885 million, (equivalent to Ps.1,362 million as of December 2019).

    As of December 31, 2017, Grupo Financiero Galicia, on an individual basis, had cash and due from banks in an amount of Ps.0.4 million and short-term investments made up of special checking account deposits, mutual funds and government securities in an amount of Ps.1,663 million, (equivalent to Ps.3,777 million as of December 2019).

    During fiscal year 2019, Grupo Financiero Galicia made capital contributions for a total amount of Ps.571 million (equivalent to Ps.644 million as of December 2019), Ps.71 million to IGAM LLC and Ps.500 million to Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

    For a description of the notes issued by Grupo Financiero Galicia, see —Item 5.A. “Operating Results” —” Debt Programs”.

    Each of our subsidiaries is responsible for their own liquidity management. For a discussion of Banco Galicia’s liquidity management, see “Banco Galicia’s Liquidity Management-Banco Galicia Liquidity Management”.



    Consolidated Cash Flows

    Our consolidated statements of cash flows were prepared in accordance with IAS 7 (Statements of Cash Flows). See our consolidated cash flow statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 included in this annual report.

    As of December 31, 2019, on a consolidated basis, we had Ps.232,119 million in available cash (defined as total cash and cash equivalents), representing a Ps.115,340 million decrease as compared to the Ps.347,459 million in available cash as of December 31, 2018.

    As of December 31, 2018, on a consolidated basis, we had Ps.347,459 million in available cash, representing a Ps.144,465 million increase as compared to the Ps.202,994 million in available cash as of December 31, 2017.

    Cash equivalents are comprised of the following: Argentine Central Bank debt instruments having a remaining maturity that does not exceed 90 days, securities in connection with reverse repurchase agreement transactions with the Argentine Central Bank, local interbank loans and overnight placements in correspondent banks abroad. Cash equivalents also comprise, in the case of Tarjetas Regionales, time deposit certificates and mutual fund shares.

    The table below summarizes the information from our consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

     

     

    December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos)

     

     

     

     

     

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Operating Activities

     

     

    (10,569

    )

     

     

    121,928

     

     

     

    (13,810

    )

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Investment Activities

     

     

    (5,218

    )

     

     

    (5,517

    )

     

     

    (5,955

    )

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Financing Activities

     

     

    (27,130

    )

     

     

    28,395

     

     

     

    20,605

     

    Exchange income/(losses) on Cash and Cash Equivalents

     

     

    51,076

     

     

     

    69,162

     

     

     

    10,970

     

    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     

     

    8,159

     

     

     

    213,968

     

     

     

    11,810

     

    Monetary loss related to cash and cash equivalents

     

     

    (123,499

    )

     

     

    (69,503

    )

     

     

    (29,778

    )

    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

     

     

    347,459

     

     

     

    202,994

     

     

     

    220,962

     

    Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

     

     

    232,119

     

     

     

    347,459

     

     

     

    202,994

     

    Our operating activities include the operating results, the origination of loans and other financing transactions with the private sector, as well as raising customer deposits and entering into sales of government securities under repurchase agreement transactions. Our investing activities primarily consist of the acquisition of equity investments and purchasing of bank premises and equipment. Our financing activities include issuing bonds in the local and foreign capital markets and borrowing from foreign and local banks and international credit agencies.



    Management believes that cash flows from operations and available cash and cash equivalent balances, will be sufficient to fund our financial commitments and capital expenditures for fiscal year 2020.

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities

     

     

    December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos)

     

     

     

     

     

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Income before Taxes from continuing operations

     

     

    36,858

     

     

     

    5,191

     

     

     

    22,950

     

    Adjustment to Obtain the Operating Activities Flows:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

     

     

    22,203

     

     

     

    25,074

     

     

     

    11,220

     

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

     

     

    5,065

     

     

     

    2,541

     

     

     

    2,214

     

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

     

     

    30,798

     

     

     

    27,788

     

     

     

    10,496

     

    Other Operations

     

     

    42,151

     

     

     

    (27,981

    )

     

     

    8,083

     

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Assets:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Debt securities measured at fair value through profit or loss

     

     

    1,401

     

     

     

    18,380

     

     

     

    (5,383

    )

    Derivative Financial Instruments

     

     

    418

     

     

     

    (1,554

    )

     

     

    (840

    )

    Repo Transactions

     

     

    (3,060

    )

     

     

    461

     

     

     

    (2,142

    )

    Other Financial Assets

     

     

    2,011

     

     

     

    2,419

     

     

     

    (6,279

    )

    Net Loans and Other Financing

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    - Non-financial Public Sector

     

     

    13

     

     

     

    (5

    )

     

     

    38

     

    - Other Financial Institutions

     

     

    (788

    )

     

     

    5,570

     

     

     

    (5,895

    )

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

     

     

    53,239

     

     

     

    (21,300

    )

     

     

    (67,535

    )

    Other Debt Securities

     

     

    3,169

     

     

     

    (15,755

    )

     

     

    (1,536

    )

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

     

     

    5,090

     

     

     

    (2,262

    )

     

     

    1,152

     

    Investments in Equity Instruments

     

     

    (4,307

    )

     

     

    (76

    )

     

     

    116

     

    Other Non-financial Assets

     

     

    (1,623

    )

     

     

    (1,737

    )

     

     

    (2,625

    )

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

     

     

    896

     

     

     

    15,771

     

     

     

    91

     

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Liabilities:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Deposits

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    - Non-financial Public Sector

     

     

    (11,249

    )

     

     

    10,539

     

     

     

    (1,025

    )

    - Financial Sector

     

     

    (644

    )

     

     

    833

     

     

     

    83

     

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

     

     

    (148,318

    )

     

     

    86,666

     

     

     

    30,616

     

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

     

     

    (1,877

    )

     

     

    3,299

     

     

     

     

    Derivative Financial Instruments

     

     

    (1,943

    )

     

     

    1,522

     

     

     

    855

     

    Other Financial Liabilities

     

     

    (29,681

    )

     

     

    12,129

     

     

     

    (2,683

    )

    Provisions

     

     

    517

     

     

     

    849

     

     

     

    289

     

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

     

     

    (805

    )

     

     

    (15,019

    )

     

     

    4,089

     

    Income Tax Collections/Payments

     

     

    (10,103

    )

     

     

    (11,415

    )

     

     

    (10,159

    )

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Operating Activities

     

     

    (10,569

    )

     

     

    121,928

     

     

     

    (13,810

    )

    In fiscal year 2019, net cash used in operating activities including the inflationary effect amounted to Ps.10,569 million, mainly due to: (i) a Ps.148,318 million net decrease in deposits to non-financial private sector and residents abroad and (ii) a Ps.29,681 million decrease in other financial liabilities. Such amount was partially offset by net cash provided by Ps.53,239 million related to a decrease in net loans and other financing to non-financial private sector and residents abroad.



    In fiscal year 2018, net cash generated by operating activities including the inflationary effect amounted to Ps.121,928 million, mainly due to: (i) a Ps.86,666 million increase in deposits from non-financial private sector and residents abroad, (ii) a Ps.18,380 million decrease in debt securities measured at fair value through profit or loss and (iii) a Ps.15,771 million decrease in non-current assets held for sale, partially offset due to: (i) a Ps.21,300 million increase in loans to non-financial private sector and residents abroad, (ii) a Ps.15,755 million increase in other debt securities and (iii) Ps.15,019 million decrease in other non-financial liabilities.

    In fiscal year 2017, net cash used in operating activities including the inflationary effect amounted to Ps.13,810 million, mainly due to a Ps.67,535 million increase in net loans and other financing to non-financial private sector and residents abroad and partially offset by a Ps.30,616 million increase of deposits from non-financial private sector and residents abroad.

    Cash Flows from Investing Activities

     

     

    December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos)

     

     

     

     

     

    Cash Flows from Investment Activities

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Payments:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Purchase of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

     

     

    (7,897

    )

     

     

    (5,673

    )

     

     

    (5,015

    )

    Purchase of Non-controlling Interests

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (2,249

    )

    Collections:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Sale of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

     

     

    2,679

     

     

     

    156

     

     

     

    1,309

     

    Net Cash used in Investment Activities

     

     

    (5,218

    )

     

     

    (5,517

    )

     

     

    (5,955

    )

    In fiscal year 2019, net cash used in investing activities amounted to Ps.5,218 million mainly attributable to the acquisition of property, plants and equipment, intangible assets and other assets for Ps.7,897 million. Such amount was partially offset by funds provided by the sale of property, plants and equipment, intangible assets and other assets for Ps.2,679 million.

    In fiscal year 2018, net cash used in investing activities amounted to Ps.5,517 million mainly attributable to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and other assets for Ps.5,673 million.

    In fiscal year 2017, net cash used in investing activities amounted to Ps.5,955 million mainly attributable to (i) the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and other assets for Ps.5,015 million, and (ii) the acquisition of non-controlling interest of Tarjetas Regionales for Ps.2,249 million.

    Cash Flows from Financing Activities


     

     

    December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos)

     

     

     

     

     

    Cash Flows from Financing Activities

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Payments:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

     

     

    (16,884

    )

     

     

     

     

     

    (2,412

    )

    Subordinated Debt Securities

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (557

    )

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

     

     

    (7,190

    )

     

     

     

     

     

    (1,692

    )

    Dividends

     

     

    (2,661

    )

     

     

    (2,636

    )

     

     

    (859

    )

    Leases payment

     

     

    (1,000

    )

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Collections:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

     

     

     

     

     

    14,929

     

     

     

     

    Loans from Financial Institutions

     

     

     

     

     

    12,042

     

     

     

     

    Subordinated Debt Securities

     

     

    473

     

     

     

    4,060

     

     

     

     

    Capital increase

     

     

    132

     

     

     

     

     

     

    26,125

     

    Net Cash (used in)/generated by Financing Activities

     

     

    (27,130

    )

     

     

    28,395

     

     

     

    20,605

     



    In fiscal year 2019, net cash used in financing activities amounted to Ps.27,130 million due to: (i) Ps.16,884 million as a consequence of the payments of principal and interest on unsubordinated debt securities, (ii) Ps.7,190 million for payments of loans from local financial institutions, (iii) Ps.2,661 million of payments of dividends and (iv) Ps.1,000 million for leases payments.

    In fiscal year 2018, financing activities provided cash in the amount of Ps.28,395 million due to: (i) issuances of unsubordinated debt securities for approximately Ps.14,929 million during 2018 and (ii) an increase in loans from local financial institutions for Ps.12,042 million.

    In fiscal year 2017, financing activities provided cash in the amount of Ps.20,605 million due to: (i) paid- in capital for Ps.26,125 million, partially offset by (i) Ps.2,412 million as a consequence of the payments of principal and interest on unsubordinated debt securities, (ii) Ps.1,692 million payments of loans from local financial institutions, (iii) Ps.859 million of payments of dividends and (iv) Ps.557 million as consequence of payments of principal and interest on subordinated debt securities.

    Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents

    In fiscal year 2019, the effect of the exchange rate on consolidated cash flow amounted to Ps.51,076 million, a decrease of Ps.18,086 million as compared to fiscal year 2018. The exchange rate as of December 31, 2019 was Ps.59.8950 per US$1.

    In fiscal year 2018, the effect of the exchange rate on consolidated cash flow amounted to Ps.69,162 million. The exchange rate as of December 31, 2018 was Ps.37.8083 per US$1.

    In fiscal year 2017, the effect of the exchange rate on consolidated cash flow amounted to Ps.10,970 million. The exchange rate as of December 31, 2017 was Ps.18.7742 per US$1.

    For a description of the types of financial interests we use and the maturity profile of our debt, currency and interest rate structure, see Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”— A.“Operating Results”.

    Liquidity Management

    Liquidity Gaps

    Liquidity risk is the risk that Banco Galicia does not have a sufficient level of liquid assets to meet its contractual commitments and the operational needs of the business without affecting market prices. The goal of liquidity management is to maintain an adequate level of liquid assets that allows it to meet financial commitments at contractual maturity, take advantage of potential investment opportunities and meet demand for credit. To monitor and control liquidity risk, Banco Galicia monitors and systematically calculates gaps in liquidity through the application of an internal model that is subject to periodic review.

    Banco Galicia’s liquidity policy covers three areas of liquidity risk:

    • Stock Liquidity: The excess amount of cash and liquid assets above the legal minimum cash requirements, taking into account the characteristics and performance of Banco Galicia’s different liabilities, as well as the nature of the assets that provide such liquidity.

    Cash Flow Liquidity: Gaps between the contractual maturities of consolidated financial assets and liabilities.

  • Concentration of Deposits: The concentration of deposits is regulated in terms of the top leading customers and the following 50 customers. A maximum limit with respect to the share in deposits is determined on an individual basis for such customers.



    As of December 31, 2019,

    As of December 31, 2020, the consolidated gaps between maturities of Grupo Financiero Galicia´s financial assets and liabilities based on contractual remaining maturity were as follows:

       December 31, 2020 
       Less than one
    Year
      1 – 5 Years  5 – 10 Years  Over 10
    Years
      Total 
       (in millions of Pesos, except ratios) 

    Assets

          

    Cash and Due from Banks

       72,826   —     —     —     72,826 

    Argentine Central Bank – Escrow Accounts

       181,143   —     —     —     181,143 

    Overnight Placements in Banks Abroad

       1,100   —     —     —     1,100 

    Loans – Public Sector

       11,586   3,242   —     —     14,828 

    Loans – Private Sector

       400,534   64,207   6,267   12,656   483,664 

    Government Securities

       109,185   —     —     —     109,185 

    Notes and Securities

       4,660   691   —     —     5,351 

    Financial Trusts

       72   —     —     —     72 

    Receivables from Financial Leases

       934   875   17   —     1,826 

    Other Financing

       2,361   2,902   —     —     5,263 

    Government Securities Forward Purchase

       62,737   —     —     —     62,737 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Assets

       847,138   71,917   6,284   12,656   937,995 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Liabilities

          

    Deposits in Savings Accounts

       281,011   —     —     —     281,011 

    Demand Deposits

       143,923   —     —     —     143,923 

    Time Deposits

       245,402   91   —     —     245,493 

    Notes

       9,107   2,466   20,873   —     32,446 

    Banks and International Entities

       4,277   6,009   —     —     10,286 

    Local Financial Institutions

       4,882   1,382   —     —     6,264 

    Other Financing

       100,642   2,368   822.0   127.0   103,959 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Liabilities

       789,244   12,316   21,695   127   823,382 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Asset / Liability Gap

       57,894   59,601   (15,411  12,529   114,613 

    Cumulative Gap

       57,894   117,495   102,084   114,613  

    Ratio of Cumulative Gap to Cumulative Liabilities

       7  15  12  14 

    Ratio of Cumulative Gap to Total Liabilities

       7  14  12  14 

     

     

     

    December 31, 2019

     

     

     

    Less than one

    Year

     

     

    1 – 5 Years

     

     

    5 – 10 Years

     

     

    Over 10

    Years

     

     

    Total

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except ratios)

     

    Assets

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Cash and Due from Banks

     

     

    56,617

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    56,617

     

    Argentine Central Bank – Escrow Accounts

     

     

    109,239

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    109,239

     

    Overnight Placements in Banks Abroad

     

     

    7,398

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    7,398

     

    Loans – Public Sector

     

     

    5,290

     

     

     

    2,637

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    7,927

     

    Loans – Private Sector

     

     

    242,667

     

     

     

    69,912

     

     

     

    5,716

     

     

     

    10,161

     

     

     

    328,456

     

    Government Securities

     

     

    60,102

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    60,102

     

    Notes and Securities

     

     

    2,341

     

     

     

    186

     

     

     

    5

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2,532

     

    Financial Trusts

     

     

    425

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    425

     

    Receivables from Financial Leases

     

     

    914

     

     

     

    1,240

     

     

     

    13

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2,167

     

    Other Financing

     

     

    521

     

     

     

    1,761

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2,282

     

    Government Securities Forward Purchase

     

     

    31,643

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    31,643

     

    Total Assets

     

     

    517,157

     

     

     

    75,736

     

     

     

    5,734

     

     

     

    10,161

     

     

     

    608,788

     

    Liabilities

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Deposits in Savings Accounts

     

     

    147,625

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    147,625

     

    Demand Deposits

     

     

    100,237

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    100,237

     

    Time Deposits

     

     

    141,394

     

     

     

    53

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    141,447

     

    Notes

     

     

    16,592

     

     

     

    3,911

     

     

     

    14,943

     

     

     

     

     

     

    35,446

     

    Banks and International Entities

     

     

    13,278

     

     

     

    8,775

     

     

     

    666

     

     

     

     

     

     

    22,719

     

    Local Financial Institutions

     

     

    4,228

     

     

     

    2,019

     

     

     

    -

     

     

     

     

     

     

    6,246

     

    Other Financing

     

     

    70,446

     

     

     

    305

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    70,752

     

    Total Liabilities

     

     

    493,800

     

     

     

    15,063

     

     

     

    15,609

     

     

     

     

     

     

    524,472

     

    Asset / Liability Gap

     

     

    23,357

     

     

     

    60,673

     

     

     

    (9,875

    )

     

     

    10,161

     

     

     

    84,316

     

    Cumulative Gap

     

     

    23,357

     

     

     

    84,030

     

     

     

    74,155

     

     

     

    84,316

     

     

     

    84,316

     

    Ratio of Cumulative Gap to Cumulative Liabilities

     

     

    4.73

     

     

     

    16.51

     

     

     

    14.14

     

     

     

    16.08

     

     

     

     

     

    Ratio of Cumulative Gap to Total Liabilities

     

     

    4.45

     

     

     

    16.02

     

     

     

    14.14

     

     

     

    16.08

     

     

     

     

     

    (*)

    Principal plus UVA adjustment. Does not include interest.

    (1)

    (1) Includes, mainly, debt with retailers due to credit card operations, liabilities in connection with repurchase transactions, debt with domestic credit agencies and collections for third parties.

    The table above is prepared taking into account contractual maturity. Therefore, all financial assets and liabilities with no maturity date are included in the “Less than One Year” category.

    Banco Galicia must comply with a maximum limit set by its board of directors for liquidity mismatches. This limit has been established at -25% (minus 25%) for the ratio of cumulative gap to total liabilities within the first year. Banco Galicia complies with the established policy, since such gap was of 7% as of December 2020.

    ii) Banco Galicia Liquidity Management

    The following is a discussion of Banco Galicia’s liquidity management.

    Banco Galicia’s policy is to maintain a level of liquid assets that allows it to meet financial commitments at contractual maturity, take advantage of potential investment opportunities, and meet customer’s credit demand. To set the appropriate level, forecasts are made based on historical experience and on an analysis of possible scenarios. This enables management to project funding needs and alternative funding sources, as well as excess liquidity and placement strategies for such funds. As of December 31, 2020, Banco Galicia’s liquidity structure was as follows:

     

    The table above is prepared taking into account contractual maturity. Therefore, all financial assets and liabilities with no maturity date are included in the “Less than One Year” category.

    Banco Galicia must comply with a maximum limit set by its board of directors for liquidity mismatches. This limit has been established at -25% (minus 25%) for the ratio of cumulative gap to total liabilities within the first year. Banco Galicia complies with the established policy, since such gap was of 4.5% as of December 2019.

    Banco Galicia Liquidity Management

    The following is a discussion of Banco Galicia’s liquidity management.

    Banco Galicia’s policy is to maintain a level of liquid assets that allows it to meet financial commitments at contractual maturity, take advantage of potential investment opportunities, and meet customer’s credit demand. To set the appropriate level, forecasts are made based on historical experience and on an analysis of possible scenarios. This enables management to project funding needs and alternative funding sources, as well as excess liquidity and placement strategies for such funds. As of
    December 31, 2019, Banco Galicia’s liquidity structure was as follows:2020
    (in millions of Pesos)

    Legal Requirement

    193,955

    Management Liquidity

    211,014

    Total Liquidity

    404,969

    Legal requirements correspond to the minimum cash requirements for Peso- and foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities as per the rules and regulations of the BCRA.

    The assets that can be taken into account for compliance with this requirement are the balances of the Peso- and foreign currency-denominated deposit accounts at the BCRA, the liquidity bills and Bote 2020, and the escrow accounts held at the BCRA in favor of clearing houses.

    Management liquidity, defined as a percentage over deposits and other liabilities, is made up of the following items: balances of checking accounts held by the BCRA exceeding minimum cash requirements, Letes, Leliq and placements held by the BCRA, overnight placements in banks abroad, net short-term interbank loans (call loans), technical cash and placements at the BCRA in excess of the amounts necessary to cover minimum cash requirements.

    B.4 Capital

    Our capital management policy is designed to ensure prudent levels of capital. The following table analyzes our capital resources as of the dates indicated.

     

      As of December 31, 
      2020  2019  2018 
      (in millions of Pesos, except ratios, multiples and percentages) 

    Shareholders’ Equity attributable to GFG

      182,334   155,121   125,919 

    Shareholders’ Equity attributable to GFG as a Percentage of Total Assets

      17.28   16.62   10.55 

    Total Liabilities as a Multiple of Shareholders’ Equity attributable to GFG

      4.79   4.99   8.45 

    Tangible Shareholders’ Equity (1) as a Percentage of Total Assets

      15.91   15.35   9.75 

     

    1)

    December 31, 2019

    (in millions of Pesos)

    Legal Requirement

    162,620

    Management Liquidity

    80,267

    Total Liquidity

    242,887



    Legal requirements correspond to the minimum cash requirements for Peso- and foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities as per the rules and regulations of the Argentine Central Bank.


    The assets that can be taken into account for compliance with this requirement are the balances of the Peso- and foreign currency-denominated deposit accounts at the Argentine Central Bank, the liquidity bills and Bote 2020, and the escrow accounts held at the Argentine Central Bank in favor of clearing houses.

    Management liquidity, defined as a percentage over deposits and other liabilities, is made up of the following items: balances of checking accounts held by the Argentine Central Bank exceeding minimum cash requirements, Letes, Leliq and placements held by the Argentine Central Bank, overnight placements in banks abroad, net short-term interbank loans (call loans), technical cash and placements at the Argentine Central Bank in excess of the amounts necessary to cover minimum cash requirements.

    Capital

    Our capital management policy is designed to ensure prudent levels of capital. The following table analyzes our capital resources as of the dates indicated.

     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except ratios, multiples and percentages)

     

    Shareholders’ Equity attributable to GFG

     

     

    113,942

     

     

     

    92,492

     

     

     

    99,260

     

    Shareholders’ Equity attributable to GFG as a Percentage of Total Assets

     

     

    16.62

     

     

     

    10.55

     

     

     

    13.18

     

    Total Liabilities as a Multiple of Shareholders’ Equity attributable to GFG

     

     

    4.99

     

     

     

    8.45

     

     

     

    6.54

     

    Tangible Shareholders’ Equity (1) as a Percentage of Total Assets

     

     

    15.35

     

     

     

    9.75

     

     

     

    12.83

     

    1) Tangible shareholders’ equity represents shareholders’ equity minus intangible assets.

    For information on our capital adequacy and that of our operating subsidiaries, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B.“Business Overview”—“Selected Statistical Information”—“Regulatory Capital”.

    B.5 Capital Expenditures

    In the ordinary course of business, our capital expenditures are mainly related to fixed assets, construction and organizational and IT system development. Generally, our capital expenditures are not significant when compared to our total assets.

    For a more detailed description of our capital expenditures in 2020 and our capital commitments for 2021, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”— A. “History and Development of the Company”—“Capital Investments and Divestitures”. For a description of financing of our capital expenditures, see —“Consolidated Cash Flows”.

    C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses

    Not applicable.

    D. Trend Information

    See Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”-A.“Operating Results” – “Principal Trends”.

    E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

    See Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”—A. “Operating Results”— “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” and “Contractual Obligations”.

    F. Contractual Obligations

    See Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”—A. “Operating Results”—“Contractual Obligations”.

    G. Safe Harbor

    These matters are discussed under “Forward-Looking Statements.”

     

    For information on our capital adequacy and that of our operating subsidiaries, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B.”Business Overview”─”Selected Statistical Information”—“Regulatory Capital”.

    Capital Expenditures

    In the ordinary course of business, our capital expenditures are mainly related to fixed assets, construction and organizational and IT system development. Generally, our capital expenditures are not significant when compared to our total assets.

    For a more detailed description of our capital expenditures in 2019 and our capital commitments for 2020, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”— A. “History and Development of the Company”─”Capital Investments and Divestitures”. For a description of financing of our capital expenditures, see —“Consolidated Cash Flows”.

    E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

    See Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”─A. “Operating Results”─ “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” and “Contractual Obligations”.

    F. Contractual Obligations

    See Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”─A. “Operating Results”—"Contractual Obligations”.

    G. Safe Harbor

    These matters are discussed under “Forward-Looking Statements.”


    Item 6.

    Directors, Senior Management and Employees

    A. Directors and Senior Management

    Our Board of Directors

    Our ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting took place on April 28, 2020. The following table sets out the members of our Board of Directors as of that date (all of whom reside in Buenos Aires, Argentina), the positions they hold within Grupo Financiero Galicia, their dates of birth, their principal occupations and the dates of their appointment and on which their current terms will expire. Terms expire when the annual shareholders’ meeting takes place.

     

    Our BoardName

    PositionDate of Directors

    Birth

    Principal OccupationMember SinceCurrent Term


    Eduardo J. Escasany

    Our ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting took place on

    ChairmanJune 30, 1950BusinessmanApril 28, 2020. The following table sets out the members of our Board of Directors 2005April 2022

    Pablo Gutierrez

    Vice ChairmanDecember 9, 1959BusinessmanApril 2003April 2022

    Abel Ayerza

    DirectorMay 27, 1939BusinessmanSeptember 1999April 2021

    Federico Braun

    DirectorFebruary 4, 1950BusinessmanSeptember 1999April 2023

    Silvestre Vila Moret

    DirectorApril 26, 1971BusinessmanJune 2002April 2023

    Daniel Llambías of that date (all of whom reside in Buenos Aires, Argentina), the positions they hold within Grupo Financiero Galicia, their dates of birth, their principal occupations and the dates of their appointment and on which their current terms will expire. Terms expire when the annual shareholders’ meeting takes place.

    DirectorFebruary 8, 1947BusinessmanApril 2017April 2023

    Pedro A. Richards

    Name

    Position

    Date of Birth

    Principal
    Occupation

    Member Since

    Current Term
    Ends

    DirectorNovember 14, 1952BusinessmanApril 2017April 2022

    Miguel C. Maxwell

    DirectorDecember 19, 1956AccountantApril 2020April 2021

    Claudia Raquel Estecho

    DirectorSeptember 24, 1957AccountantApril 2019April 2021

    Ricardo Alberto Gonzalez

    Alternate DirectorJune 12, 1951Businessman��April 2019April 2022

    Sergio Grinenco

    Alternate DirectorMay 26, 1948BankerApril 2003April 2021

    Alejandro Rojas Lagarde

    Alternate DirectorJuly 17, 1937LawyerApril 2000April 2021

    Eduardo J. Escasany

    Chairman

    June 30, 1950

    Businessman

    April 2005

    April 2022

    Pablo Gutierrez

    Vice Chairman

    December 9, 1959

    Businessman

    April 2003

    April 2022

    Abel Ayerza

    Director

    May 27, 1939

    Businessman

    September 1999

    April 2021

    Federico Braun

    Director

    February 4, 1950

    Businessman

    September 1999

    April 2023

    Silvestre Vila Moret

    Director

    April 26, 1971

    Businessman

    June 2002

    April 2023

    Daniel Llambías

    Director

    February 8, 1947

    Businessman

    April 2017

    April 2023

    Pedro A. Richards

    Director

    November 14, 1952

    Businessman

    April 2017

    April 2022

    Miguel C. Maxwell

    Director

    December 19, 1956

    Accountant

    April 2020

    April 2021

    Claudia Raquel Estecho

    Director

    September 24, 1957

    Accountant

    April 2019

    April 2021

    Ricardo Alberto Gonzalez

    Alternate Director

    June 12, 1951

    Businessman

    April 2019

    April 2022

    Sergio Grinenco

    Alternate Director

    May 26, 1948

    Banker

    April 2003

    April 2021

    Alejandro Rojas Lagarde

    Alternate Director

    July 17, 1937

    Lawyer

    April 2000

    April 2021

    Ana María Bertolino

    Alternate Director

    June 1, 1951

    Lawyer

    April 2019

    April 2022

    The following is a summary of the biographies of the members of our Board of Directors:

    Eduardo J. Escasany: Mr. Escasany obtained a degree in economics at the Universidad Católica Argentina. He was associated with Banco Galicia from 1973 to 2002. He was appointed to Banco Galicia’s board of directors in 1975. In 1979, he was elected as the vice chairman and from 1989 to March 21, 2002 he served as the chairman of Banco Galicia’s board of directors and its chief executive officer. He served as the vice chairman of the Argentine Bankers Association from 1989 to 1993 and the chairman of such association from 1993 to 2002. He was chairman of the Board of Directors from April 2002 to June 2002. In April 2005, he was re-elected as member of the Board of Directors and appointed as chairman in 2010. He is also a lifetime trustee and chairman of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. He is the chairman of Helena Emprendimientos Inmobiliarios S.A. and an alternate director for RPE Distribución S.A. and Hidro Distribución S.A. Mr. Escasany is Mr. Silvestre Vila Moret’s uncle.

    Pablo Gutierrez: Mr. Gutierrez obtained a degree in business administration at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1985, where he served in different positions. In April 2005, he was appointed to the board of directors of Banco Galicia. Mr. Gutierrez is regular director of Tarjetas Regionales, and Tarjeta Naranja S.A. and a lifetime trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. He was an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia from April 2003 to April 2010 when he was appointed as vice chairman. In April 2012, he was appointed as the vice chairman of Banco Galicia. Mr. Gutierrez is Mr. Abel Ayerza’s nephew.

    Abel Ayerza: Mr. Ayerza obtained a degree in business administration at the Universidad Católica Argentina. He was associated with Banco Galicia from 1966 to 2002. Mr. Ayerza is also second vice chairman of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires and the managing partner of Cribelco S.R.L., Crisabe S.R.L. and Huinca Cereales S.R.L. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since September, 1999. Mr. Ayerza is the uncle of Mr. Pablo Gutierrez.

    Federico Braun: Mr. Braun obtained a degree in industrial engineering at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He was associated with Banco Galicia from 1984 to 2002. Mr. Braun is also the chairman of Patagonia Logística S.A., Campos de la Patagonia S.A., Estancia Anita S.A., Tarjeta del Mar and S.A. Importadora y Exportadora de la Patagonia; the vice chairman of Asociación Empresaria Argentina and Asociación de Supermercados Unidos. He is a director of Inmobiliaria Financiera “La Josefina” S.A. and an alternate director of Martseb S.A. He is a lifetime trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since September 1999.


    Silvestre Vila Moret: Mr. Vila Moret obtained a degree in banking administration at the Universidad Católica Argentina. He was associated with Banco Galicia from 1997 until May 2002. Mr. Vila Moret is also vice chairman of El Benteveo S.A. and Santa Ofelia S.A. He has served as on the Board of Directors since June 2002. He is a lifetime trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. Mr. Vila Moret is the nephew of Mr. Eduardo J. Escasany.

    Daniel Antonio Llambías: Mr. Llambías obtained a degree in national public accounting at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1964. He was elected as an alternate director of Banco Galicia in September 1997 and served as a director from September 2001 until August 2009, when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Llambías is also a director of Tarjeta Naranja and Tarjetas Regionales and an alternate trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. He served as the chairman of ADEBA from April 2016 to April 2017. Mr. Llambías was appointed as a director of Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2017.

    Pedro Alberto Richards:Mr. Richards obtained a degree in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He holds a Master of Science in Management from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was the director of the National Development Bank. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1990. He was a member of the board of directors of Galicia Capital Markets S.A. between 1992 and 1994 and vice chairman of Net Investment between September 2001 and May 2007. Since August 2000, he served as Grupo Financiero Galicia’s managing director and from 2010 as our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Richards is also Director of Galicia Warrants, and director of Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A. Mr. Richards was an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia from April 2003 until April 2005, after which he served as a director until April 14, 2010. He was appointed as a director of Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2017.

    Miguel C. Maxwell: Mr. Maxwell obtained a degree in national public accounting at the Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1979 and in 1986 he completed the High Management Program - Instituto de Altos Estudios Empresariales - Buenos Aires (Harvard Business School - University of Navarra). He developed his professional career at Deloitte & Co. S.A. (Argentina, Paraguay y Bolivia) where he entered in 1977, was promoted to Audit Partner in 1986, became Member of the Board from 1999 until May 2005, Audit Business Leader from June 2005 until May 2011 and Chairman and CEO from June 2011 until May 2017. He was also Member of the Board of Deloitte LATCO (15 Latin American countries) from June 2011 until May 2014, CEO of Deloitte LATCO from June 2014 until May 2017 and Member of the Board of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu from June 2014 until May 2017. Mr Maxwell has substantial experience in audit, serving both domestic clients and subsidiaries of European and American Companies in Argentina. He has more than 35 years of professional experience. Currently he is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of Llorente & Cuenca (LLYC) in Argentina, Member of the Board of José M. Alladio e Hijos S.A. and regular syndic of LIAG Argentina S.A.

    Claudia Raquel Estecho:Mrs. Estecho obtained a degree in accounting at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. She has also completed specialized training programs in the areas of Human Resources, Risk and Executive Management at the Universidad Austral. She held different positions at Banco Galicia since 1976 to 2016 in the areas of Finance, Planning and Risk Management. She was appointed as regular director of Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2019.

    Ricardo Alberto Gonzalez: Mr. Gonzalez served in various positions at Banco Galicia between 1973 and December 2009, mainly in the retail division and the credit department. He retired as general manager of the corporate banking division. In April 2019, he was appointed as alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Sergio Grinenco: Mr. Grinenco obtained a degree in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina and a master’s in business administration from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1977. He has served as an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia since September 2001 and as the vice chairman from April 2003 to 2011. Mr. Grinenco is also an alternate trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. In 2012, he was appointed as the chairman of Banco Galicia.


    Alejandro María Rojas Lagarde: Mr. Rojas obtained a degree in law from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has held a variety of positions at Banco Galicia since 1963. From 1965 to January 2000, he served as the general counsel office of Banco Galicia. He has served as an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia since 2000. He is also a manager of Rojas Lagarde S.R.L., alternate director of Santiago Salud S.A. and a lifetime trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires.

    Ana María Bertolino: Mrs. Bertolino obtained a degree in law from Universidad de Buenos Aires. She joined Banco Galicia in 1972 and has held positions in Credit and Corporate Banking, until 2009. She was appointed as an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia in

    Alternate DirectorJune 1, 1951LawyerApril 2019.

    Our Board of Directors may consist of between three and nine permanent members. Currently our Board of Directors has nine members. In addition, the number of alternate directors who act in the temporary or permanent absence of a director has been set at four. The regular and alternate directors are elected by the shareholders at our annual general shareholders’ meeting.

    Directors and alternate directors are elected for a maximum term of three years. Mr. Sergio Grinenco is also a director of Banco Galicia. In addition, some members of our Board of Directors may serve on the board of directors of any subsidiary.

    Five of our directors are members of the families that are the controlling shareholders of Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Our Audit Committee

    Grupo Financiero Galicia complies with the provisions set forth by the Capital Markets Law and the regulations set forth by the CNV, which require that companies which make a public offering of shares should form an Audit Committee, and develop a charter with regulations for its operation.

    Accordingly, the Board of Directors established an Audit Committee with three members.For fiscal year 2019 Messrs. Enrique Mariano Garda Olaciregui, Claudia Estecho and Daniel Llambías were the members of the Audit Committee, with Enrique Mariano Garda Olaciregui and Claudia R. Estecho considered independent pursuant to the CNV and Nasdaq requirements. On January 13, 2020, the alternate director Mr. Ricardo A. Gonzalez replaced the regular director Mr. Enrique Mariano Garda Olaciregui, who died on December 30, 2019. Mr. Gonzalez is considered an independent member of the Audit Committee pursuant to the CNV and Nasdaq requirements. All members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and have extensive managerial experience. Mr. Daniel Llambías, was the financial expert serving on our Audit Committee during fiscal year 2019. As a consequence of the resignation presented by Mr. Ricardo A. Gonzalez to his position as member of the Audit Committee, the shareholders' meeting held on

    April 28, 2020, elected Mr. Miguel Maxwell to replace said position. Therefore, the Board of Directors, on the same day, designated Mr. Miguel Maxwell as the new member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Maxwell is independent under the CNV and Nasdaq requirements and have an extensive and recognized managerial experience. According to the CNV rules, the Audit Committee is primarily responsible for (i) issuing a report on the Board of Directors’ proposals for the appointment of the independent auditors and the compensation for the Directors, (ii) issuing a report detailing the activities performed according to the CNV requirements, (iii) issuing the Audit Committee’s annual plan and implementing it each fiscal year, (iv) evaluating the external auditors’ independence, work plans and performance, (v) evaluating the plans and performance of the internal auditors, (vi) supervising the reliability of our internal control systems, including the accounting system, and of external reporting of financial or other information, (vii) following-up on the use of information policies on risk management at Grupo Financiero Galicia’s main subsidiaries, (viii) evaluating the reliability of the financial information to be filed with the CNV and the SEC, (ix) verifying compliance with the applicable conduct rules, and (x) issuing a report on related party transactions and disclosing any transaction where a conflict of interest exists with corporate governance bodies and controlling shareholders. The Audit Committee has access to all information and documentation that it requires and is broadly empowered to fulfill its duties. During 2019, the Audit Committee held eleven meetings.

    Our Executive Committee


    2022

    The following is a summary of the biographies of the members of our Board of Directors:

    Eduardo J. Escasany: Mr. Escasany obtained a degree in economics at the Universidad Católica Argentina. He was associated with Banco Galicia from 1973 to 2002. He was appointed to Banco Galicia’s board of directors in 1975. In 1979, he was elected as the vice chairman and from 1989 to March 21, 2002 he served as the chairman of Banco Galicia’s board of directors and its chief executive officer. He served as the vice chairman of the Argentine Bankers Association from 1989 to 1993 and the chairman of such association from 1993 to 2002. He was chairman of the Board of Directors from April 2002 to June 2002. In April 2005, he was re-elected as member of the Board of Directors and appointed as chairman in 2010. He is also a lifetime trustee and chairman of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. He is the chairman of Helena Emprendimientos Inmobiliarios S.A. and an alternate director for RPE Distribución S.A. and Hidro Distribución S.A. Mr. Escasany is Mr. Silvestre Vila Moret’s uncle.

    Pablo Gutierrez: Mr. Gutierrez obtained a degree in business administration at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1985, where he served in different positions. In April 2005, he was appointed to the board of directors of Banco Galicia. Mr. Gutierrez is regular director of Tarjetas Regionales, and Naranja and a lifetime trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. He was an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia from April 2003 to April 2010 when he was appointed as principal Director. In April 2012, he was appointed as the vice chairman of Grupo Financiero Galicia. Mr. Gutierrez is Mr. Abel Ayerza’s nephew.


    The Executive Committee was created to assist with the management of the Company's

    Abel Ayerza: Mr. Ayerza obtained a degree in business administration at the Universidad Católica Argentina. He was associated with Banco Galicia from 1966 to 2002. Mr. Ayerza is also second vice chairman of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires and the managing partner of Cribelco S.R.L., Crisabe S.R.L. and Huinca Cereales S.R.L. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since September 1999. Mr. Ayerza is the uncle of Mr. Pablo Gutierrez.

    Federico Braun: Mr. Braun obtained a degree in industrial engineering at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He was associated with Banco Galicia from 1984 to 2002. Mr. Braun is also the chairman of Patagonia Logística S.A., Campos de la Patagonia S.A., Estancia Anita S.A., Tarjeta del Mar and S.A. Importadora y Exportadora de la Patagonia; the vice chairman of Asociación Empresaria Argentina and Asociación de Supermercados Unidos. He is a director of Inmobiliaria Financiera “La Josefina” S.A. and an alternate director of Martseb S.A. He is a lifetime trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since September 1999.

    Silvestre Vila Moret: Mr. Vila Moret obtained a degree in banking administration at the Universidad Católica Argentina. He was associated with Banco Galicia from 1997 until May 2002. Mr. Vila Moret is also director of El Benteveo S.A. and Santa Ofelia S.A. He has served as on the Board of Directors since June 2002. He is a lifetime trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. Mr. Vila Moret is the nephew of Mr. Eduardo J. Escasany.

    Daniel Llambías: Mr. Llambías obtained a degree in national public accounting at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1964. He was elected as an alternate director of Banco Galicia in September 1997 and served as a director from September 2001 until August 2009, when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Llambías is also a director of Naranja and Tarjetas Regionales and an alternate trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. He served as the chairman of ADEBA from April 2016 to April 2017. Mr. Llambías was appointed as a director of Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2017.

    Pedro Alberto Richards: Mr. Richards obtained a degree in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He holds a Master of Science in Management from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was the director of the National Development Bank. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1990. He was a member of the board of directors of Galicia Capital Markets S.A. between 1992 and 1994 and vice chairman of Net Investment between September 2001 and May 2007. Since August 2000, he served as Grupo Financiero Galicia’s managing director and from 2010 to 2020 as our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Richards is also Director of Galicia Warrants, and director of Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A. Mr. Richards was an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia from April 2003 until April 2005, after which he served as a director until April 14, 2010. He was appointed as a director of Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2017.

    Miguel C. Maxwell: Mr. Maxwell obtained a degree in national public accounting at the Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1979 and in 1986 he completed the High Management Program - Instituto de Altos Estudios Empresariales (IAE) - Buenos Aires (Harvard Business School - University of Navarra). He developed his professional career at Deloitte & Co. S.A., where, after being promoted to Audit Partner and leading the Audit business in Argentina, he reached the position of CEO of Argentina and LATCO (15 countries) and is a current member of the Board of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of Llorente & Cuenca (LLYC), Director of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. and José M. Alladio e Hijos S.A. and current syndic of LIAG Argentina S.A. and Importadora y Exportadora del Norte S.A. He is also current member of the Boards of Directors of the Asociación Argentina de Cultura Inglesa, Club Champagnat and the Rotary Club of Buenos Aires and Accounts Reviewer of the Harvard Club of Argentina. He was appointed as regular director of Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2020.

    Claudia Raquel Estecho: Mrs. Estecho obtained a degree in accounting at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. She has also completed specialized training programs in the areas of Human Resources, Risk and Executive

    Management at the Universidad Austral. She held different positions at Banco Galicia since 1976 to 2016 in the areas of Finance, Planning and Risk Management. She was appointed as regular director of Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2019.

    Ricardo Alberto Gonzalez: Mr. Gonzalez served in various positions at Banco Galicia between 1973 and December 2009, mainly in the retail division and the credit department. He retired as general manager of the corporate banking division. In April 2019, he was appointed as alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Sergio Grinenco: Mr. Grinenco obtained a degree in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina and a master’s in business administration from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1977. He has served as an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia since September 2001 and as the vice chairman from April 2003 to 2011. Mr. Grinenco is also an alternate trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. In 2012, he was appointed as the chairman of Banco Galicia.

    Alejandro María Rojas Lagarde: Mr. Rojas obtained a degree in law from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has held a variety of positions at Banco Galicia since 1963. From 1965 to January 2000, he served as the general counsel office of Banco Galicia. He has served as an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia since 2000. He is also a manager of Rojas Lagarde S.R.L., alternate director of Santiago Salud S.A. and a lifetime trustee of the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires.

    Ana María Bertolino: Mrs. Bertolino obtained a degree in law from Universidad de Buenos Aires. She joined Banco Galicia in 1972 and has held positions in Credit and Corporate Banking, until 2009. She was appointed as an alternate director of Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2019.

    Our Board of Directors may consist of between three and nine permanent members. Currently our Board of Directors has nine members. In addition, the number of alternate directors who act in the temporary or permanent absence of a director has been set at four. The regular and alternate directors are elected by the shareholders at our annual general shareholders’ meeting.

    Directors and alternate directors are elected for a maximum term of three years. Mr. Sergio Grinenco is also a director of Banco Galicia. In addition, some members of our Board of Directors may serve on the board of directors of any subsidiary.

    Five of our directors are members of the families that are the controlling shareholders of Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Our Audit Committee

    Grupo Financiero Galicia complies with the provisions set forth by the Capital Markets Law and the regulations set forth by the CNV, which require that companies which make a public offering of shares should form an Audit Committee and develop a charter with regulations for its operation.

    Accordingly, the Board of Directors established an Audit Committee with three members. For fiscal year 2020, Messrs. Claudia Estecho, Daniel Llambías and Miguel Maxwell were the members of the Audit Committee, with Claudia Estecho and Miguel Maxwell considered independent pursuant to the CNV and Nasdaq requirements. All members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and have extensive experience in management. Mr. Daniel Llambías, was the financial expert serving on our Audit Committee during fiscal year 2020. In April 2020, Mr. Miguel Maxwell replaced Mr. Ricardo Gonzalez who had presented his resignation as Regular Director.

    According to the CNV rules, the Audit Committee is primarily responsible for (i) issuing a report on the Board of Directors’ proposals for the appointment of the independent auditors and the compensation for the Directors, (ii) issuing a report detailing the activities performed according to the CNV requirements, (iii) issuing the Audit Committee’s annual plan and implementing it each fiscal year, (iv) evaluating the external auditors’ independence, work plans and performance, (v) evaluating the plans and performance of the internal auditors, (vi) supervising the reliability of our internal control systems, including the accounting system, and of external reporting

    of financial or other information, (vii) following-up on the use of information policies on risk management at Grupo Financiero Galicia’s main subsidiaries, (viii) evaluating the reliability of the financial information to be filed with the CNV and the SEC, (ix) verifying compliance with the applicable conduct rules, and (x) issuing a report on related party transactions and disclosing any transaction where a conflict of interest exists with corporate governance bodies and controlling shareholders. The Audit Committee has access to all information and documentation that it requires and is broadly empowered to fulfill its duties. During 2020, the Audit Committee held twelve meetings.

    Our Executive Committee

    The Executive Committee was created to assist with the management of the Company’s ordinary business and help the Board of Directors in fulfilling its duties. The Committee is composed of between two and five members of the Board of Directors and the President of the Board of Directors acts as its chairman. The duties of this committee include: gathering legal, economic, financial and business information on the Company’s subsidiaries and investee companies; making investment decisions; appointing the Company’s subsidiaries and investee companies; making investment decisions; appointing the Company's first-tier managers; proposing a strategic plan for the Company and its subsidiaries; making annual budget estimates for the Board of Directors, and performing risk assessments. The members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Eduardo J. Escasany, Pablo Gutiérrez, Abel Ayerza, Federico Braun and Silvestre Vila Moret.

    Our Ethics, Conduct and Integrity Committee

    The Ethics, Conduct and Integrity Committee was created as part of the Company’s Ethics and Integrity Program, in order to promote respect for norms and regulations, the principles of good conduct and our Code of Ethics. The objective of this Committee, (apart from complying with the duties required to be performed by applicable Argentine laws), is to monitor and review reports of conducts contrary to our Code of Ethics, and to decide whether the conduct under review violated our Code of Ethics; evaluate the evolution and effectiveness of our Ethics and Integrity Program; and plan, coordinate and supervise compliance with the relevant policies approved by this Committee. This committee is formed by two independent Directors, the Chief Financial Officer, the responsible for the Integrity program of the Company and is chaired by one of regular Directors. The members are the two independent directors, Messrs. Claudia Estecho and Miguel Maxwell, José Luis Ronsini and Adrián Enrique Pedemonte.

    Our Nomination and Compensation Committee

    The Nomination and Compensation Committee was created to facilitate the analysis and monitoring of several issues based on good corporate governance practices. Said Committee is composed of 5 regular Directors, two of them independent and is chaired by of one independent Director. Even though under Argentine law the appointment of new members to the Board of Directors remains within exclusive power of the shareholders, this Committee assists the Board of Directors in the preparation and design of a succession plan for its members, in particular for the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee. This committee reviews the background, training and professional experience of potential candidates to serve the Board and determines their level of compensation in accordance with market standards. The members of the committee are the two independent directors, Messrs. Claudia Estecho and Miguel Maxwell, Eduardo J. Escasany, Pablo Gutierrez and Federico Braun.

    Our Disclosure Committee

    We have established a Disclosure Committee in response to the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The main responsibility of this committee is to review and approve controls on the public disclosure of financial and related information, and other procedures necessary that enable our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide their certifications for the annual report we file with the SEC. The members of this committee are Messrs. Fabian Kon, Bruno Folino, José Luis Ronsini, Adrián Enrique Pedemonte and Ms. Mariana Saavedra. In addition, at least one of the members of this committee attends all the meetings of our principal subsidiaries’ disclosure committees.

    Our Supervisory Committee

    Our bylaws provide for a Supervisory Committee consisting of three members who are referred to as syndics (“syndics”) and three alternate members who are referred to as alternate syndics (“alternate syndics”). In

    accordance with the Corporations Law and our bylaws, the syndics and alternate syndics are responsible for ensuring that all of our actions are in accordance with applicable Argentine law. Syndics and alternate syndics are elected by the shareholders at the annual general shareholders’ meeting. Syndics and alternate syndics do not have management functions. Syndics are responsible for, among other things, preparing a report to shareholders analyzing our financial statements for each year and recommending to the shareholders whether to approve such financial statements. Alternate syndics act in the temporary or permanent absence of a syndic. Currently, there are three syndics and three alternate syndics. Syndics and alternate syndics are elected for a one-year term.

    The following table shows the members of our Supervisory Committee. Each of our syndics was appointed at the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020. Terms expire when the annual shareholders’ meeting takes place or as set forth below.

    Name

    PositionPrincipal OccupationCurrent Term Ends

    Antonio R. Garcés

    SyndicAccountantApril 2021

    José Luis Gentile

    SyndicAccountantApril 2021

    Omar Severini

    SyndicAccountantApril 2021

    Miguel N. Armando

    Alternate SyndicLawyerApril 2021

    Fernando Noetinger

    Alternate SyndicLawyerApril 2021

    María Matilde Hoenig

    Alternate SyndicLawyerApril 2021

    The following is a summary of the biographies of the members of our Supervisory Committee:

    Antonio Roberto Garcés: Mr. Garcés obtained a degree in accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1959 and with Grupo Financiero Galicia since 2002. In April 1985, he was appointed as an alternate director of Banco Galicia. Subsequently, he was appointed as the vice chairman of Banco Galicia in September 2001, as the chairman of the board of directors of Banco Galicia from March 2002 until August 2002 and then as the vice chairman from August 2002 until April 2003, when he was elected to serve as chairman of Banco Galicia’s board of directors until 2011. From 2003 to 2010 he was the chairman of Grupo Financiero Galicia. From April 2012 until April 2019, Mr. Garcés was appointed as a regular director of Grupo Financiero Galicia. He was elected as a regular syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2019. Additionally, he is a regular syndic of Inviu, Galicia Warrants and Naranja.

    José Luis Gentile: Mr. Gentile obtained a degree in accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has provided services to Grupo Financiero Galicia since 1999 to March 2017. He served as Chief Financial Officer from 2003 to 2017. He was elected as a regular syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2017. Additionally, he is a regular syndic of Inviu and Galicia Warrants, and an alternate syndic of Cobranzas Regionales, Naranja, and of other subsidiaries of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Omar Severini: Mr. Severini obtained a degree in accounting from the Universidad de Belgrano and a degree in finance with a concentration in capital markets from UCEMA. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1978 and served in positions responsible for the regular audit from 1986 to 2009. He served as Internal Auditor Manager to Banco Galicia between 2009 and 2017. He was elected as a regular syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2018. Additionally, he is a regular syndic of Inviu, Galicia Warrants, Tarjetas Regionales, Naranja, and of other subsidiaries of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Miguel Norberto Armando: Mr. Armando obtained a law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He was first elected as an alternate syndic of Banco Galicia from 1986 until 2017. He also acted as an alternate syndic of Grupo Financiero Galicia between 1999 and January 2009 at which point, he became a regular syndic until April 2009 and was reelected as an alternate syndic of Grupo Financiero Galicia until April 2018. He was elected as an alternate syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2019. He is the chairman of Arnoar S.A. Mr. Armando is also a regular syndic of EBA Holding S.A., Electrigal S.A. and an alternate syndic of Inviu, Galicia Seguros, Sudamericana Holding, Marin and Finisterra, among others.

    Fernando Noetinger: Mr. Noetinger obtained a law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1987. He was and has been an alternate syndic of Grupo Financiero Galicia from September 1999 to June 2002 and from April 2006 to date. Mr. Noetinger is also chairman of Villa Rosa S.A. and Doña Ines S.A., an alternate director of Arnoar S.A., and an alternate syndic of EBA Holding S.A., Electrigal S.A., Tarjetas Regionales, Galicia Warrants, Inviu, Banco Galicia, Galicia Retiro, Galicia Seguros, and Sudamericana Holding, among others.

    Maria Matilde Hoening: Mrs. Hoening obtained a law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. She has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1971 and served in different positions until 2009. She was appointed as an alternate syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in 2020.

    Management of Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Our organizational structure consists of the Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Board of Directors, and the Chief Financial Officer & Compliance Officer (CFO&CO), Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Investor Relations Officer (IRO) each of whom reports to the Chief Executive Officer.

    The Chief Executive Officer’s primary responsibilities consist of implementing the policies defined by the Board of Directors, as well as providing recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding future plans, budgets and company organization to be considered by the Board of Directors. He is also responsible for supervising the CFO&CO, CRO and IRO.

    The Chief Financial Officer & Compliance is responsible for the designing of the financial and budgeting planning to be considered by the Executive Committee, including: proposing the framework of financial policies and applicable regulatory compliance with respect to controlled and investee companies, proposing the strategy and development of new businesses for GFG; monitoring the budget of controlled and investee companies, designing and proposing to the Executive Committee the policies in relation to tax, accounting and legal advisory services of GFG and its subsidiaries and investees; supervising the regulatory compliance framework applicable to GFG and its subsidiaries and affiliates and coordinating the operation of GFG’s administrative structure.

    The Chief Risk Officer is responsible for advising on the design of the GFG’s Risk Management strategy and proposing the Executive Committee the Risk policies for the subsidiaries, supervising Risk management considering BCRA regulations and monitoring compliance of policies, rating process and fraud prevention.

    The Investor Relations Officer is responsible for coordinating the institutional and investor relations activities at GFG.

    Our Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Fabian Kon. Mr. Kon obtained a degree in national public accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has worked at Pistrelli, Diaz y Asociados, Accenture, Exolgan Container Terminal and Tradecom, in managerial positions. From 2006 to February 2014, he served as Galicia Seguros’ Chief Executive Officer and was appointed as Banco Galicia’s retail banking manager in March 2014. On October 7, 2015, Mr. Fabián Enrique Kon was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Banco Galicia. Mr. Kon is also the chairman of Sudamericana Holding, vice chairman of Tarjetas Regionales and director of Naranja. He was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Financiero Galicia since July 2020.

    Our Chief Financial Officer is Mr. Bruno Folino. Mr. Folino obtained an accounting degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He completed a post-graduate degree in Tax & Legal at the Universidad Austral and a Master in Science of Management from GSB Stanford University. He started his career as an auditor at Price Waterhouse & Co. before moving to the Tax & Legal Department. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1997 as Tax Manager and Planning Manager. He was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer & Compliance of Grupo Financiero since July 2020. Galicia. On March 2021, he was appointed Bank’s Risk Manager.

    Our Chief Risk Officer is Mr. Diego Rivas. Mr. Rivas obtained a degree in business administration from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. He also completed a postgraduate degree in finance at the CEMA and management development programs at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland, as well as a postgraduate degree in Risk Management at the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Rivas has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1987. In May 2016, he was appointed Risk Manager of Banco Galicia. Mr. Rivas is also vice chairman of Ondara and an alternate director of Naranja. He was appointed as the Chief Risk Officer of Grupo Financiero Galicia since July 2020. On March 2021, he was appointed Bank’s Planning Manager.

    Our Investor Relations Officer is Mr. Pablo Firvida. Mr. Firvida obtained a degree in Industrial Engineering at the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) and a Master in Finance at the Universidad del CEMA. He also attended a course of “ Management Development Program” at the IAE Business School. From 1990 to 1992 he worked as an economic analyst at the Compañía General de Combustibles. Later, from 1992 to 1996, he was an associate in “Investment Banking” at the Banco General de Negocios. Afterwards, from 1996 to 2003, he worked at Banco Galicia Capital Markets. From 2003 to 2008 he served as the Institutional Investor Relations Manager at Grupo Financiero Galicia. Since 2008 he has been working for Banco Galicia. In 2014 he was appointed the Banco Galicia Manager of Institutional and Investor Relations. He was appointed as Investor Relations Officer of Grupo Financiero Galicia since July 2020.

    Board of Directors of Banco Galicia

    At the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020, the size of Banco Galicia’s board of directors was set at six members and three alternate directors. The following table sets forth the members of Banco Galicia’s board of directors as of April 28, 2020, all of whom are residents of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the position currently held by each of them, their dates of birth, their principal occupations, the dates of their appointment and the year in which their current terms will expire. The business address of the members of the Banco Galicia’s board of directors is Tte. General J. D. Perón 430, 24th floor (C1038AAI) Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    Name

    PositionDate of BirthPrincipal
    Occupation
    Member SinceCurrent
    Term Ends

    Sergio Grinenco

    Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee. This committee reviews the background, training and professional experience of potential candidates to serve the Board and determines their level of compensation in accordance with market standards. The members of the committee are the two independent directors, Messrs. Claudia Estecho and Miguel Maxwell, EduardoMay 26, 1948BankerApril 2012April 2023

    Raúl Héctor Seoane

    VicechairmanJuly 18, 1953EconomistApril 2012April 2023

    Guillermo J. Escasany, Pablo Gutierrez and Federico Braun.Pando

    Secretary DirectorOctober 23, 1948BankerApril 2003April 2023

    María Elena Casasnovas (1)

    DirectorMay 10, 1951LawyerApril 2016April 2022

    Juan Carlos L’Afflitto

    DirectorSeptember 15, 1958AccountantApril 2016April 2022

    Gastón Bourdieu

    DirectorAugust 31, 1956
    Agricultural
    Administration

    April 2018April 2021

    Ignacio A. González (2)

    Alternate DirectorApril 23, 1944AccountantApril 2018April 2023

    Verónica Lagos Mármol (2)

    Alternate DirectorNovember 14, 1972EconomistApril 2020April 2023

    Augusto R. Zapiola Macnab

    Alternate DirectorJune 27, 1947EconomistApril 2013April 2022

     

    (1)

    Our Disclosure Committee

    We have established a Disclosure Committee in response to the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The main responsibility of this committee is to review and approve controls on the public disclosure of financial and related information, and other procedures necessary that enable our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide their certifications for the annual report we file with the SEC. The members of this committee are Messrs. Pedro A. Richards, José Luis Ronsini, Adrián Enrique Pedemonte and Ms. Mariana Saavedra. In addition, at least one of the members of this committee attends all the meetings of our principal subsidiaries’ disclosure committees.

    Our Supervisory Committee

    Our bylaws provide for a Supervisory Committee consisting of three members who are referred to as syndics (“syndics”) and three alternate members who are referred to as alternate syndics (“alternate syndics”). In accordance with the Corporations Law and our bylaws, the syndics and alternate syndics are responsible for ensuring that all of our actions are in accordance with applicable Argentine law. Syndics and alternate syndics are elected by the shareholders at the annual general shareholders’ meeting. Syndics and alternate syndics do not have management functions. Syndics are responsible for, among other things, preparing a report to shareholders analyzing our financial statements for each year and recommending to the shareholders whether to approve such financial statements. Alternate syndics act in the temporary or permanent absence of a syndic. Currently, there are three syndics and three alternate syndics. Syndics and alternate syndics are elected for a one-year term.


    The following table shows the members of our Supervisory Committee. Each of our syndics was appointed at the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020. Terms expire when the annual shareholders’ meeting takes place or as set forth below.

    Name

    Position

    Principal Occupation

    Current Term Ends

    Antonio R. Garcés

    Syndic

    Accountant

    April 2021

    José Luis Gentile

    Syndic

    Accountant

    April 2021

    Omar Severini

    Syndic

    Accountant

    April 2021

    Miguel N. Armando

    Alternate Syndic

    Lawyer

    April 2021

    Fernando Noetinger

    Alternate Syndic

    Lawyer

    April 2021

    María Matilde Hoenig(1)

    Alternate Syndic

    Lawyer

    April 2021

    (1) “Ad referendum” of the authorization of the Argentine Central Bank.

    The following is a summary of the biographies of the members of our Supervisory Committee:

    Antonio Roberto Garcés: Mr. Garcés obtained a degree in accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1959 and with Grupo Financiero Galicia since 2002. In April 1985, he was appointed as an alternate director of Banco Galicia. Subsequently, he was appointed as the vice chairman of Banco Galicia in September 2001, as the chairman of the board of directors of Banco Galicia from March 2002 until August 2002 and then as the vice chairman from August 2002 until April 2003, when he was elected to serve as chairman of Banco Galicia’s board of directors until 2011. From 2003 to 2010 he was the chairman of Grupo Financiero Galicia. From April 2012 until April 2019, Mr. Garcés was appointed as a regular director of Grupo Financiero Galicia. He was elected as a regular syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2019. Additionally, he is a regular syndic of Galicia Valores and Galicia Warrants.

    José Luis Gentile: Mr. Gentile obtained a degree in accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has provided services to Grupo Financiero Galicia since 1999 to March 2017. He served as Chief Financial Officer from 2003 to 2017. He was elected as a regular syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2017. Additionally, he is a regular syndic of Galicia Valores and Galicia Warrants, and an alternate syndic of Cobranzas Regionales, Tarjeta Naranja, and of other subsidiaries of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Omar Severini: Mr. Severini obtained a degree in accounting from the Universidad de Belgrano and a degree in finance with a concentration in capital markets from UCEMA. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1978 and served in positions responsible for the regular audit from 1986 to 2009. He served as Internal Auditor Manager to Banco Galicia between 2009 and 2017. He was elected as a regular syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2018. Additionally, he is a regular syndic of Galicia Valores, Galicia Warrants, Tarjetas Regionales, Tarjeta Naranja, and of other subsidiaries of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia.

    Miguel Norberto Armando:Mr. Armando obtained a law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.He was first elected as an alternate syndic of Banco Galicia from 1986 until 2017. He also acted as an alternate syndic of Grupo Financiero Galicia between 1999 and January 2009 at which point he became a regular syndic until April 2009 and was reelected as an alternate syndic of Grupo Financiero Galicia until April 2018. He was elected as an alternate syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in April 2019. He is the chairman of Arnoar S.A. Mr. Armando is also a regular syndic of EBA Holding S.A., Electrigal S.A. and an alternate syndic of Galicia Valores, Galicia Seguros, Sudamericana Holding, Marin and Finisterra, among others.

    Fernando Noetinger:Mr. Noetinger obtained a law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1987. He was and has been an alternate syndic of Grupo Financiero Galicia from September 1999 to June 2002 and from April 2006 to date.Mr. Noetinger is also chairman of Villa Rosa S.A. and Doña Ines S.A., an alternate director of Arnoar S.A., and an alternate syndic of EBA Holding S.A., Electrigal S.A., Tarjetas Regionales, Galicia Warrants, Galicia Valores, Banco Galicia, Galicia Retiro, Galicia Seguros, and Sudamericana Holding, among others.

    Maria Matilde Hoening: Mrs. Hoening obtained a law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. She has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1971 and served in different positions until 2009. She was appointed as an alternate syndic of Banco Galicia and Grupo Financiero Galicia in 2020.



    Management of Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Our organizational structure consists of the Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Board of Directors, and the Chief Financial Officer who reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is in charge of the Financial and Accounting Division.

    The Chief Executive Officer’s primary responsibilities consist of implementing the policies defined by the Board of Directors, as well as providing recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding future plans, budgets and company organization. He is also responsible for supervising the Financial and Accounting Division and assessing the attainment of performance goals of Grupo Financiero Galicia. The Chief Executive Officer also participates in meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company and certain subsidiaries.

    Our Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Pedro A. Richards, please see “─ Our Board of Directors”.

    Our Chief Financial Officer is Mr. José Luis Ronsini. Mr. Ronsini obtained a degree in accounting from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He holds a Master in Finance from the University of CEMA, and attended the Senior Management Program at the Universidad de San Andrés. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 2001. He previously served as the Chief Credit Risk auditor, responsible for subsidiaries, Tarjetas Regionales, and Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A. Mr. Ronsini has served as General Accountant of Banco Galicia since 2012.

    The Financial and Accounting Division is mainly responsible for the assessment of investment alternatives, thus suggesting whether to invest or withdraw Grupo Financiero Galicia’s positions in different companies or businesses. It also plans and coordinates Grupo Financiero Galicia’s administrative services and financial resources in order to guarantee its proper management. This division also aims at meeting requirements set by several controlling authorities, managing the Integrity plan, complying with information and internal control needs and budgeting purposes. Furthermore, it includes functions aimed at planning, preparing, coordinating, controlling and providing financial information to the stock exchanges where Grupo Financiero Galicia’s shares are listed, regulatory bodies and both domestic and international investors and analysts. It facilitates the provision of materials and responses to questions sent by shareholders and investors in general through a specifically designed “contact us”, located in our web page.

    Board of Directors of Banco Galicia

    At the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020, the size of Banco Galicia’s board of directors was set at six members and three alternate directors. The following table sets forth the members of Banco Galicia’s board of directors as of April 28, 2020, all of whom are residents of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the position currently held by each of them, their dates of birth, their principal occupations, the dates of their appointment and the year in which their current terms will expire. The business address of the members of the Banco Galicia’s board of directors is Tte. General J. D. Perón 430, 24th floor (C1038AAI) Buenos Aires, Argentina.



    Name

    Position

    Date of Birth

    Principal

    Occupation

    Member Since

    Current

    Term Ends

    Sergio Grinenco

    Chairman of the Board

    May 26, 1948

    Banker

    April 2012

    April 2023

    Raúl Héctor Seoane

    Vicechairman

    July 18, 1953

    Economist

    April 2012

    April 2023

    Guillermo J. Pando

    Secretary Director

    October 23, 1948

    Banker

    April 2003

    April 2023

    María Elena Casasnovas (1)

    Director

    May 10, 1951

    Lawyer

    April 2016

    April 2022

    Juan Carlos L’Afflitto

    Director

    September 15, 1958

    Accountant

    April 2016

    April 2022

    Gastón Bourdieu

    Director

    August 31, 1956

    Agricultural Administration

    April 2018

    April 2021

    Ignacio A. González (2)

    Alternate Director

    April 23, 1944

    Accountant

    April 2018

    April 2023

    Verónica Lagos Mármol (2)(3)

    Alternate Director

    November 14, 1972

    Economist

    April 2020

    April 2023

    Augusto R. Zapiola Macnab

    Alternate Director

    June 27, 1947

    Economist

    April 2013

    April 2022

    (1) In accordance with the rules of the CNV, and pursuant to the classifications adopted by the CNV, Mrs. Casasnovas is an independent director. Mrs. Casasnovas is also an independent director in accordance with the Nasdaq rules.

    (2)

    (2) In accordance with the rules of the CNV, and pursuant to the classifications adopted by the CNV, Messrs. Gonzalez and Lagos Mármol are independent alternate directors. We would replace the independent director in case of vacancy. Messrs. González and Lagos Mármol are also independent directors in accordance with the Nasdaq rules.

    (3) “Ad referendum”

    The following are the biographies of the members of the board of directors of Banco Galicia:

    Sergio Grinenco: See “—Our Board of Directors”.

    Raúl Héctor Seoane: Mr. Seoane obtained a degree in economics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1988. Mr. Seoane was first elected as an alternate director of Banco Galicia from 2005 until December 2011, and in April 2012 was elected as a director. He is also a vice chairman of Distrocuyo S.A. and an alternate trustee of Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires.

    Guillermo Juan Pando: Mr. Pando has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1969. He was first elected as an alternate director of Banco Galicia from September 2001 until June 2002, and in April 2003 he was elected as a director. He is also the chairman of Santiago Salud S.A. and Distrocuyo S.A., vice chairman of Electrigal S.A., and an alternate trustee of Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires.

    María Elena Casasnovas: Mrs. Casasnovas obtained a degree in law from the Universidad Católica Argentina. She completed the Program for High Management at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella and the Senior Management Program at Universidad San Andrés. She has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1972. In April 2016, she was elected as a director.

    Juan Carlos L’Afflitto: Mr. L’Afflitto obtained a degree in national public accounting at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He worked as advisor and accountant at Morgan, Benedit y Asociados and until 1990 he was a professor at the Universidad Católica Argentina. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1986. In April 2016, he was elected as a director.

    Gastón Bourdieu: Mr. Bourdieu obtained a degree in agricultural administration from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. He has been associated with Banco Galicia from 1981 to 2017. He was appointed as a director of Banco Galicia in April 2018. He is also a director of Maradona S.A.

    Ignacio Abel González: Mr. González obtained a degree in national public accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires and a master in Auditing at Drew University, New Jersey. Previously, he served as a Member of the International Committee of Finance & Value Sharing, PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was appointed as director of Banco Galicia in April 2010 and he was elected as an alternate director in April 2018. He is also director of IDEA and syndic of Sociedad Anónima La Nación, Nuevos Medios La Nación, Publirevistas, Sociedad Anónima Importadora y Exportadora de la Patagonia, and the founder and president of P.O.D.E.R (Polo de Desarrollo Educativo Renovador).

    Enrique García Pinto: Mr. García Pinto has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1970. Before that, he served at Nobleza Piccardo SAYCYF and Saturno Agropecuaria SCA. Mr. García Pinto was appointed as an alternate director of Banco Galicia at the shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2009. He is also director of Distrocuyo S.A.

    Augusto Rodolfo Zapiola Macnab: Mr. Zapiola Macnab obtained a degree in economics from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina. He has been associated with Banco Galicia from June 1978 until September 2002. He was elected as an alternate director of Banco Galicia in April 2013. He was elected as an alternate director on the Board of Directors of Grupo Galicia in April 2015.

    Functions of the Board of Directors of Banco Galicia

    Banco Galicia’s board of directors may consist of three to nine permanent members. In addition, there can be one or more alternate directors who can act during the temporary or permanent absence of a director. As of the date of this annual report, none of the directors were also employees.

    The Board of Directors meets formally at least twice a week and informally every day and is responsible for the general administration of Banco Galicia, making all the decisions required for that purpose.

    Members of the Bank’s Board of Directors serve in the following committees:

    Human Resources and Governance Committee: the Committee, is subdivided into the Nominating Committee and the Compensation Committee. The Nomination Sub-Committee is responsible for nominating successors for the roles of the General Manager and Area Managers and analyzing and setting the compensation to be paid to the General Manager and Area Managers. On the other hand, the Compensation Committee is responsible for submitting, analyzing and suggesting the level of compensation to be paid to the Board of Directors, the General Manager and Area Managers, and for monitoring the performance of Department Managers and Area Managers.

    Risk and Capital Allocation Committee: this committee is responsible for approving and analyzing capital allocation, setting up risk policies and monitoring risks for the authorization of the Argentine Central Bank.

    High Credits Committee: this committee is responsible for approving and subscribing the qualifications and awards of operations of customers and high-risk groups. It meets at least once a week.

    Low Credits Committee: this committee is responsible for approving and subscribing the qualifications and awards of operations of customers and high-risk groups. It meets at least biweekly.

    Systems Committee: this committee is responsible for supervising and approving new systems development plans and their budgets; supervising the budgetary control of developments; approving the general designs of the systems structure, the main processes, and systems to be implemented; and supervising the quality of the services, in accordance with the policies established by the Board of Directors of Banco Galicia.

    Audit Committee: the Committee is responsible for assisting the Board of Directors in controlling the Bank and its controlled and investee companies, in order to reasonably ensure the following objectives: effectiveness and efficiency of operations; reliability of accounting information; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and compliance with the objectives and strategy set by the board.

    Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention and Control Committee: this committee is the body in charge of planning, coordinating and ensuring compliance with the policies established in this area, upon approval by the Board of Directors.

    Disclosure Committee: this committee was created to comply with the provisions of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

    Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”): this committee is responsible for analyzing the collection of resources and placement in different assets, monitoring and controlling liquidity gaps, interest rates and currencies and managing such gaps.

    Strategy and New Businesses Committee: this committee is responsible for analyzing new business.

    Liquidity Crisis Committee: this committee is responsible for assessing situations of liquidity crisis and deciding the actions to be implemented aimed at its resolution. It will meet when the Chairman of the Board of Directors summons it and will meet permanently until the end of the liquidity crisis.

    Profit and Loss Report Committee: this committee is responsible for monitoring the management and the income and evaluating macroeconomic global situations.

    Compliance Committee: this committee is in charge of promoting respect for the rules, principles of good conduct, the Integrity Program and the Bank’s Code of Ethics, and mitigating the non-compliance risk, through the definition of policies, the establishment of controls and reports in the best interest of the Bank, its employees, shareholders and customers.

    Financial Services User Protection Committee: this committee is responsible for monitoring the activities carried out by managerial levels and authorities involved in the internal process of user protection, in order to properly comply with legal and regulatory standards.

    Information Assets Protection Committee: this committee is responsible for generating/having an agile and professional environment for the definition of and decision-making regarding strategies/policies related to the information security of the Bank.

    Banco Galicia’s Supervisory Committee

    Banco Galicia’s bylaws provide for a Supervisory Committee consisting of three syndics and three alternate syndics. According to the General Companies Act and the BCRA regulations, the responsibility of the Syndics of the Supervisory Committee, both regular and alternate, responsibility is to ensure that all of the Bank’s actions are in accordance with applicable Argentine law. The Syndic and Alternate Syndic do not participate in the business administration of the Bank, and do not have and cannot have managerial functions. They are responsible,

    among other things, for preparing a report to the shareholders regarding the Bank’s financial statements of each fiscal year. The Syndic and Alternate Syndic are appointed by the shareholders at their Annual Ordinary Meeting, for one-year periods, and may be reelected. The Alternate Syndics act as Regular Syndics in case of temporary or permanent absence of the Syndics.

    The table below shows the composition of Banco Galicia’s Supervisory Committee as they were re-elected by the annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020.

     

    The following are the biographies of the members of the board of directors of Banco Galicia:Name

    PositionPrincipal OccupationCurrent Term Ends

    Omar Severini

    Sergio Grinenco:See “—Our Board of Directors”.

    Raúl Héctor Seoane: Mr. Seoane obtained a degree in economics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1988. Mr. Seoane was first elected as an alternate director of Banco Galicia from 2005 until December 2011, and in

    SyndicAccountantApril 2012 was elected as a director. He is also a vice chairman of Distrocuyo S.A. and an alternate trustee of Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires.2021

    Jose Luis Gentile

    Guillermo Juan Pando:Mr. Pando has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1969. He was first elected as an alternate director of Banco Galicia from September 2001 until June 2002, and in

    SyndicAccountantApril 2003 he was elected as a director. He is also the chairman of Santiago Salud S.A. and Distrocuyo S.A., vice chairman of Electrigal S.A., and an alternate trustee of Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires.

    María Elena Casasnovas:Mrs. Casasnovas obtained a degree in law from the Universidad Católica Argentina. She completed the Program for High Management at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella and the Senior Management Program at Universidad San Andrés. She has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1972. In April 2016, she was elected as a director.

    Juan Carlos L’Afflitto:Mr. L’Afflitto obtained a degree in national public accounting at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He worked as advisor and accountant at Morgan, Benedit y Asociados and until 1990 he was a professor at the Universidad Católica Argentina. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1986. In April 2016, he was elected as a director.

    Gastón Bourdieu: Mr. Bourdieu obtained a degree in agricultural administration from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. He has been associated with Banco Galicia from 1981 to 2017. He was appointed as a director of Banco Galicia in April 2018. He is also a director of Maradona S.A.

    Ignacio Abel González: Mr. González obtained a degree in national public accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires and a master in Auditing at Drew University, New Jersey. Previously, he served as a Member of the International Committee of Finance & Value Sharing, PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was appointed as director of Banco Galicia in April 2010 and he was elected as an alternate director in April 2018. He is also director of IDEA and syndic of Sociedad Anónima La Nación, Nuevos Medios La Nación, Publirevistas, Sociedad Anónima Importadora y Exportadora de la Patagonia, and the founder and president of P.O.D.E.R (Polo de Desarrollo Educativo Renovador).

    Verónica Lagos Mármol: Mrs. Lagos Mármol obtained a degree in economics at the Universidad San Andrés. She holds a Master in Finance from Universidad CEMA. She joined Banco Galicia in 1995 at Planning and Strategic Analysis. Then she held positions in Investment Banking until 2012. She served as managing director of Capital Management Tarsus until 2016.



    Augusto Rodolfo Zapiola Macnab: Mr. Zapiola Macnab obtained a degree in economics from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina. He has been associated with Banco Galicia from June 1978 until September 2002. He was elected as an alternate director of Banco Galicia in April 2013. He was elected as an alternate director on the Board of Directors of Grupo Galicia in April 2015.

    Functions of the Board of Directors of Banco Galicia

    Banco Galicia’s board of directors may consist of three to nine permanent members.In addition, there can be one or more alternate directors who can act during the temporary or permanent absence of a director. As of the date of this annual report, none of the directors were also employees.

    The Board of Directors meets formally at least twice a week and informally every day and is responsible for the general administration of Banco Galicia, making all the decisions required for that purpose.

    Members of the Bank’s Board of Directors serve in the following committees:

    Human Resources and Governance Committee: This committee is comprised of four regular Directors, the General Manager and the Human Resources Area Manager. The Committee, is subdivided into the Nominating Committee and the Compensation Committee. The Nomination Sub-Committee is comprised of four regular Directors (one of them must be an independent Director), the General Manager and the Human Resources Manager. It is responsible for nominating successors for the roles of the General Manager and Area Managers and analyzing and setting the compensation to be paid to the General Manager and Area Managers. At the request of the shareholders, this sub-committee may recommend candidates for the Board of Directors. On the other hand, the Compensation Committee is comprised of three Directors, the General Managers and the Human Resources Area Manager. It is responsible for submitting, analyzing and suggesting the level of compensation to be paid to the Board of Directors, the General Manager and Area Managers, and for monitoring the performance of Department Managers and Area Managers. The Human Resources and Governance Committee meets at least once every two- months, or whenever there are issues that require urgent treatment. Its resolutions are summarized in writing in minutes and numbered chronologically.

    Risk and Capital Allocation Committee: This committee is comprised of six regular Directors, the General Manager, and the Area Managers of Risks and Planning. It is responsible for approving and analyzing capital allocation, setting up risk policies and monitoring risks for the Bank. It meets at least once every two-months. Its resolutions are summarized in writing in minutes.



    High Credits Committee:this committee is comprised of five regular Directors, the General Manager, and the Area Managers of Risks and Wholesale Banking. Also, when deemed necessary, the Committee may convene Directors and/or Officials from different areas of the Bank. It is responsible for approving and subscribing the qualifications and awards of operations of customers and high-risk groups. It meets at least once a week. The approved operations will be recorded in chronologically numbered forms and will be signed at least by a Director, the General Manager and the Risk Area Manager.

    Low Credits Committee:this committee is comprised of three regular Directors, the General Manager, and the Risk Area Manager. Also, when deemed necessary, the Committee may convene Officials from different areas of the Bank. It is responsible for approving and subscribing the qualifications and awards of operations of customers and high-risk groups. It meets at least biweekly. The approved operations will be recorded in chronologically numbered forms and will be signed at least by a Director, the General Manager and the Risk Area Manager.

    Systems Committee: this committee is comprised of four regular Directors, the General Manager, and the Integrated Corporate Services Area Manager. Also, when deemed necessary, the Committee may convene Directors and Officials from different areas of the Bank. It is responsible for supervising and approving new systems development plans and their budgets; supervising the budgetary control of developments; approving the general designs of the systems structure, the main processes, and systems to be implemented; and supervising the quality of the services, in accordance with the policies established by the Board of Directors of Banco Galicia. The Systems Committee meets at least once every three months, and whenever there are issues that require urgent treatment. Its resolutions are summarized in writing in minutes.

    Audit Committee: In accordance with the regulations of the Argentine Central Bank, the Bank has an Audit Committee composed of two members of the Board of Directors and the head of the Internal Audit. Also, when deemed necessary, the Committee may convene Directors and Officials from different areas of the Bank. The Committee is responsible for assisting the Board of Directors in controlling the Bank and its controlled and investee companies, in order to reasonably ensure the following objectives: effectiveness and efficiency of operations; reliability of accounting information; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and compliance with the objectives and strategy set by the board. The Committee meets at least once a month. Its resolutions are recorded in minutes which are transcribed in initialed books.


    Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention and Control Committee: this committee is comprised of five regular Directors, the General Manager, the Manager of Assets Laundering Prevention and Compliance, the Risk Area Managers, the Financial Banking, Wholesale Banking, Retail Banking and Integrated Corporate Services Managers. The Financial Banking Area Manager is the Official with competence in financial intermediation operations. The Syndics may be invited to attend any of the meetings convened by this Committee. The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention and Control Committee is the body in charge of planning, coordinating and ensuring compliance with the policies established in this area, upon approval by the Board of Directors. The Committee has a regime of meetings of at least once every three months and its decisions must be recorded in an initialled minutes book.

    Disclosure Committee: this committee is comprised of three regular Directors, the General Manager and the Planning Area Manager. The Syndics may be invited to attend any of the meetings convened by this Committee. In the meetings held, a member of the Committee created for such purpose by Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A, shall also be present. This Committee was created to comply with the provisions of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Committee meets at least every six months or whenever there are issues requiring to be addressed. Its resolutions are summarized in writing in minutes and numbered chronologically.

    Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”: Asset and Liability Committee):this committee is comprised of three regular Directors, the General Manager, the Managers of the Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Financial Banking, Risks and Planning Areas. Also, when deemed necessary, the Committee may convene Directors and Officials from different areas of the Bank and its subsidiaries. It is responsible for analyzing the collection of resources and placement in different assets, monitoring and controlling liquidity gaps, interest rates and currencies and managing such gaps. The Committee meets at least one a month. Its resolutions are recorded in writing in minutes and numbered chronologically.



    Strategy and New Businesses Committee:this committee is comprised of three regular Directors, the General Manager and the Planning and Risk Area Managers. It is responsible for analyzing new business. It meets at least once a year, and whenever there are issues requiring to be addressed urgently. Its resolutions are summarized in writing in minutes and numbered chronologically.

    Liquidity Crisis Committee: this committee is comprised of three regular Directors and the General Manager. Likewise, the Committee may convene those officials whose participation is deemed appropriate in relation to the issues to be addressed. It is responsible for assessing situations of liquidity crisis and deciding the actions to be implemented aimed at its resolution. It will meet when the Chairman of the Board of Directors summons it and will meet permanently until the end of the liquidity crisis. Its resolutions are summarized in writing in minutes and numbered chronologically.

    Profit and Loss Report Committee: this committee is comprised of six regular Directors, the General Manager and the Planning Area Manager. It is responsible for monitoring the management and the income and evaluating macroeconomic global situations. It meets at least quarterly. Its resolutions are summarized in writing and numbered chronologically.

    Compliance Committee: this committee is comprised of five regular Directors, the General Manager, the Risk Area Manager and the Manager of Assets Laundering Prevention. Also, when deemed necessary, the Committee may convene other Directors and Officials from different areas of the Bank. It is in charge of promoting respect for the rules, principles of good conduct, the Integrity Program and the Bank's Code of Ethics, and mitigating the non-compliance risk, through the definition of policies, the establishment of controls and reports in the best interest of the Bank, its employees, shareholders and customers. It meets at least once every three months, and whenever there are issues requiring to be addressed urgently. Also, when deemed necessary, the Committee may convene other Directors and Officials from different areas of the Bank. Its resolutions will be summarized in writing and numbered chronologically.

    Financial Services User Protection Committee: this committee is comprised of two regular Directors, the Money Laundering Prevention and Compliance Manager, the Operational Risk Manager, the Legal Advice Manager and the Experience Manager. It is responsible for monitoring the activities carried out by managerial levels and authorities involved in the internal process of user protection, in order to properly comply with legal and regulatory standards. It meets at least once every three months, or more frequently whenever there are issues requiring to be addressed urgently. Also, when deemed necessary, the Committee may convene other Directors, the General Manager and Officials from different areas of the Bank. Its resolutions are summarized in writing and numbered chronologically. The Board of Directors is regularly informed of the decisions taken by the Committee.

    Information Assets Protection Committee: this committee is comprised of two regular Directors, the Risk Area Manager, the System Manager, the Audit Manager and the Information Security Manager. It is responsible for generating/having an agile and professional environment for the definition of and decision-making regarding strategies/policies related to the information security of the Bank. It meets at least once every three months, or more frequently whenever there are issues requiring to be addressed urgently. Its resolutions are summarized in writing and numbered chronologically

    These committees provide written minutes on a monthly basis to the Board of Directors.

    Banco Galicia’s Supervisory Committee

    Banco Galicia’s bylaws provide for a Supervisory Committee consisting of three syndics and three alternate syndics. According to the General Companies Act and the Argentine Central Bank regulations, the responsibility of the Syndics of the Supervisory Committee, both regular and alternate, responsibility is to ensure that all of the Bank’s actions are in accordance with applicable Argentine law. The Syndic and Alternate Syndic do not participate in the business administration of the Bank, and do not have and cannot have managerial functions. They are responsible, among other things, for preparing a report to the shareholders regarding the Bank’s financial statements of each fiscal year. The Syndic and Alternate Syndic are appointed by the shareholders at their Annual Ordinary Meeting, for one-year periods, and may be reelected. The Alternate Syndics act as Regular Syndics in case of temporary or permanent absence of the Syndics.


    The table below shows the composition of Banco Galicia’s Supervisory Committee as they were re-elected by the annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020.

    Name

    Position

    Principal Occupation

    Current Term Ends

    2021

    Omar Severini

    Syndic

    Accountant

    April 2021

    Jose Luis Gentile

    Syndic

    Accountant

    April 2021

    Antonio R. Garces (1)

    Syndic

    Accountant

    April 2021

    Fernando Noetinger

    Alternate Syndic

    Lawyer

    April 2021

    Miguel N. Armando

    Alternate Syndic

    Lawyer

    April 2021

    María Matilde Hoenig(1)

    Alternate Syndic

    Lawyer

    April 2021

    (1) “Ad referendum” of the authorization of the Argentine Central Bank.

    For the biographies of Messrs., Omar Severini, José Luis Gentile, Antonio R. Garces

    SyndicAccountantApril 2021

    Fernando Noetinger and

    Alternate SyndicLawyerApril 2021

    Miguel N. Armando and

    Alternate SyndicLawyerApril 2021

    María Matilde Hoenig

    Alternate SyndicLawyerApril 2021

    For the biographies of Messrs., Omar Severini, José Luis Gentile, Antonio R. Garces, Fernando Noetinger and Miguel N. Armando and María Matilde Hoening, see “—Our Supervisory Committee”.

    Banco Galicia’s Executive Officers

    On October 7, 2015, Mr. Fabián Enrique Kon was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Banco Galicia. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for implementing the strategic goals established by Banco Galicia’s Board of Directors and coordinating with the Managers of the Bank’s Divisions. Mr. Kon reports to the Board of Directors.

    Fabián Enrique Kon: please see “— Management of Grupo Financiero Galicia”

    As of the date of this annual report, the following divisions and department managers report to Banco Galicia’s Chief Executive Officer:

     

    Banco Galicia’s Executive OfficersDivision

    Manager

    Wholesale Banking

    Marcelo Iraola

    On October 7, 2015, Mr. Fabián Enrique Kon was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Banco Galicia. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for implementing the strategic goals established by Banco Galicia’s Board of Directors and coordinating with the Managers of the Bank’s Divisions. Mr. Kon reports to the Board of Directors.Retail Banking

    German Alejandro Ghisoni

    Financial Banking

    Fabián Enrique Kon: Mr. Kon obtained

    Pablo María degree in national public accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has worked at Pistrelli, Diaz y Asociados, Accenture, Exolgan Container Terminal and Tradecom, in managerial positions. From 2006 to February 2014, he served as Galicia Seguros’ Chief Executive Officer and was appointed as Banco Galicia’s retail banking manager in March 2014. Mr. Kon is also the chairman of Sudamericana Holding, vice chairman of Tarjetas Regionales and director of Tarjeta Naranja.León

    Risk

    As of the date of this annual report, the following divisions and department managers report to Banco Galicia’s Chief Executive Officer:

    Division

    Manager

    Bruno Folino

    Wholesale Banking

    Marcelo Iraola

    Retail Banking

    German Alejandro Ghisoni

    Financial Banking

    Pablo María León

    Risk Management

    Diego Rivas

    Comprehensive Corporate Services

    María Marcela Fernie

    People

    Rafael Pablo Bergés

    Planning

    Bruno Folino

    Customer Experience

    Flavio Dogliolo

    Wholesale Banking Area Management: It is responsible for obtaining a broad segment vision and, in turn, a greater alignment with the current situation and future business perspectives. Its main responsibilities are to design, plan and implement the vision, strategies, policies and objectives for the Wholesale Banking business and for each of the customers segments and products, as well as to define and control business objectives, with the purpose of ensuring that they are adjusted competitively to the demands of the industry and to the strategic objectives of the Bank, guaranteeing the volume, profitability, quality and customer satisfaction, within the framework of the established risk levels. The following departments report to this division: Agribusinesses, Corporate Banking, Investment Banking and Capital Market, Corporate Banking, Collections and Payments, Wholesale Lending, Foreign Trade and Transactional Services and Wholesale Business Planning.

    Retail Banking Area Management: It is responsible for facilitating the decision-making process, improving the commercial effectiveness of the retail banking sector and improving the customer focus. Its main responsibilities are to design, plan and implement the vision, strategies, policies and objectives for the Retail Banking business and for each of the customers segments and distribution channels, as well as to define and control business objectives, with the purpose of ensuring that they are intune with the competitive demands of the industry and the strategic



    objectives of the Bank, guaranteeing volume, profitability, quality and customer satisfaction, within the framework of the established risk levels. The following departments report to this division: Every Day Banking, Products, Brand Experience, Private Banking, Branches, Customers Contact Center, Segment + Retail and Retail Banking Planning.

    Financial Banking Area Management: It is responsible for administering the financial position of the Bank, negotiating rates, funds, incentives and campaigns with the different areas, and promoting the regulatory, technical and informative support in the management of assets and liabilities, in order to guarantee the control of the liquidity, rate, currency and industry risks, and compliance with current policy and legal regulations. It is also responsible for planning, proposing and implementing the strategy for the development and maintenance of commercial relations with international banks, international organizations, international investment funds and binational chambers with the purpose of consolidating the bank's image in international industries and guaranteeing the smooth development of the international business in accordance with the growth and profitability objectives set by the organization. The following departments report to this division Trading & Global Markets, Commercial, Financial Institutions, Investment Products and Global Custody, and Public Sector.Technology

    Risks Area Management: It is responsible for maintaining an effective risk management system in compliance with the best practices developed globally and optimizing the credit process in order to provide

    María better service to customers. It is responsible for actively and comprehensively monitoring and managing the different risks of the Bank and its subsidiaries. It is responsible for ensuring compliance with the policies, qualification and fraud prevention processes, thus guaranteeing the quality of the retail portfolio; designing and auditing mass decision tools; making decisions on the use/development of credit scoring models; conducting alignment actions to retail commercial strategies; and accompanying the business area of the retail segment, making recommendations regarding business opportunities, according to the strategic vision and policies, both external and internal, acting as the Bank's first line of defense for the retail banking segment. The following departments report to this division: Strategic Risk Management, Retail Credits, Wholesale Credits, Credit Recovery, Financial Risk and Capital Management, Analytical Solutions Center and Information Security.

    Integrated Corporate Services Area Management: It is responsible for integrating all the operations of the Bank in a single area, in order to improve the efficiency of operational processes. The following departments report to this division: Operations, Systems, Corporate Infrastructure, Branch Offices Infrastructure, and Interbanking Fee-Collecting System (Sistema de Cobros Interbancarios, SCI) Planning.

    People Area Management: It is responsible for incorporating and developing new talents, fostering a framework that motivates employees and maintaining an excellent working environment. The following departments report to this division: Design and Innovation, Corporate Governance and Compensation, Cultural Transformation, Administration and Human Resources Management, Persons Advice, Sustainability and Labor Relations and Corporate Security.

    Planning Area Management: It is responsible for planning, coordinating and controlling the development and maintenance of budgeting, planning, accounting, and tax activities, in order to ensure that the management has the information needed for the decision-making processes, management control, and the satisfaction of the Bank's information requirements, as well as to ensure compliance with the information requirements that shall enable the Bank to obtain long-term, strategic sources of financing. It is also responsible for coordinating, planning and monitoring compliance with the strategy of liquidity, interest rates and currency gaps, within the limits of the established policies, making proposals to the Assets and Liabilities Committee (ALCO) regarding the management of such gaps in order to maximize income within the limits of policies. The following departments report to this division: Accounting, Tax Advice, Management Control, Research and Strategic Planning, Assets and Liabilities Management, Strategic Supply, Legal Advice and Institutional Relations.

    Customer Experience Area Management: It is responsible for conducting and carrying out the strategy and vision of being a Customer Experience Bank, in order to achieve a strong competitive and differentiating advantage in the financial and services industry, across the entire organization, with high impact on the Bank’s and shareholders’ income. The following departments report to this division: Customer Trips, Excellence Center and Transformation Offices.



    Department


    Manager

    Internal Audit


    Claudio Scarso

    Compliance and Prevention of Money Laundering


    Teresa del Carmen Piraino

    Internal Audit Departmental Management: Its mission is to evaluate and monitor the efficiency, adequacy and defectiveness of the internal control systems, in order to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

    Money Laundering Prevention and Compliance Departmental Management: It is responsible for coordinating and supervising compliance with the policies established by the Board of Directors regarding money laundering and terrorist financing control and prevention, ensuring compliance with current regulations and international standards. It is also responsible for planning and evaluating the information used by different Area Managements to control compliance with regulations and policies and that will be part of the reports issued by the Management to the rest of the organization and some control bodies of national and international level, and for systematically evaluating and controlling the operational risks assumed by the Bank to ensure that there are policies, procedures and adequate systems to minimize them.

    The following are the biographies of Banco Galicia’s senior executive officers mentioned above:

    Marcelo Iraola: Mr. Iraola obtained a degree in law from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He completed the Program for Executive Development at Instituto Argentino de Empresas and a business management program at the Universidad de San Andres. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1988. He is also the chairman of Galicia Warrants, a director of Sudamericana Holding S.A. and an alternate director of Tarjetas Regionales.

    Germán Alejandro Ghisoni: Mr. Ghisoni obtained a degree in business management from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He completed the Program for Executive Development at Instituto Argentino de Empresas, the Strategic Management in Banking Program at INSEAD and the Customer Centric Organitatios at Kellogg School of Management. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1995. He is also a director of Sudamericana Holding and an alternate director of Tarjetas Regionales and Tarjeta Naranja.

    Pablo Maria Leon: Mr. Leon obtained a degree in finance from the Universidad de Palermo and two executive development programs at Instituto Argentino de Empresas and IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1987. He is also the chairman of Galicia Valores and director of Argenclear S.A.

    Diego Rivas: Mr. Rivas obtained a degree in business administration from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. He also completed a postgraduate degree in finance at the CEMA and management development programs at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland, as well as a postgraduate degree in Risk Management at the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Rivas has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1987. In May 2016, he was appointed Risk Control Area Manager of Banco Galicia. Mr. Rivas is also vice chairman of Ondara and an alternate director of Tarjeta Naranja.

    Maria Marcela Fernie: Ms. Fernie obtained a degree in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina. She has been associated with Banco Galicia since 2011. She is a director of COELSA and an alternate director of Tarjetas Regionales and Tarjeta Naranja.

    People

    Rafael Pablo Bergés: Mr. Bergés obtained a degree in industrial engineering from Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since August 2010. Prior to such time, he worked at Techint

    Planning and at a several multinational companies in managerial positions. From 1998 to 2009, he was vice presidentFinance

    Diego Rivas

    Wholesale Banking Area Management: it is responsible for obtaining a broad segment vision and, in turn, a greater alignment with the current situation and future business perspectives. Its main responsibilities are to design, plan and implement the vision, strategies, policies and objectives for the Wholesale Banking business and for each of the customers segments, as well as to define and control business objectives, with the purpose of ensuring that they are adjusted competitively to the demands of the industry and to the strategic objectives of the Bank, guaranteeing the volume, profitability, quality and customer satisfaction, within the framework of the established risk levels. The following departments report to this division: (i) Agribusinesses and Companies (ii) Corporate Banking, Investment Banking and Capital Market, (iii) Transactional Services and (iv) Companies Tribe.

    Retail Banking Area Management: it is responsible for facilitating the decision-making process, improving the commercial effectiveness of the Retail Banking sector and improving the customer focus. Its main responsibilities are to design, plan and implement the vision, strategies, policies and objectives for the Retail Banking business and for each of the customers segments and distribution channels, as well as to define and control business objectives, with the purpose of ensuring that they are in tune with the competitive demands of the industry and the strategic objectives of the Bank, guaranteeing volume, profitability, quality and customer satisfaction, within the framework of the established risk levels. The following departments report to this division: (i) Retail Tribe, (ii) Contactability Tribe, (iii) Branches, (iv) Loyalty Tribe, (v) Private Banking (vi) Brand experience and (vii) Retail Planning.

    Financial Banking Area Management: it is responsible for administering the financial position of the Bank, negotiating rates, funds, incentives and campaigns with the different areas, and promoting the regulatory, technical and informative support in the management of assets and liabilities, in order to guarantee the control of the liquidity, rate, currency and industry risks, and compliance with current policy and legal regulations. It is also responsible for planning, proposing and implementing the strategy for the development and maintenance of commercial relations with international banks, international organizations, international investment funds and binational chambers with the purpose of consolidating the bank’s image in international industries and guaranteeing the smooth development of the international business in accordance with the growth and profitability objectives set by the organization. The following departments report to this division: (i) Trading & Global Markets, (ii) Commercial, (iii) Financial Institutions, (iv) Investment Products and Global Custody and (v) Public Sector.

    Risks Area Management: it is responsible for maintaining an effective risk management system in compliance with the best practices developed globally and optimizing the credit process in order to provide a better service to customers. It is responsible for actively and comprehensively monitoring and managing the different risks of the Bank and its subsidiaries. It is responsible for ensuring compliance with the policies, qualification and fraud prevention processes, thus guaranteeing the quality of the retail portfolio; designing and auditing mass decision tools; making decisions on the use/development of credit scoring models; conducting alignment actions to retail commercial strategies; and accompanying the business area of the retail segment, making recommendations regarding business opportunities, according to the strategic vision and policies, both external and internal, acting as the Bank’s first line of defense for the retail banking segment. The following departments report to this division: (i) Retail Credits, (ii) Wholesale Credits, (iii) Credit Recovery, (iv) Financial Risk and Capital Management, (v) Analytical Solutions Center, (vi) Data & Analytics Tribe and (vii) Information Security.

    Products and Technology Area Management: it is responsible for integrating all the operations of the Bank in a single area, in order to improve the efficiency of operational processes and accelerate the development of products and new technologies. The following departments report to this division: (i) Collections and Payments Tribe, (ii) Lending Tribe, (iii) Foreign Trade Tribe, (iv) Everyday Banking Tribe, (v) Payment Acquisition Tribe, (vi) Technology and (vii) Operations.

    People Area Management: it is responsible for incorporating and developing new talents, fostering a framework that motivates employees and maintaining an excellent working environment. Additionally, it is responsible for all the matters related to the physical workspace of the employees and the distribution of the space used by clients. The following departments report to this division: (i) Design and Innovation, (ii) Human Resources Management and Compensation, (iii) Cultural Transformation, (iv) Persons Advice, (v) Sustainability, (vi) Customer Journey Tribe (vii) Corporate Infrastructure, (viii) Branch Offices Infrastructure and (ix) Labor Relations and Corporate Security.

    Planning Area Management: it is responsible for planning, coordinating and controlling the development and maintenance of budgeting, planning, accounting, tax activities, payments to suppliers, legal aspects and compliance, in order to ensure that the management has the information needed for the decision-making processes, management control, and the satisfaction of the Bank’s information requirements, as well as to ensure compliance with the information requirements that shall enable the Bank to obtain long-term, strategic sources of financing. It is also responsible for coordinating, planning and monitoring compliance with the strategy of liquidity, interest rates and currency gaps, within the limits of the established policies, making proposals to the Assets and Liabilities Committee (ALCO) regarding the management of such gaps in order to maximize income within the limits of policies. Additionally, it is in charge of institutional relationships and the objective and key results (“OKR”) and processes office. The following departments report to this division: (i) Accounting, (ii) Tax Advice and Strategic Supply, (iii) Management Control and Strategic Planning, (iv) Research, (v) Assets and Liabilities Management, (vi) Legal Advice and Compliance, (vii) Transformation Offices and (viii) Institutional Relations.

    Department

    Manager

    Internal Audit

    Claudio Scarso

    Prevention of the Human Resources Division of Grupo Telefónica.Money Laundering

    Bruno Folino: Mr. Folino obtained an accounting degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He completed a post-graduate degree in Tax & Legal at the Universidad Austral and a Master in Science of Management from GSB Stanford University. He started his career as an auditor at Price Waterhouse & Co. before moving to the Tax & Legal Department. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1997 as Tax Manager and Planning Manager. In 2012, he was appointed Planning Manager.



    Flavio Dogliolo: Mr. Dogliolo obtained a degree in business administration from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He received an MBA from the Universidad Austral. He was the manager of means of payments and automatic banking at Banco Bansud S.A., manager of quality and service productivity at Banco Río de la Plata S.A. and he worked in marketing database and commercial planning at Siembra AFJP S.A. He has been associated with the Bank since 1998.

    Claudio Scarso: Mr. Scarso obtained a degree in systems engineering from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1995.

    Teresa del Carmen Piraino: Ms. Piraino obtained a degree in accounting from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. She completed a post-graduate degree in Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime Prevention from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. She has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1992.

    Internal Audit Departmental Management: its mission is to evaluate and monitor the efficiency, adequacy and defectiveness of the internal control systems, in order to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

    Money Laundering Prevention Departmental Management: it is responsible for coordinating and supervising compliance with the policies established by the Board of Directors in terms of money laundering and terrorist financing control and prevention, ensuring compliance with current regulations and international standards.

    The following are the biographies of Banco Galicia’s senior executive officers mentioned above:

    Marcelo Iraola: Mr. Iraola obtained a degree in law from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He completed the Program for Executive Development at Instituto Argentino de Empresas and a business management program at the Universidad de San Andres. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1988. He is also the chairman of Galicia Warrants, a director of Sudamericana Holding S.A. and an alternate director of Tarjetas Regionales.

    Germán Alejandro Ghisoni: Mr. Ghisoni obtained a degree in business management from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He completed the Program for Executive Development at Instituto Argentino de Empresas, the Strategic Management in Banking Program at INSEAD and the Customer Centric Organitatios at Kellogg School of Management. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1995. He is also a director of Sudamericana Holding and an alternate director of Tarjetas Regionales and Naranja.

    Pablo Maria Leon: Mr. Leon obtained a degree in finance from the Universidad de Palermo and two executive development programs at Instituto Argentino de Empresas and IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1987. He is also the chairman of Galicia Securities and Inviu and vicepresident of MAE. Mr. Leon is also manager of IGAM.

    Diego Rivas: please see “— Management of Grupo Financiero Galicia”

    Maria Marcela Fernie: Ms. Fernie obtained a degree in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina. She has been associated with Banco Galicia since 2011. She is a director of COELSA and an alternate director of Tarjetas Regionales and Naranja.

    Rafael Pablo Bergés: Mr. Bergés obtained a degree in industrial engineering from Universidad de Buenos Aires. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since August 2010. Prior to such time, he worked at Techint and at a several multinational companies in managerial positions. From 1998 to 2009, he was vice president of the Human Resources Division of Grupo Telefónica.

    Bruno Folino: please see “— Management of Grupo Financiero Galicia”

    Claudio Scarso: Mr. Scarso obtained a degree in systems engineering from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. He has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1995.

    Teresa del Carmen Piraino: Ms. Piraino obtained a degree in accounting from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. She completed a post-graduate degree in Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime Prevention from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. She has been associated with Banco Galicia since 1992.

    B. Compensation

    Compensation of Our Directors

    Compensation for the members of the Board of Directors is considered by the shareholders at the shareholders’ meeting once the fiscal year has ended. Directors are paid an annual fee based on the functions they

    carry out and they may receive partial advance payments during the year. At the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020 the compensation for the Board of Directors was set at Ps.85,824,936 (nominal value) for the year ended December 31, 2019. For fiscal year 2020, a proposal was made to the next shareholders meeting to be held on April 27, 2021 to set compensations for the Board of Directors for the amount of Ps.185,437,620 (nominal value).

    For a description of the amounts to be paid to the board of directors of Banco Galicia, see “– Compensation of Banco Galicia’s Directors and Officers” below.

    We do not maintain a stock-option, profit-sharing or pension plan for the benefit of our directors.

    We do not have a policy establishing any termination benefits for our directors.

    Compensation of Banco Galicia’s Directors

    Banco Galicia’s board of directors establishes the policy for compensation of Banco Galicia’s personnel. Banco Galicia’s managers receive a fixed compensation. Six directors are not employees of Banco Galicia. These non-employee directors receive a fixed compensation, provided that payments do not exceed the standard levels of similar entities in the Argentine financial market, a provision that is applicable to managers as well. Banco Galicia does not maintain stock-option plans or pension plans or any other retirement plans for the benefit of its directors. Banco Galicia does not have a policy establishing any termination benefits for its directors.

    At the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020, the compensation for the directors of Banco Galicia was set for a total amount of Ps.32,643,328 (nominal value) for the year ended December 31, 2019. For fiscal year 2020, a proposal was presented to the next shareholders meeting to be held on April 27, 2021 to set compensations for the Board of Directors for the amount of Ps.41,972,024.52 (nominal value).

    Compensation of Banco Galicia’s Officers

    Banco Galicia’s board of directors establishes the compensation policy for Banco Galicia’s personnel. Banco Galicia’s officers receive a fixed compensation. The officers’ compensation regime includes the possibility of acquiring a retirement insurance policy. Banco Galicia does not maintain stock-option plans or pension plans or any other retirement plans for the benefit of its officers.

    C. Nasdaq Corporate Governance Standards

    Pursuant to Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5615(a) (3), a foreign private issuer may follow home country corporate governance practices in lieu of the requirements of the Rule 5600 Series, provided that the foreign private issuer complies with certain sections of the Rule 5000 Series, discloses each requirement that it does not follow and

    describes the home relevant country practice followed in lieu of such requirement. The requirements of the Rule 5000 Series and the Argentine corporate governance practice that we follow in lieu thereof are described below:

     

    Compensation

    Compensation of Our Directors

    Compensation for the members of the Board of Directors is considered by the shareholders at the shareholders’ meeting once the fiscal year has ended. Directors are paid an annual fee based on the functions they carry out and they may receive partial advance payments during the year. At the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020 the compensation for the Board of Directors was set at Ps.85,824,936 for the year ended December 31, 2019. For a description of the amounts to be paid to the board of directors of Banco Galicia, see “– Compensation of Banco Galicia’s Directors and Officers” below.

    We do not maintain a stock-option, profit-sharing or pension plan for the benefit of our directors.

    We do not have a policy establishing any termination benefits for our directors.

    Compensation of Banco Galicia’s Directors and Officers

    Banco Galicia’s board of directors establishes the policy for compensation of Banco Galicia’s personnel. Banco Galicia’s managers receive a fixed compensation. Six directors are not employees of Banco Galicia. These non-employee directors receive a fixed compensation, provided that payments do not exceed the standard levels of similar entities in the Argentine financial market, a provision that is applicable to managers as well. The officers’ compensation regime includes the possibility of acquiring a retirement insurance policy. Banco Galicia does not maintain stock-option plans or pension plans or any other retirement plans for the benefit of its directors and managers. Banco Galicia does not have a policy establishing any termination benefits for its directors.

    At the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2020, the compensation for the directors of Banco Galicia was set for a total amount of Ps.32.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

    Nasdaq Corporate Governance Standards

    Pursuant to Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5615(a) (3), a foreign private issuer may follow home country corporate governance practices in lieu of the requirements of the Rule 5600 Series, provided that the foreign private issuer complies with certain sections of the Rule 5000 Series, discloses each requirement that it does not follow and describes the home relevant country practice followed in lieu of such requirement. The requirements of the Rule 5000 Series and the Argentine corporate governance practice that we follow in lieu thereof are described below:


    Rule 5250 (d) – Distribution of Annual and Interim Reports. In lieu of the requirements of Rule 5250 (d), we follow Argentine law, which requires that companies make public a Spanish language annual report, including annual audited consolidated financial statements, by filing such annual report with the CNV and the BASE, within 70 calendar days of the end of the company’s fiscal year. Interim reports must be filed with the CNV and the BASE within 42 calendar days of the end of each fiscal quarter. The BASE publishes the annual reports and interim reports in the BASE bulletin and makes the bulletin available for inspection at its offices. In addition, our shareholders can receive copies of our annual reports and any interim reports upon such shareholders’ request. English language translations of our annual reports and interim reports are furnished to the SEC. We also post the English language translation of our annual reports and quarterly press releases on our website. Furthermore, under the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2000, among us, The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, and owners of ADSs issued thereunder, we are required to furnish The Bank of New York Mellon with, among other things, English language translations of our annual reports and each of our quarterly press releases. Annual reports and quarterly press releases are available for inspection by ADRs holders at the offices of The Bank of New York Mellon located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York. Finally, Argentine law requires that 20 calendar days before the date of a shareholders’ meeting, the board of directors must provide to the shareholders, at the company’s executive office or through electronic means, all information relevant to the shareholders’ meeting, including copies of any documents to be considered by the shareholders (which includes the annual report), as well as proposals of the company’s board of directors.

    (ii)

    (ii)           Rule 5605 (b) (2) – Executive Sessions of Independent Directors. In lieu of the requirements of Rule 5605 (b) (2), we follow Argentine law which does not require independent directors to hold regularly scheduled meetings at which only such independent directors are present (i.e., executive sessions). Our Board of Directors as a whole is responsible for monitoring our affairs. In addition, under Argentine law, the board of directors may approve the delegation of specific responsibilities to designated directors or non-director managers of the company. Also, it is mandatory for public companies to form a supervisory committee (composed of syndics), which is responsible for monitoring the legality of the company’s actions under Argentine law and the conformity thereof with its bylaws.

    (iii)

    (iii)           Rule 5605 (d) – Compensation of Officers. In lieu of the requirements of Rule 5605 (d), we follow Argentine law, which does not require companies to form a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors. It also is not required under Argentine law that the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and all other executive officers be determined by either a majority of the independent directors or a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors. Under Argentine law, the board of directors is the corporate body responsible for determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and all other executive officers, so long as they are not directors. In addition, under Argentine law, the audit committee shall give its opinion about the reasonableness of management’s proposals on fees and option plans for directors or managers of the company. Finally, because we are a “controlled company” as defined in Rule 5615 (c) (1), we are relying on the exemption provided thereby for purposes of complying with Rule 5615 (c) (2). For further information, please see “Compensation” – “Compensation of Banco Galicia’s Officers” above.

    (iv)

    (iv)           Rule 5605 (e) (1) – Nomination of Directors. In lieu of the requirements of Rule 5605 (e) (1), we follow Argentine law which requires that directors be nominated directly by the shareholders at the shareholders’ meeting and that they be selected and recommended by the shareholders themselves. Under Argentine law, it is the responsibility of the ordinary shareholders’ meeting to appoint and remove directors and to set their compensation. However, the Company, based on the best practices in corporate governance has created a Nomination and Compensation Committee, chaired by an independent Director and composed by 5 members of the Board of Directors. Said Committee aims to assist the Board of Directors to prepare a proposal to nominate candidates to fill its positions, to prepare and design a succession plan and to determine its compensation levels. In addition, because we are a “controlled company” as defined in Rule 5615 (c) (1), we are relying on the exemption provided thereby for purposes of complying with Rule 5615 (c) (2).


    (v)

    (v)           Rule 5605 (c) (1) – Audit Committee Charter. In lieu of the requirements of Rule 5605 (c) (1), we follow Argentine law, which requires that audit committees have a charter but does not require that companies certify as to the adoption of the charter nor does it require an annual review and assessment thereof. Argentine law instead requires that companies prepare an annual report describing its activities and propose a plan or course of action with respect to those matters, which are the responsibility of the company’s audit committee. Such plan or course of action could, at the discretion of our audit committee, include a review and assessment of the audit committee charter.

    (vi)

    (vi)           Rule 5605 (c) (2) – Audit Committee Composition. Argentine law does not require, and it is equally not customary business practice in Argentina, that companies have an audit committee comprised solely of independent directors. Argentine law instead requires that companies establish an audit committee with at least three members comprised of a majority of independent directors as defined by Argentine law. Since fiscal year 2017, theThe Audit Committee is comprised of three Directors, two of them independent pursuant to the definition of independence in Rule 10 A-3 (b) (1) and the Argentine law, one of which the Board of Directors determined to be a financial expert. In addition, we have a supervisory committee (“comisión fiscalizadora”) composed of three syndics, who are responsible for monitoring the legality, under Argentine law, of the actions of our Board of Directors and the conformity of such actions with our bylaws. For further information about the Audit Committee, please see “Our Audit Committee” above.

    (vii)

    (vii)          Rule 5620 (c) – Quorum. In lieu of the requirements of Rule 5620 (c), we follow Argentine law and our bylaws, which distinguish between ordinary meetings and extraordinary meetings and require, in connection with ordinary meetings, that a quorum consist of a majority of stock entitled to vote. If no quorum is present at the first meeting, a second meeting may be called at which the shareholders present, whatever their number, constitute a quorum and resolutions may be adopted by an absolute majority of the votes present. Argentine law and our bylaws require, in connection with extraordinary meetings, that a quorum consist of 60% of the stock entitled to vote. However, if such quorum is not present at the first meeting, our bylaws provide that a second meeting may be called which may be held with the number of shareholders present. In both ordinary and extraordinary meetings, decisions are adopted by an absolute majority of votes present at the meeting, except for certain fundamental matters (such as mergers and spin-offs (when we are not the surviving entity and the surviving entity is not listed on any stock exchange), anticipated liquidation, a change in our domicile to outside of Argentina, total or partial recapitalization of our statutory capital following a loss, any transformation in our corporate legal form or a substantial change in our corporate purpose) which require an approval by vote of the majority of all the stock entitled to vote (all stock being entitled to only one vote).

    (viii)

    (viii)          Rule 5620 (b) – Solicitation of Proxies. In lieu of the requirements of Rule 5620 (b), we follow Argentine law which requires that notices of shareholders’ meetings be published, for five consecutive days, in the Official Gazette and in a widely circulated newspaper in Argentina no earlier than 45 calendar days prior to the meeting and at least 20 calendar days prior to such meeting. In order to attend a meeting and be listed on the meeting registry, shareholders are required to submit evidence of their book-entry share account held at Caja de ValoresS.A. up to three business days prior to the scheduled meeting date. If entitled to attend the meeting, a shareholder may be represented by proxy (properly executed and delivered with a certified signature) granted to any other person, with the exception of a director, syndic, member of the surveillance committee (“consejo de vigilancia”), manager or employee of the issuer, which are prohibited by Argentine law from acting as proxies. In addition, our ADRs holders receive, prior to the shareholders’ meeting, a notice listing the matters on the agenda, a copy of the annual report and a voting card.

    (ix)


    (ix)Rule 5630 (a) – Conflicts of Interest. In lieu of the requirements of Rule 5630 (a), we follow Argentine law which requires that related party transactions be approved by the audit committee when the transaction exceeds 1% of the corporation’s net worth, measured pursuant to the last audited balance sheet. Directors can contract with the corporation only on terms consistent with prevailing market terms. If the contract is not in accordance with prevailing market terms, such transaction must be pre-approved by the board of directors (excluding the interested director). In addition, under Argentine law, a shareholder is required to abstain from voting on a business transaction in which its interests may be in conflict with the interests of the company. In the event such shareholder votes on such business transaction and such business transaction would not have been approved without such shareholders’ vote, such shareholder may be liable to the company for damages and the resolution may be declared void.

    Other than as noted above, we are in full compliance with all other applicable Nasdaq corporate governance standards.

    Employees

    The following table shows the composition of our staff:

     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

    2017

     

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.

     

     

    3

     

     

     

    5

     

     

     

    4

     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

     

     

    6,118

     

     

     

    6,294

     

     

     

    6,214

     

    Branches

     

     

    3,248

     

     

     

    3,231

     

     

     

    3,185

     

    Head Office

     

     

    2,870

     

     

     

    3,063

     

     

     

    3,029

     

    Tarjetas Regionales

     

     

    3,151

     

     

     

    3,488

     

     

     

    3,896

     

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos

     

     

    27

     

     

     

    22

     

     

     

    19

     

    Sudamericana Consolidated

     

     

    395

     

     

     

    381

     

     

     

    375

     

    Other Subsidiaries

     

     

    24

     

     

     

    19

     

     

     

    24

     

    Total

     

     

    9,718

     

     

     

    10,209

     

     

     

    10,532

     

    Within the current legal framework, membership in an employee union is voluntary and there is only one union of bank employees with national representation. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 39.5% of Banco Galicia’s employees were affiliated with the national bank employee union. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 90% of Tarjetas Regionales’ work force was party to the merchant union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement No.130/75 applicable to trade employees and 6% of which were members of a labor union.

    In general, during the first four months of 2019, the bank employees union and the national commerce employees union commenced negotiations on their respective collective labor agreements to establish new minimum wages. As a result of such negotiations, the minimum wage was increased for these positions. In 2019, due to the significant increases in the inflation index, the increases in the banking agreement were carried out in the months of January, March, July, September, October, November and December. In 2019, the Argentine union that represents employees in the banking sector declared general strikes. These strikes were not specific to any bank but affected all banks in Argentina. Certain of the Bank’s employees who are members of the union participated in the strike; however, the Bank was able to continue its operations during such time as not all employees are members of the union. While employees of Banco Galicia have participated in general strikes against the Argentine banking sector, Banco Galicia has not experienced a targeted strike by its employees since 1973 and Tarjetas Regionales Companies have never experienced a targeted employee strike. We believe that our relationship with our employees is stable and positive.

    We have a human resources policy that aims at providing our employees possibilities for growth and personal and socio-economic achievement. We will continue our current policy of monitoring both wage levels and labor conditions in the financial industry in order to be competitive. Our employees receive fixed compensation and may receive variable compensation according to their level of achievement. We do not maintain any profit-sharing programs for our employees.

    In a survey conducted in 2019 by Great Place to Work®, Banco Galicia ranked for the third consecutive year among the best companies to work in Argentina with more than 1,000 employees, while Tarjeta Naranja ranked



    second for the second consecutive year among the best companies to work in Argentina with more than 1,000 employees.

    The Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires (the “Fundación”) is an Argentine non-profit organization that provides various services to Banco Galicia employees. The various activities of the Fundación include, among others, purchasing school materials for the children of Banco Galicia’s employees and making donations to hospitals and other charitable causes, including cultural events. The Fundación is managed by a Council, certain members and alternate members of which are members of our Board of Directors and supervisory committee. Members and alternate members of the Council do not receive remuneration for their services as trustees.

    Share Ownership

    For further information, on the share ownership of our directors and executive officers as of December 31, 2019,please see Item 7. “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders”Transactions” – “B.Related Party Transactions”.

    As of March 31, 2020, our capital structure was made up of class A shares, each of which is entitled to five votes and class B shares, each of which is entitled to one vote. As of March 31, 2020, we had 1,426,764,597 shares outstanding composed of 281,221,650 class A shares and 1,145,542,947 class B shares.

    Our controlling shareholders are members of the Escasany, Ayerza and Braun families and the Fundación. As of March 31, 2019, the controlling shareholders owned 100% of our class A shares through EBA Holding (representing 19.7% of our total outstanding shares) and 9.6% of our class B shares (or 7.7% of our total outstanding shares), therefore directly and indirectly owning 27.4% of our shares and 59.4% of total votes.

    Based on information that is available to us, the table below sets forth, as of March 31, 2020, the number of our class A and class B shares held by holders of more than 5% of each class of shares, the percentage of each class of shares held by such holder, and the percentage of votes that each class of shares represent as a percentage of our total possible votes.

    Class A Shares

    Name

     

    Class A Shares

     

    % of Class A Shares

     

    % of Total Votes

    EBA Holding S.A.

     

     

    281,221,650

     

    100

     

    55.1

    Class B Shares

    Name

     

    Class A Shares

     

    % of Class A Shares

     

    % of Total Votes

    The Bank of New York Mellon (1)

     

     

    559,661,380

     

    48.9

     

    21.9

    ANSES

     

     

    264,221,559

     

    23.1

     

    10.4

    EBA Holding Shareholders (2)

     

     

    110,460,196

     

    9.6

     

    4.4

    (1) Pursuant to the requirements of Argentine law, all class B shares represented by ADSs are owned of record by The Bank of New York, as Depositary. The address for the Bank of New York is 101 Barclay Street, New York 10286, and the country of organization is the United States.

    (2) No member holds more than 2.0% of the capital stock. Such holding includes 15,056,360 shares in the form of ADSs.

    Based on information that is available to us, the table below sets forth, as of March 31, 2020, the shareholders that either directly or indirectly have more than 5% of our votes or shares.

    Name

     

    Shares

     

    Class

     

    % of Class A Shares

     

    % of Total Votes

    The Bank of New York Mellon

     

     

    559,661,380

     

    B

     

    39.2

     

    21.9

    EBA Holding S.A.

     

     

    281,221,650

     

    A

     

    19.7

     

    55.1

    ANSES.

     

     

    264,221,559

     

    B

     

    18.5

     

    10.4

    EBA Holding Shareholders.

     

     

    110,460,196

     

    B

     

    7.7

     

    4.3

    161

    Members of the three controlling families have owned the majority of the issued share capital of Banco Galicia since 1959. Members of the Escasany family have been on the board of directors of Banco Galicia since 1923. The Ayerza and Braun families have been represented on Banco Galicia’s board of directors since 1943 and 1947, respectively. Currently, there are five members of these families on our Board of Directors.

    On September 13, 1999, the controlling shareholders of Banco Galicia formed EBA Holding S.A., an Argentine corporation, which is 100% owned by our controlling shareholders. EBA Holding holds 100% of our class A shares.

    Currently, EBA Holding only has class A shares outstanding. EBA Holding’s bylaws provide for certain restrictions on the sale or transfer of its class A shares. While the class A shares of EBA Holding may be transferred to any other class A shareholder of EBA Holding, any transfer of such class A shares to third parties would automatically result in the conversion of the sold shares into class B shares of EBA Holding having one vote per share. In addition, EBA Holding’s bylaws contain rights of first refusal, buy-sell provisions and tag-along rights.

    As of March 31, 2020, we had 115 identified United States record shareholders (not considering The Bank of New York), of which 21 held our class B shares and 94 held our ADSs. Such United States holders, in the aggregate, held approximately 174,9 million of our class B shares, representing approximately 12.3% of our total outstanding capital stock as of such date.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia and its non-banking subsidiaries are not a party to any transactions with, and have not made any loans to any (i) enterprises that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control or are controlled by Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, (ii) associates (i.e., an unconsolidated enterprise in which Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries has a significant influence or which has significant influence over Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries), (iii) individuals owning, directly or indirectly, an interest in the voting power of Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries that gives them significant influence over Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, as applicable, and close members of any such individual’s family (i.e., those family members that may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that person in their dealings with Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, as applicable), (iv) key management personnel (i.e., persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, including directors and senior management of companies and close members of such individual’s family) or (v) enterprises in which a substantial interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (iii) or (iv) over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence nor are there any proposed transactions with such persons. For purposes of this paragraph, this includes enterprises owned by directors or major shareholders of Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries that have a member of key management in common with Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, as applicable. In addition, “significant influence” means the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the enterprise but means less than control. Shareholders beneficially owning a 10% interest in the voting power of Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries are presumed to have a significant influence on Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, as applicable.

    Some of our directors and the directors of Banco Galicia have been involved in certain credit transactions with Banco Galicia as permitted by Argentine law. The Corporations Law and the Argentine Central Bank’s regulations allow directors of a limited liability company to enter into a transaction with such company if such transaction follows prevailing market conditions. Additionally, a bank’s total financial exposure to related individuals or legal entities is subject to the regulations of the Argentine Central Bank. Such regulations set limits on the amount of financial exposure that can be extended by a bank to affiliates based on, among other things, a percentage of a bank’s TIER 1. See Item 4. “Information on the Company—Argentine Banking Regulation—Lending Limits”.


    162


    Banco Galicia is required by the Argentine Central Bank to present to its board of directors, on a monthly basis, the outstanding amounts of financial assistance granted to directors, controlling shareholders, officers and other related entities, which are transcribed in the minute books of the board of directors of Banco Galicia. The Argentine Central Bank establishes that the financial assistance granted to directors, controlling shareholders, officers and other related entities must be granted on an equal basis with respect to rates, tenor and guarantees as loans granted to the general public.

    In this section “total financial exposure” comprises equity interests and financial assistance (all credit related items such as loans, holdings of corporate debt securities without quotation, guarantees granted and unused balances of loans granted, among others), as this term is defined in Item 4. “Information on the Company—Argentine Banking Regulation—Lending Limits”.

    “Related parties” refers mainly to our directors and the directors of Banco Galicia, our senior officers and senior officers of Banco Galicia, our syndics and Banco Galicia’s syndics, our controlling shareholders as well as all individuals who are related to them by a family relationship and any entities directly or indirectly affiliated with any of these parties, not required to be consolidated.

    The following table presents the aggregate amounts of total financial exposure of Banco Galicia to related parties, the number of recipients, the average amounts and the single largest exposures as of the end of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, and as of February 29, 2020, the last date for which information is available.

     

     

    February 29,

     

     

    December 31,

     

     

     

    2020

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except as noted)

     

    Aggregate Total Financial Exposure

     

     

    1,147

     

     

     

    1,102

     

     

     

    1,471

     

    Number of Recipient Related Parties

     

     

    265

     

     

     

    283

     

     

     

    329

     

    Individuals

     

     

    213

     

     

     

    229

     

     

     

    269

     

    Companies

     

     

    52

     

     

     

    54

     

     

     

    60

     

    Average Total Financial Exposure

     

     

    5

     

     

     

    4

     

     

     

    4

     

    Single Largest Exposure

     

     

    431

     

     

     

    438

     

     

     

    558

     

    The financial assistance granted to our directors, officers and related parties by Banco Galicia was granted in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other non-related parties, and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

    In June 2011, Banco Galicia entered into an agreement with Galicia Seguros, a company indirectly controlled by Grupo Financiero Galicia, pursuant to which the Bank can offer insurance products on behalf of Galicia Seguros. In addition, they entered into an agreement for a one-year period pursuant to which Galicia Seguros insures the Bank for the balances of certain loans in the case of death of its clients. On July 31, 2014, Banco Galicia renewed both agreements with Galicia Seguros, for an additional year, with automatic deferral. Such agreements were considered to be “related party transactions” pursuant to Section 72 of the Capital Markets Law.

    On March 11, 2015, Banco Galicia’s board of directors granted a checking account overdraft in favor of Grupo Financiero Galicia for up to Ps.230 million with a maturity date of June 30, 2016 (equivalent to Ps.1,014 million as of December 2019), which was increased on April 5, 2016 to Ps.300 million with a maturity date of June 30, 2017 (equivalent to Ps.961 million as of December 2019).

    On March 14, 2017, Banco Galicia’s board of directors decided to grant a checking account overdraft in favor of Grupo Financiero Galicia for up to Ps.500 million with a maturity date of June 30, 2018 (equivalent to Ps.1,335 million as of December 2019), which was increased in September 2017 to Ps.854 million (equivalent to Ps.2,058 million as December 2019).


    163


    Consolidated Financial Statements

    We have elected to provide the financial information set forth in Item 18 of this annual report.

    Legal Proceedings

    We are a party to the following legal proceedings:

    Banco Galicia

    In response to certain pending legal proceedings, Banco Galicia has recorded reserves to cover (i) various types of claims filed by customers against it (e.g., claims for thefts from safe deposit boxes, collections of checks that had been fraudulently altered, discrepancies related to deposit and payment services rendered to Banco Galicia’s customers, etc.) and (ii) estimated amounts payable under labor-related lawsuits filed against Banco Galicia by former employees.

    With regard to the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ‘claims on account of other items, Banco Galicia adhered to the System for the Settlement of Tax Liabilities in Arrears (Law No.3,461 and related regulations), which contemplated the total relief of interest and fines.

    In connection with the assessments made by the tax collection authorities from the Province of Buenos Aires, under the framework of some of the processes under discussion at the Provincial Tax Court, at this stage of proceedings the judgement issued was favorable with regard to the non-taxability thereof. Therefore, Banco Galicia adhered to the System for the Regularization of Tax Debts (Regulatory Decision No.12 and related decisions), which contemplated discounts on the amounts not related to the Compensatory Bond. The Bank’s adherence to such system was communicated within the framework of the respective cases before the corresponding judicial authorities. In turn, the authorities from the Province of Buenos Aires objected to the judgment issued by the Provincial Tax Court with regard to the Compensatory Bond and requested the Court of Appeals in Administrative Matters of La Plata to reverse such decision. Banco Galicia entered an appearance and filed a motion for lack of jurisdiction, since it believed that only the Argentine Supreme Court of Justice has jurisdiction to issue a decision on such matter. On April 15, 2014, the aforementioned court sustained the motion for lack of jurisdiction and ordered the proceedings to be filed. The authorities from the Province of Buenos Aires filed an appeal before the Supreme Court of Justice of the Province of Buenos Aires, which has not issued a decision to date.

    Furthermore, Banco Galicia challenged certain claims made by various jurisdictions at the corresponding administrative and/or legal proceedings. These proceedings and their possible effects are constantly being monitored by the Bank’s management. Even though Banco Galicia considers it has complied with its tax liabilities in full pursuant to current regulations, adequate reserves in respect of such proceedings have been allocated.

    As of December 31, 2019, a number of claims for repayment of income tax overpaid for the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 tax years for the total sum of $6,350,696,000 are based on the above-five jurisprudence establishing the unconstitutionality of rules that disenable the application of the tax inflation adjustment, which results in confiscatory situations. In the face of the delay in resolving the tax code, claims were initiated. At the close of these financial statements, the Bank does not record contingent assets derived from the above-mentioned claims.

    Consumer Protection Associations, on behalf of consumers, have filed claims against Banco Galicia in connection with the collection of certain financial charges. The Bank does not believe that the resolution of these controversies will have a significant impact on its financial condition.


    164


    Tarjetas Regionales

    The federal tax authority (the “AFIP”), Provincial Revenue Boards and Municipalities are in the process of conducting audits and assessments, in differing stages of completion, on the companies controlled by Tarjetas Regionales. Said agencies have served notices and made claims regarding taxes applicable to Tarjetas Regionales’s subsidiaries. Such companies are taking the corresponding administrative and legal steps in order to solve such issues. The original amount claimed for taxes totaled approximately Ps.38 million.

    As of December 1, 2017, Tarjeta Naranja had filed a reimbursement claim before the AFIP regarding its income tax for the 2014-2016 fiscal years in an amount equal to Ps.580,164 (which, as adjusted for inflation, was equal to Ps 1,318 million). The claim was made considering the lack of application of the inflation adjustment standards set forth in Section VI of the Income Tax Law, which led to a substantial difference in the taxable income exceeding the reasonable limits of taxation. The same claim was presented on behalf of Tarjetas Cuyanas as of May 17, 2018, for 2014-2016, amounting Ps.145,478. Along the same lines, on September 27, 2019, the Company presented the claim pertaining to the 2017 fiscal year for the amount of Ps.326,498 in nominal value and on September 17, 2019, the one of 2018 was presented in an amount equal to Ps.973,843 in nominal value.

    In the absence of a response from AFIP, on December 6, 2019, a judicial protection for default was filed with the National Tax Court for the periods 2014 and 2016 of Tarjeta Naranja S.A. On the other hand, and having elapsed the period established in the applicable regulations without obtaining AFIP’s response to the claim, on December 27, 2019, a repetition claim was filed before the Federal Justice for the 2014 and 2016 fiscal years of Tarjeta Cuyanas S.A. and fiscal year 2018 of Tarjeta Naranja S.A. The same lawsuit was filed on December 30, 2019 for the 2017 fiscal year of Tarjeta Naranja S.A. Both claims remain pending before the AFIP.

    Based on the opinion of tax advisors, each of Tarjeta Naranja and Tarjetas Cuyanas believes that such claims are unfounded and that the taxes related to such claims have been correctly calculated in accordance the tax regulations then in force and Argentine case law.

    Dividend Policy and Dividends

    165


    Dividend Policy

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s policy for the distribution of dividends considers, among other factors, the obligatory nature of establishing a legal reserve, the Company’s financial condition and its indebtedness, the business requirements of affiliated companies and, mainly, that the profits recorded in the financial statements are, to a great extent, income from holdings and not realized and liquid profits, a requirement of Section 68 of the Corporations Law so that it is possible to distribute them as dividends. The proposal to distribute dividends arising from such analysis has to be approved at the shareholders’ meeting that discusses the Financial Statements corresponding to each fiscal year.

    We may only declare and pay dividends out of our retained earnings representing the profit realized on our operations and investments. The Corporations Law and our bylaws state that no profits may be distributed until prior losses are covered. Dividends paid on our class A shares and class B shares will equal one another on a per share basis. As required by the Corporations Law, 5% of our net income is allocated to a legal reserve until the reserve equals 20% of our outstanding capital. Dividends may not be paid if the legal reserve has been impaired until it is fully restored. The legal reserve is not available for distribution to shareholders.

    Our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders principally depends on (i) our net income, (ii) cash availability, (iii) indebtedness and (iv) applicable legal requirements.

    Holders of our ADSs will be entitled to receive any dividends payable in respect of our underlying class B shares. We will pay cash dividends to the ADSs depositary in Pesos, although we reserve the right to pay cash dividends in any other currency, including Dollars. The ADSs deposit agreement provides that the depositary will convert cash dividends received by the ADSs depositary in Pesos to Dollars and, after deduction or upon payment of fees and expenses of the ADSs depositary and deduction of other amounts permitted to be deducted from such cash payments in accordance with the ADSs deposit agreement (such as for unpaid taxes by the ADSs holders in connection with personal asset taxes or otherwise), will make payment to holders of our ADSs in Dollars.

    Dividends

    Other than as noted above, we are in full compliance with all other applicable Nasdaq corporate governance standards.

    D. Employees

    The following table shows the composition of our staff:

     

       As of December 31, 
       2020   2019   2018 

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    235

    As a holding company, our principal source of cash from which to pay dividends on our shares is dividends or other intercompany transfers from our subsidiaries, primarily Banco Galicia. Due to dividend restrictions contained in Banco Galicia’s loan agreements in connection with Banco Galicia’s foreign debt restructuring - that were lifted when such debt was fully paid during fiscal year 2016 - and in some Argentine Central Bank regulations, our ability to distribute cash dividends to our shareholders has been materially and adversely affected since late 2001 until 2010, when Banco Galicia obtained the authorization to distribute its profits.

    5,7646,1186,294

    After the end of fiscal year 2011, the Argentine Central Bank modified its regulations governing the minimum capital requirements and dividend distribution and, consequently, Banco Branches

    3,7113,2483,231

    Head Office

    2,0532,8703,063

    Ecosistema NaranjaX

    3,0493,1513,488

    Galicia was not able to pay dividends. However, for fiscal year 2018 the Bank had met the aforementioned regulations and its shareholders´ meeting held on April 25, 2019 approved the distribution of cash dividends for Ps.1,500 million, equivalent to Ps.1,996 million as of December 2019.Administradora de Fondos

    During 2018, Grupo Financiero Galicia paid cash dividends for Ps.1,200 million for fiscal year 2017, representing Ps.0.8411 per share, equivalent to Ps.2,487 million as of December 2019. During 2019, Grupo Financiero Galicia paid cash dividends for fiscal year 2018 in the amount of Ps.2,000 million, representing Ps.1.401773 per share, equivalent to Ps.2,661 million as of December 2019.

    Due to the fact that most of the profits in fiscal year 2019 correspond to holdings income that does not meet the requirements for distribution set forth in Section 68 of the Corporations’ Law and given Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition, a proposal was made by the Board of Directors to increase the discretionary reserve for future dividends´ distribution and to grant to said Board of Directors the ability to partially affect said reserve to pay cash dividends, in an amount equal to Ps.4,000 million, (which represents 280.3546%) with regard to 1,426,764,597



    Assurance Companies

    368395381

    class A and B ordinary shares, with a face value of Ps.1 each, subject to Banco Galicia´s capacity to pay cash dividends in at least the same amount.
    The aforementioned proposal was approved by shareholders´ meeting held on April 28, 2020.Other Subsidiaries

    642419

    Due to the provisions recently passed by the Argentine Central Bank within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, the capacity of the Argentine financial system to pay cash dividends has been suspended until June 30, 2020.Total

    Pursuant Act No.27,260, Grupo Financiero Galicia neither reimbursed nor withheld any amount for tax purposes on the dividends paid for fiscal year 2018.

    Pursuant to regulations in force Grupo Financiero Galicia may withhold some amount for tax purposes on the dividends to be paid for fiscal year 2019.

    For more information on requirements for dividend distribution, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”-B.”Business Overview”— “Argentine Banking Regulation”—“Profit Distribution”

    9,2719,71810,209

    Within the current legal framework, membership in an employee union is voluntary and there is only one union of bank employees with national representation. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 40% of Banco Galicia’s employees were affiliated with the national bank employee union. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 90% of Ecosistema NaranjaX’ work force was party to the merchant union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement No.130/75 applicable to trade employees and 6% of which were members of a labor union.

    In general, during the first six months of 2020, the bank employees union and the national commerce employee’s union commenced negotiations on their respective collective labor agreements to establish new minimum wages. As a result of such negotiations, the minimum wage was increased for these positions. In 2020, due to the significant increases in the inflation index, the increases in the banking agreement were carried out in the months of January, March, July, October, November and December. In 2020, the Argentine union that represents employees in the banking sector declared general strikes. These strikes were not specific to any bank but affected all banks in Argentina. Certain of the Bank’s employees who are members of the union participated in the strike; however, the Bank was able to continue its operations during such time as not all employees are members of the union. While employees of Banco Galicia have participated in general strikes against the Argentine banking sector, Banco Galicia has not experienced a targeted strike by its employees since 1973 and Tarjetas Regionales Companies have never experienced a targeted employee strike. We believe that our relationship with our employees is stable and positive.

    We have a human resources policy that aims at providing our employees possibilities for growth and personal and socio-economic achievement. We will continue our current policy of monitoring both wage levels and labor conditions in the financial industry in order to be competitive. Our employees receive fixed compensation and may receive variable compensation according to their level of achievement. We do not maintain any profit-sharing programs for our employees.

    In a survey conducted in 2020 by Great Place to Work®, Banco Galicia ranked among the best companies to work in Argentina for the fourth consecutive year with more than 1,000 employees, while Naranja ranked among the best companies to work in Argentina for the third year consecutive with more than 1,000 employees.

    The Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires (the “Fundación”) is an Argentine non-profit organization that provides various services to Banco Galicia employees. The various activities of the Fundación include, among others, purchasing school materials for the children of Banco Galicia’s employees and making donations to hospitals and other charitable causes, including cultural events. The Fundación is managed by a Council, certain members and alternate members of which are members of our Board of Directors and supervisory committee. Members and alternate members of the Council do not receive remuneration for their services as trustees.

    E. Share Ownership

    For information on the share ownership of our directors and executive officers as of December 31, 2020, see Item 7. “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders”.

     

    Item 7.

    BancoGaliciaMajor Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

    A. Major Shareholders

    As of March 31, 2021, our capital structure was made up of class A shares, each of which is entitled to five votes and class B shares, each of which is entitled to one vote. As of March 31, 2021, we had 1,474,692,091 shares outstanding composed of 281,221,650 class A shares and 1,193,470,441 class B shares.

    Our controlling shareholders are members of the Escasany, Ayerza and Braun families and the Fundación Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. As of March 31, 2021, the controlling shareholders owned 100% of our class A shares through EBA Holding (representing 19.1% of our total outstanding shares) and 9.3% of our class B shares (or 7.5% of our total outstanding shares), therefore directly and indirectly owning 26.6% of our shares and 58.4% of total votes.

    Based on information that is available to us, the table below sets forth, as of March 31, 2021, the number of our class A and class B shares held by holders of more than 5% of each class of shares, the percentage of each class of shares held by such holder, and the percentage of votes that each class of shares represent as a percentage of our total possible votes.

    Class A Shares

    Name

      Class A Shares   % of Class A Shares   % of Total Votes 

    EBA Holding S.A.

       281,221,650    100    54.1 

    Class B Shares

    Name

      Class A Shares   % of Class A Shares   % of Total Votes 

    The Bank of New York Mellon (1)

       498,281,860    41.8    19.2 

    ANSES

       264,275,733    22.1    10.2 

    EBA Holding Shareholders (2)

       110,411,743    9.3    4.3 

     

    (1)

    During the ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2019, the shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend, in the amount of Ps.1,500 million, corresponding to the 2018 fiscal year.

    Taking into consideration the Argentine Central Bank rules regarding the distribution of profits, as explained above, the shareholders’ meeting held on
    April 28, 2020, approved the allocation of Ps.7,046 million to a legal reserve and Ps.28,184 million to a voluntary reserve for the future distribution of profits, and delegated to the Board of Directors the ability to release funds from said voluntary reserve in an amount up to Ps.10,000 million.

    Sudamericana Holding

    During the year 2019, Sudamericana held an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, at which shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend in the amount of Ps.599.8 million.

    The outbreak and spread of a virus called “coronavirus” (or COVID-19) by the end of 2019 has given rise to various consequences in both business and economic activities throughout the world. Due to the exceptional nature of the virus and its rapid global spread, in March 2020 several governments around the world implemented drastic measures to contain the spread, including, but not limited to, the closure of borders and the ban on travel to and from certain parts of the world for a period of time, and the mandatory isolation of its citizens together with the cessation of non-essential commercial activities. On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

    Internationally, the main economic indicators welcomed 2020 with mixed signals. On the one hand in January of 2020, industrial activity grew, which was partially connected to a deceleration of the decline of the industrial activity in the Eurozone. Optimism regarding the commercial relationship between the United States and China also grew after both countries signed the first phase of a potential commercial agreement. On the other hand, industrial activity growth decelerated in both the United States and China, political tension between the United States and Iran escalated, and major stock indices saw an initial downturn by the end of January from all-time highs as concerns for the COVID-19 virus grew. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve of the United States maintained cautious monetary policies, amid flight-to-quality strategies on behalf of investors and falling prices among commodities.

    Since February, global attention has been focused on the spread of COVID-19 (which was initially concentrated in China), but which began spreading globally during this month. Beginning in February, the spread of COVID-19 had already significantly impacted China and exacerbated the economic deceleration in such country and lead to an economic deceleration in the United States. Other economies, however, continued to show improving indicators. Meanwhile, Donald Trump was acquitted from charges of abuse of power and obstruction of justice,



    clearing his political path for the scheduled presidential elections later in the year, and the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank maintained its cautious stance noticing the potential spread of COVID-19, and investors and commodities upheld their warning tendencies. Also, major stock indices, which had reached new historical maximum levels, started to fell significantly while reflecting increased levels of uncertainty and volatility.

    Starting in March, COVID-19 spread worldwide. The virus started affecting Europe, but by month-end the United Stated became the global epicenter of infected individuals, while China was able to control the spread within its territory. That same month Saudi Arabia announced the highest oil price cut over the last 30 years in response to the collapse of the OPEC+ agreement. As a result, economic indicators reacted positively to more stability in China but otherwise experience dramatic falls to negative levels in the rest of the world, while stock indices registered generalized declines with historical maximum volatility levels not seen since the 2008 crisis. In addition, investors boosted their flight-to-quality strategies and the price of commodities in general fell, mainly led by an extreme decrease in oil price.

    The immediate response of policymakers around the globe to the Coronavirus was unprecedented, both in the monetary and tax front. Among others, in March the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank held unscheduled meetings and decided to reduce its rates range by a total of 150 bps to a range from 0.0% to 0.25%. The latter aligned with an also extraordinary quarantine lockdown in some states of the United States, a search to flatten the curve of infected individuals, which would in turn prevent health systems’ saturation. Since then, investors continue to reassess their projections of the potential economic and credit impact of COVID-19 and of the current historically low oil international prices, enabling a partially recover in global assets. Yet, uncertainty and volatility continue to prevail and there is uncertainty regarding the impact on the international economies for 2020.

    For more information on the impact of COVID-19, see “Forward Looking Statements”— Item 3.D “Risk Factors” — Item 5.“Operating Results-Principal Trends”. 



    In Argentina, the National Government implemented a number of measures aimed at reducing the movement of the population, establishing the social, preventive and mandatory isolation from March 20 to May 10, 2020 (which could be extended if the government considers it necessary), where only individuals working in the rendering/production of essential services and products were allowed to leave their homes.

    The final significance of the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on both world and local economies is unknown, and the governments might take even stricter measures, which are not predictable at this time. As of the date of issuance of our financial statements, Grupo Financiero Galicia has not experienced significant impacts on its income as a result of this pandemic. Although the Argentine Central Bank established a series of measures in order to minimize physical contact between people, the most relevant being the limitation of customer service at our branches, the operations of our subsidiaries are maintained and we expect them to continue in spite of the difficulties. However, the extent to which the coronavirus will affect the future of Grupo Galicia’s business, and the impact on the income from our operations cannot be reasonably quantified if this situation extends for a longer period of time. 

    The Board of Directors is closely monitoring this situation and taking all the required measures within their reach to preserve human life and our operations.



    Item 9. The Offer and Listing

    Shares and ADSs

    Our class B shares are listed on the BYMA, MAE and the Córdoba Stock Exchange under the symbol “GGAL”. Our class B shares have started listing on MAE since October 28, 2015. Our ADSs, each representing ten class B shares, are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “GGAL”. Our ADSs have been listed on Nasdaq Capital Market since August 2002. Previously, our ADSs had been listed on the Nasdaq National Market since July 24, 2000.

    Argentine Securities Market

    The principal and oldest exchange for the Argentine securities market is the BYMA. The BYMA started operating in 1854 and handles the largest proportion of all equity trading in Argentina. Securities listed on the BYMA include corporate equity and debt securities and government securities. Debt securities listed on the BYMA may also be listed on the MAE. The MERVAL, which is affiliated with the BYMA, was founded in 1929 and is the largest stock market in Argentina. The MERVAL is a private entity, whose capital is integrated by shares admitted to public offer regime and was registered as a market by the CNV under N°16. Its capital is composed of 104 outstanding shares and there are 182 agents registered as members of the Merval market. We are member of the Merval through Galicia Valores, a subsidiary that owns one share. Additionally, the Bank, within the framework of the Capital Market Law, was authorized by the CNV to act as a settlement and clearing agent and trading agent-comprehensive, and was added as member of the MERVAL.

    Trading on the BYMA is conducted through a trading platform introduced during 2017 called Milleniun, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each business day of the year. The Millenium software is a computer trading platform system that permits trading in debt and equity securities that can be accessed by brokers directly from workstations located at their offices. As a result of an agreement between the MERVAL and the MAE, equity securities are traded exclusively on the BYMA and corporate and government debt securities are traded on the MAE and the BYMA. Currently, all transactions relating to listed corporate and government debt securities can be effected said trading platform. In addition, a substantial over-the-counter market exists for private trading in listed debt securities and, prior to the agreement described above, equity securities. Such trades are reported on the MAE.


    Although companies may list all of their capital stock on the BYMA, in most cases the controlling shareholders retain the majority of a company’s capital stock. This results in only a relatively small percentage of most companies’ stock being available for active trading by the public on the BYMA. Even though individuals have historically constituted the largest group of investors in Argentina’s equity markets, in recent years, banks and insurance companies have shown an interest in these markets. Argentine mutual funds, by contrast, continue to have very low participation in the market. Although 104 companies had equity securities listed on the BYMA as of December 31, 2019, the 10 most-traded companies on the exchange accounted for approximately 65.2% of total trading value during 2019, from a 67.3% recorded in 2018. Our shares were the first-most traded shares on the BYMA in 2019, with a 24.2% share of trading volume from an also first position of 15.2% recorded during 2018.

    The Córdoba Stock Exchange is another important stock market in Argentina. Securities listed on the Córdoba Stock Exchange include both corporate equity and debt securities and government securities. Through an agreement with the BYMA, all the securities listed on the BYMA are authorized to be listed and subsequently traded on the Córdoba Stock Exchange. Thus, many transactions that originate on the Córdoba Stock Exchange relate to companies listed on the BYMA and such trades are subsequently settled in Buenos Aires.

    The MAE is a self-regulated organization that is supervised by the CNV. MAE is mainly comprised by private banks, either composed by national or foreign capital, national banks, provincial banks, municipal Banks, cooperative Banks, financial companies, exchange companies and agents.

    Market Regulations

    The CNV oversees the Argentine securities markets and is responsible for authorizing public offerings of securities and supervising brokers, public companies and mutual funds, among others. Argentine pension funds and insurance companies are regulated by separate Argentine government agencies, while financial institutions are regulated mainly by the Argentine Central Bank. The Argentine securities markets are regulated by the CNV.

    In compliance with the provisions of Law No.20,643 and the Decrees No.659/74 and No.2220/80, most debt and equity securities traded on the exchanges and the MAE must, unless otherwise instructed by the shareholders, be deposited in Caja de Valores S.A., which is the central securities depositary of Argentina, that provides deposit facilities for securities and mainly acts as a transfer and paying agent in connection therewith. It also handles settlement of securities transactions and operates the computerized exchange information system.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Argentine regulations, there may be less publicly available information about Argentine companies than is regularly published by or about companies in the U.S. and other countries. However, the CNV has taken steps to strengthen disclosure and regulatory standards for the Argentine securities market, including the issuance of regulations prohibiting insider trading and requiring insiders to report on their ownership of securities, with associated penalties for non-compliance.

    In order to offer securities to the public in Argentina, an issuer must meet certain requirements of the CNV regarding assets operating history, management and other matters, and only securities for which an application for a public offering has been approved by the CNV may be listed on the corresponding stock exchange. This approval does not imply any kind of certification of assurance related to the merits of the quality of the securities, or the solvency of the issuer. Issuers of listed securities are required to file unaudited quarterly financial statements and audited annual financial statements, as well as various other periodic reports, with the CNV and the corresponding stock exchange.

    Securities can currently be freely traded on the Argentine markets, however the Argentine government has periodically imposed certain restrictions regarding access by residents and non-residents to the local MLC and to transfers of foreign exchange abroad. See Item 4. “Information on the Company—Government Regulation—Foreign Exchange Market”.

    On June 2019, the CNV passed Resolution No. 797/19, aimed to strengthen the good practices in corporate governance, emphasizing the principles established by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) and requiring a stronger commitment from the listing companies regarding the compliance with corporate governance.



    The Capital Markets Law (Law No. 26,831), which became effective on January 2013, replacing Law No.17,811 and Decree No. 677/01, regulates the capital markets transactions as well as the supervision, control and disciplinary and regulatory powers of the CNV. The Capital Markets Law is supplemented by the CNV Rules.

    On May 9, 2018, the Argentine Congress passed Law No. 27,440 (Ley de Financiamiento Productivo) with the goal of developing the Argentine domestic capital markets. The draft bill provides for the amendment and update of the Argentine Capital Markets Law, the Mutual Funds Law and the Argentine Negotiable Obligations Law, among others. Such Law No. 27,440 sets forth certain regulations that are intended to provide SMEs with better access to financial instruments and to create an electronic credit invoice for MSMEs that replace the receipts from sales and credit invoices. Also, Law No. 27,440 improves the regulatory framework by introducing the new products for SMEs, such as discounts for access to the financial market and the amendment of certain tax provisions, regulations relating to derivatives and the promotion of a financial inclusion program.

    Item 10. Additional Information

    B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

    Description of Our Bylaws

    General

    Set forth below is a brief description of certain provisions of our bylaws and Argentine law, and regulations with regard to our capital stock. Your rights as a holder of our capital stock are subject to Argentine corporate law, which may differ from the corporate laws of other jurisdictions. This description is not purported to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our bylaws, Argentine law and the rules of the BYMA, the Córdoba Stock Exchange as well as the CNV. A copy of our bylaws has been filed with and can be examined at the CNV in Buenos Aires and the SEC in Washington, D.C.

    We were incorporated on September 14, 1999, as a stock corporation under the laws of Argentina and registered on September 30, 1999, with the IGJ, under corporate registration number 14,519 of Book 7, Volume of Stock Corporations. Our domicile is in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Under our bylaws, our duration is until June 30, 2100 and we are exclusively a financial and investment company (as stated in “Chapter 2. Purpose. Article 3.” of our bylaws). This duration may be extended by resolution taken at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.

    Our bylaws do not contain any provision governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

    Outstanding Capital Stock

    Our total subscribed and paid-in share capital as of December 31, 2019, amounted to Ps.1,426,764,947, composed ofall class A shares and class B shares, each with a par value of Ps.1. The following table presents the number of our shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019, and the voting interest that the shares represent.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    December 31, 2019

     

    Shares

     

    Number of Shares

     

     

    % of Capital Stock

     

     

    % of Voting Rights

     

    Class A Shares

     

     

    281,221,650

     

     

     

    19.71

    %

     

     

    55.11

     

    Class B Shares

     

     

    1,145,542,947

     

     

     

    80.29

    %

     

     

    44.89

     

    Total

     

     

    1,426,764,597

     

     

     

    100

    %

     

    100

     


    Registration and Transfer

    The class B shares are book-entry common shares held through Caja de Valores. Caja de Valores maintains a stock registry for us and only those persons listed in such registry will be recognized as our shareholders. Caja de Valores periodically delivers to us a list of the shareholders as at a certain date.

    The class B shares are transferable on the books of Caja de Valores. Caja de Valores records all transfers in our registry. Within 10 days of any such transfer, Caja de Valores is required to confirm the registration of transfer with the transferor.

    Voting Rights

    At shareholders’ meetings, each class A share is entitled to five votes and each class B share is entitled to one vote. However, class A shares are entitled to only one vote in certain matters, such as:

    • a merger or spin-off in which we are not the surviving corporation, unless the acquirer’s shares are authorized to be publicly offered or listed on any stock exchange;
    • a transformation in our legal corporate form;
    • a fundamental change in our corporate purpose;
    • a change of our domicile to outside Argentina;
    • a voluntary termination of our public offering or listing authorization;
    • our continuation following a delisting or a mandatory cancellation of our public offering or listing authorization;
    • a total or partial recapitalization of our statutory capital following a loss; and
    • the appointment of syndics.

    All distinctions between our class A shares and our class B shares will be eliminated upon the occurrence of any of the following change of control events:

    • EBA Holding sells 100% of its class A shares;
    • EBA Holding sells a portion of our class A shares to a third person who, when aggregating all our class A shares with our class B shares owned by such person, if any, obtains 50% plus one vote of our total votes; or
    • the current shareholders of EBA Holding sell shares of EBA Holding that will allow the buyer to exercise more than 50% of the voting power of EBA Holding at any general shareholders’ meeting of EBA Holding shareholders, except for transfers to other current shareholders of EBA Holding or to their heirs or their legal successors or to entities owned by any of them.

    Limited Liability of Shareholders

    Shareholders are not liable for our obligations. Shareholders’ liability is limited to the payment of the shares for which they subscribe. However, shareholders who have a conflict of interest with us and do not abstain from voting may be held liable for damages to us. Also, shareholders who willfully or negligently vote in favor of a resolution that is subsequently declared void by a court as contrary to Argentine law or our bylaws may be held liable for damages to us or to third parties, including other shareholders, resulting from such resolutions.

    Directors

    Our bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall be composed by at least three and at most nine members, as decided at a general ordinary shareholders’ meeting. To be appointed to our Board of Directors, such person must have been presented as a candidate by shareholders who represent at least 10% of our voting rights, at least three business days before the date the general ordinary shareholders’ meeting is to be held. Our bylaws do not state an age limit over which the directors cannot serve on our board.



    At each annual shareholders’ meeting, the term of one third of the members of our Board of Directors (no fewer than three directors) expires and their successors are elected to serve for a term of three years. The shareholders’ meeting shall have the power to fix a shorter period (one or two years) for the terms of office of one, several or all the directors. This system of electing directors is intended to help maintain the continuity of the board. Alternate directors replace directors until the following general ordinary shareholders’ meeting is held. Directors may also be replaced by alternate directors if a director will be absent from a board meeting. The Board of Directors is required to meet at least once every month and anytime any one of the directors or syndics so requests.

    Our bylaws state that the Board of Directors may decide to appoint an executive committee and/or a delegate director.

    Our bylaws do not provide for any arrangements or understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any person referred to in this annual report was selected as a director or member of senior management.

    Additionally, pursuant to our bylaws, any borrowing powers on behalf of the Company are granted to our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has the power to delegate these borrowing powers to our directors through a power of attorney and currently certain of our directors have powers of attorney to negotiate the terms of and borrow money on behalf of the Company. Furthermore, as stated by our bylaws, the chairman of our Board of Directors is also the legal representative of the Company. Although our bylaws do not expressly address a director’s power to vote on proposals, arrangements or contracts in which the director has a material interest, pursuant to customary Argentine business practice and certain tenants of Argentine corporate law, our directors do not vote on proposals, arrangements or contracts in which the director has a material interest.

    Appointment of Directors and Syndics by Cumulative Voting

    The Corporations Law provides for the use of cumulative voting to enable minority shareholders to appoint members of the board of directors and syndics. Upon the completion of certain requirements, shareholders are entitled to appoint up to one third of the vacancies to be filled on the board of directors by cumulative voting. Each shareholder voting cumulatively has the number of votes resulting from multiplying the number of votes to which such shareholder would normally be entitled by the number of vacancies to be filled. Such shareholder may apportion his votes or cast all such votes for one or a number of candidates not exceeding one third of the vacancies to be filled.

    Compensation of Directors



    The Corporations Law and the CNV establish rules regarding the compensation of directors. The maximum amount of aggregate compensation that the members of the board of directors may receive, including salaries and other compensation for the performance of permanent technical and administrative services, may not exceed 25.0% of profits of each fiscal year. This maximum amount shall be limited to 5.0% when no dividends are distributed to the shareholders and shall be increased proportionately to the dividend distribution until the 25.0% limit is reached when all profits are distributed.

    The Corporations Law provides that aggregate director compensation may exceed the maximum percentage of computable profit in any one year when the company’s profits are non-existent or too small as to allow payment of a reasonable compensation to board members which have been engaged in technical or administrative services to the company, provided that such proposal is described in the notice of the agenda for the ordinary shareholders’ meeting and is approved by a majority of shareholders present at such shareholders’ meeting.

    In addition to the above, our bylaws establish that best practices and national and international market standards regarding directors with similar duties and responsibilities shall be considered when determining the compensation of board members.

    Syndics

    Our bylaws, in accordance with Argentine law, provide for the maintenance of a supervisory committee whose members are three permanent syndics and three alternate syndics. Syndics are elected for a one-year term and may be re-elected. Alternate syndics replace permanent syndics in case of absence. For the appointment of syndics, each of our class A shares and class B shares has only one vote. Fees for syndics are established by the shareholders at the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting. Their function is to oversee the management of the company, to control the legality of the actions of the board of directors, to attend all board of directors’ meetings, to attend all shareholders’ meetings, to prepare reports for the shareholders on the financial statements with their opinion, and to provide information regarding the company to shareholders that represent at least 2% of the capital stock. Syndics’ liabilities are joint and several and unlimited for the non-fulfillment of their duties. They are also jointly and severally liable, together with the members of the board of directors, if the proper fulfillment of their duties as syndics would have avoided the damage or the losses caused by the members of the board of directors.

    Shareholders’ Meetings

    Shareholders’ meetings may be ordinary meetings or extraordinary meetings. An annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting is required to be held in each fiscal year to consider the matters outlined in Article 234 of the Corporations Law, including, among others:

    • approval of the financial statements and general performance of the management for the preceding fiscal year;
    • appointment and remuneration of directors and members of the supervisory committee;
    • allocation of profits; and
    • any other matter the board of directors decides to submit to the shareholders’ meeting concerning the Company’s business administration. Matters which may be discussed at these or other ordinary meetings include resolutions regarding the responsibility of directors and members of the supervisory committee, as well as capital increases and the issuance of notes.

    Extraordinary shareholders’ meetings may be called at any time to discuss matters beyond the competence of the ordinary meeting, including but not limited to amendments to the bylaws, matters related to the liquidation of a company, limitation of the shareholders’ preemptive rights to subscribe new shares, issuance of bonds and debentures, transformation of the corporate form, a merger into another company and spin-offs, early winding-up, change of the company’s domicile to outside Argentina, total or partial repayment of capital for losses, and a substantial change in the corporate purpose set forth in the bylaws.


    Shareholders’ meetings may be convened by the board of directors or by the syndics. A shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least 5.0% in the aggregate of our capital stock may request the board of directors or the syndics to convene a general shareholders’ meeting to discuss the matters indicated by the shareholder.

    Once a meeting has been convened with an agenda, the agenda limits the matters to be decided upon at such meeting and no other matters may be decided upon.

    Additionally, our bylaws provide that any shareholder holding at least 5% in aggregate of our capital stock may present, in writing, to the Board of Directors, before February 28 of each year, proposals of items to be included in the agenda at the annual general ordinary shareholders’ meeting. The Board of Directors is not obligated to include such items in the agenda.

    Class B shares represented by ADSs will be voted or caused to be votedare owned of record by the Depositary in accordance with instructionsThe Bank of the holders of such ADSs. In the event instructions are not received from the holder, the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxyNew York, as Depositary. The address for the shares represented by such ADSs to a person designated by us.

    NoticeBank of each shareholders’ meeting must be published inNew York Mellon is 101 Barclay Street, New York 10286, and the Official Gazette, and in a widely circulated newspaper incountry of organization is the country’s territory, at least twenty days prior to the meeting but notUnited States.

    (2)

    No member holds more than forty-five days prior to the date on which the meeting is to be held. The board of directors will determine the appropriate publication of notices outside Argentina in accordance with the requirements of the jurisdictions and exchanges on which our shares are traded. In order to attend a meeting and to be listed on the meeting registry, shareholders must submit evidence of their book-entry share account held at Caja de Valores at least three business days prior to the scheduled meeting date without counting the meeting day.

    The quorum for ordinary meetings consists of a majority of stock entitled to vote, and resolutions may be adopted by the affirmative vote of 50% plus one vote (an “absolute majority”) of the votes present whether in person or participating via electronic means of communication. If no quorum is present at the first meeting, a second meeting may be called at which the shareholders present, whatever their number, shall constitute a quorum. Resolutions are to be adopted by an absolute majority of the votes present. The second meeting may be convened to be held one hour later on the same day as the first meeting had been called for, provided that it is an ordinary shareholders’ meeting, or within 30 days of the date for which the first ordinary meeting was called.

    The quorum for extraordinary shareholders’ meetings consists of 60% of stock entitled to vote, and resolutions may be adopted by an absolute majority of the votes present. If no quorum is present at the first meeting, a second meeting may be called at which the shareholders present, whatever their number, shall constitute a quorum. Resolutions are to be adopted by an absolute majority of the votes present. The second meeting has to be convened to be held within 30 days of the date for which the first extraordinary meeting was called, and the notice must be published for three days, at least eight days before the date of the second meeting. Some special matters require a favorable vote of the majority of all the stock holding voting rights, the class A shares being granted the right to only one vote each. The special matters are described in “—Voting Rights” above.

    Dividends


    Dividends may be lawfully paid and declared only out of our retained earnings representing the profit realized and liquid on our operations and investments reflected in our annual financial statements, as approved at our annual general shareholders’ meeting. No profits may be distributed until prior losses are covered. Dividends paid on our class A shares and class B shares will equal one another on a per-share basis.

    As required by the Corporations Law, 5% of our net income is allocated to a legal reserve until the reserve equals 20% of our outstanding capital. Dividends may not be paid if the legal reserve has been impaired. The legal reserve is not available for distribution to shareholders.

    Our Board of Directors submits our financial statements for the previous fiscal year, together with reports prepared by our supervisory committee, to our shareholders for approval at the general ordinary shareholders’ meeting. The shareholders, upon approving the financial statements, determine the allocation of our net income.

    Our Board of Directors is allowed by law and by our bylaws to decide to pay anticipated dividends on the basis of a balance sheet especially prepared for purposes of paying such dividends.

    Under BYMA regulations, cash dividends must be paid to shareholders within 10 days of the shareholders’ meeting approving said dividend. Payment of dividends in shares requires authorization from the CNV, the BYMA and the Córdoba Stock Exchange, whose authorizations must be requested within 10 business days after the shareholders’ meeting approving the dividend. We must make a distribution of the shares available to shareholders not later than three months after receiving authorization to do so from the CNV.

    Shareholders may no longer claim the payment of dividends from us after three years have elapsed from the date on which the relevant dividends were made available to such shareholders.

    Capital Increases and Reductions

    We may increase our capital upon resolution of the general ordinary shareholders’ meeting. All capital increases must be reported to the CNV, published in the Official Gazette and registered with the Public Registry of Commerce. Capital reductions may be voluntary or mandatory. A voluntary reduction of capital must be approved by an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting after the corresponding authorization by the BYMA, the Córdoba Stock Exchange and the CNV and may take place only after notice of such reduction has been published and creditors have been given an opportunity to obtain payment or guarantees for their claims or attachment. A reduction of capital is mandatory when losses have exceeded reserves and more than 50% of the share capital of the company.

    Preemptive Rights

    Under Argentine law, it is mandatory that a shareholder of ordinary shares of any given class have preemptive rights, proportional to the number of shares he or she owns, to subscribe for shares of capital stock of the same class or of any other class if the new subscription offer does not include all classes of shares. Shareholders may only decide to suspend or limit preemptive rights by supermajority at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting and only in exceptional cases. Shareholders may waive their preemptive rights only on a case-by-case basis.

    In the event of an increase in our capital, holders of class A shares and class B shares have a preemptive right to subscribe for any issue of class B shares in an amount sufficient to maintain the proportion of capital then held by them. Holders of class A shares are entitled to subscribe for class B shares because no further class A shares carrying five votes each are allowed to be issued in the future. Under Argentine law, companies are prohibited from issuing stock with multiple voting rights after they have been authorized to make a public offering of securities.

    Preemptive rights are exercisable following the last publication of the notification to shareholders of the opportunity to exercise preemptive rights in the Official Gazette and an Argentine newspaper of wide circulation for a period of 30 days, provided that such period may be reduced to no less than 10 days if so approved by an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.

    Shareholders who have exercised their preemptive rights and indicated their intention to exercise additional preemptive rights are entitled to additional preemptive rights (“accretion rights”), on a pro rata basis, with respect to any unsubscribed shares, in accordance with the terms of the Corporations Law. Class B shares not subscribed for by shareholders through the exercise of their preemptive or accretion rights may be offered to third parties.


    Holders of ADSs may be restricted in their ability to exercise preemptive rights if a registration statement relating to such rights has not been filed or is not effective or if an exemption from registration is not available.

    Appraisal Rights

    Whenever our shareholders approve:

    • a merger or spin-off in which we are not the surviving corporation, unless the acquirer’s shares are authorized to be publicly offered or listed on any stock exchange,
    • a transformation in our legal corporate form,
    • a fundamental change in our corporate purpose,
    • a change of our domicile to outside Argentina,
    • a voluntary termination of our public offering or listing authorization,
    • our continuation following a delisting or a mandatory cancellation of our public offering or listing authorization, or
    • a total or partial recapitalization of our statutory capital following a loss,

    any shareholder that voted against such action or did not attend the relevant meeting may exercise its right to have its shares canceled in exchange for the book value of its shares, determined on the basis of our latest balance sheet prepared in accordance with Argentine laws and regulations, provided that such shareholder exercises its appraisal rights within the periods set forth below.

    There is, however, doubt as to whether holders of ADSs, will be able to exercise appraisal rights with respect to class B shares represented by ADSs.

    Appraisal rights must be exercised within five days following the adjournment of the meeting at which the resolution was adopted, in the event that the dissenting shareholder voted against such resolutions, or within 15 days following such adjournment if the dissenting shareholder did not attend such meeting and can prove that he was a shareholder on the date of such meeting. In the case of a merger or spin-off involving an entity authorized to make a public offering of its shares, appraisal rights may not be exercised if the shares to be received as a result of such transaction are listed on any stock exchange. Appraisal rights are extinguished if the resolution giving rise to such rights is overturned at another shareholders’ meeting held within 75 days of the meeting at which the resolution was adopted.

    Payment of the appraisal rights must be made within one year from the date of the shareholders’ meeting at which the resolution was adopted, except if the resolution was to delist our capital stock, in which case the payment period is reduced to 60 days from the date of the related resolution.

    Preferred Stock

    According to the Corporations Law and our bylaws, an ordinary shareholders’ meeting may approve the issuance of preferred stock. Such preferred stock may have a fixed dividend, cumulative or not cumulative, with or without additional participation in our profits, as decided by shareholders at a shareholders’ meeting when determining the conditions of the issuance. They may also have other preferences, such as a preference in the event of our liquidation.

    The holders of preferred stock shall not be entitled to voting rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that no dividends are paid to such holders for their preferred stock, and for as long as such dividends are not paid, the holders of preferred stock shall be entitled to voting rights. Holders of preferred stock are also entitled to vote on certain special matters, such as the transformation of the corporate form, a merger into another company and



    spin-offs (when we are not the surviving entity and the surviving entity is not listed on any stock exchange), early winding-up, a change of our domicile to outside Argentina, total or partial repayment of capital for losses and a substantial change in the corporate purpose set forth in our bylaws or in the event our preferred stock is traded on stock exchanges and such trading is suspended or terminated.

    Conflicts of Interest

    As a protection to minority shareholders, under the Corporations Law, a shareholder is required to abstain from voting on any resolution in which its direct or indirect interests conflict with that of or are different than ours. In the event such shareholder votes on such resolution, and such resolution would not have been approved without such shareholders’ vote, the resolution may be declared void by a court and such shareholder may be liable for damages to the company as well as to any third party, including other shareholders.

    Redemption or Repurchase

    According to the Capital Markets Law, a stock corporation may acquire the shares issued by it, provided that the public offering and listing thereof has been authorized, subject to the following terms and conditions and those set forth by the CNV. The above-mentioned conditions are: (a) the shares to be acquired shall be fully paid up; (b) there shall be a resolution signed by the board of directors to such effect; (c) the acquisition shall be made out of net profits or free or voluntary reserves; and (d) the total amount of shares acquired by the company, including previously acquired shares, shall not exceed 10%2.0% of the capital stock or such lower percentage determined bystock. Such holding includes 15,356,360 shares in the CNV. The shares acquired by the company in excessform of such limit shall be disposed of within the term of 90 days after the date of the acquisition originating such excess.ADSs.

    Based on information that is available to us, the table below sets forth, as of March 31, 2021, the shareholders that either directly or indirectly have more than 5% of our votes or shares.

    Name

      Shares   Class   % of Class A
    Shares
       % of Total Votes 

    The Bank of New York Mellon

       498,281,860    B    33.8    19.2 

    EBA Holding S.A.

       281,221,650    A    19.1    54.1 

    ANSES.

       264,275,733    B    17.9    10.2 

    EBA Holding Shareholders.

       110,411,743    B    7.5    4.3 

    Members of the three controlling families have owned the majority of the issued share capital of Banco Galicia since 1959. Members of the Escasany family have been on the board of directors of Banco Galicia since 1923. The Ayerza and Braun families have been represented on Banco Galicia’s board of directors since 1943 and 1947, respectively. Currently, there are five members of these families on our Board of Directors.

    On September 13, 1999, the controlling shareholders of Banco Galicia formed EBA Holding S.A., an Argentine corporation, which is 100% owned by our controlling shareholders. EBA Holding holds 100% of our class A shares.

    Currently, EBA Holding only has class A shares outstanding. EBA Holding’s bylaws provide for certain restrictions on the sale or transfer of its class A shares. While the class A shares of EBA Holding may be transferred to any other class A shareholder of EBA Holding, any transfer of such class A shares to third parties would automatically result in the conversion of the sold shares into class B shares of EBA Holding having one vote per share. In addition, EBA Holding’s bylaws contain rights of first refusal, buy-sell provisions and tag-along rights.

    As of March 31, 2021, we had 135 identified United States record shareholders (not considering The Bank of New York), of which 22 held our class B shares and 113 held our ADSs. Such United States holders, in the aggregate, held approximately 98.4 million of our class B shares, representing approximately 6.7% of our total outstanding capital stock as of such date.

    B. Related Party Transactions

    Grupo Financiero Galicia and its non-banking subsidiaries are not a party to any transactions with, and have not made any loans to any (i) enterprises that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control or are controlled by Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, (ii) associates (i.e., an unconsolidated enterprise in which Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries has a significant influence or which has significant influence over Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries), (iii) individuals owning, directly or indirectly, an interest in the voting power of Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries that gives them significant influence over Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, as applicable, and close members of any such individual’s family (i.e., those family members that may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that person in their dealings with Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, as applicable), (iv) key management personnel (i.e., persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, including directors and senior management of companies and close members of such individual’s family) or (v) enterprises in which a substantial interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (iii) or (iv) over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence nor are there any proposed transactions with such persons. For purposes of this paragraph, this includes enterprises owned by directors or major shareholders of Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries that have a member of key management in common with Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, as applicable. In addition, “significant influence” means the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the enterprise but means less than control. Shareholders beneficially owning a 10% interest in the voting power of Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries are presumed to have a significant influence on Grupo Financiero Galicia or its non-banking subsidiaries, as applicable.

    Some of our directors and the directors of Banco Galicia have been involved in certain credit transactions with Banco Galicia as permitted by Argentine law. The Corporations Law and the BCRA’s regulations allow directors of a limited liability company to enter into a transaction with such company if such transaction follows prevailing market conditions. Additionally, a bank’s total financial exposure to related individuals or legal entities is subject to the regulations of the BCRA. Such regulations set limits on the amount of financial exposure that can be extended by a bank to affiliates based on, among other things, a percentage of a bank’s TIER 1. See Item 4. “Information on the Company—Argentine Banking Regulation—Lending Limits”.

    Banco Galicia is required by the BCRA to present to its board of directors, on a monthly basis, the outstanding amounts of financial assistance granted to directors, controlling shareholders, officers and other related entities, which are transcribed in the minute books of the board of directors of Banco Galicia. The BCRA establishes that the financial assistance granted to directors, controlling shareholders, officers and other related entities must be granted on an equal basis with respect to rates, tenor and guarantees as loans granted to the general public.

    In this section “total financial exposure” comprises equity interests and financial assistance (all credit related items such as loans, holdings of corporate debt securities without quotation, guarantees granted and unused balances of loans granted, among others), as this term is defined in Item 4. “Information on the Company—Argentine Banking Regulation—Lending Limits”.

    “Related parties” refers mainly to our directors and the directors of Banco Galicia, our senior officers and senior officers of Banco Galicia, our syndics and Banco Galicia’s syndics, our controlling shareholders as well as all individuals who are related to them by a family relationship and any entities directly or indirectly affiliated with any of these parties, not required to be consolidated.

    The following table presents the aggregate amounts of total financial exposure of Grupo Financiero Galicia to related parties, the number of recipients, the average amounts and the maximum assistance as of the end of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, and as of February 28, 2021, the last date for which information is available.

       February 28,   December 31, 
       2021(1)   2020   2019 
       (in millions of Pesos, except as noted) 

    Total Financial Exposure

       2,360    1,992    1,500 

    Number of Recipient Related Parties

       268    269    283 

    Individuals

       207    208    229 

    Companies

       61    61    54 

    Average Amount of Financial Exposure

       9    7    5 

    Maximum Assistance

       401    509    596 

    (1)

    In February 28, 2021 currency.

    The financial assistance granted to our directors, officers and related parties by Banco Galicia was granted in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other non-related parties, and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

    In June 2011, Banco Galicia entered into an agreement with Galicia Seguros, a company indirectly controlled by Grupo Financiero Galicia, pursuant to which the Bank can offer insurance products on behalf of Galicia Seguros. In addition, they entered into an agreement for a one-year period pursuant to which Galicia Seguros insures the Bank for the balances of certain loans in the case of death of its clients. On July 31, 2014, Banco Galicia renewed both agreements with Galicia Seguros, for an additional year, with automatic deferral. Such agreements were considered to be “related party transactions” pursuant to Section 72 of the Capital Markets Law.

    Subsequently, on July 25 ,2008, Naranja concluded two new leasing operations with Banco Galicia for two properties located in the City of Córdoba, Argentina for a total of Ps.12 million, with maturity dates on August 25, 2018, and August 7, 2020. Likewise, on October 31, 2012 Naranja signed another leasing operation with Banco Galicia on a property located in the City of Córdoba, the total of the operation was Ps.15 million and with a maturity date on November 30, 2022.

    In September 2015, the term for the lease operations of real estate located in the City of Córdoba was extended to 121 months from that date, and the corresponding rates were unified. The interest rate applied is the Private Banks Corrected Survey Rate plus a 6% margin.

    C. Interest of Experts and Counsel.

    Not applicable.

    Item 8.

    Financial Information

    A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

    Consolidated Financial Statements

    We have elected to provide the financial information set forth in Item 18 of this annual report.

    Legal Proceedings

    We are a party to the following legal proceedings:

    Banco Galicia

    In response to certain pending legal proceedings, Banco Galicia has recorded reserves to cover (i) various types of claims filed by customers against it (e.g., claims for thefts from safe deposit boxes, collections of checks that had been fraudulently altered, discrepancies related to deposit and payment services rendered to Banco Galicia’s customers, etc.) and (ii) estimated amounts payable under labor-related lawsuits filed against Banco Galicia by former employees.

    Banco Galicia challenged certain claims made by various jurisdictions at the corresponding administrative and/or legal proceedings. These proceedings and their possible effects are constantly being monitored by the Bank’s management. Even though Banco Galicia considers it has complied with its tax liabilities in full pursuant to current regulations, adequate reserves in respect of such proceedings have been allocated.

    As of December 31, 2020, a number of claims for repayment of income tax overpaid were filed for the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,2018 and 2019 tax years for the total sum of Ps.10.754 million. The claims are based on jurisprudence establishing the unconstitutionality of rules that disenable the application of the tax inflation adjustment, which results in confiscatory situations. In the face of the delay in resolving the tax code, claims were initiated. At the close of these financial statements, the Bank does not record contingent assets derived from the above-mentioned claims.

    Consumer Protection Associations, on behalf of consumers, have filed claims against Banco Galicia in connection with the collection of certain financial charges. The Bank does not believe that the resolution of these controversies will have a significant impact on its financial condition.

    Ecosistema NaranjaX

    The national tax and customs authority (AFIP), Provincial Revenue Boards and Municipalities are in the process of conducting audits and assessments, in differing stages of completion, on the companies of Ecosistema NaranjaX. Said agencies have served notices and made claims regarding taxes applicable to Ecosistema NaranjaX’ s companies. Such companies are taking the corresponding administrative and legal steps in order to solve such issues. The original amount claimed for taxes totaled approximately Ps.38 million.

    As of December 1, 2017, Naranja had filed a reimbursement claim before the AFIP regarding its income tax for the 2014-2016 fiscal years in an amount equal to Ps.580,164 in nominal value. The claim was made considering the lack of application of the inflation adjustment standards set forth in Section VI of the Income Tax Law, which led to a substantial difference in the taxable income exceeding the reasonable limits of taxation. The same claim was presented on behalf of Tarjetas Cuyanas as of May 17, 2018, for 2014-2016, amounting Ps.145,478. Along the same lines, on September 27, 2019, the Company presented the claim pertaining to the 2017 fiscal year for the amount of Ps.326,498 in nominal value and on September 17, 2019, the one of 2018 was presented in an amount equal to Ps.973,843 in nominal value.

    In the absence of a response from AFIP, on December 6, 2019, a judicial protection for default was filed with the National Tax Court for the periods 2014 and 2016 of Naranja. On the other hand, and having elapsed the period established in the applicable regulations without obtaining AFIP’s response to the claim, on December 27, 2019, a repetition claim was filed before the Federal Justice for the 2014 and 2016 fiscal years of Tarjetas Cuyanas and fiscal year 2018 of Naranja. The same lawsuit was filed on December 30, 2019 for the 2017 fiscal year of Naranja. Both claims remain pending before the AFIP.

    On May 26, 2020 Naranja filed a reimbursement claim regarding its income tax for the 2019 year in an amount of Ps.1,365 million in nominal value.

    Based on the opinion of tax advisors, each of Naranja and Tarjetas Cuyanas believes that such claims are unfounded and that the taxes related to such claims have been correctly calculated in accordance the tax regulations then in force and Argentine case law.

    Dividend Policy and Dividends

    Dividend Policy

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s policy for the distribution of dividends considers, among other factors, the obligatory nature of establishing a legal reserve, the Company’s financial condition and its indebtedness, the business requirements of affiliated companies and, mainly, that the profits recorded in the financial statements are, to a great extent, income from holdings and not realized and liquid profits, a requirement of Section 68 of the Corporations Law so that it is possible to distribute them as dividends. The proposal to distribute dividends arising from such analysis has to be approved at the shareholders’ meeting that discusses the Financial Statements corresponding to each fiscal year.

    We may only declare and pay dividends out of our retained earnings representing the profit realized on our operations and investments. The Corporations Law and our bylaws state that no profits may be distributed until prior losses are covered. Dividends paid on our class A shares and class B shares will equal one another on a per share basis. As required by the Corporations Law, 5% of our net income is allocated to a legal reserve until the reserve equals 20% of our outstanding capital. Dividends may not be paid if the legal reserve has been impaired until it is fully restored. The legal reserve is not available for distribution to shareholders. Additionally, for fiscal year 2020, the application of the accounting inflation adjustment method generated negative results that will need to be absorbed.

    Our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders principally depends on (i) our net income, (ii) cash availability, (iii) indebtedness and (iv) applicable legal requirements.

    Holders of our ADSs will be entitled to receive any dividends payable in respect of our underlying class B shares. We will pay cash dividends to the ADSs depositary in Pesos, although we reserve the right to pay cash dividends in any other currency, including Dollars. The ADSs deposit agreement provides that the depositary will convert cash dividends received by the ADSs depositary in Pesos to Dollars and, after deduction or upon payment of fees and expenses of the ADSs depositary and deduction of other amounts permitted to be deducted from such cash payments in accordance with the ADSs deposit agreement (such as for unpaid taxes by the ADSs holders in connection with personal asset taxes or otherwise), will make payment to holders of our ADSs in Dollars.

    Dividends

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    As a holding company, our principal source of cash from which to pay dividends on our shares is dividends or other intercompany transfers from our subsidiaries, primarily Banco Galicia. Due to dividend restrictions contained in Banco Galicia’s loan agreements in connection with Banco Galicia’s foreign debt restructuring - that were lifted when such debt was fully paid during fiscal year 2016 - and in some BCRA regulations, our ability to distribute cash dividends to our shareholders has been materially and adversely affected since late 2001 until 2010, when Banco Galicia obtained the authorization to distribute its profits.

    After the end of fiscal year 2011, the BCRA modified its regulations governing the minimum capital requirements and dividend distribution and, consequently, Banco Galicia was not able to pay dividends. However, for fiscal year 2018 the Bank had met the aforementioned regulations and its shareholders´ meeting held on April 25, 2019 approved the distribution of cash dividends for Ps.1,500 million, equivalent to Ps.2,717 million as of December 2020.

    Currently, the ability to pay dividends of our subsidiary Banco Galicia and the Argentine financial system as a whole have been restricted by the Argentina Central Bank up to June 30, 2021 (subject to further extension) within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    During 2019, Grupo Financiero Galicia paid cash dividends for Ps.2,000 million for fiscal year 2018, representing Ps.1.401773 per share, equivalent to Ps.3,623 million as of December 2020. During 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia paid cash dividends for fiscal year 2019 in the amount of Ps.1,700 million, representing Ps.1,191507 per share, equivalent to Ps.1,824 million as of December 2020.

    Due to the fact that most of the profits in fiscal year 2020 correspond to holdings income that does not meet the requirements for distribution set forth in Section 68 of the Corporations’ Law and given Grupo Financiero Galicia’s financial condition, a proposal was made by the Board of Directors, to be treated at the next Shareholders’ Meeting to be held on April 27, 2021. The proposal was to absorb the negative results generated by the application of the accounting inflation adjustment method and to distribute a cash dividend for an amount, that, when inflation adjusted pursuant to Resolution 777/2018 of the Argentine Securities Exchange Commission, results in Ps.1,500,000,000, (which represents 101.7161%) being distributed with regard to 1,474,692,091 class A and B ordinary shares, with a face value of Ps.1 each, through the partial reduction of the discretionary reserve for future dividends’ distribution created in the year 2020.

    Pursuant Act No.27,260, Grupo Financiero Galicia neither reimbursed nor withheld any amount for tax purposes on the dividends paid for fiscal year 2018.

    For fiscal year 2019, pursuant to what is set forth in the third paragraph of the article without number incorporated after article 25 of Act No. 23,966, replaced by article 4 of Act No. 26,452, when corresponding, the Company was reimbursed of the amounts paid for the fiscal year 2019 in its capacity as substitute taxpayer of the shareholders’ subject to the tax on personal assets. Similarly, for fiscal year 2020, Grupo Financiero Galicia will withhold, when corresponding, some amount for taxes on personal assets on the dividends to be distributed.

    For more information on requirements for dividend distribution, see Item 4. “Information on the Company”-B.“Business Overview”— “Argentine Banking Regulation”—“Profit Distribution”.

    Banco Galicia

    The ability to pay dividends of Banco Galicia and the Argentine financial system as a whole have been restricted by the BCRA up to June 30, 2021 (subject to extension) within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. For further information see Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors – Risks Factors Relating to Us.

    Sudamericana Holding

    During the year 2020, Sudamericana held an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, at which shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend in the amount of Ps.1.290 million.

    On February 24, 2021 Sudamericana Holding held an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, at which shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend in the amount of Ps.1,100 million.

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos

    On March 29, 2021, Galicia Administradora de Fondos held an ordinary shareholders’ meeting, at which shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend in the amount of Ps.800 million.

    Galicia Securities

    On March 30, 2021, Galicia Securities held an ordinary shareholders’ meeting, at which shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend in the amount of Ps.150 million.

    Galicia Warrants

    On March 29, 2021, Galicia Warrants held an ordinary shareholders’ meeting, at which shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend in the amount of Ps.40 million.

    B. Significant Changes

    Since the closing date of the annual financial statements (December 31st, 2020), Grupo Financiero Galicia has not experienced any significant changes other than those already indicated in this report. For further information regarding significant changes, please see Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors – Risk Factors Relating to Argentina; Item 5. Operating Results and Item 5. Liquidity and Capital Resources.

     

    Item 9.

    The shares acquired by the company shall be disposed of by the company within the maximum term of three years counted as from the date of acquisition thereof. Upon disposing of the shares, the company shall make a preemptive offer thereof. Such an offer will not be obligatory if the shares are used in connection with a compensation plan or program for the company’s employees or if the shares are distributed among all shareholders pro rata their shareholdings. If shareholders do not exercise, in whole or in part, their preemptive rights, the sale shall be made atOffer and Listing

    A. Offer and Listing Details

    Shares and ADSs

    Our class B shares are listed on the BYMA, MAE and the Córdoba Stock Exchange under the symbol “GGAL”. Our class B shares have started listing on MAE since October 28, 2015. Our ADSs, each representing ten class B shares, are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “GGAL”. Our ADSs have been listed on Nasdaq Capital Market since August 2002. Previously, our ADSs had been listed on the Nasdaq National Market since July 24, 2000.

    Argentine Securities Market

    The principal and oldest exchange for the Argentine securities market is the BYMA. The BYMA started operating in 1854 and handles the largest proportion of all equity trading in Argentina. Securities listed on the BYMA include corporate equity and debt securities and government securities. Debt securities listed on the BYMA may also be listed on the MAE. The MERVAL, which is affiliated with the BYMA, was founded in 1929 and is the largest stock market in Argentina. The MERVAL is a private entity, whose capital is integrated by shares admitted to public offer regime and was registered as a market by the CNV under N°16. Its capital is composed of 103 outstanding shares and there are 248 agents registered as members of the MERVAL market. We are member of the MERVAL through INVIU S.A.U. and Galicia Securities S.A., subsidiaries that owns one share each. Additionally, the Bank, within the framework of the Capital Market Law, was authorized by the CNV to act as a settlement and clearing agent and trading agent-comprehensive and was added as member of the MERVAL.

    Trading on the BYMA is conducted through a trading platform introduced during 2017 called Millenium, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each business day of the year. The Millenium software is a computer trading platform system that permits trading in debt and equity securities that can be accessed by brokers directly from workstations located at their offices. As a result of an agreement between the MERVAL and the MAE, equity securities are traded exclusively on the BYMA and corporate and government debt securities are traded on the MAE and the BYMA. Currently, all transactions relating to listed corporate and government debt securities can be affected by said trading platform. In addition, a substantial over-the-counter market exists for private trading in listed debt securities and, prior to the agreement described above, equity securities. Such trades are reported on the MAE.

    Although companies may list all of their capital stock on the BYMA, in most cases the controlling shareholders retain the majority of a company’s capital stock. This results in only a relatively small percentage of most companies’ stock being available for active trading by the public on the BYMA. Even though individuals have historically constituted the largest group of investors in Argentina’s equity markets, in recent years, banks and

    insurance companies have shown an interest in these markets. Argentine mutual funds, by contrast, continue to have very low participation in the market. Although 103 companies had equity securities listed on the BYMA as of December 31, 2020, the 10 most-traded companies on the exchange accounted for approximately 79% of total trading value during 2020, from a 65.2% recorded in 2019. Our shares were the first-most traded shares on the BYMA in 2020, with a 32.1% share of trading volume from an also first position of 24.2% recorded during 2019.

    The Córdoba Stock Exchange is another important stock market in Argentina. Securities listed on the Córdoba Stock Exchange include both corporate equity and debt securities and government securities. Through an agreement with the BYMA, all the securities listed on the BYMA are authorized to be listed and subsequently traded on the Córdoba Stock Exchange. Thus, many transactions that originate on the Córdoba Stock Exchange relate to companies listed on the BYMA and such trades are subsequently settled in Buenos Aires.

    The MAE is a self-regulated organization that is supervised by the CNV. MAE is mainly comprised by private banks, either composed by national or foreign capital, national banks, provincial banks, municipal Banks, cooperative Banks, financial companies, exchange companies and agents.

    B. Market Regulations

    The CNV oversees the Argentine securities markets and is responsible for authorizing public offerings of securities and supervising brokers, public companies and mutual funds, among others. Argentine pension funds and insurance companies are regulated by separate Argentine government agencies, while financial institutions are regulated mainly by the BCRA. The Argentine securities markets are regulated by the CNV according with the provisions of Capital Markets Law No 26,831.

    In compliance with the provisions of Law No.20,643 and the Decrees No.659/74 and No.2220/80, most debt and equity securities traded on the exchanges and the MAE must, be deposited in Caja de Valores S.A., which is the central securities depositary of Argentina, that provides deposit facilities for securities and mainly acts as a transfer and paying agent in connection therewith. It also handles settlement of securities transactions and operates the computerized exchange information system.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Argentine regulations, there may be less publicly available information about Argentine companies than is regularly published by or about companies in the U.S. and other countries. However, the CNV has taken steps to strengthen disclosure and regulatory standards for the Argentine securities market, including the issuance of regulations prohibiting insider trading and requiring insiders to report on their ownership of securities, with associated penalties for non-compliance.

    In order to offer securities to the public in Argentina, an issuer must meet certain requirements of the CNV regarding assets operating history, management and other matters, and only securities for which an application for a public offering has been approved by the CNV may be listed on the corresponding stock exchange. This approval does not imply any kind of certification of assurance related to the merits of the quality of the securities, or the solvency of the issuer. Issuers of listed securities are required to file unaudited quarterly financial statements and audited annual financial statements, as well as various other periodic reports, with the CNV and the corresponding stock exchange.

    Securities can currently be freely traded on the Argentine markets, however, the Argentine government has periodically imposed certain restrictions regarding access by residents and non-residents to the local MLC and to transfers of foreign exchange abroad. See Item 4. “Information on the Company—Government Regulation—Foreign Exchange Market”.

    On June 2019, the CNV passed Resolution No. 797/19 (as amended by Resolution No. 873), aimed to strengthen the good practices in corporate governance, emphasizing the principles established by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) and requiring a stronger commitment from the listing companies regarding the compliance with corporate governance.

    The Capital Markets Law (Law No. 26,831), which became effective on January 2013, replacing Law No.17,811 and Decree No. 677/01, regulates the capital markets transactions as well as the supervision, control and disciplinary and regulatory powers of the CNV. The Capital Markets Law is supplemented by the CNV Rules.

    On May 9, 2018, the Argentine Congress passed Law No. 27,440 (Ley de Financiamiento Productivo) with the goal of developing the Argentine domestic capital markets. The Law No. 27,440 updates and amends the Argentine Capital Markets Law, the Mutual Funds Law and the Argentine Negotiable Obligations Law, among others. Such Law No. 27,440 sets forth certain regulations that are intended to provide SMEs with better access to financial instruments and to create an electronic credit invoice for MSMEs that replace the receipts from sales and credit invoices. Also, Law No. 27,440 improves the regulatory framework by introducing the new products for SMEs, such as discounts for access to the financial market and the amendment of certain tax provisions, regulations relating to derivatives and the promotion of a financial inclusion program.

     

    Item 10.

    Additional Information

    A. Share Capital.

    Not applicable.

    B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

    Description of Our Bylaws

    General

    Set forth below is a brief description of certain provisions of our bylaws and Argentine law and regulations with regard to our capital stock. Your rights as a holder of our capital stock are subject to Argentine corporate law, which may differ from the corporate laws of other jurisdictions. This description is not purported to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our bylaws, Argentine law and the rules of the BYMA, the Córdoba Stock Exchange as well as the CNV. A copy of our bylaws has been filed with and can be examined at the CNV in Buenos Aires and the SEC in Washington, D.C.

    We were incorporated on September 14, 1999, as a stock corporation under the laws of Argentina and registered on September 30, 1999, with the IGJ, under corporate registration number 14,519 of Book 7, Volume of Stock Corporations. Our domicile is in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Under our bylaws, our duration is until June 30, 2100 and we are exclusively a financial and investment company (as stated in “Chapter 2. Purpose. Article 3.” of our bylaws). This duration may be extended by resolution taken at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.

    Our bylaws do not contain any provision governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

    Outstanding Capital Stock

    Our total subscribed and paid-in share capital as of December 31, 2020, amounted to Ps.1,474,692,091, composed of class A shares and class B shares, each with a par value of Ps.1. The following table presents the number of our shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020, and the voting interest that the shares represent.

       December 31, 2020 

    Shares

      Number of Shares   % of Capital
    Stock
      % of Voting
    Rights
     

    Class A Shares

       281,221,650    19.07  54.09

    Class B Shares

       1,193,470,441    80.93  45.91
      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total

       1,474,692,091    100  100
      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Registration and Transfer

    The class B shares are book-entry common shares held through Caja de Valores. Caja de Valores maintains a stock registry for us and only those persons listed in such registry will be recognized as our shareholders. Caja de Valores periodically delivers to us a list of the shareholders as at a certain date.

    The class B shares are transferable on the books of Caja de Valores. Caja de Valores records all transfers in our registry. Within 10 days of any such transfer, Caja de Valores is required to confirm the registration of transfer with the transferor.

    Voting Rights

    At shareholders’ meetings, each class A share is entitled to five votes and each class B share is entitled to one vote. However, class A shares are entitled to only one vote in certain matters, such as:

    a merger or spin-off in which we are not the surviving corporation, unless the acquirer’s shares are authorized to be publicly offered or listed on any stock exchange;

    a transformation in our legal corporate form;

    a fundamental change in our corporate purpose;

    a change of our domicile to outside Argentina;

    a voluntary termination of our public offering or listing authorization;

    our continuation following a delisting or a mandatory cancellation of our public offering or listing authorization;

    a total or partial recapitalization of our statutory capital following a loss; and

    the appointment of syndics.

    All distinctions between our class A shares and our class B shares will be eliminated upon the occurrence of any of the following change of control events:

    EBA Holding sells 100% of its class A shares;

    EBA Holding sells a portion of our class A shares to a third person who, when aggregating all our class A shares with our class B shares owned by such person, if any, obtains 50% plus one vote of our total votes; or

    the current shareholders of EBA Holding sell shares of EBA Holding that will allow the buyer to exercise more than 50% of the voting power of EBA Holding at any general shareholders’ meeting of EBA Holding shareholders, except for transfers to other current shareholders of EBA Holding or to their heirs or their legal successors or to entities owned by any of them.

    Limited Liability of Shareholders

    Shareholders are not liable for our obligations. Shareholders’ liability is limited to the payment of the shares for which they subscribe. However, shareholders who have a conflict of interest with us and do not abstain from voting may be held liable for damages to us. Also, shareholders who willfully or negligently vote in favor of a resolution that is subsequently declared void by a court as contrary to Argentine law or our bylaws may be held liable for damages to us or to third parties, including other shareholders, resulting from such resolutions.

    Directors

    Our bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall be composed by at least three and at most nine members, as decided at a general ordinary shareholders’ meeting. To be appointed to our Board of Directors, such person must have been presented as a candidate by shareholders who represent at least 10% of our voting rights, at least three business days before the date the general ordinary shareholders’ meeting is to be held. Our bylaws do not state an age limit over which the directors cannot serve on our board.

    At each annual shareholders’ meeting, the term of one third of the members of our Board of Directors (no fewer than three directors) expires and their successors are elected to serve for a term of three years. The shareholders’ meeting shall have the power to fix a shorter period (one or two years) for the terms of office of one, several or all the directors. This system of electing directors is intended to help maintain the continuity of the board. Alternate directors replace directors until the following general ordinary shareholders’ meeting is held. Directors may also be replaced by alternate directors if a director will be absent from a board meeting. The Board of Directors is required to meet at least once every month and anytime any one of the directors or syndics so requests.

    Our bylaws state that the Board of Directors may decide to appoint an executive committee and/or a delegate director.

    Our bylaws do not provide for any arrangements or understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any person referred to in this annual report was selected as a director or member of senior management.

    Additionally, pursuant to our bylaws, any borrowing powers on behalf of the Company are granted to our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has the power to delegate these borrowing powers to our directors through a power of attorney and currently certain of our directors have powers of attorney to negotiate the terms of and borrow money on behalf of the Company. Furthermore, as stated by our bylaws, the chairman of our Board of Directors is also the legal representative of the Company. Although our bylaws do not expressly address a director’s power to vote on proposals, arrangements or contracts in which the director has a material interest, pursuant to customary Argentine business practice and certain tenants of Argentine corporate law, our directors do not vote on proposals, arrangements or contracts in which the director has a material interest.

    Appointment of Directors and Syndics by Cumulative Voting

    The Corporations Law provides for the use of cumulative voting to enable minority shareholders to appoint members of the board of directors and syndics. Upon the completion of certain requirements, shareholders are entitled to appoint up to one third of the vacancies to be filled on the board of directors by cumulative voting. Each shareholder voting cumulatively has the number of votes resulting from multiplying the number of votes to which such shareholder would normally be entitled by the number of vacancies to be filled. Such shareholder may apportion his votes or cast all such votes for one or a number of candidates not exceeding one third of the vacancies to be filled.

    Compensation of Directors

    The Corporations Law and the CNV establish rules regarding the compensation of directors. The maximum amount of aggregate compensation that the members of the board of directors may receive, including salaries and other compensation for the performance of permanent technical and administrative services, may not exceed 25.0% of profits of each fiscal year. This maximum amount shall be limited to 5.0% when no dividends are distributed to the shareholders and shall be increased proportionately to the dividend distribution until the 25.0% limit is reached when all profits are distributed.

    The Corporations Law provides that aggregate director compensation may exceed the maximum percentage of computable profit in any one year when the company’s profits are non-existent or too small as to allow payment of a reasonable compensation to board members which have been engaged in technical or administrative services to the company, provided that such proposal is described in the notice of the agenda for the ordinary shareholders’ meeting and is approved by a majority of shareholders present at such shareholders’ meeting.

    In addition to the above, our bylaws establish that best practices and national and international market standards regarding directors with similar duties and responsibilities shall be considered when determining the compensation of board members.

    Syndics

    Our bylaws, in accordance with Argentine law, provide for the maintenance of a supervisory committee whose members are three permanent syndics and three alternate syndics. Syndics are elected for a one-year term and may be re-elected. Alternate syndics replace permanent syndics in case of absence. For the appointment of syndics, each of our class A shares and class B shares has only one vote. Fees for syndics are established by the shareholders at the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting. Their function is to oversee the management of the company, to control the legality of the actions of the board of directors, to attend all board of directors’ meetings, to attend all shareholders’ meetings, to prepare reports for the shareholders on the financial statements with their opinion, and to provide information regarding the company to shareholders that represent at least 2% of the capital stock. Syndics’ liabilities are joint and several and unlimited for the non-fulfillment of their duties. They are also jointly and severally liable, together with the members of the board of directors, if the proper fulfillment of their duties as syndics would have avoided the damage or the losses caused by the members of the board of directors.

    Shareholders’ Meetings

    Shareholders’ meetings may be ordinary meetings or extraordinary meetings. An annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting is required to be held in each fiscal year to consider the matters outlined in Article 234 of the Corporations Law, including, among others:

    approval of the financial statements and general performance of the management for the preceding fiscal year;

    appointment and remuneration of directors and members of the supervisory committee;

    allocation of profits; and

    any other matter the board of directors decides to submit to the shareholders’ meeting concerning the Company’s business administration. Matters which may be discussed at these or other ordinary meetings include resolutions regarding the responsibility of directors and members of the supervisory committee, as well as capital increases and the issuance of notes.

    Extraordinary shareholders’ meetings may be called at any time to discuss matters beyond the competence of the ordinary meeting, including but not limited to amendments to the bylaws, matters related to the liquidation of a company, limitation of the shareholders’ preemptive rights to subscribe new shares, issuance of bonds and debentures, transformation of the corporate form, a merger into another company and spin-offs, early winding-up, change of the company’s domicile to outside Argentina, total or partial repayment of capital for losses, and a substantial change in the corporate purpose set forth in the bylaws.

    Shareholders’ meetings may be convened by the board of directors or by the syndics. A shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least 5.0% in the aggregate of our capital stock may request the board of directors or the syndics to convene a general shareholders’ meeting to discuss the matters indicated by the shareholder.

    Once a meeting has been convened with an agenda, the agenda limits the matters to be decided upon at such meeting and no other matters may be decided upon.

    Additionally, our bylaws provide that any shareholder holding at least 5% in aggregate of our capital stock may present, in writing, to the Board of Directors, before February 28 of each year, proposals of items to be included in the agenda at the annual general ordinary shareholders’ meeting. The Board of Directors is not obligated to include such items in the agenda.

    Class B shares represented by ADSs will be voted or caused to be voted by the Depositary in accordance with instructions of the holders of such ADSs. In the event instructions are not received from the holder, the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy for the shares represented by such ADSs to a person designated by us.

    Notice of each shareholders’ meeting must be published in the Official Gazette, and in a widely circulated newspaper in the country’s territory, at least twenty days prior to the meeting but not more than forty-five days prior to the date on which the meeting is to be held. The board of directors will determine the appropriate publication of notices outside Argentina in accordance with the requirements of the jurisdictions and exchanges on which our shares are traded. In order to attend a meeting and to be listed on the meeting registry, shareholders must submit evidence of their book-entry share account held at Caja de Valores at least three business days prior to the scheduled meeting date without counting the meeting day.

    The quorum for ordinary meetings consists of a majority of stock entitled to vote, and resolutions may be adopted by the affirmative vote of 50% plus one vote (an “absolute majority”) of the votes present whether in person or participating via electronic means of communication. If no quorum is present at the first meeting, a second meeting may be called at which the shareholders present, whatever their number, shall constitute a quorum. Resolutions are to be adopted by an absolute majority of the votes present. The second meeting may be convened to be held one hour later on the same day as the first meeting had been called for, provided that it is an ordinary shareholders’ meeting, or within 30 days of the date for which the first ordinary meeting was called.

    The quorum for extraordinary shareholders’ meetings consists of 60% of stock entitled to vote, and resolutions may be adopted by an absolute majority of the votes present. If no quorum is present at the first meeting, a second meeting may be called at which the shareholders present, whatever their number, shall constitute a quorum. Resolutions are to be adopted by an absolute majority of the votes present. The second meeting has to be convened to be held within 30 days of the date for which the first extraordinary meeting was called, and the notice must be published for three days, at least eight days before the date of the second meeting. Some special matters require a favorable vote of the majority of all the stock holding voting rights, the class A shares being granted the right to only one vote each. The special matters are described in “—Voting Rights” above.

    Dividends

    Dividends may be lawfully paid and declared only out of our retained earnings representing the profit realized and liquid on our operations and investments reflected in our annual financial statements, as approved at our annual general shareholders’ meeting. No profits may be distributed until prior losses are covered. Dividends paid on our class A shares and class B shares will equal one another on a per-share basis.

    As required by the Corporations Law, 5% of our net income is allocated to a legal reserve until the reserve equals 20% of our outstanding capital. Dividends may not be paid if the legal reserve has been impaired. The legal reserve is not available for distribution to shareholders.

    Our Board of Directors submits our financial statements for the previous fiscal year, together with reports prepared by our supervisory committee, to our shareholders for approval at the general ordinary shareholders’ meeting. The shareholders, upon approving the financial statements, determine the allocation of our net income.

    Our Board of Directors is allowed by law and by our bylaws to decide to pay anticipated dividends on the basis of a balance sheet especially prepared for purposes of paying such dividends.

    Under BYMA regulations, cash dividends must be paid to shareholders within 10 days of the shareholders’ meeting approving said dividend. Payment of dividends in shares requires authorization from the CNV, the BYMA and the Córdoba Stock Exchange, whose authorizations must be requested within 10 business days after the shareholders’ meeting approving the dividend. We must make a distribution of the shares available to shareholders not later than three months after receiving authorization to do so from the CNV.

    Shareholders may no longer claim the payment of dividends from us after three years have elapsed from the date on which the relevant dividends were made available to such shareholders.

    Capital Increases and Reductions

    We may increase our capital upon resolution of the general ordinary shareholders’ meeting. All capital increases must be reported to the CNV, published in the Official Gazette and registered with the Public Registry of Commerce. Capital reductions may be voluntary or mandatory. A voluntary reduction of capital must be approved by an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting after the corresponding authorization by the BYMA, the Córdoba Stock Exchange and the CNV and may take place only after notice of such reduction has been published and creditors have been given an opportunity to obtain payment or guarantees for their claims or attachment. A reduction of capital is mandatory when losses have exceeded reserves and more than 50% of the share capital of the company.

    Preemptive Rights

    Under Argentine law, it is mandatory that a shareholder of ordinary shares of any given class have preemptive rights, proportional to the number of shares he or she owns, to subscribe for shares of capital stock of the same class or of any other class if the new subscription offer does not include all classes of shares. Shareholders may only decide to suspend or limit preemptive rights by supermajority at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting and only in exceptional cases. Shareholders may waive their preemptive rights only on a case-by-case basis.

    In the event of an increase in our capital, holders of class A shares and class B shares have a preemptive right to subscribe for any issue of class B shares in an amount sufficient to maintain the proportion of capital then held by them. Holders of class A shares are entitled to subscribe for class B shares because no further class A shares carrying five votes each are allowed to be issued in the future. Under Argentine law, companies are prohibited from issuing stock with multiple voting rights after they have been authorized to make a public offering of securities.

    Preemptive rights are exercisable following the last publication of the notification to shareholders of the opportunity to exercise preemptive rights in the Official Gazette and an Argentine newspaper of wide circulation for a period of 30 days, provided that such period may be reduced to no less than 10 days if so approved by an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.

    Shareholders who have exercised their preemptive rights and indicated their intention to exercise additional preemptive rights are entitled to additional preemptive rights (“accretion rights”), on a pro rata basis, with respect to any unsubscribed shares, in accordance with the terms of the Corporations Law. Class B shares not subscribed for by shareholders through the exercise of their preemptive or accretion rights may be offered to third parties.

    Holders of ADSs may be restricted in their ability to exercise preemptive rights if a registration statement relating to such rights has not been filed or is not effective or if an exemption from registration is not available.

    Appraisal Rights

    Whenever our shareholders approve:

    a merger or spin-off in which we are not the surviving corporation, unless the acquirer’s shares are authorized to be publicly offered or listed on any stock exchange,

    a transformation in our legal corporate form,

    a fundamental change in our corporate purpose,

    a change of our domicile to outside Argentina,

    a voluntary termination of our public offering or listing authorization,

    our continuation following a delisting or a mandatory cancellation of our public offering or listing authorization, or

    a total or partial recapitalization of our statutory capital following a loss,

    any shareholder that voted against such action or did not attend the relevant meeting may exercise its right to have its shares canceled in exchange for the book value of its shares, determined on the basis of our latest balance sheet prepared in accordance with Argentine laws and regulations, provided that such shareholder exercises its appraisal rights within the periods set forth below.

    There is, however, doubt as to whether holders of ADSs, will be able to exercise appraisal rights with respect to class B shares represented by ADSs.

    Appraisal rights must be exercised within five days following the adjournment of the meeting at which the resolution was adopted, in the event that the dissenting shareholder voted against such resolutions, or within 15 days following such adjournment if the dissenting shareholder did not attend such meeting and can prove that he was a shareholder on the date of such meeting. In the case of a merger or spin-off involving an entity authorized to make a public offering of its shares, appraisal rights may not be exercised if the shares to be received as a result of such transaction are listed on any stock exchange. Appraisal rights are extinguished if the resolution giving rise to such rights is overturned at another shareholders’ meeting held within 75 days of the meeting at which the resolution was adopted.

    Payment of the appraisal rights must be made within one year from the date of the shareholders’ meeting at which the resolution was adopted, except if the resolution was to delist our capital stock, in which case the payment period is reduced to 60 days from the date of the related resolution.

    Preferred Stock

    According to the Corporations Law and our bylaws, an ordinary shareholders’ meeting may approve the issuance of preferred stock. Such preferred stock may have a fixed dividend, cumulative or not cumulative, with or without additional participation in our profits, as decided by shareholders at a shareholders’ meeting when determining the conditions of the issuance. They may also have other preferences, such as a preference in the event of our liquidation.

    The holders of preferred stock shall not be entitled to voting rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that no dividends are paid to such holders for their preferred stock, and for as long as such dividends are not paid, the holders of preferred stock shall be entitled to voting rights. Holders of preferred stock are also entitled to vote on certain special matters, such as the transformation of the corporate form, a merger into another company and spin-offs (when we are not the surviving entity and the surviving entity is not listed on any stock exchange), early winding-up, a change of our domicile to outside Argentina, total or partial repayment of capital for losses and a substantial change in the corporate purpose set forth in our bylaws or in the event our preferred stock is traded on stock exchanges and such trading is suspended or terminated.

    Conflicts of Interest

    As a protection to minority shareholders, under the Corporations Law, a shareholder is required to abstain from voting on any resolution in which its direct or indirect interests conflict with that of or are different than ours. In the event such shareholder votes on such resolution, and such resolution would not have been approved without such shareholders’ vote, the resolution may be declared void by a court and such shareholder may be liable for damages to the company as well as to any third party, including other shareholders.

    Redemption or Repurchase

    According to the Capital Markets Law, a stock corporation may acquire the shares issued by it, provided that the public offering and listing thereof has been authorized, subject to the following terms and conditions and those set forth by the CNV. The above-mentioned conditions are: (a) the shares to be acquired shall be fully paid up; (b) there shall be a resolution signed by the board of directors to such effect; (c) the acquisition shall be made out of net profits or free or voluntary reserves; and (d) the total amount of shares acquired by the company, including previously acquired shares, shall not exceed 10% of the capital stock or such lower percentage determined by the CNV. The shares acquired by the company in excess of such limit shall be disposed of within the term of 90 days after the date of the acquisition originating such excess.

    The shares acquired by the company shall be disposed of by the company within the maximum term of three years counted as from the date of acquisition thereof. Upon disposing of the shares, the company shall make a preemptive offer thereof. Such an offer will not be obligatory if the shares are used in connection with a compensation plan or program for the company’s employees or if the shares are distributed among all shareholders pro rata their shareholdings. If shareholders do not exercise, in whole or in part, their preemptive rights, the sale shall be made at a stock exchange.

    Liquidation

    Upon our liquidation, one or more liquidators may be appointed to wind up our affairs. If no such appointment is made, our Board of Directors will act as liquidator. All outstanding common shares will be entitled to participate equally in any distribution upon liquidation. In the event of liquidation, in Argentina and in any other country, our assets shall first be applied to satisfy our debts and liabilities.

    Other Provisions

    Our bylaws are governed by Argentine law and the ownership of any kind of our shares represents acceptance of our bylaws and submission to the exclusive jurisdiction of the ordinary commercial courts of Buenos Aires for any claim or dispute related to us, our shareholders, directors and members of the supervisory committee.

    C. Material Contracts

    Bonds

    During the 2016 fiscal year, Banco Galicia issued subordinated Class II notes due 2026 in an aggregate principal amount of US$250 million. The proceeds of this issuance were used to redeem the Bank’s outstanding subordinated notes due 2019. During the 2018 fiscal year, Banco Galicia issued Class V Series I notes due 2020 and Series II notes due 2020 in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.4,209 million and Ps.2,032 million, respectively. During the 2020 fiscal year, Banco Galicia issued Class VIII in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.1,589 million.

    The pricing supplements for the issuances described above set forth certain covenants Banco Galicia must comply with for the benefit of the holders of such notes, which include, among others, restrictions on mergers, acquisitions or dispositions (subject to certain exceptions) and restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt.

    Loans

    In May 2016, the IFC granted Banco Galicia a credit line in an amount of up to US$130 million. As of May 2018, Banco Galicia has drawn all of the committed amount and the loan was amortized for US$72 million.

    On March 23, 2018, Banco Galicia announced the issuance of a green bond to raise US$100 million in order to expand its loan program for environmental efficiency projects. This is the first green bond issued by a private financial institution in Argentina, marking Banco Galicia’s commitment to finance projects with a positive impact on the environment. The bonds were underwritten on June 21, 2018 by the IFC. To date, loans for US$53 million were granted.

    D. Exchange Controls

    For a description of the exchange controls that would affect us or the holders of our securities, see Item 4. “Information on the Company—Government Regulation—Foreign Exchange Market”.

    E. Taxation

    The following is a summary of the principal Argentine and U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our class B shares and ADSs. This summary is based on Argentine and U.S. federal income tax laws, as well as the regulations in effect as of the date of this annual report. Further, this summary is subject to any subsequent changes in laws and regulations that may come into effect after

    this date. Any change could apply retroactively and could affect the continued validity of this summary. This summary does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion with respect to the transactions that the holders of our class B shares or ADSs may enter into. This summary is only a brief description of certain (but not all) aspects of the Argentine and U.S. federal income tax systems, as they relate to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our class B shares and ADSs. In addition, although the Company believes that the following summary is a reasonable interpretation of the current taxation rules and regulations, Grupo Galicia cannot assure that the applicable authorities or tribunals will agree with all, or any of the tax consequences outlined below. Currently, there is no tax treaty between the United States and Argentina.

    Argentine Taxes

    Law No.26,893, enacted on September 12, 2013 and published in the Official Gazette on September 23, 2013, introduced changes to Income Tax Law No.20,628, including the derogation of Section 78 of Decree No.2284/1991; which provides that foreign holders with no permanent establishment in Argentina are exempt from paying income tax on the capital gains arising from the sale or other disposition of shares or ADSs.

    Decree No.2334/2013 has regulated Law No.26,893. This decree provides that changes introduced by Law No.26,893 are effective from the date of publication of such law in the Official Gazette and apply to taxable events carried out from such date onwards.

    Law No.27,430 enacted on December 27, 2017 and published in the Official Gazette on December 29, 2017, and Law No. 27,541 published in the Official Gazette on December 23,2019 introduced several changes to Income Tax Law No.20,628. The principal change resulting from such law is a corporate income tax rate reduction in two phases. For fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2018 until December 31, 2021, the government has reduced the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 30%. After December 31, 2021, the corporate tax rate will be further reduced to 25%.

    This reform includes additional changes, such as the confirmation that ADRs and ADSs generate Argentine-sourced income. Non- residents, however, will be exempted from the current 15% capital gains tax on the sale of ADRs or ADSs if they reside in a jurisdiction having an exchange of information agreement with Argentina or if these invested funds come from a cooperating jurisdiction.

    Taxation of Dividends

    As from the effectiveness of Law No. 27,430 and Law No. 27,541, on December 27, 2017 and December 23, 2019 dividends and distributions (other than stock dividends) made by local entities to individuals, undivided estates, and foreign entities are subject to a withholding tax at a rate of 7% (while the corporate income tax is 30%) and at a rate of 13% beginning on January 1, 2022. Thus, the combined rate on dividend/profit distribution would remain around the current 35% rate, as Argentina has not levied a withholding tax on dividends or branch profits, since it eliminated the same in 2016.

    Decree No.1170/2018 provides for further guidance on Law No.27,430. This decree provides that dividend payments on ADSs or ordinary shares, whether in cash, property, or stock, would be subject to Argentine withholding tax and the exemption referred to in the last paragraph of “Argentine Taxes” above shall not apply.

    Equalization Tax

    There is a specific rule under which a 35% tax (“equalization tax”) will be imposed on certain dividends approved by shareholders. The equalization tax will be applied only to the extent that distributions of dividends exceed the taxable income of the company increased by non-taxable dividends received by the distributing company in prior years and reduced by Argentine income tax paid by the distributing company.

    The equalization tax will be imposed as a withholding tax on the shareholder receiving the dividend. Dividend distributions made in kind (other than cash) will be subject to the same tax rules as cash dividends. Stock dividends are not subject to Argentine taxation.

    In addition, the foregoing tax reforms abolished the equalization tax for profits generated beginning January 1, 2018. Such equalization tax is a withholding tax levied at a rate of 35% on dividend distributions in excess of tax earnings that would remain applicable for the stock of non-distributed earnings and profits as of December 31, 2017.

    Taxation of Capital Gains

    In accordance with Law No.27,430 capital gains derived by non-resident individuals or foreign companies from the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADSs or class B shares are subject to the following regulations:

    Non-residents continue to be exempted from tax on capital gains arising from the sale of shares in publicly traded companies, if the shares are traded on the BASE. In accordance with Law No.27,541 the exemption will also apply if the securities are traded in stock or securities markets authorized by the (CNV). The benefits will be applied to foreign beneficiaries as long as they do not reside in non-cooperative jurisdictions or the invested funds do not come from a non-cooperative jurisdiction.

    Transfer of Argentine securities that occurred after September 23, 2013 triggered taxation on a retroactive basis, as the suspension of the rule that called for the tax was lifted. The tax will not apply to sales made through stock exchanges if the tax had not been withheld.

    Indirect transfers of Argentine assets (including shares) will be taxable, if (i) the value of the Argentine assets exceed 30% of the transaction’s overall value; and (ii) the equity interest sold (in the foreign entity) exceeds 10%. The tax will also be due if any of these thresholds were met during the 12-month period prior to the sale. The indirect transfer of Argentine assets will only be subject to tax if these assets are acquired after January 1, 2018. Transactions involving indirect transfers of Argentine assets within the same economic group would also not trigger taxation, provided the requirements set by regulations have been met. Decree No.862/2019 and General Resolution No.4227/2018, provide that the seller, and not the buyer, is the party responsible for withholding the tax. The regulation has established a new mechanism regulating how non-resident sellers should pay the tax on the capital gain for transactions that have taken place on or after January 1, 2018. In summary, the non-resident seller should pay the tax directly through an international wire transfer unless there is a local withholding agent (i.e., local buyer or local custodial institution) involved in the payment.

    Transfer Taxes: no Argentine transfer taxes are applicable on the sale or transfer of ADSs or class B shares.

    Personal Assets Tax

    Individuals domiciled and undivided estates located in Argentina or abroad will be subject to an annual tax in respect of assets located in Argentina and abroad. Applicable wealth tax rates and minimum non-taxable asset values for the general taxpayer regime are replaced with effect as of fiscal year 2019 by Law No.27,480 and Law No. 27.541. The following is the new scheme:

     

    Upon our liquidation, one or more liquidators may be appointed to wind up our affairs. If no such appointment is made, our Board of Directors will act as liquidator. All outstanding common shares will be entitled to participate equally in any distribution upon liquidation. In the event of liquidation, in Argentina and in any other country, our assets shall first be applied to satisfy our debts and liabilities.Fiscal year

    Tax rateExempt Minimum

    2019 onwards

    Other Provisions

    Our bylaws are governed by Argentine law and the ownership of any kind of our shares represents acceptance of our bylaws and submission to the exclusive jurisdiction of the ordinary commercial courts of Buenos Aires for any claim or dispute related to us, our shareholders, directors and members of the supervisory committee.

    C. Material Contracts

    Bonds

    During the 2016 fiscal year, Banco Galicia issued subordinated Class II notes due 2026 in an aggregate principal amount of US$250 million. The proceeds of this issuance were used to redeem the Bank’s outstanding subordinated notes due 2019. During the 2017 fiscal year Banco Galicia issued Class III notes in aggregate principal amount of Ps.150 million due 2020. Class IV notes in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.2,000 million due 2020. During the 2018 fiscal year, Banco Galicia issued Class V Series I notes due 2020 and Series II notes due 2020 in an aggregate principal amount of Ps.4,209 million and Ps.2,032 million, respectively.


    178Ps. 2,000,000

    The pricing supplements for the issuances described above set forth certain covenants Banco Galicia must comply with for the benefit of the holders of such notes, which include, among others, restrictions on mergers, acquisitions or dispositions (subject to certain exceptions) and restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt.

    Loans

    In May 2016, the IFC granted Banco Galicia a credit line in an amount of up to US$130 million. As of May 2018, Banco Galicia has drawn all of the commited amount and the loan was amortized for US$37 million.

    On March 23, 2018, Banco Galicia announced the issuance of a green bond to raise US$100 million in order to expand its loan program for environmental efficiency projects. This is the first green bond issued by a private financial institution in Argentina, marking Banco Galicia’s commitment to finance projects with a positive impact on the environment. The bonds were underwritten on June 21, 2018 by the IFC. To date, loans for US$53 million were granted.

    D. Exchange Controls

    For a description of the exchange controls that would affect us or the holders of our securities, see Item 4. “Information on the Company—Government Regulation—Foreign Exchange Market”.

    E. Taxation

    The following is a summary of the principal Argentine and U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our class B shares and ADSs. This summary is based on Argentine and U.S. federal tax laws, as well as the regulations in effect as of the date of this annual report. Further, this summary is subject to any subsequent changes in laws and regulations that may come into effect after this date. Any change could apply retroactively and could affect the continued validity of this summary. This summary does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion with respect to the transactions that the holders of our class B shares or ADSs may enter into. This summary is only a brief description of certain (but not all) aspects of the Argentine and U.S. federal income tax systems, as they relate to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our class B shares and ADSs. In addition, although the Company believes that the following summary is a reasonable interpretation of the current taxation rules and regulations, Grupo Galicia cannot assure that the applicable authorities or tribunals will agree with all, or any of the tax consequences outlined below. Currently, there is no tax treaty between the United States and Argentina.

    Argentine Taxes

    Law No.26,893, enacted on September 12, 2013 and published in the Official Gazette on September 23, 2013, introduced changes to Income Tax Law No.20,628, including the derogation of Section 78 of Decree No.2284/1991; which provides that foreign holders with no permanent establishment in Argentina are exempt from paying income tax on the capital gains arising from the sale or other disposition of shares or ADSs.

    Decree No.2334/2013 has regulated Law No.26,893. This decree provides that changes introduced by Law No.26,893 are effective from the date of publication of such law in the Official Gazette and apply to taxable events carried out from such date onwards.

    Law No.27,430 enacted on December 27, 2017 and published in the Official Gazette on December 29, 2017, and Law No. 27,541 published in the Official Gazette on December 23,2019 introduced several changes to Income Tax Law No.20,628. The principal change resulting from such law is a corporate income tax rate reduction in two phases. For fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2018 until December 31, 2021, the government has reduced the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 30%. After December 31, 2021, the corporate tax rate will be further reduced to 25%.

    This reform includes additional changes, such as the confirmation that ADRs and ADSs generate Argentine-sourced income. Non- residents, however, will be exempted from the current 15% capital gains tax on the sale of ADRs or ADSs if they reside in a jurisdiction having an exchange of information agreement with Argentina or if these invested funds come from a cooperating jurisdiction.


    Taxation of Dividends

    As from the effectiveness of Law No. 27,430 and Law No. 27,541, on December 27, 2017 and December 23, 2019 dividends and distributions (other than stock dividends) made by local entities to individuals, undivided estates, and foreign entities are subject to a withholding tax at a rate of 7% (while the corporate income tax is 30%) and at a rate of 13% beginning on January 1, 2022. Thus, the combined rate on dividend/profit distribution would remain around the current 35% rate, as Argentina has not levied a withholding tax on dividends or branch profits, since it eliminated the same in 2016.

    Decree No.1170/2018 provides for further guidance on Law No.27,430. This decree provides that dividend payments on ADSs or ordinary shares, whether in cash, property, or stock, would be subject to Argentine withholding tax and the exemption referred to in the last paragraph of “Argentine Taxes” above shall not apply.

    Equalization Tax

    There is a specific rule under which a 35% tax (“equalization tax”) will be imposed on certain dividends approved by shareholders. The equalization tax will be applied only to the extent that distributions of dividends exceed the taxable income of the company increased by non-taxable dividends received by the distributing company in prior years and reduced by Argentine income tax paid by the distributing company.

    The equalization tax will be imposed as a withholding tax on the shareholder receiving the dividend. Dividend distributions made in kind (other than cash) will be subject to the same tax rules as cash dividends. Stock dividends are not subject to Argentine taxation.

    In addition, the foregoing tax reforms abolished the equalization tax for profits generated beginning January 1, 2018. Such equalization tax is a withholding tax levied at a rate of 35% on dividend distributions in excess of tax earnings that would remain applicable for the stock of non-distributed earnings and profits as of December 31, 2017.

    Taxation of Capital Gains

    In accordance with Law No.27,430 capital gains derived by non-resident individuals or foreign companies from the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADSs or class B shares are subject to the following regulations:

    Non-residents continue to be exempted from tax on capital gains arising from the sale of shares in publicly-traded companies, if the shares are traded on the BASE. In accordance with Law No.27,541 the exemption will also apply if the securities are traded in stock or securities markets authorized by the (CNV). The benefits will be applied to foreign beneficiaries as long as they do not reside in non-cooperative jurisdictions or the invested funds do not come from a non-cooperative jurisdiction.

    Transfer of Argentine securities that occurred after September 23, 2013 triggered taxation on a retroactive basis, as the suspension of the rule that called for the tax was lifted. The tax will not apply to sales made through stock exchanges if the tax had not been withheld.

    Indirect transfers of Argentine assets (including shares) will be taxable, if (i) the value of the Argentine assets exceed 30% of the transaction’s overall value; and (ii) the equity interest sold (in the foreign entity) exceeds 10%. The tax will also be due if any of these thresholds were met during the 12 month period prior to the sale. The indirect transfer of Argentine assets will only be subject to tax if these assets are acquired after January 1, 2018. Transactions involving indirect transfers of Argentine assets within the same economic group would also not trigger taxation, provided the requirements set by regulations have been met. Decree No.862/2019 and General Resolution No.4227/2018, provide that the seller, and not the buyer, is the party responsible for withholding the tax. The regulation has established a new mechanism regulating how non-resident sellers should pay the tax on the capital gain for transactions that have taken place on or after January 1, 2018. In summary, the non-resident seller should pay the tax directly through an international wire transfer unless there is a local withholding agent (i.e., local buyer or local custodial institution) involved in the payment.


    Transfer Taxes: no Argentine transfer taxes are applicable on the sale or transfer of ADSs or class B shares.

    Personal Assets Tax

    Individuals domiciled and undivided estates located in Argentina or abroad will be subject to an annual tax in respect of assets located in Argentina and abroad. Applicable wealth tax rates and minimum non-taxable asset values for the general taxpayer regime are replaced with effect as of fiscal year 2019 by Law No.27,480 and Law No. 27.541. The following is the new scheme:

     

    Fiscal

    *Tax Rate (In pesos except percentages)

     

    Total Value of Assets

       Flat Tax   More %   Taxation over the excess of the amount 

    Over Ps.

      Up to the amount             
    —     3.000.000    —      0,50    —   
    3.000.001   6.500.000    15.000    0,75    3.000.000 
    6.500.001   18.000.000    41.250    1,00    6.500.000 
    18.000.000   Onward    156.250    1,25    18.000.000 

    Individuals domiciled abroad will pay the tax only in respect of the assets they hold in Argentina. In the case of individuals domiciled abroad, the tax will be paid by the individuals or entities domiciled in Argentina which, as of December 31 of each year, hold the joint ownership, possession, use, enjoyment, deposit, safekeeping,

    custody, administration or tenure of the assets located in Argentina and subject to the tax belonging to the individuals domiciled abroad. When the direct ownership of notes, government securities and certain other investments, except shares issued by companies ruled by the Corporations Law, are part of companies domiciled abroad in countries that do not enforce registration systems for private securities (with the exception of insurance companies, open-end investment funds, pension funds or banks and financial entities with head offices in countries that have adopted the international banking supervision standards laid down by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision) or that pursuant to their bylaws, charter, documents or the applicable regulatory framework, have as their principal activity investing outside of the jurisdiction of their organization or domicile, or are generally restricted from doing business in their country of incorporation, it will be assumed, without admission of any proof to the contrary, that these assets belong ultimately to individuals and therefore the system for paying the tax for such individuals domiciled abroad applies to them.

    An exception pursuant to a tax reform was published in the Official Gazette as Law No.25,585, which went into effect on December 31, 2002. This tax reform introduced a mechanism to collect the personal assets tax on shares issued by companies ruled by the Corporations Law, which ownership belongs to individuals domiciled in Argentina or abroad, and companies or entities domiciled abroad. In the case of companies or entities domiciled abroad, it will be assumed, without admitting any proof to the contrary, that these shares ultimately belong to individuals domiciled abroad.

    The tax was assessed and paid by those companies ruled by the Corporations Law at the rate of 0.5% on the value of the shares or equity interest. The valuation of the shares, whether listed or not, must be made according to their proportional equity value. These companies may eventually seek reimbursement from the direct owner of the shares, in respect of any amounts paid to the Argentine tax authorities as a personal asset tax. Grupo Financiero Galicia has sought reimbursement for the amount paid corresponding to December 31, 2002. The Board of Directors submitted the decision on how to proceed with respect to fiscal year 2003 to the annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 22, 2004. At that meeting, our shareholders voted to suspend all claims on our shareholders for any amount unpaid for fiscal year 2002 and to have the Company absorb the amounts due for fiscal year 2003 onward, when not withheld from dividends.

    Other Taxes

    There are no Argentine federal inheritance, succession or gift taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of ADSs or class B shares. There are no Argentine stamps, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties payable by holders of ADSs or class B shares.

    Tax measures related to Covid-19

    Tax, Trade & Regulatory

    Tax rate

    Exempt Minimum

    2019 onwards

    *

    Ps.2,000,000

    *Taxe Rate (In pesos except percentages)

     

    Total Value of Assets

     

     

    Flat Tax

     

     

    More %

     

     

    Taxation over the excess of the amount

     

    Over Ps.

     

     

    Up to the amount

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    3,000,000

     

     

     

     

     

     

    0.25

     

     

     

     

     

    3,000,001

     

     

     

    6,500,000

     

     

     

    15,000

     

     

     

    0.75

     

     

     

    3,000,000

     

     

    6,500,001

     

     

     

    18,000,000

     

     

     

    41,250

     

     

     

    1.00

     

     

     

    6,500,000

     

     

    18,000,000

     

     

    Onward

     

     

     

    156,250

     

     

     

    1.25

     

     

     

    18,000,000

     

    Individuals domiciled abroad will pay the tax only in respect of the assets they hold in Argentina. In the case of individuals domiciled abroad, the tax will be paid by the individuals or entities domiciled in Argentina which, as of December 31 of each year, hold the joint ownership, possession, use, enjoyment, deposit, safekeeping, custody, administration or tenure of the assets located in Argentina and subject to the tax belonging to the individuals domiciled abroad. When the direct ownership of notes, government securities and certain other investments, except shares issued by companies ruled by the Corporations Law, are part of companies domiciled abroad in countries that do not enforce registration systems for private securities (with the exception of insurance companies, open-end investment funds, pension funds or banks and financial entities with head offices in countries that have adopted the international banking supervision standards laid down by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision) or that pursuant to their bylaws, charter, documents or the applicable regulatory framework, have as their principal activity investing outside of the jurisdiction of their organization or domicile, or are generally restricted from doing business in their country of incorporation, it will be assumed, without admission of any proof to the contrary, that these assets belong ultimately to individuals and therefore the system for paying the tax for such individuals domiciled abroad applies to them.

    An exception pursuant to a tax reform was published in the Official Gazette as Law No.25,585, which went into effect on December 31, 2002. This tax reform introduced a mechanism to collect the personal assets tax on shares issued by companies ruled by the Corporations Law, which ownership belongs to individuals domiciled in Argentina or abroad, and companies or entities domiciled abroad. In the case of companies or entities domiciled abroad, it will be assumed, without admitting any proof to the contrary, that these shares ultimately belong to individuals domiciled abroad.


    The tax was assessed and paid by those companies ruled by the Corporations Law at the rate of 0.5% on the value of the shares or equity interest. The valuation of the shares, whether listed or not, must be made according to their proportional equity value. These companies may eventually seek reimbursement from the direct owner of the shares, in respect of any amounts paid to the Argentine tax authorities as a personal asset tax. Grupo Financiero Galicia has sought reimbursement for the amount paid corresponding to December 31, 2002. The Board of Directors submitted the decision on how to proceed with respect to fiscal year 2003 to the annual shareholders’ meeting held on April 22, 2004. At that meeting, our shareholders voted to suspend all claims on our shareholders for any amount unpaid for fiscal year 2002 and to have the Company absorb the amounts due for fiscal year 2003 onward, when not withheld from dividends.

    Pursuant to Law No.27,260, Argentine companies that have properly fulfilled their tax obligations during the two prior fiscal years to the 2016 fiscal year, and which comply with certain other requirements, may qualify for an exemption from personal asset taxes for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 fiscal years. The request for this tax exemption should be filed before March 31, 2017. Grupo Financiero Galicia filed this request. Notwithstanding, we cannot assure that in the future, Grupo Financiero Galicia can fulfill these requirements and maintain such exemption.

    Other Taxes

    There are no Argentine federal inheritance, succession or gift taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of ADSs or class B shares. There are no Argentine stamps, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties payable by holders of ADSs or class B shares.

    Tax measures related to Covid-19

    Tax, Trade & Regulatory

    General Tax Measures

    On March 19, 2020, the tax authorities established that the period between March 18, 2020 and March 31, 2020 will not be considered in order to meet administrative obligations with the AFIP. This measure does not modify or postpone any due date for the tax determination or payments.

    On April 2, 2020, aligned with the lockdown extension until Monday April 27, the tax authorities defined as administrative holidays days between March 19 and April 26 for procedural purposes.

    Similar extensions were implemented until November 29,2020.

    Indirect Tax (VAT, Customs)

    (Law 25.413 -Tax on Bank Debits and Credits)

    On March 19,20, 2020 the AFIPGovernment approved a reduction in the tax rate from 0.6% to 0.25%. Additionally, AFIP also approved a reduction from 1.2% to 0.5% for tax financial transactions on deposits and withdrawals from Argentine bank accounts and a reduction from 1.2% to 0.5% for other transactions; both reductions, for employers in the health care industry (i.e., diagnosis services, health insurance and pre-paid medicine companies and hospitals, among others) during a 90-day period. Currently, these measures are in effect until the end of March 2021.

    Other taxes

    On March 23, 2020,The tax authority determined the deadline for e-filings broadly was expanded until June 30,2020. The tax authorities established that the period between March 18, 2020 and March 31, 2020 will not be considered in order to meet administrative obligations with the Federal Tax Administration. This measure does not modify or postpone any due date for the tax determination or payments.

    On April 2, 2020, aligned with the lockdown extension until Monday April 27, the tax authorities defined as administrative holidays the days between March 19 and April 26 for procedural purposes.

    30, 2021.

    Tax reporting

    On March 31,May 15, 2020, through General Resolution 4689/4717/2020, transfer pricing filings (including complementary annual study) correspondingwere postponed to August 2020 -for fiscal years ended fromending between December 31, 2018 to September 30,November 2019- and postponed to October 2020 -for fiscal years ending between December 2019 both inclusive, was postponed fromto April 20-24 to May 2020 18-222020- (the exact due date dependingdepends on the Tax ID'sID’s last digit).



    Workforce: Individual and Employment Taxes

    The due date for the voluntary repatriation of funds (in(in order not to be subject to an incremental tax rate on assets located abroad)abroad) was postponed from March 31 to April 30, 2020. Also, the due date for the payment established for those not adhering to the repatriation of funds was postponed from April 1 to May 6, 2020.

    On March 25, 2020, the Labor, Employment & Social Security Ministry issued Resolution No. 219, which established that employees who could not work from home during the lockdown would be relieved from paying the employer and employee contributions due to the Integrated Social Security System. The Resolution also established that employers of new hires will benefit from a 95% reduction on the contributions they have to make to the Integrated Social Security System.

    On March 31, 2020, the Labor, Employment & Social Security Ministry amended Resolution No. 219, and issued Resolution No. 279, removing any relief provided from social security contributions for those employees who cannot perform their duties from their homes during the lockdown.

    Deposit and Withdrawal of Class B Shares in Exchange for ADSs

    No Argentine tax is imposed on the deposit or withdrawal of class B shares in exchange for ADSs.

    United States Federal Income Taxes

    The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of class B shares and ADSs, as their terms are set forth in the documents or the forms thereof, relating to such securities as in existence on the date hereof, but itADSs. This summary does not purport to address all the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular holder (including consequences under the alternative minimum tax) or a decision to purchase, own or dispose of class B shares or ADSs. This summary assumesapplies only to beneficial owners of class B shares or ADSs that hold the class B shares or ADSs will be held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and. This summary does not address tax consequences to all categories of investors, some of which (such as dealers or traders in securities or currencies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, grantor trusts, tax-exempt entities, banks and certain other financial institutions, insurance companies, persons that received class B shares or ADSs as compensation for the performance of services, persons owning (or deemed to own for U.S. federal income tax purposes) 10% or more (by voting power or value) of our shares, U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the Dollar, and persons that hold the class B shares or ADSs as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging” or “conversion” transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes)purposes, and individual retirement accounts and other tax deferred accounts) may be subject to special tax rules. Moreover, thisThis summary does not address the U.S. federal estate and gift or alternative minimum tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of class B shares or ADSs.

    Moreover, the summary below does not address the U.S. state, local or non-U.S. income or other tax consequences of an investment in class B shares or ADSs, or any aspect of U.S. federal taxation other than income taxation

    This summary (i) is based on the Code, existing, proposed and temporary United States Treasury Regulations and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, in each case, as in effect and available onof the date hereof, and (ii) is based in part on representations of the DepositoryDepositary and the assumption that each obligation in the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms. All of the foregoing are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below.

    For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of class B shares or ADSs that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust if such trust validly elects to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or if (a) a United States court can exercise primary supervision over its administration and (b) one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of such trust. A “Non-U.S.“Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of class B shares or ADSs that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).


    If a partnership (or any otheran entity or arrangement treatedclassified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes)purposes holds class B shares or ADSs, the tax treatment of the partnership and a partner in such partnership generally will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership should consult its tax advisor as to its tax consequences.consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of class B shares or ADSs.

    Each prospective purchaser should consult its own tax advisor with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of class B shares or ADSs.

    Ownership of ADSs in General

    In general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holders that are beneficial owners of ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owners of the class B shares represented by such ADSs. For purposes of the discussion below, we assume

    The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has expressed concern that intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of an ADS and Grupo Financiero Galiciaconnection with depositary arrangements may be taking actions that are acting consistentlyinconsistent with the claiming of U.S. foreign tax credits by U.S. Holders.persons who are holders of depositary shares. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should be aware that the discussion below regarding the availability of foreign tax credits for Argentine withholding tax on dividends paid with respect to Class B shares represented by ADSs could be affected by future action taken by the IRS. The rules relating to computing foreign tax credits and deducting foreign taxes are extremely complex, and U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of foreign tax credits with respect to any Argentine income taxes withheld from a dividend on the class B shares or ADSs.

    Taxation of Distributions

    Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations”, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the gross amount of distributions by Grupo Financiero Galicia of cash or property (other than certain distributions, if any, of class B shares or ADSs distributed pro rata to all shareholders of Grupo Financiero Galicia, including holders of ADSs) made with respect to the class B shares or ADSs before reduction for(including any amounts withheld in respect of Argentine taxes withheld therefrom,taxes) generally will, constitute dividends to the extent that such distributions are paid out ofmade from Grupo Financiero Galicia’s current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes,purposes. To the extent that a distribution by Grupo Financiero Galicia exceeds the amount of its earnings and profits, it will be includedtreated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the class B shares or ADSs, and thereafter as capital gain. However, Grupo Financiero Galicia does not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. U.S. Holders should therefore assume that any distribution by Grupo Financiero Galicia with respect to class B shares or ADSs will be reported as ordinary dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, cash dividends (including amounts withheld in respect of Argentine taxes) paid with respect to:

    the class B shares generally will be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as dividend income. Subject toordinary income on the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations”, non-corporateday on which the dividends are received by the U.S. HoldersHolder; or

    the class B shares represented by ADSs generally will be taxedincludible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary income on such distributionsthe day on which the dividends are received by the Depositary;

    and, in either case, these dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations.

    Dividends paid by Grupo Financiero Galicia in respect of ADSs (or class B sharesgenerally will be treated as “qualified dividend income,” which is taxable to a non-corporate U.S. Holder at the reduced rate normally applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that (i) the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States at(such as the timeNASDAQ, on which the ADSs are currently listed), (ii) in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid Grupo Financiero Galicia was not, and in the year in which the dividend is paid Grupo Financiero Galicia is not, a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”), and (iii) certain other requirements are met. The ADSs (but not the class B shares) may qualify as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States as long as they are listed on the NASDAQ. See “Passive Foreign Investment Companies” below for a discussion of the PFIC rules. Dividends paid by Grupo Financiero Galicia in respect of class B shares will be subject to tax as ordinary dividend income.

    In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that it continues to consider whether detailed information reporting guidance is necessary pursuant to which holders of ADSs and intermediaries through whom such distribution) at the lower rates applicablesecurities are held will be permitted to long-term capital gains (i.e., gainsrely on certifications from the sale of capital assets held for more than one year). Non-corporateissuers to establish that dividends are treated as qualified dividend income. However, no such detailed procedures have yet been issued and therefore Grupo Financiero Galicia is not certain that it will be able to comply with them. U.S. Holders that (i) do not meet a minimum holding period requirementshould consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced rate discussed above with respect to such ADSs (or class B shares), (ii) elect to treat thequalified dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4)(B)in light of the Code or (iii) receive dividends with respect to which they are obligated to make related payments for positions in substantially similar or related property will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation. In addition, dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to corporations under the Code.

    Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations”, if distributions with respect to the class B shares or ADSs exceed Grupo Financiero Galicia’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the class B shares or ADSs. Any amount in excess of such adjusted basis will be treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such class B shares or ADSs. Grupo Financiero Galicia does not maintain calculations of its earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles.

    their own particular circumstances.

    Dividends paid in Pesos will be included in the gross income of a U.S. Holder in an amount equal to the Dollar value of the Pesos on the date of receipt which,by the U.S. Holder, in the case of class B shares, or the Depositary, in the case of ADSs, regardless of whether the payment is the date they are received by the Depositary. The amount of any distribution of property other than cash will be the fair market value of such property on the date of distribution.in fact converted to Dollars. Any gains or losses resulting from the conversion of Pesoscurrency exchange fluctuations between the timedate the dividend payment is included in the gross income of the receipt of dividends paid in Pesosa U.S. Holder and the timedate the Pesos are converted into Dollars (or otherwise disposed of) will be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss, as the case may be, of a U.S. Holder.

    Dividends received by a U.S. Holder with respect to the class B shares or ADSs will be treated as foreignnon-U.S. source income, which may be relevant in calculating such holder’sU.S. Holder’s foreign tax credit limitation. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, Argentine tax withheld on dividends may be deducted from taxable income or credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income. For this purpose, dividend income with respect to class B shares or ADSs should generally constitute “passive category income”, or in the case of certain U.S. Holders, “general category income”. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. Prospective holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.


    Subject to the discussion below under “Backup Withholding and Information Reporting”, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on dividends received on class B shares or ADSs, unless such income is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States.

    Taxation of Capital Gains

    Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations,” U.S. Holders generally will recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon a sale or exchangeother taxable disposition of class B shares or ADSs in an amount equal to the difference between such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the class B shares or ADSs and the amount realized on their disposition.sale or other taxable disposition, in each case as determined in Dollars. In the case of a non-corporate U.S. Holder, the maximum marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to such gain will be lower than the maximum marginal U.S. federal income tax rate for ordinary income (other than certain dividends) if the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the class B shares or ADSs exceeds one year at the time of the sale or exchange. Gain or loss, if any, recognized by a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as United StatesU.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Consequently, a U.S. Holder may not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Argentine tax imposed on the disposition of class B shares or ADSs unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against tax due on other income treated as derived from foreignnon-U.S. sources. Certain limitations apply to the deductibility of capital losses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

    A U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in the class B shares or ADSs is the Dollar value of the Pesos denominated purchase price determined on the settlement date, in the case of purchase.a cash basis U.S. Holder, or the trade date in the case of an accrual basis U.S. Holder. If the class B shares or ADSs are treated as traded on an “established securities market”, a cash basis U.S. Holder (or, if it elects, an accrual basis U.S. Holder) willHolder may elect to determine the Dollar value of the cost of such class B shares or ADSs by translating the amount paid at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the purchase.

    With respect to the sale or exchange of class B shares or ADSs, the amount realized generally will be the Dollar value of the payment received, before reduction for any Argentine taxes withheld therefrom, determined on (i) the date of receipt of payment in the case of a cash basis U.S. Holder and (ii) the date of disposition in the case of an accrual basis U.S. Holder. If the class B shares or ADSs are treated as traded on an “established securities market”, a cash basis taxpayer (or, if it elects, an accrual basis taxpayer) willtaxpayer may elect to determine the Dollar value of the amount realized by translating the amount received at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the sale.

    The election by an accrual basis U.S. Holder discussed above to use the settlement date for purposes of determining basis and the amount realized must be applied consistently from year to year and cannot be revoked without the consent of the IRS.

    Subject to the discussion below under “Backup Withholding and Information Reporting,” a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale or exchange of class B shares or ADSs unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States or (ii) in the case of gain realized by an individual Non-U.S. Holder, the Non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or exchange and certain other conditions are met.

    Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations

    A non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a “passive foreign investment company”, or a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applyingtaking into account the income and assets of the corporation and certain subsidiaries pursuant to certain look-through rules, either (1) at least 75 percent of its gross income is “passive income” or (2) at least 50 percent of the average value of its gross assets is attributable to assets that produce “passive income” or isare held for the production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities and securities transactions, other than certain income derived in the active conduct of a banking business.

    transactions.

    The application of the PFIC rules is unclear both generally and specifically with respect to banks. The United StatesAlthough interest income generally is treated as passive income for this purpose, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”Service(the “IRS”) has issued a notice and certain proposed Treasury Regulations that exclude from passive income any income derived in the active conduct of a banking business by a qualifying foreign



    bank (the “Active Bank Exception”). However, the IRS notice and proposed Treasury Regulations are inconsistent in certain respects. Because final Treasury Regulations have not been issued, there can be no assurance that Grupo Financiero Galicia or its subsidiaries will satisfy the Active Bank Exception for any given taxable year.

    Based on certain estimates of its gross income and gross assets (which estimates are inherently imprecise), the nature of its business, and reliance on the Active Bank Exception, Grupo Financiero Galicia believes that it shouldwas not be classified as a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2019.2020. Grupo Financiero Galicia’s status in future years will depend on its assets and activities in those years. Grupo Financiero Galicia has no reason to believe that its assets or activities will change in a manner that would cause it to be classified as a PFIC, but there can be no assurance that Grupo Financiero Galicia will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year. If Grupo Financiero Galicia were a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of class B shares or ADSs generally would be subject to imputed interest charges and other disadvantageous tax treatment with respect to any gain from the sale or exchange of, and certain distributions with respect to, the class B shares or ADSs.

    If Grupo Financiero Galicia were a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of class B shares or ADSs could make a variety of elections that may alleviate certain of the adverse tax consequences referred to above, and one of these elections may be made retroactively. However, it is expected that the conditions necessary for making certain of such elections will not apply in the case of the class B shares or ADSs. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences and filing requirements that would arise if Grupo Financiero Galicia were treated as a PFIC.

    Reporting Requirements

    Non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, that hold “specified foreign financial assets”, as defined in the Treasury Regulations (which may include class B shares or ADSs), other than in an account at a U.S. financial institution or the U.S. branch of a non-U.S. financial institution, are required to report certain information relating to such assets. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this and any other reporting requirements on their ownership and disposition of class B shares or ADSs. Failure to comply with applicable reporting requirements could result in the imposition of substantial penalties.

    Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

    United States backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements generally apply to certain payments to certain holders of stock.

    Information reporting generally will apply to payments of dividends on, and to proceeds from the sale or redemptionother taxable disposition of, class B shares or ADSs made within the United States, or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, to a holder of class B shares or ADSs (other than an exempt recipient, such as a payee that is not a United States person and that provides an appropriate certification).

    Payments of dividends on, or proceeds from the sale or redemptionother taxable disposition of, class B shares or ADSs within the United States, or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, to a holderU.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient, such as a payee that is not a United States person and that provides an appropriate certification) will be subject to backup withholding if such holder fails to furnish its correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with, or establish an exemption from, such backup withholding tax requirements.

    The amount of any backup withholding tax rate is currently 24%.

    FATCA

    Beginning on the date that is two years after the date on which final Treasury Regulations are published defining the term “foreign passthru payment”, Grupo Financiero Galicia mayfrom a payment to a holder will be required, pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (often referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” or “FATCA”) to withhold U.S. tax at a 30% rate on all or a portion of any distribution on class B shares or ADSs which is treatedallowed as a “foreign passthru payment”.

    Assumingcredit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that distributions from Grupo Financiero Galicia constitute “foreign passthru payments”the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Holders should consult their tax advisers about these rules and any other reporting obligations that Grupo Financiero Galicia enters into an agreement withmay apply to the IRS to report the information required by FATCAownership or if



    Argentina has entered in an intergovernmental agreement with the United States (an “IGA”),that Grupo Financiero Galicia complies with such IGA, then an investor considered to have a “U.S. account” maintained by Grupo Financiero Galicia may be required to provide the information described below or be subject to U.S. withholding tax on any distribution on class B shares or ADSs that is treated as a “foreign passthru payment”. Investors in class B shares or ADSs that are financial institutions, or financial institutions that receive payments on behalf of other persons, and that have not entered into an agreement with the IRS (or otherwise established an exemption from FATCA, including pursuant to an applicable IGA) would also be subject to this U.S. withholding tax. 

    FATCA is particularly complex and its application to Grupo Financiero Galicia is uncertain at this time. Each holderdisposition of class B shares or ADSs should consult its own tax advisor to obtain a more detailed explanation of FATCA and to learn how it might affect such holder under its particular circumstances.ADSs.

    Medicare Tax on Investment Income

    Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts are required to pay a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Holder’s “net investment income” for the taxable year and (ii) the excess of the U.S. Holder’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold. Net investment income includes, among other things, dividends and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of class B shares or ADSs.

    THE ABOVE SUMMARIES ARE NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF ALL TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF CLASS B SHARES OR ADSs. PROSPECTIVE HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

    F. Dividends and Paying Agents

    Not applicable.

    G. Statement by Experts.

    Not applicable.

    H. Documents on Display

    We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance with these requirements, we file reports and other information with the SEC. These materials, including this annual report and its exhibits, may be inspected and printed or copied for a fee at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. These materials are also available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Material submitted by us can also be inspected at the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006-1506.

    I. Subsidiary Information

    For a description of subsidiary information, see Item 11. Quantitative4. “Information on the Company”—A. “History and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    Development of the Company” —“History”.

     

    Item 11.

    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    A. General

    Market risks faced by us are the risks arising from the fluctuations in interest rates and in foreign exchange rates. Our market risk arises mainly from the operations of Banco Galicia in its capacity as a financial intermediary. Our subsidiaries and are also subject to market risk. However, the amount of these risks is not significant, and they are not discussed below. Policies regarding these risks are applied at the level of our operating subsidiaries.



    In compliance with the Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s regulations, based on the best practices and international standards, Banco Galicia has a Risk Management Division responsible for identifying, monitoring and actively and integrally managing the different risks Banco Galicia and its subsidiaries are exposed to (credit, financial and operational risks). The aim of the Division is to guarantee Banco Galicia’s board of directors that it is fully aware of the risks Banco Galicia is exposed to. It also creates and proposes the policies and procedures necessary to mitigate and control such risks. The Risk Management Committee, made-up of six members of the board of directors of Banco Galicia, the Chief Executive Officer and the managers of the Risk Management Division, the Planning Division and Internal Audit, is the highest corporate body to which Banco Galicia’s board of directors delegates integral risk management and the executive responsibility to define and enforce risk management policies, procedures and controls. This Committee is also responsible for setting specific limits for the exposure to each risk and approving, when applicable, temporary excesses over such limits as well as being informed of each risk position and compliance with policies.

    See Item 6. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees”—“Functions of the Board of Directors of Banco Galicia”. Liquidity management is discussed in Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”-.B.“Liquidity and Capital Resources”. Credit risk management is discussed in Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B.“Business Overview”- “Selected Statistical Information”—“Credit Review Process” and other sections under Item 4. “Information on the Company”—B.”Business Overview”- “Selected Statistical Information” describing Grupo Galicia’s financial instruments portfolio and financial instruments loss experience.

    The following sections contain information on Banco Galicia’s sensitivity to interest-rate risk and exchange-rate risk that constitute forward lookingforward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

    B. Interest Rate Risk

    A distinctive and natural characteristic of financial brokerage is the existence of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities with different maturities (or different rate repricing periods) and interest rates that can be fixed or variable. This situation leads to a gap or mismatch that arises from the balance sheet and measures the imbalance between fixed- and variable-rate assets and liabilities, and results in the so-called interest-rate risk or balance sheet structural risk. A commercial bank can face the interest rate risk on both sides of its balance sheet: with regard to the income generated by assets (loans and securities) and the expenses related to the interest-bearing liabilities (deposits and other sources of funds).

    The policy currently in force defines this gap as the risk that the financial margin and the economic value of equity may vary as a consequence of fluctuations in market interest rates. The magnitude of such variation is associated with the sensitivity to interest rates of the structure of the Bank’s assets and liabilities.

    Aimed at managing and limiting the sensitivity of Banco Galicia'sGalicia’s economic value and results with respect to variations in the interest rate inherent to the structure of certain assets and liabilities, the following caps have been determined:

    • Limit on the gross brokerage margin for the first year.

    Limit on the net present value of assets and liabilities.

    i) Limit on the Gross Brokerage Margin for the First Year

    The effect of interest rate fluctuations on the gross brokerage margin for the first year is calculated using the methodology known as scenario simulation. On a monthly basis, gross brokerage margin for the first year is simulated in a base scenario and in a “+400 bps” scenario for peso currency and “+200 bps” scenario for dollar scenario. In order to prepare each scenario, different criteria are assumed regarding the sensitivity to interest rates of assets and liabilities, depending on the historical performance observed of the different balance sheet items. Gross brokerage margin for the first year in the “+400 bps” and “+200 bps” scenario is compared to the gross brokerage margin for the first year in the “base” scenario. The resulting difference is related to the annualized accounting gross brokerage margin for the last calendar trailing quarter available, for Banco Galicia on a consolidated basis.

    The limit on a potential loss was established at 10% of the gross brokerage margin for the first year, as defined above. At fiscal year-end, the negative difference between the gross brokerage margin for the first year corresponding to the “+400/200 bps” scenario and that corresponding to the “base” scenario accounted for -4.2%-4.6% of the gross brokerage margin for the first year.

    The tables below show as of December 31, 20192020 in absolute and percentage terms, the change in Banco Galicia’s gross brokerage margin (“GBM”) of the first year, as compared to the gross brokerage margin of the “base” scenario corresponding to various interest-rate scenarios in which interest rates change 50, 100, 150 and 200 bps from those in the “base” scenario. Banco Galicia’s net portfolio is broken down into trading and non-trading. The trading net portfolio represents primarily securities issued by the Argentine Government.

     

    Net Portfolio

     

     

     

    Gross Brokerage Margin (1)

     

     

     

    December 31, 2019

     

     

     

    (In millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Change in Interest Rates in bps

     

    Variation

     

     

    % Change in the GBM

     

    200

     

     

    2,812

     

     

     

    2.54

    %

    150

     

     

    2,106

     

     

     

    1.91

    %

    100

     

     

    1,403

     

     

     

    1.27

    %

    50

     

     

    700

     

     

     

    0.64

    %

    Static

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (50)

     

     

    (655

    )

     

     

    (0.60

    )%

    (100)

     

     

    (1,310

    )

     

     

    (1.19

    )%

    (150)

     

     

    (1,962

    )

     

     

    (1.78

    )%

    (200)

     

     

    (2,512

    )

     

     

    (2.37

    )%

    (1) Net interest of the first year

    Net Portfolio

     
       Gross Brokerage Margin (1) 
       December 31, 2020 
       (In millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Change in Interest Rates in bps

      Variation   % Change in the
    GBM
     

    200

       2,812    2.54

    150

       2,106    1.91

    100

       1,403    1.27

    50

       700    0.64

    Static

        

    (50)

       (650   (0.60)% 

    (100)

       (1,310   (1.19)% 

    (150)

       (1,962   (1.78)% 

    (200)

       (2,512   (2.37)% 

     

    Net Trading Portfolio

     

     

     

    Gross Brokerage Margin (1)

     

     

     

    December 31, 2019

     

     

     

    (In millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Change in Interest Rates in bps

     

    Variation

     

     

    % Change in the GBM

     

    200

     

     

    136

     

     

     

    0.12

    %

    150

     

     

    101

     

     

     

    0.09

    %

    100

     

     

    68

     

     

     

    0.06

    %

    50

     

     

    34

     

     

     

    0.03

    %

    Static

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (50)

     

     

    (33

    )

     

     

    (0.03

    )%

    (100)

     

     

    (67

    )

     

     

    (0.06

    )%

    (150)

     

     

    (100

    )

     

     

    (0.09

    )%

    (200)

     

     

    (133

    )

     

     

    (0.12

    )%

    (1) Net interest of the first year


    189(1)

    Net interest of the first year



    Net Non -Trading Portfolio

     

     

     

    Gross Brokerage Margin (1)

     

     

     

    December 31, 2019

     

     

     

    (In millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    Change in Interest Rates in bps

     

    Variation

     

     

    % Change in the GBM

     

    200

     

     

    2,676

     

     

     

    2.43

    %

    150

     

     

    2,005

     

     

     

    1.82

    %

    100

     

     

    1,335

     

     

     

    1.21

    %

    50

     

     

    666

     

     

     

    0.61

    %

    Static

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (50)

     

     

    (622

    )

     

     

    (0.57

    )%

    (100)

     

     

    (1,243

    )

     

     

    (1.13

    )%

    (150)

     

     

    (1,862

    )

     

     

    (1.69

    )%

    (200)

     

     

    (2,479

    )

     

     

    (2.25

    )%

    (1) Net interest of the first year

    Net Trading Portfolio

     
       Gross Brokerage Margin (1) 
       December 31, 2020 
       (In millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Change in Interest Rates in bps

      Variation   % Change in the
    GBM
     

    200

       146    0.10

    150

       109    0.08

    100

       72    0.05

    50

       36    0.03

    Static

        

    (50)

       (18   (0.01)% 

    (100)

       (66   (0.05)% 

    (150)

       (115   (0.08)% 

    (200)

       (164   (0.12)% 

     

    (1)

    Net interest of the first year

    Net Non -Trading Portfolio

     
       Gross Brokerage Margin (1) 
       December 31, 2020 
       (In millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    Change in Interest Rates in bps

      Variation   % Change in the
    GBM
     

    200

       2,357    1.66

    150

       1,766    1.24

    100

       1,177    0.83

    50

       588    0.41

    Static

        

    (50)

       (703   (0.49)% 

    (100)

       (1,452   (1.02)% 

    (150)

       (2,204   (1.55)% 

    (200)

       (2,955   (2.08)% 

    (1)

    Net interest of the first year

    ii) Limit on the Net Present Value of Assets and Liabilities

    The net present value of assets and liabilities is also calculated on a monthly basis and taking into account the assets and liabilities of Banco Galicia’s consolidated balance sheet. The methodology used for calculating interest rate risk is based on the net present value of the underlying asset of liability.

    The net present value of the consolidated assets and liabilities, as mentioned, is calculated for a “base” scenario in which the listed securities portfolio is discounted using interest rates obtained according to yield curves determined based on the market yields of different reference bonds denominated in Pesos, foreign currency and adjusted by CER/UVA. Yield curves for unlisted assets and liabilities are also created using market interest rates. The net present value of assets and liabilities is also obtained for a second scenario called “critical”, where through a significant number of statistical simulations of the interest rate track record, a “critical” scenario is obtained as a result of the interest rate risk exposure presented by the balance sheet structure.

    The economic capital is obtained from the resulting difference between the “critical” scenario and the net present value of assets and liabilities of the “base” scenario and considering a 99.5% degree of accuracy.

    The limit on interest rate risk exposure, expressed as a difference between the net present value of assets and liabilities in the “base” scenario and the “critical” scenario cannot exceed 15% of the consolidated RPC. As of December 31, 2019,2020, the “Value at Risk” was -8.65%(7.73%) of the RPC.Tier 1.

    C. Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

    Exchange-rate sensitivity is the relationship between the fluctuations of exchange rates and Banco Galicia’s net financial income resulting from the revaluation of Banco Galicia’s assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency. The impact of variations in the exchange rate on Banco Galicia’s net financial income depends on whether Banco Galicia has a net asset foreign currency position (the amount by which foreign currency denominated assets exceed foreign currency denominated liabilities) or a net liability foreign currency position (the amount by which foreign currency denominated liabilities exceed foreign currency denominated assets). In the first case an increase/decrease in the exchange rate results in a gain/loss, respectively. In the second case, an increase/decrease results in a loss/gain, respectively. Banco Galicia has established limits for its consolidated foreign currency mismatches for the asset and liability positions of -9 % and + 30% of Banco Galicia’s RPC. At the end of the fiscal year, Banco Galicia’s net asset position in foreign currency represented 0.6%-0.3% (minus 0.3%).

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, Banco Galicia had a net assetliability foreign currency position of Ps.4,929Ps.873 million (US$8210,4 million) after adjusting its on-balance sheet net assetliability position of Ps.4,906Ps.413 million (US$824,9 million) by net forward purchases of foreign currency without delivery of the underlying asset, for Ps.23Ps.460 million (US$0,45,5 million), recorded off-balance sheet.


    As of December 31, 2018, Banco Galicia had a net liability foreign currency position of Ps.978 million (US$26 million) after adjusting its on-balance sheet net liability position of Ps.1,079 million (US$29 million) by net forward purchases of foreign currency without delivery of the underlying asset, for Ps.101 million (US$3 million), recorded off-balance sheet.

    As of December 31, 2017, Banco Galicia had a net liability foreign currency position of Ps.549 million (US$29 million), after adjusting its on-balance sheet net asset position of Ps.2,003million (US$107 million) by net forward purchases of foreign currency without delivery of the underlying asset, for Ps.2,552 million (US$136 million), recorded off-balance sheet.

    The table below show the effects of changes in the exchange rate of the Peso vis-à-vis the Dollar on the value of Banco Galicia’s foreign currency net asset position as of December 31, 2019.2020. As of these dates, the breakdown of Banco Galicia’s foreign currency net asset position into trading and non-trading is not presented, as Banco Galicia’s foreign currency trading portfolio was not materialmaterial.

     

     

     

     

     

    Value of Foreign Currency Net Position

     

     

     

     

     

    As of December 31,

     

     

     

     

     

    2019

     

    Percentage Change in the Value of the Peso Relative to the Dollar (1)

     

     

    Amount

     

     

    Absolute Variation

     

     

    % Change

     

     

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos, except percentages)

     

    40%

     

     

     

    6,896

     

     

     

    1,967

     

     

     

    40

     

    30%

     

     

     

    6,408

     

     

     

    1,479

     

     

     

    30

     

    20%

     

     

     

    5,915

     

     

     

    986

     

     

     

    20

     

    10%

     

     

     

    5,422

     

     

     

    493

     

     

     

    10

     

    Static (2)

     

     

     

    4,929

     

     

    -

     

     

    -

     

    -10%

     

     

     

    4,436

     

     

     

    (493

    )

     

     

    (10

    )

    -20%

     

     

     

    3,943

     

     

     

    (986

    )

     

     

    (20

    )

    -30%

     

     

     

    3,450

     

     

     

    (1,479

    )

     

     

    (30

    )

    -40%

     

     

     

    2,962

     

     

     

    (1,967

    )

     

     

    (40

    )


    (1) Devaluation / (Revaluation).

    (2) Adjusted to reflect forward purchases and sales of foreign currency without delivery of the underlying asset, registered in memorandum accounts.

       Value of Foreign Currency Net Position 
       As of December 31, 
       2020 

    Percentage Change in the Value of the Peso Relative to the Dollar (1)

      Amount   Absolute Variation   % Change 
       (in millions of Pesos, except percentages) 

    40%

       (579   (165   40 

    30%

       (537   (124   30 

    20%

       (496   (83   20 

    10%

       (455   (41   10 

    Static (2)

       (413   —      —   

    -10%

       (372   41    (10

    -20%

       (331   83    (20

    -30%

       (289   124    (30

    -40%

       (248   165    (40

     

    (1)

    Devaluation / (Revaluation).

    (2)

    Adjusted to reflect forward purchases and sales of foreign currency without delivery of the underlying asset, registered in memorandum accounts.

    D. Currency Mismatches

    The funding and the use of funds in loans and/or investments can be carried out in assets and liabilities denominated in different currencies. As such, there is the potential for a currency mismatch between liabilities and the use thereof on assets, generating a risk. Currency risk is defined as the risk of incurring equity losses as a result of variations in the foreign currency exchange rates in which assets and liabilities are denominated.

    The management of the Bank’s currency risk mismatch involves the monitoring of foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities that may change in the short- and or mid-term. One of the available market instruments for the management of currency mismatches of assets and liabilities are “currency futures” transactions, which are traded on the MAE (MAE – OCT) and Mercado a Término de Rosario (ROFEX).

    The policy framework currently in force establishes limits in terms of maximum net asset positions (assets denominated in a currency which are higher than the liabilities denominated in such currency) and net liability positions (assets denominated in a currency which are lower than the liabilities denominated in such currency) for mismatches in foreign currency, as a proportion of the Bank’s computable regulatory capital (“RPC”)(RPC), on a consolidated basis.



    The table below shows the composition of the Grupo Financiero Galicia’s Shareholders’ Equity as of December 31, 2019,2020, by currency and type of adjustment:

     

     

     

    December 31, 2019

     

     

     

    Assets

     

     

    Liabilities

     

     

    Gap

     

     

     

    (in millions of Pesos)

     

    Financial Assets and Liabilities

     

     

    638,334

     

     

     

    536,814

     

     

     

    101,520

     

    Pesos - Adjusted by UVA

     

     

    28,335

     

     

     

    1,950

     

     

     

    26,385

     

    Pesos - Unadjusted

     

     

    404,602

     

     

     

    338,247

     

     

     

    66,355

     

    Foreign Currency (1)

     

     

    205,397

     

     

     

    196,617

     

     

     

    8,780

     

    Other Assets and Liabilities

     

     

    47,185

     

     

     

    31,871

     

     

     

    15,314

     

    Total Gap

     

     

    685,519

     

     

     

    568,685

     

     

     

    116,834

     

    Adjusted for Forward Transactions Recorded in Memo Accounts

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Financial Assets and Liabilities

     

     

    638,334

     

     

     

    536,814

     

     

     

    101,520

     

    Pesos - Adjusted by the UVA

     

     

    28,335

     

     

     

    1,950

     

     

     

    26,385

     

    Pesos - Unadjusted, Including Shareholders’ Equity (2)

     

     

    378,580

     

     

     

    312,248

     

     

     

    66,332

     

    Foreign Currency (1) (2)

     

     

    231,419

     

     

     

    222,616

     

     

     

    8,803

     

    Other Assets and Liabilities

     

     

    47,185

     

     

     

    31,871

     

     

     

    15,314

     

    Total Adjusted Gap

     

     

    685,519

     

     

     

    568,685

     

     

     

    116,834

     

    (1) In Pesos, at an exchange rate of Ps.59.8950 per US$1.

    (2) Adjusted for forward sales and purchases of foreign exchange, without delivery of underlying assets and recorded in Memorandum Accounts.

       December 31, 2020 
       Assets   Liabilities   Gap 
       (in millions of Pesos) 

    Financial Assets and Liabilities

       883,853    759,711    124,142 

    Pesos - Adjusted by UVA

       32,321    7,099    25,222 

    Pesos - Unadjusted

       637,405    537,612    99,793 

    Foreign Currency (1)

       214,127    215,000    (873

    Other Assets and Liabilities

       62,166    34,487    27,679 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Gap

       946,019    794,198    151,821 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Adjusted for Forward Transactions Recorded in Memo Accounts

          

    Financial Assets and Liabilities

       883,853    759,711    124,142 

    Pesos - Adjusted by the UVA

       32,321    7,099    25,222 

    Pesos - Unadjusted, Including Shareholders’ Equity (2)

       612,456    513,123    99,333 

    Foreign Currency (1) (2)

       239,076    239,489    (413

    Other Assets and Liabilities

       62,166    34,487    27,679 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Adjusted Gap

       946,019    794,198    151,821 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

    (1)

    In Pesos, at an exchange rate of Ps.84,145 per US$1.

    (2)

    Adjusted for forward sales and purchases of foreign exchange, without delivery of underlying assets and recorded in Memorandum Accounts.

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, considering the adjustments from forward transactions recorded under memorandum accounts, Grupo Financiero Galicia had net asset positions in foreign currency and Pesos adjusted and non-adjusted.

    The paragraphs below describe the composition of the different currency mismatches of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019:2020:

    i) Assets and Liabilities Denominated in Foreign Currency

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, the Grupo Financiero Galicia’s assets denominated in foreign currency were mainly comprised of the following: (i) Ps.91,749Ps.153.544 million of cash and balances from the Argentine Central BankBCRA and correspondent banks; (ii) Ps.98,556Ps.51.722 million for loans (principal plus interest) and other financing, including Ps.1,521Ps.1.368 million for receivables for financial leases; (iii) Ps.5,301 million for debt securities, primarily financial trusts; (iv) Ps.5,563Ps.4.378 million for government and private securities (v) Ps.2,404securities; (iv) Ps.2.580 million for other financial assets includes Ps.2.437 million for Prisma and (vi) Ps.1,753(v) Ps.1.845 million for assets pledged as collateral, including forward purchases of government securities.

    The liabilities denominated in foreign currency consisted mainly of: (i) Ps.143,198Ps.166,916 million for deposits (principal, interest and quotation differences); (ii) Ps.17,991Ps.8,611 million for payables to banks and international credit entities; (iii) Ps.21,669Ps.26,482 million for subordinated and unsubordinated notes issued by Banco Galicia; and (iv) Ps.12,896Ps.12,068 million for other financial liabilities, mainly collections on behalf of third parties.

    parties and leasings and (v) Ps.913 million recorded in “Other Non-financial Liabilities”.

    A net asset positionliability of Ps.8,780Ps.873 million stemmed from the consolidated balance sheet. Furthermore, forward transactions in foreign currency without delivery of the underlying asset were recorded in memorandum accounts, which, in terms of their notional value, were equal to a net asset position of Ps.22Ps.460 million. Therefore, as of that date, the net position in foreign currency adjusted to reflect these transactions was a net assetliability position of Ps.8,803 million,Ps.413million, equivalent to US$1474,9 million.

    BancoGrupo Financiero Galicia has set limits as regards foreign-currency mismatches at -9% of the Bank’s RPC for its net liability position and at +30% of the Bank’s RPC for its net asset position. At the fiscal year-end, Banco Galicia'sGalicia’s net asset position in foreign currency represented 9.4%- 0.3 % of its RPC.

    ii) Non-Adjusted Peso-Denominated Assets and Liabilities

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s non-adjusted Peso-denominated assets at December 31, 20192020 were mainly comprised of the following: (i) Ps.233,353Ps.360.234 million for loans (principal plus interest, net of allowances) including



    Ps.6
    82 Ps.573 million for receivables from financial leases and Ps.2,544Ps.2.120 million for miscellaneous receivables; (ii) Ps.58,141Ps.128.325 million for the holding of securities issued by the Argentine Central Bank.BCRA (LELIQ); (iii) Ps.46,425Ps.30.209 million for cash and balances held at the Argentine Central BankBCRA and correspondent banks (including the balance of escrow accounts); (iv) Ps.30,075Ps.60.996 million for repurchase transactions; (v) Ps.15,705Ps.48.399 million for the holding of government and private securities, including Ps.10,949Ps.21.462 million for BOTE 2020;2022; (vi). Ps.8,511 Ps.3.353 million for “Other Financial Assets”, out of which Ps.643 million was related to mutual funds of Tarjetas Regionales;Asset; and (vii) Ps.2,272Ps.4.977 million pledged as collateral.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia’s non-adjusted Peso-denominated liabilities at December 31, 20192020 were mainly comprised of the following (i) Ps.248,588Ps.504.088 million for deposits (principal plus interest); (ii) Ps.48,034Ps.20.886 million for liabilities payable to stores, credit card transactions of Banco Galicia and Tarjetas Regionales;Galicia; (iii) Ps.23,071Ps.3.075 million for notes issued by Banco Galicia and Tarjetas Regionales;Galicia; (iv) Ps.7,911Ps.6.987 million for other financial liabilities; (v) Ps.4,732Ps.1.581 million for debt incurred with local financial institutions and (vi) Ps.2,516Ps.937 million for amounts payable for future transactions and transactions pending settlement of government securities and foreign currency.

    The net asset position in non-adjusted Peso-denominated assets and liabilities was Ps.66,332Ps 95.797 million at December 31, 2019.2020.

    iii) Peso-Denominated Assets and Liabilities Adjusted by UVA

    At December 31, 2019,2020, the net asset position amounted to Ps.26,385Ps 25,222 million, which is primarily comprised of Ps.26,515Ps.29,663 million for loans, mainly UVA mortgage loans and Ps.1,820Ps.2,658 million for miscellaneous receivables.

    With respect to liabilities, Ps.1,175Ps.5,662 million was related to UVA-adjusted time deposits and Ps.775Ps.1,437 million related to balances of the unemployment fund of construction workers.

    iv) Other Assets and Liabilities

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, “Other Assets - Assets—Liabilities” mainly included the following: (i) property, plant and equipment, miscellaneous and intangible assets for Ps.44,134Ps.52,302 million; and (ii) miscellaneous receivables for Ps.2,807 million.

    Ps.4,535 million and (iii) Ps.6.361 million recorded in “Other Non-financial assets”;

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, liabilities mainly included the following: (i) Ps.16,590Ps.18.023 million recorded in “Other Non-financial Liabilities”; (ii) Ps.10,315Ps.13,031 million for current income tax liabilities; and (iii) Ps.2,747Ps.3,433 million for provisions for other contingencies.

    E. Market Risk

    The exposure toof portfolios consisting of listed financial instruments, whose value variesvalues vary according to the movementmovements in their market prices, is subject to a specific policy framework. This framework that regulates the risk of incurring a loss as a consequence of the variation ofin the market price of financial assets whose value isvalues are subject to negotiation.

    Brokerage transactions and/or investments in government securities, currencies, notes, derivative products and debt instruments issued by the Argentine Central BankBCRA are governed by the policy that limits the maximum tolerable losses in a given fiscal year.

    In order to gauge and monitor this source of risk, the model known as VaRValue at Risk (VaR) is used, among others. Banco Galicia measures risk by means of a parametric VaR model, assuming that returns follow a multivariate normal distribution. This model determines on an intra-daily basis the potential losses that could be generated for the Bank individually the possible loss that could be generated by the positions in equity securities, currencies, derivative instruments, and debt securities issued by the Argentine Central Bank and currenciesaccording to its portfolio, under certain parameters.

    The parameters taken into consideration are as follows:

    (i)              A 99% degree of accuracy.

    (i)

    A 99% confidence level on the method used for the VaR model analysis.


    193(ii)

    Holding periods of one day and “n” days, where “n” is defined as the number of days necessary to settle the position in each security.



    (ii)               VaR estimates are made for holding periods of one day and “n” days, where “n” is defined as the number of days necessary to settle the position in each security.

    (iii)              In the case of securities, if they are new issuances, the available trading days are taken into consideration for the calculation of volatilities; if there are not enough trading days or if there are no quotations, the volatility of bonds from domestic issuers with similar risk and characteristics is used.

     

    (iii)

    Volatilities are calculated as the standard deviation of returns in the available trading days. If there are new issuances, or if there are not enough trading days or quotations, the volatility of bonds from domestic issuers with similar risk and characteristics are used.

    Banco Galicia’s policy requires that the Risk Management and Treasury Divisions agree on the parameters under which the models work, and establishes the maximum losses authorized both for equity securities, foreign-currency, Argentine Central Bank’sBCRA’s debt instruments and derivative products in a fiscal year. Maximum losses were established in:

     

    Risk

    Policy on Limits


    (in millions of Pesos)

    CurrencyTotal risk (currency + fixed-income instruments + interest rate derivatives)

    250

    Fixed-income instruments

    4.250

    680

    Interest rate derivatives

    70

    Variable income

    1

    Furthermore, the policy includes the regular undertaking of stress tests, with the goal of which is to assess the risk positions and their results under adverse market conditions. Finally, “contingency plans” were designed for each transaction, which include the actions to be implemented in a critical scenario.

    F. Cross-Border Risk

    Cross-border risk represents the risk of incurring equity losses as a consequence of the impairment or failure to collect on foreign credit exposures (loans, securities holdings, equity investments, and cash) abroad. It includes risks generated by entering into transactions with public or private counterparties domiciled outside of Argentina.

    In order to regulate risk exposures in international jurisdictions, limits were established taking into consideration the jurisdiction’s credit rating, the type of transaction and a maximum exposure acceptable for each counterparty.

    The Bank defined its policy by setting maximum exposure limits measured as a percentage of its RPC and taking into account if the counterparty is considered investment grade:

     

    Risk


    Required Credit Rating


    Investment Grade


    Not Investment Grade

    -Jurisdictional Risk


    -International Rating Agency


    -No limit


    -Maximum limit: 5%

    -Counterparty Risk


    -International Banking Relations

    -Credit Division


    -Maximum limit: 15%

    -The limit is distributed between financial and foreign trade transactions, thus absorbing local counterparty margin


    -Maximum limit: 1%

    -Only foreign trade transactions

    G. Overseas Foreign Currency Transfer Risk

    With a view towards mitigating the risk resulting from a potential change in domestic laws that may affect overseas foreign currency transfers and in order to meet incurred liabilities, a policy was devised to set a limit for liabilities transferred abroad, as a proportion to total consolidated liabilities. Such ratio was fixed at 15%.

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, such exposure was 10.4%5.73% over total liabilities

    H. Risk Exposures in the Non-Financial Public Sector



    The Argentine Central BankBCRA imposes restrictions with respect to financing for the non-financial Public Sector and establishes limits in connection with the agencies that can be aided, the types of permitted loans and maximum amounts that can be granted. Such maximum amounts are set on the basis of the Bank’s RPC.

    Banco Galicia provides two types of financial assistance to such sector: (i) assistance through the issuance of government securities; and (ii) direct assistance through loans, leasing, corporate securities, discounted notes, overdrafts, guarantees granted, foreign trade transactions, payroll loans, credit cards, etc.

    Risk exposures on loans granted to such sector in national, provincial and municipal jurisdictions are governed by a specific policy, applicable to agencies within such jurisdictions, decentralized entities, companies and trust funds with underlying cash flows from the non-financial public sector.sector.

    Item 12.

    Item 12.

    Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities

    A. Debt Securities

    Not applicable.

    B. Warrants and Rights

    Not applicable.

    C. Other Than Equity Securities

    Not applicable.

    D. American Depositary Shares

    Fees and Charges Applicable to ADS Holders

    The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deductions from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

     

    Persons depositing or withdrawing shares must pay

    For:For:

    Ps.5.00US$.5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)

       Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property

       Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

    Ps.0.02

    US$.0.02 (or less) per ADS

       Any cash distribution to ADS registered holders

    A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs

       Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the depositary to ADS registered holders

    Registration or transfer fees

       Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares

    Expenses of the depositary

       Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)

       Converting foreign currency to Dollars

    Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes.

       As necessary

    Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities

       As necessary


    Fees and Direct and Indirect Payments Made by the Depositary to Us

    Past Fees and Payments

    Grupo Financiero Galicia received a payment of US$ 283,948287,476 for fiscal year 2020, US$283,948for fiscal year 2019 and US$267,815 for fiscal year 2018 and US$286,530 for fiscal year 2017 in relation to continuing annual stock exchange listing fees, standard out-of-pocket maintenance costs for the ADRs (consisting of the expenses for filing annual and interim financial reports, relevant information reports, processing dividend distribution, electronic filing of U.S. federal tax information, mailing required tax forms, stationery, postage, and telephone and conference calls), accounting fees and legal fees.

    Future Fees and Payments

    The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, has agreed to reimburse the Company for expenses they incur that are related to establishment and maintenance expenses of the ADSs program. The depositary has agreed to reimburse the Company for its continuing annual stock exchange listing fees and certain accounting and legal fees. The depositary has also agreed to pay the standard out-of-pocket maintenance costs for the ADRs, which consists of the expenses for filing annual and interim financial reports, relevant information reports, processing dividend distributions, electronic filing of U.S. federal tax information, mailing required tax forms, stationery, postage, and telephone and conference calls. It has also agreed to reimburse the Company annually for certain investor relationship programs or special investor relations promotional activities. There are limits on the amount of expenses for which the depositary will reimburse the Company and the amount of reimbursement available to the Company is subject to the amount of fees the depositary collects from investors in any given fiscal year.

    The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

    We expect to receive a similar reimbursement from the depositary for expenses for the fiscal year ending December 31, 20202021 to the one we received for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.2020.


    PART II

    196Item 13.

    Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies



    PART II

    Not applicable.

     

    Item 14.

    Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

    Not applicable.

     

    Item 15.

    Controls and Procedures

    (a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

    We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended). We performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file with or submit to the SEC under the Exchange Act, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and Compliance Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and Compliance Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance of their reliability. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, these disclosure controls and procedures cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving their objectives because of their inherent limitations. Disclosure controls and procedures are processes that involve human diligence and compliance and are subject to error in judgment. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by our disclosure controls and procedures.

    (b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

     

    1)Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for us and our consolidated subsidiaries. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

    1. pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
    2. provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS and that receipts and expenditures of Grupo Galicia are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
    3. provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements
    1)

    Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for us and our consolidated subsidiaries. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

     

    a.

    pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

    b.

    provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS and that receipts and expenditures of Grupo Galicia are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

    c.

    provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements

    Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

    2)

    2)

    Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the COSO.

    3)

    Based on our assessment, we and our management have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.

    4)

    The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by PriceWaterhouse & Co. S.R.L., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

    (c) Attestation Report of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the COSO.



    3)Based on our assessment, we and our management have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019.

    4)The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 has been audited by PriceWaterhouse & Co. S.R.L., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

    (c)Registered Public Accounting Firm. See Item 18. “Financial Statements–Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” for our registered public accounting firm’s attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

    (d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting During the Year Ended December 31, 2019.2020.

    During the period covered by this report, there have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

    Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

    reporting.

     

    Item 16A.

    Audit Committee Financial Expert

    Mr. Daniel Llambías was the financial expert serving on our Audit Committee for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    Directors”.

    Item 16B.

    Code of Ethics

    We have adopted a code of ethics (for Grupo Financiero Galicia and its main subsidiaries) in accordance with the requirements of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. During fiscal year 2019, in lieu of the new corporate governance requirements introduced by the CNV, the Company adopted a new Code of Ethics. Additionally, we did not grant any waivers to our code of ethics during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.2020. In June 2009, we adopted a Code of Best Practices in Corporate Governance in accordance with Argentine legal requirements that received some minor modifications in 2017 andduring 2018. During fiscal year 2019, the CNV issued Rule No. 797/2019 (modifying Rule No. 606 and the previous 516) which established new standards for the filing of the Code of Good Practices in Corporate Governance.Governance that received some minor modifications for fiscal year 2020. Our Code of Ethics and our Code of Corporate governance are attached hereto as Exhibits 11.1 and 11.2.

    Item 16C. Principal Accountants’ Fees and Services

    Item 16C.

    Principal Accountant Fees and Services

    The following table sets forth the total amount billed to us by our independent registered public accounting firm, Price Waterhouse & Co. S.R.L., during the fiscal years ended December 31, 20192020 and 2018.2019.

     

     

     

    2019

     

     

    2018

     

     

     

    (in thousands of Pesos)

     

    Audit Fees

     

     

    81,269

     

     

     

    68,522

     

    Audit Related Fees

     

     

    12,300

     

     

     

    11,097

     

    Tax Fees

     

     

    18,147

     

     

     

    16,131

     

    All Other Fees

     

     

    6,506

     

     

     

    5,068

     

    Total

     

     

    118,222

     

     

     

    100,818

     

    Audit Fees

    Audit fees are mainly the fees billed in relation with professional services for auditing our consolidated financial statements under local and IFRS requirements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.


    Audit-Related Fees

    Audit-related fees are fees billed for professional services related to attestation, review and verification services with respect to our financial information and the provision of services in connection with special reports in 2019 and 2018.

       2020   2019 
       (in thousands of Pesos) 

    Audit Fees

       147,661    110,640 

    Audit Related Fees

       9,375    16,745 

    Tax Fees

    Tax fees are fees billed with respect to tax compliance and advisory services related to tax liabilities.

    18,23424,706

    All Other Fees

    23,9338,857

     

    Total

    199,203160,948

    Audit Fees

    Audit fees are mainly the fees billed in relation with professional services for auditing our consolidated financial statements under local and IFRS requirements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

    Audit-Related Fees

    Audit-related fees are fees billed for professional services related to attestation, review and verification services with respect to our financial information and the provision of services in connection with special reports in 2020 and 2019.

    Tax Fees

    Tax fees are fees billed with respect to tax compliance and advisory services related to tax liabilities.

    All Other Fees

    All other fees include fees paid for professional services other than the services reported above under “audit fees”, “audit related fees” and “tax fees” in each of the fiscal periods above.

    Audit Committee Pre-approval

    Our audit committee is required to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. Our Audit Committee has reviewed, and approved audit and non-audit services fees proposed by our independent auditors.

     

    Audit Committee Pre-approval

    Our audit committee is required to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. Our Audit Committee has reviewed and approved audit and non-audit services fees proposed by our independent auditors.


    Item 16D.

    Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

    Not applicable.

     

    Not applicable.


    Item 16E.

    Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

    None.

     

    None.


    Item 16F.

    Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

    Not applicable.

     

    Not applicable.


    Item 16G.

    Corporate Governance

    See Item 6. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees”—“Nasdaq Corporate Governance Standards” for a summary of ways in which the Company’s corporate governance practices differ from those followed by U.S. companies.

     

    See Item 6. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees”—“Nasdaq Corporate Governance Standards” for a summary of ways in which the Company’s corporate governance practices differ from those followed by U.S. companies.


    Item 16H.

    Mine Safety Disclosure

    Not applicable.

    PART III

     

    Item 17.

    Not applicable.Financial Statements

    Not applicable.

    Item 18.


    Financial Statements


    PART III


    Item 17. Financial Statements

    Not applicable.

    Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Position for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

    Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

    Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

    Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

    You can find our audited consolidated financial statements on pages F-1 to F-110 of this annual report.

    Item 19.

    Exhibits

    Exhibit

    Description

      1.1Unofficial English language translation of the Bylaws (estatutos sociales).****
      2.1Form of Deposit Agreement between The Bank of New York and the registrant, including the form of American Depositary Receipt.*
      2.2Indenture, dated as of July  19, 2016, among Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., The Bank of New York Mellon, Banco de Valores S.A. and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A.***
      2.3Indenture, dated as of April  11, 2017, among Tarjeta Naranja S.A., The Bank of New York Mellon, Banco de Valores S.A. and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A.****
      4.1Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June  1, 2009, among American International Group Inc., AIG Consumer Finance Group, Inc. and Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., and the other parties signatory thereto.**
      4.2Loan Agreement, dated as of May  24, 2016, between Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. and International Finance Corporation.***
      4.3Bond Subscription Agreement, dated as of March  23, 2018, between Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. and International Finance Corporation.*****
      8.1For a list of our subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report, please see Item 4. “Information on the Company-Organizational Structure”.
    11.1Code of Ethics.******
    11.2Code of Corporate Governance Good Practices.
    12.1Certification of the principal executive officer required under Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
    12.2Certification of the principal financial officer required under Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
    13.1Certification of the principal executive officer required pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
    13.2Certification of the principal financial officer required pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

    *

    Incorporated by reference from our Registration Statement on Form F-6.

    **

    Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009.

    ***

    Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016.

    ****

    Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017.

    *****

    Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018.

    ******

    Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019.

    SIGNATURE

    The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Position for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

    Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

    Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

    Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

    You can find our audited consolidated financial statements on pages F-1 to F-106 of this annual report.



     

    Exhibit

    Description

    1.1

    Unofficial English language translation of the Bylaws (estatutos sociales).****

    2.1

    Form of Deposit Agreement between The Bank of New York and the registrant, including the form of American Depositary Receipt.*

    2.2

    Indenture, dated as of July 19, 2016, among Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., The Bank of New York Mellon, Banco de Valores S.A. and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A.***

    2.3

    Indenture, dated as of April 11, 2017, among Tarjeta Naranja S.A., The Bank of New York Mellon, Banco de Valores S.A. and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A.****

    4.1

    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2009, among American International Group Inc., AIG Consumer Finance Group, Inc. and Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., and the other parties signatory thereto.**

    4.2

    Loan Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2016, between Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. and International Finance Corporation.***

    4.3

    Bond Subscription Agreement, dated as of March 23, 2018, between Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. and International Finance Corporation.*****

    8.1

    For a list of our subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report, please see Item 4. “Information on the Company-Organizational Structure”.

    11.1

    Code of Ethics.

    11.2

    Code of Corporate Governance Good Practices.

    12.1

    Certification of the principal executive officer required under Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

    12.2

    Certification of the principal financial officer required under Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

    13.1

    Certification of the principal executive officer required pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

    13.2

    Certification of the principal financial officer required pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

    *Incorporated by reference from our Registration Statement on Form F-4 (333-11960).
    * *Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009.
    * * *Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016.
    * * * *
    Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017.
    * * * * *Incorporated  by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018.



    SIGNATURE

    The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    By:

    /s/ Pedro Alberto Richards

    Name:

    Pedro Alberto Richards

    Title:

    Chief Executive Officer

    By:

    /s/ José Luis Ronsini

    Name:

    José Luis Ronsini

    Title:

    Chief Financial Officer


    Date: 
    April 29, 2020



    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    By:

    /s/ Fabian Kon

    Name:Fabian Kon
    Title:Chief Executive Officer
    By:

    /s/ Bruno Folino

    Name:Bruno Folino
    Title:Chief Financial Officer

    Date: April 23, 2021


    Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    To theBoard of Directors and Shareholders of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.

    Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

    We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements


    Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.

    Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

    We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the related consolidated statements of income, other comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established inInternal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

    In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of income, other comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

    In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

    Basis for Opinions

    The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing onunder Item 15. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

    We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

    Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

    Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

    A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

    Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

    Critical Audit Matters

    The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements, and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

    Fair Valuevalue of certain Levellevel 3 Financial Instrumentsfinancial instruments

    As described in Notes 2.a and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company carries Ps. 95,250,490172,308,916 thousands of its assets and Ps. 2,303,25657,450 thousands of its liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis.basis as of December 31, 2020. Included in these balances are Ps. 11,732,2998,452,798 thousands of financial assets which are classified as level 3, as they containits valuation involves one or more inputs to valuation which are unobservable and significant to their fair value measurement. The Company utilized internally developedused valuation models and unobservable inputs, including projected cash flows, discount rates and volatilities and correlations relating to interest rates and spreads, to estimate the fair value of the level 3 financial instruments. These valuation techniques require management to make significant estimates and judgments for complex instruments involving valuation models.judgments.

    The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the fair value of certain level 3 financial instruments is a critical audit matter areare: (i) there was significant judgment by management in evaluating the models and methodologies and determining the inputs, such as projected cash flows, discount rates and volatilities and correlations relating to interest rates and spreads, used to estimate fair value; and (ii) the audit procedures performed related to the assessment of the fair value which in turn led toof these financial instruments involved a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort, in performing procedures related to the fair value of these financial instruments, and (ii) the audit effort involvedas well as the use of professionals with specialized skillskills and knowledge to assist in performing procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

    Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the Company’s processes for determining fair value of level 3 financial instruments which include controls over models, inputs, and data. These procedures also included, among others, for a sample of financial instruments, the involvementuse of professionals with specialized skillskills and knowledge to assist in developing an independent estimate of fair value estimate and testing management’s process to determine the fair value of these financial instruments. Developing the independent estimate involved testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management, developing independent significant unobservable inputs, and comparing management’s estimate to the independently developed estimate of fair value. Testing management’s process included evaluating the reasonableness of the aforementioned significant unobservable inputs, evaluating the appropriateness of the methods used, and testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management to determine the fair value of these instruments.

    Allowance for loan losses

    As described in Notes 1.11, 2.b and 45 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was Ps. 26,143,10337,332,952 thousands as of December 31, 2019.2020. The Company assesses impairment by estimating the expected credit losses. Management’s models to determine the expected credit loss involve significant judgement, including aspects such aswhich includes defining what is considered to beconstitutes a significant increase in credit risk, identifying assets which are impaired or subject to serious risk of impairment, developing parameters such as the probabilities of default and the loss given default, and making assumptions about macroeconomic scenarios considering a range of possible economic outcomes, calculated on a probability-weighted basis.basis, and estimating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as a post-model adjustment.

    The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the estimation of the allowance for loan losses is a critical audit matter areare: (i) there was significant judgment by management to assessin assessing impairment by estimating the expected credit losses; and (ii) the audit procedures performed related to the assessment of the valuation of the allowance for loan losses which in turn led toinvolved significant auditor judgment and effort, in performing procedures to evaluate the audit evidence related to the models and assumptions used to determine the expected credit losses and (ii) the audit effort involvedas well as the use of professionals with specialized skillskills and knowledge to assist in performing procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

    Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s allowance for loan losses estimation processes, which included controls over the data, models and assumptions used in the estimation process. These procedures also included, among others,others; (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the models used by managementthe Company to estimate parameters such as the probability of default and the reasonableness of assumptions made in the allowance for loan losses estimation, and testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in testing management’s process for determining the allowance for loan losses, includingloss given default; (ii) evaluating (i) the reasonableness of the assumptions used by management, (ii) the reasonablenessCompany’s definition of management’s criteria for defining what is considered to be a significant increase in credit risk and identifying assets which are impaired or subject to serious risk of impairment,impairment; (iii) evaluating the appropriatenessreasonableness of the models utilized forprocess followed by the estimation of parameters such asCompany to develop macroeconomic scenarios and their weighting; (iv) evaluating the probabilities of default and the loss given default, and (iv) the appropriatenessreasonableness of the methodology used forprocess followed by the generationCompany to estimate the post-model adjustment and (v) testing the completeness and accuracy of macroeconomic scenarios.the data provided by management.

    /s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE & Co. S.R.L.

    /s/ SEBASTIÁN MORAZZO (Partner)

    Sebastián Morazzo

    Buenos Aires, Argentina

    April 28, 2020.23, 2021.

    We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1999.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

     

                                                                         

    Items

      Notes   12.31.19   12.31.18   Notes   12.31.20 12.31.19 

    Assets

               

    Cash and Due from Banks

       5    130,649,061    220,456,335    5    175,423,476  177,866,399 

    Cash

         52,728,463    32,597,069      66,932,871   71,784,839 

    Financial Institutions and Correspondents

         77,920,598    187,859,266      108,490,605   106,081,560 

    Argentine Central Bank (BCRA)

         75,542,241    183,353,781      102,597,603   102,843,651 

    Other, Local and Foreign Financial Institutions

         2,378,357    4,505,485      5,893,002   3,237,909 

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

       6    65,690,460    116,812,885    6    155,419,560  89,431,378 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       7    2,329,074    2,746,893    7    2,165,032  3,170,815 

    Repurchase Transactions

       8    30,075,478    3,181,371    8    60,995,643  40,944,933 

    Other Financial Assets

       9    10,915,334    13,918,651    9    10,093,626  14,860,200 

    Loans and Other Financing

       10    358,558,869    434,899,689    10    526,434,119  488,144,152 

    Non-financial Public Sector

         4,977    18,117      334   9,297 

    Argentine Central Bank (BCRA)

         22,374    820      13,195   30,460 

    Other Financial Institutions

         10,612,457    11,568,034      14,700,600   14,697,129 

    To theNon-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         347,919,061    423,312,718      548,953,562   508,591,528 

    Allowances

         (37,233,572  (35,184,262

    Other Debt Securities

       11    19,019,630    22,188,992    11    23,070,377  25,893,436 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       12    11,550,586    16,640,808    12    18,717,443  15,725,036 

    Current Income Tax Assets

       13    40,503    146,015    13    197,094  55,141 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       14    4,554,453    247,753    14    5,711,684  6,200,459 

    Equity investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

       15    89,142   —   

    Property, Plant and Equipment

       16 and 17    32,963,986    29,785,930    16 and 17    43,731,420  44,877,360 

    Intangible Assets

       18    8,692,712    7,056,518    18    14,468,821  11,834,308 

    Deferred Income Tax Assets

       19    2,806,937    1,496,751    19    9,212,595  3,821,378 

    Assets for Insurance Contracts

       20    1,181,512    1,511,406    20    1,885,390  1,608,517 

    OtherNon-financial Assets

       21    6,451,408    4,345,410    21    7,634,427  8,782,988 

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       22    39,008    935,324    22    29,328  53,106 
        

     

       

     

         

     

      

     

     

    Total Assets

         685,519,011    876,370,731      1,055,279,177  933,269,606 
        

     

       

     

         

     

      

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    F-2F-4


    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Continued)

     

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

     

                                                                         

    Items

      Notes   12.31.19 12.31.18   Notes   12.31.20 12.31.19 

    Liabilities

              

    Deposits

       23    393,735,406   553,946,288    23    676,395,735  536,033,696 

    Non-financial Public Sector

         1,933,141  13,182,488      21,537,481   2,631,790 

    Financial Sector

         450,934  1,094,882      1,947,127   613,904 

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         391,351,331  539,668,918      652,911,127   532,788,002 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       24    1,422,157   3,299,188    24    —    1,936,133 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       7    881,099   2,824,038    7    57,450  1,199,533 

    Repurchase Transactions

       8    —     2,997,515 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       25    71,362,718   97,275,984    25    97,471,465  97,153,624 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       26    22,723,687   29,914,292    26    13,833,439  30,936,161 

    Debt Securities

       27    29,240,851   46,124,574    27    17,073,898  39,808,666 

    Current Income Tax Liabilities

       41    10,314,510   5,318,923    41    15,227,474  14,042,235 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       28    15,499,212   15,026,155    28    21,653,546  21,100,718 

    Provisions

       29    2,746,966   2,229,528    29    3,776,297  3,739,734 

    Deferred Income Tax Liabilities

       19    2,218,701   2,928,424    19    136,934  3,020,554 

    Liabilities for Insurance Contracts

       20    1,468,635   1,697,110    20    2,060,976  1,999,408 

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

       30    17,070,098   17,646,932    30    25,258,228  23,239,327 
        

     

      

     

         

     

      

     

     

    Total Liabilities

         568,684,040   781,228,951      872,945,442  774,209,789 
        

     

      

     

         

     

      

     

     

    Shareholders’ Equity

       31       31    

    Capital Stock

         1,426,765  1,426,765      1,474,692   1,426,765 

    Paid-in capital

         10,951,132  10,951,132      17,281,187   10,951,132 

    Capital Adjustments

         41,243,535  41,243,535      61,548,313   60,622,637 

    Profit Reserves

         93,468,632  67,191,177      178,751,308   127,248,745 

    Retained Deficit

         (57,261,059 (22,991,245     (102,255,270  (77,955,542

    Other Comprehensive Income

         404,831  2,160      341,829   551,139 

    Income / (Loss) for the Year

       43    23,708,123  (5,331,559   43    25,191,673   32,276,377 

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to Parent Company’s Owners

         113,941,959   92,491,965 
        

     

      

     

     

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to Parent Company´s Owners

         182,333,732  155,121,253 

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable toNon-controlling Interests

       50    2,893,012   2,649,815    50    3  3,938,564 
        

     

      

     

         

     

      

     

     

    Total Shareholders’ Equity

         116,834,971   95,141,780      182,333,735  159,059,817 
        

     

      

     

         

     

      

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

    FOR THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20192020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

     

    Items

      Notes  12.31.19 12.31.18 12.31.17   Notes   12.31.20 12.31.19 12.31.18 

    Interest Income

      32   130,505,867  120,410,448  84,136,666    32    166,806,678  177,671,454  163,927,492 

    Interest Expense

      32   (95,676,156 (69,086,632 (38,180,721   32    (90,174,458 (130,254,081 (94,054,946

    Net Income from Interest

         34,829,711   51,323,816   45,955,945      76,632,220   47,417,373   69,872,546 

    Fee Income

      32   35,145,091  37,530,202  37,567,216    32    46,475,432  47,846,733  51,093,837 

    Fee related Expenses

      32   (7,061,448 (4,655,118 (5,003,914   32    (9,917,873 (9,613,497 (6,337,505

    Net Fee Income

         28,083,643   32,875,084   32,563,302      36,557,559   38,233,236   44,756,332 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

      32   72,830,225  26,694,103  13,016,280    32    69,331,902  99,151,496  36,341,509 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

         219,480  340,953   —        (3,129 298,801  464,175 

    Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency

      33   8,690,613  5,810,359  5,351,615    33    7,047,447  11,831,452  7,910,257 

    Other Operating Income

      34   21,132,149  16,059,120  15,343,582    34    22,322,631  28,769,432  21,862,980 

    Income from Insurance Business

      35   3,673,312  4,413,942  5,099,409    35    5,501,807  5,000,869  6,009,167 

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

      36   (22,203,274 (25,074,262 (11,220,314   36    (34,679,749 (30,227,668 (34,136,247

    Net Operating Income

         147,255,859   112,443,115   106,109,819      182,710,688   200,474,991   153,080,719 

    Personnel Expenses

      37   (24,448,962 (26,191,885 (26,287,914   37    (31,825,101 (33,284,961 (35,657,786

    Administrative Expenses

      38   (24,316,921 (24,734,949 (22,188,104   38    (31,371,622 (33,105,199 (33,674,305

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

      39   (5,064,576 (2,541,273 (2,214,325   39    (8,284,286 (6,894,944 (3,459,704

    Other Operating Expenses

      40   (25,769,551 (25,996,238 (22,467,570   40    (30,763,761 (35,082,818 (35,391,431

    Loss on net monetary position

         (30,798,238 (27,787,774 (10,496,441     (36,963,213 (41,928,902 (37,830,439

    Operating Income

         36,857,611   5,190,996   22,455,465      43,502,705   50,178,167   7,067,054 

    Share of profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

         —     —    494,082    15    (125,053  —     —   

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

         36,857,611   5,190,996   22,949,547      43,377,652   50,178,167   7,067,054 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

      41   (13,038,494 (10,633,705 (11,259,035   41    (17,844,872 (17,750,682 (14,476,788

    Net Income / (Loss) from Continuing Operations

         23,819,117   (5,442,709  11,690,512      25,532,780   32,427,485   (7,409,734

    Loss from Discontinued Operations

      22   —    (399,589  —      22    —     —    (544,003

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

      41   —    (48,726 (494,971   41    —     —    (66,336
        

     

      

     

      

     

         

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year

         23,819,117   (5,891,024  11,195,541      25,532,780   32,427,485   (8,020,073
        

     

      

     

      

     

         

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year Attributable to parent company’s owners

         23,708,123  (5,331,559 10,450,740 

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year Attributable to parent company´s owners

         25,191,673  32,276,377  (7,258,414

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year Attributable toNon-controlling Interests

      50   110,994  (559,465 744,801    50    341,107  151,108  (761,659

    Items

      Notes  12.31.19 12.31.18 12.31.17 

    Earnings per Share

      43    

    Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to parent company’s owners

         23,708,123  (5,331,559 10,450,740 

    Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to parent company’s owners Adjusted by dilution effects

         23,708,123  (5,331,559 10,450,740 

    Weighted-Average of Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the Year

         1,426,765  1,426,765  1,332,617 

    Diluted Weighted-Average of Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the Year

         1,426,765  1,426,765  1,332,617 

    Basic Earnings per Share

         16.62   (3.74  7.84 

    Diluted Earnings per Share

         16.62   (3.74  7.84 

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Earnings per Share

       43       

    Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to parent company´s owners

         25,191,673    32,276,377    (7,258,414

    Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to parent company´s owners Adjusted by dilution effects

         25,191,673    32,276,377    (7,258,414

    Weighted-Average of Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the Year

         1,442,740    1,426,765    1,426,765 

    Diluted Weighted-Average of Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the Year

         1,442,740    1,426,765    1,426,765 

    Basic Earnings per Share

         17.46    22.62    (5.09

    Diluted Earnings per Share

         17.46    22.62    (5.09

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

    FOR THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20192020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

     

    Items

      Notes  12.31.19   12.31.18 12.31.17   Notes   12.31.20 12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year

         23,819,117    (5,891,024  11,195,541      25,532,780   32,427,485    (8,020,073

    Items of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) that may be Reclassified to Profit or Loss for the Year

                  

    Income or Loss from Financial Instruments at Fair Value through OCI (Item 4.1.2a, IFRS 9)

                  

    Income / (Loss) for the Year from Financial Instruments at Fair Value with Changes through OCI(*)

      32   402,671    (134,580 (668,759   32    (203,783 533,607    (183,218

    Other Comprehensive Income(*)

         (5,527 14,591    —   

    Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) that may be Reclassified to Profit or Loss for the Year

         402,671    (134,580  (668,759     (209,310  548,198    (183,218

    Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

         402,671    (134,580  (668,759     (209,310  548,198    (183,218
        

     

       

     

      

     

         

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss)

         24,221,788    (6,025,604  10,526,782      25,323,470   32,975,683    (8,203,291
        

     

       

     

      

     

         

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable to Parent company’s owners

         24,110,794    (5,466,139 9,781,981 

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable to Parent company´s owners

         24,982,363  32,824,575    (7,441,632

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable toNon-controlling Interests

      50   110,994    (559,465 744,801    50    341,107  151,108    (761,659

     

    (*)

    Net of Income Tax.

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 20192020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019,2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

     

         Capital
    Stock
       Paid-in
    Capital
           Other Comprehensive
    Income
       Profit Reserves                  Capital
    Stock
       Paid-in
    Capital
           Other Comprehensive
    Income
     Profit Reserves         

    Changes

      Notes  Outstanding   Share
    Premium
       Equity
    Adjustments
       Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
       Other   Legal
    Reserve
       Others
    Reserves
       Retained
    Earnings
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company’s
    owners
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to  Non-
    Controlling
    Interests
       Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
       Notes  Outstanding   Share
    Premium
       Equity
    Adjustments
       Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
     Other Legal
    Reserve
       Others
    Reserves
     Retained
    Earnings
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company´s
    owners
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to Non-
    Controlling

    Interests
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 12.31.18

         1,426,765    10,951,132    41,243,535    2,160    —      952,238    66,238,939    (28,322,804  92,491,965   2,649,815    95,141,780 

    Capital Contribution from Non-controlling Interest

      50   —      —      —      —      —      —    �� —      —    —     132,203    132,203 

    Balances as of 12.31.19

         1,426,765    10,951,132    60,622,637    536,548   14,591   1,296,382    125,952,363   (45,679,165  155,121,253   3,938,564   159,059,817 

    Dividends Distribution from Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

      50   —      —      —      —     —     —      —     —     —     (143,844  (143,844

    Distribution of Profits

                                            

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (2,660,800 (2,660,800 —      (2,660,800  42   —      —      —      —     —     —      (1,892,559  —    (1,892,559  —    (1,892,559

    - Other Reserves

         —      —      —      —      —      —      26,277,455    (26,277,455  —    —      —        —      —      —      —     —     —      56,576,105  (56,576,105  —     —     —   

    Increase due to merger

      31   47,927    6,330,055    925,676    —     —     —      (3,180,983  —    4,122,675  (4,135,824 (13,149

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                           —                     

    Net Income for the Year

      43   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      23,708,123  23,708,123  110,994    23,819,117   43   —      —      —      —     —     —      —    25,191,673  25,191,673  341,107  25,532,780 

    Other Comprehensive Income for the Year

         —      —      —      402,671    —      —      —      —    402,671  —      402,671      —      —      —      (203,783 (5,527  —      —     —    (209,310  —    (209,310
        

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

         

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.19

         1,426,765    10,951,132    41,243,535    404,831    —      952,238    92,516,394    (33,552,936  113,941,959   2,893,012    116,834,971 

    Balances as of 12.31.20

         1,474,692    17,281,187    61,548,313    332,765   9,064   1,296,382    177,454,926   (77,063,597  182,333,732   3   182,333,735 
        

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

         

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    F-6F-8


    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

          Capital
    Stock
       Paid-in
    Capital
           Other Comprehensive
    Income
       Profit Reserves               

    Changes

      Notes  Outstanding   Share
    Premium
       Equity
    Adjustments
       Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
       Other   Legal
    Reserve
       Others
    Reserves
       Retained
    Earnings
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company´s
    owners
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to Non-
    Controlling

    Interests
       Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 12.31.18

         1,426,765    10,951,132    60,622,637    2,941    —      1,296,382    90,178,080    (38,558,827  125,919,110   3,607,470    129,526,580 

    Capital Contribution from Non-controlling Interest

      50   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —     —     179,986    179,986 

    Distribution of Profits

                          

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (3,622,432  (3,622,432  —      (3,622,432

    - Other Reserves

         —      —      —      —      —      —      35,774,283    (35,774,283  —     —      —   

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                          

    Net Income for the Year

      43   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      32,276,377   32,276,377   151,108    32,427,485 

    Other Comprehensive Income for the Year

         —      —      —      533,607    14,591    —      —      —     548,198   —      548,198 
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.19

         1,426,765    10,951,132    60,622,637    536,548    14,591    1,296,382    125,952,363    (45,679,165  155,121,253   3,938,564    159,059,817 
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    F-9


    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 20192020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019,2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

     

         Capital
    Stock
       Paid-in
    Capital
           Other Comprehensive
    Income
       Profit Reserves              Capital
    Stock
     Paid-in
    Capital
       Other
    Comprehensive

    Income
     Profit Reserves         

    Changes

      Notes  Outstanding   Share
    Premium
       Equity
    Adjustments
       Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
     Other   Legal
    Reserve
       Others
    Reserves
       Retained
    Earnings
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company’s
    owners
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to  Non-
    Controlling
    Interests
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
      Notes Outstanding Share
    Premium
     Equity
    Adjustments
     Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
     Other Legal
    Reserve
     Others
    Reserves
     Retained
    Earnings
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company´s
    owners
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to Non-
    Controlling

    Interests
     Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 12.31.17

         1,426,765    10,951,132    41,243,535    136,740   —      894,775    48,918,234    (4,311,076  99,260,105   4,543,410   103,803,515    1,426,765   10,951,132   60,622,637   186,159   -   1,218,152   66,597,571   (5,869,124  135,133,292   6,185,425   141,318,717 

    Purchase ofNon-controlling Interests

      50   —      —      —      —     —      —      1,185,236     1,185,236   (1,185,236  —     50   -   -   -   -   -   -   1,613,587   -   1,613,587   (1,613,587  - 

    Dividends Distribution from Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

      50   —      —      —      —     —      —      —      —     —     (148,894  (148,894  50   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (202,709  (202,709

    Distribution of Profits

                                    

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —      —      —      —     —      —        (2,487,237  (2,487,237  —     (2,487,237 42   —     —     —     —     —     —     —    (3,386,137 (3,386,137  —    (3,386,137

    - Other Reserves

         —      —      —      —     —      57,463    16,135,469    (16,192,932  —     —     —      —     —     —     —     —    78,230  21,966,922  (22,045,152  —     —     —   

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                         —               

    Net Loss for the Year

      43   —      —      —      —     —      —      —      (5,331,559  (5,331,559  (559,465  (5,891,024 43   —     —     —     —     —     —     —    (7,258,414 (7,258,414 (761,659 (8,020,073

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Year

         —      —      —      (134,580  —      —      —      —     (134,580  —     (134,580   —     —     —    (183,218  —     —     —     —    (183,218  —    (183,218
        

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.18

         1,426,765    10,951,132    41,243,535    2,160   —      952,238    66,238,939    (28,322,804  92,491,965   2,649,815   95,141,780    1,426,765   10,951,132   60,622,637   2,941   —     1,296,382   90,178,080   (38,558,827  125,919,110   3,607,470   129,526,580 
        

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     
    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)CASH FLOWS

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 20192020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019,2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

     

          Capital
    Stock
       Paid-in
    Capital
           Other Comprehensive
    Income
       Profit Reserves             

    Changes

      Notes  Outstanding   Share
    Premium
       Equity
    Adjustments
       Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
      Other   Legal
    Reserve
       Others
    Reserves
      Retained
    Earnings
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company’s
    owners
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to  Non-
    Controlling
    Interests
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 01.01.17

         1,300,265    219,596    278,131    —     —      315,679    12,221,152   6,017,877   20,352,700   —     20,352,700 

    Impact of first-time adoption of IFRS

         —      —      25,698,161    805,499   —      579,096    22,418,994   (3,778,345  45,723,405   4,183,580   49,906,985 

    Balances as of 01.01.17

         1,300,265    219,596    25,976,292    805,499   —      894,775    34,640,146   2,239,532   66,076,105   4,183,580   70,259,685 

    Disposal of Equity Interest in Tarjeta del Mar S.A.

         —      —      —      —     —      —      —     —     —     (141,327  (141,327

    Purchase ofNon-controlling Interests

      50   —      —      —      —     —      —      (2,098,970  —     (2,098,970  (8,750  (2,107,720

    Dividends Distribution from Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

      50   —      —      —      —     —      —      —     —     —     (234,894  (234,894
    Distribution of
    Profits
                                              

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —      —      —      —     —      —      —     (624,290  (624,290  —     (624,290

    - Other Reserves

         —      —      —      —     —      —      16,377,058   (16,377,058  —     —     —   

    Capital Increase

         126,500    10,731,536    15,267,243    —     —      —      —     —     26,125,279   —     26,125,279 

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                       

    Net Income for the Year

      43   —      —      —      —     —      —      —     10,450,740   10,450,740   744,801   11,195,541 

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Year

         —      —      —      (668,759  —      —      —     —     (668,759  —     (668,759
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.17

         1,426,765    10,951,132    41,243,535    136,740   —      894,775    48,918,234   (4,311,076  99,260,105   4,543,410   103,803,515 
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     
    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2019 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

    Items

      Notes   12.31.19  12.31.18  12.31.17 

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

          

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operation

         36,857,611   5,190,996   22,949,547 

    Adjustment to Obtain the Operating Activities Flows:

          

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

         22,203,274   25,074,262   11,220,314 

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

         5,064,576   2,541,273   2,214,325 

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

         30,798,238   27,787,774   10,496,441 

    Other Operations

         42,150,670   (27,980,614  8,083,355 

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Assets:

          

    Debt securities measured at fair value through profit or loss

         1,400,612   18,379,932   (5,383,338

    Derivative Financial Instruments

         417,819   (1,553,655  (840,290

    Repo Transactions

         (3,060,443  461,265   (2,141,780

    Other Financial Assets

         2,011,201   2,418,304   (6,278,465

    Net Loans and Other Financing

          

    -Non-financial Public Sector

         13,140   (4,992  37,705 

    - Other Financial Institutions

         (788,373  5,570,160   (5,895,179

    -Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         53,239,351   (21,299,981  (67,534,701

    Other Debt Securities

         3,169,363   (15,754,896  (1,536,299

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

         5,090,222   (2,262,419  1,151,905 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

         (4,306,700  (75,579  115,701 

    OtherNon-financial Assets

         (1,622,985  (1,736,682  (2,625,493

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

         896,316   15,771,013   90,801 

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Liabilities:

          

    Deposits

          

    -Non-financial Public Sector

         (11,249,347  10,538,444   (1,024,969

    - Financial Sector

         (643,948  833,341   83,092 

    -Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         (148,317,590  86,665,483   30,615,828 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

         (1,877,031  3,299,188   —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

         (1,942,940  1,522,107   855,225 

    Other Financial Liabilities

         (29,681,420  12,128,517   (2,682,801

    Provisions

         517,438   849,252   289,278 

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

         (805,307  (15,019,196  4,088,838 

    Income Tax Collections/Payments

         (10,102,682  (11,415,284  (10,158,748
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (A)

         (10,568,935  121,928,013   (13,809,708
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

          

    Payments:

          

    Purchase of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

         (7,897,101)   (5,673,271  (5,014,929

    Purchase ofNon-controlling Interests

       50    —     —     (2,249,045

    Collections:

          

    Sale of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

         2,679,732   156,424   1,309,202 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET CASH USED IN INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES (B)

         (5,217,369  (5,516,847  (5,954,772
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

          

    Payments:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

         (16,883,724  —     (2,412,654

    Subordinated Debt Securities

         —     —     (557,008

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

         (7,190,606  —     (1,691,806

    Dividends

       42    (2,660,800  (2,636,131  (859,184

    Leases payment

         (1,000,344  —     —   

    Collections:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

         —     14,928,649   —   

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

         —     12,041,577   —   

    Subordinated Debt Securities

         473,057   4,060,434   —   

    Capital increase

       50    132,203   —     26,125,279 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (C)

         (27,130,214  28,394,529   20,604,627 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    EXCHANGE INCOME ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (D)

         51,075,864   69,162,423   10,970,172 

    NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (A+B+C+D)

         8,159,346   213,968,118   11,810,319 

    MONETARY LOSS RELATED TO CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

         (123,499,266  (69,503,742  (29,777,542

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

       5    347,458,867   202,994,491   220,961,714 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE YEAR

       5    232,118,947   347,458,867   202,994,491 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20  12.31.19  12.31.18 

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

          

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

         43,377,652   50,178,167   7,067,054 

    Adjustment to Obtain the Operating Activities Flows:

          

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

         34,679,749   30,227,668   34,136,247 

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

         8,284,286   6,894,944   3,459,704 

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

         36,963,213   41,928,902   37,830,439 

    Other Operations

         33,809,461   45,546,783   (15,845,824

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Assets:

          

    Debt securities measured at fair value through profit or loss

         (16,816,890  1,906,801   25,022,547 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

         1,005,783   568,821   (2,115,155

    Repo Transactions

         (45,899  (4,166,505  627,969 

    Other Financial Assets

         762,783   2,738,061   3,292,293 

    Net Loans and Other Financing

          

    - Non-financial Public Sector

         11,292   17,889   (6,796

    - Other Financial Institutions

         (2,768,659  (1,073,296  7,583,249 

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         (70,129,963  72,480,365   (28,997,919

    Other Debt Securities

         2,823,060   4,314,789   (21,448,808

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

         (2,992,408  6,929,858   (3,080,071

    Investments in Equity Instruments

         309,477   (5,863,167  (102,894

    Other Non-financial Assets

         871,701   (2,209,541  (2,364,329

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

         23,778   1,220,250   21,470,750 

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Liabilities:

          

    Deposits

          

    - Non-financial Public Sector

         18,905,690   (15,314,927  14,347,100 

    - Financial Sector

         1,333,223   (876,675  1,134,515 

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         120,123,123   (201,920,439  117,986,898 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

         (1,936,133  (2,555,401  4,491,534 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

         (1,142,083  (2,645,130  2,072,205 

    Other Financial Liabilities

         1,297,568   (40,408,460  16,511,834 

    Provisions

         36,561   704,443   1,156,177 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

         44,060   (1,096,350  (20,447,222

    Income Tax Collections/Payments

         (25,076,419)   (13,753,851  (15,540,835
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (A)

         183,754,006   (26,226,001  188,240,662 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

          

    Payments:

          

    Purchase of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

         (7,123,954)   (10,751,158  (7,723,624

    Interests in Associates and other companies

         (102,290  —     —   

    Collections:

          

    Sale of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

         264,603   3,648,203   212,957 

    Dividends earned

         179,298   —     —   

    NET CASH USED IN INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES (B)

         (6,782,343  (7,102,955  (7,510,667

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

          

    Payments:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

         (27,839,122  (20,826,089  (2,851,195

    Subordinated Debt Securities

         —     —     —   

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

         (35,157,119  (70,418,814  (25,579,255

    Dividends

       42    (2,036,403  (3,622,432  (3,588,846

    Leases payment

         (1,333,090  (1,361,874  —   

    Collections:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

         11,728,016   7,726,304   23,558,089 

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

         19,531,578   63,225,074   24,870,537 

    Capital increase

       50    —     179,986   —   
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (C)

         (35,106,140)   (25,097,845  16,409,330 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    EXCHANGE INCOME ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (D)

         32,805,838   69,534,981   94,158,129 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (A+B+C+D)

         174,671,361   11,108,180   291,297,454 

    MONETARY LOSS RELATED TO CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

         (111,859,585  (168,132,627  (94,622,803
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

       5    316,008,097   473,032,544   276,357,893 

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE YEAR

       5    378,819,873   316,008,097   473,032,544 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 20192020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019,2020, PRESENTED IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.) and Thousands of U.S. Dollars (USD), Except as Otherwise Stated

    NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS FOR PREPARATION

     

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. (hereinafter, “the Company”, and jointly with its subsidiaries, “the Group”) is a financial services holding company incorporated in September 14, 1999 under the laws of Argentina. The Company’s main asset is its interest in Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. (hereinafter, “Banco Galicia” or “the Bank”) which is a private bank offering a wide range of financial services, both to individuals and companies. Likewise, the Company has a controlling interest inin: Tarjetas Regionales S.A. which maintains investments related to the issuance of, through it we provide proprietary brand credit cards, consumer finance and supplementary services;digital banking services to non-banked populations of Argentina; Sudamericana Holding S.A., a company engaged in the insurance business; Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A., a mutual fund management company; Galicia Warrants S.A., a warrant issuing company; and IGAM LLC, a company engaged in assets management.management; and Galicia Securities S.A. a settlement and compensation agent.

    These consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for publication through Minutes of Board of Directors’ Meeting No. 608631 dated April 28, 2020.23, 2021.

    1.1.

    1.1. BASIS FOR PREPARATION

    These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance and in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee (IFRIC). All the IFRSs in force as of the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements have been applied.

    In Argentina, the Group is subject to the provisions of Article 2, Section I, Chapter I of Title IV: Periodic Information Regime of the National Securities Commission (CNV) regulations and it is required to present its financial statements in accordance with the valuation and disclosure criteria set forth by the Argentine Central Bank.

    The Argentine Central Bank, through Communications “A” 5541 and its amendments, established a convergence plan towards the adoption of IFRS as issued by the IASB, and the interpretations issued by the IFRIC, for the entities under its supervision, effective for fiscal years commencing January 1, 2018 with the exception of the application of item 5.5 (impairment) of IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” and IAS 29 “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies”, both temporarily waived until January 1, 2020.certain exceptions.

    Additionally, the Superintendence of Financial Institutions has established that the shareholding in Prisma Medios de Pago SA, which is recognized at fair value under IFRS cannot exceed the proportion received in cash at the time of its sale. The Group has presented its local financial statements under these rules on February 20, 2020.March 9, 2021. Shareholders’ equity under the rules of the Argentine Central Bank is presented in Note 53.52.8.

    It has been concluded that these consolidated financial statements fairly present the Group’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows, in accordance with IFRS.

    The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Groups´ accounting policies.

    The areas involving a greater degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant for the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 2.

     

    (a)

    Going Concern

    As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, there are no uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt upon the Group´s ability to continue as a going concern.

     

    (b)

    Measurement Unit

    IAS 29 “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies” requires that the financial statements of an entity whose functional currency is that of a hyperinflationary economy be restated in terms of the current measurement unit as of the reportingperiod-end, irrespective of whether they are based on the historical cost or the current cost method. Accordingly, in general terms,non-monetary items should be adjusted for inflation occurring since the acquisition date or since the revaluation date, as the case may be. These requirements are also applicable to the comparative information reported in the financial statements. According to IAS 29, monetary assets and liabilities are not required to be restated, for they are stated in the measurement unit as of the end of the reporting period. Assets and liabilities subject to adjustments based on specific agreements will be adjusted on the basis of such agreements.Non-monetary items measured at their fair values at the end of the reporting period, such as net realizable value or otherwise, will not be restated. The othernon-monetary assets and liabilities will be restated by applying a general price index. The income (loss) from the net monetary position will be charged to net income for the reporting period in a separate item.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    In order to conclude whether a given economy qualifies as hyperinflationary pursuant to the terms of IAS 29, the standard sets forth certain factors that should be considered, including a three-year cumulative inflation rate reaching or exceeding 100%.

    In this regard, the Argentine Federation of Professional Councils in Economic Sciences (FACPCE) through Resolution J.G.539/18 and the Professional Council in Economic Sciences of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CPCECABA) through Resolution C.D. 107/2018 have pointed out that, effective for fiscal years ending on July 1, 2018 and thereafter, entities reporting under IFRS will be required to apply IAS 29 since the conditions for such application have been satisfied. In addition, Law No. 27468 enacted in November 2018 abrogated the prohibition to present the financial statements adjusted for inflation, as established by Decree 664/2003, entrusting each regulatory agency with its application. In this regard, on December 26, 2018, the CNV issued General Resolution No. 777/2018 authorizing the issuing entities to present accounting information in constant currency for annual financial statements for interim and special periods ending on December 31, 2018 and thereafter, except for financial institutions and insurance companies.

    On February 22, 2019, through Communiqué “A” 6651, the Argentine Central Bank established that entities subject to its control shall restate the financial statements into constant currency for the fiscal years commencing January 1, 2020. However, theThe Group has applied IAS 29, Financial Reporting in hyperinflationary Economy, in preparing these consolidated financial statements in order for them to comply with IFRS.all presented years.

     

    (c)

    New Accounting Standards

    Definition of “Business” - Amendment to IFRS 16 “Leases”:3: In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16 “Leases”The new definition of Business includes a comprehensive set of activities and assets that establishes the new principles for recognizing, measuring, presentingcan be directed and disclosing information on leases. Under IFRS 16, a contract is, or contains, a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time, in exchange for a consideration. In that case, it requires the lessee to recognize a liabilitymanaged for the present valuepurpose of providing goods or services to customers, generating investment income (such as dividends or interest) or generating other income from ordinary activities. Yields such as lower costs and other economic benefits are excluded from the agreed future payments, discounted at the implicit interest rate of the contract or if that rate cannot be readily determined, at the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate and an asset for the right of use of the underlying asset. above definition.

    This criterion must be applied to all lease contracts, and its application is optional for agreements whose terms do not exceed 12 months and do not contain a bargain purchase option, and where the leased assets are considered of low value. For the accounting of the lessors, the classification established in IAS 17 in Operating and Finance leases is maintained. This standardamendment is effective for annual periods commencing on or after January 1, 2019.

    The Group had to change its accounting policies as a consequence of adopting IFRS 16. The Group decided to adopt the new standards retrospectively from 1 January 2019 but has not restated comparatives for the 2018 reporting period, as permitted under the specific transition provisions in the standard. The cumulative effect of the initial application of the new standard are therefore recognized as of January 1, 2019 (See Note 16).

    IFRIC 23 “Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments”: this interpretation clarifies how to recognize, and measure deferred and current income tax assets and liabilities where there is uncertainty over the tax treatment. This standard was published in June 2017 and applies to financial reporting periods commencing as of January 1, 2019. Its application did2020. The Group does not have any significant impact on the Group.

    Prepayments features with negative compensation – Amendments to IFRS 9:consider that this amendment to IFRS 9 enable entities to measure certain prepayable financial assets with negative compensation at amortized cost. These assets, which include some loans and debt securities, would otherwise have to be measured at fair value through profit or loss. To qualify for amortized cost measurement, the negative compensation must be a “reasonable compensation for early termination of the contract” and the asset must be held within “held to collect”. This standard is effective for annual periods commencing on or after January 1, 2019. Its application did not have any significanthas an impact, on the Group.

    Long-term interests in Associates and Joint Ventures – Amendments to IAS 28: The amendments clarify accounting for long-term interests in associates and joint ventures for which the equity accounting does not apply. The entities must account for such interests under IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” before applying the loss allocation and impairment requirements in IAS 28 “Investments in associates and joint ventures”. This standard is effective for financial reporting periods commencing on or after January 1, 2019. Its application did not have any significant impact on the Group.

    Annual Improvements to IFRS 2015–2017 Cycle:The following improvements were finalized in December 2017, being effective for financial reporting periods commencing on or after January 1, 2019.

    IFRS 3: It was clarified that obtaining control of a business that is a joint operationunless there is a business combination achieved in stages.

    combination.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    IFRS 11: It was clarified that the party obtaining joint control of a business that is a joint operation should not remeasure its previously held interest in the joint operation.

    IAS 12: It was clarified that income tax consequences of dividends on financial instruments classified as equity should be recognized according to where the past transactions or events that generated distributable profits were recognized.

    IAS 23: It was clarified that, if a specific borrowing remains outstanding after the related qualifying asset is ready for its intended use or sale, it becomes part of general borrowings.

    The application of this standard did not have any significant impact.

    (d)

    Changes in Accounting Policies

    As indicated in Note 1.1. (c), the Group has adopted IFRS 16 “Leases” retrospectively from January 1, 2019. The new accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1.12.

    Following the adoption of IFRS 16, the Group recognized lease liabilities related to leases that had previously been classified as operating leases under the principles of IAS 17. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019. The weighted average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to lease liabilities on January 1, 2019 was 37.94% for contracts in Argentine pesos and 8.60% for contracts in foreign currency.

    (i)

    Practical expedients applied

    In applying IFRS 16 for the first time, the Group has used the following practical expedients permitted by the standard:

    the use of a single discount rate, in a lease portfolio with reasonably similar characteristics;

    relying on previous assessments on whether leases are onerous as an alternative to performing, an impairment test: the Group did not have any onerous contracts as of January 1, 2019;

    accounting for operating leases with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months and that do not include a bargain purchase option as of January 1, 2019, as short-term leases;

    excluding initial direct costs for the measurement of theright-of-use asset as of the date of initial application; and

    using hindsight in determining the lease term where the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease.

    The Group has also elected not to reassess whether a contract is or contains a lease at the date of initial application. Instead, for contracts entered into before the transition date, the Group relied on its the assessment made under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 “Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease”.

    (ii)

    Measurement of Lease Liabilities as of the date of initial application:

    01.01.19

    Operating leases commitments disclosed as of December 31, 2018

    6,781,048

    Discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate as of the date of initial application

    4,461,031

    Lease Liabilities recognized as of January 1, 2019

    4,461,031

    (iii)

    Measurement ofright-of-use assets

    Right-of-use assets were measured for an amount equal to lease liabilities.

    (iv)

    Adjustments recognized in the Statement of Financial Position as of January 1, 2019

    The change in the accounting policy affected the following items in the Statement of Financial Position as of January 1, 2019:

    Right-of-use Assets (include under Property, Plant & Equipment)—Increase of Ps.4,461,031.

    Deferred Tax Assets – Increase of Ps.1,338,310.

    Lease Liabilities – Increase of Ps.4,461,031.

    (e)

    New accounting standards and amendments issued by IASB that have not been adopted by the Group

    The new standards, amendments and interpretations published are detailed below; however, they have not yet come into force for financial reporting periods commenced January 1, 2019 and have not been early adopted.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts”: On May 18, 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts,” establishing a comprehensive accounting framework based on measurement and disclosure principles for insurance contracts. The new standard supersedes IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts,” and requires entities to measure an insurance contract at initial recognition at the total of the fulfilment cash flows (comprising the estimated future cash flows, an adjustment to reflect the time value of money and an explicit risk adjustment fornon-financial risk) and the contractual service margin. The fulfilment cash flows are remeasured on a current basis each reporting period. The unearned profit (contractual service margin) is recognized over the coverage period. Entities are required to apply IFRS 17 for fiscal years commencing on or after January 1, 2021. The Group is evaluating the impact of adopting this new standard.

    Definition of “Material” - Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: The IASB has amended IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates, and Errors” clarifying when information is material.

    In particular, the amendments clarify:

     

    The reference to obscuring information addresses situations where the effect is similar to omitting or misstating such information, and that an entity assesses materiality in the context of the financial statements as a whole; and

     

    the meaning of “primary users of general-purpose Financial Statements” to whom those Financial Statements are addressed, by defining them as “existing and potential investors, lenders and other creditors”, that must rely on general purpose Financial Statements for much of the financial information they need.

    This amendment is effective as of January 1, 2020 and isthe Group does not expectedconsider that this amendment has a significant impact on its financial statements.

    Amendments to havethe Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting: The IASB has issued a new Conceptual Framework. It should be noted that the aforementioned amendment will not imply changes to any significant impact.

    Definition of “Business”—Amendmentthe current accounting standards. However, the Entities that use the Conceptual Framework to IFRS 3: Thedefine the accounting standards for those transactions, events or situations not contemplated in the current accounting standards must apply the new definition of Business includes a comprehensive set of activities and assets that can be directed and managed for the purpose of providing goods or services to customers, generating investment income (such as dividends or interest) or generating other income from ordinary activities. Yields such as lower costs and other economic benefits are excluded from the above definition.

    This amendment is effectiveConceptual Framework as of January 1, 2020, and isevaluate whether their accounting standards continue to be adequate.

    The Group does not expected toconsider that these amendments have anya significant impact.impact on its financial statements.

    Reform to the interest rate benchmark—benchmark - Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7: These amendments provide some reliefs regarding the reform to the interest rate benchmark such as LIBOR and other rates offered in the interbank market. Reliefs are related to hedge accounting and to the fact that the mentioned reform should not cause the end of hedge accounting, considering the IFRS currently in force. However, hedge ineffectiveness must continue to be recorded in the Statement of Income. These amendments are effective as of January 1, 2020. These2020 and the Group does not consider that these amendments have an impact given that the Group does not apply hedge accounting on its current financial statements.

    (d)

    New accounting standards and amendments issued by IASB that have not been adopted by the Group

    The new standards, amendments and interpretations published are detailed below; however, they have not yet come into force for financial reporting periods commenced January 1, 2020 and have not been early adopted.

    Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture - Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28. The IASB made limited amendments to IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Institutions” and to IAS 28

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”. The amendments clarify the accounting of sales or contributions of assets between the investor and its associates or joint ventures. This confirms that the accounting treatment depends of whether the non-monetary assets sold or contributed to the associate or joint venture are a “business” (such as defined in IFRS 3) or not. When the non-monetary assets constitute a business, the investor will recognize the profit or loss from the sale or contribution of the assets. When the assets do not constitute a business, the profit or loss is recognized by the investor only up to the amount recognized by the other investor in the associate or joint venture. The amendments are not expected to have any significant impact.be prospectively applied. The IASB has decided to defer the application date of this amendment until it concludes its research project on the equity method. The Group is evaluating the impact of adopting this new standard.

    IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts”: On May 18, 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts,” establishing a comprehensive accounting framework based on measurement and disclosure principles for insurance contracts. The new standard supersedes IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts,” and requires entities to measure an insurance contract at initial recognition at the total of the fulfilment cash flows (comprising the estimated future cash flows, an adjustment to reflect the time value of money and an explicit risk adjustment for non-financial risk) and the contractual service margin. The fulfilment cash flows are remeasured on a current basis each reporting period. The unearned profit (contractual service margin) is recognized over the coverage period. Entities are required to apply IFRS 17 for fiscal years commencing on or after January 1, 2023.The Group is evaluating the impact of adopting this new standard.

    There are no other IFRS or IFRIC interpretations that are not effective and that are expected to have a significant impact on the Group.

     

    1.2.

    CONSOLIDATION

    Subsidiaries are those entities, including structured entities, where the Group is in control because (i) it has the power to direct relevant activities of the investee, which significantly affect its returns; (ii) it has exposure, or rights, to variable returns for its interest in the investee; and (iii) it has the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor’s returns. The existence and effect of the substantive rights, including potential voting rights, are considered when evaluating whether the Group has control over another entity. For a right to be substantive, the holder must have the practical ability to exercise it whenever necessary to make decisions on the direction of the relevant activities of the entity. The Group may be in control of an entity even when possessing less than the majority of the voting rights.

    Likewise, the protective rights of other investors, such as those related to substantive changes in the activities of the investee or applied only in exceptional circumstances, do not prevent the Group from having control over an investee. The subsidiaries are consolidated from the date the control is transferred to the Group, and they cease to be consolidated as of the date on which the control ceases.

    The subsidiaries which have been consolidated in these Consolidated Financial Statements are detailed in Note 15.

    For the purpose of consolidating its financial statements, the Group used the subsidiaries’ financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.2020. The accounting policies applied by Sudamericana Holding S.A.SA. are established by the National Insurance Superintendency and have been adjusted to those applied by the Group in preparing its consolidated financial statements.

    Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between Group’s companies were eliminated. (See Note 51).

    Non-controlling interest in the results and equity of consolidated subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated statement of income, consolidated statement of other comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in shareholder’s equity and consolidated statement of financial position, respectively.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    In accordance with the provisions of IFRS 3 “Business combinations”, the acquisition method is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries. The identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured at their fair values on the acquisition date.

    Goodwill is measured as the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the amount of anynon-controlling interest in the acquiree and, in a business combination achieved in stages, the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree; over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.

    The consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at the fair value of the assets transferred by the acquirer, the liabilities assumed by the acquirer with the previous owners of the investee, and the equity instruments issued by the acquirer. The transaction costs are recognized as expenses in the periods in which the costs have been incurred and the services have been received, except for the transaction costs incurred to issue equity instruments that are deducted from equity, and the transaction costs incurred to issue debt that are deducted from their carrying amount.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    1.3.

    TRANSACTIONS WITHNON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

    The Group treats transactions withnon-controlling interests that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity owners of the Group. A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment between the carrying amounts of the controlling andnon-controlling interests to reflect their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment tonon-controlling interests and any consideration paid or received is recognized within equity attributable to owners of the Group.

     

    1.4.

    ASSOCIATES

    Associates are entities over which the Group has significant direct or indirect influence, but not control; generally, this implies holding between 20 and 50 percent of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognized at cost. The carrying amount of the associates includes the goodwill identified in the acquisition less the accumulated impairment losses, if any. Dividends received from associates reduce the carrying amount of the investment. Other changes subsequent to the acquisition of the Group’s interest in the net assets of an associate are recognized as follows: (i) the Group’s interest in the profits or losses of the associates is accounted under Share of Profit from Associates and Joint Ventures in the consolidated statement of income and (ii) the Group’s interest in other comprehensive income is recognized in the consolidated statement of other comprehensive income and presented separately. However, when the Group’s share in losses in an associate equal or exceeds its interest in it, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

    Unrealized profits on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates; unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of impairment in the transferred assetasset.

     

    1.5.

    SEGMENT REPORTING

    An operating segment is a component of an entity (a) that conducts business activities from which it can earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses related to transactions with other components of the same entity); (b) whose operating income is regularly reviewed by the Group´s CODM (chief operating decision maker) to make decisions about the resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and (c) for which confidential financial information is available.

    Segment reporting is presented consistently with the internal reports submitted to the Board of Directors (CODM of the Group), which is responsible for making the Group’s strategic decisions, allocating resources and assessing the performance of the operating segments.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    1.6.

    FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

     

    (a)

    Functional Currency and Presentation Currency

    The figures included in the consolidated financial statements for of the Group´s entities are stated in their functional currency, that is, the currency used in the primary economic environment where it operates. The consolidated financial statements are stated in Argentine pesos (Ps.), which is the Group’s functional and presentation currency. (See Note 1.1).

     

    (b)

    Transactions and Balances

    The transactions in foreign currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate at the dates of the transactions. Profits and losses in foreign currency resulting from the settlement of these transactions and the translation of monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currency at closing exchange rate, are recognized under “Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency” in the statement of income, except when they are deferred in equity by transactions which qualify as cash flows hedges, if appropriate.

    Assets and liabilities in foreign currency are measured at the reference exchange rate of the US dollar defined by the Argentine Central Bank at the closing of operations on the last business day of each month.

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018,2019, balances in U.S. Dollars were translated at the reference exchange rate (Ps.59.895(Ps.84.145 and Ps.37.8083,Ps. 59.895, respectively) established by the Argentine Central Bank. Foreign currencies other than the US dollar have been translated into this currency using exchange rates reported by the Argentine Central Bank.

     

    1.7.

    CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

    The item Cash and Due from Banks includes the available cash and bank deposits freely available, which are liquid short-term instruments with maturity less than three months from the origination date.

    The assets disclosed under cash and due from banks are accounted for at their amortized cost which approximates its fair value.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    1.8.

    FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    Initial Recognition

    The Group recognizes a financial asset or liability in its consolidated financial statements, as appropriate, when it becomes part of the contractual clauses of the financial instrument. Purchases and sales are recognized at the trading date when the Group buys or sells the instruments.

    Upon initial recognition, the Group measures financial assets or liabilities at fair value, plus or less, for instruments not recognized at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, such as fees and commissions.

    When the fair value differs from the cost value of the initial recognition, the Group recognizes the difference as follows:

    a.

    When the fair value is according to the market value of the financial asset or liability or is based on a valuation technique solely using market values, the difference is recognized as profit or loss, as appropriate.

    b.

    In other cases, the difference is deferred and the recognition over time of the profit and loss is individually determined. The difference is amortized over the life of the instrument until the fair value can be measured based on market values.

    Financial Assets

     

    a.

    Debt Securities

    The Group considers as debt securities those instruments considered financial liabilities for the issuer, such as loans, government and private securities, bonds and customer accounts receivable.

    Classification

    As established by IFRS 9, the Group classifies financial assets according to how they are subsequently measured: at amortized cost, at fair value through other comprehensive income, or at fair value through profit or loss, based on:

     

    the Group’s business model to manage financial assets; and

     

    the characteristics of contractual cash flows of the financial asset.

    Business Model

    The Business Model refers to the way in which the Group manages a set of financial assets to reach a specific business objective. It represents the way the Group manages its financial instruments to generate cash flows.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Business models that the Group can follow are listed below:

     

    Hold the instruments to collect its contractual cash flows;

     

    Hold the instruments in the portfolio to collect contractual cash flows and, in turn, sell them when deemed convenient; or;

     

    Hold the instruments for trading.

    The Group’s Business Model does not depend on the intentions that it may have for an individual instrument. Therefore, this condition is not aninstrument-by-instrument classification approach, but it is determined from a higher level of aggregation.

    The Group only reclassifies an instrument when, and only when, the business model for managing financial assets is modified. The reclassification is performed from the commencement of the period where the change takes place. Such change is not expected to be frequent, and changes have not been recorded during this fiscal year.

    Characteristics of Contractual Cash Flows

    The Group assesses whether the cash flow of grouped instruments is not significantly different from the flow that would receive solely for interest; otherwise, they shall be measured at fair value through profit or loss.

    Based on the foregoing, there are three categories of Financial Assets:

     

    (i)

    Financial assets measured at amortized cost:

    Financial assets are measured at amortized cost when:

     

    (a)

    the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets to collect contractual cash flows; and

     

    (b)

    the contractual conditions of the financial asset give rise, on specified dates, to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the outstanding principal amount.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    These financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value plus the incremental and directly attributable transaction costs and are subsequently measured at amortized cost.

    The amortized cost of a financial asset is equal to its acquisition cost less its accumulated amortization plus accrued interest (calculated according to the effective interest method), net of any impairment loss.

     

    (ii)

    Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income:

    Financial assets are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income when:

     

    (a)

    the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets; and

     

    (b)

    the contractual conditions of the financial asset give rise, on specified dates, to cash flows which are solely payments of principal and interest on the outstanding principal amount.

    These instruments are initially recognized at their fair value plus the incremental and directly attributable transaction costs and are subsequently measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. Profits and losses arising from the changes in fair value are included in other comprehensive income within a separate equity component. Impairment losses or reversals, income for interest and exchange profits and losses are recognized through profit or loss. Upon its sale or disposal, the accumulated profit or loss previously recognized through other comprehensive income is reclassified to the statement of income.

     

    (iii)

    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:

    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are the following:

     

    Instruments held for trading;

     

    Instruments specifically designated at fair value through profit or loss; and

     

    Instruments whose contractual terms do not represent cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the outstanding principal amount.

    These financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value and any fair value measurement is recognized in the statement of income.

    The Group classifies a financial instrument as held for trading if it is acquired or incurred for the main purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the short term, or if it is part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are jointly managed and for which there is evidence of short-term earnings, or is a derivative financial instrument not designated as a hedging instrument. Derivative instruments andheld-for-trading securities are classified as held for trading and measured at fair value.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Additionally, financial assets can be valued at fair value through profit or loss when, by doing so, the Group eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency.mismatch.

     

    b.

    Equity Instruments

    Equity instruments are so considered by its issuer; this means that they are instruments which do not contemplate a contractual obligation to pay cash, and which evidence a residual interest on the issuer’s asset after deducting its entire liabilities.

    Such instruments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except when, at the time of the initial recognition, the irrevocable option had been exercised to measure them at fair value through Other Comprehensive Income. This method is only applicable when the instruments are not held for trading and income shall be accounted in other comprehensive income with no reclassification to profit or loss, even when they are realized. Dividends receivable arising from such instruments shall be recognized through profit or loss solely when the Group is entitled to collect the payment.

    Financial Liabilities

    Classification

    The Group classifies their financial liabilities at amortized cost, using the effective interest rate method, except for:

     

    Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss, including derivative financial instruments.

     

    Liabilities arising from the transfer of financial assets not complying with the derecognition criteria.

     

    Financial guarantee contracts.

     

    Loan commitments at a lower than market rate.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss: the Group may choose to use, at the beginning, the irrevocable option to designate a liability at fair value through profit or loss, if, and only if, in doing so, it reflects a better measurement of financial information because:

     

    the Group eliminates or significantly reduces measurement or recognition inconsistency which would otherwise be exposed in the valuation;

     

    if financial assets and liabilities or a group of financial assets or liabilities, are managed and their performance is assessed on a fair value basis, according to a documented investment or risk management strategy; or

     

    a host contract contains one or more embedded derivative instruments, and the Group has opted for designating the entire contract at fair value through profit or loss.

    Financial guarantee contracts: Financial guarantee contracts are those contracts requiring the issuer to make specific payments to reimburse the holder for the loss incurred when a specific debtor does not comply with its payment obligation on maturity, in accordance with the original or amended terms of a debt instrument.

    Financial guarantee contracts are initially measured at fair value, and subsequently measured at the higher of the amount of the loss allowance and the amount initially recognized less, when appropriate, the cumulative amount of income recognized.

    DerecognitionAssets for Insurance Contracts

    201,885,3901,608,517

    Other Non-financial Assets

    217,634,4278,782,988

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

    2229,32853,106

    Total Assets

    1,055,279,177933,269,606

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    F-4


    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Continued)

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

                                                                         

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20  12.31.19 

    Liabilities

         

    Deposits

       23    676,395,735   536,033,696 

    Non-financial Public Sector

         21,537,481   2,631,790 

    Financial Sector

         1,947,127   613,904 

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         652,911,127   532,788,002 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       24    —     1,936,133 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       7    57,450   1,199,533 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       25    97,471,465   97,153,624 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       26    13,833,439   30,936,161 

    Debt Securities

       27    17,073,898   39,808,666 

    Current Income Tax Liabilities

       41    15,227,474   14,042,235 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       28    21,653,546   21,100,718 

    Provisions

       29    3,776,297   3,739,734 

    Deferred Income Tax Liabilities

       19    136,934   3,020,554 

    Liabilities for Insurance Contracts

       20    2,060,976   1,999,408 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       30    25,258,228   23,239,327 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Liabilities

         872,945,442   774,209,789 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Shareholders’ Equity

       31    

    Capital Stock

         1,474,692   1,426,765 

    Paid-in capital

         17,281,187   10,951,132 

    Capital Adjustments

         61,548,313   60,622,637 

    Profit Reserves

         178,751,308   127,248,745 

    Retained Deficit

         (102,255,270  (77,955,542

    Other Comprehensive Income

         341,829   551,139 

    Income / (Loss) for the Year

       43    25,191,673   32,276,377 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to Parent Company´s Owners

         182,333,732   155,121,253 

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       50    3   3,938,564 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Shareholders’ Equity

         182,333,735   159,059,817 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

    FOR THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20  12.31.19  12.31.18 

    Interest Income

       32    166,806,678   177,671,454   163,927,492 

    Interest Expense

       32    (90,174,458  (130,254,081  (94,054,946

    Net Income from Interest

         76,632,220   47,417,373   69,872,546 

    Fee Income

       32    46,475,432   47,846,733   51,093,837 

    Fee related Expenses

       32    (9,917,873  (9,613,497  (6,337,505

    Net Fee Income

         36,557,559   38,233,236   44,756,332 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       32    69,331,902   99,151,496   36,341,509 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

         (3,129  298,801   464,175 

    Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency

       33    7,047,447   11,831,452   7,910,257 

    Other Operating Income

       34    22,322,631   28,769,432   21,862,980 

    Income from Insurance Business

       35    5,501,807   5,000,869   6,009,167 

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

       36    (34,679,749  (30,227,668  (34,136,247

    Net Operating Income

         182,710,688   200,474,991   153,080,719 

    Personnel Expenses

       37    (31,825,101  (33,284,961  (35,657,786

    Administrative Expenses

       38    (31,371,622  (33,105,199  (33,674,305

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

       39    (8,284,286  (6,894,944  (3,459,704

    Other Operating Expenses

       40    (30,763,761  (35,082,818  (35,391,431

    Loss on net monetary position

         (36,963,213  (41,928,902  (37,830,439

    Operating Income

         43,502,705   50,178,167   7,067,054 

    Share of profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

       15    (125,053  —     —   

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

         43,377,652   50,178,167   7,067,054 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

       41    (17,844,872  (17,750,682  (14,476,788

    Net Income / (Loss) from Continuing Operations

         25,532,780   32,427,485   (7,409,734

    Loss from Discontinued Operations

       22    —     —     (544,003

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

       41    —     —     (66,336
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year

         25,532,780   32,427,485   (8,020,073
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year Attributable to parent company´s owners

         25,191,673   32,276,377   (7,258,414

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       50    341,107   151,108   (761,659

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Earnings per Share

       43       

    Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to parent company´s owners

         25,191,673    32,276,377    (7,258,414

    Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to parent company´s owners Adjusted by dilution effects

         25,191,673    32,276,377    (7,258,414

    Weighted-Average of Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the Year

         1,442,740    1,426,765    1,426,765 

    Diluted Weighted-Average of Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the Year

         1,442,740    1,426,765    1,426,765 

    Basic Earnings per Share

         17.46    22.62    (5.09

    Diluted Earnings per Share

         17.46    22.62    (5.09

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

    FOR THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20  12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year

         25,532,780   32,427,485    (8,020,073

    Items of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) that may be Reclassified to Profit or Loss for the Year

           

    Income or Loss from Financial Instruments at Fair Value through OCI (Item 4.1.2a, IFRS 9)

           

    Income / (Loss) for the Year from Financial Instruments at Fair Value with Changes through OCI (*)

       32    (203,783  533,607    (183,218

    Other Comprehensive Income(*)

         (5,527  14,591    —   

    Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) that may be Reclassified to Profit or Loss for the Year

         (209,310  548,198    (183,218

    Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

         (209,310  548,198    (183,218
        

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss)

         25,323,470   32,975,683    (8,203,291
        

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable to Parent company´s owners

         24,982,363   32,824,575    (7,441,632

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       50    341,107   151,108    (761,659

    (*)

    Net of Financial InstrumentsIncome Tax.

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

          Capital
    Stock
       Paid-in
    Capital
           Other Comprehensive
    Income
      Profit Reserves             

    Changes

      Notes  Outstanding   Share
    Premium
       Equity
    Adjustments
       Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
      Other  Legal
    Reserve
       Others
    Reserves
      Retained
    Earnings
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company´s
    owners
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to Non-
    Controlling

    Interests
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 12.31.19

         1,426,765    10,951,132    60,622,637    536,548   14,591   1,296,382    125,952,363   (45,679,165  155,121,253   3,938,564   159,059,817 

    Dividends Distribution from Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

      50   —      —      —      —     —     —      —     —     —     (143,844  (143,844

    Distribution of Profits

                      

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —      —      —      —     —     —      (1,892,559  —     (1,892,559  —     (1,892,559

    - Other Reserves

         —      —      —      —     —     —      56,576,105   (56,576,105  —     —     —   

    Increase due to merger

      31   47,927    6,330,055    925,676    —     —     —      (3,180,983  —     4,122,675   (4,135,824  (13,149

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                      

    Net Income for the Year

      43   —      —      —      —     —     —      —     25,191,673   25,191,673   341,107   25,532,780 

    Other Comprehensive Income for the Year

         —      —      —      (203,783  (5,527  —      —     —     (209,310  —     (209,310
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.20

         1,474,692    17,281,187    61,548,313    332,765   9,064   1,296,382    177,454,926   (77,063,597  182,333,732   3   182,333,735 
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    F-8


    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

          Capital
    Stock
       Paid-in
    Capital
           Other Comprehensive
    Income
       Profit Reserves               

    Changes

      Notes  Outstanding   Share
    Premium
       Equity
    Adjustments
       Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
       Other   Legal
    Reserve
       Others
    Reserves
       Retained
    Earnings
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company´s
    owners
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to Non-
    Controlling

    Interests
       Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 12.31.18

         1,426,765    10,951,132    60,622,637    2,941    —      1,296,382    90,178,080    (38,558,827  125,919,110   3,607,470    129,526,580 

    Capital Contribution from Non-controlling Interest

      50   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —     —     179,986    179,986 

    Distribution of Profits

                          

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (3,622,432  (3,622,432  —      (3,622,432

    - Other Reserves

         —      —      —      —      —      —      35,774,283    (35,774,283  —     —      —   

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                          

    Net Income for the Year

      43   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      32,276,377   32,276,377   151,108    32,427,485 

    Other Comprehensive Income for the Year

         —      —      —      533,607    14,591    —      —      —     548,198   —      548,198 
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.19

         1,426,765    10,951,132    60,622,637    536,548    14,591    1,296,382    125,952,363    (45,679,165  155,121,253   3,938,564    159,059,817 
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    F-9


    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

         Capital
    Stock
      Paid-in
    Capital
         Other
    Comprehensive

    Income
      Profit Reserves             

    Changes

     Notes  Outstanding  Share
    Premium
      Equity
    Adjustments
      Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
      Other  Legal
    Reserve
      Others
    Reserves
      Retained
    Earnings
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company´s
    owners
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to Non-
    Controlling

    Interests
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 12.31.17

       1,426,765   10,951,132   60,622,637   186,159   -   1,218,152   66,597,571   (5,869,124  135,133,292   6,185,425   141,318,717 

    Purchase of Non-controlling Interests

      50   -   -   -   -   -   -   1,613,587   -   1,613,587   (1,613,587  - 

    Dividends Distribution from Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

      50   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (202,709  (202,709

    Distribution of Profits

                

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     (3,386,137  (3,386,137  —     (3,386,137

    - Other Reserves

       —     —     —     —     —     78,230   21,966,922   (22,045,152  —     —     —   

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                

    Net Loss for the Year

      43   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     (7,258,414  (7,258,414  (761,659  (8,020,073

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Year

       —     —     —     (183,218  —     —     —     —     (183,218  —     (183,218
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.18

       1,426,765   10,951,132   60,622,637   2,941   —     1,296,382   90,178,080   (38,558,827  125,919,110   3,607,470   129,526,580 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20  12.31.19  12.31.18 

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

          

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

         43,377,652   50,178,167   7,067,054 

    Adjustment to Obtain the Operating Activities Flows:

          

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

         34,679,749   30,227,668   34,136,247 

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

         8,284,286   6,894,944   3,459,704 

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

         36,963,213   41,928,902   37,830,439 

    Other Operations

         33,809,461   45,546,783   (15,845,824

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Assets:

          

    Debt securities measured at fair value through profit or loss

         (16,816,890  1,906,801   25,022,547 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

         1,005,783   568,821   (2,115,155

    Repo Transactions

         (45,899  (4,166,505  627,969 

    Other Financial Assets

         762,783   2,738,061   3,292,293 

    Net Loans and Other Financing

          

    - Non-financial Public Sector

         11,292   17,889   (6,796

    - Other Financial Institutions

         (2,768,659  (1,073,296  7,583,249 

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         (70,129,963  72,480,365   (28,997,919

    Other Debt Securities

         2,823,060   4,314,789   (21,448,808

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

         (2,992,408  6,929,858   (3,080,071

    Investments in Equity Instruments

         309,477   (5,863,167  (102,894

    Other Non-financial Assets

         871,701   (2,209,541  (2,364,329

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

         23,778   1,220,250   21,470,750 

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Liabilities:

          

    Deposits

          

    - Non-financial Public Sector

         18,905,690   (15,314,927  14,347,100 

    - Financial Sector

         1,333,223   (876,675  1,134,515 

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         120,123,123   (201,920,439  117,986,898 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

         (1,936,133  (2,555,401  4,491,534 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

         (1,142,083  (2,645,130  2,072,205 

    Other Financial Liabilities

         1,297,568   (40,408,460  16,511,834 

    Provisions

         36,561   704,443   1,156,177 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

         44,060   (1,096,350  (20,447,222

    Income Tax Collections/Payments

         (25,076,419)   (13,753,851  (15,540,835
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (A)

         183,754,006   (26,226,001  188,240,662 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

          

    Payments:

          

    Purchase of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

         (7,123,954)   (10,751,158  (7,723,624

    Interests in Associates and other companies

         (102,290  —     —   

    Collections:

          

    Sale of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

         264,603   3,648,203   212,957 

    Dividends earned

         179,298   —     —   

    NET CASH USED IN INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES (B)

         (6,782,343  (7,102,955  (7,510,667

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

          

    Payments:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

         (27,839,122  (20,826,089  (2,851,195

    Subordinated Debt Securities

         —     —     —   

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

         (35,157,119  (70,418,814  (25,579,255

    Dividends

       42    (2,036,403  (3,622,432  (3,588,846

    Leases payment

         (1,333,090  (1,361,874  —   

    Collections:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

         11,728,016   7,726,304   23,558,089 

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

         19,531,578   63,225,074   24,870,537 

    Capital increase

       50    —     179,986   —   
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (C)

         (35,106,140)   (25,097,845  16,409,330 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    EXCHANGE INCOME ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (D)

         32,805,838   69,534,981   94,158,129 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (A+B+C+D)

         174,671,361   11,108,180   291,297,454 

    MONETARY LOSS RELATED TO CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

         (111,859,585  (168,132,627  (94,622,803
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

       5    316,008,097   473,032,544   276,357,893 

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE YEAR

       5    378,819,873   316,008,097   473,032,544 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, PRESENTED IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.) and Thousands of U.S. Dollars (USD), Except as Otherwise Stated

    NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS FOR PREPARATION

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. (hereinafter, “the Company”, and jointly with its subsidiaries, “the Group”) is a financial services holding company incorporated in September 14, 1999 under the laws of Argentina. The Company’s main asset is its interest in Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. (hereinafter, “Banco Galicia” or “the Bank”) which is a private bank offering a wide range of financial services, both to individuals and companies. Likewise, the Company has a controlling interest in: Tarjetas Regionales S.A., through it we provide proprietary brand credit cards, consumer finance and digital banking services to non-banked populations of Argentina; Sudamericana Holding S.A., a company engaged in the insurance business; Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A., a mutual fund management company; Galicia Warrants S.A., a warrant issuing company; IGAM LLC, a company engaged in assets management; and Galicia Securities S.A. a settlement and compensation agent.

    These consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for publication through Minutes of Board of Directors’ Meeting No. 631 dated April 23, 2021.

    1.1. BASIS FOR PREPARATION

    These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance and in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee (IFRIC). All the IFRSs in force as of the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements have been applied.

    In Argentina, the Group is subject to the provisions of Article 2, Section I, Chapter I of Title IV: Periodic Information Regime of the National Securities Commission (CNV) regulations and it is required to present its financial statements in accordance with the valuation and disclosure criteria set forth by the Argentine Central Bank.

    The Argentine Central Bank, through Communications “A” 5541 and its amendments, established a convergence plan towards the adoption of IFRS as issued by the IASB, and the interpretations issued by the IFRIC, for the entities under its supervision, effective for fiscal years commencing January 1, 2018 with certain exceptions.

    The Group has presented its local financial statements under these rules on March 9, 2021. Shareholders’ equity under the rules of the Argentine Central Bank is presented in Note 52.8.

    It has been concluded that these consolidated financial statements fairly present the Group’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows, in accordance with IFRS.

    The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Groups´ accounting policies.

    The areas involving a greater degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant for the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 2.

    (a)

    Financial AssetsGoing Concern

    As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, there are no uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt upon the Group´s ability to continue as a going concern.

    (b)

    A financial asset or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or a part of a group of similar financial assets, is derecognized when: (i) the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or (ii) the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset, or has assumed an obligation to pay all of the cash flows received immediately to a third party under a pass-through agreement;Measurement Unit

    IAS 29 “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies” requires that the financial statements of an entity whose functional currency is that of a hyperinflationary economy be restated in terms of the current measurement unit as of the reporting period-end, irrespective of whether they are based on the historical cost or the current cost method. Accordingly, in general terms, non-monetary items should be adjusted for inflation occurring since the acquisition date or since the revaluation date, as the case may be. These requirements are also applicable to the comparative information reported in the financial statements. According to IAS 29, monetary assets and liabilities are not required to be restated, for they are stated in the measurement unit as of the end of the reporting period. Assets and liabilities subject to adjustments based on specific agreements will be adjusted on the basis of such agreements. Non-monetary items measured at their fair values at the end of the reporting period, such as net realizable value or otherwise, will not be restated. The other non-monetary assets and liabilities will be restated by applying a general price index. The income (loss) from the net monetary position will be charged to net income for the reporting period in a separate item.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    In order to conclude whether a given economy qualifies as hyperinflationary pursuant to the terms of IAS 29, the standard sets forth certain factors that should be considered, including a three-year cumulative inflation rate reaching or exceeding 100%.

    In this regard, the Argentine Federation of Professional Councils in Economic Sciences (FACPCE) through Resolution J.G.539/18 and the Professional Council in Economic Sciences of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CPCECABA) through Resolution C.D. 107/2018 have pointed out that, effective for fiscal years ending on July 1, 2018 and thereafter, entities reporting under IFRS will be required to apply IAS 29 since the conditions for such application have been satisfied. In addition, Law No. 27468 enacted in November 2018 abrogated the prohibition to present the financial statements adjusted for inflation, as established by Decree 664/2003, entrusting each regulatory agency with its application. In this regard, on December 26, 2018, the CNV issued General Resolution No. 777/2018 authorizing the issuing entities to present accounting information in constant currency for annual financial statements for interim and special periods ending on December 31, 2018 and thereafter, except for financial institutions and insurance companies.

    The Group has applied IAS 29, Financial Reporting in hyperinflationary Economy, in preparing these consolidated financial statements for all presented years.

    (c)

    New Accounting Standards

    Definition of “Business” - Amendment to IFRS 3: The new definition of Business includes a comprehensive set of activities and assets that can be directed and managed for the purpose of providing goods or services to customers, generating investment income (such as dividends or interest) or generating other income from ordinary activities. Yields such as lower costs and other economic benefits are excluded from the above definition.

    This amendment is effective as of January 1, 2020. The Group does not consider that this amendment has an impact, unless there is a business combination.

    Definition of “Material” - Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: The IASB has amended IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates, and Errors” clarifying when information is material.

    In particular, the amendments clarify:

    The reference to obscuring information addresses situations where the effect is similar to omitting or misstating such information, and that an entity assesses materiality in the context of the financial statements as a whole; and

    the meaning of “primary users of general-purpose Financial Statements” to whom those Financial Statements are addressed, by defining them as “existing and potential investors, lenders and other creditors”, that must rely on general purpose Financial Statements for much of the financial information they need.

    This amendment is effective as of January 1, 2020 and the Group does not consider that this amendment has a significant impact on its financial statements.

    Amendments to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting: The IASB has issued a new Conceptual Framework. It should be noted that the aforementioned amendment will not imply changes to any of the current accounting standards. However, the Entities that use the Conceptual Framework to define the accounting standards for those transactions, events or situations not contemplated in the current accounting standards must apply the new Conceptual Framework as of January 1, 2020, and evaluate whether their accounting standards continue to be adequate.

    The Group does not consider that these amendments have a significant impact on its financial statements.

    Reform to the interest rate benchmark - Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7: These amendments provide some reliefs regarding the reform to the interest rate benchmark such as LIBOR and other rates offered in the interbank market. Reliefs are related to hedge accounting and to the fact that the mentioned reform should not cause the end of hedge accounting, considering the IFRS currently in force. However, hedge ineffectiveness must continue to be recorded in the Statement of Income. These amendments are effective as of January 1, 2020 and the Group does not consider that these amendments have an impact given that the Group does not apply hedge accounting on its current financial statements.

    (d)

    New accounting standards and all the risks and rewards of the asset have also been substantially transferred, or, in case all the risks and rewards of the asset had not been substantially transferred or retained, the control of the asset has been transferred.

    When the contractual rights of receiving the cash flows generatedamendments issued by the asset have been transferred, or a transfer agreement has been executed, the entity assesses if it has retained, and to what extent, the risks and awards inherent in asset ownership. When substantially all the risks and rewards inherent in asset ownershipIASB that have not been transferred or retained, nor has control ofadopted by the asset been transferred, the asset continues to be recognized in accounting to the extent of its continued involvement over it.Group

    The new standards, amendments and interpretations published are detailed below; however, they have not yet come into force for financial reporting periods commenced January 1, 2020 and have not been early adopted.

    Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture - Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28. The IASB made limited amendments to IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Institutions” and to IAS 28

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”. The amendments clarify the accounting of sales or contributions of assets between the investor and its associates or joint ventures. This confirms that the accounting treatment depends of whether the non-monetary assets sold or contributed to the associate or joint venture are a “business” (such as defined in IFRS 3) or not. When the non-monetary assets constitute a business, the investor will recognize the profit or loss from the sale or contribution of the assets. When the assets do not constitute a business, the profit or loss is recognized by the investor only up to the amount recognized by the other investor in the associate or joint venture. The amendments are to be prospectively applied. The IASB has decided to defer the application date of this amendment until it concludes its research project on the equity method. The Group is evaluating the impact of adopting this new standard.

    IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts”: On May 18, 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts,” establishing a comprehensive accounting framework based on measurement and disclosure principles for insurance contracts. The new standard supersedes IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts,” and requires entities to measure an insurance contract at initial recognition at the total of the fulfilment cash flows (comprising the estimated future cash flows, an adjustment to reflect the time value of money and an explicit risk adjustment for non-financial risk) and the contractual service margin. The fulfilment cash flows are remeasured on a current basis each reporting period. The unearned profit (contractual service margin) is recognized over the coverage period. Entities are required to apply IFRS 17 for fiscal years commencing on or after January 1, 2023.The Group is evaluating the impact of adopting this new standard.

    There are no other IFRS or IFRIC interpretations that are not effective and that are expected to have a significant impact on the Group.

    1.2.

    In this case, the related liability is also recognized. The transferred asset and the related liability are measured in such a way so as to reflect the rights and obligations that the Group had retained.CONSOLIDATION

    Subsidiaries are those entities, including structured entities, where the Group is in control because (i) it has the power to direct relevant activities of the investee, which significantly affect its returns; (ii) it has exposure, or rights, to variable returns for its interest in the investee; and (iii) it has the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor’s returns. The existence and effect of the substantive rights, including potential voting rights, are considered when evaluating whether the Group has control over another entity. For a right to be substantive, the holder must have the practical ability to exercise it whenever necessary to make decisions on the direction of the relevant activities of the entity. The Group may be in control of an entity even when possessing less than the majority of the voting rights.

    Likewise, the protective rights of other investors, such as those related to substantive changes in the activities of the investee or applied only in exceptional circumstances, do not prevent the Group from having control over an investee. The subsidiaries are consolidated from the date the control is transferred to the Group, and they cease to be consolidated as of the date on which the control ceases.

    The subsidiaries which have been consolidated in these Consolidated Financial Statements are detailed in Note 15.

    For the purpose of consolidating its financial statements, the Group used the subsidiaries’ financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. The accounting policies applied by Sudamericana Holding SA. are established by the National Insurance Superintendency and have been adjusted to those applied by the Group in preparing its consolidated financial statements.

    Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between Group’s companies were eliminated. (See Note 51).

    Non-controlling interest in the results and equity of consolidated subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated statement of income, consolidated statement of other comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in shareholder’s equity and consolidated statement of financial position, respectively.

    In accordance with the provisions of IFRS 3 “Business combinations”, the acquisition method is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries. The identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured at their fair values on the acquisition date.

    Goodwill is measured as the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and, in a business combination achieved in stages, the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree; over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.

    The consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at the fair value of the assets transferred by the acquirer, the liabilities assumed by the acquirer with the previous owners of the investee, and the equity instruments issued by the acquirer. The transaction costs are recognized as expenses in the periods in which the costs have been incurred and the services have been received, except for the transaction costs incurred to issue equity instruments that are deducted from equity, and the transaction costs incurred to issue debt that are deducted from their carrying amount.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    1.3.

    A continuing involvement that takes the form of a collateral on the transferred asset is measured as the smallest amount between (i) the original carrying amount of the asset, and (ii) the maximum amount of consideration received that would be required to be returned.TRANSACTIONS WITH NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

    Financial Liabilities:

    A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation, has been cancelled, or has expired. When an existing financial liability is exchanged by another of the same borrower under significantly different conditions, or the conditions are significantly modified, such exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and a new liability is recognized, the difference between the value in books of the initial financial liability and the consideration paid is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income. When the renegotiation conditions are not significantly different, or the conditions are not significantly modified, the flows of the modified financial liabilities are discounted at the rate of the original contract.

    1.9.

    DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    Derivative Financial instruments, including foreign currency contracts, futures, forward contracts, interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps, interest rate options and foreign currency options are recorder at their fair value.

    All derivative financial instruments are recorder as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative, against the agreed price. The changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognized in profit or loss.

    In these consolidated financial statements, the Group has not applied hedge accounting.

    1.10.    REPURCHASE TRANSACTIONS

    Reverse Repurchase Transactions

    According to the derecognition principles in IFRS 9, these transactions are considered as secured borrowings, since the risk has not been transferred to the counterpart.

    Financing granted through reverse repurchase transactions are recorded under “Repurchase Transactions” accounts, classified by counterparty and considering the asset received as collateral.

    At the closing of each month, accrued interest receivable is imputed to the “Repurchase Transactions” account with offsetting entry in “Interest Income”.

    The underlying assets received for the reverse repurchase transactions will be recorded inOff-Balance Sheet Items. The assets received that have been sold by the Group are not deducted, but derecognized only when the repo transaction finishes, recording a liability in kind for the obligation to deliver the security sold.

    Repurchase Transactions

    Financing received through repurchase transactions are recorded under “Repurchase Transactions” accounts, classified by counterparty and considering the asset pledged as collateral.

    In these transactions, when the receiver of the underlying asset obtains the right to sell it or pledge it as collateral, this is reclassified to the “Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral” accounts.

    At the closing of each month, accrued interest payable is imputed to the “Repurchase Transactions” account with offsetting entry in “Interest Expenses”.

    1.11.    ALLOWANCES FOR FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses (“ECL”) associated with its debt instruments assets carried at amortized cost and FVOCI, together with the exposure arising from loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts. The Group recognizes a loss allowance for such losses at each reporting date. The measurement of ECL reflects:

    The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity owners of the Group. A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment between the carrying amounts of the controlling and non-controlling interests to reflect their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment to non-controlling interests and any consideration paid or received is recognized within equity attributable to owners of the Group.

     

    1.4.

    An unbiasedASSOCIATES

    Associates are entities over which the Group has significant direct or indirect influence, but not control; generally, this implies holding between 20 and 50 percent of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognized at cost. The carrying amount of the associates includes the goodwill identified in the acquisition less the accumulated impairment losses, if any. Dividends received from associates reduce the carrying amount of the investment. Other changes subsequent to the acquisition of the Group’s interest in the net assets of an associate are recognized as follows: (i) the Group’s interest in the profits or losses of the associates is accounted under Share of Profit from Associates and Joint Ventures in the consolidated statement of income and (ii) the Group’s interest in other comprehensive income is recognized in the consolidated statement of other comprehensive income and presented separately. However, when the Group’s share in losses in an associate equal or exceeds its interest in it, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

    Unrealized profits on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates; unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of impairment in the transferred asset.

    1.5.

    SEGMENT REPORTING

    An operating segment is a component of an entity (a) that conducts business activities from which it can earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses related to transactions with other components of the same entity); (b) whose operating income is regularly reviewed by the Group´s CODM (chief operating decision maker) to make decisions about the resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and (c) for which confidential financial information is available.

    Segment reporting is presented consistently with the internal reports submitted to the Board of Directors (CODM of the Group), which is responsible for making the Group’s strategic decisions, allocating resources and assessing the performance of the operating segments.

    1.6.

    FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

    (a)

    Functional Currency and probability-weighted amount is determined by evaluating a range of possible outcomes,Presentation Currency

    The figures included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group´s entities are stated in their functional currency, that is, the currency used in the primary economic environment where it operates. The consolidated financial statements are stated in Argentine pesos (Ps.), which is the Group’s functional and presentation currency. (See Note 1.1).

     

    (b)

    The time value of money,Transactions and Balances

    The transactions in foreign currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate at the dates of the transactions. Profits and losses in foreign currency resulting from the settlement of these transactions and the translation of monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currency at closing exchange rate, are recognized under “Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency” in the statement of income, except when they are deferred in equity by transactions which qualify as cash flows hedges, if appropriate.

    Assets and liabilities in foreign currency are measured at the reference exchange rate of the US dollar defined by the Argentine Central Bank at the closing of operations on the last business day of each month.

    As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, balances in U.S. Dollars were translated at the reference exchange rate (Ps.84.145 and Ps. 59.895, respectively) established by the Argentine Central Bank. Foreign currencies other than the US dollar have been translated into this currency using exchange rates reported by the Argentine Central Bank.

     

    1.7.

    Reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or effort at the reporting date about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions.CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

    Note 45 provides more detail of how the expected credit loss allowance is measured.

    The item Cash and Due from Banks includes the available cash and bank deposits freely available, which are liquid short-term instruments with maturity less than three months from the origination date.

    The assets disclosed under cash and due from banks are accounted for at their amortized cost which approximates its fair value.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    1.8.

    1.12.    LEASESFINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    Initial Recognition

    The Group recognizes a financial asset or liability in its consolidated financial statements, as appropriate, when it becomes part of the contractual clauses of the financial instrument. Purchases and sales are recognized at the trading date when the Group buys or sells the instruments.

    Upon initial recognition, the Group measures financial assets or liabilities at fair value, plus or less, for instruments not recognized at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, such as fees and commissions.

    When the fair value differs from the cost value of the initial recognition, the Group recognizes the difference as follows:

    a.

    1.12.1.    Lease activities of the Group

    The Group is the lessee of various properties to be used in its ordinary course of business. Lease contracts are generally made for fixed periods, from 1 to 20 years, but in some cases, there may be price agreements for shorter periods with extension options. Lease terms are individually negotiated and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions.

    Until the 2018 fiscal year, Property, Plant and Equipment leases were classified as either finance leases or operating leases.

    Finance leases were capitalized, at the lease’s inception atWhen the fair value of the leased property or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments.

    Each lease payment was allocated between the liability and finance cost. The finance cost was charged to profit or loss over the lease period to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. Assets acquired under finance leases were depreciated over the asset´s useful life, or over the shorter of the asset´s useful life and the lease term if there is no reasonable certainty that the Group will obtain ownership at the end of the lease term.

    Leases where the lessor retained a substantial portion of the risks and rewards of ownership were classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) were charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

    From January 1, 2019, leases are recognized as aright-of-use asset and a corresponding liability, on the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the Group.

    Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:

    fixed payments (includingin-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable;

    variable lease payments based on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate on the initial date;

    amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees;

    the exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and

    payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option.

    Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain extension options are also included in the measurement of the liability.

    The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if it can be determined; or otherwise, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate will be applied, which is the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the necessary funds to obtain an asset of similar value to theright-of- use asset, in a similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions.

    Lease payments are allocated between principal and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease period, to produce a constant, periodic interest rate on the remaining balance of the liability for each period.

    Right-of-use assets are measured at their cost, comprising the following:

    the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability;

    any lease payment made on or before the initial date, less any lease incentives received;

    any initial direct cost; and

    restoration and dismantling costs.

    Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter of the asset useful life and the lease term on a straight-line method.

    Payments related to short-term leases and leases oflow-value assets are recognized on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less that do not contain a bargain purchase option.Low-value assets are small physical spaces to place equipment which are owned by the Group.

    1.12.2.    Extension and Termination Options

    The extension and termination options are included in several Property, Plant and Equipment leases. These options are used to maximize the operational flexibility in terms of managing the assets used in our operations. Most of the extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the Group and not by the respective lessor.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    1.13.    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

    Assets are measured at their acquisition or construction cost, net of accumulated depreciations and/or accumulated impairment losses, if any. The cost includes the expenses directly attributableaccording to the acquisition or construction of the items.

    Property, Plant and Equipment acquired through business combinations were initially valued at the estimated fair value at the acquisition date.

    Subsequent costs are included in the value of the asset or are recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, if and only if they are likely to generate future economic benefits for the Group, and its cost can be reasonably measured. When improvements are made to the asset, the carrying amount of the replaced asset is derecognized, the new asset being amortized for the remaining useful life.

    Repair and maintenance costs are recognized in the consolidated statement of income for the year in which they are incurred.

    The depreciation of these assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost over, their estimated useful lives. If an asset includes significant components with different useful lives, they are recognized and depreciated as separate items.

    The residual values of Property, Plant and Equipment, the useful lives and the depreciation methods are reviewed and adjusted if necessary, at the closing date of each fiscal year, or when there is evidence of impairment.

    The book value of the Property, Plant and Equipment is immediately reduced to its recoverable amount when it is greater than the estimated recoverable value.

    Profits and losses from the sale of Property, Plant and Equipment items are determined by comparing the proceeds from the disposal to the carrying amount of the respective asset and are charged to income.

    1.14.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS

    1.14.1. Licenses

    Licenses acquired individually are initially valued at cost, while those acquired through business combinations are recognized at their estimated fair value at the acquisition date.

    At the closing date of these consolidated financial statements, intangible assets with a finite useful life are presented net of accumulated depreciation and/or accumulated impairment losses, if any. These assets are subject to impairment tests annually, or when there is evidence of impairment.

    The licenses acquired by the Group have been classified as intangible assets with a finite useful life, being amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of the license.

    Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are the assets arising from contracts or other legal rights, that can be renewed without significant cost, and for which, based on an analysis of all relevant factors, there is no foreseeable limit of the period along which the asset is expected to generate net cash flows for the Group. These intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to impairment tests, annually or when there is evidence of impairment, either individually or at the level of the cash generating unit. The determination of the indefinite useful life is annually reviewed to confirm if it continues being applicable.

    1.14.2.    Software

    The costs related to software maintenance are recognized as expense when incurred. The development, acquisition and implementation costs that are directly attributable to software design and testing, identifiable and monitored by the Group, are recognized as assets.

    The costs incurred in software development, acquisition or implementation, recognized as intangible assets, are amortized by applying the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.

    1.15.    ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

    1.15.1.    Assets Held for Sale

    The assets, or group of assets, classified as available for sale in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 5“Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations,” will be disclosed separately from the rest of the assets.

    Non-current assets or disposal groups (including the loss of control over a subsidiary) are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and a sale is considered highly probable. In order for an asset to be classified as held for sale, it must meet the following conditions:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    it must be available for immediate sale in its current condition;

    Management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset and must have initiated an active program to locate a buyer and complete the plan;

    the asset must be actively marketed for sale at a reasonable price in relation to its current fair value;

    the sale is expected to be completed within 12 months from its reclassification date; and

    it is unlikely that the plan will be significantly changed or withdrawn.

    The assets, or groups of assets, classified as held for sale in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 5“Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations”, are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell and are restated in accordance with Note 22.

    Non-current assets (including those that are part of a disposal group) are not depreciated or amortized while they are classified as held for sale

    1.15.2.    Discontinued Operations

    A discontinued operation is a component of the Group that has been disposed of, or that has been classified as held for sale, and complies with any of the following conditions:

    it represents line of business or a geographical area, which is significant and can be considered as separated from the rest;

    it is part of a single coordinated plan to have a business line, or geographical area of the operations which is significant and can be considered as separated from the rest; or

    it is an independent entity exclusively acquired to resell it.

    Any profit or loss arising fromre-measuring an asset (or group of assets for its disposal) classified as Held for Sale, which does not meet the definition of discontinued operation, will be included in the Income from continuing operations.

    1.16.    IMPAIRMENT OFNON-FINANCIAL ASSETS

    Assets with indefinite useful life are not subject to amortization and are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. Other assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or, at least, on an annual basis.

    Depreciation and impairment losses are recognized when the carrying amount exceeds their recoverable value. The recoverable value of assets is the greater of the net amount that it would obtain from its sale, or its value in use. For the impairment tests, the assets are grouped at the lowest level where they generate identifiable cash flows (cash generating units). The carrying amount ofnon-financial assets other than goodwill over which depreciation and impairment have been recorded, are reviewed at each reporting date for verifying possible depreciation and impairment reversals.

    1.17.    TRUST ASSETS

    The assets held by the Group in its trustee role are not reported in the consolidated statement of financial position, because the Group is not in control of the trust or the risks and rewards of the underlying assets. Fees received from trust activities are recorded in Fee Income

    1.18.    OFFSETTING

    Financial assets and liabilities are offset by reporting the net amount in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position only when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts, and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

    1.19.    FINANCING RECEIVED FROM THE ARGENTINE CENTRAL BANK AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

    The amounts owed to other Financial Institutions are recorded at the time the principal is disbursed to the Group.Non-derivative financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost. If the Group repurchases its own debt, this is eliminated from the consolidated financial statements, and the difference between the residualmarket value of the financial asset or liability andor is based on a valuation technique solely using market values, the amount paiddifference is recognized as a financial incomeprofit or expense.loss, as appropriate.

    b.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.In other cases, the difference is deferred and the recognition over time of the profit and loss is individually determined. The difference is amortized over the life of the instrument until the fair value can be measured based on market values.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Financial Assets

     

    a.

    Debt Securities

    1.20.    PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

    In accordance with IFRS a provision will be recognized when:

    The Group considers as debt securities those instruments considered financial liabilities for the issuer, such as loans, government and private securities, bonds and customer accounts receivable.

    Classification

    As established by IFRS 9, the Group classifies financial assets according to how they are subsequently measured: at amortized cost, at fair value through other comprehensive income, or at fair value through profit or loss, based on:

     

    a.

    an Entity has a current obligation (either legal or implicit) as a consequence of a past event;

    the Group’s business model to manage financial assets; and

     

    b.

    it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying future economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and

    the characteristics of contractual cash flows of the financial asset.

    Business Model

    The Business Model refers to the way in which the Group manages a set of financial assets to reach a specific business objective. It represents the way the Group manages its financial instruments to generate cash flows.

    Business models that the Group can follow are listed below:

     

    c.

    the amount can be reliably estimated.

    It will be understood that the Group has an implicit obligation if (a) as a result of previous practices or public policies, the Group has assumed certain liabilities; and (b) as a result, it has created expectations that it will comply with those obligations.

    The Group recognizes the following provisions:

    Hold the instruments to collect its contractual cash flows;

    Hold the instruments in the portfolio to collect contractual cash flows and, in turn, sell them when deemed convenient; or;

    Hold the instruments for trading.

    The Group’s Business Model does not depend on the intentions that it may have for an individual instrument. Therefore, this condition is not an instrument-by-instrument classification approach, but it is determined from a higher level of aggregation.

    The Group only reclassifies an instrument when, and only when, the business model for managing financial assets is modified. The reclassification is performed from the commencement of the period where the change takes place. Such change is not expected to be frequent, and changes have not been recorded during this fiscal year.

    Characteristics of Contractual Cash Flows

    The Group assesses whether the cash flow of grouped instruments is not significantly different from the flow that would receive solely for interest; otherwise, they shall be measured at fair value through profit or loss.

    Based on the foregoing, there are three categories of Financial Assets:

     

    (i)

    For labor, civil and commercial lawsuits: provisions are determined based on the lawyers’ reports on the status of the lawsuits and the estimate made on the bankruptcy possibilities to be faced by the Group, as well as on past experience regarding this type of lawsuits.

    For miscellaneous risks: provisions are set up to face contingent situations that may give rise to obligations for the Group. When estimating the amounts, the probability of their materializing is taken into account, considering the opinion of the Group’s legal advisors and professionals.

    The amount recognized as provision must be the best estimate of the disbursement needed to cancel such obligation, at the end of the year being reported.

    When the financial effect produced by the discount becomes important, the amount of the provision must be the present value of the disbursements that are expected to be required to cancel the obligation by using apre-tax interest rate that reflects the current market conditions on the value of money and the specific risks for such obligation. The increase in the provision for the lapsing of time is recognized in the Net Financial Income item of the Statement of Income.

    The Group will not record the positive contingencies, except those arising from deferred taxes and those which materialization is virtually certain.

    At the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the Group Directors understand that there have been no elements that allow determining the existence of other contingencies that may be materialized and generate a negative impact on these consolidated financial statements, as detailed in Note 29.

    1.21.    OTHERNON-FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

    Non-financial accounts payable are accrued when the counterparty has complied its contractual obligations under the contract, and they are valuated at amortized cost.

    1.22.    DEBT SECURITIES

    The Group’s Debt Securities areassets measured at amortized cost. If cost:

    Financial assets are measured at amortized cost when:

    (a)

    the Group purchases debt securities of their own, financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets to collect contractual cash flows; and

    (b)

    the obligation in Liabilities related to such debt securities is considered extinguished, and, therefore, it is derecognized. If the Group repurchases its own debt, this is eliminated from the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the difference between the residual valuecontractual conditions of the financial liabilityasset give rise, on specified dates, to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the amount paidoutstanding principal amount.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    These financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value plus the incremental and directly attributable transaction costs and are subsequently measured at amortized cost.

    The amortized cost of a financial asset is equal to its acquisition cost less its accumulated amortization plus accrued interest (calculated according to the effective interest method), net of any impairment loss.

    (ii)

    Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income:

    Financial assets are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income when:

    (a)

    the financial asset is recognized asheld within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets; and

    (b)

    the contractual conditions of the financial asset give rise, on specified dates, to cash flows which are solely payments of principal and interest on the outstanding principal amount.

    These instruments are initially recognized at their fair value plus the incremental and directly attributable transaction costs and are subsequently measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. Profits and losses arising from the changes in fair value are included in other comprehensive income within a separate equity component. Impairment losses or reversals, income for interest and exchange profits and losses are recognized through profit or loss. Upon its sale or disposal, the accumulated profit or loss previously recognized through other comprehensive income is reclassified to the statement of income.

    (iii)

    Financial assets at fair value through profit or expense.loss:

    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are the following:

    Instruments held for trading;

    Instruments specifically designated at fair value through profit or loss; and

    Instruments whose contractual terms do not represent cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the outstanding principal amount.

    These financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value and any fair value measurement is recognized in the statement of income.

    The Group classifies a financial instrument as held for trading if it is acquired or incurred for the main purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the short term, or if it is part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are jointly managed and for which there is evidence of short-term earnings, or is a derivative financial instrument not designated as a hedging instrument. Derivative instruments and held-for-trading securities are classified as held for trading and measured at fair value.

    Additionally, financial assets can be valued at fair value through profit or loss when, by doing so, the Group eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition mismatch.

    b.

    1.23.    ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ARISING FROM INSURANCE CONTRACTSEquity Instruments

    The valuation and recording of assets and liabilities arising from the Group’s insurance contracts is performed pursuant to the IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts”

    Equity instruments are so considered by its issuer; this means that they are instruments which do not contemplate a contractual obligation to pay cash, and which evidence a residual interest on the issuer’s asset after deducting its entire liabilities.

    Such instruments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except when, at the time of the initial recognition, the irrevocable option had been exercised to measure them at fair value through Other Comprehensive Income. This method is only applicable when the instruments are not held for trading and income shall be accounted in other comprehensive income with no reclassification to profit or loss, even when they are realized. Dividends receivable arising from such instruments shall be recognized through profit or loss solely when the Group is entitled to collect the payment.

    Financial Liabilities

    Classification

    The Group classifies their financial liabilities at amortized cost, using the effective interest rate method, except for:

    Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss, including derivative financial instruments.

    Liabilities arising from the transfer of financial assets not complying with the derecognition criteria.

    Financial guarantee contracts.

    Loan commitments at a lower than market rate.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss: the Group may choose to use, at the beginning, the irrevocable option to designate a liability at fair value through profit or loss, if, and only if, in doing so, it reflects a better measurement of financial information because:

    the Group eliminates or significantly reduces measurement or recognition inconsistency which would otherwise be exposed in the valuation;

    if financial assets and liabilities or a group of financial assets or liabilities, are managed and their performance is assessed on a fair value basis, according to a documented investment or risk management strategy; or

    a host contract contains one or more embedded derivative instruments, and the Group has opted for designating the entire contract at fair value through profit or loss.

    Financial guarantee contracts: Financial guarantee contracts are those contracts requiring the issuer to make specific payments to reimburse the holder for the loss incurred when a specific debtor does not comply with its payment obligation on maturity, in accordance with the original or amended terms of a debt instrument.

    Financial guarantee contracts are initially measured at fair value, and subsequently measured at the higher of the amount of the loss allowance and the amount initially recognized less, when appropriate, the cumulative amount of income recognized.

    Assets for Insurance Contracts

    201,885,3901,608,517

    Insurance contracts are contracts where the Group (the insurer) has accepted an insurance risk from another party (the insured) by agreeing to compensate the insured if a specified uncertain future event (the insured event) adversely affects the insured.Other Non-financial Assets

    217,634,4278,782,988

    Once a contract has been classified as an insurance contract, it remains an insurance contractNon-current Assets Held for the restSale

    2229,32853,106

    Total Assets

    1,055,279,177933,269,606

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    F-4


    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Continued)

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

                                                                         

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20  12.31.19 

    Liabilities

         

    Deposits

       23    676,395,735   536,033,696 

    Non-financial Public Sector

         21,537,481   2,631,790 

    Financial Sector

         1,947,127   613,904 

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         652,911,127   532,788,002 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       24    —     1,936,133 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       7    57,450   1,199,533 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       25    97,471,465   97,153,624 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       26    13,833,439   30,936,161 

    Debt Securities

       27    17,073,898   39,808,666 

    Current Income Tax Liabilities

       41    15,227,474   14,042,235 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       28    21,653,546   21,100,718 

    Provisions

       29    3,776,297   3,739,734 

    Deferred Income Tax Liabilities

       19    136,934   3,020,554 

    Liabilities for Insurance Contracts

       20    2,060,976   1,999,408 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       30    25,258,228   23,239,327 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Liabilities

         872,945,442   774,209,789 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Shareholders’ Equity

       31    

    Capital Stock

         1,474,692   1,426,765 

    Paid-in capital

         17,281,187   10,951,132 

    Capital Adjustments

         61,548,313   60,622,637 

    Profit Reserves

         178,751,308   127,248,745 

    Retained Deficit

         (102,255,270  (77,955,542

    Other Comprehensive Income

         341,829   551,139 

    Income / (Loss) for the Year

       43    25,191,673   32,276,377 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to Parent Company´s Owners

         182,333,732   155,121,253 

    Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       50    3   3,938,564 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Shareholders’ Equity

         182,333,735   159,059,817 
        

     

     

      

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

    FOR THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20  12.31.19  12.31.18 

    Interest Income

       32    166,806,678   177,671,454   163,927,492 

    Interest Expense

       32    (90,174,458  (130,254,081  (94,054,946

    Net Income from Interest

         76,632,220   47,417,373   69,872,546 

    Fee Income

       32    46,475,432   47,846,733   51,093,837 

    Fee related Expenses

       32    (9,917,873  (9,613,497  (6,337,505

    Net Fee Income

         36,557,559   38,233,236   44,756,332 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       32    69,331,902   99,151,496   36,341,509 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

         (3,129  298,801   464,175 

    Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency

       33    7,047,447   11,831,452   7,910,257 

    Other Operating Income

       34    22,322,631   28,769,432   21,862,980 

    Income from Insurance Business

       35    5,501,807   5,000,869   6,009,167 

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

       36    (34,679,749  (30,227,668  (34,136,247

    Net Operating Income

         182,710,688   200,474,991   153,080,719 

    Personnel Expenses

       37    (31,825,101  (33,284,961  (35,657,786

    Administrative Expenses

       38    (31,371,622  (33,105,199  (33,674,305

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

       39    (8,284,286  (6,894,944  (3,459,704

    Other Operating Expenses

       40    (30,763,761  (35,082,818  (35,391,431

    Loss on net monetary position

         (36,963,213  (41,928,902  (37,830,439

    Operating Income

         43,502,705   50,178,167   7,067,054 

    Share of profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

       15    (125,053  —     —   

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

         43,377,652   50,178,167   7,067,054 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

       41    (17,844,872  (17,750,682  (14,476,788

    Net Income / (Loss) from Continuing Operations

         25,532,780   32,427,485   (7,409,734

    Loss from Discontinued Operations

       22    —     —     (544,003

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

       41    —     —     (66,336
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year

         25,532,780   32,427,485   (8,020,073
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year Attributable to parent company´s owners

         25,191,673   32,276,377   (7,258,414

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       50    341,107   151,108   (761,659

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Earnings per Share

       43       

    Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to parent company´s owners

         25,191,673    32,276,377    (7,258,414

    Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to parent company´s owners Adjusted by dilution effects

         25,191,673    32,276,377    (7,258,414

    Weighted-Average of Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the Year

         1,442,740    1,426,765    1,426,765 

    Diluted Weighted-Average of Ordinary Shares Outstanding for the Year

         1,442,740    1,426,765    1,426,765 

    Basic Earnings per Share

         17.46    22.62    (5.09

    Diluted Earnings per Share

         17.46    22.62    (5.09

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

    FOR THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20  12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year

         25,532,780   32,427,485    (8,020,073

    Items of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) that may be Reclassified to Profit or Loss for the Year

           

    Income or Loss from Financial Instruments at Fair Value through OCI (Item 4.1.2a, IFRS 9)

           

    Income / (Loss) for the Year from Financial Instruments at Fair Value with Changes through OCI (*)

       32    (203,783  533,607    (183,218

    Other Comprehensive Income(*)

         (5,527  14,591    —   

    Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) that may be Reclassified to Profit or Loss for the Year

         (209,310  548,198    (183,218

    Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

         (209,310  548,198    (183,218
        

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss)

         25,323,470   32,975,683    (8,203,291
        

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable to Parent company´s owners

         24,982,363   32,824,575    (7,441,632

    Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       50    341,107   151,108    (761,659

    (*)

    Net of its useful life, even if the insurance risk is significantly reduced during this period, unless all rights and obligations are extinguished or expire.

    The insurance contracts offered by the Group include property insurance that covers fire, combined family insurance, theft and similar risks, property damage, personal accidents, among other risks. Life insurance and Retirement insurance contracts are also included.

    Total premiums are recognized as of the policy issuance date as an account receivable. At the same time, a reserve is recorded in Liabilities for unearned premiums representing premiums for risks that have not yet expired. The unearned premiums are recognized as Income for the contract period, which is also the coverage and risk period. The book value of insurance accounts receivable is reviewed for impairment if events or circumstances indicateTax.

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

          Capital
    Stock
       Paid-in
    Capital
           Other Comprehensive
    Income
      Profit Reserves             

    Changes

      Notes  Outstanding   Share
    Premium
       Equity
    Adjustments
       Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
      Other  Legal
    Reserve
       Others
    Reserves
      Retained
    Earnings
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company´s
    owners
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to Non-
    Controlling

    Interests
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 12.31.19

         1,426,765    10,951,132    60,622,637    536,548   14,591   1,296,382    125,952,363   (45,679,165  155,121,253   3,938,564   159,059,817 

    Dividends Distribution from Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

      50   —      —      —      —     —     —      —     —     —     (143,844  (143,844

    Distribution of Profits

                      

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —      —      —      —     —     —      (1,892,559  —     (1,892,559  —     (1,892,559

    - Other Reserves

         —      —      —      —     —     —      56,576,105   (56,576,105  —     —     —   

    Increase due to merger

      31   47,927    6,330,055    925,676    —     —     —      (3,180,983  —     4,122,675   (4,135,824  (13,149

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                      

    Net Income for the Year

      43   —      —      —      —     —     —      —     25,191,673   25,191,673   341,107   25,532,780 

    Other Comprehensive Income for the Year

         —      —      —      (203,783  (5,527  —      —     —     (209,310  —     (209,310
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.20

         1,474,692    17,281,187    61,548,313    332,765   9,064   1,296,382    177,454,926   (77,063,597  182,333,732   3   182,333,735 
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    F-8


    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

          Capital
    Stock
       Paid-in
    Capital
           Other Comprehensive
    Income
       Profit Reserves               

    Changes

      Notes  Outstanding   Share
    Premium
       Equity
    Adjustments
       Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
       Other   Legal
    Reserve
       Others
    Reserves
       Retained
    Earnings
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company´s
    owners
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to Non-
    Controlling

    Interests
       Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 12.31.18

         1,426,765    10,951,132    60,622,637    2,941    —      1,296,382    90,178,080    (38,558,827  125,919,110   3,607,470    129,526,580 

    Capital Contribution from Non-controlling Interest

      50   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —     —     179,986    179,986 

    Distribution of Profits

                          

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (3,622,432  (3,622,432  —      (3,622,432

    - Other Reserves

         —      —      —      —      —      —      35,774,283    (35,774,283  —     —      —   

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                          

    Net Income for the Year

      43   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      32,276,377   32,276,377   151,108    32,427,485 

    Other Comprehensive Income for the Year

         —      —      —      533,607    14,591    —      —      —     548,198   —      548,198 
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.19

         1,426,765    10,951,132    60,622,637    536,548    14,591    1,296,382    125,952,363    (45,679,165  155,121,253   3,938,564    159,059,817 
        

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    F-9


    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

         Capital
    Stock
      Paid-in
    Capital
         Other
    Comprehensive

    Income
      Profit Reserves             

    Changes

     Notes  Outstanding  Share
    Premium
      Equity
    Adjustments
      Accumulated
    Profit

    (Loss) from
    Financial
    Instruments
    at Fair Value
    through OCI
      Other  Legal
    Reserve
      Others
    Reserves
      Retained
    Earnings
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to parent
    company´s
    owners
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
    Attributable
    to Non-
    Controlling

    Interests
      Total
    Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    Balances as of 12.31.17

       1,426,765   10,951,132   60,622,637   186,159   -   1,218,152   66,597,571   (5,869,124  135,133,292   6,185,425   141,318,717 

    Purchase of Non-controlling Interests

      50   -   -   -   -   -   -   1,613,587   -   1,613,587   (1,613,587  - 

    Dividends Distribution from Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

      50   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (202,709  (202,709

    Distribution of Profits

                

    - Cash Dividends

      42   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     (3,386,137  (3,386,137  —     (3,386,137

    - Other Reserves

       —     —     —     —     —     78,230   21,966,922   (22,045,152  —     —     —   

    Total Comprehensive Income for the Year

                

    Net Loss for the Year

      43   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     (7,258,414  (7,258,414  (761,659  (8,020,073

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Year

       —     —     —     (183,218  —     —     —     —     (183,218  —     (183,218
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Balances as of 12.31.18

       1,426,765   10,951,132   60,622,637   2,941   —     1,296,382   90,178,080   (38,558,827  125,919,110   3,607,470   129,526,580 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    The accompanying Notes and Schedules are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Argentine Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Provided

    Items

      Notes   12.31.20  12.31.19  12.31.18 

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

          

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

         43,377,652   50,178,167   7,067,054 

    Adjustment to Obtain the Operating Activities Flows:

          

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

         34,679,749   30,227,668   34,136,247 

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

         8,284,286   6,894,944   3,459,704 

    Loss on Net Monetary Position

         36,963,213   41,928,902   37,830,439 

    Other Operations

         33,809,461   45,546,783   (15,845,824

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Assets:

          

    Debt securities measured at fair value through profit or loss

         (16,816,890  1,906,801   25,022,547 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

         1,005,783   568,821   (2,115,155

    Repo Transactions

         (45,899  (4,166,505  627,969 

    Other Financial Assets

         762,783   2,738,061   3,292,293 

    Net Loans and Other Financing

          

    - Non-financial Public Sector

         11,292   17,889   (6,796

    - Other Financial Institutions

         (2,768,659  (1,073,296  7,583,249 

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         (70,129,963  72,480,365   (28,997,919

    Other Debt Securities

         2,823,060   4,314,789   (21,448,808

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

         (2,992,408  6,929,858   (3,080,071

    Investments in Equity Instruments

         309,477   (5,863,167  (102,894

    Other Non-financial Assets

         871,701   (2,209,541  (2,364,329

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

         23,778   1,220,250   21,470,750 

    Net Increases/(Decreases) from Operating Liabilities:

          

    Deposits

          

    - Non-financial Public Sector

         18,905,690   (15,314,927  14,347,100 

    - Financial Sector

         1,333,223   (876,675  1,134,515 

    - Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

         120,123,123   (201,920,439  117,986,898 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

         (1,936,133  (2,555,401  4,491,534 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

         (1,142,083  (2,645,130  2,072,205 

    Other Financial Liabilities

         1,297,568   (40,408,460  16,511,834 

    Provisions

         36,561   704,443   1,156,177 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

         44,060   (1,096,350  (20,447,222

    Income Tax Collections/Payments

         (25,076,419)   (13,753,851  (15,540,835
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (A)

         183,754,006   (26,226,001  188,240,662 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

          

    Payments:

          

    Purchase of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

         (7,123,954)   (10,751,158  (7,723,624

    Interests in Associates and other companies

         (102,290  —     —   

    Collections:

          

    Sale of PP&E, Intangible Assets and Other Assets

         264,603   3,648,203   212,957 

    Dividends earned

         179,298   —     —   

    NET CASH USED IN INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES (B)

         (6,782,343  (7,102,955  (7,510,667

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

          

    Payments:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

         (27,839,122  (20,826,089  (2,851,195

    Subordinated Debt Securities

         —     —     —   

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

         (35,157,119  (70,418,814  (25,579,255

    Dividends

       42    (2,036,403  (3,622,432  (3,588,846

    Leases payment

         (1,333,090  (1,361,874  —   

    Collections:

          

    Unsubordinated Debt Securities

         11,728,016   7,726,304   23,558,089 

    Loans from Local Financial Institutions

         19,531,578   63,225,074   24,870,537 

    Capital increase

       50    —     179,986   —   
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (C)

         (35,106,140)   (25,097,845  16,409,330 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    EXCHANGE INCOME ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (D)

         32,805,838   69,534,981   94,158,129 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (A+B+C+D)

         174,671,361   11,108,180   291,297,454 

    MONETARY LOSS RELATED TO CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

         (111,859,585  (168,132,627  (94,622,803
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

       5    316,008,097   473,032,544   276,357,893 

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE YEAR

       5    378,819,873   316,008,097   473,032,544 
        

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, PRESENTED IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.) and Thousands of U.S. Dollars (USD), Except as Otherwise Stated

    NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS FOR PREPARATION

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. (hereinafter, “the Company”, and jointly with its subsidiaries, “the Group”) is a financial services holding company incorporated in September 14, 1999 under the laws of Argentina. The Company’s main asset is its interest in Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. (hereinafter, “Banco Galicia” or “the Bank”) which is a private bank offering a wide range of financial services, both to individuals and companies. Likewise, the Company has a controlling interest in: Tarjetas Regionales S.A., through it we provide proprietary brand credit cards, consumer finance and digital banking services to non-banked populations of Argentina; Sudamericana Holding S.A., a company engaged in the insurance business; Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A., a mutual fund management company; Galicia Warrants S.A., a warrant issuing company; IGAM LLC, a company engaged in assets management; and Galicia Securities S.A. a settlement and compensation agent.

    These consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for publication through Minutes of Board of Directors’ Meeting No. 631 dated April 23, 2021.

    1.1. BASIS FOR PREPARATION

    These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance and in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee (IFRIC). All the IFRSs in force as of the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements have been applied.

    In Argentina, the Group is subject to the provisions of Article 2, Section I, Chapter I of Title IV: Periodic Information Regime of the National Securities Commission (CNV) regulations and it is required to present its financial statements in accordance with the valuation and disclosure criteria set forth by the Argentine Central Bank.

    The Argentine Central Bank, through Communications “A” 5541 and its amendments, established a convergence plan towards the adoption of IFRS as issued by the IASB, and the interpretations issued by the IFRIC, for the entities under its supervision, effective for fiscal years commencing January 1, 2018 with certain exceptions.

    The Group has presented its local financial statements under these rules on March 9, 2021. Shareholders’ equity under the rules of the Argentine Central Bank is presented in Note 52.8.

    It has been concluded that these consolidated financial statements fairly present the Group’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows, in accordance with IFRS.

    The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Groups´ accounting policies.

    The areas involving a greater degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant for the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 2.

    (a)

    Going Concern

    As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, there are no uncertainties related to events or conditions that the book value may cast significant doubt upon the Group´s ability to continue as a going concern.

    (b)

    Measurement Unit

    IAS 29 “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies” requires that the financial statements of an entity whose functional currency is that of a hyperinflationary economy be restated in terms of the current measurement unit as of the reporting period-end, irrespective of whether they are based on the historical cost or the current cost method. Accordingly, in general terms, non-monetary items should be adjusted for inflation occurring since the acquisition date or since the revaluation date, as the case may be. These requirements are also applicable to the comparative information reported in the financial statements. According to IAS 29, monetary assets and liabilities are not required to be restated, for they are stated in the measurement unit as of the end of the reporting period. Assets and liabilities subject to adjustments based on specific agreements will be adjusted on the basis of such agreements. Non-monetary items measured at their fair values at the end of the reporting period, such as net realizable value or otherwise, will not be restated. The other non-monetary assets and liabilities will be restated by applying a general price index. The income (loss) from the net monetary position will be charged to net income for the reporting period in a separate item.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    In order to conclude whether a given economy qualifies as hyperinflationary pursuant to the terms of IAS 29, the standard sets forth certain factors that should be considered, including a three-year cumulative inflation rate reaching or exceeding 100%.

    In this regard, the Argentine Federation of Professional Councils in Economic Sciences (FACPCE) through Resolution J.G.539/18 and the Professional Council in Economic Sciences of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CPCECABA) through Resolution C.D. 107/2018 have pointed out that, effective for fiscal years ending on July 1, 2018 and thereafter, entities reporting under IFRS will be required to apply IAS 29 since the conditions for such application have been satisfied. In addition, Law No. 27468 enacted in November 2018 abrogated the prohibition to present the financial statements adjusted for inflation, as established by Decree 664/2003, entrusting each regulatory agency with its application. In this regard, on December 26, 2018, the CNV issued General Resolution No. 777/2018 authorizing the issuing entities to present accounting information in constant currency for annual financial statements for interim and special periods ending on December 31, 2018 and thereafter, except for financial institutions and insurance companies.

    The Group has applied IAS 29, Financial Reporting in hyperinflationary Economy, in preparing these consolidated financial statements for all presented years.

    (c)

    New Accounting Standards

    Definition of “Business” - Amendment to IFRS 3: The new definition of Business includes a comprehensive set of activities and assets that can be directed and managed for the purpose of providing goods or services to customers, generating investment income (such as dividends or interest) or generating other income from ordinary activities. Yields such as lower costs and other economic benefits are excluded from the above definition.

    This amendment is effective as of January 1, 2020. The Group does not consider that this amendment has an impact, unless there is a business combination.

    Definition of “Material” - Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: The IASB has amended IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates, and Errors” clarifying when information is material.

    In particular, the amendments clarify:

    The reference to obscuring information addresses situations where the effect is similar to omitting or misstating such information, and that an entity assesses materiality in the context of the financial statements as a whole; and

    the meaning of “primary users of general-purpose Financial Statements” to whom those Financial Statements are addressed, by defining them as “existing and potential investors, lenders and other creditors”, that must rely on general purpose Financial Statements for much of the financial information they need.

    This amendment is effective as of January 1, 2020 and the Group does not consider that this amendment has a significant impact on its financial statements.

    Amendments to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting: The IASB has issued a new Conceptual Framework. It should be noted that the aforementioned amendment will not imply changes to any of the current accounting standards. However, the Entities that use the Conceptual Framework to define the accounting standards for those transactions, events or situations not contemplated in the current accounting standards must apply the new Conceptual Framework as of January 1, 2020, and evaluate whether their accounting standards continue to be adequate.

    The Group does not consider that these amendments have a significant impact on its financial statements.

    Reform to the interest rate benchmark - Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7: These amendments provide some reliefs regarding the reform to the interest rate benchmark such as LIBOR and other rates offered in the interbank market. Reliefs are related to hedge accounting and to the fact that the mentioned reform should not cause the end of hedge accounting, considering the IFRS currently in force. However, hedge ineffectiveness must continue to be recoverable. Impairment loss is recorded in the Statement of Income. These amendments are effective as of January 1, 2020 and the Group does not consider that these amendments have an impact given that the Group does not apply hedge accounting on its current financial statements.

    (d)

    New accounting standards and amendments issued by IASB that have not been adopted by the Group

    The new standards, amendments and interpretations published are detailed below; however, they have not yet come into force for financial reporting periods commenced January 1, 2020 and have not been early adopted.

    Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture - Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28. The IASB made limited amendments to IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Institutions” and to IAS 28

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”. The amendments clarify the accounting of sales or contributions of assets between the investor and its associates or joint ventures. This confirms that the accounting treatment depends of whether the non-monetary assets sold or contributed to the associate or joint venture are a “business” (such as defined in IFRS 3) or not. When the non-monetary assets constitute a business, the investor will recognize the profit or loss from the sale or contribution of the assets. When the assets do not constitute a business, the profit or loss is recognized by the investor only up to the amount recognized by the other investor in the associate or joint venture. The amendments are to be prospectively applied. The IASB has decided to defer the application date of this amendment until it concludes its research project on the equity method. The Group is evaluating the impact of adopting this new standard.

    IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts”: On May 18, 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts,” establishing a comprehensive accounting framework based on measurement and disclosure principles for insurance contracts. The new standard supersedes IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts,” and requires entities to measure an insurance contract at initial recognition at the total of the fulfilment cash flows (comprising the estimated future cash flows, an adjustment to reflect the time value of money and an explicit risk adjustment for non-financial risk) and the contractual service margin. The fulfilment cash flows are remeasured on a current basis each reporting period. The unearned profit (contractual service margin) is recognized over the coverage period. Entities are required to apply IFRS 17 for fiscal years commencing on or after January 1, 2023.The Group is evaluating the impact of adopting this new standard.

    There are no other IFRS or IFRIC interpretations that are not effective and that are expected to have a significant impact on the Group.

    1.2.

    CONSOLIDATION

    Subsidiaries are those entities, including structured entities, where the Group is in control because (i) it has the power to direct relevant activities of the investee, which significantly affect its returns; (ii) it has exposure, or rights, to variable returns for its interest in the investee; and (iii) it has the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor’s returns. The existence and effect of the substantive rights, including potential voting rights, are considered when evaluating whether the Group has control over another entity. For a right to be substantive, the holder must have the practical ability to exercise it whenever necessary to make decisions on the direction of the relevant activities of the entity. The Group may be in control of an entity even when possessing less than the majority of the voting rights.

    Likewise, the protective rights of other investors, such as those related to substantive changes in the activities of the investee or applied only in exceptional circumstances, do not prevent the Group from having control over an investee. The subsidiaries are consolidated from the date the control is transferred to the Group, and they cease to be consolidated as of the date on which the control ceases.

    The subsidiaries which have been consolidated in these Consolidated Financial Statements are detailed in Note 15.

    For the purpose of consolidating its financial statements, the Group used the subsidiaries’ financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. The accounting policies applied by Sudamericana Holding SA. are established by the National Insurance Superintendency and have been adjusted to those applied by the Group in preparing its consolidated financial statements.

    Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between Group’s companies were eliminated. (See Note 51).

    Non-controlling interest in the results and equity of consolidated subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated statement of income, consolidated statement of other comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in shareholder’s equity and consolidated statement of financial position, respectively.

    In accordance with the provisions of IFRS 3 “Business combinations”, the acquisition method is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries. The identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured at their fair values on the acquisition date.

    Goodwill is measured as the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and, in a business combination achieved in stages, the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree; over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.

    The consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at the fair value of the assets transferred by the acquirer, the liabilities assumed by the acquirer with the previous owners of the investee, and the equity instruments issued by the acquirer. The transaction costs are recognized as expenses in the periods in which the costs have been incurred and the services have been received, except for the transaction costs incurred to issue equity instruments that are deducted from equity, and the transaction costs incurred to issue debt that are deducted from their carrying amount.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    1.3.

    Liabilities Recognized for the Insurance BusinessTRANSACTIONS WITH NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

    The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity owners of the Group. A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment between the carrying amounts of the controlling and non-controlling interests to reflect their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment to non-controlling interests and any consideration paid or received is recognized within equity attributable to owners of the Group.

    1.4.

    Debts with Insured PersonsASSOCIATES

    Associates are entities over which the Group has significant direct or indirect influence, but not control; generally, this implies holding between 20 and 50 percent of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognized at cost. The carrying amount of the associates includes the goodwill identified in the acquisition less the accumulated impairment losses, if any. Dividends received from associates reduce the carrying amount of the investment. Other changes subsequent to the acquisition of the Group’s interest in the net assets of an associate are recognized as follows: (i) the Group’s interest in the profits or losses of the associates is accounted under Share of Profit from Associates and Joint Ventures in the consolidated statement of income and (ii) the Group’s interest in other comprehensive income is recognized in the consolidated statement of other comprehensive income and presented separately. However, when the Group’s share in losses in an associate equal or exceeds its interest in it, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

    Unrealized profits on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates; unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of impairment in the transferred asset.

    1.5.

    Reserves for Insurance claims represent debts with insured persons for claims reported to the company,SEGMENT REPORTING

    An operating segment is a component of an entity (a) that conducts business activities from which it can earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses related to transactions with other components of the same entity); (b) whose operating income is regularly reviewed by the Group´s CODM (chief operating decision maker) to make decisions about the resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and (c) for which confidential financial information is available.

    Segment reporting is presented consistently with the internal reports submitted to the Board of Directors (CODM of the Group), which is responsible for making the Group’s strategic decisions, allocating resources and assessing the performance of the operating segments.

    1.6.

    FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

    (a)

    Functional Currency and an estimate of the claims that have already been incurred but have not yet been reported to the company. Reported claims are adjusted based on technical reports received from independent appraisers.Presentation Currency

    The figures included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group´s entities are stated in their functional currency, that is, the currency used in the primary economic environment where it operates. The consolidated financial statements are stated in Argentine pesos (Ps.), which is the Group’s functional and presentation currency. (See Note 1.1).

    (b)

    Debts with Reinsurers andCo-insurers

    The Group mitigates the risk for some of its insurance business through coinsurance or reinsurance contracts in other companies. For coinsurance, the Company associates with another company to cover a risk, by assuming only a percentage of itTransactions and therefore, also of the premium. For reinsurance, the risk is transferred to another insurance company both in proportional (as a risk percentage) andnon-proportional form (the excess of loss above a certain limit is covered). The transferred reinsurance agreements do not exempt the Group from its obligations with the insured persons.Balances

    The transactions in foreign currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate at the dates of the transactions. Profits and losses in foreign currency resulting from the settlement of these transactions and the translation of monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currency at closing exchange rate, are recognized under “Exchange rate differences on gold and foreign currency” in the statement of income, except when they are deferred in equity by transactions which qualify as cash flows hedges, if appropriate.

    Assets and liabilities in foreign currency are measured at the reference exchange rate of the US dollar defined by the Argentine Central Bank at the closing of operations on the last business day of each month.

    As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, balances in U.S. Dollars were translated at the reference exchange rate (Ps.84.145 and Ps. 59.895, respectively) established by the Argentine Central Bank. Foreign currencies other than the US dollar have been translated into this currency using exchange rates reported by the Argentine Central Bank.

    1.7.

    Coinsurance and reinsurance liabilities represent balances owed under the same conditions, and the amounts payable are estimated in a manner consistent with the contract that gave rise to them.CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

    Debts with Producers

    They represent liabilities with insurance producers and independent agents arising from the commissions for the insurance transactions they bring for the Group’s companies. The checking account balances with such entities are also included.

    Technical Commitments

    Technical reserves include reserves for future benefit obligations under life, annuity and accident insurance policies, and reserves for retirement insurance contracts.

    The Group assesses, at the end of the reporting period, the adequacy of the insurance liabilities it has recognized, using current estimates of future cash flows from its insurance contracts. Should the evaluation show that the carrying amount of its liabilities for insurance contracts (minus deferred acquisition costs and related intangible assets) is not adequate, considering the estimated future cash flows, the total amount of the deficiency will be recognized in Income. In accordance with IFRS 4, the Group must determine the adequacy of the amount in books recorded in accordance with the guidelines established in IAS 37.

    1.24.    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    Shareholders’ equity accounts are restated in accordance with Note 1.1.b., except for the item “Capital Stock”, which is carried at face

    The item Cash and Due from Banks includes the available cash and bank deposits freely available, which are liquid short-term instruments with maturity less than three months from the origination date.

    The assets disclosed under cash and due from banks are accounted for at their amortized cost which approximates its fair value. The restatement adjustment is included in “Equity Adjustments”.

    Ordinary shares are classified in Shareholders’ Equity and remain recorded at their nominal value. When any company forming part of the Group buys Company shares (treasury shares in portfolio), the payment made, including any costs directly attributable to the transaction (net of taxes) is deducted from the Shareholders’ Equity until the shares are canceled or sold.

    1.25.    PROFIT RESERVES

    According to Art. 70 of the General Companies Act, the Company and its subsidiaries, except Banco Galicia, must transfer to Legal Reserve 5% of the profit for the year, until said reserve reaches 20% of the capital stock plus the balance of the Equity Adjustment account.

    Regarding Banco Galicia, in accordance with the regulations established by the Argentine Central Bank, it is appropriate to allocate to Legal Reserve 20% of the profits for the year, net of the eventual adjustments of previous fiscal years, if applicable. However, for the allocation of Other Reserves, the Financial Institutions must comply with the Argentine Central Bank provisions of the Amended Text on dividends distribution detailed in Note 53.

    1.26.    DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTION

    The dividends distribution to the Group’s shareholders is recognized as a liability in the consolidated financial statements in the year in which the dividends are approved by the Group’s shareholders.

    1.27.    REVENUE RECOGNITION

    Financial income and expenses are recorded for all debt instruments according to the effective interest rate method, by which all gains and losses that are an integral part of the effective interest rate of the transaction are deferred.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    1.8.

    The income includedFINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    Initial Recognition

    The Group recognizes a financial asset or liability in its consolidated financial statements, as appropriate, when it becomes part of the contractual clauses of the financial instrument. Purchases and sales are recognized at the trading date when the Group buys or sells the instruments.

    Upon initial recognition, the Group measures financial assets or liabilities at fair value, plus or less, for instruments not recognized at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, such as fees and commissions.

    When the fair value differs from the cost value of the initial recognition, the Group recognizes the difference as follows:

    a.

    When the effective interest rate includes disbursements or income relatedfair value is according to the creation or acquisitionmarket value of athe financial asset or liability suchor is based on a valuation technique solely using market values, the difference is recognized as for example,profit or loss, as appropriate.

    b.

    In other cases, the preparationdifference is deferred and processingthe recognition over time of the documents necessaryprofit and loss is individually determined. The difference is amortized over the life of the instrument until the fair value can be measured based on market values.

    Financial Assets

    a.

    Debt Securities

    The Group considers as debt securities those instruments considered financial liabilities for the issuer, such as loans, government and private securities, bonds and customer accounts receivable.

    Classification

    As established by IFRS 9, the Group classifies financial assets according to how they are subsequently measured: at amortized cost, at fair value through other comprehensive income, or at fair value through profit or loss, based on:

    the Group’s business model to manage financial assets; and

    the characteristics of contractual cash flows of the financial asset.

    Business Model

    The Business Model refers to the way in which the Group manages a set of financial assets to reach a specific business objective. It represents the way the Group manages its financial instruments to generate cash flows.

    Business models that the Group can follow are listed below:

    Hold the instruments to collect its contractual cash flows;

    Hold the instruments in the portfolio to collect contractual cash flows and, in turn, sell them when deemed convenient; or;

    Hold the instruments for trading.

    The Group’s Business Model does not depend on the intentions that it may have for an individual instrument. Therefore, this condition is not an instrument-by-instrument classification approach, but it is determined from a higher level of aggregation.

    The Group only reclassifies an instrument when, and only when, the business model for managing financial assets is modified. The reclassification is performed from the commencement of the period where the change takes place. Such change is not expected to be frequent, and changes have not been recorded during this fiscal year.

    Characteristics of Contractual Cash Flows

    The Group assesses whether the cash flow of grouped instruments is not significantly different from the flow that would receive solely for interest; otherwise, they shall be measured at fair value through profit or loss.

    Based on the foregoing, there are three categories of Financial Assets:

    (i)

    Financial assets measured at amortized cost:

    Financial assets are measured at amortized cost when:

    (a)

    the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to conclude hold financial assets to collect contractual cash flows; and

    (b)

    the transactioncontractual conditions of the financial asset give rise, on specified dates, to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the compensation receivedoutstanding principal amount.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    These financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value plus the incremental and directly attributable transaction costs and are subsequently measured at amortized cost.

    The amortized cost of a financial asset is equal to its acquisition cost less its accumulated amortization plus accrued interest (calculated according to the effective interest method), net of any impairment loss.

    (ii)

    Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income:

    Financial assets are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income when:

    (a)

    the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets; and

    (b)

    the grantingcontractual conditions of credit agreements. The Group records all itsthe financial asset give rise, on specified dates, to cash flows which are solely payments of principal and interest on the outstanding principal amount.

    These instruments are initially recognized at their fair value plus the incremental and directly attributable transaction costs and are subsequently measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. Profits and losses arising from the changes in fair value are included in other comprehensive income within a separate equity component. Impairment losses or reversals, income for interest and exchange profits and losses are recognized through profit or loss. Upon its sale or disposal, the accumulated profit or loss previously recognized through other comprehensive income is reclassified to the statement of income.

    (iii)

    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:

    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are the following:

    Instruments held for trading;

    Instruments specifically designated at fair value through profit or loss; and

    Instruments whose contractual terms do not represent cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the outstanding principal amount.

    These financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value and any fair value measurement is recognized in the statement of income.

    The Group classifies a financial instrument as held for trading if it is acquired or incurred for the main purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the short term, or if it is part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are jointly managed and for which there is evidence of short-term earnings, or is a derivative financial instrument not designated as a hedging instrument. Derivative instruments and held-for-trading securities are classified as held for trading and measured at fair value.

    Additionally, financial assets can be valued at fair value through profit or loss when, by doing so, the Group eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition mismatch.

    b.

    Equity Instruments

    Equity instruments are so considered by its issuer; this means that they are instruments which do not contemplate a contractual obligation to pay cash, and which evidence a residual interest on the issuer’s asset after deducting its entire liabilities.

    Such instruments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except when, at the time of the initial recognition, the irrevocable option had been exercised to measure them at fair value through Other Comprehensive Income. This method is only applicable when the instruments are not held for trading and income shall be accounted in other comprehensive income with no reclassification to profit or loss, even when they are realized. Dividends receivable arising from such instruments shall be recognized through profit or loss solely when the Group is entitled to collect the payment.

    Financial Liabilities

    Classification

    The Group classifies their financial liabilities at amortized cost, using the effective interest rate method, except for:

    Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss, including derivative financial instruments.

    Liabilities arising from the transfer of financial assets not complying with the derecognition criteria.

    Financial guarantee contracts.

    Loan commitments at a lower than market rate.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss: the Group may choose to use, at the beginning, the irrevocable option to designate a liability at fair value through profit or loss, if, and only if, in doing so, it reflects a better measurement of financial information because:

    the Group eliminates or significantly reduces measurement or recognition inconsistency which would otherwise be exposed in the valuation;

    if financial assets and liabilities or a group of financial assets or liabilities, are managed and their performance is assessed on a fair value basis, according to a documented investment or risk management strategy; or

    a host contract contains one or more embedded derivative instruments, and the Group has opted for designating the entire contract at fair value through profit or loss.

    Financial guarantee contracts: Financial guarantee contracts are those contracts requiring the issuer to make specific payments to reimburse the holder for the loss incurred when a specific debtor does not comply with its payment obligation on maturity, in accordance with the original or amended terms of a debt instrument.

    Financial guarantee contracts are initially measured at fair value, and subsequently measured at the higher of the amount of the loss allowance and the amount initially recognized less, when appropriate, the cumulative amount of income recognized.

    Derecognition of Financial Instruments

    Financial Assets

    A financial asset or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or a part of a group of similar financial assets, is derecognized when: (i) the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or (ii) the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset, or has assumed an obligation to pay all of the cash flows received immediately to a third party under a pass-through agreement; and all the risks and rewards of the asset have also been substantially transferred, or, in case all the risks and rewards of the asset had not been substantially transferred or retained, the control of the asset has been transferred.

    When the contractual rights of receiving the cash flows generated by the asset have been transferred, or a transfer agreement has been executed, the entity assesses if it has retained, and to what extent, the risks and awards inherent in asset ownership. When substantially all the risks and rewards inherent in asset ownership have not been transferred or retained, nor has control of the asset been transferred, the asset continues to be recognized to the extent of its continued involvement over it.

    In this case, the related liability is also recognized. The transferred asset and the related liability are measured in such a way so as to reflect the rights and obligations that the Group had retained.

    A continuing involvement that takes the form of a collateral on the transferred asset is measured as the smallest amount between (i) the original carrying amount of the asset, and (ii) the maximum amount of consideration received that would be required to be returned.

    Financial Liabilities:

    A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation, has been cancelled, or has expired. When an existing financial liability is exchanged by another of the same borrower under significantly different conditions, or the conditions are significantly modified, such exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and a new liability is recognized, the difference between the value in books of the initial financial liability and the consideration paid is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income. When the renegotiation conditions are not significantly different, or the conditions are not significantly modified, the flows of the modified financial liabilities are discounted at the rate of the original contract.

    1.9.

    DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    Derivative Financial instruments, including foreign currency contracts, futures, forward contracts, interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps, interest rate options and foreign currency options are recorder at their fair value.

    All derivative financial instruments are recorder as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative, against the agreed price. The changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognized in profit or loss.

    In these consolidated financial statements, the Group has not applied hedge accounting.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    1.10.     REPURCHASE TRANSACTIONS

    Reverse Repurchase Transactions

    According to the derecognition principles in IFRS 9, these transactions are considered as secured borrowings, since the risk has not been transferred to the counterpart.

    Financing granted through reverse repurchase transactions are recorded under “Repurchase Transactions” accounts, classified by counterparty and considering the asset received as collateral.

    At the closing of each month, accrued interest receivable is imputed to the “Repurchase Transactions” account with offsetting entry in “Interest Income”.

    The underlying assets received for the reverse repurchase transactions will be recorded in Off-Balance Sheet Items. The assets received that have been sold by the Group are not deducted, but derecognized only when the repo transaction finishes, recording a liability in kind for the obligation to deliver the security sold.

    Repurchase Transactions

    Financing received through repurchase transactions are recorded under “Repurchase Transactions” accounts, classified by counterparty and considering the asset pledged as collateral.

    In these transactions, when the receiver of the underlying asset obtains the right to sell it or pledge it as collateral, this is reclassified to the “Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral” accounts.

    At the closing of each month, accrued interest payable is imputed to the “Repurchase Transactions” account with offsetting entry in “Interest Expenses”.

    1.11.    ALLOWANCES FOR FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit loss (“ECL”) associated with its debt instruments assets carried at amortized cost and FVOCI, together with the exposure arising from loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts. The Group recognizes a loss allowance for such losses at each reporting date. The measurement of ECL reflects:

    An unbiased and probability-weighted amount is determined by evaluating a range of possible outcomes,

    The time value of money, and

    Reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or effort at the reporting date about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions.

    Note 45 provides more detail of how the expected credit loss allowance is measured.

    1.12.    LEASES

    1.12.1.    Lease activities of the Group

    The Group is the lessee of various properties to be used in its ordinary course of business. Lease contracts are generally made for fixed periods, from 1 to 20 years, but in some cases, there may be price agreements for shorter periods with extension options. Lease terms are individually negotiated and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions.

    From January 1, 2019, leases are recognized as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability, on the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the Group.

    Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:

    fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable;

    variable lease payments based on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate on the initial date;

    amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees;

    the exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and

    payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option.

    Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain extension options are also included in the measurement of the liability.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if it can be determined; or otherwise, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate will be applied, which is the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the necessary funds to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of- use asset, in a similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions.

    Lease payments are allocated between principal and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease period, to produce a constant, periodic interest rate on the remaining balance of the liability for each period.

    Right-of-use assets are measured at their cost, comprising the following:

    the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability;

    any lease payment made on or before the initial date, less any lease incentives received;

    any initial direct cost; and

    restoration and dismantling costs.

    Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter of the asset useful life and the lease term on a straight-line method.

    Payments related to short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognized on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less that do not contain a bargain purchase option. Low-value assets are defined as small physical spaces where equipment owned by the Group is kept.

    1.12.2.    Extension and Termination Options

    The extension and termination options that are included in several Property, Plant and Equipment leases were considered to determine the term of the lease. These options are used to maximize the operational flexibility in terms of managing the assets used in our operations. Most of the extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the Group and not by the respective lessor.

    1.13.    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

    Assets are measured at their acquisition or construction cost, net of accumulated depreciations and/or accumulated impairment losses, if any. The cost includes the expenses directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of the items.

    Property, Plant and Equipment acquired through business combinations were initially valued at the estimated fair value at the acquisition date.

    Subsequent costs are included in the value of the asset or are recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, if and only if they are likely to generate future economic benefits for the Group, and its cost can be reasonably measured. When improvements are made to the asset, the carrying amount of the replaced asset is derecognized, the new asset being amortized for the remaining useful life.

    Repair and maintenance costs are recognized in the consolidated statement of income for the year in which they are incurred.

    The depreciation of these assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost over, their estimated useful lives. If an asset includes significant components with different useful lives, they are recognized and depreciated as separate items.

    The residual values of Property, Plant and Equipment, the useful lives and the depreciation methods are reviewed and adjusted if necessary, at the closing date of each fiscal year, or when there is evidence of impairment.

    The book value of the Property, Plant and Equipment is immediately reduced to its recoverable amount when it is greater than the estimated recoverable value.

    Profits and losses from the sale of Property, Plant and Equipment items are determined by comparing the proceeds from the disposal to the carrying amount of the respective asset and are charged to income.

    1.14.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS

    1.14.1.    Licenses

    Licenses acquired individually are initially valued at cost, while those acquired through business combinations are recognized at their estimated fair value at the acquisition date.

    At the closing date of these consolidated financial statements, intangible assets with a finite useful life are presented net of accumulated depreciation and/or accumulated impairment losses, if any. These assets are subject to impairment tests annually, or when there is evidence of impairment.

    The licenses acquired by the Group have been classified as intangible assets with a finite useful life, being amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of the license.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are the assets arising from contracts or other legal rights, that can be renewed without significant cost, and for which, based on an analysis of all relevant factors, there is no foreseeable limit of the period along which the asset is expected to generate net cash flows for the Group. These intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to impairment tests, annually or when there is evidence of impairment, either individually or at the level of the cash generating unit. The determination of the indefinite useful life is annually reviewed to confirm if it continues being applicable.

    1.14.2.    Software

    The costs related to software maintenance are recognized as expense when incurred. The development, acquisition and implementation costs that are directly attributable to software design and testing, identifiable and monitored by the Group, are recognized as assets.

    The costs incurred in software development, acquisition or implementation, recognized as intangible assets, are amortized by applying the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.

    1.15.    ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

    1.15.1.    Assets Held for Sale

    The assets, or group of assets, classified as available for sale in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 5 “Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations,” will be disclosed separately from the rest of the assets.

    Non-current assets or disposal groups (including the loss of control over a subsidiary) are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and a sale is considered highly probable. In order for an asset to be classified as held for sale, it must meet the following conditions:

    it must be available for immediate sale in its current condition;

    Management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset and must have initiated an active program to locate a buyer and complete the plan;

    the asset must be actively marketed for sale at a reasonable price in relation to its current fair value;

    the sale is expected to be completed within 12 months from its reclassification date; and

    it is unlikely that the plan will be significantly changed or withdrawn.

    The assets, or groups of assets, classified as held for sale in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 5 “Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations”, are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell and are restated in accordance with Note 22.

    Non-current assets (including those that are part of a disposal group) are not depreciated or amortized while they are classified as held for sale.

    1.15.2.    Discontinued Operations

    A discontinued operation is a component of the Group that has been disposed of, or that has been classified as held for sale, and complies with any of the following conditions:

    it represents line of business or a geographical area, which is significant and can be considered as separated from the rest;

    it is part of a single coordinated plan to have a business line, or geographical area of the operations which is significant and can be considered as separated from the rest; or

    it is an independent entity exclusively acquired to resell it.

    Any profit or loss arising from re-measuring an asset (or group of assets for its disposal) classified as Held for Sale, which does not meet the definition of discontinued operation, will be included in the Income from continuing operations.

    1.16.    IMPAIRMENT OF NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS

    Assets with indefinite useful life are not subject to amortization and are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. Other assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or, at least, on an annual basis.

    Depreciation and impairment losses are recognized when the carrying amount exceeds their recoverable value. The recoverable value of assets is the greater of the net amount that it would obtain from its sale, or its value in use. For the impairment tests, the assets are grouped at the lowest level where they generate identifiable cash flows (cash generating units). The carrying amount of non-financial assets other than goodwill over which depreciation and impairment have been recorded, are reviewed at each reporting date for verifying possible depreciation and impairment reversals.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    1.17.    TRUST ASSETS

    The assets held by the Group in its trustee role are not reported in the consolidated statement of financial position, because the Group is not in control of the trust or the risks and rewards of the underlying assets. Fees received from trust activities are recorded in Fee Income.

    1.18.    OFFSETTING

    Financial assets and liabilities are offset by reporting the net amount in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position only when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts, and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

    1.19.    FINANCING RECEIVED FROM THE ARGENTINE CENTRAL BANK AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

    The amounts owed to other Financial Institutions are recorded at the time the principal is disbursed to the Group. Non-derivative financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost. If the Group repurchases its own debt, this is eliminated from the consolidated financial statements, and the difference between the residual value of the financial liability and the amount paid is recognized as a financial income or expense.

    1.20.    PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

    In accordance with IFRS a provision will be recognized when:

    a.

    an Entity has a current obligation (either legal or implicit) as a consequence of a past event;

    b.

    it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying future economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and

    c.

    the amount can be reliably estimated.

    It will be understood that the Group has an implicit obligation if (a) as a result of previous practices or public policies, the Group has assumed certain liabilities; and (b) as a result, it has created expectations that it will comply with those obligations.

    The Group recognizes the following provisions:

    For labor, civil, and commercial lawsuits: provisions are determined based on the lawyers’ reports on the status of the lawsuits and the estimate made on the bankruptcy possibilities to be faced by the Group, as well as on past experience regarding this type of lawsuits.

    For miscellaneous risks: provisions are set up to face contingent situations that may give rise to obligations for the Group. When estimating the amounts, the probability of their materializing is taken into account, considering the opinion of the Group’s legal advisors and professionals.

    The amount recognized as provision must be the best estimate of the disbursement needed to cancel such obligation, at the end of the year being reported.

    When the financial effect produced by the discount becomes important, the amount of the provision must be the present value of the disbursements that are expected to be required to cancel the obligation by using a pre-tax interest rate that reflects the current market conditions on the value of money and the specific risks for such obligation. The increase in the provision for the lapsing of time is recognized in the Net Financial Income item of the Statement of Income.

    The Group will not record the positive contingencies, except those arising from deferred taxes and those which materialization is virtually certain.

    At the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the Group Directors understand that there have been no elements that allow determining the existence of other contingencies that may be materialized and generate a negative impact on these consolidated financial statements, as detailed in Note 29.

    1.21. OTHER NON-FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

    Non-financial accounts payable are accrued when the counterparty has complied its contractual obligations under the contract, and they are measured at amortized cost.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    1.22.    DEBT SECURITIES

    The Group’s Debt Securities are measured at amortized cost. If the Group purchases debt securities of their own, the obligation in Liabilities related to such debt securities is considered extinguished, and, therefore, it is derecognized. If the Group repurchases its own debt, this is eliminated from the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the difference between the residual value of the financial liability and the amount paid is recognized as a financial income or expense.

    1.23.    ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ARISING FROM INSURANCE CONTRACTS

    The valuation and recording of assets and liabilities arising from the Group’s insurance contracts is performed pursuant to the IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts” criteria.

    Assets for Insurance Contracts

    Insurance contracts are contracts where the Group (the insurer) has accepted an insurance risk from another party (the insured) by agreeing to compensate the insured if a specified uncertain future event (the insured event) adversely affects the insured.

    Once a contract has been classified as an insurance contract, it remains an insurance contract for the rest of its useful life, even if the insurance risk is significantly reduced during this period, unless all rights and obligations are extinguished or expire.

    The insurance contracts offered by the Group include property insurance that covers fire, combined family insurance, theft and similar risks, property damage, personal accidents, among other risks. Life insurance and Retirement insurance contracts are also included.

    Total premiums are recognized as of the policy issuance date as an account receivable. At the same time, a reserve is recorded in Liabilities for unearned premiums representing premiums for risks that have not yet expired. The unearned premiums are recognized as Income for the contract period, which is also the coverage and risk period. The book value of insurance accounts receivable is reviewed for impairment if events or circumstances indicate that the book value may not be recoverable. Impairment loss is recorded in the Statement of Income.

    Liabilities Recognized for the Insurance Business

    Debts with Insured Persons

    Reserves for Insurance claims represent debts with insured persons for claims reported to the company, and an estimate of the claims that have already been incurred but have not yet been reported to the company. Reported claims are adjusted based on technical reports received from independent appraisers.

    Debts with Reinsurers and Co-insurers

    The Group mitigates the risk for some of its insurance business through coinsurance or reinsurance contracts in other companies. For coinsurance, the Company associates with another company to cover a risk, by assuming only a percentage of it and, therefore, also of the premium. For reinsurance, the risk is transferred to another insurance company both in proportional (as a risk percentage) and non-proportional form (the excess of loss above a certain limit is covered). The transferred reinsurance agreements do not exempt the Group from its obligations with the insured persons.

    Coinsurance and reinsurance liabilities represent balances owed under the same conditions, and the amounts payable are estimated in a manner consistent with the contract that gave rise to them.

    Debts with Producers

    They represent liabilities with insurance producers and independent agents arising from the commissions for the insurance transactions they bring for the Group’s companies. The checking account balances with such entities are also included.

    Technical Commitments

    Technical reserves include reserves for future benefit obligations under life, annuity and accident insurance policies, and reserves for retirement insurance contracts.

    The Group assesses, at the end of the reporting period, the adequacy of the insurance liabilities it has recognized, using current estimates of future cash flows from its insurance contracts. Should the evaluation show that the carrying amount of its liabilities for insurance contracts (minus deferred acquisition costs and related intangible assets) is not adequate, considering the estimated future cash flows, the total amount of the deficiency will be recognized in Income. In accordance with IFRS 4, the Group must determine the adequacy of the amount in books recorded in accordance with the guidelines established in IAS 37.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    1.24.    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    Shareholders’ equity accounts are restated in accordance with Note 1.1.b., except for the item “Capital Stock”, which is carried at face value. The restatement adjustment is included in “Equity Adjustments”.

    Ordinary shares are classified in Shareholders’ Equity and remain recorded at their nominal value. When any company forming part of the Group buys Company shares (treasury shares in portfolio), the payment made, including any costs directly attributable to the transaction (net of taxes) is deducted from the Shareholders’ Equity until the shares are canceled or sold.

    1.25.    PROFIT RESERVES

    According to Art. 70 of the General Companies Act, the Company and its subsidiaries, except Banco Galicia, must transfer to Legal Reserve 5% of the profit for the year, until said reserve reaches 20% of the capital stock plus the balance of the Equity Adjustment account.

    Regarding Banco Galicia, in accordance with the regulations established by the Argentine Central Bank, it is appropriate to allocate to Legal Reserve 20% of the profits for the year, net of the eventual adjustments of previous fiscal years, if applicable. However, for the allocation of Other Reserves, the Financial Institutions must comply with the Argentine Central Bank provisions of the Amended Text on dividends distribution detailed in Note 52.

    1.26.    DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTION

    The dividends distribution to the Group’s shareholders is recognized as a liability in the consolidated financial statements in the year in which the dividends are approved by the Group’s shareholders.

    1.27.    REVENUE RECOGNITION

    Financial income and expenses are recorded for all debt instruments according to the effective interest rate method, by which all gains and losses that are an integral part of the effective interest rate of the transaction are deferred.

    The income included in the effective interest rate includes disbursements or income related to the creation or acquisition of a financial asset or liability, such as, for example, the preparation and processing of the documents necessary to conclude the transaction and the compensation received by the granting of credit agreements. The Group records all its non-derivative financial liabilities at amortized cost, except those included in the item “Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss” which are measured at fair value.

    Fees received by the Group for the origination of syndicated loans are not part of the effective interest rate of the product, and are recognized in the statement of income at the time the service is provided, to the extent the Group does not retain part of it, or this is maintained in the same conditions as the rest of the participants. Commissions and fees earned by the Group on negotiations in third parties’ transactions are not part of the effective interest rate either, and are recognized at the time the transactions are executed.

    IFRS 15 establishes the principles that an entity shall apply to recognize revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers.

    The amount that should be recognized will be the amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the services delivered to customers.

    The Group’s income from services is recognized in the statement of income to the extent the performance obligations are complied with, thus deferring those revenues related to customer loyalty programs, which are provisioned based on the fair value of each point and its redemption rate, until they are exchanged by the customer and can be recognized in the income for the year.

    Retail product and service fees related to savings and checking account operations have a monthly charging frequency; safe deposit boxes fees are charged quarterly; renewal of credit cards is charged annually, and bond and shares transactions are charged at the time the transactions are executed.

    Additionally, fees for wholesale products corresponding to maintenance of accounts, deposits and withdrawals between entities, are charged on a monthly basis; foreign trade transactions are charged at the time the transactions are executed.

    Below is a summary of the main commissions earned by the Bank:

    Commissions

    Earning Frequency

    Retail Products and Services
    Savings AccountsMonthly
    Checking AccountsMonthly
    Credit-card RenewalAnnual
    Safe Deposit BoxesQuarterly
    Bonds and Shares TransactionsOn each transaction
    Wholesale Products
    Account MaintenanceMonthly
    Deposits and Withdrawals among BranchesMonthly
    Foreign Trade TransactionsOn each transaction

    1.28.    INCOME TAX

    The Income tax expense for the year comprises the current and the deferred taxes. Income tax is recognized in the consolidated statement of income, except when there are items that must be directly recognized in other comprehensive income. In this case, income tax liability related to such items is also recognized in this Statement.

    The current income tax expense is calculated based on the tax laws enacted, or substantially enacted as of the date of the consolidated financial statements in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income. The Group periodically assesses the position assumed in tax returns as regards the situations in which tax laws are subject to interpretation. Likewise, when applicable, the Group sets up provisions on the amounts that it expects to be paid to tax authorities.

    Deferred income tax is determined by the liability method on the temporary differences arising from the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax base. However, the deferred tax that arises from the initial recognition of an asset or a liability in a transaction not corresponding to a business combination, which at the time of the transaction does not affect neither the profit nor the accounting or taxable loss, is not recorded. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and legislation) that have been enacted as of the date of the financial statements and are expected to be applicable when the deferred tax assets are realized, or the deferred tax liabilities are settled.

    Deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent future tax benefits are likely to arise against which the temporary differences might be offset.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Commissions

    Earning Frequency

    Retail Products and Services
    Savings AccountsMonthly
    Checking AccountsMonthly
    Credit-card RenewalAnnual
    Safe Deposit BoxesQuarterly
    Bonds and Shares TransactionsOn each transaction
    Wholesale Products
    Account MaintenanceMonthly
    Deposits and Withdrawals among BranchesMonthly
    Foreign Trade TransactionsOn each transaction

    1.28.    INCOME TAX

    The Income tax expense for the year comprises the current and the deferred taxes. Income tax is recognized in the consolidated statement of income, except when there are items that must be directly recognized in other comprehensive income. In this case, income tax liability related to such items is also recognized in this Statement.

    The current income tax expense is calculated based on the tax laws enacted, or substantially enacted as of the date of the consolidated financial statements in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income. The Group periodically assesses the position assumed in tax returns as regards the situations in which tax laws are subject to interpretation. Likewise, when applicable, the Group sets up provisions on the amounts that it expects to be paid to tax authorities.

    Deferred income tax is determined by the liability method on the temporary differences arising from the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax base. However, the deferred tax that arises from the initial recognition of an asset or a liability in a transaction not corresponding to a business combination, which at the time of the transaction does not affect neither the profit nor the accounting or taxable loss, is not recorded. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and legislation) that have been enacted as of the date of the financial statements and are expected to be applicable when the deferred tax assets are realized, or the deferred tax liabilities are settled.

    Deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent future tax benefits are likely to arise against which the temporary differences might be offset.

    The Group recognizes a deferred tax liability for taxable temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries and affiliates, unless the following two conditions are met:

    (i)

    the Group controls the timing on which temporary differences relatedwill be reversed, and.

    (ii)

    such temporary differences are not likely to investmentsbe reversed in subsidiaries and affiliates, unless the following two conditions are met:foreseeable future.

    The balances of deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when a legal right exists to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and to the extent such balances are related to the same tax authority of the Group or its subsidiaries, where tax balances are intended to be, and may be, settled on a net basis.

    1.29.    EARNINGS PER SHARE

    Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the income attributable to parent company’s owners by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year.

    Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

    NOTE 2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

     

    (i)

    the Group controls the timing on which temporary differences will be reversed; and.

    The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires Directors to exercise their judgment in applying the accounting standards to define the Group’s accounting policies.

    (ii)

    such temporary differences are not likely to be reversed in the foreseeable future.

    The balances of deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when a legal right exists to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and to the extent such balances are related to the same tax authority of the Group or its subsidiaries, where tax balances are intended to be, and may be, settled on a net basis.

    1.29.    EARNINGS PER SHARE

    Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the income attributable to parent company’s owners by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year.

    Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

    NOTE 2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

    The Group has identified the following areas involving a greater degree of judgment or complexity, or areas in where the assumptions and estimates are significant for the consolidated financial statements and which are essential to understand the underlying accounting/financial reporting risks.

     

    a.

    The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires Directors to exercise their judgment in applying the accounting standards to define the Group’s accounting policies.FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    The Group has identified the following areas involving a greater degree of judgment or complexity, or areas in where the assumptions and estimates are significant for the consolidated financial statements and which are essential to understand the underlying accounting/financial reporting risks.

    a.

    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    The fair value of financial instruments not listed in active markets is determined by using valuation techniques. Such techniques are periodically validated and reviewed by qualified personnel independent from the area which

    The fair value of financial instruments not listed in active markets is determined by using valuation techniques. Such techniques are periodically validated and reviewed by qualified personnel independent from the area or independent appraisers that developed them. All models are assessed and adjusted before they are used, to ensure that their results reflect the current information and comparable market prices. To the extent possible, the models rely only on observable inputs; however, certain factors such as projected cash flows, discount rates and volatilities and correlations relating to interest rates and spreads require the use of estimates. Changes in the assumptions about these factors can affect the reported fair value of the financial instruments.

    b.

    ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

    The Group recognizes the allowance for loan losses under the expected credit losses method included in IFRS 9. The most significant judgments of the model relate to defining what is considered a significant increase in credit risk, developing parameters such as the probabilities of default and the loss given default and making assumptions about macroeconomic scenarios. A high degree of uncertainty is involved in making estimations using assumptions that are highly subjective and very sensitive to the risk factors.

    c.

    IMPAIRMENT OFNON-FINANCIAL ASSETS

    Intangible assets with finite useful lives and property, plant and equipment are amortized or depreciated on a straight-line basis during their estimated useful life. The Group monitors the conditions related to these assets to determine whether the events and circumstances require a review of the remaining amortization or depreciation term, and whether there are factors or circumstances indicating impairment in the value of the assets that cannot be recovered.

    The Group has applied judgment to identify impairment indicators for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The Group has concluded that there were no impairment indicators for any of the years reported in its consolidated financial statements.

    d.

    INCOME TAX AND DEFERRED TAX

    Significant judgment is required when determining current and deferred tax assets and liabilities. The current income tax is accounted according to the amounts expected to be paid; while deferred income tax is accounted on the basis of temporary differences between carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax base, at the rates expected to be in force at the time of their reversal.

    A deferred tax asset is recognized when future taxable income is expected to exist to offset such temporary differences, based on Management’s assumptions about the amounts and timing of such future taxable income. Then, management needs to determine whether deferred tax assets are likely to be used and offset against future taxable income. Actual results may differ from these estimates, for instance, changes in the applicable tax laws or the outcome of the final review of the tax returns by the tax authorities and tax courts.

    Future taxable income and the number of tax benefits likely to be available in the future are based on a medium-term business plan prepared by management, on the basis of expectations which are deemed reasonable.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    b.

    NOTE 3. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTSALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

    The Group recognizes the allowance for loan losses under the expected credit losses method included in IFRS 9. The most significant judgments of the model relate to defining what is considered a significant increase in credit risk, identifying assets which are impaired or subject to serious risk of impairment, developing parameters such as the probabilities of default and the loss given default and making assumptions about macroeconomic scenarios. A high degree of uncertainty is involved in making estimations using assumptions that are highly subjective and very sensitive to the risk factors.

    Furthermore, the level of estimation uncertainty and judgement has increased during 2020 as a result of the economic effects of the Covid-19 outbreak.

     

    c.

    Schedule P “Categories of Financial Assets and Liabilities”, discloses the measurement categories and fair value hierarchies for financial instruments.IMPAIRMENT OF NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS

    As of the indicated dates, the Group maintains the following portfolios of financial instruments:

    Intangible assets with finite useful lives and property, plant and equipment are amortized or depreciated on a straight-line basis during their estimated useful life. The Group monitors the conditions related to these assets to determine whether the events and circumstances require a review of the remaining amortization or depreciation term, and whether there are factors or circumstances indicating impairment in the value of the assets that cannot be recovered.

    The Group has applied judgment to identify impairment indicators for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The Group has concluded that there were no impairment indicators for any of the years reported in its consolidated financial statements.

     

    Portfolio of Instruments as of 12.31.2019

      Fair Value
    through Profit
    or Loss
       Amortized Cost   Fair Value
    through OCI
     

    Assets

          

    Argentine Central Bank’s Bills and Notes

       58,141,095    —      —   

    Government Securities

       6,700,187    —      —   

    Corporate Securities

       849,178    —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       2,329,074    —      —   

    Repurchase Transactions

       —      30,075,478    —   

    Other Financial Assets

       5,024,505    5,890,829    —   

    Loans and Other Financing

       —      358,558,869    —   

    Other Debt Securities

       —      3,103,324    15,916,306 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       1,735,692    9,814,894    —   

    Investment in Equity Instruments

       4,554,453    —      —   

    Liabilities

          

    Deposits

       —      393,735,406    —   

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       1,422,157    —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       881,099    —      —   

    Repurchase Transactions

       —      —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       —      71,362,718    —   

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       —      22,723,687    —   

    Debt Securities

       —      29,240,851    —   

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       —      15,499,212    —   
    d.

    INCOME TAX AND DEFERRED TAX

    Portfolio of Instruments as of 12.31.2018

      Fair Value
    through Profit
    or Loss
       Amortized Cost   Fair Value
    through OCI
     

    Assets

          

    Argentine Central Bank’s Bills and Notes

       107,833,074    —      —   

    Government Securities

       7,229,824    —      —   

    Corporate Securities

       1,749,987    —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       2,746,893    —      —   

    Repurchase Transactions

       —      3,181,371    —   

    Other Financial Assets

       6,620,071    7,298,580    —   

    Loans and Other Financing

       —      434,899,689    —   

    Other Debt Securities

       —      8,171,631    14,017,361 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       5,322,158    11,318,650    —   

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       247,753    —      —   

    Liabilities

          

    Deposits

       —      553,946,288    —   

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       3,299,188    —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       2,824,038    —      —   

    Repurchase Transactions

       —      2,997,515    —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       —      97,275,984    —   

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       —      29,914,292    —   

    Debt Securities

       —      46,124,574    —   

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       —      15,026,155    —   

    NOTE 4. FAIR VALUES

    The Group classifies the fair values of the financial instruments in 3 levels, according to the quality of the data used for their determination

    Fair Value Level 1: The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets (as publicly traded derivative instruments, debt securities or instruments available for sale) is based on the quoted market prices as of the date of the reporting period. If the quoted price is available and there is an active market for the instrument, this will be included in Level 1. Otherwise, it will be included in Level 2.

    Fair Value Level 2: The fair value of financial instruments not traded in active markets, for example,

    Significant judgment is required when determining current and deferred tax assets and liabilities. The current income tax is accounted according to the amounts expected to be paid; while deferred income tax is accounted on the basis of temporary differences between carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax base, at the rates expected to be in force at the time of their reversal.

    A deferred tax asset is recognized when future taxable income is expected to exist to offset such temporary differences, based on Management’s assumptions about the amounts and timing of such future taxable income. Then, management needs to determine whether deferred tax assets are likely to be used and offset against future taxable income. Actual results may differ from these estimates, for instance, changes in the applicable tax laws or the outcome of the final review of the tax returns by the tax authorities and tax courts.

    Future taxable income and the number of tax benefits likely to be available in the future are based on a medium-term business plan prepared by management, on the basis of expectations which are deemed reasonable.

    NOTE 3. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    Schedule P “Categories of Financial Assets and Liabilities”, discloses the measurement categories and fair value hierarchies for financial instruments.

    As of the indicated dates, the Group maintains the following portfolios of financial instruments:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Portfolio of Instruments as of 12.31.2020

      Fair Value
    through Profit
    or Loss
       Amortized Cost   Fair Value
    through OCI
     

    Assets

          

    Cash and Due from Banks

       —      175,423,476    —   

    Argentine Central Bank’s Bills and Notes

       128,324,920    —      —   

    Government Securities

       24,282,643    —      —   

    Corporate Securities

       2,811,997    —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       2,165,032    —      —   

    Repurchase Transactions

       —      60,995,643    —   

    Other Financial Assets

       2,791,983    7,301,643    —   

    Loans and Other Financing

       —      526,434,119    —   

    Other Debt Securities

       —      18,885,279    4,185,098 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       2,035,559    16,681,884    —   

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       5,711,684    —      —   

    Liabilities

          

    Deposits

       —      676,395,735    —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       57,450    —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       —      97,471,465    —   

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       —      13,833,439    —   

    Debt Securities

       —      17,073,898    —   

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       —      21,653,546    —   

    Portfolio of Instruments as of 12.31.2019

      Fair Value
    through Profit
    or Loss
       Amortized Cost   Fair Value
    through OCI
     

    Assets

          

    Cash and Due from Banks

       —      177,866,400    —   

    Argentine Central Bank’s Bills and Notes

       79,153,628    —      —   

    Government Securities

       9,121,674    —      —   

    Corporate Securities

       1,156,076    —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       3,170,815    —      —   

    Repurchase Transactions

       —      40,944,933    —   

    Other Financial Assets

       6,840,391    8,019,809    —   

    Loans and Other Financing

       —      488,144,152    —   

    Other Debt Securities

       —      4,224,883    21,668,553 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       2,362,981    13,362,055    —   

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       6,200,459    —      —   

    Liabilities

          

    Deposits

       —      536,033,696    —   

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       1,936,133    —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       1,199,533    —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       —      97,153,624    —   

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       —      30,936,161    —   

    Debt Securities

       —      39,808,666    —   

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       —      21,100,718    —   

    NOTE 4. FAIR VALUES

    The Group classifies the fair values of the financial instruments in 3 levels, according to the quality of the data used for their determination

    Fair Value Level 1: The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets (as publicly traded derivative instruments, debt securities or instruments available for sale) is based on the quoted market prices as of the date of the reporting period. If the quoted price is available and there is an active market for the instrument, this will be included in Level 1. Otherwise, it will be included in Level 2.

    Fair Value Level 2: The fair value of financial instruments not traded in active markets, for example, over-the-counter derivatives, is determined using valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and rely to the lower extent possible in the Group’s specific estimates. If all the significant inputs required to obtain the fair value of a financial instrument are observable, the instrument is included in Level 2. If the inputs required to determine the price are not observable, the instrument will be included in Level 3.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Fair Value Level 3: If one or more relevant inputs are not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in Level 3. This is the case of unlisted financial instruments.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    When observable market prices are no longer available, the instrument will be included in Level 3. The instrument will return to Level 1 only when it has observable market price, and it will maintain that Level if it continues quoting. This is called transfer between levels.

    Valuation Techniques

    The valuation techniques to determine fair values include:

     

    Market prices for similar instruments.

     

    Determining the estimated present value of instruments.

    The valuation technique to determine the fair value Level 2 is based on data other than the quoted price included in Level 1, which are directly observable for assets or liabilities (i.e., prices). For those instruments with no secondary market and which, if having to reverse positions, the Group would have to sell them to the Argentine Central Bank at the rate originally agreed in accordance with the provisions of the controlling authority, the price has been prepared based on such rate accrual.

    Financial instruments classified as level 3 mainly include equity instruments for which the fair value was calculated with the assistance of independent appraisers using methods of future discounted cash flows involving a combined income and market approach. The fair value of the related put option derivative classified as level 3 was estimated using a valuation technique based on the binomial method considering different scenarios. The most relevant unobservable input data include the projected EBITDA and the discount rate (WACC—Weighted Average Cost of Capital) used in the estimations.

    The valuation technique to determine the fair value of other Level 3 financial instruments is based on a method that compares the existing spread between the curve of sovereign bonds and the average yield of primary offerings, for different segments, according to the different risk ratings. If there are no representative primary offerings during the month, the following alternatives will be used:

     

    (i)

    Secondary market prices of instruments under the same conditions, which had quoted in the evaluation month.

     

    (ii)

    prior-month bidding and/or secondary market prices, which will be taken based on their representativeness.

     

    (iii)

    prior month spread applied to the sovereign curve.

     

    (iv)

    A specific margin is applied, defined according to historical yields of instruments under the same conditions.

    As stated above, the rates and spreads to be used to discount future cash flows and originate the price of the instrument are determined.

    All the modifications to the valuation methods are previously discussed and approved by the Group’s key personnel.

    The Group’s financial instruments measured at fair value at the end of the reporting period are detailed below:

     

    Portfolio of Instruments as of 12.31.19

      Fair Value Level
    1
       Fair Value Level
    2
       Fair Value Level
    3
     

    Portfolio of Instruments as of 12.31.20

      Fair Value Level
    1
       Fair Value Level
    2
       Fair Value Level
    3
     

    Assets

                

    Argentine Central Bank’s Bills and Notes

       —      58,141,095    —      —      128,324,920    —   

    Government Securities

       1,507,757    —      5,192,430    23,170,495    911,380    200,768 

    Corporate Securities

       664,317    —      184,861    1,653,980    —      1,158,017 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       —      1,398,539    930,535    —      547,929    1,617,103 

    Other Financial Assets

       4,987,105    37,400    —      2,760,728    31,255    —   

    Other Debt Securities (*)

       15,916,306    —      —   

    Other Debt Securities (*)

       604,996    3,580,102    —   

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       703,669    —      1,032,023    2,035,559    —      —   

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       162,003    —      4,392,450 

    Investments in Equity Investments

       234,774    —      5,476,910 

    Liabilities

                

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       1,422,157    —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       —      881,099    —      —      57,450    —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       22,519,000    58,695,935    11,732,299    30,460,532    133,338,136    8,452,798 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

     

    (*)

    It relates to Government Securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Portfolio of Instruments as of 12.31.18

      Fair Value Level
    1
       Fair Value Level
    2
       Fair Value Level
    3
     

    Portfolio of Instruments as of 12.31.19

      Fair Value Level
    1
       Fair Value Level
    2
       Fair Value Level
    3
     

    Assets

                

    Argentine Central Bank’s Bills and Notes

       —      107,833,074    —      —      79,153,628    —   

    Government Securities

       4,541,662    1,966,052    722,110    2,052,669    —      7,069,005 

    Corporate Securities

       474,965    55,795    1,219,227    904,405    —      251,671 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       —      2,746,893    —      —      1,903,979    1,266,836 

    Other Financial Assets

       6,560,076    59,995    —      6,789,474    50,917    —   

    Other Debt Securities (*)

       14,017,361    —      —      21,668,553    —      —   

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       4,898,556    423,602    —      957,979    —      1,405,002 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       41,219    —      206,534 

    Equity Investments

       220,552    —      5,979,907 

    Liabilities

                

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       2,102,558    1,196,630    —      1,936,133    —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       —      2,824,038    —      —      1,199,533    —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       28,431,281    109,064,743    2,147,871    30,657,499    79,908,991    15,972,421 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

     

    (*)

    It relates to Government Securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

    The evolution of instruments included in Level 3 Fair Value is detailed below:

     

    Level 3

      12.31.18   Transfers(*) Recognition   Derecognition Income
    (Loss)
     Inflation
    Effect
     12.31.19   12.31.19   Transfers(*) Recognition   Derecognition Income
    (Loss)
     Inflation
    Effect
     12.31.20 

    Government Securities

       722,110    6,629,757  18,222,949    (19,385,862 (916,017 (80,507 5,192,430    7,069,005    (1,734,412 18,522,437    (22,946,325 915,243  (1,625,180 200,768 

    Corporate Securities

       1,219,227    21,564  6,504,969    (7,274,290 273,460  (560,069 184,861    251,671    123,615  3,850,367    (2,996,313 99,825  (171,148 1,158,017 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       —      —    1,280,629    —     —    (350,094 930,535    1,266,836    —     —      —    686,568  (336,301 1,617,103 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       —      2,176,092  954,328    (1,747,082 (364,877 13,562  1,032,023    1,405,002    (209,844 700,459    (1,580,566 (162,288 (152,763  —   

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       206,534    (21,612 5,287,224    —    322,256  (1,401,952 4,392,450    5,979,907    —     —      —    1,052,243  (1,555,240 5,476,910 
      

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

       2,147,871    8,805,801   32,250,099    (28,407,234  (685,178  (2,379,060  11,732,299    15,972,421    (1,820,641  23,073,263    (27,523,204  2,591,591   (3,840,632  8,452,798 
      

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

     

    (*)

    They include the movements of levels of financial instruments classified as fair value Level 3, as described above.

     

    Level 3

      12.31.17   Transfers(*)   Recognition   Derecognition Income
    (Loss)
       Inflation
    Effect
     12.31.18   12.31.18   Transfers(*) Recognition   Derecognition Income
    (Loss)
     Inflation
    Effect
     12.31.19 

    Government Securities

       375,245    1,931,447    15,972,335    (17,099,270 230,078    (687,725 722,110    983,085    9,025,790  24,808,830    (26,392,026 (1,247,071 (109,603 7,069,005 

    Corporate Securities

       2,218,346    598,866    9,772,177    (10,898,949 572,780    (1,043,993 1,219,227    1,659,863    29,357  8,855,903    (9,903,261 372,290  (762,481 251,671 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       —      —    1,743,456    —     —    (476,620 1,266,836 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       —      2,962,544  1,299,228    (2,378,488 (496,746 18,464  1,405,002 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       128,742    —      —      —    133,739    (55,947 206,534    281,177    (29,423 7,198,058    —    438,721  (1,908,626 5,979,907 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

       2,722,333    2,530,313    25,744,512    (27,998,219  936,597    (1,787,665  2,147,871    2,924,125    11,988,268   43,905,475    (38,673,775  (932,806  (3,238,866  15,972,421 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

     

    (*)

    They include the movements of levels of financial instruments classified as fair value Level 3, as described above.

    The Group’s policy is to recognize transfers between the fair value levels only at the end of the reporting period. Transfers occurred because the instruments without observable market prices were reclassified at Level 3, and the instruments with observable market prices at the end of the year were reclassified at Level 1.

    The Group included below the fair value of the instruments not carried at fair value as of theyear-end.

     

    Items of Assets/(Liabilities) as of 12.31.19

      Book Value   Fair Value   Fair Value
    Level 1
       Fair
    Value

    Level 2
       Fair Value
    Level 3
     

    Items of Assets/(Liabilities) as of 12.31.20

      Book Value   Fair Value   Fair Value
    Level 1
       Fair Value
    Level 2
       Fair Value
    Level 3
     

    Assets

                        

    Cash and Due from Banks

       130,649,061    130,649,061    130,649,061    —      —      175,423,476    175,423,476    175,423,476    —      —   

    Repurchase Transactions

       30,075,478    30,075,478    30,075,478    —      —      60,995,643    60,995,643    60,995,643    —      —   

    Loans and Other Financing

       358,558,869    357,853,860    —      —      357,853,860    526,434,119    527,834,544    —      —      527,834,544 

    Other Financial Assets

       5,890,829    6,461,047    6,778    —      6,454,269    7,301,643    7,161,885    4,399,582    —      2,762,303 

    Other Debt Securities

       3,103,324    3,109,828    —      —      3,109,828    18,885,279    18,878,854    —      —      18,878,854 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       9,814,894    9,814,894    9,814,894    —      —      16,681,884    16,681,884    16,681,884    —      —   

    Liabilities

                        

    Deposits

       393,735,406    393,891,789    —      —      393,891,789    676,395,735    676,454,768    —      —      676,454,768 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       22,723,687    21,709,108    —      —      21,709,108    13,833,439    9,934,732    —      —      9,934,732 

    Debt Securities

       29,240,851    29,626,673    29,626,673    —      —      17,073,898    16,207,692    12,208,069    —      3,999,623 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       15,499,212    14,972,940    —      —      14,972,940    21,653,546    18,850,289    —      —      18,850,289 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       71,362,718    70,894,505    —      —      70,894,505    97,471,465    97,083,349    —      —      97,083,349 

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Items of Assets/(Liabilities) as of 12.31.18

      Book Value   Fair Value   Fair Value
    Level 1
       Fair
    Value

    Level 2
       Fair Value
    Level 3
     

    Items of Assets/(Liabilities) as of 12.31.19

      Book Value   Fair Value   Fair Value
    Level 1
       Fair Value
    Level 2
       Fair Value
    Level 3
     

    Assets

                        

    Cash and Due from Banks

       220,456,335    220,456,335    220,456,335    —      —      177,866,399    177,866,399    177,866,399    —      —   

    Repurchase Transactions

       3,181,371    3,181,371    3,181,371    —      —      40,944,933    40,944,933    40,944,933    —      —   

    Loans and Other Financing

       434,899,689    445,470,066    —      —      445,470,066    488,144,152    487,184,349    —      —      487,184,349 

    Other Financial Assets

       7,298,580    7,298,580    7,298,580    —      —      8,019,809    8,796,107    9,228    —      8,786,879 

    Other Debt Securities

       8,171,631    8,464,945    1,173,935    —      7,291,010    4,224,883    4,233,738    —      —      4,233,738 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       11,318,650    11,318,650    11,318,650    —      —      13,362,055    13,362,054    13,362,054    —      —   

    Liabilities

                        

    Deposits

       553,946,288    553,604,395    —      —      553,604,395    536,033,696    536,246,597    —      —      536,246,597 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       29,914,292    27,211,986    —      —      27,211,986    30,936,161    29,554,907    —      —      29,554,907 

    Debt Securities

       46,124,574    45,025,338    45,025,338    —      —      39,808,666    40,333,927    40,333,927    —      —   

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       15,026,155    13,095,846    —      —      13,095,846    21,100,718    20,384,249    —      —      20,384,249 

    Repurchase Transactions

       2,997,515    2,991,986    —      —      2,991,986 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       97,275,984    97,276,093    —      —      97,276,093    97,153,624    96,516,196    —      —      96,516,196 

    NOTE 5. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     

    Cash equivalents are held to meet short-term payment commitments, rather than for investment or similar purposes. A financial asset is classified as cash equivalent, if it can be readily convertible into a certain amount of cash and its risk of changes in value is immaterial. Accordingly, an investment with original maturity of three months or less is classified as cash equivalent. Equity interests are excluded from cash equivalents.

    Cash and cash equivalents break down as follows:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17   12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Cash and Due from Banks

       130,649,061    220,456,335    133,903,229    175,423,476    177,866,399    300,130,550 

    Argentine Central Bank’s Bills and Notes Maturing up to 90 Days

       58,141,095    107,862,909    38,430,053    128,324,920    79,153,628    146,845,198 

    Reverse repurchase Transactions Debtors

       29,996,370    3,165,191    21,927,992    60,842,046    40,837,234    4,309,110 

    Loans to Financial Institutions

       —      1,442,948    2,123,635    6,500,000    —      1,964,438 

    Overnight Placements in Foreign Banks

       7,874,718    8,154,165    656,375    1,661,834    10,720,687    11,101,128 

    Mutual Funds

       4,968,775    5,937,360    5,505,532    2,760,728    6,764,519    8,083,157 

    Time Deposits

       488,928    439,959    447,675    3,306,869    665,630    598,963 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total Cash and Cash Equivalents

       232,118,947    347,458,867    202,994,491    378,819,873    316,008,097    473,032,544 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    The risk analysis for cash and cash equivalents is presented in Note 45. The information with related parties is disclosed in Note 51.

    NOTE 6. DEBT SECURITIES AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

     

    The Group’s debt securities at fair value through profit or loss are detailed in Schedule A.

    The credit quality of debt securities is disclosed in Note 45.

    NOTE 7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     

    FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACT WITH NO DELIVERY OF THE UNDERLYING ASSET

    The Electronic Open Market (Mercado Abierto Electrónico, MAE) and the Rosario Forward Market (ROFEX) have trading areas for the closing, recording and settlement of forward financial transactions between their Agents, including Banco Galicia. In general, the settlement of these transactions is made without delivering the underlying asset. The settlement is carried out daily in Argentine pesos for the difference, if any, between the closing price traded of the underlying asset and the closing price or value of the underlying asset of the previous day, the price difference impacting on Income.

    The transactions are recorded inOff-balance Sheet Items The accrued balances pending settlement are disclosed in the “Derivative Financial Instruments” line, in Assets and/or Liabilities, as appropriate.

    INTEREST RATE SWAPS

    These transactions are traded within the scope of the MAE, and feature the daily or monthly settlement in Argentine pesos of the variation between the cash flows calculated at a variable rate (Private Badlar for a period of 30 to 35 days) and the cash flows calculated at a fixed rate or vice versa on the notional agreed, the price difference impacting on Income.

    The amounts of transactions as of December 31, 20192020 and 20182019 are as follows:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

      Underlying Asset   Type of Settlement   12.31.19(*)   12.31.18(*)   Underlying Asset   Type of Settlement   12.31.20(*)   12.31.19(*) 

    Currency Forward Transactions

                    

    Purchases

       Foreign currency    Daily difference    18,207,108    59,781,682    Foreign currency    Daily difference    25,716,730    24,787,263 

    Sales

       Foreign currency    Daily difference    12,652,852    49,653,059    Foreign currency    Daily difference    14,328,423    17,225,667 

    Customers´ Purchases

       Foreign currency    Daily difference    9,939,003    5,651,732    Foreign currency    Daily difference    1,549,356    13,531,017 

    Customers´ Sales

       Foreign currency    Daily difference    15,469,476    15,624,173    Foreign currency    Daily difference    12,563,375    21,060,236 

    Interest Rate Swaps

                    

    Swaps

       Others    Other    360,242    708,001    Others    Other    82,909    490,436 

    Other Currency Swaps

       Others    Other    —      2,401 

    Repurchase Transactions

                    

    Forward Purchases

       Government Securities    
    With delivery of the
    underlying asset
     
     
       —      3,024,074 

    Forward Sales

       Government Securities    
    With delivery of the
    underlying asset
     
     
       29,968,733    3,171,280    Government Securities    

    With delivery of the

    underlying asset


     

       61,923,889    40,799,609 

    Call Options Bought and Written on Futures

           —      —   

    Call Options Written on Dollar

       Dollar      —      —   

    Call Options Purchase on Gold

       Gold      —      —   

    Call Options Written on Gold

       Gold      —      —   

     

    (*)

    Notional values.

    For further details, refer to Schedule O.

    NOTE 8. REPURCHASE TRANSACTIONS

     

    As of the indicated dates, the Group maintains the following repurchase transactions:

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Debtors for Reserve Repurchase Transactions of Government Securities

       29,996,370    3,165,191 

    Interest Accrued Receivable for Reserve Repurchase Transactions

       79,108    16,180 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Repurchase Transactions - Assets

       30,075,478    3,181,371 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     
       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Creditors for Repurchase Transactions of Government Securities

       —      2,990,202 

    Interest Accrued Payable for Repurchase Transactions

       —      7,313 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Repurchase Transactions - Liabilities

       —      2,997,515 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    At the closing of previous fiscal year, the Group maintained Repurchase Transactions, for which it carried out cash sales transactions of a security, agreeing upon the forward purchase transaction, thereby retaining substantially all the risks and benefits associated with the instruments, recognizing them in “Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral”, for not meeting the provisions of point 3.4.2 (Derecognition of assets), of IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments”.

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Debtors for Reserve Repurchase Transactions of Government Securities

       60,842,046    40,837,234 

    Interest Accrued Receivable for Reserve Repurchase Transactions

       153,597    107,699 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Repurchase Transactions—Assets

       60,995,643    40,944,933 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    The residualnotional values of the assets transferred in repurchase transactions are presented in Note 7 and Schedule O.

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Reverse Repurchase Transactions recorded inOff-Balance Sheet Items

       29,968,733    3,171,280 

    Repurchase Transactions recorded in Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       —      3,024,074 
       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Reverse Repurchase Transactions recorded in Off-Balance Sheet Items

       61,923,889    40,799,609 

    NOTE 9. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

     

    As of the indicated dates, the balances of “Other Financial Assets” correspond to:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Receivables from Spot Sales of Foreign Currency Pending Settlement

       79,227    2,995,400    107,542    107,860 

    Receivables from Spot Sales of Government Securities Pending Settlement

       179,091    2,473,011    1,239,870    243,816 

    Sundry Debtors

       4,624,201    1,247,207    4,819,857    6,295,414 

    Mutual Funds

       4,987,105    6,560,077    2,760,728    6,789,474 

    Premiums from financial guarantee contracts

       643,334    319,942    484,028    875,839 

    Others

       518,365    323,014    737,305    705,705 

    Minus: Allowances

       (115,989   —      (55,704   (157,908
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       10,915,334    13,918,651    10,093,626    14,860,200 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Related-party information is disclosed in Note 51.

    The credit rating quality analysis of Other Financial Assets as of December 31, 20192020 was as follows:

       Debtors
    for Sale of
    Foreign
    Currency
       Debtors for
    Cash sale of
    Government
    Securities to
    be Settled
       Sundry
    Debtors
      Mutual
    Funds
       Premiums
    from
    financial
    guarantee
    contracts
       Other 

    Not yet due

       107,542    1,239,870    4,814,695   2,760,728    484,028    737,305 

    Impaired/Uncollectible

       —      —      5,162   —      —      —   

    Allowances

       —      —      (55,704  —      —      —   
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       107,542    1,239,870    4,764,153   2,760,728    484,028    737,305 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

       Debtors
    for Sale of
    Foreign
    Currency
       Debtors for
    Cash sale of
    Government
    Securities to
    be Settled
       Sundry
    Debtors
      Mutual
    Funds
       Premiums
    from
    financial
    guarantee
    contracts
       Other 

    To de Due

       79,227    179,091    4,509,961   4,987,105    643,334    518,365 

    Past-due without Impairment

       —      —      —     —      —      —   

    Impaired/Uncollectible

       —      —      114,240   —      —      —   

    Allowances

       —      —      (115,989  —      —      —   
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       79,227    179,091    4,508,212   4,987,105    643,334    518,365 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 10. LOANS AND OTHER FINANCING

     

    The composition of the Loans and Other Financing portfolio as of the indicated dates is detailed below:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Non-financial Public Sector

       6,829    18,117    334    9,297 

    Argentine Central Bank

       22,374    820    13,195    30,460 

    Financial Institutions

       10,795,553    12,217,957    14,700,600    14,697,129 

    Loans

       10,795,553    12,217,957    14,700,600    14,697,129 

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       373,578,178    446,748,042    548,953,562    508,591,528 

    Loans

       362,075,866    436,182,119    537,206,661    492,932,211 

    Advances

       15,892,268    22,198,905    29,219,431    21,635,827 

    Overdrafts

       75,080,343    55,410,836 

    Notes

       143,769,344    102,214,820 

    Mortgage Loans

       15,052,635    18,141,466    16,486,335    20,492,746 

    Pledge Loans

       3,208,665    1,535,183    11,586,593    4,368,295 

    Personal Loans

       27,645,893    44,834,347    36,504,158    37,637,281 

    Credit Card Loans

       149,459,966    174,438,809    241,793,015    203,475,676 

    Other Loans

       61,782,565    115,056,334    36,431,415    84,111,147 

    Accrued Interest, Adjustments and Quotation Differences Receivable

       15,245,566    8,288,948    23,649,868    20,755,403 

    Documented Interest

       (1,292,035   (3,722,709   (2,233,498   (1,758,984

    Financial Leases

       2,225,646    3,381,308    1,855,070    3,030,008 

    Other Financing

       9,276,666    7,184,615    9,891,831    12,629,309 

    Less: Allowances

       (25,844,065   (24,085,247   (37,233,572   (35,184,262
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       358,558,869    434,899,689    526,434,119    488,144,152 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Classification of Loans and Other Financing as per situation and guarantees received, is detailed in Schedule B.

    The concentration of Loans and Other Financing is detailed in Schedule C.

    The breakdown for term of Loans and Other Financing is detailed in Schedule D.

    The risk analysis for Loans and Other Financing is presented in Note 45.

    The information with related parties is disclosed in Note 51.

    NOTE 11. OTHER DEBT SECURITIES

     

    The Group’s “Other Debt Securities” are detailed in Schedule A.

    The risk analysis for Other Debt Securities is presented in Note 45.

    NOTE 12. FINANCIAL ASSETS PLEDGED AS COLLATERAL

     

    The Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral valuated in accordance with their underlying asset for the years under analysis are detailed below:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Deposits as Collateral

       4,025,086    5,635,649    6,899,443    5,479,776 

    Special Accounts as Collateral—Argentine Central Bank

       7,525,500    7,981,085    11,444,550    10,245,260 

    Forward Purchases of Monetary Regulatory Instruments

       —      82,663 

    Others

       —      2,941,411 

    Trust as Collateral

       373,450    —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       11,550,586    16,640,808    18,717,443    15,725,036 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    The restricted availability assets are detailed in Note 53.2.52.2.

    NOTE 13. CURRENT INCOME TAX ASSETS

     

    As of the indicated dates, the balances of Current Income Tax Assets correspond to:

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Tax Advances

       40,089    145,378 

    Minimum Notional Income Tax – Tax Credit

       414    637 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       40,503    146,015 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Tax Advances

       197,094    54,577 

    Minimum Notional Income Tax – Tax Credit

       —  ��   564 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       197,094    55,141 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 14. INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY INSTRUMENTS

     

    The Group’s “Investments in Equity Instruments” are detailed in Schedule A.

    Prisma Medios de Pago S.A.:

    Under the framework of the divestment commitment assumed by Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. and its shareholders before the National Commission of Competence Defense, on February 1, 2019, the Group transferred 3,182,444 ordinary shares, representing 7.7007% capital stock of Prisma Medios de Pago SA in favor of AL ZENITH (Netherlands) B.V. (a related party of Advent International Global Private Equity).

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The total price of the transaction amounted to USD 104,469 thousand, composed of USD 63,073 thousand received on transaction date and USD 41,396 thousand will be paid during the next 5 years.

    Additionally, the Group has a put option related to Banco Galicia’s right to sell its interest in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. to AL ZENITH (Netherlands) B.V., the exercise date being 34 months from the date of the transaction.

    The Group´s remaining holding in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. has been classified as Investment in equity securities and measured at fair value through profit or loss.

    NOTE 15. EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES, ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

     

    15.1

    Equity Investments in Subsidiaries

    The basic information regarding Grupo Financiero Galicia’s consolidated subsidiaries is detailed as follows:

       Direct and Indirect
    Shareholding
       Equity Investment % 

    Company

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       668,549,353    668,549,353    100    100 

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       8,300    8,300    83    83 

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.

       20,000    20,000    100    100 

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.

       71,310    71,310    99.99    99.99 

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A.

       7,727,271    7,727,271    100    99.99 

    Galicia Seguros S.A.

       1,830,883    1,830,883    100    99.99 

    Galicia Valores S.A.

       1,000,000    1,000,000    100    100 

    Galicia Warrants S.A.

       1,000,000    1,000,000    100    100 

    IGAM LLC

       73,996,713    —      100    —   

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

       541,631,025    —      83    —   

    Nargelon S.A.

       12,000    —      100    —   

    Ondara S.A.

       12,955,140    13,636,990    83.85    83.85 

    Sudamericana Holding S.A.

       185,653    185,653    100    100 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       2,344    2,344    83    83 

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       894,552,668    894,552,668    83    83 

    The following are the balances of subsidiaries, according to IFRS as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19 

    Company

      Assets   Liabilities   Shareholders’
    Equity
       Net
    Income(*)
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       616,356,204    520,058,711    96,297,493    22,283,115 

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       515,742    232,518    283,224    (220,198

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.

       449,556    72,094    377,462    222,004 

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A. (**)

       49,949    28,586    21,363    32,422 

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A. (**)

       359,069    281,300    77,769    (20,150

    Galicia Seguros S.A. (**)

       3,218,853    1,998,800    1,220,053    584,514 

    Galicia Valores S.A.

       2,245,459    2,111,959    133,500    (14,390

    Galicia Warrants S.A.

       582,705    125,248    457,457    125,761 

    IGAM LLC

       2,248,455    2,113,455    135,000    52,664 

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

       877,786    260,657    617,129    (88,672

    Nargelon S.A.

       822    —      822    (17

    Ondara S.A.

       35,405    1,062    34,343    (5,308

    Sudamericana Holding S.A.(**)

       4,454,535    2,465,348    1,989,187    633,806 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       63,841,837    48,135,731    15,706,106    1,354,380 

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       66,115,999    49,096,623    17,019,376    652,906 

    The basic information regarding Grupo Financiero Galicia’s consolidated subsidiaries is detailed as follows:

       Direct and Indirect
    Shareholding
       Equity Investment
    %
     

    Company

      12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.20  12.31.19 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       668,549,353    668,549,353    100.00  100.00

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       3,910,000    8,300    100.00  83.00

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.

       20,000    20,000    100.00  100.00

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.

       71,309    71,310    99.99  99.99

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A.

       7,727,271    7,727,271    100.00  100.00

    Galicia Securities S.A.

       95,392,000    —      100.00  —   

    Galicia Seguros S.A.

       1,830,883    1,830,883    100.00  100.00

    Galicia Warrants S.A.

       1,000,000    1,000,000    100.00  100.00

    IGAM LLC

       77,643,963    73,996,713    100.00  100.00

    IGAM Uruguay Agente de Valores S.A.

       12,000    12,000    100.00  100.00

    INVIU S.A.U.

       1,000,000    1,000,000    100.00  100.00

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

       1,012,567,500    541,631,025    100.00  83.00

    Ondara S.A.

       25,776,101    12,955,140    100.00  83.85

    Sudamericana Holding S.A.

       185,653    185,653    100.00  100.00

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       2,824    2,344    100.00  83.00

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       1,680,183,936    894,552,668    100.00  83.00

    The following are the balances of subsidiaries, according to IFRS as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20 

    Company

      Assets   Liabilities   Shareholders’
    Equity
       Net Income
    (Loss)(*)
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       946,019,300    794,198,155    151,821,145    20,928,333 

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       1,484,287    1,263,843    220,444    (567,858

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.

       1,382,069    468,718    913,351    1,121,556 

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A. (**)

       47,231    20,345    26,886    40,720 

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A. (**)

       507,046    396,155    110,891    3,657 

    Galicia Securities S.A. (***)

       2,566,696    2,225,050    341,646    230,062 

    Galicia Seguros S.A. (**)

       4,717,752    3,052,802    1,664,950    1,211,751 

    Galicia Warrants S.A.

       702,846    171,752    531,094    (41,174

    IGAM LLC

       506,066    161,584    344,482    156,518 

    IGAM Uruguay Agente de Valores S.A.

       865    2,800    (1,935   (2,802

    INVIU S.A.U.

       433,281    160,078    273,203    160,450 

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

       833,786    54,920    778,866    (431,203

    Ondara S.A.

       31,720    94    31,626    (13,533

    Sudamericana Holding S.A. (**)

       5,916,613    3,329,257    2,587,356    1,318,261 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       101,268    77,416    23,852    3,315,984 

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       103,071,416    77,507,787    25,563,629    2,160,052 

     

    (*)

    Income attributable to the shareholders of the parent. Not including “Other Comprehensive Income”.

    (**)

    Net income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2020.

    (***)

    Net income for the period between the purchase date and December 31,2020.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

       12.31.19 

    Company

      Assets   Liabilities   Shareholders’
    Equity
       Net Income
    (Loss)(*)
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       839,110,959    708,010,986    131,099,973    30,336,364 

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       702,134    316,551    385,583    (299,779

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.

       612,028    98,149    513,879    302,238 

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A. (**)

       68,001    38,917    29,084    44,140 

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A. (**)

       488,839    382,963    105,876    (27,432

    Galicia Securities S.A.

       —      —      —      —   

    Galicia Seguros S.A. (**)

       —      2,721,178    (2,721,178   795,761 

    Galicia Warrants S.A.

       793,298    170,513    622,785    171,212 

    IGAM LLC

       3,061,060    2,877,270    183,790    71,697 

    IGAM Uruguay Agente de Valores S.A.

       1,119    —      1,119    (23

    INVIU S.A.U.

       3,056,981    2,875,233    181,748    (19,591

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

       1,195,023    354,860    840,163    (120,719

    Ondara S.A.

       48,201    1,446    46,755    (7,226

    Sudamericana Holding S.A. (**)

       6,064,430    3,356,339    2,708,091    862,867 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       86,914,652    65,532,267    21,382,385    1,843,861 

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       90,010,710    66,840,431    23,170,279    888,870 

    (*)

    Income attributable to the shareholders of the parent. Not including “Other Comprehensive Income”.

    (**)

    Net income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019.

    Corporate Reorganization

    On September 14, 2020, a Prior Spin-off-Merger Agreement was signed, describing the terms and conditions of the merger by acquisition, by Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. as the merging company, of the spin-off equity from Dusner S.A., Fedler S.A. and its shareholders, as spin-off companies, jointly holders of 17% of the capital stock of Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

    The documents related to the Spin-off-Merger Agreement, were approved by the Boards of Directors of Dusner S.A., Fedler S.A. and Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. on September 14, 2020.

    At the Extraordinary Meeting of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. carried out on November 10, 2020, it was approved the aforementioned documentation, the exchange ratio and the capital increase in the amount of Ps. 47,927, through the issuance of 47,927,494 class B ordinary book-entry shares with a nominal value of Ps. 1 (figure expressed in Argentine pesos) and one vote per share, with the right to participate in the profits of the fiscal year beginning on September 1, 2020.

    On December 15, 2020, the Final Spin-off-Merger Agreement was signed and registered as a public deed, in the terms of Paragraph 4 of Art. 83 of the Companies Act, through which Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. incorporated the spin-off equity of the aforementioned companies with effect from September 1, 2020.

    Consequently, Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. now has control of 1,680,183,936 shares of Tarjetas Regionales S.A., which represent 100% of the capital stock and 100% of the votes.

    As of December 31, 2020, the administrative approval procedures for the spin-off of part of the equity of each of the spin-off companies were initiated, before the Public Registry of Commerce, and for the merger by acquisition and capital increase of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A., before the National Securities Commission.

    On March 16, 2021 the merger by acquisition and capital increase of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. was registered with the Public Registry of Commerce. (See Note 55).

    Acquisition of an AlyC-type company

    On May 5, 2020, the Group acquired 100% of the capital stock of Galicia Securities S.A. for a total price of $32,158 paid in full at the acquisition date. Galicia Securities S.A. is authorized to act as a settlement and compensation agent and placement and distribution agent of mutual funds in Argentine. The net identifiable assets and goodwill recognized as of the date of acquisition are $22,956 and $9,202, respectively. The goodwill is attributable to a broker dealer license and it will be deductible for tax purposes.

    15.2

    Equity Investments in Associates

    In this fiscal year, Banco Galicia, together with other financial entities, has set up Play Digital S.A. A company whose purpose is to develop and market a payment solution linked to the bank accounts of users of the financial system that will significantly improve their payment experience. The board of directors of said company is made up of key personnel of Banco Galicia, therefore, having significant influence, the investment is measured by the equity method.

    Company

      Equity
    Investment %
      Place of
    Business
      12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Play Digital S.A. (*)

       15.58 Autonomous
    City of
    Buenos
    Aires -
    Argentina
       89,142    —   

    (*)

    After the closing of these financial statements, Banco Galicia has accepted an offer for the sale of VN 31,145,090 shares to another financial entity. Consequently, the shareholding was reduced to 12.976%.

    (**)

    Net income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019.

       12.31.18 

    Company

      Assets   Liabilities   Shareholders’
    Equity
       Net
    Income(*)
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       793,229,582    717,628,223    75,601,359    (3,149,535

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       169,393    104,221    65,172    10,594 

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.

       764,532    80,602    683,930    592,487 

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.(**)

       40,727    20,586    20,141    38,544 

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A.(**)

       383,149    287,322    95,827    37,371 

    Galicia Seguros S.A.(**)

       4,158,837    2,545,391    1,613,446    837,036 

    Galicia Valores S.A.

       398,327    61,344    336,983    102,572 

    Galicia Warrants S.A.

       680,711    349,015    331,696    175 

    Ondara S.A.

       34,629    34    34,595    2,517 

    Sudamericana Holding S.A.(**)

       4,998,084    3,007,467    1,990,617    310,366 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       78,753,854    64,417,444    14,336,410    3,182,312 

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       81,090,411    65,501,337    15,589,074    (3,290,972

    (*)

    Income attributable to the shareholders of the parent. Not including “Other Comprehensive Income”.

    (**)

    Net income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    NOTE 16. LEASES

    This Note provides information for leases where the Grupo is the lessee:

     

    The movements of such investment are as follows:

    Company

      12.31.19   Contributions   Profit Sharing in
    income
    (loss) for the Year
       12.31.20 

    Play Digital S.A.

       —      214,195    (125,053   89,142 

    The basic information regarding Grupo Financiero Galicia’s associates is detailed as follows:

       12.31.20 

    Company

      Assets   Liabilities   Shareholders’
    Equity
       Net Income
    (Loss)
     

    Play Digital S.A.

       882,481    85,374    797,107    (571,938

    For more details see Schedule E.

    NOTE 16. LEASES

    This Note provides information for leases where the Grupo is the lessee:

    (i) Amounts recognized in the Statement of Financial Position:

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Right-of-use asset (1)

       4,052,593    5,011,534 

    Real estate

       4,052,593    5,011,534 

    Lease Liabilities (2)

       4,363,406    5,129,987 

    (1)

    Amounts recognized in the Statement of Financial Position:

    12.31.19

    Right-of-use asset(1)

    3,681,146

    Real estate

    3,681,146

    Lease Liabilities(2)

    3,768,154
    (1)

    Recorded in the Property, Plant and Equipment item, for right of use of real property, see Note 17.

    (2)

    Recorded in the item Other Financial Liabilities, see Note 25.

    In the previous year, the Grupo only recognized lease assets and liabilities in relation to leases that were classified as “finance leases” according to IAS 17 Leases. The Assets were presented in the item Property, Plant and Equipment and the liabilitiesitem, for right of use of real property, see Note 17.

    (2)

    Recorded in the item OtherNon-financial Liabilities. For the adjustments Financial Liabilities, see Note 25.

    Additions to the right-of-use assets during the financial year were Ps.629,385.

    The maturity of lease liabilities is disclosed in Note 45.

    (ii) Amounts recognized in the Statement of Income:

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Charge for depreciation of right-of-use assets (1)(2)

       1,312,301    1,313,102 

    Interest Expenses (3)

       398,850    511,138 

    Expenses related to short-term leases (4)

       141,700    33,079 

    Expenses related to low-value assets leases (4)

       167,148    102,714 

    Sublease Income (5)

       9,790    2,146 

    (1)

    Depreciation for right of use of Real Property.

    (2)

    Recorded in the adoptionitem Depreciation and Impairment of IFRS 16 on January 1, 2019, refer toassets, see Note 1.1.(d).

    Additions to theright-of-use assets during the 2019 financial year were Ps.184,634.

    The maturity of lease liabilities is disclosed in Note 45.

    (ii)

    Amounts recognized in the Statement of Income:39.

    (3)

    Recorded in the item Other Operating Expenses, Lease Interest, see Note 40.

    12.31.19
    (4)

    Recorded in the item Administrative Expenses, see Note 38.

    Charge for depreciation ofright-of-use assets(1)(2)

    964,519

    Interest Expenses(3)

    375,449

    Expenses related to short-term leases(4)

    24,298

    Expenses related tolow-value assets leases(4)

    75,447

    Sublease Income(5)

    1,576
    (1)

    Depreciation for right of use of Real Property.

    (5)

    Recorded in the item Other Operating Income, see Note 34.

    (2)

    Recorded in the item Depreciation

    The evolution of right -of-use assets and lease liabilities during the years 2020 and 2019 and Impairment of assets, see Note 39.

    (3)

    Recorded in the item Other Operating Expenses, Lease Interest, see Note 40.

    (4)

    Recorded in the item Administrative Expenses, see Note 38.

    (5)

    Recorded in the item Other Operating Income, see Note 34.

    The evolution of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities during the year 2019 is as follows:

     

    Right-of-use assets

    2019

    Balances at the beginning of the year

    —  

    Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 16

    4,461,031

    Right-of-use assets

      12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Balances at the beginning of the year

       5,011,534    6,073,274 

    Additions

       629,385    251,362 

    Cancellation of contracts

       (276,025   —   

    Depreciation of the year

       (1,312,301   (1,313,102
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Balances at the end of the year

       4,052,593    5,011,534 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Lease liabilities(1)

      12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Balances at the beginning of the year

       5,129,987    6,073,274 

    New contracts

       629,385    251,362 

    Cancellation of contracts

       (269,503   —   

    Lease payments

       (1,333,090   (1,361,874

    Leases financial cost

       398,850    511,138 

    Translation differences and inflation adjustment

       (192,223   (343,913
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Balances at the end of the year

       4,363,406    5,129,987 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

    (1)

    Recorded in the item Other Financial Liabilities, see Note 25.

    Adjusted balances at the beginning of the period

    4,461,031

    Additions

    184,634

    Depreciation of the year

    (964,519

    Balances at the end of the year

    3,681,146

    Lease liabilities

    2019

    Balances at the beginning of the year

    —  

    Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 16

    4,461,031

    Adjusted balances at the beginning of the period

    4,461,031

    New contracts

    184,634

    Lease payments

    (1,000,344

    Leases financial cost

    375,449

    Translation differences and inflation adjustment

    (252,616

    Balances at the end of the year

    3,768,154

    The total cash flows related to leases was Ps.1,000,344.

    The total cash flows related to leases was Ps.1,333,090.

    NOTE 17. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

     

    Changes in “Property, Plant and Equipment” are detailed in Schedule F.

    The carrying amounts of “Property, Plant and Equipment” do not exceed their recoverable values.

    NOTE 18. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

    Changes in “Intangible Assets” are detailed in Schedule G.

    The carrying amounts of “Intangible Assets” do not exceed their recoverable values.

    NOTE 19. DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS/LIABILITIES

    Changes in “Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities” during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:

    Deferred Tax Assets

    Item

      12.31.18  Charge to
    Income
      Allowance
    for
    Impairment
       Others  12.31.19 

    Valuation of Securities

       1,429   37,194   —      (994  37,629 

    Loans and Other Financing

       4,468,356   (1,325,435  —      —     3,142,921 

    Tax Loss Carryforwards

       5,920   43,011   —      —     48,931 

    OtherNon-financial Assets

       52,295   (40,937  —      —     11,358 

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       1,280   (1,280  —      —     —   

    Allowance for Impairment

       38,473   (31,465  —      —     7,008 

    Provisions

       679,573   1,057,860   —      —     1,737,433 

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

       651,116   (198,334  —      —     452,782 

    Foreign Currency Quotation Differences

       8,070   (8,070  —      —     —   

    Inflation adjustment deferral

       —     5,813,416   —      —     5,813,416 

    Others

       35,220   30,764   —      —     65,984 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Totals

       5,941,732   5,376,724   —      (994  11,317,462 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net deferred tax assets in subsidiaries with net liability position

       (4,444,981  (4,065,544  —      —     (8,510,525
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Deferred tax assets

       1,496,751   1,311,180   —      (994  2,806,937 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Deferred Tax Liabilities

    Item

      12.31.18  Charge to
    Income
      Allowance
    for
    Impairment
       Others   12.31.19 

    Valuation of Securities

       (193,640  172,643   —      —      (20,997

    Other Financial Assets

       (75,983  23,802   —      —      (52,181

    Loans and Other Financing

       (15,214  15,214   —      —      —   

    Property, Plant and Equipment

       (6,067,770  (1,530,065  —      —      (7,597,835

    Intangible Assets

       (269,674  (461,476  —      —      (731,150

    OtherNon-financial Assets

       (581,085  (38,469  —      —      (619,554

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       —     (1,544,067  —      —      (1,544,067

    Other Financial Liabilities

       (24,507  (963  —        (25,470

    Subordinated Negotiable Obligations

       (27,070  15,285   —      —      (11,785

    Provision

       —     (109,081  —      —      (109,081

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

       —     (13,352  —      —      (13,352

    Foreign Currency Quotation Differences

       —     (2,950  —      —      (2,950

    Others

       (118,462  117,658   —      —      (804
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Totals

       (7,373,405   (3,355,821  —      —      (10,729,226
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net deferred tax liabilities in subsidiaries with net asset position

       4,444,981   4,065,544   —      —      8,510,525 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred tax liabilities

       (2,928,424  709,723   —      —      (2,218,701
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred Tax Assets

    Item

      12.31.17  Charge to
    Income
      Allowance
    for
    Impairment
      Others   12.31.18 

    Valuation of Securities

       66,740   (65,311  —     —      1,429 

    Loans and Other Financing

       1,934,613   2,533,743   —     —      4,468,356 

    Intangible Assets

       397,226   (397,226  —     —      —   

    Tax Loss Carryforwards

       —     11,710   (5,790  —      5,920 

    Other Non-financial Assets

       61,736   (9,441  —     —      52,295 

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       3,237   (4,843  2,886   —      1,280 

    Allowance for Impairment

       7,090   31,383   —     —      38,473 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       1,403   (1,403  —     —      —   

    Provisions

       334,264   345,309   —     —      679,573 

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

       767,716   (116,600  —     —      651,116 

    Foreign Currency Quotation Differences

       8,535   (465  —     —      8,070 

    Others

       75   35,145   —     —      35,220 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Totals

       3,582,635   2,362,001   (2,904  —      5,941,732 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net deferred tax assets in subsidiaries with net liability position

       (2,409,555  (2,035,426  —     —      (4,444,981
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred tax assets

       1,173,080   326,575   (2,904  —      1,496,751 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred Tax Liabilities

    Item

      12.31.17  Charge to
    Income
      Allowance
    for
    Impairment
       Others   12.31.18 

    Valuation of Securities

       (33,485  (160,155  —      —      (193,640

    Other Financial Assets

       (58,349  (17,634  —      —      (75,983

    Loans and Other Financing

       (12,605  (2,609  —      —      (15,214

    Property, Plant and Equipment

       (4,626,114  (1,441,656  —      —      (6,067,770

    Intangible Assets

       —     (269,674  —      —      (269,674

    OtherNon-financial Assets

       (237,386  (343,699  —      —      (581,085

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       (589,089  589,089   —      —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       —     (24,507  —      —      (24,507

    Subordinated Negotiable Obligations

       (31,276  4,206   —      —      (27,070

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

       (820  820   —      —      —   

    Others

       (33,282  (85,180  —      —      (118,462
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Totals

       (5,622,406  (1,750,999  —      —      (7,373,405
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net deferred tax liabilities in subsidiaries with net asset position

       2,409,555   2,035,426   —      —      4,444,981 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred tax liabilities

       (3,212,851  284,427   —      —      (2,928,424
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    In addition, the expiration dates of tax loss carryforwards are as follows:

    Year of Generation

      Amount   Year
    Due
       Deferred Tax
    Assets
     

    2018

       19,733    2023    5,920 

    2019

       143,370    2024    43,011 
           48,931 

    NOTE 20. ASSETS/LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE CONTRACTS

    Assets related to insurance contracts as of the indicated dates are detailed as follows:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Assets from Insurance Contracts

      12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Premiums Receivable

       1,157,672    1,483,274 

    Credits with Reinsurers

       641    8,247 

    Fees Receivables

       3,714    3,777 

    Others

       19,485    16,108 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       1,181,512    1,511,406 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Liabilities related to insurance contracts as of the indicated dates are detailed as follows:

    Liabilities from Insurance Contracts

      12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Debts with Insured Persons

       597,791    574,718 

    Debts with Reinsurers

       3,350    14,925 

    Debts withCo-insurers

       1,468    4,060 

    Debts with Producers

       302,402    286,020 

    Technical Commitments

       817,418    878,729 

    Pending Claims in charge of Reinsures

       (253,794   (61,342
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       1,468,635    1,697,110 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Debts with Insured Persons

      12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Property & Casualty Insurance

       396,514    162,318 

    Direct Administrative Insurance

       320,483    92,481 

    Direct Insurance in Lawsuits

       11,255    15,331 

    Direct Insurance in Mediation

       1,604    654 

    Settled Claims Payable

       5,608    2,475 

    Pending Claims, Active Reinsurance and Retrocession

       2,107    1,597 

    Claims Incurred but not Reported (IBNR)

       55,457    49,780 

    Life Insurance

       201,096    412,386 

    Direct Administrative Insurance

       175,748    375,120 

    Direct Insurance in Lawsuits

       5,523    7,310 

    Direct Insurance in Mediation

       6,538    1,028 

    Settled Claims Payable

       417    2,191 

    Pending Claims, Active Reinsurance and Retrocession

       6,900    6,769 

    Claims Incurred but not Reported (IBNR)

       5,861    19,558 

    Redemptions Payable

       109    408 

    Creditors for Premiums to be Refunded

       —      2 

    Retirement Insurance

       181    14 

    Annuities Payable in Arrears

       8    14 

    Others

       173    —   
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       597,791    574,718 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Debt with Reinsurers and Coinsurance

      Current
    Account
       Reinstatement
    Premiums
       Minimum Deposit
    Premium to
    Be Accrued
      Deposits
    as

    Collateral
       Unpaid Losses
    to Be Borne
    by Reinsurers
      Total 

    IBNR in charge of Reinsurers

       21,026    —      (17,676  —      (253,794  (250,444

    Debts withCo-insurers

       1,468    —      —     —      —     1,468 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total as of 12.31.19

       22,494    —      (17,676  —      (253,794  (248,976
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total as of 12.31.18

       24,491    —      (12,150  —      (39,876  (27,535
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Debts with Producers

      12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Checking Account—Producers

       81,497    69,571 

    Fees for Premiums Receivable

       190,342    174,196 

    Production Expenses Payable

       30,563    42,253 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       302,402    286,020 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Technical Commitments

      12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Ongoing and Similar Risk

       448,501    503,635 

    Premiums and Surcharges

       434,639    487,144 

    Premiums on Passive Reinsurance

       (14,490   (22,330

    Active Reinsurance

       28,259    38,821 

    Insufficient Premiums

       93    —   

    Mathematical Reserves

       368,917    375,094 

    Mathematical Reserves for Individual Life Insurance

       115,376    123,904 

    Mathematical Reserves for Individual Retirement Insurance

       67,731    103,203 

    Mathematical Reserves of Life Annuities

       135,007    146,416 

    Provision for the Mathematical Reserve Recomposition

       28    11 

    Fluctuation Funds

       50,775    1,560 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       817,418    878,729 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Insurance liabilities were recorded according to the liability adequacy test, using the current estimates of future cash flows derived from insurance contracts. The assumptions used are as follows:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

       

    12.31.19

      

    12.31.18

    Mortality Table  GAM 94  GAM 94
    Investment (Discount) Rate  2.74%  3.38%
    Life Insurance Reference Rate  Projection of Life Insurance Reference Rate based on CER proportion, starting from 1.19% for voluntary retirement, and 0.88% for Annuities.  Projected benchmark rate based on a share of CER starting with 1.36% in the case of voluntary retirement and 1.63% in the case of life annuities.
    Administrative Expenses  453 for voluntary retirement and 620 for annuities  682 in the case of voluntary retirement and 620 in the case of life annuities

    NOTE 21. OTHERNON-FINANCIAL ASSETS

    “OtherNon-financial Assets” break down as follows:

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Payments on behalf of thirds parties

       279,299    —   

    Advances of fee to Directors and Syndics

       4,564    3,186 

    Advance to Personnel

       2,064    77,508 

    Tax Credits

       481,751    177,766 

    Payments made in Advance

       970,268    690,008 

    Advances for Purchase of Assets

       2,961,867    1,755,403 

    Investment properties(*)

       435,792    447,489 

    Other Sundry Assets Measured at Cost

       1,026,207    1,072,206 

    Assets Taken in Defense of Credits

       3,802    50,537 

    Others

       285,794    71,307 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       6,451,408    4,345,410 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (*)

    Changes in “Investment Properties” are detailed in Schedule F.

    Related-party information is disclosed in Note 51.

    NOTE 22.NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

    The Group has classified the following assets as “Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations”:

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Interest in Companies

       —      638,063 

    Prisma Medios de Pago S.A.

       —      638,063 

    Other Debt Securities

       —      290,662 

    Financial Trust Crecere III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII

       —      290,662 

    Property, Plant and Equipment

       39,008    6,599 

    Real Estate

       39,008    6,599 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       39,008    935,324 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Prisma Medios de Pago S.A.:

    In the previous fiscal year, the interest in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. was classified as Assets Held for Sale, with a book value as of December 31,2018 amounting to Ps.638,063.

    Under the framework of the divestment commitment assumed by Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. and its shareholders before the National Commission of Competence Defense, on February 1, 2019, the Group transferred 3,182,444 ordinary shares, representing 7.7007% capital stock of Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. in favor of AL ZENITH (Netherlands) B.V. (a related party of Advent International Global Private Equity).

    The total price of the transaction amounted to USD 104,469 thousand, composed of USD 63,073 thousand received on transaction date and USD 41,396 thousand will be paid during the next 5 years.

    Additionally, the Group has a put option related to Banco Galicia’s right to sell its interest in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. to AL ZENITH (Netherlands) B.V., the exercise date being 34 months from the date of the transaction.

    The Group´s remaining holding in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. has been classified as Investment in equity securities and measured at fair value through profit or loss.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    NOTE 23. DEPOSITS

    Deposits break down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    In Pesos

       250,537,893    303,710,875 

    Checking Accounts

       67,565,801    61,308,936 

    Savings Accounts

       59,493,868    94,035,691 

    Time Deposits

       116,003,459    137,225,899 

    Time Deposits – UVA

       750,248    3,052,878 

    Others

       1,696,681    1,959,117 

    Interest and Adjustments

       5,027,836    6,128,354 

    In Foreign Currency

       143,197,513    250,235,413 

    Savings Accounts

       117,866,173    211,923,669 

    Time Deposits

       24,329,623    37,018,326 

    Others

       938,188    1,219,597 

    Interest and Adjustments

       63,529    73,821 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       393,735,406    553,946,288 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    The concentration of deposits is detailed in Schedule H.

    The breakdown of deposits by remaining term is detailed in Schedule I.

    The breakdown of deposits by sector is detailed in Schedule P.

    Related-party information is disclosed in Note 51.

    NOTE 24. LIABILITIES MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

    “Liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss” are detailed in Schedules I and P. They include liabilities for transactions with third-party government securities.

    NOTE 25. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Creditors for Purchase to be Settled

       56,331    2,326,249 

    Collections and Other Transactions on Behalf of Third Parties

       11,735,939    11,763,391 

    Obligations for Purchase Financing

       48,034,052    56,755,829 

    Creditors for Purchase of Foreign Currency to be Settled

       1,643,463    22,167,223 

    Accrued Fees Payable

       507,847    530,060 

    Sundry Items Subject to Minimum Cash

       647,130    780,086 

    Sundry Items not Subject to Minimum Cash

       4,110,845    2,463,907 

    Lease Liabilities

       3,768,154    —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       858,957    489,239 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       71,362,718    97,275,984 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 26. LOANS FROM THE ARGENTINE CENTRAL BANK AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Argentine Central Bank Financing

       22,449    44,111 

    Correspondents

       373,901    2,436,148 

    Financing from Local Financial Institutions

       5,597,950    8,798,571 

    Financing from Foreign Financial Institutions

       10,469,987    11,497,540 

    Financing from International Financial Institutions

       6,259,400    7,137,922 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       22,723,687    29,914,292 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    The following table details the credit lines with local and international financial institutions and entities as of the indicated dates:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Financial Institutions and/or Agencies

      Placement Date  Currency  Term(*)   Rate(*)   Maturity  Amount as
    of

    12.31.19(**)
     

    Local Institutions

                 5,620,399 

    BICE

      Sundry Dates  Ps.   1,778 days    47   Sundry Dates   1,941,272 

    BICE

      Sundry Dates  USD   1,762 days    5.8   Sundry Dates   887,961 

    Call Taken

      12.30.19  Ps.   3 days    41.6   01.01.20   501,000 

    Argentine Central Bank

      12.30.19  Ps.   3 days    —     01.01.20   22,449 

    Other Lines(1)

      Sundry Dates  Ps.   364 days    53.9   Sundry Dates   2,267,717 

    International Institutions

                 17,103,288 

    Correspondents

      12.31.19  USD   2 days    —     01.01.20   373,901 

    IFC

      Sundry Dates  USD   1.355 days    4.74   Sundry dates   5,561,679 

    Prefinancing

      Sundry Dates  USD   167 days    6.03   Sundry dates   10,667,529 

    IDB

      Sundry Dates  USD   361 days    5.73   Sundry dates   500,179 
                

     

     

     

    Total

                 22,723,687 
                

     

     

     

    (*)

    Weighted average.

    (**)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (1)

    Relates to regional credit-card companies’ credit lines.

    Financial Institutions and/or Agencies

      Placement Date  Currency  Term(*)   Rate(*)   Maturity  Amount as
    of

    12.31.18(**)
     

    Local Institutions

                 8,842,682 

    BICE

      Sundry Dates  Ps.   1,838 days    50.88   Sundry Dates   4,375,835 

    BICE

      Sundry Dates  USD   1,792 days    4.36   Sundry Dates   178,136 

    Call Taken

      12.28.18  Ps.   5 days    55.94   01.02.19   1,236,900 

    Argentine Central Bank

      12.28.18  Ps.   5 days    —     01.02.19   42,582 

    Argentine Central Bank

      12.18.18  USD   5 days    —     01.02.19   1,529 

    Other Lines(1)

      Sundry Dates  Ps.   364 days    45.89   Sundry Dates   3,007,700 

    International Institutions

                 21,071,610 

    Correspondents

      12.31.18  USD   2 days    —     01.02.19   2,436,148 

    IFC

      Sundry Dates  USD   945 days    5.78   Sundry Dates   7,062,458 

    Prefinancing

      Sundry Dates  USD   235 days    3.96   Sundry Dates   8,682,236 

    IDB

      Sundry Dates  USD   351 days    4.44   Sundry Dates   2,890,768 
                

     

     

     

    Total

                 29,914,292 
                

     

     

     

    (*)

    Weighted average.

    (**)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (1)

    Relates to regional credit-card companies’ credit lines.

    NOTE 27. DEBT SECURITIES

    The following is a breakdown of the Global Programs for the Issuance of Debt securities outstanding:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Company

    NOTE 18. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

    Changes in “Intangible Assets” are detailed in Schedule G.

    The carrying amounts of “Intangible Assets” do not exceed their recoverable values.

    NOTE 19. DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS/LIABILITIES

    Changes in “Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities” during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are as follows:

    Deferred Tax Assets

    Item

      12.31.19   Charge to
    Income
       Others   12.31.20 

    Valuation of Securities

       51,229    (51,125   —      104 

    Loans and Other Financing

       4,278,791    6,958,396    —      11,237,187 

    Tax Loss Carryforwards

       66,615    246,174    —      312,789 

    Other Non-financial Assets

       15,463    14,465    —      29,928 

    Allowance for Impairment

       9,541    (9,541   —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       —      1,861    —      1,861 

    Subordinated Negotiable Obligations

       —      7,064    —      7,064 

    Provisions

       2,365,351    (1,577,952   —      787,399 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       616,418    (208,028   —      408,390 

    Inflation adjustment deferral

       7,914,417    3,704,300    —      11,618,717 

    Others

       89,831    125,895    —      215,726 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Totals

       15,407,656    9,211,509    —      24,619,165 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net deferred tax assets in subsidiaries with net liability position

       (11,586,278   (3,820,292   —      (15,406,570
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred tax assets

       3,821,378    5,391,217    —      9,212,595 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred Tax Liabilities

    Item

      12.31.19   Charge to
    Income
       Others   12.31.20 

    Valuation of Securities

       (28,583   (1,275,634   —      (1,304,217

    Other Financial Assets

       (71,037   45,911    —      (25,126

    Property, Plant and Equipment

       (10,343,737   (985,021   —      (11,328,758

    Intangible Assets

       (995,392   (1,649,968   —      (2,645,360

    Other Non-financial Assets

       (843,466   661,194    —      (182,272

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       (2,102,102   2,102,102    —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       (34,675   —      —      (34,675

    Subordinated Negotiable Obligations

       (16,044   —      —      (16,044

    Provisions

       (148,504   148,504    —      —   

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       (18,177   17,769    —      (408

    Foreign Currency Exchange Differences

       (4,016   1,591    —      (2,425

    Inflation adjustment deferral

       —      (3,816   —      (3,816

    Others

       (1,099   696    —      (403
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Totals

       (14,606,832   (936,672   —      (15,543,504
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net deferred tax liabilities in subsidiaries with net asset position

       11,586,278    3,820,292    —      15,406,570 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred tax liabilities

       (3,020,554   2,883,620    —      (136,934
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred Tax Assets

    Item

      12.31.18   Charge to
    Income
       Others   12.31.19 

    Valuation of Securities

       1,946    50,636    (1,353   51,229 

    Loans and Other Financing

       6,083,246    (1,804,455   —      4,278,791 

    Tax Loss Carryforwards

       8,060    58,555    —      66,615 

    Other Non-financial Assets

       71,195    (55,732   —      15,463 

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       1,743    (1,743   —      —   

    Allowance for Impairment

       52,378    (42,837   —      9,541 

    Provisions

       925,174    1,440,177    —      2,365,351 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       886,431    (270,013   —      616,418 

    Foreign Currency Exchange Differences

       10,987    (10,987   —      —   

    Inflation adjustment deferral

       —      7,914,417    —      7,914,417 

    Others

       47,949    41,882    —      89,831 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Totals

       8,089,109    7,319,900    (1,353   15,407,656 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net deferred tax assets in subsidiaries with net liability position

       (6,051,423   (5,534,855   —      (11,586,278
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred tax assets

       2,037,686    1,785,045    (1,353   3,821,378 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Deferred Tax Liabilities

    Item

      12.31.18   Charge to
    Income
       Others   12.31.19 

    Valuation of Securities

       (263,623   235,040    —      (28,583

    Other Financial Assets

       (103,444   32,407    —      (71,037

    Loans and Other Financing

       (20,712   20,712    —      —   

    Property, Plant and Equipment

       (8,260,698   (2,083,039   —      (10,343,737

    Intangible Assets

       (367,136   (628,256   —      (995,392

    Other Non-financial Assets

       (791,093   (52,373   —      (843,466

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       —      (2,102,102   —      (2,102,102

    Other Financial Liabilities

       (33,364   (1,311   —      (34,675

    Subordinated Negotiable Obligations

       (36,853   20,809    —      (16,044

    Provisions

       —      (148,504   —      (148,504

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       —      (18,177   —      (18,177

    Foreign Currency Exchange Differences

       —      (4,016   —      (4,016

    Others

       (161,278   160,179    —      (1,099
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Totals

       (10,038,201   (4,568,631   —      (14,606,832
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Net deferred tax liabilities in subsidiaries with net asset position

       6,051,423    5,534,855    —      11,586,278 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred tax liabilities

       (3,986,778   966,224    —      (3,020,554
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    In addition, the expiration dates of tax loss carryforwards are as follows:

    Year of Generation

      Amount   Year
    Due
       Deferred Tax
    Assets
     

    2018

       26,865    2023    8,060 

    2019

       195,185    2024    58,555 

    2020

       820,580    2025    246,174 
          

     

     

     
           312,789 
          

     

     

     

    NOTE 20. ASSETS/LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE CONTRACTS

    Assets related to insurance contracts as of the indicated dates are detailed as follows:

    Assets from Insurance Contracts

      12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Premiums Receivable

       1,857,975    1,576,061 

    Credits with Reinsurers

       1,996    873 

    Fees Receivables

       7,770    5,056 

    Others

       17,649    26,527 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       1,885,390    1,608,517 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Liabilities related to insurance contracts as of the indicated dates are detailed as follows:

    Liabilities from Insurance Contracts

      12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Debts with Insured Persons

       535,743    813,836 

    Debts with Reinsurers

       20,829    4,561 

    Debts with Co-insurers

       1,525    1,999 

    Debts with Producers

       371,664    411,691 

    Technical Commitments

       1,114,124    1,112,838 

    Others

       55,744    —   

    Pending Claims in charge of Reinsures

       (38,653   (345,517
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       2,060,976    1,999,408 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Debts with Insured Persons

      12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Property & Casualty Insurance

       245,028    539,816 

    Direct Administrative Insurance

       135,738    436,307 

    Direct Insurance in Lawsuits

       5,204    15,323 

    Direct Insurance in Mediation

       1,957    2,184 

    Settled Claims Payable

       5,802    7,635 

    Pending Claims, Active Reinsurance and Retrocession

       3,348    2,868 

    Claims Incurred but not Reported (IBNR)

       92,979    75,499 

    Life Insurance

       290,715    273,773 

    Direct Administrative Insurance

       223,359    239,264 

    Direct Insurance in Lawsuits

       12,448    7,519 

    Direct Insurance in Mediation

       7,988    8,901 

    Settled Claims Payable

       26,487    568 

    Pending Claims, Active Reinsurance and Retrocession

       11,949    9,394 

    Claims Incurred but not Reported (IBNR)

       7,898    7,979 

    Redemptions Payable

       586    148 

    Creditors for Premiums to be Refunded

       —      —   

    Retirement Insurance

       —      247 

    Annuities Payable in Arrears

       —      11 

    Others

       —      236 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       535,743    813,836 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Debt with Reinsurers and Coinsurance

      Current
    Account
       Reinstatement
    Premiums
       Minimum Deposit
    Premium to
    Be Accrued
      Deposits
    as

    Collateral
       Unpaid Losses
    to Be Borne
    by Reinsurers
      Total 

    Debts with Reinsurers

       52,563    —      (31,734  —      (38,653  (17,824

    IBNR in charge of Reinsurers

       —      —      —     —      —     —   

    Debts with Co-insurers

       1,525    —      —     —      —     1,525 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total as of 12.31.20

       54,088    —      (31,734  —      (38,653  (16,299
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total as of 12.31.19

       30,624    —      (24,064  —      (345,517  (338,957
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Debts with Producers

      12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Checking Account—Producers

       61,232    110,950 

    Fees for Premiums Receivable

       291,724    259,132 

    Production Expenses Payable

       18,708    41,609 

    Others

       —      —   
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       371,664    411,691 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Technical Commitments

      12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Ongoing and Similar Risk

       610,475    610,592 

    Premiums and Surcharges

       567,071    591,720 

    Premiums on Passive Reinsurance

       (13,979   (19,727

    Active Reinsurance

       57,383    38,472 

    Insufficient Premiums

       —      127 

    Mathematical Reserves

       503,649    502,246 

    Mathematical Reserves for Individual Life Insurance

       154,345    157,074 

    Mathematical Reserves for Individual Retirement Insurance

       113,185    92,209 

    Mathematical Reserves of Life Annuities

       153,435    183,800 

    Provision for the Mathematical Reserve Recomposition

       14    38 

    Fluctuation Funds

       82,670    69,125 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       1,114,124    1,112,838 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Insurance liabilities were recorded according to the liability adequacy test, using the current estimates of future cash flows derived from insurance contracts. The assumptions used are as follows:

       

    12.31.20

      

    12.31.19

    Mortality Table  GAM 94  GAM 94
    Investment (Discount) Rate  Products in USD: 14.77% annually  2.74%
      Products in Ps.: 7.85% annually  
    Life Insurance Reference Rate  75% of the projection of the BADLAR rate starting from 34.22% plus the correction according to Resolution 2020-321 of the Argentine Superintendency of Insurance.  Projection of Life Insurance Reference Rate based on CER proportion, starting from 1.19% for voluntary retirement, and 0.88% for Annuities.
    Administrative Expenses  422.18 for voluntary retirement and 2640.45 for annuities  453 for voluntary retirement and 620 for annuities

    NOTE 21. OTHER NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS

    “Other Non-financial Assets” break down as follows:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Payments on behalf of third parties

       446,038    380,239 

    Advances of fee to Directors and Syndics

       10,049    6,213 

    Advance to Personnel

       3,558    2,810 

    Tax Credits

       2,208,858    655,859 

    Payments made in Advance

       2,331,734    1,320,929 

    Advances for Purchase of Assets

       487,578    4,032,303 

    Investment properties (*)

       580,667    593,290 

    Other Sundry Assets Measured at Cost

       1,227,359    1,397,084 

    Assets Taken in Defense of Credits

       5,176    5,176 

    Others

       333,410    389,085 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       7,634,427    8,782,988 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Authorized
    Amount (*)

    Type of Debt Securities

    Program
    Term
    Approval Date
    by

    Shareholders’
    Meeting

    CNV Approval
    (*)

    Changes in “Investment Properties” are detailed in Schedule F.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia

    Related-party information is disclosed in Note 51.

    NOTE 22. NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

    The Group has classified the following assets as “Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations”:

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Property, Plant and Equipment

        

    Real Estate

       29,328    53,106 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       29,328    53,106 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 23. DEPOSITS

    Deposits break down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    In Pesos

       510,134,336    341,083,760 

    Checking Accounts

       105,026,914    91,984,479 

    Savings Accounts

       182,972,227    80,995,302 

    Time Deposits

       208,712,623    157,927,791 

    Time Deposits – UVA

       5,565,347    1,021,392 

    Others

       1,980,204    2,309,871 

    Interest and Adjustments

       5,877,021    6,844,925 

    In Foreign Currency

       166,261,399    194,949,936 

    Checking Accounts

       —      —   

    Savings Accounts

       134,011,633    160,463,701 

    Time Deposits

       31,133,525    33,122,492 

    Others

       1,023,311    1,277,254 

    Interest and Adjustments

       92,930    86,489 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       676,395,735    536,033,696 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    The concentration of deposits is detailed in Schedule H.

    The breakdown of deposits by remaining term is detailed in Schedule I.

    The breakdown of deposits by sector is detailed in Schedule P.

    Related-party information is disclosed in Note 51.

    NOTE 24. LIABILITIES MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

    “Liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss” are detailed in Schedules I and P. They include liabilities for transactions with third-party government securities.

    NOTE 25. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Creditors for Purchase to be Settled

       340,249    76,689 

    Collections and Other Transactions on Behalf of Third Parties

       11,041,676    15,977,376 

    Obligations for Purchase Financing

       74,952,107    65,393,841 

    Creditors for Purchase of Foreign Currency to be Settled

       506,226    2,237,420 

    Accrued Fees Payable

       608,453    691,386 

    Sundry Items Subject to Minimum Cash

       1,249,817    881,007 

    Sundry Items not Subject to Minimum Cash

       3,732,783    5,596,529 

    Lease Liabilities

       4,363,406    5,129,987 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       676,748    1,169,389 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       97,471,465    97,153,624 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 26. LOANS FROM THE ARGENTINE CENTRAL BANK AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Argentine Central Bank Financing

       21,368    30,562 

    Correspondents

       1,927,341    509,031 

    Financing from Local Financial Institutions

       7,036,375    7,621,082 

    Financing from Foreign Financial Institutions

       —      14,253,902 

    Financing from International Financial Institutions

       4,848,355    8,521,584 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       13,833,439    30,936,161 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    The following table details the credit lines with local and international financial institutions and entities as of the indicated dates:

                                                                                                                

    Financial Institutions and/or Agencies

      Placement Date   Currency   Term(*)   Rate(*)   Maturity   Amount as
    of

    12.31.20(**)
     

    Local Institutions

                 7,057,743 

    BICE

       Sundry Dates    Ps.    1,655 days    30.7    Sundry Dates    1,330,193 

    BICE

       Sundry Dates    USD    1,705 days    4.3    Sundry Dates    1,835,023 

    Agreements with Banks(1)

       12.14.20    Ps.    365 days    40.8    12.14.21    3,661,158 

    Call Taken

       12.30.20    Ps.    5 days    29    01.04.21    210,000 

    Argentine Central Bank

       12.30.20    Ps.    5 days    —      04.01.21    21,368 

    Other Lines(2)

       Sundry Dates    Ps.    11 days    48.1    11.01.21    1 

    International Institutions

                 6,775,696 

    Correspondents

       12.30.20    USD    5 days    —      11.04.21    1,927,341 

    IFC

       Sundry Dates    USD    1,552 days    3.2    Sundry Dates    4,848,355 
                

     

     

     

    Total

                 13,833,439 
                

     

     

     

    USD
    100,000
    Simple debt securities not convertible into shares5 years03.09.09
    confirmed on
    08.02.12
    Resolution No. 16113 dated 04.29.09 and extended by Resolution No. 17343 dated 05/08/14 and ProvisionNo. DI-2019-63-APN-GE#CNV dated 08.06.19. Authorization of Increase, Resolution No. 17064 dated 04.25.13
    (*)

    Weighted average.

    (**)

    It includes principal and interest.

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

    (1)

    Relates to Ecosistema NaranjaX companies’ credit lines.

    USD
    2,100,000
    Simple debt securities, not convertible into shares, subordinated or not, to be adjusted or not, secured or unsecured.5 years04.28.05,
    04.14.10,
    04.29.15 and
    11.09.16
    Resolution No. 15228 dated 11.04.05 and extended through Resolution No. 16454 dated 11.11.10 and Resolution No. 17883 dated 11.20.15. Increase of the amount approved by Resolutions Nos. 17883 dated 11.20.15, No. 18081 dated 06.10.16, No. 18480 dated 01.26.17 and No. 19520 dated 05.17.18

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

    (2)

    Relates to subsidiaries’ credit lines.

    USD
    2,100,000
    Simple debt securities not convertible into shares04.25.19Frequent Issuer Registration No. 11, granted by Resolution No.RESCFC-2019-2055-APN-DIR#CNV, dated 11/13/19 of CNV´s Board of Directors

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

    USD
    650,000
    Simple debt securities, not convertible into shares5 years03.08.12Resolution No. 16822 dated 05.23.12 and extended through Resolution No. 17676 dated 05.21.15.

    Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    USD
    250,000
    Simple debt securities, not convertible into shares5 years03.30.10
    confirmed on
    04.06.10 and
    02.15.13
    Resolution No. 16328 dated 05.18.10 Authorization of the increase, Resolution No. 17072 dated 05.02.13

     

    (*)

    Or its equivalent in any other currency.
                                                                                                                

    Financial Institutions and/or Agencies

      Placement Date   Currency  Term(*)   Rate(*)   Maturity   Amount as
    of

    12.31.19(**)
     

    Local Institutions

                 7,651,644 

    BICE

       Sundry Dates   Ps.   1,778 days    47    Sundry Dates    2,642,859 

    BICE

       Sundry Dates   USD   1,762 days    5.8    Sundry Dates    1,208,875 

    Call Taken

       12.30.19   Ps.   3 days    41.6    01.02.20    682,064 

    Argentine Central Bank

       12.30.19   Ps.   3 days    —      02.01.20    30,562 

    Other Lines(1)

       Sundry Dates   Ps.   364 days    53.9    Sundry Dates    3,087,284 

    International Institutions

                 23,284,517 

    Correspondents

       12.31.19   USD   2 days    —      02.01.20    509,031 

    IFC

       Sundry Dates   USD   1,355 days    4.74    Sundry dates    8,521,584 

    Prefinancing(2)

       Sundry Dates   USD   167 days    6.03    Sundry dates    13,572,955 

    IDB

       Sundry Dates   USD   361 days    5.73    Sundry dates    680,947 
                

     

     

     

    Total

                 30,936,161 
                

     

     

     

    (*)

    Weighted average.

    (**)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (1)

    Relates to Ecosistema NaranjaX companies’ credit lines.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    NOTE 27. DEBT SECURITIES

    The following is a breakdown of the Global Programs for the Issuance of Debt securities outstanding:

    Company has

    Authorized
    Amount(*)

    Type of Debt Securities

    Program
    Term
    Approval Date
    by

    Shareholders’
    Meeting

    CNV Approval

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.

    USD 100,000

    Simple debt securities not

    convertible into shares

    5 years03.09.09
    confirmed on
    08.02.12
    Resolution No. 16113 dated 04.29.09 and extended by Resolution No. 17343 dated 05.08.14 and Provision No. DI-2019-63-APN-GE#CNV dated 08.06.19. Authorization of Increase, Resolution No. 17,064 dated 04.25.13

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

    USD 2,100,000

    Simple debt securities, not

    convertible into shares,

    subordinated or not, to

    be adjusted or not,

    secured or unsecured.

    5 years04.28.05,
    04.14.10,
    04.29.15,
    11.09.16 and
    04.28.20

    Resolution No. 15228 dated 11.04.05 and extended through Resolution No. 16454 dated 11.11.10 and Resolution No. 17883 dated 11.20.15 and Resolution No. DI-2020-53-APN-GE#CNV dated 11.24.20. Increase of the following Unsubordinated Debtamount approved by Resolutions No. 17883 dated 11.20.15, No. 18081 dated 06.10.16, No. 18480 dated 01.26.17 and No. 19520 dated

    05.17.18

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

    USD 2,100,000

    Simple debt securities outstanding issued undernot

    convertible into shares

    -04.25.19Frequent Issuer Registration No. 11, granted by Resolution No. RESCFC-2019-2055-APN-DIR#CNV, dated 11/13/19 of CNV´s Board of Directors

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

    USD 1.000.000

    Simple debt securities, not

    convertible into shares

    5 years03.08.12Resolution No. 15220 dated 07.14.05 and extended through Resolution No. 17676 dated 05.21.15 and No. DI2020-20-APNGE#CNV dated 03.18.20. Increase of the Global Programs detailed inamount approved by Resolutions No. 15.361 dated 03.23.06, 15.785 dated 11.16.07, 16.571 dated 05.24.11, 16.822 dated 05.23.12 and 19.508 dated 05.10.18

    Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    USD 250,000

    Simple debt securities, not

    convertible into shares

    5 years03.30.10
    confirmed on
    04.06.10 and
    02.15.13
    Resolution No. 16328 dated 05.18.10. Increase of the table above as of December 31, 2019,amount approved by Resolution No. 17072 dated 05.02.13

    (*) Or its equivalent in any other currency.

    The Company has the following Unsubordinated Debt securities outstanding issued under the Global Programs detailed in the table above as of December 31, 2020, net of repurchases of Own Debt:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Company

      Placement
    Date
       Currency   Class
      Face Value   Type(**)   Term   Maturity
    Date
       Rate  Issuance
    Authorized by
    the CNV
       Book
    Value(*) as

    of 12.31.20
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       04.26.18    Ps.    
    V Series
    II
     
     
      2,032,833    Simple    36 Months    04.26.21    Badlar + 3.50%   04.18.18    1,732,315 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       11.20.20    Ps.    VIII (1)   1,589,722    Simple    9 Months    08.20.21    
    Badlar +
    2.25%
     
     
      04.20.20    1,255,566 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       04.11.17    Ps.    XXXVII   3,845,700    Simple    
    1,826
    days
     
     
       04.11.22    


    Minimum
    15% Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.50%
     

     
     
      03.30.17    2,644,989 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       07.08.20    Ps.    XLIV   3,574,897    Simple    549 days    01.08.22    Badlar + 4%   06.30.20    3,609,011 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       12.18.20    Ps.    XLV   3,057,000    Simple    365 days    12.18.21    Badlar + 5%   12.14.20    2,641,113 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       06.09.17    Ps.    
    XXVIII
    Series II
     
     
      371,825    Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       06.09.21    


    Minimum
    25% Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.70%
     

     
     
      05.29.17    362,247 
                      

     

     

     

    Total

                       12,245,241 
                      

     

     

     

    (*)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (**)

    Not convertible into shares.

    (***)

    Negotiable Obligations merged into by Tarjeta Naranja S.A. following its merger with Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    (1)

    Issued under the Frequent Issuer Regime.

    On June 21, 2018, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. issued the “Green Bond” which was entirely acquired by the International Finance Corporation. The Green Bond is a 7-year facility, with interest payable every six months. The Green Bond has a 36-month grace period in respect of the repayment of principal, followed by payments in 9 installments due every six months. As of December 31, 2020, the carrying amount of the Green Bond totals Ps.4,828,657, and it amounted to Ps.8,399,358 as of December 31, 2019.

    The Company has the following Unsubordinated Debt Securities outstanding issued under the Global Programs detailed in the table above as of December 31, 2019 , net of repurchases of Own Debt:

    Company

      Placement
    Date
       Currency  Class
      Face Value  Type(**)   Term   Maturity
    Date
       Rate  Issuance
    Authorized by
    the CNV
       Book
    Value(*) as

    of 12.31.19
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       02.17.17   Ps.   III   
    USD150,537
     
    (1)
     
      Simple    36 Months    02.17.20    
    Badlar +
    2.69%
     
     
      02.06.17    1,443,765 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       05.18.17   Ps.   IV   2,000,000   Simple    36 Months    05.18.20    
    Badlar +
    2.98%
     
     
      05.08.17    2,357,013 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       04.26.18   Ps.   
    V Series
    I
     
     
      4,209,250   Simple    24 Months    04.26.20    

    Fixed
    Rate
    25.98%
     
     
     
      04.18.18    5,265,353 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       04.26.18   Ps.   
    V Series
    II
     
     
      2,032,833   Simple    36 Months    04.26.21    
    Badlar +
    3.50%
     
     
      04.18.18    2,454,067 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       11.25.19   Ps.   VII (2)   4,182,280   Simple    6 Months    05.25.20    
    Badlar +
    4%
     
     
      11.13.19    5,815,305 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       06.29.16   Ps.   
    XXXIV
    Series II
     
     
      475,397   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       06.29.20    



    Minimum
    32%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    4.67%
     
     

     
     
      06.21.16    538,916 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       09.27.16   Ps.   
    XXXV
    Series II
     
     
      774,389   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       09.27.20    



    Minimum
    26%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.99%
     
     

     
     
      09.15.16    891,958 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       04.11.17   Ps.   XXXVII   3,845,700   Simple    
    1,826
    days
     
     
       04.11.22    



    Minimum
    15%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.50%
     
     

     
     
      03.30.17    5,911,129 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       04.10.18   Ps.   
    XL
    Series II
     
     
      1,402,500   Simple    914 days    10.10.20    



    Minimum
    27%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.69%
     
     

     
     
      03.27.18    1,992,957 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       11.15.18   Ps.   
    XLI
    Series II
     
     
      343,555   Simple    547 days    05.15.20    
    Badlar +
    10%
     
     
      11.07.18    478,609 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       02.19.19   Ps.   XLIII   1,583,895   Simple    547 days    08.18.20    
    Badlar +
    7%
     
     
      02.07.19    2,018,633 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       07.26.16   Ps.   XXV   400,000   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       07.26.20    



    Minimum
    30%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.94%
     
     

     
     
      07.13.16    577,248 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       10.24.16   Ps.   
    XXVI
    Series II
     
     
      350,237   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       10.24.20    



    Minimum
    26%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    4%
     
     

     
     
      10.14.16    507,796 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       02.10.17   Ps.   
    XXVII
    Series II
     
     
      500,000   Simple    
    1,095
    days
     
     
       02.10.20    



    Minimum
    23.5%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.50%
     
     

     
     
      02.02.17    647,663 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       06.09.17   Ps.   
    XXVIII
    Series II
     
     
      371,825   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       06.09.21    



    Minimum
    25%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.70%
     
     

     
     
      05.29.17    508,896 
                     

     

     

     

    Total

                      31,409,308 
                     

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Company

      Placement
    Date
       Currency  Class
      Face Value  Type(**)   Term   Maturity
    Date
       Rate  Issuance
    Authorized by
    the CNV
       Book
    Value(*) as

    of 12.31.19
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       02.17.17   Ps.   Class III   USD150,537(1)   Simple    
    36
    Months
     
     
       02.17.20    (2)   02.06.17    1,060,496 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       05.18.17   Ps.   IV   2,000,000   Simple    
    36
    Months
     
     
       05.18.20    (3)   05.08.17    1,731,308 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       04.26.18   Ps.   

    V

    Series I

     

     

      4,209,250   Simple    
    24
    Months
     
     
       04.26.20    (4)   04.18.18    3,867,585 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       04.26.18   Ps.   

    V

    Series II

     

     

      2,032,833   Simple    
    36
    Months
     
     
       04.26.21    (5)   04.18.18    1,802,598 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       11.25.19   Ps.   VII(6)   4,182,280   Simple    
    6
    Months
     
     
       05.25.20    (7)   11.13.19    4,271,544 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       06.29.16   Ps.   
    XXXIV
    Series II
     
     
      475,397   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       06.29.20    



    Minimum
    32%
    Rate/
    Badlar
    +4.67%
     
     

     
     
      06.21.16    395,853 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       09.27.16   Ps.   
    XXXV
    Series II
     
     
      774,389   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       09.27.20    



    Minimum
    26%
    Rate/
    Badlar
    +3.99%
     
     

     
     
      09.15.16    655,174 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       04.11.17   Ps.   XXXVII   3,845,700   Simple    
    1,826
    days
     
     
       04.11.22    



    Minimum
    15%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.50%
     
     

     
     
      03.30.17    4,341,930 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       04.10.18   Ps.   
    XL
    Series II
     
     
      1,402,500   Simple    
    914
    days
     
     
       10.10.20    



    Minimum
    27%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.69%
     
     

     
     
      03.27.18    1,463,896 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       11.15.18   Ps.   
    XLI
    Series II
     
     
      343,555   Simple    
    547
    days
     
     
       05.15.20    
    Badlar +
    10%
     
     
      —      351,555 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       02.19.19   Ps.   XLIII   1,583,895   Simple    
    547
    days
     
     
       08.18.20    
    Badlar +
    7%
     
     
      —      1,482,756 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       07.26.16   Ps.   XXV   400,000   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       07.26.20    



    Minimum
    30%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.94%
     
     

     
     
      07.13.16    424,009 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       10.24.16   Ps.   
    XXVI
    Series II
     
     
      350,237   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       10.24.20    



    Minimum
    26%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    4.00%
     
     

     
     
      10.14.16    372,994 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       02.10.17   Ps.   
    XXVII
    Series II
     
     
      500,000   Simple    
    1,095
    days
     
     
       02.10.20    



    Minimum
    23.5%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.50%
     
     

     
     
      02.02.17    475,731 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       06.09.17   Ps.   
    XXVIII
    Series II
     
     
      371,825   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       06.09.21    



    Minimum
    25%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.70%
     
     

     
     
      05.29.17    373,802 
                     

     

     

     

    Total

                      23,071,231 
                     

     

     

     

    (*)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (**)

    Not convertible into shares.

    (***)

    Negotiable Obligations merged into by Tarjeta Naranja S.A. following its merger with Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    (1)

    In accordance with the issuance conditions, they were converted into Ps. 2,360,360. The foreign exchange risk is assumed by the investor because the services of interest and principal are calculated based on the amount of principal in Argentine pesos and converted into payments in US dollars on each payment date.

    (2)

    Issued under the Frequent Issuer Regime.

    The repurchases of Own Debt securities as of the indicated dates are as follows:

    Company

      ON Class   Nominal Value as of
    12.31.20
       Book Value(*) as of
    12.31.20
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       V Serie II    5,000    5,330 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       VIII    79,000    82,207 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       XXXVII    9,620    106,451 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       XLIV    235,000    252,052 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       XLV    440,000    443,520 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

       XXVIII Serie II    18,889    19,398 
          

     

     

     

    Total

           908,958 
          

     

     

     

    (*) It includes principal and interest.

    (**) Debt securities merged into by Tarjeta Naranja S.A. following its merger with Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    Company

      ON Class   Nominal Value as of
    12.31.19
       Book Value(*) as
    of 12.31.19
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       V Series II    5,000    7,330 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       XXXV Series II    38,500    50,473 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       XXXVII    1,468    34,075 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       XL Series II    34,500    43,535 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       XLI Series II    15,000    21,716 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       XLIII    16,500    18,239 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

       XXV    8,000    11,319 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

       XXVI Series II    10,000    15,351 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

       XXVII Series II    17,442    25,330 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

       XXVIII Series II    8,254    11,535 
          

     

     

     

    Total

           238,903 
          

     

     

     

    (*)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (**)

    Debt securities merged into by Tarjeta Naranja S.A. following its merger with Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    (1)

    In accordance with the issuance conditions, they were converted into Ps. 2,360,360. The foreign exchange risk is assumed by the investor because the services of interest and principal are calculated based on the amount of principal in Argentine pesos and converted into payments in US dollars on each payment date.

    Related-party information is disclosed in Note 51.

    NOTE 28. SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

    (2)

    Variable rate equivalent to simple arithmetical average of private Badlar rates plus 2.69%, to be paid quarterly from May 17, 2017 onwards.

    (3)

    Variable rate equivalent to simple arithmetical average of private Badlar rates plus 2.98%, to be paid quarterly from August 18, 2017 onwards.

    (4)

    25.98% Fixed Annual Nominal Rate, interest and amortization will be paid fully at maturity.

    (5)

    Variable rate equivalent to simple arithmetical average of private Badlar rates plus 3.5%, to be paid quarterly from July 26, 2018 onwards. The amortization of this series will be made at maturity.

    (6)

    Issued under the Frequent Issuer Regime.

    (7)

    Variable rate equivalent to simple arithmetical average of private Badlar rates plus 4%, to be paid on February 25 and May 25.

    On June 21, 2018, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. issued the “Green Bond” which was entirely acquired by the International Finance Corporation. The Green Bond is a7-year facility, with interest payable every six months. The Green Bond has a36-month grace period in respect of the repayment of principal, followed by payments in 9 installments due every six months. As of December 31, 2019, the carrying amount of the Green Bond totals Ps.6,169,620.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The Company has the following Unsubordinated Debt Securities outstanding issued under the Global Programs detailed in the table above as of December 31, 2018, net of repurchases of Own Debt:

    Company

      Placement
    Date
       Currency  Class
       Face Value  Type(**)   Term   Maturity
    Date
       Rate  Issuance
    Authorized by
    the CNV
       Book
    Value(*) as

    of 12.31.18
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       02.17.17   Ps.   Class III    USD150,537(1)   Simple    
    36
    Months
     
     
       02.17.20    (2)    02.06.17    3,802,199 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       05.18.17   Ps.   IV    2,000,000   Simple    
    36
    Months
     
     
       05.18.20    (3)    05.08.17    3,271,281 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       04.26.18   Ps.   

    V

    Series I

     

     

       4,209,250   Simple    
    24
    Months
     
     
       04.26.20    (4)    04.18.18    7,535,403 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

       04.26.18   Ps.   

    V

    Series II

     

     

       2,032,833   Simple    
    36
    Months
     
     
       04.26.21    (5)    04.18.18    3,345,830 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       04.13.16   Ps.   
    XXXIII
    Series II
     
     
       366,908   Simple    
    1,095
    days
     
     
       04.13.19    



    Minimum
    37%
    Rate/
    Badlar
    +5.40%
     
     

     
     
      03.28.16    635,025 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       06.29.16   Ps.   
    XXXIV
    Series II
     
     
       475,397   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       06.29.20    



    Minimum
    32%
    Rate/
    Badlar
    +4.67%
     
     

     
     
      06.21.16    832,396 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       09.27.16   Ps.   
    XXXV
    Series II
     
     
       774,389   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       09.27.20    



    Minimum
    26%
    Rate/
    Badlar
    +3.99%
     
     

     
     
      09.15.16    1,119,900 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       12.07.16   Ps.   
    XXXVI
    Series II
     
     
       636,409   Simple    
    1,095
    days
     
     
       12.07.19    



    Minimum
    25.25%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    4%
     
     

     
     
      11.23.16    997,903 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       04.11.17   Ps.   XXXVII    3,845,700   Simple    
    1,826
    days
     
     
       04.11.22    



    Minimum
    15%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.50%
     
     

     
     
      03.30.17    6,281,663 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       11.13.17   Ps.   XXXVIII    503,333   Simple    
    546
    days
     
     
       05.13.19    



    Minimum
    29.05%
    Rate/
    MR20 +
    4%
     
     

     
     
      11.07.17    827,704 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       02.14.18   Ps.   XXXIX    754,538   Simple    
    546
    days
     
     
       08.14.19    


    Minimum
    26.75%
    Rate/MR
    20 +3.4%
     
     
     
     
      02.02.18    1,236,540 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       04.10.18   Ps.   
    XL
    Series I
     
     
       597,500   Simple    
    548
    days
     
     
       10.10.19    

    25.98%
    Fixed
    Rate
     
     
     
      03.27.18    1,090,259 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       04.10.18   Ps.   
    XL
    Series II
     
     
       1,402,500   Simple    
    914
    days
     
     
       10.10.20    



    Minimum
    27%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.69%
     
     

     
     
      03.27.18    2,380,956 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       11.15.18   Ps.   
    XLI
    Series I
     
     
       854,102   Simple    
    365
    days
     
     
       11.15.19    

    54%
    Fixed
    Rate
     
     
     
      —      1,392,920 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       11.15.18   Ps.   
    XLI
    Series II
     
     
       343,555   Simple    
    547
    days
     
     
       05.15.20    
    Badlar +
    10%
     
     
      —      533,452 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       12.17.18   Ps.   XLII    1,266,303   Simple    
    287
    days
     
     
       09.30.19    

    58%
    Fixed
    Rate
     
     
     
      —      1,898,518 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       05.05.16   Ps.   
    XXIV
    Series II
     
     
       234,309   Simple    
    1,095
    days
     
     
       05.05.19    



    Minimum
    37%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    4.98%
     
     

     
     
      04.22.16    264,984 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       07.26.16   Ps.   XXV    400,000   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       07.26.20    



    Minimum
    30%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.94%
     
     

     
     
      07.13.16    662,255 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       10.24.16   Ps.   
    XXVI
    Series II
     
     
       350,237   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       10.24.20    



    Minimum
    26%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    4.00%
     
     

     
     
      10.14.16    551,586 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       02.10.17   Ps.   
    XXVII
    Series II
     
     
       500,000   Simple    
    1,095
    days
     
     
       02.10.20    



    Minimum
    23.5%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.50%
     
     

     
     
      02.02.17    769,865 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       06.09.17   Ps.   
    XXVIII
    Series I
     
     
       128,175   Simple    
    730
    days
     
     
       06.09.19    



    Minimum
    25%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.05%
     
     

     
     
      05.29.17    194,990 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(***)

       06.09.17   Ps.   
    XXVIII
    Series II
     
     
       371,825   Simple    
    1,461
    days
     
     
       06.09.21    



    Minimum
    25%
    Rate/
    Badlar +
    3.70%
     
     

     
     
      05.29.17    575,333 
                      

     

     

     

    Total

                       40,200,962 
                      

     

     

     

     

    (*)

    It includes principal and interest.

    The Company has the following subordinated debt securities not convertible into shares issued under the Global Programs detailed in Note 27 as of the close of the fiscal year:

    (**)

    Not convertible into shares.

    (***)

    Negotiable Obligations merged into by Tarjeta Naranja S.A. following its merger with Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    (1)

    In accordance with the issuance conditions, they were converted into Ps. 2,360,360. The foreign exchange risk is assumed by the investor because the services of interest and principal are calculated based on the amount of principal in Argentine pesos and converted into payments in US dollars on each payment date.

    (2)

    Variable rate equivalent to simple arithmetical average of private Badlar rates plus 2.69%, to be paid quarterly from May 17, 2017 onwards.

    (3)

    Variable rate equivalent to simple arithmetical average of private Badlar rates plus 2.98%, to be paid quarterly from August 18, 2017 onwards.

    (4)

    25.98% Fixed Annual Nominal Rate, interest and amortization will be paid fully at maturity.

    (5)

    Variable rate equivalent to simple arithmetical average of private Badlar rates plus 3.5%, to be paid quarterly from July 26, 2018 onwards. The amortization of this series will be made at maturity.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The repurchases of Own Debt securities as of the indicated dates are as follows:

    Company

      

    ON Class

      Nominal Value as of
    12.31.19
       Book Value (*) as of
    12.31.19
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

      Class V – Series II   5,000    5,384 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XXXV Series II   38,500    37,074 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XXXVII   1,468    25,029 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XL Serie II   34,500    31,978 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XLI Series II   15,000    15,951 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XLIII   16,500    13,397 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXV   8,000    8,314 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXVI Series II   10,000    11,276 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXVII Series II   17,442    18,606 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXVIII Series II   8,254    8,473 
          

     

     

     

    Total

           175,482 
          

     

     

     

     

    (*)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (**)

    Debt securities merged into by Tarjeta Naranja S.A. following its merger with Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    Company

      

    ON Class

      Nominal Value as of
    12.31.18
       Book Value (*) as of
    12.31.18
     

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

      Class III   59,644    56,052 

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

      Class V – Series II   73,840    72,575 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XXXV Series II   79,224    76,582 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XXXVI Series II   15,383    16,223 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XXXVII   18,126    283,875 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XXXVIII   5,953    6,361 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XXXIX   7,692    8,232 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XL   24,613    26,927 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XLI Series I   1,538    1,440 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XLI Series II   29,228    31,116 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Class XLII   76,916    83,668 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXIV Series II   123,066    127,599 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXV Series II   13,845    13,820 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXVI Series II   38,458    41,576 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXVII Series I   56,550    57,352 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXVII Series II   8,442    8,856 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.(**)

      Class XXVIII Series II   12,697    13,077 
          

     

     

     

    Total

           925,331 
          

     

     

     

    (*)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (**)

    Debt securities merged into by Tarjeta Naranja S.A. following its merger with Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A.

    Related-party information is disclosed in Note 51.

    NOTE 28. SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

    The Company has the following subordinated debt securities not convertible into shares issued under the Global Programs detailed in Note 27 as of the close of the fiscal year:

    Company

      Placement
    Date
      Currency  ON
    Class
       Nominal Value   Term  Maturity
    Date
       Rate Issuance
    Authorized
    by the
    CNV
      Book Value
    as of
    12.31.19(*)
     

    Banco de Galicia y Bs. As. S.A.U.

      07.19.16  USD   II    USD 250,000    120 months(1)   07.19.26   (2)(3)  06.23.16   15,499,212 

    Company

      Placement
    Date
      Currency  ON
    Class
       Nominal Value   Term Maturity
    Date
       Rate Issuance
    Authorized
    by the
    CNV
      Book Value
    as of
    12.31.18(*)
       Placement Date  Currency  ON Class  Nominal Value   Term Maturity
    Date
       Rate Issuance
    Authorized
    by the
    CNV
       Book Value
    as of
    12.31.20(*)
     

    Banco de Galicia y Bs. As. S.A.U.

      07.19.16  USD   II    USD 250,000    120 months(1)  07.19.26   (2)(3)  06.23.16   15,026,155   07.19.16  USD  II   USD250,000    120 months(1)  07.19.26    (2 )  06.23.16    21,653,546 
                    

     

     

     

    (*)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (1)

    Amortization shall be fully made upon maturity, on July 19, 2026, unless redeemed, at the issuer’s option, fully at a price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal plus accrued and unpaid interest.

    (2)

    Fixed 8.25% rate p.a. (as from the issuance date to July 19, 2021, inclusively); and margin to be added to the nominal Benchmark Readjustment Rate of 7.156% p.a. to the due date of Debt securities. Such interest shall be payable semiannually on January 19 and July 19 as from 2017.

    (3)

    The net proceeds from this issuance of debt securities was applied to investments in working capital, loans, other loans and other uses envisaged by the provisions of the Law on Debt securities and the Argentine Central Bank regulations.

    Company

      Placement Date   Currency   ON Class   Nominal Value   Term  Maturity
    Date
       Rate  Issuance
    Authorized
    by the
    CNV
       Book Value
    as of
    12.31.19(*)
     

    Banco de Galicia y Bs. As. S.A.U.

       07.19.16    USD    II    USD250,000    120 months(1)   07.19.26    (2 )   06.23.16    21,100,718 
                    

     

     

     

    (*)

    It includes principal and interest.

    (1)

    Amortization shall be fully made upon maturity, on July 19, 2026, unless redeemed, at the issuer’s option, fully at a price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal plus accrued and unpaid interest.

    (2)

    Fixed 8.25% rate p.a. (as from the issuance date to July 19, 2021, inclusively); and margin to be added to the nominal Benchmark Readjustment Rate of 7.156% p.a. to the due date of Debt securities. Such interest shall be payable semiannually on January 19 and July 19 as from 2017.

    The net proceeds from this issuance of debt securities was applied to investments in working capital, loans, other loans and other uses envisaged by the provisions of the Law on Debt securities and the Argentine Central Bank regulations.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    NOTE 29. PROVISIONS

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    For Administrative, Disciplinary and Criminal Penalties

       5,306    7,224 

    For Termination Benefits

       220,824    233,287 

    Others

       3,550,167    3,499,223 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       3,776,297    3,739,734 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Changes in the “Provisions” account for fiscal year 2020 are detailed in Schedule J.

    See Note 46 for further details.

    NOTE 30. OTHER NON-FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Creditors for sale of assets

       594,481    601,965 

    Tax withholdings and collections payable

       6,755,148    5,193,979 

    Payroll and Social Contributions Payable

       7,057,226    6,446,491 

    Withholdings on Payroll Payable

       371,236    366,972 

    Fess to Directors and Syndics

       221,520    96,834 

    Value-Added Tax

       851,232    867,885 

    Sundry Creditors

       4,447,128    4,097,837 

    Taxes Payable

       3,270,895    3,600,729 

    Obligations Arising from Contracts with Customers

       1,348,700    1,654,612 

    Retirement payment orders pending settlement

       90,588    100,941 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       250,074    211,082 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       25,258,228    23,239,327 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred income resulting from contracts with customers includes the liabilities for the “Quiero” Customers Loyalty Program. The Group estimates the fair value of the points assigned to customers under the above-mentioned program. This value is estimated by means of the use of a mathematical model that considers certain assumptions of redemption rates, the fair value for the exchanged points based on the combination of available products and the customers’ preferences, as well as breakage. As of December 31, 2020, Ps.1,114,594 was recorded for non-exchanged points, whereas as of December 31, 2019, such amount totaled Ps.1,384,660.

    The following table shows the estimated use of the liabilities recorded as of this fiscal year-end.

       Terms 

    Item

      Up to 12
    Months
       Up to 24
    Months
       Over 24
    Months
       Total 

    Liabilities – “Quiero” Customers Loyalty Program

       632,815    271,377    210,402    1,114,594 
            

     

     

     

    NOTE 31. CAPITAL STOCK

    The capital stock structure is detailed in Schedule K.

    Due to the spin-off-merger in Tarjetas Regionales S.A. non-controlling interest, mentioned in Note 15.1, the Company increased its capital by 47,927,494 Class B shares.

    On March 16, 2021 the capital increase of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. was registered with the Public Registry of Commerce.

    The expenses related to the capital increase amounted to Ps. 13,149 and are deducted from the share premium.

    The Company has no own shares in portfolio.

    The Company’s shares are listed on Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos (BYMA), Mercado Abierto Electrónico S.A. (MAE) and the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ).

    NOTE 32. INCOME STATEMENT BREAKDOWN

    Breakdown of: Interest Income, Fee Income and Net Income from Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss are detailed in Schedule Q.

    NOTE 33. EXCHANGE RATE DIFFERENCES ON GOLD AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Arising from:

      12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    For Purchase sale of foreign currency

       5,958,974    17,214,089    12,543,415 

    For Valuation of Assets and Liabilities in Foreign Currency

       1,088,473    (5,382,637   (4,633,158
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       7,047,447    11,831,452    7,910,257 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 34. OTHER OPERATING INCOME

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Fees for Product Package

       6,296,738    5,684,656    5,719,226 

    Other Adjustments and Interest on sundry Credits

       5,246,030    3,110,290    3,349,720 

    Rental of Safety Deposit Boxes

       1,295,199    1,010,452    1,080,908 

    Other Financial Income

       579,211    1,577,962    353,035 

    Other Income from Services

       4,237,539    3,341,244    6,176,597 

    Income for sale of non-currents assets held for sale(1)

       —      9,676,346    1,027,022 

    Others

       4,667,914    4,368,482    4,156,472 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       22,322,631    28,769,432    21,862,980 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    Includes the profit on sale of the interest in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. See Note 14.

    NOTE 35. UNDERWRITING INCOME FROM INSURANCE BUSINESS

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Premiums and Surcharges Accrued

       7,789,375    7,607,216    9,816,413 

    Claims Accrued

       (1,126,864   (1,052,763   (1,122,301

    Redemptions

       (16,844   (18,273   (12,084

    Fixed and Periodic Annuities

       (13,588   (15,758   (17,887

    Production and Operating Expenses

       (1,064,782   (1,515,532   (2,691,169

    Other Income and Expenses

       (65,490   (4,021   36,195 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       5,501,807    5,000,869    6,009,167 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 36. LOAN LOSS PROVISION

    The changes in the loss allowance between the beginning and the end of the annual period are detailed in Note 45.

    NOTE 37. PERSONNEL EXPENSES

    The following are the items included in the account as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Payroll

       19,789,826    20,504,481    24,414,768 

    Social Contributions on Payroll

       4,553,002    4,500,774    3,592,936 

    Personnel Compensations and Rewards

       5,811,760    6,424,341    5,717,492 

    Services for Personnel

       765,223    972,727    1,128,695 

    Other Short-term Personnel Expenses

       781,545    746,668    687,034 

    Other Long-term Personnel Expenses

       123,745    135,970    116,861 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       31,825,101    33,284,961    35,657,786 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 38. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

    The Group presented its statement of comprehensive income by function. Under this method, expenses are classified according to their function as part of the item “Administrative Expenses”.

    The table below provides the required additional information about expenses by nature and function as of the indicated dates:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

       12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Fees and Remunerations for Services

       2,722,767    3,980,217    2,547,784 

    Directors’ and Syndics’ Fees

       472,614    222,405    364,805 

    Advertising and Publicity

       1,742,441    2,959,534    2,676,622 

    Taxes

       7,362,438    7,051,537    7,056,470 

    Maintenance and Repairs of Assets and Systems

       5,295,507    4,911,367    2,964,636 

    Electricity and Communications

       2,371,181    2,484,059    2,013,488 

    Representation and Travel Expenses

       58,367    172,242    214,300 

    Stationery and Office Supplies

       419,380    513,980    441,083 

    Rentals

       308,848    135,793    1,730,626 

    Administrative Services under Contract

       4,230,573    3,369,599    2,709,994 

    Security

       1,162,314    1,332,404    1,169,699 

    Insurance

       251,297    179,940    951,802 

    Armored Transportation Services

       1,559,087    2,803,034    2,367,736 

    Others

       3,414,808    2,989,088    6,465,260 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       31,371,622    33,105,199    33,674,305 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 39. DEPRECIATION AND IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment

       5,173,340    4,979,957    2,336,535 

    Amortization of Organization and Development Expenses

       2,989,613    1,909,413    1,117,154 

    Others

       121,333    5,574    6,015 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       8,284,286    6,894,944    3,459,704 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 40. OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Turnover Tax

       15,662,817    17,813,939    18,110,558 

    Contributions to the Deposit Insurance Scheme

       1,059,292    1,175,021    1,069,850 

    Charges for Other Provisions

       2,868,794    2,314,952    2,211,921 

    Claims

       375,311    457,762    650,078 

    Other Financial Expenses

       286,002    2,498,764    1,144,612 

    Interest on leases

       398,850    511,138    -    

    Credit-card-relates expenses

       4,486,875    6,046,394    6,161,264 

    Other Expenses from Services

       3,920,476    2,978,819    4,455,969 

    Others

       1,705,344    1,286,029    1,587,179 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       30,763,761    35,082,818    35,391,431 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 41. INCOME TAX/DEFERRED TAX

    The following is a reconciliation of income tax charged to income as of December 31, 2020, as compared to the previous fiscal year:

       12.31.20  12.31.19  12.31.18 

    Income Before Income Tax for the Year

       43,022,883   51,046,575   6,339,833 

    Current Tax Rate

       30  30  30
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Income for the Year at Tax Rate

       (12,906,866  (15,313,973  (1,901,950

    Permanent Differences at Tax Rate

        

    - Income for Equity Instruments

       (37,516  -      434,390 

    - Untaxed Income

       166,909   130,190   378,202 

    - Donations and Other Non-deductible Expenses

       (32,018  (21,627  (138,057

    - Other

       (3,001,548  (83,089  (851,579

    - Allowance for Impairment

       -      -      (3,954

    - Inflation effect

       (10,569,560  (12,260,928  (13,426,074

    - Tax Adjustment under Law 27430

       695,456   (116,806  965,898 

    - Tax inflation adjustment

       2,895,013   1,680,922   -    

    - Tax inflation adjustment deferral

       5,090,717   7,914,419   -    
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Income Tax Charge for the Year

       (17,699,413  (18,070,892  (14,543,124
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

       12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Current Income Tax

       (26,644,905   (20,759,986   (14,495,373

    Deferred Tax Charge(*)

       8,274,837    2,751,269    831,822 

    Allowance for Impairment(*)

       —      —      (3,954

    Tax Return adjustment from previous fiscal year

       670,655    (62,175   (172,442

    Law 27430 adjustment

       —      —      (703,177
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Income Tax Charge for the Year

       (17,699,413   (18,070,892   (14,543,124
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

       12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Current Income Tax

       (26,644,905   (20,759,986   (14,495,373

    Tax Advances

       11,417,431    6,717,751    7,254,160 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Current Income Tax Liabilities

       (15,227,474   (14,042,235   (7,241,213
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (*)

    See Note 19.

    As of December 31, 2020, several claims filed by Banco Galicia for refund of the Income Tax paid in excess for the fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, for the amounts of Ps.433,815, Ps.459,319, Ps.944,338, Ps.866,842, Ps.3,646,842 and Ps.4,403,712, respectively, were submitted to the Federal Administration of Public Revenue (Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos, AFIP). These presentations are based on Argentine jurisprudence that establishes the unconstitutionality of the rules disabling the application of the adjustment for tax inflation, resulting in confiscatory situations. As the AFIP delayed its resolution, the corresponding judicial claims were filed. At the closing of these Financial Statements, Banco Galicia does not record assets related to the contingent assets derived from the aforementioned presentations.

    Identical claims were filed by other Group subsidiaries before the AFIP: Tarjeta Naranja S.A., for 2014 and 2016 fiscal years, for a total amount of Ps. 580,164, nominal value. Tarjetas Cuyanas S.A., (Tarjeta Naranja S.A. predecessor company), for 2014 and 2016 fiscal years, for an amount of Ps. 145,478, nominal value, and Tarjetas Regionales S.A., for 2017 and 2018 periods, for an amount of Ps. 326,498 and Ps. 973,843, nominal value, respectively. In light of the delay in the resolution by the AFIP, the corresponding judicial claims were filed. In the same terms as for the rest of the years claimed, on May 26, 2020, Tarjeta Naranja S.A. filed before the AFIP a claim for the repetition of the Income Tax corresponding to fiscal year 2019 for Ps. 1,364,949 in nominal value.

    Tax Reform

    On December 29, 2017, the National Government enacted Income Tax Law No. 27430. This law has introduced several changes to the previous income tax treatment. Some of the key changes involved in the reform include:

    Income Tax Rate: The income tax rate for Argentine companies shall be gradually reduced from 35% to 30% for fiscal years commencing on January 1, 2018 until December 31, 2019, and to 25% for fiscal years commencing on, and including, January 1, 2020.

    Tax on Dividends: The law has introduced a tax on dividends or profits distributed by Argentine companies or permanent establishments, among others, to: individuals, undivided interests or foreign beneficiaries, subject to the following considerations: (i) dividends distributed out of the profits made during fiscal years commencing on January 1, 2018 until December 31, 2019 shall be subject to withholding at a 7% rate; and (ii) dividends distributed out of the profits made during fiscal years commencing on January 1, 2020 onwards shall be subject to withholding at a 13% rate.

    Dividends distributed from profits earned until the fiscal year before that commenced on January 1, 2018 shall remain subject, in respect of all beneficiaries, to withholding at the 35% rate on the amount in excess of tax-free distributable accumulated profits (equalization tax transition period).

    Optional Tax Revaluation: Regulations establish that, at the companies’ option, the tax revaluation of assets located in the country and that are used for generating taxable income may be made. The special tax on the revaluation amount depends on the asset: 8% is for real estate that does not qualify as inventories, 15% for real estate that qualifies as inventories and 10% for personal property and the remaining assets. Once the option for a given asset is exercised, all the other assets of the same category should be revalued. Taxable income resulting from the revaluation is not subject to income tax and the special tax on the revaluation amount will not be deductible from such tax.

    On December 23, 2019, the Argentine Government enacted Law 27,541, which introduced several changes for processing the Income Tax:

    Income tax rate: the reduction is suspended of the tax rate for fiscal years commenced up to January 1, 2021; therefore, for fiscal years closing on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021, the rate is established at 30%.

    Inflation adjustment: The inflation adjustment for the first and second fiscal year commenced January 1, 2019, must be charged one sixth (1/6) in that fiscal period, and the remaining five sixths (5/6), in equal parts, in the following five immediate fiscal periods.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    As of the closing date of these consolidated financial statements, the Group verified that the parameters established by the Law on Income Tax for the application of the tax inflation adjustment are met; consequently, this adjustment has been considered to determine the income tax for the fiscal year. The effect of the deferral of five-sixths of the inflation taxable income has been recognized as a deferred tax asset. (See Note 19).

    NOTE 42. DIVIDENDS

    The Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 28, 2020 approved the Financial Statements as of December 31, 2019 and the treatment of income for the fiscal year ended on that date.

    Said Meeting approved Retained Earnings distribution, allocating Ps. 4,000,000 (equivalent to Ps. 4,977,135 as of December 31, 2020) to Optional Reserve for Future Income Distribution.

    The Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on September 22, 2020, approved the partial use of the aforementioned reserve for the amount of Ps. 1,700,000 (equivalent to Ps.1,892,559 as of December 31, 2020) and the distribution of cash dividends for the same amount, which represented Ps. 1.19 (figure expressed in Argentine pesos) per share. On October 5, 2020, the aforementioned dividends were paid to the Company’s Shareholders.

    The Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 25, 2019 approved the financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and the treatment of income for the fiscal year then ended.

    The dividends approved by such Shareholders’ Meeting amounted to Ps.2,000,000 (which is equal to Ps.3,622,432 as of December 31, 2020) and represented Ps.1.40 (figure stated in Pesos) per share. The dividends mentioned above were paid to the Group’s shareholders on May 9, 2019.

    The Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 24, 2018 approved the financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and the treatment of income for the fiscal year then ended.

    The dividends approved by such Shareholders’ Meeting amounted to Ps.1,200,000 (which is equal to Ps.3,386,137 as of December 31, 2020) and represented Ps.1.40 (figure stated in Pesos) per share. The dividends mentioned above were paid to the Group’s shareholders on May 9, 2018.

    NOTE 43. EARNINGS PER SHARE

    Earnings per share are calculated by dividing income attributable to parent company´s owners by the weighted average number of outstanding ordinary shares during the year. As the Group does not have preferred shares or debt convertible into shares, basic earnings are equal to diluted earnings per share.

       12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company´s Owners

       25,191,673    32,276,377    (7,258,414

    Weighted Average Ordinary Shares

       1,442,740    1,426,765    1,426,765 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Earnings per Share

       17.46    22.62    (5.09
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 44. SEGMENT REPORTING

    The Group determines segments based on management reports that are reviewed by the Board of Directors and updated as they show changes.

    Reportable segments are one or more operating segments with similar economic characteristics, distribution channels and regulatory environments.

    Below there is a description of each business segment’s composition:

    a.

    Banks: It represents the banking business operation results.

    b.

    Ecosistema Naranja X: This segment represents the results of operations of brand credit cards, consumer finance and digital banking services business. Includes the results of operations of Tarjetas Regionales S.A. consolidated with its subsidiaries, as follows: Cobranzas Regionales S.A., Ondara S.A., Naranja Digital Companía Financiera S.A.U. and Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

    c.

    Insurance: This segment represents the results of operations of the insurance companies’ business and includes the results of operations of Sudamericana Holding S.A. consolidated with its subsidiaries, as follows: Galicia Retiro Cía. de Seguros S.A., Galicia Seguros S.A. and Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    d.

    NOTE 29. PROVISIONS

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    For Administrative, Disciplinary and Criminal Penalties

       5,306    8,162 

    For Termination Benefits

       171,358    133,720 

    Others

       2,570,302    2,087,646 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       2,746,966    2,229,528 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Changes in the “Provisions” account for fiscal year 2019 are detailed in Schedule J.

    See Note 46 for further details.

    NOTE 30. OTHERNON-FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Creditors for sale of assets

       442,164    412,052 

    Tax withholdings and collections payable

       3,815,161    4,463,297 

    Payroll and Social Contributions Payable

       4,735,172    4,371,740 

    Withholdings on Payroll Payable

       269,554    285,551 

    Fess to Directors and Syndics

       71,128    84,299 

    Value-Added Tax

       637,492    811,563 

    Sundry Creditors

       3,010,004    2,463,113 

    Taxes Payable

       2,644,861    2,969,079 

    Obligations Arising from Contracts with Customers

       1,215,370    1,648,523 

    Retirement payment orders pending settlement

       74,145    57,223 

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

       155,047    80,492 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       17,070,098    17,646,932 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Deferred income resulting from contracts with customers includes the liabilities for the “Quiero” Customers Loyalty Program. The Group estimates the fair value of the points assigned to customers under the above-mentioned program.Other Businesses: This value is estimated by means of the use of a mathematical model that considers certain assumptions of redemption rates, the fair value for the exchanged points based on the combination of available products and the customers’ preferences, as well as breakage. As of December 31, 2019, Ps.1,017,081 was recorded fornon-exchanged points, whereas as of December 31, 2018, such amount totaled Ps.1,412,759

    The following tablesegment shows the estimated useresults of the liabilities recorded asoperations of this fiscalyear-end.

       Terms     

    Item

      Up to 12
    Months
       Up to 24
    Months
       Over 24
    Months
       Total 

    Liabilities – “Quiero” Customers Loyalty Program

       437,687    367,414    211,980    1,017,081 

    NOTE 31. CAPITAL STOCK

    The capital stock structure is detailed in Schedule K.

    The OrdinaryGalicia Administradora de Fondos S.A., Galicia Warrants S.A., IGAM LLC, Inviu S.A.U., IGAM Uruguay Agente de Valores S.A., Galicia Securities S.A. and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. held on August 15, 2017 decided to approve an increase in capital stock by means, the last net of eliminations of the issuance of up to 150,000,000 ordinary book-entry Class “B” shares, entitled to one vote per share and with a face value of Ps.1 each. These shares are entitled to dividends with the same rights to the shares outstanding at the time of the issuance.

    On September 7, 2017, the Board of Directors of the CNV, by means of Joint Resolution No.RESFC-2017-18927-APN-DIR#CNV, decided to authorize the public offering of 130,434,600 ordinary book-entry Class “B” shares, with a face value of Ps.1 and one vote per share and, in case of over-subscription, an increase in such offering up to 19,565,190 ordinary book-entry Class “B” shares, with a face value of Ps.1 and one vote each to be offered for public subscription, with preemptive and accretion rights.

    The primary offering year ended on September 26, 2017, with 109,999,996 Class “B” shares having been subscribed at a price of USD5 each. On September 29, 2017, such shares were issued and integrated.

    The Company granted over-subscription rights to international placement agents who, on October 2, 2017, enforced such rights and were awarded additional 16,500,004 Class “B” shares at a price of USD5 each, the issuance and payment of which took place on October 4, 2017.

    The capital increase amounted to Ps.11,004,383 (which is equal to Ps.26,478,106 as of December 31, 2019), the expenses related thereto amounted to Ps.146,347 (which is equal to Ps.352,827 as of December 31, 2019) and were deductedincome from additionalpaid-in capital.

    On November 8, 2017, the capital increase was registered with the Public Registry of Commerce.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The Company has no own shares in portfolio.

    The Company’s shares are listed on Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos (BYMA), Mercado Abierto Electrónico S.A. (MAE) and the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ).

    NOTE 32. INCOME STATEMENT BREAKDOWN

    Breakdown of: Interest Income, Fee Income and Net Income from Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss are detailed in Schedule Q.

    NOTE 33. EXCHANGE RATE DIFFERENCES ON GOLD AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

    Arising from:

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    For Purchase sale of foreign currency

       12,644,347    9,213,575    4,527,072 

    For Valuation of Assets and Liabilities in Foreign Currency

       (3,953,734   (3,403,216   824,543 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       8,690,613    5,810,359    5,351,615 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 34. OTHER OPERATING INCOME

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    Fees for Product Package

       4,175,578    4,200,971    4,312,840 

    Other Adjustments and Interest on sundry Credits

       2,284,616    2,460,486    701,835 

    Rental of Safety Deposit Boxes

       742,212    793,964    788,112 

    Other Financial Income

       1,159,068    259,317    89,397 

    Other Income from Services

       2,454,260    4,536,925    6,390,361 

    Income for sale ofnon-currents assets held for sale(1)

       7,107,613    754,383    —   

    Others

       3,208,802    3,053,074    3,061,037 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       21,132,149    16,059,120    15,343,582 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    Includes the profit on sale of the interest in Prisma Medios de Pago S.A. See Note 22.

    NOTE 35. UNDERWRITING INCOME FROM INSURANCE BUSINESS

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    Premiums and Surcharges Accrued

       5,587,765    7,210,497    8,092,972 

    Claims Accrued

       (773,291   (824,369   (930,545

    Redemptions

       (13,422   (8,876   (11,636

    Fixed and Periodic Annuities

       (11,575   (13,139   (14,125

    Production and Operating Expenses

       (1,113,211   (1,976,757   (1,999,063

    Other Income and Expenses

       (2,954   26,586    (38,194
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       3,673,312    4,413,942    5,099,409 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 36. LOAN LOSS PROVISION

    The changes in the loss allowance between the beginning and the end of the annual period are detailed in Note 45.

    NOTE 37. PERSONNEL EXPENSES

    The following are the items included in the account as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    Payroll

       15,061,255    17,933,497    17,711,915 

    Social Contributions on Payroll

       3,305,975    2,639,136    2,831,205 

    Personnel Compensations and Rewards

       4,718,902    4,199,697    4,474,386 

    Services for Personnel

       714,502    829,066    689,832 

    Other Short-term Personnel Expenses

       548,454    504,650    580,576 

    Other Long-term Personnel Expenses

       99,874    85,839    —   
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       24,448,962    26,191,885    26,287,914 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 38. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

    The Group presented its statement of comprehensive income by function. Under this method, expenses are classified according to their function as part of the item “Administrative Expenses”.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The table below provides the required additional information about expenses by nature and function as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    Fees and Remunerations for Services

       2,923,608    1,871,436    798,039 

    Directors’ and Syndics’ Fees

       163,364    267,962    206,878 

    Advertising and Publicity

       2,173,881    1,966,072    1,904,029 

    Taxes

       5,179,599    5,183,223    5,419,465 

    Maintenance and Repairs of Assets and Systems

       3,607,570    2,177,628    1,593,519 

    Electricity and Communications

       1,824,628    1,478,977    1,415,347 

    Representation and Travel Expenses

       126,518    157,411    200,791 

    Stationery and Office Supplies

       377,536    323,991    310,353 

    Rentals

       99,745    1,271,205    1,135,870 

    Administrative Services under Contract

       2,475,088    1,990,585    1,979,453 

    Security

       978,697    859,185    961,166 

    Insurance

       132,172    699,131    700,491 

    Armored Transportation Services

       2,058,926    —      —   

    Others

       2,195,589    6,488,143    5,562,703 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       24,316,921    24,734,949    22,188,104 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 39. DEPRECIATION AND IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment

       3,657,951    1,716,267    1,600,530 

    Amortization of Organization and Development Expenses

       1,402,530    820,588    526,741 

    Others

       4,095    4,418    87,054 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       5,064,576    2,541,273    2,214,325 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 40. OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

    The account breaks down as follows as of the indicated dates:

       12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    Turnover Tax

       13,084,958    13,302,835    10,732,219 

    Contributions to the Deposit Insurance Scheme

       863,094    785,842    674,535 

    Charges for Other Provisions

       1,700,413    1,624,733    554,612 

    Claims

       336,242    477,505    306,392 

    Other Financial Expenses

       1,835,429    840,757    491,700 

    Interest on leases

       375,449    —      —   

    Credit-card-relates expenses

       4,441,287    4,525,663    4,029,551 

    Other Expenses from Services

       2,188,046    3,273,064    3,349,536 

    Others

       944,633    1,165,839    2,329,025 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       25,769,551    25,996,238    22,467,570 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 41. INCOME TAX/DEFERRED TAX

    The following is a reconciliation of income tax charged to income as of December 31, 2019, as compared to the previous fiscal year:

       12.31.19  12.31.18  12.31.17 

    Income Before Income Tax for the Year

       37,495,487   4,656,827   22,280,788 

    Current Tax Rate

       30  30  35
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Income for the Year at Tax Rate

       (11,248,648  (1,397,048  (7,798,276

    Permanent Differences at Tax Rate

        

    - Income for Equity Instruments

       —     319,075   143,862 

    - Untaxed Income

       95,629   277,803   144,977 

    - Donations and OtherNon-deductible Expenses

       (15,886  (101,408  (126,623

    - Other

       (61,030  (625,517  (466,095

    - Allowance for Impairment

       —     (2,904  324,971 

    - Fines

       —     —     (98

    - Inflation effect

       (9,006,078  (9,861,918  (5,082,304

    - Tax Adjustment under Law 27430

       (85,798  709,486   1,105,580 

    - Tax inflation adjustment

       1,234,696   —     —   

    - Tax inflation adjustment deferral

       5,813,416   —     —   
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total Income Tax Charge for the Year

       (13,273,699  (10,682,431  (11,754,006
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

       12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    Current Income Tax

       (15,248,932   (10,647,356   (10,724,669

    Deferred Tax Charge(*)

       2,020,903    611,002    (1,123,121

    Allowance for Impairment(*)

       —      (2,904   324,971 

    Tax Return adjustment from previous fiscal year

       (45,670   (126,666   (233,050

    Law 27430 adjustment

       —      (516,507   1,863 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total Income Tax Charge for the Year

       (13,273,699   (10,682,431   (11,754,006
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    (*)

    See Note 19.equity investments.

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    Current Income Tax

       (15,248,932   (10,647,356   (10,724,669

    Tax Advances

       4,934,422    5,328,433    5,219,732 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Current Income Tax Liabilities

       (10,314,510   (5,318,923   (5,504,937
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     
    e.

    AsAdjustments: This segment includes consolidation adjustments and eliminations of December 31, 2019, several claims for refund of the Income Tax paid in excess for the fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, for the amounts of Ps.433,815, Ps.459,319, Ps.944,338, Ps.866,842 and Ps.3,646,842, respectively, were submitted to the Federal Administration of Public Revenue (Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos, AFIP). These presentations are based on Argentine jurisprudence that establishes the unconstitutionality of the rules disabling the application of the adjustment for tax inflation, resulting in confiscatory situations. As the AFIP delayed its resolution, the corresponding judicial claims were filed. At the closing of these Financial Statements, Banco Galicia does not record assets related to the contingent assets derived from the aforementioned presentations.

    Tax Reform

    On December 29, 2017, the National Government enacted Income Tax Law No. 27430. This law has introduced several changes to the previous income tax treatment. Some of the key changes involved in the reform include:

    Income Tax Rate: The income tax rate for Argentine companies shall be gradually reduced from 35% to 30% for fiscal years commencing on January 1, 2018 until December 31, 2019, and to 25% for fiscal years commencing on, and including, January 1, 2020.

    Tax on Dividends: The law has introduced a tax on dividends or profits distributed by Argentine companies or permanent establishments,transactions among others, to: individuals, undivided interests or foreign beneficiaries, subject to the following considerations: (i) dividends distributed out of the profits made during fiscal years commencing on January 1, 2018 until December 31, 2019 shall be subject to withholding at a 7% rate; and (ii) dividends distributed out of the profits made during fiscal years commencing on January 1, 2020 onwards shall be subject to withholding at a 13% rate.subsidiaries.

    Dividends distributed from profits earned until the fiscal year before that commenced on January 1, 2018 shall remain subject, in respect of all beneficiaries, to withholding at the 35% rate on the amount in excess oftax-free distributable accumulated profits (equalization tax transition period).

    Optional Tax Revaluation: Regulations establish that, at the companies’ option, the tax revaluation of assets located in the country and that are used for generating taxable income may be made. The special tax on the revaluation amount depends on the asset: 8% is for real estate that does not qualify as inventories, 15% for real estate that qualifies as inventories and 10% for personal property and the remaining assets. Once the option for a given asset is exercised, all the other assets of the same category should be revalued. Taxable income resulting from the revaluation is not subject to income tax and the special tax on the revaluation amount will not be deductible from such tax.

    On December 23, 2019, the Argentine Government enacted Law 27,541, which introduced several changes for processing the Income Tax:

    Income tax rate: the reduction is suspended of the tax rate for fiscal years commenced up to January 1, 2021; therefore, for fiscal years closing on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021, the rate is established at 30%.

    Inflation adjustment: The inflation adjustment for the first and second fiscal year commenced January 1, 2019, must be charged one sixth (1/6) in that fiscal period, and the remaining five sixths (5/6), in equal parts, in the following five immediate fiscal periods.

    As of the closing date of these consolidated financial statements, the Group verified that the parameters established by the Law on Income Tax for the application of the tax inflation adjustment are met; consequently, this adjustment has been considered to determine the income tax for the fiscal year. The effect of the deferral of five-sixths of the inflation taxable income has been recognized as a deferred tax asset. (See Note 19).

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    NOTE 42. DIVIDENDS

    The Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 25, 2019 approved the financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and the treatment of income for the fiscal year then ended.

    The dividends approved by such Shareholders’ Meeting amounted to Ps.2,000,000 (which is equal to Ps.2,660,800 as of December 31, 2019) and represented Ps.0.84 (figure stated in Pesos) per share. The dividends mentioned above were paid to the Group’s shareholders on May 9, 2019.

    The Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 24, 2018 approved the financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and the treatment of income for the fiscal year then ended.

    The dividends approved by such Shareholders’ Meeting amounted to Ps.1,200,000 (which is equal to Ps.2,487,237 as of December 31, 2019) and represented Ps.1.40 (figure stated in Pesos) per share. The dividends mentioned above were paid to the Group’s shareholders on May 9, 2018.

    NOTE 43. EARNINGS PER SHARE

    Earnings per share are calculated by dividing income attributable to parent company’s owners by the weighted average number of outstanding ordinary shares during the year. As the Group does not have preferred shares or debt convertible into shares, basic earnings are equal to diluted earnings per share.

       12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17 

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company’s Owners

       23,708,123    (5,331,559   10,450,740 

    Weighted Average Ordinary Shares

       1,426,765    1,426,765    1,332,617 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Earnings per Share

       16.62    (3.74   7.84 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    NOTE 44. SEGMENT REPORTING

    The Group determines segments based on management reports that are reviewed by the Board of Directors and updated as they show changes.

    Reportable segments are one or more operating segments with similar economic characteristics, distribution channels and regulatory environments.

    Below there is a description of each business segment’s composition:

    The operating income (loss) of the Group’s different operating segments is monitored separately in order to make decisions on resource allocation and the evaluation of each segment’s performance. Segment performance is evaluated based on operating income or losses and is consistently measured with the operating income and losses of the consolidated income statement.

    Intersegment transactions are at arm’s length similarly to transactions performed with third parties. Income, expenses and income (losses) resulting from the transfers among operating segments are then eliminated from consolidation.

    The Group operates in one geographic segment, Argentina.

    The relevant segment reporting as of the indicated dates is as follows:

     

    a.

    Banks: It represents the banking business operation results.
       Banks  Ecosistema
    Naranja X
      Insurance  Other
    Businesses
      Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.20
     

    Net Income from interest

       58,831,043   16,840,974   726,890   6,846   226,467   76,632,220 

    Net fee Income

       20,979,744   16,669,667   —     (6,111  (1,085,741  36,557,559 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments measured at fair value through Profit or Loss

       65,986,310   1,989,036   77,616   1,279,844   (904  69,331,902 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

       (3,129  —     —     —     —     (3,129

    Exchange rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

       6,024,766   370,320   (27,351  679,712   —     7,047,447 

    Other Operating Income

       17,172,602   3,474,652   504,655   2,364,197   (1,193,475  22,322,631 

    Income from Insurance Business

       —     —     3,496,191   —     2,005,616   5,501,807 

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

       (29,971,572  (4,724,863  16,686   —     —     (34,679,749

    Personnel Expenses

       (22,089,728  (8,079,947  (1,217,560  (437,866  —     (31,825,101

    Administrative Expenses

       (21,429,312  (8,678,399  (656,618  (728,295  121,002   (31,371,622

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

       (6,116,752  (1,868,167  (270,398  (28,969  —     (8,284,286

    Other Operating Expenses

       (23,844,607  (6,669,879  (4,357  (259,377  14,459   (30,763,761

    Loss on net monetary position

       (30,367,677  (4,918,855  (815,279  (861,402  —     (36,963,213
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Operating Income

       35,171,688   4,404,539   1,830,475   2,008,579   87,424   43,502,705 

    Share of profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

       33,214   —     —     — ��   (158,267  (125,053

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

       35,204,902   4,404,539   1,830,475   2,008,579   (70,843  43,377,652 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

       (14,276,569  (2,245,164  (512,214  (810,925  —     (17,844,872

    Net Income / (Loss) from Continuing Operations

       20,928,333   2,159,375   1,318,261   1,197,654   (70,843  25,532,780 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year

       20,928,333   2,159,375   1,318,261   1,197,654   (70,843  25,532,780 

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

       (206,818  210   (2,861  159   —     (209,310

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company´s Owners

       20,721,515   2,160,262   1,315,400   1,197,813   (412,627  24,982,363 

    Net Income for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       —     (677  —     —     341,784   341,107 

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    b.

    Regional Credit Cards: This segment represents the results of operations of the regional credit card business and includes the results of operations of Tarjetas Regionales S.A. consolidated with its subsidiaries, as follows: Cobranzas Regionales S.A., Ondara S.A., Naranja Digital Companía Financiera S.A.U. and Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

     

    c.

    Insurance: This segment represents the results of operations of the insurance companies’ business and includes the results of operations of Sudamericana Holding S.A. consolidated with its subsidiaries, as follows: Galicia Retiro Cía. de Seguros S.A., Galicia Seguros S.A. and Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.

       Banks  Ecosistema
    Naranja X
      Insurance  Other
    Businesses
      Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.19
     

    Net Income from interest

       32,442,139   13,268,259   1,144,609   72,097   490,269   47,417,373 

    Net fee Income

       21,760,110   17,674,484   —     494   (1,201,852  38,233,236 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments measured at fair value through Profit or Loss

       95,152,485   3,505,253   97,496   396,262   —     99,151,496 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

       298,801   —     —     —     —     298,801 

    Exchange rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

       11,298,851   165,900   (3,767  370,468   —     11,831,452 

    Other Operating Income

       23,726,714   4,921,986   538,849   1,158,077   (1,576,194  28,769,432 

    Income from Insurance Business

       —     —     2,611,331   —     2,389,538   5,000,869 

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

       (22,228,541  (8,088,703  89,576   —     —     (30,227,668

    Personnel Expenses

       (24,303,615  (7,543,907  (1,109,048  (328,391  —     (33,284,961

    Administrative Expenses

       (23,885,413  (8,247,798  (711,576  (434,955  174,543   (33,105,199

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

       (5,021,671  (1,558,316  (291,429  (23,528  —     (6,894,944

    Other Operating Expenses

       (28,555,476  (6,378,283  (501  (157,840  9,282   (35,082,818

    Loss on net monetary position

       (33,702,521  (6,306,209  (1,035,951  (884,221  —     (41,928,902
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Operating Income

       46,981,863   1,412,666   1,329,589   168,463   285,586   50,178,167 

    Share of profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

       78,244   —     —     —     (78,244  —   

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

       47,060,107   1,412,666   1,329,589   168,463   207,342   50,178,167 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

       (16,723,744  (523,435  (466,721  (36,782  —     (17,750,682

    Net Income / (Loss) from Continuing Operations

       30,336,363   889,231   862,868   131,681   207,342   32,427,485 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year

       30,336,363   889,231   862,868   131,681   207,342   32,427,485 

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

       562,786   —     (14,588  —     —     548,198 

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company´s Owners

       30,899,149   888,870   848,280   131,681   56,595   32,824,575 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       —     361   —     —     150,747   151,108 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

     

    d.

    Other Businesses: This segment shows the results of operations of Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A., Galicia Warrants S.A., IGAM LLC, Galicia Valores S.A., Nargelon S.A. and Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A., the last two net of eliminations of the income from equity investments.
       Banks  Ecosistema
    Naranja X
      Insurance  Other
    Businesses
      Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.18
     

    Net Income from interest

       49,448,811   19,221,483   886,426   257,238   58,588   69,872,546 

    Net fee Income

       26,131,171   18,702,137   —     (4,995  (71,981  44,756,332 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments measured at fair value through Profit or Loss

       33,481,710   1,853,832   45,655   960,312   —     36,341,509 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

       464,175   —     —     —     —     464,175 

    Exchange rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

       7,726,274   (106,375  8,668   281,690   —     7,910,257 

    Other Operating Income

       14,553,653   7,711,474   343,021   1,937,686   (2,682,854  21,862,980 

    Income from Insurance Business

       —     —     3,376,653   —     2,632,514   6,009,167 

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

       (22,770,955  (11,202,106  (163,186  —     —     (34,136,247

    Personnel Expenses

       (24,154,702  (10,034,170  (1,203,784  (265,130  —     (35,657,786

    Administrative Expenses

       (21,900,686  (10,377,775  (855,854  (604,877  64,887   (33,674,305

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

       (2,134,670  (1,117,648  (191,572  (15,814  —     (3,459,704

    Other Operating Expenses

       (26,853,098  (8,386,926  (842  (150,565  —     (35,391,431

    Loss on net monetary position

       (27,237,770  (8,051,841  (1,173,907  (1,366,921  —     (37,830,439
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Operating Income

       6,753,913   (1,787,915  1,071,278   1,028,624   1,154   7,067,054 

    Share of profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

       39,842   —     —     —     (39,842  —   

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

       6,793,755   (1,787,915  1,071,278   1,028,624   (38,688  7,067,054 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

       (10,491,620  (2,693,213  (648,744  (643,211  —     (14,476,788

    Net Income / (Loss) from Continuing Operations

       (3,697,865  (4,481,128  422,534   385,413   (38,688  (7,409,734

    Loss from Discontinued Operations

       (526,463  —     —     (17,540  —     (544,003

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

       (63,469  —     —     (2,867  —     (66,336

    Net Income / (Loss) for the Year

       (4,287,797  (4,481,128  422,534   365,006   (38,688  (8,020,073

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

       (161,113  —     (22,105  —     —     (183,218

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company´s Owners

       (4,448,910  (4,480,349  400,429   365,006   722,192   (7,441,632
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

       —     (779  —     —     (760,880  (761,659
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    e.

    Adjustments: This segment includes consolidation adjustments and eliminations of transactions among subsidiaries.

    The operating income (loss) of the Group’s different operating segments is monitored separately in order to make decisions on resource allocation and the evaluation of each segment’s performance. Segment performance is evaluated based on operating income or losses and is consistently measured with the operating income and losses of the consolidated income statement.

    Intersegment transactions are at arm’s length similarly to transactions performed with third parties. Income, expenses and income (losses) resulting from the transfers among operating segments are then eliminated from consolidation.

    The Group operates in one geographic segment, Argentina.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The relevant segment reporting as of the indicated dates is as follows:

      Banks  Regional
    Credit
    Cards
      Insurance  Other
    Businesses
      Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.19
     

    Net Income from interest

      23,829,880   9,745,998   840,755   52,958   360,120   34,829,711 

    Net fee Income (Expense)

      15,983,558   12,982,524   —     363   (882,802  28,083,643 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments measured at fair value through Profit or Loss

      69,892,812   2,574,730   71,614   291,069   —     72,830,225 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

      219,480   —     —     —     —     219,480 

    Exchange rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

      8,299,399   121,859   (2,767  272,122   —     8,690,613 

    Other Operating Income (Expense)

      17,428,097   3,615,370   395,803   850,648   (1,157,769  21,132,149 

    Income from Insurance Business

      —     —     1,918,113   —     1,755,199   3,673,312 

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

      (16,327,637  (5,941,434  65,797   —     —     (22,203,274

    Personnel Expenses

      (17,851,851  (5,541,262  (814,634  (241,215  —     (24,448,962

    Administrative Expenses

      (17,544,667  (6,058,295  (522,677  (319,490  128,208   (24,316,921

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

      (3,688,592  (1,144,637  (214,065  (17,282  —     (5,064,576

    Other Operating Expenses

      (20,974,990  (4,685,071  (368  (115,940  6,818   (25,769,551

    Loss on net monetary position

      (24,755,675  (4,632,130  (760,942  (649,491  —     (30,798,238
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Operating Income

      34,509,814   1,037,652   976,629   123,742   209,774   36,857,611 

    Share of profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

      57,473   —     —     —     (57,473  —   

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

      34,567,287   1,037,652   976,629   123,742   152,301   36,857,611 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

      (12,284,172  (384,481  (342,823  (27,018  —     (13,038,494

    Net Income from Continuing Operations

      22,283,115   653,171   633,806   96,724   152,301   23,819,117 

    Income from Discontinued Operations

      —     —     —     —     —     —   

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

      —     —     —     —     —     —   
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year

      22,283,115   653,171   633,806   96,724   152,301   23,819,117 

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

      413,387   —     (10,716  —     —     402,671 

    Net Income for the Year Attributable toNon-controlling Interests

      —     265   —     —     110,729   110,994 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company’s Owners

      22,696,502   652,906   623,090   96,724   41,572   24,110,794 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     
      Banks  Regional
    Credit
    Cards
      Insurance  Other
    Businesses
      Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.18
     

    Net Income from interest

      36,321,873   14,118,849   651,111   188,948   43,035   51,323,816 

    Net fee Income (Expense)

      19,194,255   13,737,370   —     (3,669  (52,872  32,875,084 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments measured at fair value through Profit or Loss

      24,593,481   1,361,704   33,535   705,383   —     26,694,103 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

      340,953   —     —     —     —     340,953 

    Exchange rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

      5,675,217   (78,136  6,367   206,911   —     5,810,359 

    Other Operating Income (Expense)

      10,690,164   5,664,346   251,961   1,423,299   (1,970,650  16,059,120 

    Income from Insurance Business

      —     —     2,480,269   —     1,933,673   4,413,942 

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

      (16,726,059  (8,228,337  (119,866  —     —     (25,074,262

    Personnel Expenses

      (17,742,469  (7,370,447  (884,221  (194,748  —     (26,191,885

    Administrative Expenses

      (16,086,816  (7,622,837  (628,655  (444,303  47,662   (24,734,949

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

      (1,567,989  (820,951  (140,717  (11,616  —     (2,541,273

    Other Operating Expenses

      (19,724,535  (6,160,489  (618  (110,596  —     (25,996,238

    Loss on net monetary position

      (20,007,090  (5,914,357  (862,275  (1,004,052  —     (27,787,774
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Operating Income

      4,960,985   (1,313,285  786,891   755,557   848   5,190,996 

    Share of profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

      29,265   —     —     —     (29,265  —   

    Income / (Loss) before Taxes from Continuing Operations

      4,990,250   (1,313,285  786,891   755,557   (28,417  5,190,996 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

      (7,706,460  (1,978,259  (476,525  (472,461  —     (10,633,705

    Net Income from Continuing Operations

      (2,716,210  (3,291,544  310,366   283,096   (28,417  (5,442,709

    Loss from Discontinued Operations

      (386,705  —     —     (12,884  —     (399,589

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

      (46,620  —     —     (2,106  —     (48,726
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year

      (3,149,535  (3,291,544  310,366   268,106   (28,417  (5,891,024

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

      (118,343  —     (16,237  —     —     (134,580

    Net Income for the Year Attributable toNon-controlling Interests

      —     (572  —     —     (558,893  (559,465
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company’s Owners

      (3,267,878  (3,290,972  294,129   268,106   530,476   (5,466,139
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

      Banks  Regional
    Credit
    Cards
      Insurance  Other
    Businesses
      Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.17
     

    Net Income from interest

      30,343,208   14,692,244   658,322   205,239   56,932   45,955,945 

    Net fee Income (Expense)

      18,710,757   16,239,409   —     (4,379  (2,382,485  32,563,302 

    Net Income from Financial Instruments measured at fair value through Profit or Loss

      10,346,176   948,513   (25,758  1,747,349   —     13,016,280 

    Income from Derecognition of Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

      —     —     —     —     —     —   

    Exchange rate Differences on Gold and Foreign Currency

      5,101,331   27,139   3,055   220,090   —     5,351,615 

    Other Operating Income (Expense)

      7,818,416   5,429,379   112,112   2,111,479   (127,804  15,343,582 

    Income from Insurance Business

      —     —     2,633,978   —     2,465,431   5,099,409 

    Loan and other Receivables Loss Provisions

      (6,162,426  (5,034,644  (23,244  —     —     (11,220,314

    Personnel Expenses

      (17,468,835  (7,708,187  (848,259  (262,633  —     (26,287,914

    Administrative Expenses

      (14,286,964  (6,947,580  (692,419  (314,250  53,109   (22,188,104

    Depreciation and Impairment of Assets

      (1,411,511  (708,236  (74,354  (20,224  —     (2,214,325

    Other Operating Expenses

      (16,162,844  (6,183,421  (2,482  (118,823  —     (22,467,570

    Loss on net monetary position

      (4,757,368  (3,247,894  (529,766  (1,961,413  —     (10,496,441
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Operating Income

      12,069,940   7,506,722   1,211,185   1,602,435   65,183   22,455,465 

    Share of profit from Associates and Joint Ventures

      3,167,771   —     5,104   —     (2,678,793  494,082 

    Income before Taxes from Continuing Operations

      15,237,711   7,506,722   1,216,289   1,602,435   (2,613,610  22,949,547 

    Income Tax from Continuing Operations

      (5,662,856  (4,268,291  (630,965  (696,923  —     (11,259,035

    Net Income from Continuing Operations

      9,574,855   3,238,431   585,324   905,512   (2,613,610  11,690,512 

    Income from Discontinued Operations

      —     —     —     —     —     —   

    Income Tax from Discontinued Operations

      (494,971  —     —     —     —     (494,971
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year

      9,079,884   3,238,431   585,324   905,512   (2,613,610  11,195,541 

    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

      (704,222  —     35,463   —     —     (668,759

    Net Income for the Year Attributable toNon-controlling Interests

      —     161   —     —     744,640   744,801 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Net Income (Loss) for the Year Attributable to Parent Company’s Owners

      8,375,662   3,238,270   620,787   905,512   (3,358,250  9,781,981 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

      Banks  Regional
    Credit
    Cards
      Insurance  Other
    Businesses
      Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.19
     

    ASSETS

          

    Cash and Due from Banks

      129,142,190   4,127,303   75,769   707,662   (3,403,863  130,649,061 

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

      65,697,956   —     36,607   51   (44,154  65,690,460 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

      2,329,074   —     —     —     —     2,329,074 

    Repurchase Transactions

      30,075,478   —     —     —     —     30,075,478 

    Other Financial Assets

      5,715,140   4,544,284   319,821   343,721   (7,632  10,915,334 

    Loans and Other Financing

      309,328,800   48,426,980   263,419   2,518,246   (1,978,576  358,558,869 

    Other Debt Securities

      16,131,914   1,312,367   1,706,677   —     (131,328  19,019,630 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

      11,541,906   7,064   408   1,616   (408  11,550,586 

    Current Income Tax Assets

      —     15,413   —     25,090   —     40,503 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

      4,554,453   —     —     —     —     4,554,453 

    Equity Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

      307,997   —     —     —     (307,997  —   

    Property, Plant and Equipment

      29,062,077   3,405,766   456,269   39,874   —     32,963,986 

    Intangible Assets

      7,124,074   1,465,570   103,068   913,732   (913,732  8,692,712 

    Deferred Income Tax Assets

      —     2,518,351   190,979   97,607   —     2,806,937 

    Assets for Insurance Contracts

      —     —     1,181,512   —     —     1,181,512 

    OtherNon-financial Assets

      5,306,137   292,901   120,006   734,533   (2,169  6,451,408 

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

      39,008   —     —     —     —     39,008 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    TOTAL ASSETS

      616,356,204   66,115,999   4,454,535   5,382,132   (6,789,859  685,519,011 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    LIABILITIES

          

    Deposits

      397,839,586   —     —     —     (4,104,180  393,735,406 

    Liabilities at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss

      1,422,157   —     —     —     —     1,422,157 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

      881,099   —     —     —     —     881,099 

    Other Financial Liabilities

      37,931,718   31,891,050   —     2,089,640   (549,690  71,362,718 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

      20,455,970   2,937,657   3,089   —     (673,029  22,723,687 

    Debt Securities

      18,908,535   10,507,798   —     —     (175,482  29,240,851 

    Current Income Tax Liabilities

      9,214,324   918,094   149,212   32,880   —     10,314,510 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

      15,499,212   —     —     —     —     15,499,212 

    Provisions

      2,482,074   108,360   128,532   28,000   —     2,746,966 

    Deferred Income Tax Liabilities

      1,893,122   —     238,590   86,989   —     2,218,701 

    Liabilities for Insurance Contracts

      —     —     1,472,643   —     (4,008  1,468,635 

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

      13,530,914   2,733,664   473,282   393,979   (61,741  17,070,098 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    TOTAL LIABILITIES

      520,058,711   49,096,623   2,465,348   2,631,488   (5,568,130  568,684,040 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

      Banks  Regional
    Credit
    Cards
      Insurance  Other
    Businesses
      Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.18
     

    ASSETS

          

    Cash and Due from Banks

      218,518,059   2,098,969   84,891   143,075   (388,659  220,456,335 

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

      116,776,939   —     128,413   125,375   (217,842  116,812,885 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

      2,746,893   —     —     —     —     2,746,893 

    Repurchase Transactions

      3,181,371   —     —     —     —     3,181,371 

    Other Financial Assets

      7,211,668   5,656,445   360,977   769,422   (79,861  13,918,651 

    Loans and Other Financing

      369,596,412   67,764,567   655,571   1,680,212   (4,797,073  434,899,689 

    Other Debt Securities

      21,034,476   —     1,357,216   —     (202,700  22,188,992 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

      16,633,127   7,681   —     —     —     16,640,808 

    Current Income Tax Assets

      —     18,366   126,149   1,500   —     146,015 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

      245,520   —     —     2,233   —     247,753 

    Equity Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

      625,879   —     —     —     (625,879  —   

    Property, Plant and Equipment

      26,540,970   2,779,156   452,976   12,828   —     29,785,930 

    Intangible Assets

      5,925,269   993,111   138,138   —     —     7,056,518 

    Deferred Income Tax Assets

      —     1,336,297   153,628   6,826   —     1,496,751 

    Assets for Insurance Contracts

      —     —     1,511,406   —     —     1,511,406 

    OtherNon-financial Assets

      3,411,690   435,818   28,719   469,185   (2  4,345,410 

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

      935,324   —     —     —     —     935,324 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    TOTAL ASSETS

      793,383,597   81,090,410   4,998,084   3,210,656   (6,312,016  876,370,731 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    LIABILITIES

          

    Deposits

      556,020,723   —     —     —     (2,074,435  553,946,288 

    Liabilities at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss

      4,131,124   —     —     —     (831,936  3,299,188 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

      2,824,038   —     —     —     —     2,824,038 

    Repurchase Transactions

      2,997,515   —     —     —     —     2,997,515 

    Other Financial Liabilities

      63,035,067   36,027,422   —     55,858   (1,842,363  97,275,984 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

      26,906,505   3,007,701   86   —     —     29,914,292 

    Debt Securities

      23,886,735   23,042,955   —     —     (805,116  46,124,574 

    Current Income Tax Liabilities

      4,830,013   58,667   312,506   117,737   —     5,318,923 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

      15,026,155   —     —     —     —     15,026,155 

    Provisions

      1,921,364   99,986   120,494   87,684   —     2,229,528 

    Deferred Income Tax Liabilities

      2,594,429   —     164,153   169,842   —     2,928,424 

    Liabilities for Insurance Contracts

      —     —     1,763,712   —     (66,602  1,697,110 

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

      13,611,942   3,264,605   646,516   165,138   (41,269  17,646,932 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    TOTAL LIABILITIES

      717,785,610   65,501,336   3,007,467   596,259   (5,661,721  781,228,951 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

       Banks   Ecosistema
    Naranja X
       Insurance   Other
    Businesses
       Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.20
     

    ASSETS

               

    Cash and Due from Banks

       172,308,807    2,188,741    39,612    2,278,879    (1,392,563  175,423,476 

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

       155,892,300    91,762    —      173,800    (738,302  155,419,560 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       2,165,032    —      —      —      —     2,165,032 

    Repurchase Transactions

       60,995,643    —      —      —      —     60,995,643 

    Other Financial Assets

       6,920,271    1,281,954    815,104    1,077,956    (1,659  10,093,626 

    Loans and Other Financing

       439,306,303    88,545,787    473,165    1,463,755    (3,354,891  526,434,119 

    Other Debt Securities

       21,448,751    174,456    1,617,826    —      (170,656  23,070,377 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       18,639,697    9,126    —      68,620    —     18,717,443 

    Current Income Tax Assets

       —      36,242    160,852    —      —     197,094 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       5,709,565    —      —      2,119    —     5,711,684 

    Equity Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

       480,530    —      —      —      (391,388  89,142 

    Property, Plant and Equipment

       38,189,687    4,859,111    646,688    35,934    —     43,731,420 

    Intangible Assets

       12,850,061    1,534,001    73,415    4,436,289    (4,424,945  14,468,821 

    Deferred Income Tax Assets

       5,300,716    3,625,102    176,642    110,135    —     9,212,595 

    Assets for Insurance Contracts

       —      —      1,885,937    —      (547  1,885,390 

    Other Non-financial Assets

       5,782,609    725,134    27,372    1,099,312    —     7,634,427 

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       29,328    —      —      —      —     29,328 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    TOTAL ASSETS

       946,019,300    103,071,416    5,916,613    10,746,799    (10,474,951  1,055,279,177 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    LIABILITIES

               

    Deposits

       678,102,758    5    —      —      (1,707,028  676,395,735 

    Liabilities at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss

       —      —      —      —      —     —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       57,450    —      —      —      —     57,450 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       40,888,983    55,323,990    —      2,107,556    (849,064  97,471,465 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial

    Institutions

       10,192,180    5,794,722    —      1    (2,153,464  13,833,439 

    Debt Securities

       7,904,075    10,078,781    —      —      (908,958  17,073,898 

    Current Income Tax Liabilities

       13,030,588    1,189,775    446,188    560,923    —     15,227,474 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       21,653,546    —      —      —      —     21,653,546 

    Provisions

       3,432,729    145,058    136,010    62,500    —     3,776,297 

    Deferred Income Tax Liabilities

       —      —      —      136,934    —     136,934 

    Liabilities for Insurance Contracts

       —      —      2,060,999    —      (23  2,060,976 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       18,935,846    4,975,456    686,060    700,947    (40,081  25,258,228 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    TOTAL LIABILITIES

       794,198,155    77,507,787    3,329,257    3,568,861    (5,658,618  872,945,442 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

       Banks   Ecosistema
    Naranja X
       Insurance   Other
    Businesses
       Adjustments  Total as of
    12.31.19
     

    ASSETS

               

    Cash and Due from Banks

       175,814,936    5,618,935    103,152    963,415    (4,634,039  177,866,399 

    Debt Securities at fair value through profit or loss

       89,441,583    —      49,837    70    (60,112  89,431,378 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       3,170,815    —      —      —      —     3,170,815 

    Repurchase Transactions

       40,944,933    —      —      —      —     40,944,933 

    Other Financial Assets

       7,780,625    6,186,615    435,406    467,944    (10,390  14,860,200 

    Loans and Other Financing

       421,122,047    65,928,775    358,620    3,428,355    (2,693,645  488,144,152 

    Other Debt Securities

       21,962,083    1,786,664    2,323,480    —      (178,791  25,893,436 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       15,713,219    9,617    555    2,200    (555  15,725,036 

    Current Income Tax Assets

       —      20,983    —      34,158    —     55,141 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       6,200,459    —      —      —      —     6,200,459 

    Equity Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

       419,309    —      —      —      (419,309  —   

    Property, Plant and Equipment

       39,565,282    4,636,630    621,167    54,281    —     44,877,360 

    Intangible Assets

       9,698,756    1,995,236    140,317    1,243,959    (1,243,960  11,834,308 

    Deferred Income Tax Assets

       —      3,428,499    260,000    132,879    —     3,821,378 

    Assets for Insurance Contracts

       —      —      1,608,517    —      —     1,608,517 

    Other Non-financial Assets

       7,223,806    398,757    163,377    1,000,001    (2,953  8,782,988 

    Non-current Assets Held for Sale

       53,106    —      —      —      —     53,106 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    TOTAL ASSETS

       839,110,959    90,010,711    6,064,428    7,327,262    (9,243,754  933,269,606 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    LIABILITIES

                —   

    Deposits

       541,621,151    —      —      —      (5,587,455  536,033,696 

    Liabilities at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss

       1,936,133    —      —      —      —     1,936,133 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       1,199,533    —      —      —      —     1,199,533 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       51,640,464    43,416,663    —      2,844,848    (748,351  97,153,624 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial

    Institutions

       27,848,878    3,999,344    4,205    —      (916,266  30,936,161 

    Debt Securities

       25,742,191    14,305,377    —      —      (238,902  39,808,666 

    Current Income Tax Liabilities

       12,544,435    1,249,899    203,138    44,763    —     14,042,235 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       21,100,718    —      —      —      —     21,100,718 

    Provisions

       3,379,110    147,522    174,984    38,118    —     3,739,734 

    Deferred Income Tax Liabilities

       2,577,307    —      324,818    118,429    —     3,020,554 

    Liabilities for Insurance Contracts

       —      —      2,004,865    —      (5,457  1,999,408 

    Other Non-financial Liabilities

       18,421,066    3,721,626    644,329    536,361    (84,055  23,239,327 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    TOTAL LIABILITIES

       708,010,986    66,840,431    3,356,339    3,582,519    (7,580,486  774,209,789 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NOTE 45. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND RISK POLICIES

     

    The tasks related to risk information and internal control of each of the companies controlled by Grupo Financiero Galicia are defined and carried out rigorously by each of them.

    Apart from applicable local regulations, Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A., in its capacity as a listed company in the United States of America, complies with the certification of its internal controls pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act (Sarbanes Oxley). Corporate risk management is monitored by the Audit Committee, which as well gathers and analyzes the information submitted by the main controlled companies.

    As concerns risks, Banco Galicia embraces a policy that takes into consideration several aspects of the business and operations, abiding by the main guidelines of internationally accepted standards.

    The specific function of the comprehensive management of Banco Galicia’s risks has been allocated to the Risk Division, guaranteeing its independence from the rest of the business areas since it directly reports to the Bank’s General Division and, at the same time, is involved in the decisions made by each area. In addition, the control and prevention of risks related to money laundering, funding of terrorist activities and other illegal activities are allocated to the Prevention of Asset Laundering Division, which reports to the Board of Directors. The aim of both divisions is to guarantee the Board of Directors is fully aware of the risks that the Bank is exposed to, and to design and propose policies and procedures necessary to identify, assess, follow up, control and mitigate such risks.

    A Risk Appetite framework has been specified, which has risk acceptance levels, both on an individual and a consolidated basis. Metrics have been defined within such framework, which are monitored in order to detect situations that may affect the normal course of business, the noncompliance with the strategy and undesired results and/or situations of vulnerability in the face of changes in market conditions. The Risk and Capital Allocation Committee considers and controls the Bank’s risk profile through a risk appetite report and defines the actions to be carried out in case of potential deviations from the thresholds set.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Capital Management

    The Company’s goals are to generate returns to its shareholders, benefits to other groups of interest and keep the best capital structure. The latter will be given by the needs for investment in subsidiaries and new ventures, keeping the expected profitability levels and complying with the liquidity and solvency goals set.

    Banco Galicia’s subsidiary determines the minimum capital requirement for each risk, in accordance with Argentine Central Bank regulations. The capital risk management is cross-sectional with respect to the other risks. Senior management is responsible for monitoring, overseeing, adjusting and ensuring compliance with its stated goals concerning capital management.

    The Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (Proceso de Evaluación de Suficiencia de Capital - PESC) (reflected in the Capital Adequacy Report - Report—IAC, as per its acronym in Spanish) enables to assess the relationship between own resources available and necessary resources to maintain an appropriate risk profile. This process also allows for the identification of both the economic capital needs and the sources to meet such needs.

    To perform stress tests, four scenarios with different likelihood of occurrence are defined, which could affect the solvency and liquidity. The most likely to occur scenarios are used in management stress testing and are referred to when defining Risk Appetite thresholds. The least-likely to occur or least-severe scenarios are used in developing the Recovery Plan, which specifies the protocol defined for situations or events that may compromise the Bank’s operational capacity.

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018,2019, Banco Galicia complied with the minimum capital requirement established by the Argentine Central Bank regulations.

    Computable Regulatory Capital (RPC, as per the initials in Spanish) is made up of Core Capital and Supplementary Capital. Banco Galicia’s balance for such items as of December 31, 20192020 and December 31, 20182019 is as follows:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Basic Shareholders’ Equity

       74,314,620    64,400,349 

    Basic Shareholders´ Equity

       162,178,965    74,314,620 

    (Deductible Items)

       (32,594,504   (12,922,467

    Equity Tier 1

       (12,922,467   (8,121,802   129,584,461    61,392,153 

    (Deductible Items)

       87,237,087    72,522,151 

    Additional Tier 1 Capital

       61,392,153    56,278,547 

    Complementing shareholders’ Equity

       19,392,341    19,606,143    27,477,066    19,392,341 

    Equity Tier 2

       19,392,341    19,606,143    27,477,066    19,392,341 

    Regulatory Capital (RPC)

       80,784,494    75,884,690    157,061,527    80,784,494 

    The breakdown of the minimum capital requirement determined for the Group is shown below:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Credit Risk

       29,148,582    34,105,523    42,457,859    29,148,582 

    Market Risk

       904,939    1,490,984    1,419,264    904,939 

    Operational Risk

       7,608,102    6,189,359    12,192,078    7,608,102 

    Minimum Capital Requirement

       37,661,623    41,785,866    56,069,201    37,661,623 

    Integration

       80,784,494    75,884,690    157,061,527    80,784,494 

    Excess

       43,122,871    34,098,824    100,992,326    43,122,871 

    Financial Risks

    Financial risk is a phenomenon inherent to the financial brokerage activity. The exposure to the different financial risk factors is a natural circumstance that cannot be completely avoided without affecting the Group’s long-term economic viability. However, the lack of management regarding risk exposures is one of the most significant short-term threats. Risk factors need to be identified and managed within a specific policy framework that envisages the profile and the level of risk it has been decided to take to achieve long-term strategic goals.

    Market Risk

    The “price risk” is the possibility of incurring losses as a consequence of the variation of the market price of financial assets whose value is subject to negotiation. Financial assets subject to “trading” or allocated to “own positions” will be government and private debt securities, shares, currencies, derivatives and debt instruments issued by the Argentine Central Bank.

    Brokerage/trading transactions that are allowed and regulated by the Policy are as follows:

     

    Brokerage of Government and Provincial Securities.

     

    Brokerage of Currencies on the Spot and Futures MarketsMarkets.

     

    Brokerage of Interest Rate Derivatives. Interest Rate Futures and Interest Rate Swaps.

     

    Brokerage of Debt Instruments Issued by the Argentine Central Bank.

     

    Brokerage of Third-party Debt securities.

    Brokerage of Shares.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Brokerage of Shares.

    For the fiscal year 2018, the following limits were established, within which the estimated risk2020, a unified limit was set for each typeall operations of instrument described above should be classified:$4,250,000.

    Risk

    Policy on Limits

    Currency

    Ps. 250 million

    Fixed-Income

    Ps. 680 million

    Interest Rate Derivatives

    Ps. 70 million

    The “price risk” (market) is daily managed according to the strategy approved, the purpose of which is to keep the Group present in the different currencies, variable- and fixed-income and derivatives markets, while obtaining the maximum return as possible on brokerage, without exposing the latter to excessive risk levels. Finally, the designed policy contributes to providing transparency and facilitates the perception of the risk levels to which it is exposed. In order to measure and monitor risks derived from the variation in the price of financial instruments that form the trading or brokerage securities portfolio, a model known as “Value at Risk” (also known as “VaR”) is used. This model determines the possible loss that could be generated by different financial instruments at each time under the following critical parameters.

    Currency Risk

    The Group’s exposure to the foreign exchange risk as ofyear-end by type of currency is shown below:

     

      Balances as of 12.31.19   Balances as of 12.31.20 

    Currency

      Monetary
    Financial
    Assets
       Monetary
    Financial
    Liabilities
       Derivatives   Net Position   Monetary
    Financial
    Assets
       Monetary
    Financial
    Liabilities
       Derivatives   Net Position 

    US Dollar

       195,115    (196,431   22    (1,294   212,122    (210,940   —      1,182 

    Euro

       2,281    (293   —      1,988    4,401    (802   —      3,599 

    Canadian Dollar

       85    (4   —      81    134    (4   —      130 

    Real

       1    —      —      1    34    —      —      34 

    Swiss Franc

       32    (17   —      15    52    (30   —      22 

    Others

       76    (4   —      72    103    (3   —      100 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       197,590    (196,749   22    863    216,846    (211,779   —      5,067 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

     

      Balances as of 12.31.18   Balances as of 12.31.19 

    Currency

      Monetary
    Financial
    Assets
       Monetary
    Financial
    Liabilities
       Derivatives   Net Position   Monetary
    Financial
    Assets
       Monetary
    Financial
    Liabilities
       Derivatives   Net Position 

    US Dollar

       299,229    (302,431   155    (3,047   265,631    (267,422   30    (1,761

    Euro

       3,058    (857   —      2,201    3,105    (399   —      2,706 

    Canadian Dollar

       65    (14   —      51    116    (5   —      111 

    Real

       46    —      —      46    1    —      —      1 

    Swiss Franc

       32    (20   —      12    44    (23   —      21 

    Others

       75    (3   —      72    103    (5   —      98 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       302,505    (303,325   155    (665   269,000    (267,854   30    1,176 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

     

        Balances as of 12.31.19 Balances as of 12.31.18     Balances as of 12.31.20   Balances as of 12.31.19 

    Currency

      Change Income
    (Loss)
     Shareholders’
    Equity
     Income
    (Loss)
     Shareholders’
    Equity
       Change Income
    (Loss)
     Shareholders’
    Equity
       Income
    (Loss)
     Shareholders’
    Equity
     

    US Dollar

       10 129  (1,423 305  (3,350   10 118  1,300    176  (1,937
       -10 (129 (1,164 (305 (2,741   -10 (118 1,064    (176 (1,585

    Euro

       10 199  2,187  220  2,423    10 360  3,959    271  2,977 
       -10 (199 1,789  (220 1,983    -10 (360 3,239    (271 2,436 

    Canadian Dollar

       10 8  89  5  55    10 13  143    11  121 
       -10 (8 73  (5 46    -10 (13 117    (11 99 

    Real

       10  —    1  5  51    10 3  37    —    1 
       -10  —    1  (5 42    -10 (3 31    —    1 

    Swiss Franc

       10 1  16  2  14    10 2  24    1  22 
       -10 (1 13  (2 11    -10 (2 20    (1 18 

    Others

       10 7  79  8  82    10 10  110    10  108 
       -10 (7 65  (8 66    -10 (10 90    (10 88 

    Interest Rate Risk

    The different sensitivity of assets and liabilities to changes in “market interest rates” exposes the Group to the “interest rate risk”. It is the risk that the financial margin and the economic value of equity may vary as a consequence of fluctuations in market interest rates. The magnitude of such variation is associated with the sensitivity to interest rates of the structure of the Group’s assets and liabilities.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    This risk factor (the change in interest rates) has an impact on two key variables: the “Net Financial Income (Expense)” and the “Present Value of Shareholders’ Equity”.

    These methodologies imply a “short-term” approach for which a “base scenario” is subject to an increase in “interest rates” estimating the variation in “Financial Income (Expense)”. Caps on such changes in variables subject to control are fixed. As regards the “long-term” approach, statistical interest rate simulations are made and a “critical” scenario

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    results from the interest rate risk exposure presented by the financial statements structure. The economic capital arises from the resulting difference between the “critical” scenario and the market value as per the financial statements.

    The Group’s exposure to the interest rate risk is detailed below. This table shows the residual value of assets and liabilities, classified by the sooner of the interest renegotiation date or the maturity date.

     

      Term (in Days)       Term (in Days)     

    Assets and Liabilities at Variable Rate

      Up to 30 30 to 90   90 to 180   180 to 365   Over 365   Total   Up to 30 From 30 to
    90
       From 90 to
    180
       From 180 to
    365
       More than
    365
       Total 

    As of 12.31.20

               

    Total Financial Assets

       329,561,051  81,048,347    73,404,578    122,032,475    331,583,426    937,629,877 

    Total Financial Liabilities

       525,873,217  66,622,888    17,447,849    8,728,360    204,482,905    823,155,219 
      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Net Amount

       (196,312,166  14,425,459    55,956,729    113,304,115    127,100,521    114,474,658 
      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    As of 12.31.19

                          

    Total Financial Assets

       201,696,219  51,089,507    51,228,446    44,962,192    250,198,194    599,174,558    274,590,418  69,553,555    69,742,708    61,211,792    340,621,292    815,719,765 

    Total Financial Liabilities

       277,333,453  45,123,367    24,609,169    3,436,256    155,808,144    506,310,389    377,563,393  61,431,217    33,503,067    4,678,139    212,118,123    689,293,939 
      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Net Amount

       (75,637,234  5,966,140    26,619,277    41,525,936    94,390,050    92,864,169    (102,972,975  8,122,338    36,239,641    56,533,653    128,503,169    126,425,826 
      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    As of 12.31.18

               

    Total Financial Assets

       316,460,745  48,662,684    50,924,880    66,637,848    259,062,217    741,748,374 

    Total Financial Liabilities

       488,425,962  38,452,081    11,210,698    6,693,691    139,462,459    684,244,891 
      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Net Amount

       (171,965,217  10,210,603    39,714,182    59,944,157    119,599,758    57,503,483 
      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    The table below shows the sensitivity to potential additional changes in interest rates in the next fiscal year, considering the breakdown as of December 31, 2019.2020. The percentage change budgeted by the Group for fiscal year 20192020 was determined considering 100 bps and changes are considered reasonably possible on the basis on an observation of market conditions.

     

      Additional
    Changes to the
    Interest Rate
       Increase/(Decrease)
    in Income before
    Income Tax in
    Pesos
       Increase/(Decrease)
    in Shareholders’
    Equity in Pesos
       Additional
    Changes to the
    Interest Rate
       Increase/(Decrease)
    in Income before
    Income Tax in
    Pesos
       Increase/(Decrease)
    in Shareholders’
    Equity in %
     

    Decrease in Interest Rate

       -100 pb    (260,051   -0.3   -100 pb    (1,130,532   -1

    Increase in Interest Rate

       +100 pb    260,051    0.3   +100 pb    1,130,532    1

    Liquidity Risk

    It contemplates the risk that the Group is unable to offset or liquidate a position at market value because:

     

    the assets that are part thereof do not have a sufficient secondary market; or

     

    market changes.

    In measuring and daily following up the “stock liquidity” an internal model is used, which contemplates the characteristics of behavior of the Group’s main funding sources. Based on the Group’s experience in connection with the changes in deposits and other liabilities, this model determines the “liquidity requirements” applied to liabilities subject to the policy and give rise to the “Management Liquidity Requirement”. In determining these liquid resources, the remaining term of liabilities is also contemplated, as well as the currency in which they are denominated. The resulting liquidity requirement is allocated to “eligible assets” set by the policy. The management liquidity requirement, along with the legal minimum cash requirements, are part of the total liquidity available.

    Daily liquidity management is supplemented by the estimated available funds or needs for the day, considering the opening balance of Argentine Central Bank’s account, deducting the daily minimum requirement and including the main movements for the day. The latter results in the overestimated/underestimated balance that will be considered by operators in order to place funds or meet the financing needs.

    The monthly liquidityfollow-up and control from the “flow” standpoint, called “liquidity mismatch/liquidity gap”, are performed by estimating the accumulated mismatches within the first year as a percentage of total liabilities. The gap methodology used (contractual gaps) is consistent with the best international practices in the field.

    In addition, the concentration of deposits is followed up and measured. In order to mitigate this risk factor, the policy designed restricts the involvement of two groups of customers to the total deposits: the first 10 customers and second 50 customers.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The table below shows an analysis of maturities of assets and liabilities, determined based on the remaining period as of December 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, based on undiscounted cash flows:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

                                                                                                                            
       Less than 1
    Month
       1 to 6
    Months
       6 to 12
    Months
       12 Months
    to 5 Years
       More than
    5 Years
       Total as of
    12.31.19
     

    Assets

                

    Debt Securities measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       64,916,862    879,594    14,428    155,733    5,257    65,971,874 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       1,398,539    —      —      —      —      1,398,539 

    Repurchase Transactions

       30,724,621    —      —      —      —      30,724,621 

    Other Financial Assets

       8,242,578    —      —      —      —      8,242,578 

    Loans and Other Financing

       132,248,533    130,902,612    59,409,315    96,240,488    26,439,424    445,240,372 

    Other Debt Securities

       20,672,074    —      —      —      —      20,672,074 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       11,550,586    —      —      —      —      11,550,586 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       2,497,466    —      —      —      —      2,497,466 

    Liabilities

                

    Deposits

       358,461,867    41,752,103    2,184,736    77,374    32    402,476,112 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       1,422,157    —      —      —      —     

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       881,099    —      —      —      —      881,099 

    Repurchase Transactions

       —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       67,627,472    —      —      —      —      67,627,472 

    Lease Liabilities

       61,417    319,109    398,394    1,932,180    1,057,054    3,768,154 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       3,720,364    10,793,401    4,281,429    6,204,079    —      24,999,273 

    Debt Securities

       3,468,325    18,258,388    4,152,415    10,134,085    683,635    36,696,848 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       607,968    —      607,968    5,346,737    16,892,186    23,454,859 

     

                                                                                                                            
      Less than 1
    Month
       1 to 6
    Months
       6 to 12
    Months
       12 Months
    to 5 Years
       More than
    5 Years
       Total as of
    12.31.18
       Less than 1
    Month
       1 to 6
    Months
       6 to 12
    Months
       12 Months
    to 5 Years
       More than
    5 Years
       Total as of
    12.31.20
     

    Assets

                            

    Debt Securities measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       118,219,287    383,455    575,061    1,592,696    241,620    121,012,119    152,729,877    564,114    3,180,660    432,222    —      156,906,873 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       2,746,893    —      —      —      —      2,746,893    547,929    —      —      —      —      547,929 

    Repurchase Transactions

       3,249,325    —      —      —      —      3,249,325    61,778,505    —      —      —      —      61,778,505 

    Other Financial Assets

       13,931,355    —      —      —      —      13,931,355    7,677,635    100,805    122,168    3,065,831    —      10,966,439 

    Loans and Other Financing

       143,233,020    157,499,423    86,106,886    101,280,744    14,625,657    502,745,730    165,672,357    204,326,574    135,444,263    93,566,134    30,542,150    629,551,478 

    Other Debt Securities

       22,292,815    —      —      —      —      22,292,815    25,403,983    —      —      —      —      25,403,983 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       16,640,808    —      —      —      —      16,640,808    18,717,443    —      —      —      —      18,717,443 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       247,769    —      —      —      —      247,769    3,745,893    —      —      —      —      3,745,893 

    Liabilities

                            

    Deposits

       514,108,186    45,511,607    4,904,758    118,053    55    564,642,659    636,596,852    45,007,577    2,563,927    122,377    27    684,290,760 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       3,299,188    —      —      —      —      3,299,188    —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       2,824,038    —      —      —      —      2,824,038    57,450    —      —      —      —      57,450 

    Repurchase Transactions

       2,997,515    —      —      —      —      2,997,515 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       97,014,823    41,646    51,326    224,872    10,991    97,343,658    93,004,399    24,479    27,441    80,500    —      93,136,819 

    Lease liabilities

       154,855    724,867    795,298    3,700,393    1,376,069    6,751,482 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       10,789,666    12,535,930    4,893,824    11,468,973    111,565    39,799,958    2,607,987    3,290,896    6,137,695    3,736,864    —      15,773,442 

    Debt Securities

       2,001,407    11,779,292    20,402,461    40,344,981    1,938,714    76,466,855    736,438    6,156,557    8,055,337    6,349,253    —      21,297,585 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       591,573    —      591,573    5,197,625    17,570,746    23,951,517    855,858    —      855,858    7,559,716    21,871,443    31,142,875 

       Less than 1
    Month
       1 to 6
    Months
       6 to 12
    Months
       12 Months
    to 5 Years
       More than
    5 Years
       Total as of
    12.31.19
     

    Assets

                

    Debt Securities measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       88,378,198    1,197,484    19,642    212,016    7,157    89,814,497 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       1,903,979    —      —      —      —      1,903,979 

    Repurchase Transactions

       41,828,680    —      —      —      —      41,828,680 

    Other Financial Assets

       11,221,494    —      —      —      —      11,221,494 

    Loans and Other Financing

       180,043,930    178,211,585    80,880,191    131,022,366    35,994,787    606,152,859 

    Other Debt Securities

       28,143,083    —      —      —      —      28,143,083 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       15,725,036    —      —      —      —      15,725,036 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       3,400,065    —      —      —      —      3,400,065 

    Liabilities

                

    Deposits

       488,012,093    56,841,558    2,974,312    105,337    44    547,933,344 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       1,936,133    —      —      —      —      1,936,133 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       1,199,533    —      —      —      —      1,199,533 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       92,068,438    —      —      —      —      92,068,438 

    Lease Liabilities

       83,613    434,437    542,376    2,630,481    1,439,080    5,129,987 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       5,064,925    14,694,200    5,828,763    8,446,270    —      34,034,158 

    Debt Securities

       4,721,798    24,857,077    5,653,122    13,796,603    930,705    49,959,305 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       827,691    —      827,691    7,279,079    22,997,121    31,931,582 

    Credit Risk

    Credit risk arises from the possibility of suffering losses due to a debtor’s or counterparty’s noncompliance with its contractual obligations. It is the one that requires the greatest need for capital, including that arising from the risk of individual and sectorial concentration, which represents supplementary approximations to the intrinsic credit risk.

    Accordingly, the Group uses credit assessment and risk monitoring tools that allow the entity to manage risks in a streamlined and controlled manner and that foster the adequate diversification of portfolios, both on an individual basis and by economic sector, thus controlling its exposure to potential risks.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    The credit quality of debt securities as of December 31, 20192020 is as follows:

     

      Government Securities               Government Securities             

    Rating

      Government
    Bonds
       Provincial
    Bonds
       Autonomous
    City of
    Buenos

    Aires Bonds
       Treasury
    Bills
       Argentine
    Central
    Bank’s Bills
       Private
    Securities
       Total   Government
    Bonds
       Provincial
    Bonds
       Autonomous
    City of
    Buenos

    Aires Bonds
       Treasury
    Bills
       Argentine
    Central
    Bank’s Bills
       Private
    Securities
       Total as of
    12.31.20
     

    AAA

       310,150    —      —      6,232,989    —      —      6,543,139    2,335,283    —      —      16,964,950    —      703,421    20,003,654 

    AA+

       —      —      44,295    —      —      5,310    49,605    —      —      90,199    —      —      296    90,495 

    AA

       —      —      —      —      —      95,913    95,913    —      —      —      —      —      56,802    56,802 

    Aa2

       —      —      —      —      —      32,226    32,226 

    AA-

       —      —      —      —      —      10,959    10,959    47,643    —      —      —      —      894,582    942,225 

    A+

       —      —      —      —      —      129,010    129,010    —      —      —      —      —      1,263    1,263 

    A1

       —      —      —      —      —      180,683    180,683 

    A1+

       —      —      —      —      —      469,378    469,378    —      —      —      —      —      820,913    820,913 

    A

       —      —      —      —      —      21,481    21,481 

    A2

       —      —      —      —      —      108    108 

    A-

       —      —      —      —      —      35,891    35,891    —      —      —      —      —      40,605    40,605 

    A3

       —      —      —      —      —      75,278    75,278    —      200,768    —      —      —      —      200,768 

    Baa1

       —      —      76,146    —      —      —      76,146    —      —      1,000    —      —      29,226    30,226 

    BBB

       9,457    —      —      —      —      15,117    24,574 

    B-

       —      —      —      —      —      4,654    4,654 

    Baa3

       —      —      —      —      —      13,293    13,293 

    B

       —      539,371    —      —      —      —      539,371 

    CCC

       4,103,429    —      —      —      —      —      4,103,429 

    C

       —      —      —      —      —      7,668    7,668    —      —      —      —      128,324,920    17,098    128,342,018 

    CC

       27,150    —      —      —      58,141,095    —      58,168,245 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       346,757    —      120,441    6,232,989    58,141,095    849,178    65,690,460    6,486,355    740,139    91,199    16,964,950    128,324,920    2,811,997    155,419,560 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    The credit quality of debt securities as of December 31, 20182019 is as follows:

     

       Government Securities             

    Rating

      Government
    Bonds
       Provincial
    Bonds
       Autonomous
    City of
    Buenos

    Aires Bonds
       Treasury
    Bills
       Argentine
    Central
    Bank’s Bills
       Private
    Securities
       Total 

    AAA

       2,266,493    —      —      3,256,546    —      121,001    5,644,040 

    Aaa

       —      —      —      —      —      56,337    56,337 

    Aaa.ar

       —      —      —      —      —      302,242    302,242 

    AA+

       —      —      57,173    —      —      32,113    89,286 

    AA

       —      —      —      —      —      435,690    435,690 

    AA(arg)

       —      —      —      —      —      17,169    17,169 

    raAA

       —      689,080    —      —      —      —      689,080 

    AA-

       —      —      —      —      —      425    425 

    A+

       —      —      —      1,648    —      217,096    218,744 

    A1.ar

       —      —      —      —      —      21,633    21,633 

    A

       —      —      —      108,221    —      4,687    112,908 

    A(arg)

       —      —      —      —      —      45,304    45,304 

    A-

       —      —      —      —      —      63,134    63,134 

    A3.ar

       —      226,129    —      —      —      —      226,129 

    BBB+

       —      —      —      —      —      2,040    2,040 

    Baa1.ar

       —      —      7,804    —      —      15,037    22,841 

    BBB

       17,758    14,014    —      —      —      41,467    73,239 

    BBB(arg)

       —      —      —      —      —      47,954    47,954 

    BBB-

       —      409,546    —      —      —      —      409,546 

    Baa3.ar

       —      174,626    —      —      —      —      174,626 

    B+

       787    —      —      —      —      —      787 

    B-

       —      —      —      —      —      4,766    4,766 

    CCC(arg)

       —      —      —      —      —      321,891    321,891 

    No Rating

       —      —      —      —      107,833,074    —      107,833,074 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       2,285,038    1,513,395    64,977    3,366,415    107,833,074    1,749,986    116,812,885 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     
       Government Securities             

    Rating

      Government
    Bonds
       Provincial
    Bonds
       Autonomous
    City of
    Buenos

    Aires Bonds
       Treasury
    Bills
       Argentine
    Central
    Bank’s Bills
       Private
    Securities
       Total as of
    12.31.19
     

    AAA

       422,241    —      —      8,485,627    —      —      8,907,868 

    AA+

       —      —      60,303    —      —      7,229    67,532 

    AA

       —      —      —      —      —      130,577    130,577 

    AA-

       —      —      —      —      —      14,920    14,920 

    A+

       —      —      —      —      —      175,635    175,635 

    A1+

       —      —      —      —      —      639,014    639,014 

    A-

       —      —      —      —      —      48,862    48,862 

    A3

       —      —      —      —      —      102,484    102,484 

    Baa1

       —      —      103,666    —      —      —      103,666 

    BBB

       12,875    —      —      —      —      20,580    33,455 

    B-

       —      —      —      —      —      6,336    6,336 

    CC

       36,962    —      —      —      79,153,628    —      79,190,590 

    C

       —      —      —      —      —      10,439    10,439 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       472,078    —      163,969    8,485,627    79,153,628    1,156,076    89,431,378 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Summary of credit risk

    The following disclosures present the gross carrying amount of financial instruments to which the impairment requirements in IFRS 9 are applied and the associated allowance for loan losses.

    Loans classified as uncollectible for 7 monthsThose credits that do not have reasonable expectations of recovering the contractual cash flows are eliminated from the Group’s assets and are recognized in“Off-Balance Sheet “Off-balance Items”.

    The credit quality related to loans granted is detailed in Schedule B.

    The breakdown by term of “Net Loans and Other Financing” is detailed in Schedule D.

    Impairment of financial assets

    The “Expected Credit Loss” (“ECL”) model applies to financial assets which are valued at both amortized cost and fair value through OCI.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The standard establishes three categories to classify financial instruments, primarily considering the credit risk evolution over time. Stage 1 includes financial assets with normal or no significant risk associated; Stage 2 includes financial assets for which a significant increase in credit risk (“SICR”) has been identified but they are not yet deemed to be credit-impaired and Stage 3 comprises financial assets which are impaired and/or subject to serious risk of impairment.

    To calculate the provisions for credit impairment risk, IFRS 9 differentiates between each of the three stages. The resulting concepts are explained as follows:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    Expected Credit Losses within a12-month period: possible events of default within the 12 months following the date of the presentation of financial statements. Assets included in Stage 1 have their ECL measured at12-month ECL.

     

    Lifetime Expected Credit Losses: ECL during the active period of the financial asset, which results of calculating the probability of impairment of an asset throughout its duration, up until its maturity. Instruments in Stage 2 or 3 have their ECL measured based on lifetime ECL.

    A pervasive concept in measuring ECL in accordance with IFRS 9 is that it should consider forward looking information. The Group has included below an explanation on how it has incorporated this in its ECL models.

    Grouping of instruments for losses measured on a collective basis

    For expected credit loss provisions modelled on a collective basis, a grouping of exposures is performed based on shared risks characteristics, such that risk exposures within group are homogeneous. In performing this grouping, there must be sufficient information for the group to be statistically credible. Where sufficient information is not available internally, the Group has considered benchmarking internal/external supplementary data to use for modelling purposes. The Group has identified four groupings: Retail, Retail-like, Wholesale and Tarjeta Naranja, amongst these four segments the Group estimates parameters in a more granular way based on the shared risk characteristics.

    Stage classification

    Each subsidiary of Grupo Galicia classifies financial instruments subject to impairment under IFRS 9 in stages, as follows:

     

      

    Stage 1: in the case of retail portfolios, it includes every operation up to 31 days past due. In the case of wholesale portfolios, it considers every client whose BCRA situation indicates a normal status (A1) (i.e. low risk of bankruptcy).

     

    Stage 2: considers two groups:

     

    Portfolios between 31 and 90 days past due.

     

    Probability of Default (“PD”) or Score with impairment risk.

     

    For wholesale, it considers credit ratings for which the risk of default has increased significantly.significantly (see definition in section below).

     

    Stage 3: For retail portfolios, it includes every operation amounting 90 or more days past due.

    For wholesale portfolios, it considers every client whose BCRA situation indicates serious risk of bankruptcy (C, D, E, F)E).

    Significant Increase in credit risk

    The Group considers a financial instrument to have experienced a significant increase in credit risk when any of the following conditions exist:

     

    1 

    The analysis of the customer’s cash flow shows that it is capable of attend adequately all its financial commitments.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Significant Increase in credit risk

    The Group considers a financial instrument to have experienced a significant increase in credit risk when any of the following conditions exist:

    Retail Portfolio

      

    BCRA Situationsituation

      

    Extra conditions to be considered stage 2

    A, B1

      - Cure
      - Between 30 and 90 past due days
      - Probability of Default (“PD”) or Score(*) with impairment risk

    C

      - It does not apply to defaulted clients
    Retail-like Portfolio  

    BCRA Situationsituation

      

    Extra conditions to be considered stage 2

    A, B1

      - Cure
      - Between 30 and 90 past due days
      - Probability of Default (“PD”) or Score(*) with impairment risk

    C

      - It does not apply to defaulted clients
    Wholesale Portfolio  

    BCRA Situationsituation

      

    Extra conditions to be considered stage 2

    A

      - Cure
      - BCRA situation B1
      - Probability of Default (“PD”) or Score(*) with impairment risk

    C

      - It does not apply to defaulted clients

    (*)

    Internal scoring.

    Definition of Default

    A financial asset is in default whenever a payment is more than 90 days past due, or if the Company considers the payment will not be fully reimbursed.

    However, given the credit analysis for wholesale loans is not managed and classified the same way as retail loans, the default definition associated to wholesale portfolios is ultimately linked to the individual analysis provided by credit analysts.

    The default definition has been applied consistently to model the Probability of Default (PD), Exposure at Default (EAD) and Loss given Default (LGD) throughout the Group’s expected loss calculations:

     

    Probability of Default (“PD”): it represents the likelihood of a borrower defaulting on its financial obligation (as per the definition of default included above), either over the next 12 months or the remaining lifetime of the obligation.

     

    Exposure at the moment of Default (“EAD”): it is based on the amounts the Group expects to be owed at the time of default, over the next 12 months or over the remaining lifetime. For example, for a revolving commitment, the Group includes the current draw down balance plus any further amount that it is expected to be drawn up to the current contractual limit by the time of default, should it have occurred.

     

    Loss given Default (“LGD”): represents the Group´s expectation of the extent of loss on a defaulted exposure. LGD varies by type of counterparty, type of seniority of claim and availability of collateral or other credit support. LGD is expressed as a percentage loss per unit of exposure at the time of default. LGD is calculated on a 12 month or lifetime basis, where12-month LGD is the percentage of loss expected to be made if a default occurs in the next 12 months and Lifetime LGD is the percentage of loss expected to be made if a default occurs over the remaining expected lifetime of the loan.

    An instrument is considered to no longer be in default when it no longer meets any of the default criteria above mentioned.

    Methodology for Expected Credit Loss estimation

    Expected credit loss impairment allowances recognized in the financial statements reflect the effect of a range of possible economic outcomes, calculated on a probability-weighted basis, based on the economic scenarios described below. The recognition and measurement of expected credit losses (‘ECL’) involves the use of significant judgment and estimation. It is necessary to formulate multiple forward-looking economic forecasts and incorporate them into the ECL estimates. Grupo Galicia uses a standard framework to form economic scenarios to reflect assumptions about future economic conditions, supplemented with the use of management judgment, which may result in using alternative or additional economic scenarios and/or management adjustments.

    IFRS 9 establishes the following standards regarding the estimation of credit loss:

     

    An unbiased weighted probability index determined by the evaluation of different outcomes.

    Time value of money

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    Time value of money

     

    Reasonable and sustainable information available at no additional cost or effort that provides evidence to support forecasts, as well as present conditions and past events.

    According to IFRS 9, the company prepared three different scenarios with different probabilities: a central scenario with 70 % probability of occurrence, a downside scenario with 15 % probability of occurrence and an upside scenario with 15 % probability of occurrence.

    Scenario Probabilities

      Base  Optimistic  Pessimistic 

    Retail, Retail like and Wholesale

       70  15  15

    Naranja

       70  15  15

    In order to account for time value of money, the Company assumes expected losses will take place according to the PD behavior.

    The ECL is determined by projecting the PD, EAD and LGD for each future month or collective segment. These three components are multiplied together and adjusted for forward looking information. This effectively calculates an ECL for each future month, which is then discounted back to the reporting date and summed. The discount rate used in the ECL calculation is the original effective interest rate or an approximation thereof.

    Key macroeconomic variables used in the scenarios described below are shown in the table:

     

    Macroeconomic Variable Projections

         QI - 2020  QII - 2019  QIII - 2019  QIV - 2019 

    Monthly Estimator of Economic Activity (EMAE)

      Base   -1.0  0.0  2.4  6.5
      Optimistic   -2.2  -0.5  1.5  4.7
      Pessimist   -4.4  -5.8  -6.0  -4.7

    Inflation Rate (IPC)

      Base   52.4  51.8  45.6  40.0
      Optimistic   47.1  43.4  36.1  30.0
      Pessimist   57.3  64.0  66.5  70.0

    Exchange Rate

      Base   61.7  62.1  33.4  27.0
      Optimistic   58.4  55.6  25.4  17.0
      Pessimist   78.8  98.3  80.4  90.0

    Unemployment Rate

      Base   11.1  10.1  10.1  1.9
      Optimistic   15.8  -3.4  4.6  -11.8
      Pessimist   25.3  19.2  40.1  29.9

    International Reserve

      Base   -50.1  -48.3  -34.8  -1.4
      Optimistic   -51.0  -45.9  -27.4  17.6
      Pessimist   -61.9  -65.7  -59.0  -39.5

    Real Salary

      Base   -7.0  -6.0  -0.7  1.4
      Optimistic   -3.3  -3.0  0.0  3.1
      Pessimist   -5.5  -7.3  -6.6  -5.9

    Real Exchange Rate

      Base   8.4  11.2  -3.2  -6.5
      Optimistic   9.8  12.6  -3.1  -7.8
      Pessimist   15.9  25.5  13.9  14.5

    Monetary Base

      Base   31.9  43.1  55.5  55.4
      Optimistic   30.0  39.2  49.5  46.0
      Pessimist   33.1  47.5  60.7  62.0

    Badlar

      Base   -25.6  -47.9  -53.3  -36.9
      Optimistic   -37.6  -47.0  -58.3  -45.2
      Pessimist   20.0  -1.8  -16.6  19.0

    Macroeconomic Variable Projections

         QI - 2020  QII - 2020  QIII - 2020  QIV - 2020 

    GDP

      Base   -2.8  15.6  2.5  -0.7

    GDP

      Optimistic   -2.2  17.8  5.1  2.7

    GDP

      Pessimistic   -3.1  14.2  -3.8  -10.2

    Unemployment Rate

      Base   7.6  -15.6  -10.4  -12.3

    Unemployment Rate

      Optimistic   16.3  -10.1  -11.3  -15.3

    Unemployment Rate

      Pessimistic   20.1  6.2  21.9  34.8

    Real Salary

      Base   -16.6  -8.6  -1.7  3.3

    Real Salary

      Optimistic   -13.2  -7.7  -2.1  4.3

    Real Salary

      Pessimistic   -10.9  -4.7  -3.7  -5.9

    Badlar

      Base   48.8  42.2  31.1  4.3

    Badlar

      Optimistic   38.3  25.9  13.0  -13.0

    Badlar

      Pessimistic   15.0  35.4  101.7  44.9

    These variations were calculated based on annual basis.

    Scenario Probabilities

      Base  Optimistic  Pessimistic 

    Retail, Retail like and Wholesale

       70  15  15
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Tarjeta Naranja

       70  15  15
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Grupo Galicia has also carried out sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of volatility on macroeconomic variables on the result of the expected credit losses.

     

    Scenario 1 (change in the probability

    of the macroeconomic scenarios)

      Base scenario Sensitivity   Base scenario Sensitivity 

    Regular scenario

       70 45   70 45

    Positive scenario

       15 10   15 10

    Negative scenario

       15 45   15 45

    GFG ECL

       26,610,485  26,674,968 
      

     

      

     

     

    Grupo Financiero Galicia ECL

       37,332,952  38,008,542 

    Retail, Retail like and Wholesale ECL

       19,197,292  19,241,671    31,187,671  31,703,980 

    Naranja ECL

       7,413,193  7,433,297    6,145,281  6,304,562 

     

    Scenario 2 (change in forecast PIB, inflation, nominal

    exchange rate, unemployment, current account)

      Regular scenario  Positive scenario  Negative scenario 

    Macroeconomic scenario probability

       70  15  15
          Sensitivity    

    Monthly estimator of economic activity

       8  6  -6

    Inflation

       30  20  80

    Nominal exchange rate

       23  12  110

    Unemployment

       1  -13  35

    Monetary base

       52  40  70

    International reserves

       -1  25  -45
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GFG ECL

        27,363,700  

    Retail, Retail like and Wholesale ECL

        19,923,662  

    Naranja ECL

        7,440,038  

    Scenario 2 (change in forecast PIB, inflation, nominal

    exchange rate, unemployment, current account)

      Regular
    scenario
      Positive
    scenario
      Negative
    scenario
     

    Macroeconomic scenario probability

       70  15  15
          Sensitivity    

    GDP

       -5  1  -15

    Unemployment Rate

       -8  -6  40

    Real Salary

       -2  -4  -5

    Badlar

       40  10  120
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Grupo Financiero Galicia ECL

        37,467,704  

    Retail, Retail like and Wholesale RCL

        31,101,450  

    Naranja ECL

        6,366,254  

    Post-model adjustments

    Since March 2020, the Argentine Central Bank implemented a series of measures to reduce the economic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, among which are the deferral of payments and suspension of the collection of punitive interest in case of default in payments of loan installments, being the credit cards loans excluded from this benefit.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Thus, considering the adverse economic context that the country is going through, borrower credit uncertainty and measures issued by the Argentine Central Bank, the management recognized an additional credit loss allowance to that obtained through the statistical model of ECL on the deferred loan portfolio, which shows the potential impairment due to the macroeconomic context, once the implemented measures are lifted by the Argentine Central Bank.

    The management measured the additional impact on the allowance from the estimation of the expected credit loss of loan portfolios which have deferred payments, based on new probabilities of default (PD) estimated using adjusted roll rates for the affected segments (mortgage, personal ,and restructured loans within the retail portfolio and debt notes of the retail like portfolio). The overlay also included a “Lifetime Adjustment”.

    Maximum exposure to credit risk

    Unless identified at an earlier stage, all financial assets are deemed to have suffered a significant increase in credit risk when they are 30 days past due (“DPD”) and are transferred from stage 1 to stage 2. The following disclosure presents the ageing of stage 2 financial assets. It distinguishes those assets that are classified as stage 2 when they are less than 30 days past due(1-29 (1-29 DPD) from those that are more than 30 DPD (30 and >DPD). Past due financial instruments are those loans where customers have failed to make payments in accordance with the contractual terms of their facilities.

    The following table contains an analysis of the credit risk exposure of financial instruments for which an ECL allowance is recognized.

     

                                                                                                        
      Retail Portfolio       Retail Portfolio   
      December 31, 2019   December
    31, 2018
       December 31, 2020 December 31,
    2019
     
      ECL Staging       ECL Staging   
      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   Total   Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3     
      12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime   

     

       

     

       12-month
    ECL
     Lifetime
    ECL
     Lifetime
    ECL
     Total Total 

    Days past due

                    

    0

       78,566,753    28,797,042    912,351    108,276,146    139,233,133    115,540,641  47,518,146   —    163,058,787  147,407,781 

    1-30

       1,562,357    1,520,196    185,361    3,402,141    3,267,914    1,378,181  1,164,534  1,509,705  4,052,420  4,448,958 

    31-60

       —      1,262,208    163,053    1,291,034    1,425,261    —    997,662  48,665  1,046,327  1,940,358 

    61-90

       —      528,261    274,967    803,228    1,213,539    —    561,381  94,732  656,113  1,093,520 

    Default

       —      —      4,281,651    4,281,651    5,201,161    —     —    5,556,973  5,556,973  5,829,065 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       80,129,110    32,107,707    5,817,383    118,054,200    153,253,607    116,918,822   50,241,723   7,210,075   174,370,620   160,719,682 

    Loss allowance

       4,050,243    1,876,438    4,576,479    10,503,160    11,502,798    (4,954,235 (12,628,050 (5,893,949 (23,476,234 (14,299,064
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       76,078,867    30,231,269    1,240,904    107,551,040    141,750,809    111,964,587   37,613,673   1,316,126   150,894,386   146,420,618 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

     

                                                                                                        
      Retail like Portfolio       Retail like Portfolio   
      December 31, 2019   December
    31, 2018
       December 31, 2020 December 31,
    2019
     
      ECL Staging       ECL Staging   
      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   Total   Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3     
      12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime   

     

       

     

       12-month
    ECL
     Lifetime
    ECL
     Lifetime
    ECL
     Total Total 

    Days past due

                    

    0

       33,043,232    4,297,615    497,111    37,837,958    49,804,857    104,800,495  12,159,876  961,171  117,921,542  51,512,818 

    1-30

       1,306,745    532,729    165,470    2,004,944    2,037,768    968,840  542,107  218,040  1,728,987  2,729,542 

    31-60

       —      159,963    64,134    224,097    517,274    —    209,942  6,511  216,453  305,087 

    61-90

       —      172,306    147,679    319,985    402,899    —    45,021  15,885  60,906  435,629 

    Default

       —      —      2,437,282    2,437,282    2,765,424    —     —    1,187,351  1,187,351  3,318,130 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       34,349,977    5,162,613    3,311,676    42,824,266    55,528,222    105,769,335   12,956,946   2,388,958   121,115,239   58,301,206 

    Loss allowance

       352,917    146,516    2,514,583    3,014,016    2,656,347    (559,205 (2,130,872 (1,831,739 (4,521,816 (4,103,299
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       33,997,060    5,016,097    797,093    39,810,250    52,871,875    105,210,130   10,826,074   557,219   116,593,423   54,197,907 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

     

                                                                                                        
      Wholesale Portfolio   

     

       Wholesale Portfolio   
      December 31, 2019   December
    31, 2018
       December 31, 2020 December 31,
    2019
     
      ECL Staging       ECL Staging   
      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   Total   Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3     
      12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime   

     

       

     

       12-month
    ECL
     Lifetime
    ECL
     Lifetime
    ECL
     Total Total 

    Days past due

                    

    A

       206,109,137    5,687,008    —      211,796,145    217,775,608    263,742,041  12,556,395   —    276,298,436  288,340,517 

    B1

       —      377,715    —      377,715    (3,382,401   —    1,002,250   —    1,002,250  514,223 

    Default

       —      —      4,876,548    4,876,548    3,869,637    —     —    796,138  796,138  6,638,965 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       206,109,137    6,064,723    4,876,548    217,050,408    218,262,844    263,742,041   13,558,645   796,138   278,096,824   295,493,705 

    Loss allowance

       540,249    179,755    4,492,730    5,212,734    1,954,981    (1,959,717 (623,103 (606,801 (3,189,621 (7,096,646
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       205,568,888    5,884,968    383,818    211,837,674    216,307,863    261,782,324   12,935,542   189,337   274,907,203   288,397,059 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

                                                                                                        
      Naranja       Naranja   
      December 31, 2019   December
    31, 2018
       December 31, 2020 December 31,
    2019
     
      ECL Staging       ECL Staging   
      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   Total   Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3     
      12-month   Lifetime   Lifetime   

     

       

     

       12-month
    ECL
     Lifetime
    ECL
     Lifetime
    ECL
     Total Total 

    Days past due

                    

    0

       44,632,416    532,061    261,123    45,425,600    60,818,990    85,988,867  1,003,472  263,172  87,255,511  61,842,678 

    1-30

       2,434,450    158,839    89,667    2,682,956    5,412,971    3,231,993  225,959  56,048  3,514,000  3,652,592 

    31-60

       —      1,216,694    76,477    1,293,171    2,618,147    —    853,081  47,855  900,936  1,760,530 

    61-90

       —      629,044    46,306    675,350    1,445,291    —    373,206  30,348  403,554  919,425 

    Default

       —      —      5,580,546    5,580,546    5,825,679    —     —    1,974,836  1,974,836  7,597,388 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       47,066,866    2,536,638    6,054,119    55,657,623    76,121,078    89,220,860   2,455,718   2,372,259   94,048,837   75,772,613 

    Loss allowance

       2,023,337    704,146    4,685,710    7,413,193    8,164,343    (3,707,641 (589,155 (1,848,485 (6,145,281 (10,092,365
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       45,043,529    1,832,492    1,368,409    48,244,430    67,956,735    85,513,219   1,866,563   523,774   87,903,556   65,680,248 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

     

                                                                                                        
      Retail Portfolio       Retail Portfolio   
      December 31, 2018   December
    31, 2017
       December 31, 2019 December 31,
    2018
     
      ECL Staging       ECL Staging   
      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   Total   Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3     
      12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       

     

       

     

       12-month Lifetime Lifetime Total Total 

    Days past due

                    

    0

       123,255,338    15,977,795    —      139,233,133    157,296,668    106,961,239  39,204,462  1,242,080  147,407,781  189,552,804 

    1-30

       3,415,641    1,846,773    —      5,262,414    5,279,544    2,127,002  2,069,604  252,352  4,448,958  7,164,281 

    31-60

       —      2,343,360    —      2,343,360    1,749,691    —    1,718,377  221,981  1,940,358  3,190,264 

    61-90

       —      1,213,539    —      1,213,539    754,043    —    719,178  374,342  1,093,520  1,652,119 

    Default

       —      —      5,201,161    5,201,161    4,009,264    —     —    5,829,065  5,829,065  7,080,891 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       126,670,979    21,381,467    5,201,161    153,253,607    169,089,210    109,088,241   43,711,621   7,919,820   160,719,682   208,640,359 

    Loss allowance

       4,000,345    3,565,091    3,937,362    11,502,798    5,671,699    (5,514,025 (2,554,594 (6,230,445 (14,299,064 (15,659,979
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       122,670,634    17,816,376    1,263,799    141,750,809    163,417,511    103,574,216   41,157,027   1,689,375   146,420,618   192,980,380 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

     

                                                                                                        
      Retail like Portfolio       Retail like Portfolio   
      December 31, 2018   December
    31, 2017
       December 31, 2019 December 31,
    2018
     
      ECL Staging       ECL Staging   
      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   Total   Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3     
      12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       

     

       

     

       12-month Lifetime Lifetime Total Total 

    Days past due

                    

    0

       45,031,870    4,772,987    —      49,804,857    47,071,424    44,985,250  5,850,798  676,770  51,512,818  67,804,625 

    1-30

       1,333,592    704,176    —      2,037,768    1,093,756    1,779,010  725,260  225,272  2,729,542  2,774,228 

    31-60

       —      517,274    —      517,274    210,169    —    217,775  87,312  305,087  704,220 

    61-90

       —      402,899    —      402,899    150,521    —    234,578  201,051  435,629  548,510 

    Default

       —      —      2,765,424    2,765,424    1,234,348    —     —    3,318,130  3,318,130  3,764,864 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       46,365,462    6,397,336    2,765,424    55,528,222    49,760,218    46,764,260   7,028,411   4,508,535   58,301,206   75,596,447 

    Loss allowance

       410,651    430,926    1,814,770    2,656,347    1,485,036    (480,463 (199,468 (3,423,368 (4,103,299 (3,616,367
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       45,954,811    5,966,410    950,654    52,871,875    48,275,182    46,283,797   6,828,943   1,085,167   54,197,907   71,980,080 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

     

                                                                                                        
      Wholesale Portfolio     Wholesale Portfolio   
      December 31, 2018 December
    31, 2017
       December 31, 2019 December 31,
    2018
     
      ECL Staging     ECL Staging   
      Stage 1 Stage 2   Stage 3   Total Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3     
      12-month
    ECL
     Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       

     

     

     

       12-month Lifetime Lifetime Total Total 

    Days past due

                  

    A

       208,462,971   9,304,310    8,327    217,775,608   200,660,551    280,598,191  7,742,326   —    288,340,517  296,480,994 

    B1

       (3,442,254  59,853    —      (3,382,401  118,967    ���    514,223   —    514,223  (4,604,821

    Default

       —     —      3,869,637    3,869,637   1,243,106    —     —    6,638,965  6,638,965  5,268,147 
      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       205,020,717  9,364,163    3,877,964    218,262,844  202,022,624    280,598,191   8,256,549   6,638,965   295,493,705   297,144,320 

    Loss allowance

       808,785   119,011    1,027,185    1,954,981   1,154,685    (679,001 (301,216 (6,116,429 (7,096,646 (2,661,522
      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       204,211,932  9,245,152    2,850,779    216,307,863  200,867,939    279,919,190   7,955,333   522,536   288,397,059   294,482,798 
      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

                                                                                                        
      Naranja       Naranja   
      December 31, 2018   December
    31, 2017
       December 31, 2019 December 31,
    2018
     
      ECL Staging       ECL Staging   
      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3   Total   Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3     
      12-month
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       Lifetime
    ECL
       

     

       

     

       12-month Lifetime Lifetime Total Total 

    Days past due

                    

    0

       56,167,414    4,651,576    —      60,818,990    66,755,543    60,762,833  724,351  355,494  61,842,678  82,799,332 

    1-30

       3,956,380    1,456,591    —      5,412,971    5,214,783    3,314,275  216,244  122,073  3,652,592  7,369,251 

    31-60

       —      2,618,147    —      2,618,147    1,735,857    —    1,656,414  104,116  1,760,530  3,564,361 

    61-90

       —      1,445,291    —      1,445,291    810,681    —    856,384  63,041  919,425  1,967,627 

    Default

       —      —      5,825,679    5,825,679    4,514,973    —     —    7,597,388  7,597,388  7,931,114 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Gross Carrying amount

       60,123,794    10,171,605    5,825,679    76,121,078    79,031,837    64,077,108  3,453,393  8,242,112  75,772,613  103,631,685 

    Loss allowance

       2,117,634    2,834,539    3,212,170    8,164,343    5,965,182    (2,754,583 (958,629 (6,379,153 (10,092,365 (11,114,984
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net Carrying amount

       58,006,160    7,337,066    2,613,509    67,956,735    73,066,655    61,322,525   2,494,764   1,862,959   65,680,248   92,516,701 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    The Grupo Galicia employs a range of policies and practices to mitigate credit risk. The most common of these is accepting collateral for loans or funds advanced. The Group has internal policies on the acceptability of specific classes of collateral.

    The Grupo Galicia policies regarding obtaining collateral have not significantly changed during the reporting period and there has been no significant change in the overall quality of the collateral held by the Group since the prior period.

    This table provides information on balance sheet items and their collateral in offsets as well as loan and other credit-related commitments.

    Assets Subject to Impairment

     

    Item

      Carrying Amount   Loss Allowances   Gross Carrying
    Amount
       Collateral´s Fair
    Value
       Carrying Amount   Loss Allowances   Gross Carrying
    Amount
       Collateral´s Fair
    Value
     

    Advances

       15,892,268    315,666    15,576,602    —      29,219,431    (679,786   28,539,645    —   

    Mortgage Loans

       15,052,635    895,613    14,157,022    38,775,957    143,769,344    (522,696   143,246,648    —   

    Pledge Loans

       3,208,665    55,338    3,153,327    1,959,793    16,486,335    (5,320,236   11,166,099    148,099,128 

    Personal Loans

       27,645,893    3,077,729    24,568,164    —      11,586,593    (109,735   11,476,858    32,538,883 

    Credit Card Loans

       149,459,966    13,886,647    135,573,319    —      36,504,158    (8,787,760   27,716,398    —   

    Financial Leases

       2,225,646    62,010    2,163,636    —      241,793,015    (16,713,933   225,079,082    —   

    Overdrafts

       75,080,343    5,431,272    69,649,071    —      1,855,070    (36,388   1,818,682    —   

    Pre-financing export loans

       53,937,131    241,621    53,695,510    —      29,487,016    (629,027   28,857,989    —   

    Others

       88,747,362    2,148,550    86,598,812    4,599,439    138,001,603    (4,489,715   133,511,888    1,784,133 

    Public Securities

       2,336,588    28,657    2,307,931    —   

    Other Debt Securities

       18,928,955    (43,676   18,885,279    —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total as of December 31, 2019

       433,586,497    26,143,103    407,443,394    45,335,189 

    Total as of December 31, 2020

       667,631,520    (37,332,952   630,298,568    182,422,144 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    The following table shows information about the mortgage portfolio LTV distribution.

     

    Mortgages Portfolio -LTV Distribution

      Exposure 

    Lower than 50%

       8,6463,807 

    50 to 60%

       1,266282 

    60 to 70%

       1,103576 

    70 to 80%

       1,250436 

    80 to 90%

       1,145495 

    90 to 100%

       2,4454,765 

    Higher than 100%

       14,56220,599 
      

     

     

     

    Total

       30,41730,960 
      

     

     

     

    Reconciliation of changes in gross carrying/nominal amount and allowances for loans and advances to banks and customers including loan commitments and financial guarantees

    The following disclosure provides a reconciliation by stage of the Group’s gross carrying/nominal amount and allowances for loans and advances to banks and customers, including loan commitments and financial guarantees. The transfers of financial instruments represent the impact of stage transfers upon the gross carrying/nominal amount and associated allowance for ECL. The net remeasurement of ECL arising from stage transfers represents the increase or decrease due to these transfers, for example, moving from a12-month (stage 1) to a lifetime (stage 2) ECL measurement basis. This is captured, along with other credit quality movements in the ‘changes in PD/LGD/EAD’ line item. The ‘New financial assets originated or repurchased’ represent the gross carrying/nominal amount and associated allowance ECL impact from volume movements within the Group’s lending portfolio.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    The following tables explain the changes in the loss allowance between the beginning and the end of the annual period due to these factors:

     

                                                                                                Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
    Retail Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3         12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       4,000,345  3,565,091  3,937,362   —      11,502,798 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       5,514,025   2,554,594   6,230,445   —      14,299,064 

    Inflation effect

       (1,399,888  (1,247,575  (1,377,848  —      (4,025,311   (2,119,898 (2,350,556 (2,434,533  —      (6,904,987

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (541,650  541,650   —     —      —      (498,483 498,483   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (55,913  —     55,913   —      —      (118,204  —    118,204   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       462,714   (462,714  —     —      —      387,515  (387,515  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (333,814  333,814   —      —      —    (336,064 336,064   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       198,995   —    (198,995  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     34,657   (34,657  —      —      —    361,066  (361,066  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       21,195   —     (21,195  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       975,375   569,129   2,505,793   —      4,050,297    1,024,326  679,012  1,779,747   —      3,483,085 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       1,400,209   (896  630,489   —      2,029,802    (129,815 1,080,703  1,028,008   —      1,978,896 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       (172,921  735,069   1,311,945   —      1,874,093    1,010,684  9,351,243  2,365,584   —      12,727,511 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       208,412   (204,306  33,793   —      37,899    651,290  1,716,169  335,600   —      2,703,059 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Write-offs

       (847,635  (1,319,853  (2,798,930  —      (4,966,418

    Write-offs and other movements

       (966,200 (539,085 (3,305,109  —      (4,810,394
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       4,050,243  1,876,438  4,576,479   —      10,503,160 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2020

       4,954,235   12,628,050   5,893,949   —      23,476,234 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

                                                                                                Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
    Retail Like Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3         12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       410,651  430,926  1,814,770   —      2,656,347 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       480,463   199,468   3,423,368   —      4,103,299 

    Inflation effect

       (143,704  (150,799  (635,064  —      (929,567   (217,336 (395,100 (1,202,902  —      (1,815,338

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (24,832  24,832   —     —      —      (36,222 36,222   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (1,436  —     1,436   —      —      (3,402  —    3,402   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       16,974   (16,974  —     —      —      29,362  (29,362  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (29,246  29,246   —      —      —    (8,796 8,796   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       (17,165  —    17,165   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     9,317   (9,317  —      —      —    72,278  (72,278  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       1,175   —     (1,175  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       238,020   70,572   2,017,956   —      2,326,548    396,426  133,391  1,107,514   —      1,637,331 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       91,006   8,924   427,620   —      527,550    1,213,269  384,169  58,150   —      1,655,588 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       (48,727  36,552   277,169   —      264,994    (1,192,104 1,471,030  541,170   —      820,096 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       27,507   (11,193  (9,120  —      7,194    104,533  377,770  283,658   —      765,961 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Write-offs

       (213,717  (226,395  (1,398,938  —      (1,839,050

    Write-offs and other movements

       (198,619 (110,198 (2,336,304  —      (2,645,121
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       352,917  146,516  2,514,583   —      3,014,016 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2020

       559,205   2,130,872   1,831,739   —      4,521,816 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

       Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3        
    Wholesale Portfolio  12-month  Lifetime  Lifetime  Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       679,001   301,216   6,116,429   —      7,096,646 

    Inflation effect

       (562,741  (201,577  (1,742,132  —      (2,506,450

    Movements with P&L Impact

           

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (60,395  60,395   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (13  —     13   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       5,354   (5,354  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (17,065  17,065   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     —     —     —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       516,802   85,037   43,764   —      645,603 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       118,388   26,417   13   —      144,818 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       1,521,179   363,383   779,725   —      2,664,287 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       455,386   138,548   134,717   —      728,651 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

           

    Write-offs and other movements

       (713,244  (127,897  (4,742,793  —      (5,583,934
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2020

       1,959,717   623,103   606,801   —      3,189,621 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

                                                                                              
    Wholesale Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       808,785  119,011  1,027,185   —      1,954,981 
    Naranja  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       2,754,583   958,629   6,379,153   —      10,092,365 

    Inflation effect

       (283,028  (41,647  (359,455  —      (684,130   (1,139,035 (319,282 (1,896,750  —      (3,355,067

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (28,341  28,341   —     —      —      (72,171 72,171   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (58  —     58   —      —      (145,729  —    145,729   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       62,382   (62,382  —     —      —      —    (155,018 155,018   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (1,027  1,027   —      —      173,949  (173,949  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       108,373   —    (108,373  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     41,499   (41,499  —      —      —    13,578  (13,578  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       2   —     (2  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       385,304   93,976   211,464   —      690,744    2,549,927  199,345  168,275   —      2,917,547 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       19,099   30,508   4,293,694   —      4,343,301    265,208  66,142  186,064   —      517,414 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       (25,142  72,470   11,928   —      109,540    —     —     —     —      —   

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       (9,847  (4,969  14,694   —      (122   773,817  124,733  391,352   —      1,289,902 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Write-offs

       (439,191  (96,025  (666,364  —      (1,201,580

    Write-offs and other movements

       (1,561,281 (197,194 (3,558,405  —      (5,316,880
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       540,249  179,755  4,492,730   —      5,212,734 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2020

       3,707,641   589,155   1,848,485   —      6,145,281 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

                                                                                              
    Naranja  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
    Retail Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       2,117,634  2,834,539  3,212,170   —      8,164,343    5,446,096   4,853,535   5,360,348   —      15,659,979 

    Inflation effect

       (741,049  (991,924  (1,124,073  —      (2,857,046   (2,638,825 (2,033,094 (2,699,649  —      (7,371,568

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (51,051  51,051   —     —      —      (737,405 737,405   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (107,274  —     107,274   —      —      (76,120  —    76,120   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       680,513   (680,513  —     —      —      629,942  (629,942  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (680,583  680,583   —      —      —    (454,456 454,456   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       28,855   —    (28,855  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     2,767   (2,767  —      —      —    47,182  (47,182  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       9,518   —     (9,518  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       102,230   895,000   2,888,561   —      3,885,791    1,327,881  774,816  3,411,401   —      5,514,098 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       913,845   513,073   1,629,665   —      3,056,583    1,186,973  (329,590 49,940   —      907,323 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       (309,543  (693,866  (8,677  —      (1,012,086   (235,416 1,000,727  265,557   —      1,030,868 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       11,146   —     —     —      11,146    1,147,613  116,244  1,016,936   —      2,280,793 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Write-offs

       (602,632  (545,398  (2,687,508  —      (3,835,538

    Write-offs and other movements

       (565,569 (1,528,233 (1,628,627  —      (3,722,429
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       2,023,337  704,146  4,685,710   —      7,413,193    5,514,025   2,554,594   6,230,445   —      14,299,064 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

                                                                                              
    Retail Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       1,682,312  1,410,750  2,578,637   —      5,671,699 
    Retail Like Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       559,063   586,665   2,470,639   —      3,616,367 

    Inflation effect

       (542,887  (455,254  (832,132  —      (1,830,273   (297,080 (247,408 (1,587,345  —      (2,131,833

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (56,075  56,075   —     —      —      (33,806 33,806   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (19,975  —     19,975   —      —      (1,955  —    1,955   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       94,867   (94,867  —     —      —      23,109  (23,109  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (39,816 39,816   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       1,600   —    (1,600  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —    12,684  (12,684  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       1,046,545   2,117,334   2,485,839   —      5,649,718    324,042  96,077  2,747,257   —      3,167,376 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       2,057,322   1,450,069   2,883,617   —      6,391,008    61,555  (13,733 137,977   —      185,799 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       (66,337 49,762  377,340   —      360,765 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       71,851   40,839   (15,039  —      97,651    156,997  34,393  839,392   —      1,030,782 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Transfers:

           

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (62,777  62,777   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     44,095   (44,095  —      —   

    Write-offs

       (333,615  (941,173  (3,202,217  —      (4,477,005

    Write-offs and other movements

       (246,725 (289,853 (1,589,379  —      (2,125,957
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       4,000,345  3,565,091  3,937,362   —      11,502,798 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       480,463   199,468   3,423,368   —      4,103,299 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

                                                                                              
    Retail Like Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       341,135  195,413  948,488   —      1,485,036 
    Wholesale Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       1,101,084   162,022   1,398,416   —      2,661,522 

    Inflation effect

       (110,085  (63,061  (306,079  —      (479,225   (644,265 (116,256 (1,698,724  —      (2,459,245

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (6,016  6,016   —     —      —      (38,584 38,584   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (1,143  —     1,143   —      —      (79  —    79   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       14,729   (14,729  —     —      —      84,927  (84,927  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (1,398 1,398   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       3   —    (3  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —    56,497  (56,497  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       278,772   301,498   1,335,299   —      1,915,569    524,555  127,939  287,888   —      940,382 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       185,204   136,917   807,740   —      1,129,861    (151,260 9,780  5,051,844   —      4,910,364 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       (22,269 155,158  16,239   —      149,128 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       26,219   25,024   135,669   —      186,912    291,778  63,427  1,445,286   —      1,800,491 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Transfers:

           

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (4,515  4,515   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     4,838   (4,838  —      —   

    Write-offs

       (318,164  (156,475  (1,107,167  —      (1,581,806

    Write-offs and other movements

       (466,889 (109,610 (329,497  —      (905,996
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       410,651  430,926  1,814,770   —      2,656,347 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       679,001   301,216   6,116,429   —      7,096,646 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

                                                                                              
    Wholesale Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       325,779  69,546  759,360   —      1,154,685 
    Naranja  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       2,882,959   3,858,958   4,373,067   —      11,114,984 

    Inflation effect

       (105,131  (22,441  (245,045  —      (372,617   (1,447,146 (1,502,938 (2,545,295  —      (5,495,379

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (2,880  2,880   —     —      —      (69,501 69,501   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (275  —     275   —      —      (146,043  —    146,043   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       4,303   (4,303  —     —      —      926,454  (926,454  —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (926,550 926,550   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       12,958   —    (12,958  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —    3,767  (3,767  —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       613,038   66,376   —     —      679,414    147,103  1,287,841  4,156,431   —      5,591,375 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       227,367   60,418   117,553   —      405,338    537,543  452,605  582,337   —      1,572,485 

    Changes to model assumptions and methodologies

       (421,414 (944,633 (11,813  —      (1,377,860

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       (10,496  15,369   385,581   —      390,454    601,532  204,060  1,357,907   —      2,163,499 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Transfers:

           

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (9,461  9,461   —      —   

    Write-offs

       (242,920  (59,373  —     —      (302,293

    Write-offs and other movements

       (269,862 (617,528 (2,589,349  —      (3,476,739
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       808,785  119,011  1,027,185   —      1,954,981 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2019

       2,754,583  958,629  6,379,153   —      10,092,365 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

                                                                                              
    Naranja  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
    Retail Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       1,391,092  1,954,069  2,620,021   —      5,965,182    2,290,310   1,920,604   3,510,570   —      7,721,484 

    Inflation effect

       (448,909  (630,583  (845,487  —      (1,924,979   (739,086 (619,787 (1,132,871  —      (2,491,744

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (170,994  170,994   —     —      —      (76,341 76,341   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (61,988  —     61,988   —      —      (27,194  —    27,194   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       331,577   (331,577  —     —      —      129,152  (129,152  —     —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       791,626   1,130,810   797,807   —      2,720,243    1,424,772  2,882,551  3,384,236   —      7,691,559 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       549,774   1,866,361   3,612,931   —      6,029,066    2,800,850  1,974,132  3,925,774   —      8,700,756 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       (197,790  (323,182  —     —      (520,972   97,818  55,599  (20,473  —      132,944 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (431,289  431,289   —      —      —    (85,466 85,466   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     16,777   (16,777  —      —      —    60,031  (60,031  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       14,866   —     (14,866  —      —   

    Write-offs

       (81,620  (587,841  (3,434,736  —      (4,104,197

    Write-offs and other movements

       (454,185 (1,281,318 (4,359,517  —      (6,095,020
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       2,117,634  2,834,539  3,212,170   —      8,164,343    5,446,096   4,853,535   5,360,348   —      15,659,979 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

                                                                                              
    Retail Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Loss Allowance as of January 01, 2017

       1,962,040  1,071,697  2,270,657   —      5,304,394 
    Retail Like Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       464,424   266,037   1,291,276   —      2,021,737 

    Inflation effect

       (389,838  (212,936  (451,154  —      (1,053,928   (149,871 (85,853 (416,696  —      (652,420

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (57,318  57,318   —     —      —      (8,191 8,191   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (19,387  —     19,387   —      —      (1,556  —    1,556   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       210,006   (210,006  —     —      —      20,053  (20,053  —     —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       472,592   952,404   1,492,196   —      2,917,192    379,522  410,461  1,817,884   —      2,607,867 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       45,327   379,063   1,956,305   —      2,380,695    252,137  186,400  1,099,662   —      1,538,199 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       16,212   2,040   (17,809  —      443    35,695  34,068  184,701   —      254,464 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (52,291  52,291   —      —      —    (6,147 6,147   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     44,873   (44,873  —      —      —    6,587  (6,587  —      —   

    Write-offs

       (557,322  (621,412  (2,698,363  —      (3,877,097

    Write-offs and other movements

       (433,150 (213,026 (1,507,304  —      (2,153,480
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

            

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       1,682,312  1,410,750  2,578,637   —      5,671,699 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       559,063   586,665   2,470,639   —      3,616,367 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

                                                                                              
    Retail Like Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Loss Allowance as of January 01, 2017

       88,123  291,080  573,340   —      952,543 
    Wholesale Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       443,517   94,680   1,033,797   —      1,571,994 

    Inflation effect

       (17,508  (57,835  (113,918  —      (189,261   (143,127 (30,550 (333,605  —      (507,282

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (6,193  6,193   —     —      —      (3,920 3,920   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (571  —     571   —      —      (375  —    375   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       67,091   (67,091  —     —      —      5,858  (5,858  —     —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       278,455   126,703   617,965   —      1,023,123    834,593  90,364   —     —      924,957 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       (42,646  83,812   384,929   —      426,095    309,539  82,253  160,037   —      551,829 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       1,403   17,589   68,005   —      86,997    (14,289 20,924  524,932   —      531,567 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

                  

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (9,659  9,659   —      —      —    (12,880 12,880   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     10,253   (10,253  —      —   

    Write-offs

       (27,019  (205,632  (581,810  —      (814,461

    Write-offs and other movements

       (330,712 (80,831  —     —      (411,543
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       341,135  195,413  948,488   —      1,485,036 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       1,101,084   162,022   1,398,416   —      2,661,522 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

                                                                                              
    Wholesale Portfolio  Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3        
       12-month  Lifetime  Lifetime  Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of January 01, 2017

       255,997   164,428   343,945   —      764,370 

    Inflation effect

       (50,865  (32,669  (68,339  —      (151,873

    Movements with P&L Impact

           

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (4,143  4,143   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (94  —     94   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       3,427   (3,427  —     —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       262,500   45,105   —     —      307,605 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       101,102   98,366   72,726   —      272,194 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       16,878   (16,769  395,909   —      396,018 

    Other movements with no P&L impact

           

    Transfers:

           

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (15,025  15,025   —      —   

    Write-offs

       (259,023  (174,606  —     —      (433,629
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       325,779   69,546   759,360   —      1,154,685 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                                                                                Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
    Naranja  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3         12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Loss Allowance as of January 01, 2017

       1,193,141  2,409,363  2,797,419   —      6,399,923 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       1,893,842   2,660,280   3,566,912   —      8,121,034 

    Inflation effect

       (237,065  (478,714  (555,817  —      (1,271,596   (611,149 (858,476 (1,151,051  —      (2,620,676

    Movements with P&L Impact

                  

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (93,181  93,181   —     —      —      (232,792 232,792   —     —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (38,118  —     38,118   —      —      (84,391  —    84,391   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       650,714   (650,714  —     —      —      451,410  (451,410  —     —      —   

    New Financial Assets Originated or Purchased

       375,465   684,637   103,474   —      1,163,576    1,077,725  1,539,491  1,086,139   —      3,703,355 

    Changes in PDs/LGDs/EADs

       (336,547  1,051,645   1,915,058   —      2,630,156    748,465  2,540,874  4,918,665   —      8,208,004 

    Foreign exchange and other movements

       (131,230  (252,550  —     —      (383,780   (269,272 (439,982  —     —      (709,254

    Other movements with no P&L impact

            —          

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfer from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (395,389  395,389   —      —      —    (587,160 587,160   —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       20,239   —    (20,239  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     1,751   (1,751  —      —      —    22,840  (22,840  —      —   

    Transfer from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       56,383   —     (56,383  —      —   

    Write-offs

       (48,470  (509,141  (2,015,486  —      (2,573,097

    Write-offs and other movements

       (111,118 (800,291 (4,676,070  —      (5,587,479
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2017

       1,391,092  1,954,069  2,620,021   —      5,965,182 

    Loss Allowance as of December 31, 2018

       2,882,959   3,858,958   4,373,067   —      11,114,984 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    The following table further explains changes in the gross carrying amount of specific segment portfolio to help explain their significance to the changes in the loss allowance:

    Retail like Portfolio  Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3        
       12-month  Lifetime  Lifetime  Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       46,365,462   6,397,336   2,765,424   —      55,528,222 

    Transfers:

           

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (3,669,945  3,669,945   —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (180,232  —     180,232   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       608,803   (608,803  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (298,649  298,649   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     19,171   (19,171  —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       5,565   —     (5,565  —      —   

    Financial assets derecognized during the period other than write-offs

       (15,036,031  (3,099,488  (1,680,196  —      (19,815,715

    New financial assets originated or purchased

       20,951,735   1,472,562   2,735,514   —      25,159,811 

    FX and other movements

       1,529,839   (150,764  4,527   —      1,383,602 

    Inflation Effect

       (16,225,219  (2,238,697  (967,738  —      (19,431,654
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       34,349,977   5,162,613   3,311,676   —      42,824,266 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

      Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
    Retail Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3         12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       126,670,979   21,381,467   5,201,161   —      153,253,607 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       109,088,241   43,711,621   7,919,820   —      160,719,682 

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (27,605,206 27,605,206   —     —      —      (13,927,874 13,927,874   —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (1,590,455  —    1,590,455   —      —      (1,547,026  —    1,547,026   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       9,834,363  (9,834,363  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to stage 1

       9,476,779  (9,476,779  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (1,406,826 1,406,826   —      —      —    (1,510,981 1,510,981   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —    54,517  (54,517  —      —      —    559,745  (559,745  —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       36,462   —    (36,462  —      —      290,100   —    (290,100  —      —   

    Financial assets derecognized during the period other than write-offs

       (15,005,033 (3,686,530 (3,132,323  —      (21,823,886   (11,928,884 (3,444,031 (3,940,595  —      (19,313,510

    New financial assets originated or purchased

       19,755,005  6,805,058  3,298,999   —      29,859,062    29,264,738  8,648,366  2,189,870   —      40,102,974 

    FX and other movements

       12,360,478  (1,328,551 (636,652  —      10,395,275    25,161,879  9,429,822  935,254   —      35,526,955 

    Inflation Effect

       (44,327,483 (7,482,271 (1,820,104  —      (53,629,858   (28,959,131 (11,603,914 (2,102,436  —      (42,665,481
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       80,129,110   32,107,707   5,817,383   —      118,054,200 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2020

       116,918,822   50,241,723   7,210,075   —      174,370,620 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

    Wholesale Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       205,020,717   9,364,163   3,877,964   —      218,262,844 
    Retail like Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       46,764,260   7,028,411   4,508,535   —      58,301,206 

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (6,201,605 6,201,605   —     —      —      (3,290,768 3,290,768   —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (6,479  —    6,479   —      —      (132,027  —    132,027   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       1,813,608  (1,813,608  —     —      —      1,697,439  (1,697,439  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (21,051 21,051   —      —      —    (110,371 110,371   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —    90,874  (90,874  —      —      —    142,658  (142,658  —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       714   —    (714  —      —      32,005   —    (32,005  —     

    Financial assets derecognized during the period other than write-offs

       (93,761,209 (4,481,824 (118,942  —      (98,361,975   (17,132,751 (1,255,604 (2,968,605  —      (21,356,960

    New financial assets originated or purchased

       165,278,026  2,975,288  316,155   —      168,569,469    76,897,926  4,573,084  1,465,317   —      82,936,327 

    FX and other movements

       3,473,035  (2,973,811 2,222,491   —      2,721,715    13,347,534  2,851,237  512,835   —      16,711,606 

    Inflation Effect

       (69,507,670 (3,276,913 (1,357,062  —      (74,141,645   (12,414,283 (1,865,798 (1,196,859  —      (15,476,940
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       206,109,137   6,064,723   4,876,548   —      217,050,408 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2020

       105,769,335   12,956,946   2,388,958   —      121,115,239 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

    Naranja  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       60,123,794   10,171,605   5,825,679   —      76,121,078 
    Wholesale Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       280,598,191   8,256,549   6,638,965   —      295,493,705 

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (1,110,563 1,110,563   —     —      —      (6,918,520 6,918,520   —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (1,860,449  —    1,860,449   —      —      —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       2,598,692  (2,598,692  —     —      —      471,842  (471,842  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (2,258,668 2,258,668   —      —      —    (132,221 132,221   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —    5,664  (5,664  —      —      —     —     —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       19,427   —    (19,427  —      —      —     —     —     —      —   

    Financial assets derecognized during the period other than write-offs

       (1,605,396 (1,165,656 (2,548,634  —      (5,319,686   (102,627,396 (2,758,287 (325,587  —      (105,711,270

    New financial assets originated or purchased

       10,374,605  987,705  862,772   —      12,225,082    218,915,986  4,227,395  81,296   —      223,224,677 

    FX and other movements

       (433,410 (156,413 (141,075  —      (730,898   (52,209,009 (289,643 (3,968,340  —      (56,466,992

    Inflation Effect

       (21,039,834 (3,559,470 (2,038,649  —      (26,637,953   (74,489,053 (2,191,826 (1,762,417  —      (78,443,296
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       47,066,866   2,536,638   6,054,119   —      55,657,623 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2020

       263,742,041   13,558,645   796,138   —      278,096,824 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Retail like Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2017

       43,107,898   5,417,972   1,234,348   —      49,760,218 
    Naranja  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       64,077,108   3,453,393   8,242,112   —      75,772,613 

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (871,588 871,588   —     —      —      (1,125,451 1,125,451   —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (164,162  —    164,162   —      —      (1,376,997  —    1,376,997   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       —    5,040  (5,040  —      —      —    (505,324 505,324   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (94,558 94,558   —      —      869,079  (869,079  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       547,402  (547,402  —     —      —      —    23,171  (23,171  —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       183,698   —    (183,698  —      —   

    Financial assets derecognized during the period other than write-offs

       (9,541,426 (1,634,974 (551,549  —      (11,727,949   (2,811,379 (942,188 (5,698,219  —      (9,451,786

    New financial assets originated or purchased

       26,884,407  4,121,250  2,032,195   —      33,037,852    46,738,397  1,058,663  273,158   —      48,070,218 

    FX and other movements

       313,955  6,813  195,073   —      515,841    (440,215 38,646  92,235   —      (309,334

    Inflation effect

       (13,911,024 (1,748,393 (398,323  —      (16,057,740

    Inflation Effect

       (16,893,380 (927,015 (2,212,479  —      (20,032,874
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       46,365,462   6,397,336   2,765,424   —      55,528,222 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2020

       89,220,860   2,455,718   2,372,259   —      94,048,837 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

      Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
    Retail Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3         12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2017

       143,080,464   21,999,482   4,009,264   —      169,089,210 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       172,450,615   29,108,855   7,080,891   —      208,640,361 

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (3,273,027 3,273,027   —     —      —      (37,581,890 37,581,890   —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (1,058,724  —    1,058,724   —      —      (2,165,255  —    2,165,255   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       —    49,385  (49,385  —      —      13,388,560  (13,388,560  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (573,916 573,916   —      —      —    (1,915,261 1,915,261   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       3,221,464  (3,221,464  —     —      —      —    74,220  (74,220  —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       49,640   —    (49,640  —      —   

    Financial assets derecognized during the period other than write-offs

       (8,282,669 (2,478,551 (1,704,660  —      (12,465,880   (20,427,940 (5,018,864 (4,264,363  —      (29,711,167

    New financial assets originated or purchased

       37,070,938  9,247,249  2,268,090   —      48,586,277    26,894,580  9,264,446  4,491,277   —      40,650,303 

    FX and other movements

       2,084,944  185,542  339,011   —      2,609,497    16,827,627  (1,808,697 (866,741  —      14,152,189 

    Inflation Effect

       (46,172,411 (7,099,287 (1,293,799  —      (54,565,497   (60,347,696 (10,186,408 (2,477,900  —      (73,012,004
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       126,670,979   21,381,467   5,201,161   —      153,253,607 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       109,088,241   43,711,621   7,919,820   —      160,719,682 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

    Wholesale Portfolio  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2017

       188,138,737   12,638,355   1,245,532   —      202,022,624 
    Retail like Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       63,122,213   8,709,371   3,764,864   —      75,596,448 

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (854,642 854,642   —     —      —      (4,996,285 4,996,285   —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (15,220  —    15,220   —      —      (245,369  —    245,369   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       828,828  (828,828  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (406,583 406,583   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       722,494  (722,494  —     —        —    26,100  (26,100  —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       7,576   —    (7,576  —      —   

    Financial assets derecognized during the period other than write-offs

       (55,621,489 (5,040,182  —     —      (60,661,671   (20,470,141 (4,219,661 (2,287,429  —      (26,977,231

    New financial assets originated or purchased

       124,006,193  6,954,157  2,421,789   —      133,382,139    28,523,815  2,004,755  3,724,145   —      34,252,715 

    FX and other movements

       8,343,440  (1,241,887 597,359   —      7,698,912    2,082,732  (205,253 6,163   —      1,883,642 

    Inflation Effect

       (59,698,796 (4,078,428 (401,936  —      (64,179,160   (22,089,109 (3,047,775 (1,317,484  —      (26,454,368
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       205,020,717   9,364,163   3,877,964   —      218,262,844 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       46,764,260   7,028,411   4,508,535   —      58,301,206 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Naranja  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       
      12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3       

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2017

       63,132,651   11,384,213   4,514,973   —      79,031,837 
    Wholesale Portfolio  12-month Lifetime Lifetime Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       279,116,409   12,748,427   5,279,483   —      297,144,319 

    Transfers:

                  

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (6,051,219 6,051,219   —     —      —      (8,442,902 8,442,902   —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (2,151,017  —    2,151,017   —      —      (8,821  —    8,821   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       1,735,099  (1,735,099  —     —      —      2,469,057  (2,469,057  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —    (1,982,432 1,982,432   —      —      —    (28,659 28,659   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —    33,663  (33,663  —      —      —    123,716  (123,716  —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       28,825   —    (28,825  —      —      972   —    (972  —      —   

    Financial assets derecognized during the period other than write-offs

       (1,114,928 (1,119,775 (2,785,702  —      (5,020,405   (127,647,061 (6,101,582 (161,928  —      (133,910,571

    New financial assets originated or purchased

       24,889,161  1,180,716  1,543,536   —      27,613,413    225,010,476  4,050,575  430,415   —      229,491,466 

    FX and other movements

       28,281  32,816  (61,097  —      —      4,728,212  (4,048,564 3,025,715   —      3,705,363 

    Inflation Effect

       (20,373,059 (3,673,716 (1,456,992  —      (25,503,767   (94,628,151 (4,461,209 (1,847,512  —      (100,936,872
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       60,123,794   10,171,605   5,825,679   —      76,121,078 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       280,598,191   8,256,549   6,638,965   —      295,493,705 
      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

       Stage 1  Stage 2  Stage 3        
    Naranja  12-month  Lifetime  Lifetime  Purchased
    credit-
    impaired
       Total 

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2018

       81,852,887   13,847,683   7,931,114   —      103,631,684 

    Transfers:

           

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2

       (1,511,927  1,511,927   —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 3

       (2,532,826  —     2,532,826   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1

       3,537,875   (3,537,875  —     —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 3

       —     (3,074,964  3,074,964   —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 2

       —     7,711   (7,711  —      —   

    Transfers from Stage 3 to Stage 1

       26,448   —     (26,448  —      —   

    Financial assets derecognized during the period other than write-offs

       (2,185,596  (1,586,931  (3,469,725  —      (7,242,252

    New financial assets originated or purchased

       14,124,048   1,344,667   1,174,583   —      16,643,298 

    FX and other movements

       (590,047  (212,942  (192,062  —      (995,051

    Inflation Effect

       (28,643,754  (4,845,883  (2,775,429  —      (36,265,066
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Gross carrying amount as of December 31, 2019

       64,077,108   3,453,393   8,242,112   —      75,772,613 
      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Use of information

    Grupo Financiero Galicia, according to IFRS 9 standards, uses all information available, past, present and future to identify and estimate expected credit loss.

    Operational Risk

    The operational risk management is understood as the identification, assessment, monitoring, control and mitigation of this risk. It is an ongoing process carried out throughout the Group, which fosters a risk management culture at all organization levels through an effective policy and a program led by Senior Management.

    Identification

    The starting point of the operational risk management is the identification of risks and their association with the controls established to mitigate them, considering internal and external factors that may affect the process development. The results of this exercise are entered into a log of risks, which acts as a central repository of the nature and status of each risk and controls thereof.

    Assessment

    Once risks have been identified, the size in terms of impact, frequency and likelihood of risk occurrence is determined, considering the existing controls. The combination of impact with likelihood of occurrence determines the risk exposure level. Finally, the estimated risk levels are compared topre-established criteria, considering the balance of potential benefits and adverse results.

    Monitoring

    The monitoring process allows detecting and correcting the possible deficiencies in operational risk management policies, processes and procedures and their update.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Risk Control and Mitigation

    The control process ensures compliance with internal policies and analyzes risks and responses to avoid, accept, mitigate or share them, by aligning them with the risk tolerance defined.

    IT Risk

    The Group manages the IT risk inherent to its products, activities and business processes. It also manages the risk associated with the material information systems, technology and information security processes. It also covers the risks derived from subcontracted activities and from services rendered by providers.

    Reputational Risk

    The reputational risk may result from the materialization of other risks: Legal, Compliance, Operational, Technological, Strategic, Market, Liquidity, Credit, etc.

    The groups of interest are at the core of management, being considered upon establishing any type of mitigation measure.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Banco Galicia’s reputational risk management function was allocated to the Compliance Management Division, seeking to obtain a more comprehensive vision and be able to make immediate decisions that protect the entity’s image and reputation by using tools that enable to monitor and follow up to the perception of different groups of interest.

    Banco Galicia defined an internal policy to reduce the occurrence of reputational events with negative impact, by defining a governance model with roles and responsibilities, and identifying critical scenarios that require management and visibility.

    Contacts have been established with key business areas, devising a work scheme based on synergy and ongoing communication in order to spread the risk culture across the organization.

    The Reputational Crisis Committee is in charge of becoming aware of the events that may affect the Bank’s reputation. In the face of an event of such characteristics, all the necessary information is gathered in the shortest time possible in order to be able to make assertive decisions, formally declare the crisis situation, if appropriate, and define the action plan to alleviate the crisis. In addition, such committee determines the communication strategy to be followed, considering the groups of interest involved. Finally, the strategy and related actions are followed to tackle the crisis.

    Strategic Risk

    Strategic risk is that which arises from an inappropriate business strategy or an adverse change in forecasts, parameters, goals and other functions that support such strategy.

    It represents the possibility of fluctuations in placements that prevent Banco Galicia or its subsidiaries from obtaining the expected results of operations. These potential affected results of operations would give rise to lower income or higher costs regardless of what was budgeted.

    Money Laundering Risk

    As regards the control and prevention of asset laundering and funding of terrorist activities, Banco Galicia complies with the regulations set forth by the Argentine Central Bank, the Financial Information Unit and Law No. 25246, as amended, which creates the Financial Information Unit (UIF), within the purview of Argentina’s Ministry of Treasury and Public Finance with functional autarchy. The Financial Information Unit is in charge of analyzing, addressing and reporting the information received, in order to prevent and avoid both asset laundering and funding of terrorist activities.

    The Bank has promoted the implementation of measures designed to fight against the use of the international financial system by criminal organizations. For such purposes, Banco Galicia has control policies, procedures and structures that are applied using a “risk-based approach”, which allow for the monitoring of transactions, pursuant to the “customer profile” (defined individually based on the information and documentation related to the economic and financial condition of the customer), in order to detect such transactions that should be considered unusual, and to report them to the UIF in applicable cases. The Anti-Money Laundering Management Division (“PLA”, as per its initials in Spanish) is in charge of managing this activity, through the implementation of control and prevention procedures as well as the communication thereof to the rest of the organization by drafting the related handbooks and training all employees. In addition, the management of this risk is regularly reviewed by Internal Audit.

    The Bank has appointed a director as Compliance Officer, pursuant to Resolution 121/11, as amended, handed down by the UIF, who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with and implementation of the proceedings and obligations on the issue.

    The Bank contributes to the prevention and mitigation of risks from these transaction-related criminal behaviors, by being involved in the international regulatory standards adoption process.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Cybersecurity Risk

    The use of technologies in place facilitates us a significant number of tools that expedite and improve the Bank’s processes, having a positive impact on our products and services. However, along with the above-mentioned benefits, risks and/or threats related to these new opportunities provided by digital technologies appear.

    The cybersecurity-related risk is a matter inherent to the introduction of these new technologies. On one hand, such risk management stands out among Banco Galicia’s main goals, and, on the other, all the personnel’s as well as customers’ awareness of the considerations as regards the use of the above-mentioned technologies. In this respect, it is vital for the organization to understand thoroughly its internal processes, the tools used and the available techniques to mitigate cybersecurity-related risks.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    NOTE 46. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

     

    a) Tax Issues

    At the date of these consolidated financial statements, provincial tax collection authorities, as well as tax collection authorities from the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, are in the process (in different degrees of completion) of conducting reviews and assessments mainly in respect of matters resulting from applying turnover tax.

    These proceedings and their possible effects are constantly being monitored. Even though it is considered that it has complied with its tax liabilities in full pursuant to current regulations, the provisions deemed adequate pursuant to the evolution of each proceeding have been set up.

    b) Consumer Protection Associations

    Consumer Protection Associations, on behalf of consumers, have filed claims against Banco Galicia regarding the collection of certain financial charges.

    The Group believes that the resolution of these controversies will not have a significant impact on its financial condition.

    c) Penalties Imposed on Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. and Summary Proceedings Commenced by the Argentine Central Bank

    The penalties imposed and the summary proceedings commenced by the Argentine Central Bank are detailed in Note 53.52.

    The provisions for contingencies recorded are as follows:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Other Contingencies

       2,525,957    2,044,651    3,708,589    3,672,138 

    For Commercial Lawsuits/Legal matters

       2,102,244    1,628,525    2,758,425    2,862,007 

    For Labor Lawsuits

       169,013    148,157    268,689    230,095 

    For Claims and Credit Cards

       1,097    1,688    1,097    1,493 

    For Guarantees Granted

       1,142    1,757    1,142    1,555 

    For Other Contingencies

       252,461    264,524    458,412    343,701 

    For Termination Benefits

       171,358    133,720    220,824    233,287 

    Difference for Dollarization of Judicial Deposits—Communication “A” 4686

       44,345    42,995    62,402    60,372 

    Administrative, Disciplinary and Criminal Penalties

       5,306    8,162    5,306    7,224 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       2,746,966    2,229,528    3,776,297    3,739,734 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    NOTE 47. OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     

    Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the statement of financial position where the Group currently has a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts, and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

    The disclosures in the following tables include financial assets and liabilities that:

     

    are offset in the Group’s consolidated statement of financial position; or

     

    are subject to a netting agreement or similar agreement that covers similar financial instruments, regardless of whether they are offset in the consolidated statement of financial position.

    Financial instruments such as loans and deposits are not disclosed in the following tables since they are not offset in the consolidated statement of financial position.

    The financial instruments subject to offsetting, master netting agreements and similar agreements as of December 31, 20192020 and 20182019 are as follows:

       Offsetting effects on Statement
    Financial Position
       Related amounts not
    offset
     

    12.31.19

      Gross
    Amount
       Offset
    Amount
       Net
    amounts in
    Statement
    Financial
    Position
       Subject to
    netting
    agreements
      Total
    Net

    Amount
     

    Financial Assets

             

    Derivate Instruments

       85,528    —      85,528    (72,810  12,718 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total

       85,528    —      85,528    (72,810  12,718 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Financial Liabilities

             

    Derivate Instruments

       125,554    —      125,554    (72,810  52,744 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total

       125,554    —      125,554    (72,810  52,744 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

      Offsetting effects on Statement of
    Financial Position
       Related amounts not
    offset
       Offsetting effects on Statement of
    Financial Position
       Related amounts not
    offset
     

    12.31.18

      Gross
    Amount
       Offset
    Amount
       Net
    amounts in
    Statement
    Financial
    Position
       Subject to
    netting
    agreements
     Total Net
    Amount
     

    12.31.20

      Gross
    Amount
       Offset
    Amount
       Net
    amounts in
    Statement
    Financial
    Position
       Subject to
    netting
    agreements
     Total Net
    Amount
     

    Financial Assets

                      

    Derivate Instruments

       2,065,435    —      2,065,435    (1,910,314 155,121    27,671    —      27,671    (25,086 2,585 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Total

       2,065,435    —      2,065,435    (1,910,314  155,121    27,671    —      27,671    (25,086  2,585 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Financial Liabilities

                      

    Derivate Instruments—Forward

       2,025,439    —      2,025,439    (1,910,314 115,125 

    Derivate Instruments—Cross Currency Swaps

       42,616    10,045    32,571    —    32,571 

    Derivate Instruments

       31,493    —      31,493    (25,086 6,407 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

    Total

       2,068,055    10,045    2,058,010    (1,910,314  147,696    31,493    —      31,493    (25,086  6,407 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

     

       Offsetting effects on Statement of
    Financial Position
       Related amounts not
    offset
     

    12.31.19

      Gross
    Amount
       Offset
    Amount
       Net
    amounts in
    Statement
    Financial
    Position
       Subject to
    netting
    agreements
      Total Net
    Amount
     

    Financial Assets

             

    Derivate Instruments

       116,438    —      116,438    (99,124  17,314 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total

       116,438    —      116,438    (99,124  17,314 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Financial Liabilities

             

    Derivate Instruments

       170,930    —      170,930    (99,124  71,806 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total

       170,930    —      170,930    (99,124  71,806 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    NOTE 48.OFF-BALANCE SHEET ITEMS

     

    In the normal course of business and in order to meet customers’ financing needs,off-balance sheet transactions are performed. These instruments expose the Group to the credit risk, in addition to loans recognized in assets. These financial instruments include credit lending commitments, letters of credit reserve, guarantees granted and acceptances.

    The same credit policies for agreed credits, guarantees and loan granting are used. Outstanding commitments and guarantees do not represent an unusually high credit risk.

    Agreed Credits

    They are commitments to grant loans to a customer in a future date, subject to compliance with certain contractual agreements that usually have fixed maturity dates or other termination clauses and may require a fee payment.

    Commitments are expected to expire without resorting to them. The total amounts of agreed commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer’s solvency is assessed case by case.

    Guarantees Granted

    The issuing bank commits to reimbursing the loss to the beneficiary if the secured debtor does not comply with its obligation upon maturity.

    Export and Import Documentary Credits

    They are conditional commitments issued by the Group to secure a customer’s compliance towards a third party.

    Responsibilities for Foreign Trade Transactions

    They are conditional commitments for foreign trade transactions.

    Our exposure to credit loss upon the other party’s default in the financial instrument is represented by the contractual notional amount of the same investments.

    The credit exposure for these transactions is detailed below.

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Agreed Credits

       19,951,554    22,993,896    33,133,907    27,162,163 

    Documentary Export and Import Credits

       2,596,376    1,661,462    2,483,005    3,534,722 

    Guarantees Granted

       16,133,160    25,063,345    12,658,942    21,963,779 

    Liabilities for Foreign Trade Operations

       1,702,021    360,905    916,751    2,317,141 

    The fees and commissions related to the items mentioned above as of the indicated dates were as follows:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    For Agreed Credits

       103,819    186,929    19,432    141,340 

    For Documentary Export and Import Credits

       90,956    105,963    104,595    123,828 

    For Guarantees Granted

       240,639    126,205    72,070    327,608 

    The credit risk of these instruments is essentially the same as that involved in lending credit facilities to customers.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    To grant guarantees to our customers, we may require counter-guarantees, which, classified by type, amount to:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Other Preferred Guarantees Received

       929,660    10,455,207    65,887    1,265,645 

    Other Guarantees Received

       523,786    455,901    285,247    713,086 

    Additionally, checks to be debited and credited, as well as other elements in the collection process, such as, notes, invoices and miscellaneous items, are recorded in memorandum accounts until the related instrument is approved or accepted.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The risk of loss in these offsetting transactions is not significant.

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Values to be Debited

       5,370,342    5,304,698    7,001,365    7,311,215 

    Values to be Credited

       6,755,857    6,836,124    10,518,835    9,197,463 

    Values for Collection

       38,507,579    42,497,530    85,197,420    52,424,444 

    The Group acts as trustee by virtue of trust agreements to secure obligations derived from several agreements between parties. The amounts of trust funds and securities held in custody as of the indicated dates are as follows:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Trust Funds

       6,963,520    9,027,701    8,780,506    9,480,177 

    Securities Held in Escrow

       465,282,723    664,627,687    804,332,490    633,438,634 

    These trusts are not included in the consolidation since the Group does not exert control on them.

    NOTE 49. TRANSFER OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

     

    All portfolio sales carried out by the Group are without recourse; therefore, they all qualify for the full derecognition of financial assets.

    When this derecognition takes place, the difference between the book value and the value in the offsetting entry is charged to Income.

    NOTE 50.NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

     

    The following tables provide information about each subsidiary that has anon-controlling interest.

    Thenon-controlling equity investment percentages and votes as of the indicated dates are as follows:

     

    Company

      

    Place of Business

      12.31.19 12.31.18   

    Place of Business

      12.31.20 12.31.19 

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

      Córdoba – Argentina   17.00 17.00  Códoba - Argentina   0.00 17.00

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.

      Autonomous City of Buenos Aires – Argentina   0.01 0.01  CABA - Argentina   0.01 0.01

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A.

      Autonomous City of Buenos Aires – Argentina   0.00 0.00  CABA - Argentina   0.00 0.00

    Galicia Seguros S.A.

      Autonomous City of Buenos Aires – Argentina   0.00 0.00  CABA - Argentina   0.00 0.00

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

      Autonomous City of Buenos Aires – Argentina   17.00  —     CABA - Argentina   0.00 17.00

    Ondara S.A.

      Autonomous City of Buenos Aires – Argentina   16.15 16.15  CABA - Argentina   0.00 16.15

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

      Córdoba – Argentina   17.00 17.00  Códoba - Argentina   0.00 17.00

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

      Autonomous City of Buenos Aires – Argentina   17.00 17.00  CABA - Argentina   0.00 17.00

    Changes in the Group’snon-controlling interests as of the indicated dates were as follows:

     

    Company

      Balance as
    of

    12.31.18
       Purchases /
    Contributions
    / Sales
       Cash
    Dividends
       Profit
    Sharing in
    income
    (loss)

    for the
    Year
      Balance as
    of

    12.31.19
     

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       17,869    —      —      (37,434  (19,565

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.

       3    —      —      —     3 

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A.

       3    —      —      —     3 

    Galicia Seguros S.A.

       4    —      —      —     4 

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

       —      —      —      (15,074  (15,074

    Ondara S.A.

       9,299    —      —      (939  8,360 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       2,292,912    —      —      233,816   2,526,728 

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       329,725    132,203    —      (69,375  392,553 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total

       2,649,815    132,203    —      110,994   2,893,012 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Company

      Balance as
    of

    12.31.17
       Purchases /
    Contributions
    / Sales
     Cash
    Dividends
     Profit
    Sharing in
    income
    (loss)

    for the
    Year
     Balance as
    of

    12.31.18
       Balance as
    of

    12.31.19
     Purchases /
    Contributions
    / Sales
     Cash
    Dividends
     Profit
    Sharing in
    income
    (loss)

    for the
    Year
     Balance as
    of

    12.31.20
     

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       20,430    —     —    (2,561 17,869    (26,636  —     —    (49,983 (76,619

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.

       3    —     —     —    3    4   —     —    (1 3 

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A.

       3    —     —     —    3    4   —     —    (4  —   

    Galicia Seguros S.A.

       4    —     —     —    4    5   —     —    (5  —   

    Galicia Valores S.A.

       —      —     —     —     —   

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

       (20,522)��  —     —    (50,273 (70,795

    Ondara S.A.

       10,882    —    80  (1,663 9,299    11,382   —     —    (879 10,503 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       4,178,765    (1,185,236 (211,415 (489,202 2,292,912    3,439,901   —     —    514,371  3,954,272 

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       333,323    —    62,441  (66,039 329,725    534,426  (4,135,824 (143,844 (72,119 (3,817,361
      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

       4,543,410    (1,185,236  (148,894  (559,465  2,649,815    3,938,564   (4,135,824  (143,844  341,107   3 
      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    Company

      Balance as
    of

    12.31.18
       Purchases /
    Contributions
    / Sales
       Cash
    Dividends
       Profit
    Sharing in
    income
    (loss)

    for the
    Year
      Balance as
    of

    12.31.19
     

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       24,327    —      —      (50,963  (26,636

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.

       4    —      —      —     4 

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A.

       4    —      —      —     4 

    Galicia Seguros S.A.

       5    —      —      —     5 

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

       —      —      —      (20,522  (20,522

    Ondara S.A.

       12,660    —      —      (1,278  11,382 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       3,121,583    —      —      318,318   3,439,901 

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       448,887    179,986    —      (94,447  534,426 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total

       3,607,470    179,986    —      151,108   3,938,564 
      

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Company

      Balance as
    of

    12.31.17
       Purchases /
    Contributions
    / Sales
      Cash
    Dividends
      Profit
    Sharing in
    income
    (loss)

    for the
    Year
      Balance as
    of

    12.31.18
     

    Cobranzas Regionales S.A.

       27,814    —     —     (3,487  24,327 

    Galicia Broker Asesores de Seguros S.A.

       4    —     —     —     4 

    Galicia Retiro Compañía de Seguros S.A.

       4    —     —     —     4 

    Galicia Seguros S.A.

       5    —     —     —     5 

    Naranja Digital Compañía Financiera S.A.U.

       —      —     —     —     —   

    Ondara S.A.

       14,815    —     109   (2,264  12,660 

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       5,688,995    (1,613,587  (287,822  (666,003  3,121,583 

    Tarjetas Regionales S.A.

       453,788    —     85,004   (89,905  448,887 
      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Total

       6,185,425    (1,613,587  (202,709  (761,659  3,607,470 
      

     

     

       

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Summary information on subsidiaries is detailed in Note 15.

    NOTE 51. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     

    Related parties are all those entities that directly, or indirectly through other entities, have control over another, are under the same controlling party or may have significant influence on another entity’s financial or operational decisions.

    The Group controls another entity when it has the power over other entities’ financial and operating decisions and also has a share of profits thereof.

    Additionally, the Group considers that it has joint control when there is an agreement between parties regarding the control of a common economic activity.

    Finally, those cases where the Group has significant influence is due to the capacity to take part in decisions about the company’s financial policy and operations. Those shareholders who hold an equity investment equal to or higher than 20% of the total votes of the Group or its subsidiaries are considered to have significant influence. To determine those situations, not only the legal aspects are observed, but also the nature and substance of the relationship.

    Furthermore, the key personnel of the Group’s Management (Board of Directors members and Managers of the Group and its subsidiaries), as well as the entities over which the key personnel may have significant influence or control are considered as related parties.

     

    51.1.

    Controlling Entity

    The Group is controlled by:

     

    Name

      

    Nature

      

    Principal Line of Business

      

    Place of Business

      Equity Investment % 

    EBA Holding S.A.

      55.11%54.09% of voting rights  

    Financial and Investment

    Operations

      

    Autonomous City of

    Buenos Aires – Argentina

       19.7119.07

     

    51.2.

    Key Personnel’s Compensation

    The compensation earned by the Group’s key personnel as of December 31, 20192020 and December 31, 20182019 amounts to Ps.976.364Ps.1,307,741 and Ps.976.163,Ps.976,364 respectively.

     

    51.3.

    Key Personnel’s Structure

    Key personnel’s structure as of the indicated dates is as follows:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Regular Directors

       74    67 

    General Manager

       2    1 

    Area Managers

       10    11 

    Department Managers

       67    70 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       153    149 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Regular Directors

       79    74 

    General Manager

       2    2 

    Area Managers

       13    10 

    Department Managers

       46    67 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       140    153 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

    51.4.

    Related Party Transactions

    The following table shows the total credit assistance granted by the Group to key personnel, syndics, majority shareholders, as well as all individuals who are related to them by a family relationship of up to the second degree of consanguinity or first degree by affinity (pursuant to the Argentine Central Bank’s definition of related individual) and any entity affiliated with any of these parties, not required to be consolidated.

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Total Amount of Credit Assistance

       1,101,736    1,471,313    1,991,604    1,499,910 

    Number of Addressees (quantities)

       283    329    269    283 

    - Natural Persons

       229    269    208    229 

    - Legal Entities

       54    60    61    54 

    Average Amount of Credit Assistance

       3,893    4,472    7,404    5,300 

    Maximum Assistance

       437,802    557,970    508,945    596,026 

    Financial assistance, including the one that was restructured, was granted in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with othernon-related parties. Besides, this financial assistance did not involve more than the normal risk of loan losses or present other unfavorable features.

    The information about the credit assistance granted to affiliates based on the quality of receivables, their documentation and preferred guarantees is stated in Schedule N.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    51.5.

    Amounts of Related Party Transactions

    The amounts of related party transactions conducted as of the indicated dates are as follows:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Assets

            

    Cash and Due from Banks

       3,403,863    388,659    1,392,563    4,634,039 

    Debt Securities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       44,154    193,428    738,302    60,112 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       408    —   

    Other Financial Assets

       7,632    79,861    1,659    10,390 

    Loans and Other Financing

       1,978,576    4,797,073    3,354,891    2,693,645 

    Other Debt Securities

       131,328    202,700    170,656    178,791 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       —      555 

    Assets for Insurance Contracts

       547    —   

    OtherNon-financial Assets

       2,169    —      —      2,953 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total Assets

       5,568,130    5,661,721    5,658,618    7,580,485 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Liabilities

            

    Deposits

       4,104,180    2,074,435    1,707,028    5,587,455 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       849,064    748,351 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and other Financial Institutions

       673,029    —      2,153,464    916,266 

    Other Financial Liabilities

       549,690    1,842,363 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       —      831,936 

    Debt Securities Issued

       175,482    805,116    908,958    238,903 

    Liabilities for Insurance Contracts

       4,008    66,602    23    5,457 

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

       61,741    41,269    40,081    84,053 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total Liabilities

       5,568,130    5,661,721    5,658,618    7,580,485 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.17   12.31.20   12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Income (Loss)

                

    Net Income (Loss) from Interest

       360,120    43,035    56,932    226,467    490,269    58,588 

    Net Fee Income (Expense)

       (882,802   (52,872   (2,382,485   (1,085,741   (1,201,852   (71,981

    Net Income from Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       (904   —      —   

    Other Operating Income (Expense)

       (1,193,475   (1,576,194   (2,682,854

    Income from Insurance Business

       1,755,199    1,933,673    2,465,431    2,005,616    2,389,538    2,632,514 

    Other Operating Income (Expense)

       (1,157,769   (1,970,650   (127,804

    Administrative Expenses

       128,208    47,662    53,109    121,002    174,543    64,887 

    Other Operating Expenses

       6,818    —      —      14,459    9,282    —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total Income

       209,774    848    65,183    87,424    285,586    1,154 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    NOTE 52. ACQUISITION OF DEBT SECURITIES UNDER SECTION 35 BIS OF

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LAWSTATEMENTS

     

    Banco Finansur S.A. was suspended to operate by the Argentine Central Bank from November 9, 2017 to February 9, 2018. On January 12, 2018, Banco Galicia reported about its participation in the process under Section 35 bis of Financial Institutions Law. In addition, on March 9, 2018, Banco Galicia reported that the Argentine Central Bank approved the transfer of certain secured liabilities of Banco Finansur S.A. in exchange for debt securities by creating a Private Financial Trust called Fidensur.

    Said Trust has not been consolidated since the Group is not exposed to variable yields (its exposure is limited to the residual value of the fiduciary debt value), nor is it entitled to additional benefits at an annual nominal rate of 28% interest over the debt security residual value, nor does it have the capacity to influence on the increase in these yields.

    The Group has fully provisioned the debt-representing securities as of December 31, 2019, while as of December 31, 2018, they were in the “Other Debt Securities” item, valuated at amortized cost for a value of Ps.115,025.

    NOTE 53.52. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE ARGENTINE CENTRAL BANK

     

    53.1.52.1. CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEPOSIT INSURANCE SYSTEM

    Law No. 24485 and Decree No. 540/95 established the creation of the Deposit Insurance System to cover the risk attached to bank deposits, in addition to the system of privileges and safeguards envisaged in the Financial Institutions Law.

    The National Executive Branch through Decree No. 1127/98 established the maximum amount for this insurance system to demand deposits and time deposits denominated either in Pesos and/or in foreign currency. Such limit was set at Ps.1,000Ps.1,500 as from MarchMay 1, 2019.2020.

    This system does not cover deposits made by other financial institutions (including time deposit certificates acquired through a secondary transaction), deposits made by parties related to the Bank, either directly or indirectly, deposits of securities, acceptances or guarantees and those deposits set up at an interest rate exceeding the one established regularly by the Argentine Central Bank.

    Deposits acquired through endorsement, placements made as a result of incentives other than interest rates andlocked-up balances from deposits and other excluded transactions are also excluded. This system has been implemented through the creation of the Deposit Insurance Fund (“FGD”), which is managed by a company called Seguros de Depósitos S.A. (“SEDESA”). SEDESA’s shareholders are the Argentine Central Bank and the financial institutions in the proportion determined for each one by the Argentine Central Bank based on the contributions made to the fund.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The monthly contribution institutions should make to the FGD is 0.015% on the monthly average of total deposits.

    53.2.52.2. RESTRICTED ASSETS

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, and 2018,2019, the ability to freely dispose of the following assets is restricted, as follows:

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

     

    a)

    Cash and Government Securities

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    For transactions in ROFEX

       1,309,372    583,034 

    For repurchase transactions

       —      899,352 

    For debit / credit cards transactions

       2,264,694    3,309,804 

    For attachments

       9,410    325 

    Liquid offsetting entry required to operate as CNV agent

       10,754    31,397 

    For contribution to M.A.E.’ s Joint Guarantee Fund (Fondo de Garantía Mancomunada)

       89,850    400,287 

    Collateral of the Inter-American Development Bank’s credit line

       —      130,861 

    Guarantees for the Regional Economies Competitiveness Program (PROCER, as per its initials in Spanish)

       326,814    254,846 

    For other transactions

       14,921    18,388 
       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    For transactions in ROFEX, MAE and BYMA

       3,905,372    1,782,587 

    For debit / credit cards transactions

       3,020,109    3,083,168 

    For attachments

       9,410    12,811 

    Liquid offsetting entry required to operate as CNV agent

       64,020    14,641 

    For contribution to M.A.E.’ s Joint Guarantee Fund (Fondo de Garantía Mancomunada)

       1,100    122,322 

    Guarantees for the Regional Economies Competitiveness Program

       184,744    444,927 

    For other transactions (includes guarantees linked to rental contracts)

       19,802    20,313 

     

    b)

    Special Guarantees Accounts

    Special guarantee accounts have been opened at the Argentine Central Bank as collateral for transactions involving electronic clearing houses, checks for settling debts and other similar transactions as of the indicated dates, which amount to:

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Escrow Accounts

       7,525,500    7,981,085 
       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Escrow Accounts

       11,444,550    10,245,260 

     

    c)

    Deposits in favor of the Argentine Central Bank

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Unavailable deposits due to exchange transactions

       533    820 
       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Unavailable deposits due to exchange transactions

       533    726 

     

    d)

    Equity Investments

    The account “Equity Investments” includes 1,222,406non-transferablenon-endorsable non-transferable non-endorsable registered ordinary shares in Electrigal S.A., the transfer of which is subject to approval by the national authorities, according to the terms of the previously executed concession contract.

     

    e)

    Contributions to Garantizar S.G.R.’s Risk Fund

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., in its capacity as sponsoring partner of Garantizar S.G.R.’s Risk Fund, is committed to maintaining the contributions made to the fund for two (2) years.

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Contributions to the Fund

       990,000    599,946 
       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Contributions to the Fund

       990,000    1,347,792 

    f)

    Guarantees Granted for Direct Obligations

    Galicia Valores S.A.INVIU S.A.U.

     

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Liquid offsetting entry required to operate as CNV agents

       16,713    14,719 

    Guarantees linked to surety bonds

       1,000    —   

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Attachments arising from judicial cases

       2,341    2,774 

    Guarantees linked to rental contracts

       6,764    7,681 

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Liquid offsetting entry required to operate as collective investment products administration agents of mutual funds, as required by CNV(*)

       10,139    13,991 

    (*)

    As of December 31, 2019, it corresponds to 1,480,660 shares of Fima Premium Class “B” Mutual Fund.

       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Total Restricted Assets

       12,578,805    14,249,310 
       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Liquid offsetting entry required to operate as CNV agents

       18,469    22,753 

    Guarantees linked to surety bonds

       7,417    —   

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    53.3.Tarjeta Naranja S.A.

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Attachments arising from judicial cases

       973    3,188 

    Guarantees linked to rental contracts

       7,076    9,209 

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Liquid offsetting entry required to operate as collective investment products administration agents of mutual funds, as required by CNV(*)

       13,903    13,803 

    (*)

    As of December 31, 2020, it corresponds to 1,620,000 shares of Fima Premium Class “B” Mutual Fund.

    Galicia Securities S.A.

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    For transactions in the market

       48,015    —   

    Liquid offsetting entry required to operate as CNV agents

       11,270    —   

    Guarantees linked to surety bonds

       1,129    —   

    The total amount of restricted assets for the reasons stated above in the aforementioned controlled companies, as of the indicated dates, is as follows:

       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Total Restricted Assets

       19,747,892    17,123,500 

    52.3. TRUST ACTIVITIES

     

    a)

    Trust Contracts for Purposes of Guaranteeing Compliance with Obligations:

    Purpose: In order to guarantee compliance with contractual obligations, the parties to these agreements have agreed to deliver to Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., as fiduciary property, amounts to be applied according to the following breakdown:

     

    Date of Contract

      

    Trustor

      Balances of Trust Funds   Maturity (1)   

    Trustor

      Balances of Trust
    Funds
       Maturity (1) 

    04.17.12

      Exxon Mobil   8,208    04.19.21   Exxon Mobil   13,540    04.19.21 

    09.12.14

      Port Workers Cooperative   1,156    09.12.20   Coop. de Trab. Portuarios   1,009    09.12.22 

    04.14.16

      Rios Belt   172    12.31.20   Rios Belt   121    12.31.21 

    05.24.17

      MSU   155    07.29.20   MSU   33    12.31.21 
        

     

           

     

       

    Total

         9,691        14,703   
        

     

           

     

       

     

    (1)

    These amounts shall be released monthly until settlement date of trustor obligations or maturity date, whichever occurs first.

     

    b)

    Financial Trust Contracts:

    Purpose: To administer and exercise the fiduciary ownership of the trust assets until the redemption of debt securities and participation certificates:

     

    Contract date

      

    Trust

      Balances of Trust Funds   Maturity(*) 

    12.06.06

      Gas I   102,053    12.31.20 

    05.14.09

      Gas II   6,784,669    12.31.22 

    02.10.11

      Cag S.A.   389    12.31.20 

    06.08.11

      Mila III   12,208    12.31.20 

    09.01.11

      Mila IV   792    12.31.20 

    09.14.11

      Cag S.A. II   607    12.31.20 

    02.13.14

      Mila V   5    12.31.20 

    06.06.14

      Mila VI   5    12.31.20 

    06.18.14

      Red Surcos II   1,356    12.31.20 

    10.03.14

      Mila VII   5    01.20.21 

    01.13.15

      Red Surcos III   767    12.31.20 

    01.27.15

      Mila VIII   5    12.31.20 

    05.18.15

      Mila IX   260    09.15.21 

    08.24.15

      Mila X   5    12.20.21 

    10.30.15

      Mila XI   5    01.15.22 

    01.14.16

      Mila XII   272    11.15.21 

    02.05.16

      Red Surcos IV   870    12.31.20 

    05.13.16

      Mila XIII   387    09.15.22 

    09.01.16

      Mila XIV   387    01.31.23 

    10.27.16

      Mila XV   5,890    03.31.23 

    01.10.17

      Mila XVI   387    06.30.23 

    02.24.17

      Mila XVII   18,758    09.30.23 

    06.12.17

      Mila XVIII   23,559    01.31.24 

    10.27.17

      Mila XIX   47    05.31.24 

    02.16.18

      Mila XX   141    09.30.24 
        

     

     

       

    Totals

         6,953,829   
        

     

     

       

    Contract date

      

    Trust

      Balances of Trust Funds   Maturity(*) 

    12.06.06

      GAS I   133,278    12.31.21 

    05.14.09

      GAS II   8,614,193    12.31.22 

    06.08.11

      MILA III   17,118    12.31.21 

    01.09.11

      MILA IV   295    12.31.21 

    06.12.17

      MILA XVIII   919    01.31.24 
        

     

     

       

    Total

         8,765,803   
        

     

     

       

     

    (*)

    Estimated date, since maturity date shall occur at the time of the distribution of all of trust assets.

     

    c)

    Activities as Security Agent:

     

    c.1)

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. has been appointed Security Agent of the National Treasury’s endorsement guarantees in favor of ENARSA (Energía Argentina S.A.) that were assigned in favor of Nación Fideicomisos S.A. in its capacity as Trustee of the “ENARSA-BARRAGAN” and “ENARSA-BRIGADIER LOPEZ” financial trusts.

    Said endorsement guarantees the secure payment of all obligations arising from the above-mentioned trusts.

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., in its capacity as Security Agent, will take custodysafeguarded the documentation of the documents regarding the National Treasury’s endorsement guaranteesTreasury sureties and will be in charge ofwas responsible for managing all the legal and notarial proceedings with respectaspects in relation to their execution. When the enforcement thereof.

    Asobligation was extinguished, sureties were returned to BICE Fideicomisos S.A. on October 22, 2019; at the closing of December 31, 2019, balances for such operationssaid year, the repayment of the expense fund was pending. Said expenses amounted to Ps.408, and they amounted to USD1,364,097 and Ps.628Ps. 555 as of December 31, 2018.

    And Trust for Guarantee Purposes “Profertil S.A.”, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. was appointed security agent with regard to the Chattel Mortgage Agreement, a transaction that was completed on June 18, 2013, which additionally secures all the obligations undertaken.

    As of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the balances recorded from these transactions amount to USD116,500.2019.

    All the transactions detailed above are recorded inoff-balance sheet items - items—trust funds.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

     

    d)

    Creation Up of Financial Trusts

    As of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Group records in its own portfolio, participation certificates and Debt Securities from financial trusts amounting to Ps.345,341 and Ps.7,139,883, respectively.Ps.474,161, valued at amortized cost.

    53.4.52.4. COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS

    53.4.1.52.4.1. Agents – Minimum Liquidity requirement

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

    Within the framework of CNV Resolution No. 622/13, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. has been duly registered with such agency in the following categories: Escrow Agent for Collective Investment Products in the Financial Trustors’ Registry No. 54, and Settlement and Integral Compensation Agent No. 22 (AlyC and AN - AN—INTEGRAL).

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, for the Escrow Agent for Collective Investment Products in the Financial Trustors’ Registry, the required Shareholders’ Equity amounts to Ps.22,401,Ps.61,104, and the minimum required offsetting entry is Ps.11,200.Ps.30,552.

    For AlyC and AN - AN—INTEGRAL, suchsaid requirement amounts to Ps. 22,182,30,253, with the minimum required liquid offsetting entry required of Ps. 11,091,15,126, which the Bank integrated with Treasury Bills linked to dollars (Lelinks),in Argentine pesos for Ps. 64,020, registered in escrow accounts of Caja de Valores (Principal 100100).

    Likewise, Galicia Valores S.A.U. has been authorized to act as “Settlement and Compensation Agent and Trading Agent – Own Portfolio” as established in CNV General Resolution No. 622/13. Administradora de Fondos S.A.

    In accordance with the expected requirements set forth in CNV Resolution No. 792, the minimum Shareholders’ Equity required to operate in this category amounts to Ps. 22,182 and the minimum offsetting entry amounts to Ps. 11,091.

    As of December 31, 2019, the offsetting entry is integrated in a demand account held at Banco Galicia for an amount of thousands of USD 280.

    Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A.,as Escrow Agent for Collective Investment Products, Mutual Funds amounts to Ps.27,658 and the minimum offsetting entry amounts to Ps.13,829. Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A. integrated said requirement with 1,620,000 shares of Fondo Fima Premium Class “C”, equivalent to Ps.13,903.

    Galicia Securities S.A.

    In accordance with the requirements set forth in General Resolution No. 622, the ALyC and AN Integral must have a minimum Shareholders’ Equity equivalent to 470,350 Units of Purchasing Value (UVA), with said requirement amounting to Ps.30,253 as of December 31, 2019 had integrated2020, and the minimum offsetting entry required is Ps.15,126. For Placement and Distribution Agents of Mutual Funds, said requirement amounts to Ps.2,500, and the minimum required liquid offsetting entry is Ps.1,250.

    As of December 31, 2020 , Galicia Securities S.A. integrated said requirements in government securities for an amount of Ps.12,270 and a bank guarantee for Ps. 6,171.

    INVIU S.A.U.

    In accordance with 1,480,660 sharesthe requirements set forth in General Resolution No. 622, the ALyC and AN Integral must have a minimum Shareholders’ Equity equivalent to 470,350 Units of Fima Premium B Mutual Fund.Purchasing Value (UVA), with said requirement amounting to Ps.30,253 as of December 31, 2020, and the minimum offsetting entry required is Ps.15,126.

    53.4.2.As of December 31, 2020, INVIU S.A.U. integrated said requirements in a demand account for an amount of thousand USD220.

    52.4.2. Custodial Agent of Collective Investment Products Corresponding to Mutual Funds

    Furthermore, in compliance with Section 7 of Chapter II, Title V of that Resolution, in its capacity as custodial agent of collective investment products corresponding to mutual funds (depository) of the “FIMA ACCIONES”, “FIMA P.B. ACCIONES”, “FIMA RENTA EN PESOS”, “FIMA AHORRO PESOS”, “FIMA RENTA PLUS”, “FIMA PREMIUM”, “FIMA AHORRO PLUS”, “FIMA CAPITAL PLUS”, “FIMA ABIERTO PYMES”, “FIMA MIX I”, “FIMA RENTA DÓLARES I” and “FIMA RENTA DOLARES II” funds, as of December 31, 2019,2020, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. holds a total of 11,045,967,40322,081,526,592 units under custody for a market value of Ps.80,719,884,Ps.192,415,131, which is included in the “Depositors of Securities Held in Custody” account. As the closing of previous fiscal year, the securities held in custody totaled 9,623,110,82911,045,967,403 units and their market value amounted to Ps.92,962,948Ps.109,892,525.

    The balances of the Mutual Funds as of the indicated dates are detailed as follows:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    Mutual Fund

      12.31.19   12.31.18 

    FIMA Acciones

       403,081    504,763 

    FIMA P.B. Acciones

       691,359    1,105,180 

    FIMA Renta en pesos

       234,565    377,402 

    FIMA Ahorro pesos

       2,664,049    15,217,061 

    FIMA Renta Plus

       147,607    223,531 

    FIMA Premium

       68,786,916    45,343,287 

    FIMA Ahorro Plus

       2,731,723    15,333,412 

    FIMA Capital Plus

       113,239    315,463 

    FIMA Abierto PyMES

       584,054    481,169 

    FIMA Mix I

       57,114    10,285 

    FIMA Renta Dólares I(*)

       1,659,818    11,342,465 

    FIMA Renta Dólares II(*)

       543,510    2,390,960 

    FIMA Renta Fija Internacional

       2,009,672    297,847 

    FIMA Acciones Latinoamericanas Dólares(*)

       93,177    20,124 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       80,719,884    92,962,949 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Mutual Fund

      12.31.20   12.31.19 

    FIMA Acciones

       590,257    548,757 

    FIMA P.B. Acciones

       633,036    941,220 

    FIMA Renta en pesos

       1,098,300    319,338 

    FIMA Ahorro pesos

       7,252,021    3,626,852 

    FIMA Renta Plus

       739,739    200,953 

    FIMA Premium

       148,692,964    93,646,912 

    FIMA Ahorro Plus

       12,706,534    3,718,984 

    FIMA Capital Plus

       16,650,938    154,164 

    FIMA Abierto PyMES

       758,538    795,135 

    FIMA Mix I

       2,047,362    77,755 

    FIMA Renta Dólares I (*)

       —      2,259,686 

    FIMA Renta Dólares II (*)

       —      739,938 

    FIMA Renta Fija Internacional

       1,172,774    2,735,979 

    FIMA Acciones Latinoamericanas Dólares(*)

       72,668    126,852 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Total

       192,415,131    109,892,525 
      

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

    (*)

    Stated at the reference exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar set by the Argentine Central Bank. See Note 1.6.(b).

    All the transactions detailed above are recorded inoff-balance sheet items—securities held in custody.

    The mutual funds detailed above have not been consolidated as the Group is not a controlling company thereof, since the depository role does not imply in this case:

     

    power over the trust to run material activities;

     

    exposure or right to variable returns;

     

    capacity to have influence on the amount of returns to be received for the involvement.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    53.4.3.52.4.3. Storage of Documents

    Pursuant to General Resolution No. 629 of the CNV, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. notes that it has supporting documents regarding accounting and management transactions, which are stored at AdeA (C.U.I.T.No. 30-68233570-6), Plant III located at Ruta Provincial 36 km 31.5 No. 6471 (CP 1888) Bosques, Province of Buenos Aires, with legal domicile at Av. Pte. Roque Sáenz Peña 832, 1st.Juramento 1775, 4th. floor, (CP 1428), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.

    53.5.52.5. COMPLIANCE WITH MINIMUM CASH REQUIREMENTS:

    As of December 31, 2019,2020, the balances recorded as computable items are as follows:

     

      Currency   Government Securities   Currency 

    Item

      Ps.   USD   Euros(*)   Ps.   USD   Ps.   USD   Euros(*) 

    Checking Accounts held in Argentine Central Bank

       29,950,825    745,161    28    —      —      1,000    1,217,252    31 

    Escrow Accounts held in Argentine Central Bank

       6,680,980    14,100    —      —      —      11,148,780    3,515    —   

    National Treasury Bonds in Argentine Pesos at Fixed Rate, maturity November 2020

       10,615,788    —      —      —      —   

    Liquidity Bills

       14,732,766    —      —      —      —   

    Sub-accounts 60 Minimum Cash in Settlement Central Office (Central de Registro de Liquidación, CRYL) of Government Securities and Debt Instruments Issued by the Argentine Central Bank

       —      —      —      68,000    1,431 

    National Treasury Bonds in Argentine Pesos computable for minimum cash

       18,343,599    —      —   

    Liquidity Bills computable for minimum cash

       46,617,121    —      —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total for integration Minimum Cash

       61,980,359    759,261    28    68,000    1,431    76,110,500    1,220,767    31 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

     

    (*)

    Stated in thousands of USD.

    53.6.52.6. PENALTIES IMPOSED ON BANCO DE GALICIA Y BUENOS AIRES S.A.U. AND SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS COMMENCED BY THE ARGENTINE CENTRAL BANK

    Penalties Imposed on Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. Existing as of December 31, 2019:2020:

    U.I.F.’s Summary Proceedings No. 68/09. Penalty notification date: February 25, 2010. Reason for the imposition of the penalty: Alleged omission to report suspicious activities, in possible infringement of Act No. 25246. As a consequence of the aforementioned summary proceedings, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., one of its directors and one of its officers were punished with a fine in the amount of Ps.4,483. Status of the proceedings: Division I of the Argentine Federal Court of Appeals in Administrative Matters partially revoked the penalties, releasing Eduardo A. Fanciulli from any liability and reducing the fines imposed. The UIF, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. and Mr. Enrique M. Garda Olaciregui filed federal extraordinary appeals before Argentine Supreme Court (CSJN). Accounting treatment: As of December 31, 2019, a provision forof Ps.5,306 is recorded, whereas a provision for Ps.8,162 was recorded as of December 31, 20182020.

    Summary Proceedings No. 1544: 1544. Penalty notification date: November 9, 2018. Reason for the imposition of the penalty: Alleged breach of the provisions set out in Argentine Central Bank’s Communiqué “A” 6242, SINAP 1—61. As a consequence of the aforementioned summary proceedings, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., three of its directors and certain relevant officers were punished with a fine in the amount of Ps.1,497.officers. Status of the proceedings: The Bank will file anOn November 26, 2018, a direct appeal againstto the penalty withwas filed before the Argentine FederalNational Court of Appeals infor Federal Administrative MattersDisputes of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires,Federal Capital, under the terms of sectionArticle 42 of Law No. 21526, as21,526, amended by Law No. 24144.24,144; Room V was drawn to issue judgment. On February 26, 2020 said Room V decided to reject the direct appeal and confirm the penalties, which was notified on February 27. Against said resolution, on March 12, 2020, an extraordinary federal appeal was filed which is actually being treated by Room V.

    53.7.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    UIF Proceedings -Docket 867/13. Penalty Notification date: June 19, 2020. Reason of the Penalty: Alleged non-compliance with the provisions of Article 21 of the Anti-Money Laundering Law and alleged non-compliance with the provisions of UIF Resolution No. 121/11, especially with the provisions of Article 13 (subsections i and j, and section II); Article 14 (subsection h); Article 21 (subsection a); Article 23; and Article 24 (subsections d, e and h). These objections are related to the transactions monitoring system regarding prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, and required information allegedly missing. Amount applied and responsible persons receiving penalties: Penalties for global amounts of Ps.440 applied to the Bank and eight Directors. Status of the Case: On September 14, 2020, the direct appeal to the penalty was filed before the National Court of Appeals for Federal Administrative Disputes of the Federal Capital, under the terms of Article 25 of Law No. 25,246, amended by Law No. 24,144; Room III, where the proceeding is pending, was designated to issue judgment.

    The Group considers that the resolution of these proceedings will not have significant impact on its equity.

    52.7. ISSUANCE OF DEBT SECURITIES

    The issuance of debt securities is detailed in Notes 27 and 28.

    53.8.52.8. RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS

    Pursuant to Section 70 of the General Corporations Law, Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. should transfer 5% of the net income for the year to the Legal Reserve until 20% of the capital stock is reached, plus the balance of the Capital Adjustment account.

    With respect to Banco Galicia, the Argentine Central Bank regulations require that 20% of the profits shown in the Income Statement at fiscalyear-end, plus (or less), the adjustments made in previous fiscal years and, less, if any, the loss accumulated at previous fiscalyear-end, be allocated to the legal reserve.

    This proportion applies regardless of the ratio of the Legal Reserve fund to Capital Stock. Should the Legal Reserve be used to absorb losses, earnings shall be distributed only if the value of the Legal Reserve reaches 20% of the Capital Stock plus the Capital Adjustment.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The Argentine Central Bank sets rules for the conditions under which financial institutions can make distributions of profits. According to these rules, profits can be distributed as long as results of operations are positive after deducting not only the Reserves, which may be legally and statutory required, but also the following items from Retained Income: The difference between the carrying amount and the market value of public sector assets and/or debt instruments issued by the Argentine Central Bank not valued at market price, the amounts capitalized for lawsuits related to deposits and any unrecorded adjustments required by the external auditors or the Argentine Central Bank.

    Moreover, in order that a financial institution be able to distribute profits, such institution must comply with the capital adequacy rule, i.e. with the calculation of minimum capital requirements and the regulatory capital.

    For these purposes, this shall be done by deducting from its assets and Retained Income all the items mentioned in the paragraph above. Moreover, in such calculation, a financial institution shall not be able to compute the temporary reductions that affect minimum capital requirements, computable regulatory capital or its capital adequacy.

    Since January 2016, the Argentine Central Bank determined that banks shall meet an additional capital conservation buffer apart from the minimum capital requirement equal to 3.5% of risk-weighted assets. This shall be made up only of Tier 1 Common Capital, net of deductible items. Distribution of profits shall be restricted when the Bank’s computable regulatory capital level and structure is within the range of the capital conservation buffer.

    Since August 30, 2019, the prior authorization of theThe Argentine Central Bank is required for the distributions of profits. Through theprovided that income distribution must have its authorization. In said authorization process, the Superintendence of Financial and Exchange Institutions (Superintendencia de Entidades Financieras y Cambiarias, SEFyC)SEFYC will consider, among other elements, the potential effectstotal impact of credit losses determined according to IFRS 9. Likewise, the applicationArgentine Central Bank issued Communication “A” 7181 where suspension of section 5.5. of IFRS 9, related to impairment loss of financial assets, and the restatement of financial statements due to inflation.income distribution is set forth until June 30, 2021.

    Tarjeta Naranja S.A.’s Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on March 16, 2006 decided to set the maximum limit for the distribution of dividends at 25% of the realized and liquid profits of each fiscal year. This restriction shall remain in force as long as the company’s Shareholders’ Equity is below Ps.300,000.

    Pursuant to the Price Supplement of the Class XXXVII Notes, Tarjeta Naranja S.A. has agreed not to distribute dividends that may exceed 50% of the company’s net income. This restriction also applies in the event of any excess over certain indebtedness ratios.

    Notwithstanding the aforementioned, profits resulting from the first-time application of IFRS may not be distributed; instead, such profits, if any, will be appropriated to a special reserve recorded under equity which might only be released for capitalization purposes, or otherwise to offset potential losses.

    The Group may pay dividends to the extent that it has distributable retained earnings and distributable reserves calculated in accordance with the rules of the Argentine Central Bank described in Note 1.1.Bank. Therefore, retained earnings included in the consolidated financial statements may not be wholly distributable.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The Argentine Central Bank, through Communications “A” 5541 and its amendments, established a convergence plan towards the adoption of IFRS as issued by the IASB, and the interpretations issued by the IFRIC, for the entities under its supervision, effective for fiscal years commencing January 1, 2018, with certain exceptions currently including the non-application of item 5.5 (Impairment) of IFRS 9 to the financial instruments issued by the Non-Financial Public Sector.

    Additionally, the Superintendence of Financial Institutions has established that the measurement of the investment in Prisma Medios de Pago SA, which is recognized at fair value through profit and loss under IFRS cannot exceed the proportional amount received in cash at the time of its sale.

    The Group has presented its local financial statements under these rules on March 9, 2021.

    Shareholders’ equity under the rules of the Argentine Central Bank comprise the following captions:

     

       12.31.1912.31.20 

    Share Capital

       1,426,7651,474,692 

    Additional paid in Capital

       10,951,13217,281,187 

    Adjustments to Shareholders’shareholders´ equity

       278,13161,548,313 

    Legal reserve

       340,979714,107 

    Distributable reserves

       37,530,232116,312,804 

    Non distributable reserves

       2,970,1935,047,825

    Retained results

    (44,533,351) 

    Profit for the year

       41,557,11826,439,048 
      

     

     

     

    Total Shareholder’s equity under the rules of the Argentine Central Bank

       95,054,550184,284,625 
      

     

     

     

    PlanAs exposed in the Statements of Changes in Equity, Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. has followed the option established in Art. 3, Paragraph b), Chapter III of Title Periodic Information Regime of CNV Standards, which stipulates, subject to approval by the shareholders annual general meeting, the absorption of negative retained earnings that may arise on the date of transition as a consequence of the inflation adjustment.

    Negative retained earnings for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to thousand Ps. 18,094,303, so the Board of Directors will propose that they be absorbed, affecting for this purpose the Special Reserve arising from the first-time application of the IFRS and the remainder with the Optional Reserve for development of new businesses and support of investee companies.

    Additionally, the Board of Directors will propose the distribution of profits under the rulescash dividends by an amount that, once adjusted according to inflation, in accordance with Art. 3, Paragraph e), Chapter III of Title Periodic Information Regime of CNV Standards, results in Ps. 1,500,000, through partial use of the Argentine Central Bank comprise the following captions:Optional Reserve for Future Income Distribution.

    12.31.19

    Distributable Income (1)

    79,087,350

    Legal reserve

    —  

    Distributable Balance

    79,087,350

    Distributable Income

    To Optional Reserve for developing new businesses and supporting investees

    37,557,118

    To Optional Reserve for Future Distribution of Profits(2)

    4,000,000

    Appropriated Retained Earnings

    37,530,232

    (1)

    It includes Retained Earnings, plus Discretionary Reserve, less purchase of minority interest.

    (2)

    According to the provisions of Communiqué “A” 6618, such reserve, which includes the amount of income resulting from the first-time application of IFRS, shall be set at the first Shareholders’ Meeting to be held after fiscalyear-end.

    Due to the regulations recently passed by the Argentine Central Bank within the framework of the measures taken by the government to respond to theCOVID-19, the capacity of the Argentine financial system to pay cash dividends has been suspended until June 30, 2020.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    53.9.52.9. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE TRANSPARENCY POLICY

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.

    Board of Directors

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.’s Board of Directors is the Company’s highest management body. It is made up of nine directors and three alternate directors, who must have the necessary knowledge and skills to clearly understand their responsibilities and duties within the corporate governance, and to act with the loyalty and diligence of a good businessman.

    As set out in its bylaws, the term of office for both directors and alternate directors is three (3) years; they are partially changed every year and may be reelected indefinitely.

    The Company complies with the appropriate standards regarding total number of directors, as well as the number of independent directors. Furthermore, its bylaws provide for the flexibility necessary to adapt the number of directors to the possible changes in the conditions in which the Company carries out its activities, from three (3) to nine (9) directors.

    The Board of Directors complies, in every relevant respect, with the recommendations included in the Code on Corporate Governance as Schedule IV to Title IV of the regulations issued by the National Securities Commission (Text amended in 2013).

    It also monitors the application of the corporate governance policies provided for by the regulations in force through the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee and the Committee for Information Integrity. Periodically, the Committees provide the Board of Directors with information, and the Board gets to know the decisions of each Committee. What is appropriate is transcribed in the minutes drafted at the Board of Directors’ meetings.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Executive Committee

    In July 2018, Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.’s‘s Board of Directors approved the creation of the Executive Committee, along with its governing rules and regulations. It is made up of five directors, and the purpose of its creation is to contribute to the conduction of the Company’s ordinary business and the efficient performance of the Board of Directors’ duties.

    Audit Committee

    The Audit Committee set by Capital Markets Law No. 26831 and the CNV’s regulations is formed by three directors, two of whom are independent, and meets the requirements set out in U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

    Such Committee’s mission is to provide the Board of Directors with assistance in overseeing the financial statements, as well as in the task of controlling Grupo Financiero Galicia and its subsidiaries.

    Committee for Information Integrity

    The Committee for Information Integrity was created in compliance with the recommendations of U.S. Sarbanes Oxley Act, and is made up of the General Manager, the Administrative and Finance Manager and two supervisors of the Administrative and Finance Division.

    Its most important duties are monitoring the Company’s internal controls, reviewing the financial statements and other information published, preparing Board of Directors’ reports with the activities carried out by the Committee. Its operation has been adapted to local laws and it currently performs important administrative and reporting duties, which are used by the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee, contributing to the transparency of the information provided to markets.

    Basic Holding Structure

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. is a company whose sole purpose is to conduct financial and investment activities as per Section 31 of the General Corporations Law. That is to say, it is a holding company whose activity involves managing its equity investments, assets and resources.

    Within the group of companies in which the Company has an interest, Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. stands out, which is its main asset and a wholly owned subsidiary. Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., as a bank institution, is subject to certain regulatory restrictions imposed by the Argentine Central Bank. Among such restrictions, there is one that limits the equity interest to a maximum of 12.5% of the capital stock in companies that do not perform activities qualified as supplementary.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Therefore, Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. directly and indirectly holds those equity interests in companies that carry out activities defined asnon-supplementary.

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. has a reduced structure due to its nature as holding company of a group of financial services. Accordingly, certain typical organizational aspects of large operating companies are not applicable thereto.

    To conclude, one should note that Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. is under the control of a pure holding company, EBA Holding S.A., which has the number of votes necessary to hold the majority of votes at the Shareholders’ Meetings, although it does not have any managerial functions over the former.

    Compensation Systems

    Directors’ compensation is defined by the General Shareholders’ Meeting and is fixed within the limits established by law and the corporate bylaws.

    The Audit Committee expresses its opinion on whether compensation proposals for Directors are reasonable, taking into consideration market standards.

    Business Conduct Policy

    The Company has consistently shown respect for the rights of its shareholders, reliability and accuracy in the information provided, transparency as to its policies and decisions, and caution with regard to the disclosure of strategic business issues.

    Code of Ethics

    Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. has a Code of Ethics formally approved that guides its policies and activities. It considers business objectivity andconflict-of-interests related-aspects, and how the employee should act upon identifying a breach of the Code of Ethics.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U.

    Banco Galicia’s Board of Directors is the Company’s highest management body. As of the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements, it is made up of seven directors and four alternate directors, who have the necessary knowledge and skills to clearly understand their responsibilities and duties within the corporate governance, and act with the loyalty and diligence of a good businessman.

    Banco Galicia complies with the appropriate standards regarding total number of directors, as well as number of independent directors. Furthermore, its bylaws provide for the flexibility necessary to adapt from three (3) to nine (9) directors to the possible changes in the conditions in which the Bank carries out its activities.

    The General Shareholders’ Meeting has the power to establish the number of directors, both independent andnon-independent ones, and appoint them. Out of the seven directors, one of them is independent. In addition, two of the alternate directors are independent. The independence concept is defined in the regulations set forth by the CNV and the Argentine Central Bank regulations.

    As regards prevention of conflicts of interest, the provisions set forth in the General Corporations Law and the Capital Markets Law are applicable.

    As set out in the bylaws, the term of office for both directors and alternate directors is three years; two thirds of them (or a fraction of at least three) are changed every year and may be reelected indefinitely.

    The Board of Directors’ meeting is held at least once a week and when required by any director. The Board of Directors is responsible for the Bank’s general management and makes all the necessary decisions to such end. The Board of Directors’ members also take part, to a greater or lesser extent, in the commissions and committees created. Therefore, they are continuously informed about the Bank’s course of business and become aware of the decisions made by such bodies, which are transcribed into minutes.

    Additionally, the Board of Directors receives a monthly report prepared by the General Manager, the purpose of which is to report the material issues and events addressed at the different meetings held between the General Manager and Senior Management. The Board of Directors becomes aware of such reports, as evidenced in the minutes.

    In connection with directors’ training and development, the Bank has a program, which is reviewed every nine months, whereby they regularly attend courses and seminars of different kinds and subjects.

    According to the activities carried out by the Bank, effective laws and corporate strategies, the following committees have been created to achieve an effective control over all activities performed by the Bank:

     

    Risk and Capital Allocation Committee

    It is in charge of approving and analyzing capital allocation, establishing risk policies and monitoring the Bank’s risk.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    High Credit Committee

    This committee’s function is to approve and sign credit ratings and grant transactions related to high-risk groups and customers, i.e., greater than 2.5% of the Bank’s individual Computable Regulatory Capital, loans to financial institutions (local or foreign) and related customers, in which case two thirds of the Board of Directors is required to participate.

     

    Low Credit Committee

    This committee’s function is to approve and sign the credit ratings and grant transactions related to medium-risk groups and customers, equal to amounts greater than 1% of the Bank’s individual Computable Regulatory Capital.

     

    Asset and Liability Management Committee

    It is in charge of analyzing the fundraising and its placement in different assets, thefollow-up and control of liquidity, interest-rate and currency mismatches, and management thereof.

     

    Information Technology Committee

    This Committee is in charge of supervising and approving the development plans of new systems and their budgets, as well as supervising these systems’ budget control. It is also responsible for approving the general design of the systems’ structure, the main processes thereof and the systems implemented, as well as monitoring the quality of the Bank’s systems, within the policies established by the Board of Directors.

     

    Audit Committee

    The Audit Committee is responsible for helping the Board of Directors, in performing the control function of the Bank and its controlled companies and the companies in which it owns a stake, in order to fairly ensure the following objectives:

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    Effectiveness and efficiency of operations;

     

    Reliability of the accounting information;

     

    Compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and

     

    Compliance with the goals and strategy set by the Board of Directors.

     

    Committee for the Control and Prevention of Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorist Activities (CPLA/FT, as per its initials in Spanish)

    It is in charge of planning, coordinating and ensuring compliance with the policies on anti-money laundering and funding of terrorist activities set and approved by the Board of Directors.

     

    Committee for Information Integrity

    It is in charge of encouraging compliance with the provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley (2002).

     

    Human Resources and Governance Committee

    It is in charge of presenting the succession of the General Manager and Division Managers, analyzing and establishing the General Manager’s and Division Managers’ compensation, and monitoring the performance matrix of Department and Division Managers.

     

    Performance Reporting Committee

    It is in charge of monitoring the performance and results of operations and evaluating the macro situation.

     

    Liquidity Crisis Committee

    It is in charge of evaluating the situation upon facing a liquidity crisis and deciding the steps to be implemented to tackle it.

     

    Strategy and New Businesses Committee

    It is in charge of analyzing new businesses.

     

    Compliance Committee

    It is in charge of instilling respect for Banco Galicia’s rules, code of conduct and ethics, and mitigating the risk of default, by defining policies and establishing controls and reports in the best interests of the Bank and its employees, shareholders and customers.

     

    Committee for the Protection of Users of Financial Services

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    It is responsible for following up on the activities developed by Banco Galicia’s management involved in user protection internal processes to ensure adequate compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

    The Bank considers the General Manager and Division Management reporting to the General Manager as Senior Management. These are detailed as follows:

     

    Retail Banking Division

     

    Wholesale Banking Division

     

    Finance Division

     

    Comprehensive Corporate Services DivisionProducts and Tecnology

     

    Organizational Development and Human Resources Division

     

    Risk Management Division

     

    Strategic Planning and Management Control Division

    Customer’s Experience Division

    Senior Management’s main duties are as follows:

     

    Ensure that the Bank’s activities are consistent with the business strategy, the policies approved by the Board of Directors and the risks to be assumed.

     

    Implement the necessary policies, procedures, processes and controls to manage operations and risks cautiously, meet the strategic goals set by the Board of Directors and ensure that the latter receives material, full and timely information so that it may assess management and analyze whether the responsibilities assigned are effectively fulfilled.

     

    Monitor the managers from different divisions, in line with the policies and procedures set by the Board of Directors and establish an effective internal control system.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Basic Holding Structure

    The Bank’s majority shareholder is Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A., which has full control of its shares and votes. In turn, the Bank holds equity investments in supplementary companies as shareholders of the parent, as well as minority interests in companies whose controlling company is its own shareholders of the parent. From a business point of view, this structure allows the Bank to take advantage of significant synergies that guarantee the loyalty of its customers and additional businesses. All business relationships with these companies, whether permanent or occasional in nature, are fostered under the normal and usual market conditions and this is true when the Bank holds either a majority or minority interest. Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.’s‘s Board of Directors submits to the Shareholders’ Meeting’s vote which shall be the Company’s vote in its capacity as shareholders of the parent at the Bank’s Shareholders’ Meeting. The same method of transparency and information as to its controlled companies and the companies it owns a stake in is applied at the Bank’s Shareholders’ Meetings, which are always attended by directors and officers thereof and the Board of Directors always provides detailed information about the Company’s activities.

    Business Conduct Policy and/or Code of Ethics

    The Bank has a formally approved Code of Ethics that guides its policies and activities. It considers business objectivity and conflict of interest related aspects, and how the employee should act upon identifying a breach of the Code of Ethics, with the involvement of the Conduct Committee.

    Information Related to Personnel Economic Incentive Practices

    The Human Resources and Governance Committee, composed of two (2) Directors, the General Manager and the Organizational Development and Human Resources Division Manager, is in charge of establishing the compensation policy for Banco Galicia’s personnel.

    It is the policy of Banco Galicia to manage the full compensation of its personnel based on the principles of fairness, meritocracy and justice, within the framework of the legal regulations in force.

    The aim of this policy is to provide an objective and fair basis, through the design and implementation of tools for the management of the fixed and variable compensation paid to each employee, based on the scope and complexity of each position’s responsibilities, individual performance with regard to compliance thereof, contribution to the Bank’s results and conformity to market values, with the purpose of:

     

    Attracting and creating loyalty with regard to quality personnel suitable for the achievement of the business strategy and goals.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    Being an individual motivation means.

     

    Easing the decentralized management of compensation administration.

     

    Allowing the effective budget control of personnel costs.

     

    Guaranteeing the internal fairness in order to monitor and ensure both external and internal fairness with regard to the payment of fixed and variable compensation. The Compensation area uses and puts at the disposal of the Senior Management and the Human Resources Committee market surveys published by consulting firms specialized in compensation issues, pursuant to the market positioning policies defined by the management division for the different corporate levels.

    With the purpose of gearing individuals towards the achievement of attainable results that contribute to the global performance of the Bank/Area, and to the increase in motivation for the common attainment of goals, differentiating individual contribution, Banco Galicia has different variable compensation systems:

     

    1)

    Business Incentives and/or Incentives through Commissions system for business areas.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     

    2)

    Annual Bonus System for management levels, officers and the rest of the employees who are not included in the business incentives system. The annual bonus is determined based on individual performance and the Bank’s results and is paid in the first quarter of the next fiscal year. To determine the variable compensation for the Senior Management and Middle Management, the Bank uses the Management Performance Assessment System. This system has been designed including both qualitative and quantitative KPI (Key Performance Indicators). In particular, quantitative Key Performance Indicators are designed with respect to at least three minimum aspects:

     

     a)

    Results.

     

     b)

    Business volume or size.

     

     c)

    Projections: Indicators that protect the business for the future (For example: Quality, internal and external customer satisfaction, risk coverage, work environment, etc.).

    The significance or impact of each of them is monitored and adjusted yearly pursuant to the strategy approved by the Board of Directors.

    The interaction among these three aspects seeks to make incentives related to results and growth consistent with the risk thresholds determined by the Board of Directors. In turn, there is no deferred payment of variable compensation subject to the occurrence of future events or in the long term, taking into consideration that the business environment in the Argentine financial system is characterized by being mainly transactional, with lending and borrowing transactions with a very short seasoning term.

    Annual budget and management control – the latter carried out monthly in a general manner and quarterly in a more detailed manner—include different risk ratios, including the ratio between compensation and risks undertaken. Variable compensation is only paid in cash. There are no share-based payments. Every change to this policy is submitted to Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.’s Human Resources Committee for its consideration.

    NOTE 54. ECONOMIC CONTEXT WHERE53. IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE GROUP OPERATESOPERATIONS

     

    The Group operates in a complex context that resultsDuring this period, Grupo Financiero Galicia has performed its operations under the challenging circumstances arising from a combination of the current state of the Argentine economy and the effect that the advance of theCOVID-19pandemic has had worldwide.

    When the Fernandez Administration took office in December 2019, the economy was under a state of distress: last year, Argentina’s economy displayed a 2.2% contraction amidst considerable FX volatility, accelerating inflation, a steep fall in the price of its sovereign bonds and an increase in the risk of default. In order to cope with this situation, at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020 the new government reinforced the exchange rate controls implementeddeclared by the previous administrationWorld Health Organization in March 2020, resulting from the Covid-19 virus.

    The pandemic continues to generate consequences in businesses and started a process of interest rate reduction in order to boost credit.economic activities at global and local level.

    Regarding the fiscal front, the government passed a law that created new taxes and increased others, while at the same time bringing thetax-rate cut expected for this year to an end. At the same time, the government suspended the automatic indexation formula used on pensions and social plans and replaced it with discretionary increases. The aim was to achieve a similar fiscal primary deficit to the one in 2019(-1.0% of GDP, once extraordinary revenues are removed) that was countercyclical but small enough to reach an understanding with debt creditors so as to avoid default.

    However, the worldwide spread ofCOVID-19 during recent months and the need to implement preventive measures such as social isolation utterly altered the economic context. On the one hand, the international recession will have a negative impact on local activity through a contraction in Argentine exports—both through a shift in the demand curve as well as a through a fall in prices. On the other hand,In Argentina, the measures taken by the government are already showing a

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    direct negative impact onNational Government to contain the spread of the virus included, among others, the closure of borders and the mandatory isolation or distancing of the population along with the cessation of non-essential commercial activities for an extended period of time, with variants according to the local productionregion and consumption. In order to offset these effects, the government has foregone its fiscal deficit target for 2019 and is currently implementing a stimulus package that consists of an increase in government spending, tax abatements and subsidized credit.

    This context continues onactivity. On the date of issuance of these Financial Statements. The Group’s key personnel permanently monitorsStatements, commercial activities are gradually becoming normal and in compliance with the evolution of the variables that affect their business, to define their course of action and identify the potential impacts on their financial position. These Financial Statements must be read taking into account the circumstances described above.

    NOTE 55. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

    The outbreak and spread of a virus called “coronavirus” (orCOVID-19)protocols established by the end of 2019 has given rise to various consequences in both business and economic activities throughout the world. Due to the exceptional nature of the virus and its rapid global spread, in March 2020 several governments around the world implemented drastic measures to contain the spread, including, but not limited to, the closure of borders and the ban on travel to and from certain parts of the world for a period of time, and, the mandatory isolation of its citizen on together with the cessation ofnon-essential commercial activities. On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declaredCOVID-19 a pandemic.

    In Argentina, the National Government implemented a number of measures aimed at reducing the movement of the population, establishing the social, preventive and mandatory isolation from March 20 to May 10, 2020, (which could be extended if the government considers it necessary) where only individuals working in the rendering/production of essential services and products were allowed to leaves their homes.Government.

    The final significancescope of the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on both worldglobal and local economies is unknown, and the governments mightmay take even stricter measures, which are not predictableunpredictable at this time. As of the date of issuance of ourthese Financial Statements, Grupo Financiero Galicia has not experienced significant impacts on theirits income as a result ofresulting from the pandemic. However, in this pandemic. Althoughcontext, the Argentine Central Bank establishedordered a series of measures, in order to minimize physical contact between people,of which the most relevant being the limitation offollowing stand out: (i) customer service by prior appointment, (ii) suspension of commissions collection for the use of ATMs, (iii) suspension of income distribution until December 31, 2020, (iv) the extension of expiration dates for credit cards; (v) the financing of unpaid credit card balances at our branches,maximum rates, (vi) the operationspostponement of our subsidiaries are maintained,maturities of unpaid credit balances, (vii) the granting of zero-rate financing to the self-employed and we expect themtaxpayers under the simplified tax scheme; (viii) the granting of financing to continueSMEs at a rate of 24%, (ix) a Financing Line for productive investment of SMEs, (x) the granting of financing to companies for payment of salaries, (xi) the setting of minimum rates for fixed-term deposits, (xii) flexibilization in spiteparameters for the classification of bank debtors, and (xiii) controls to the exchange market.

    By virtue of the difficulties. However,aforementioned, the extent to which the coronavirus will affect the Group’s business in the future of Grupo Financiero Galicia’s business, and the impact on the income from ourof its operations cannot be reasonably quantified, ifshould this situation extendscontinue for a longer period oflong time.

    The Board of Directors is closely monitoring this situation and taking all the required measures within their reach to preserve human life and our operations.

    NOTE 54. ECONOMIC CONTEXT WHERE THE GROUP’S OPERATIONS

    The Company operates in a complex economic context, whose main variables have experienced strong volatility, both in the national and international spheres.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    In March 2020, the outbreak of the pandemic caused by covid-19 generated significant consequences at global level, since most of the world’s countries reacted by implementing a series of unprecedented restrictions on moving from one place to another.

    The different measures of sanitary restrictions imposed generated, to a greater or lesser extent, an almost immediate impact on the economies, whose production and activity indicators dropped fast.

    In response, most governments have implemented aid packages to sustain the income of part of the population and reduce the risks of disruption in payment chains and company bankruptcies, aiming to lessen the impact of the crisis. Argentina has not been the exception, and the Government implemented actions as soon as the pandemic was declared. The Argentine economy was already in recession when the pandemic broke out, and the latter made this scenario more complex, giving rise to historical collapses in economic activity during the months with more restrictions on circulation. Despite the fact that there was an economic recovery in comparison with the first months in which the Social and Mandatory Preventive Isolation was implemented, the pre-pandemic activity levels have yet to be reached. The country ended the year 2020 with a fall in its annual Gross Domestic Product of around 10.1%.

    The increase in public spending associated with the implementation of programs of various kinds to absorb the impact of the pandemic and the quarantine on the economic activity, together with the sharp drop in income that resulted from the recession, have led to a primary deficit of around 6.5% during 2020. The “red” of the public accounts was financed mainly through the assistance of the Central Bank to the Treasury (via transfers of via Temporary Advances and transfers of Profits corresponding to fiscal year 2019) due to the lack of access to the international capital market resulting from the process of foreign debt restructuring that the country went through during the first half of the year. Negotiations with external creditors were completed in the third quarter of 2020.

    The inflationary effect of the aforementioned issuance of Argentine pesos has not yet been fully observed due to a series of factors: the restrictions on circulation that prevailed most of the year, the freezing of utility rates and other regulated prices, and the existence of programs such as “Precios Máximos” (Maximum Prices) and “Precios Cuidados” (Controlled Prices).

    However, in the last months of 2020 the price increase began to accelerate, in line with the gradual reopening of some sectors of the economy and the authorization by the government to increase some prices. In 2020, the variation of the Consumer Price Index closed with an annual variation of 36.1%. However, the exchange rate regime did account for the strong issuance of Argentine pesos verified during 2020. The official exchange rate, defined daily by the Argentine Central Bank through Communication “A” 3500, devalued 28.8%, going from Ps. 1/USD 59.90 to Ps. 1/USD 84.15 between the last business day of 2019 and the last business day of 2020. In parallel, the International Reserves of the monetary entity fell to USD 39,410,000 at the end of 2020, from the USD 44,781,000 with which it had closed 2019. The reduction of the Reserves was mainly due to the cancellation of financial loans and lines of credit, particularly from the private sector. Added to this was the formation of external assets from the non-financial private sector, mainly explained by the acquisition of foreign currency by natural persons for savings.

    In order to contain the decline in International Reserves, the monetary authority imposed increasing exchange restrictions throughout 2020. Additionally, these also had an upward impact on financial exchange rates used for restricted exchange transactions in the official market. Among these measures is the need to request prior authorization from the Argentine Central Bank to carry out certain transactions.

    Likewise, the exchange rate regime already determined as mandatory the entry and settlement in national currency of the funds obtained resulting from exports of goods and services, collections of pre-financing, advances and post-financing of exports of goods, and sale of non-produced non-financial assets, and external assets.

    The exchange restrictions, or those that may be established in the future, could affect the Company’s ability to access the Single Free Exchange Market (Mercado Único y Libre de Cambios, MULC) to acquire the necessary foreign exchange to meet its financial obligations. The assets and liabilities in foreign currency as of December 31, 2020 have been valuated considering MULC quotes in force.

    The volatility and uncertainty context continues on the date of issuance of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

    The Company’s Management permanently monitors the evolution of the variables that affect their business to define their course of action and identify the potential impacts on their equity and financial position. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements must be read in the light of these circumstances.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    NOTE 55. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

    Cash Dividends

    On February 24, 2021, the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Sudamericana Holding S.A. was held, which decided to partially use the “Optional Reserve” for the subsequent distribution of cash dividends or in kind in the amount of Ps. 1,100,000.

    On March 29, 2021, the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Galicia Warrants S.A. was held, which decided to partially use the “Optional Reserve” for the subsequent distribution of cash dividends or in kind in the amount of Ps. 40,000.

    On March 29, 2021, the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Galicia Administradora de Fondos S.A. was held, which decided the distribution of cash dividends or in kind in the amount of Ps. 800,000.

    On March 30, 2021, the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Galicia Securities S.A. was held, which decided the distribution of cash dividends or in kind in the amount of Ps. 150,000.

    Corporate Reorganization

    On February 25, 2021, the National Securities Commission, through Resolution RESFC-2021-20999-APN-DIR, issued the administrative approval of the Spin-off-Merger requested by the Group, in its capacity of merging company of the spin-off equity of Fedler S.A. and Dusner S.A., in their capacity as spin-off companies.

    The same resolution also authorized for the Group the public offering of 47,927,494 Class B ordinary book-entry shares with a nominal value of one Argentine peso (NV Ps. 1) each and entitled to one vote per share, to be delivered in exchange to the shareholders of the spin-off companies.

    On March 16, 2021 the merger by acquisition and capital increase of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. was registered with the Public Registry of Commerce.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE A – BREAKDOWN OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECURITIES

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

      Holdings   Holdings 
              Carrying Amount       Carrying Amount 

    Item

      Fair Value   Fair Value
    Level
       12.31.19 12.31.18   Fair Value
    Level
       12.31.20 12.31.19 

    DEBT SECURITIES AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

           65,690,460   116,812,885      155,419,560   89,431,378 

    Argentine

           65,690,460   116,812,885      155,419,560   89,431,378 

    Government Securities

           6,700,187   7,229,825      24,282,643   9,121,674 

    Argentine Government Bonds

         Level 1    337,891  2,255,599    Level 1    6,486,355  460,008 

    Argentine Government Bonds

         Level 3    8,866  29,439    Level 3    —    12,070 

    Provincial Government Bonds

         Level 1    —    828,527    Level 1    539,371   —   

    Provincial Government Bonds

         Level 3    —    684,868    Level 3    200,768   —   

    City of Buenos Aires Bonds

         Level 1    120,441  57,173    Level 1    91,199  163,969 

    City of Buenos Aires Bonds

         Level 3    —    7,804 

    Treasury Bills

         Level 1    1,049,425  1,400,363    Level 1    16,053,570  1,428,693 

    Treasury Bills

         Level 2    —    1,966,052    Level 2    911,380   —   

    Treasury Bills

         Level 3    5,183,564   —      Level 3    —    7,056,934 

    Argentine Central Bank’s Bills

           58,141,095   107,833,074      128,324,920   79,153,628 

    Liquidity Bills

         Level 2    58,141,095  107,833,074    Level 2    128,324,920  79,153,628 

    Corporate Securities

           849,178   1,749,986      2,811,997   1,156,076 

    Debt Securities

         Level 1    614,317  416,070    Level 1    1,653,980  836,335 

    Debt Securities

         Level 3    140,773  644,139    Level 3    1,088,186  191,649 

    Debt Securities of Financial Trusts

         Level 1    50,000  58,895    Level 1    —    68,070 

    Debt Securities of Financial Trusts

         Level 3    44,088  97,774    Level 3    69,831  60,022 

    Participation Certificates in Financial Trusts

         Level 2    —    55,795 

    Participation Certificates in Financial Trusts

         Level 3    —    477,313 

    OTHER DEBT SECURITIES

           19,019,630   22,188,992      23,070,377   25,893,436 

    Measured at Fair Value through OCI

           15,916,306   14,017,361      4,185,098   21,668,553 

    Argentine

           15,916,306   14,017,361      4,185,098   21,668,553 

    Government Securities

           15,916,306   14,017,361      4,010,642   21,668,553 

    Argentine Government Bonds

         Level 1    15,845,886  13,933,330    Level 1    353,640  21,572,682 

    Argentine Government Bonds

       Level 2    3,580,102   —   

    Treasury Bills

       Level 1    76,900   —   

    City of Buenos Aires Bonds

         Level 1    70,420  84,031    Level 1    —    95,871 

    Argentine Central Bank’s Bills

         174,456   —   

    Liquidity Bills

       Level 1    174,456   —   

    Measurement at Amortized Cost

           3,103,324   8,171,631      18,885,279   4,224,883 

    Argentine

           3,103,324   8,168,814      18,880,939   1,045,799 

    Government Securities

           2,307,931   342,412      17,886,824   (37,054

    Argentine Government Bonds

           1,440  5,007      17,930,500  1,960 

    Treasury Bills

           2,335,148  337,405      —     —   

    Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Risk

           (28,657  —        (43,676 (39,014

    Corporate Securities

           795,393   7,826,402      994,115   1,082,853 

    Debt Securities

           427,675  747,507      940,190  582,239 

    Debt Securities of Financial Trusts

           508,481  7,246,049      36,010  692,249 

    Others

           13,629   —        17,915  18,555 

    Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Risk

           (154,392 (167,154     —    (210,190

    From Abroad

           —     2,817      4,340   3,179,084 

    Government Securities

           —     2,817      4,340   3,179,084 

    Treasury Bills

           —    2,817      4,340  3,179,084 

    INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY INSTRUMENTS

           4,554,453   247,753      5,711,684   6,200,459 

    Measured at Fair Value through profit or loss

           4,554,453   247,753      5,711,684   6,200,459 

    Argentine

           4,512,290   204,349      5,655,017   6,143,058 

    Shares

         Level 1    125,198  3,122    Level 1    184,341  170,445 

    Shares

         Level 3    4,387,092  201,227    Level 3    5,470,676  5,972,613 

    From Abroad

           42,163   43,404      56,667   57,401 

    Shares

         Level 1    36,805  38,097    Level 1    50,433  50,107 

    Shares

         Level 3    5,358  5,307    Level 3    6,234  7,294 

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE B – CLASSIFICATION OF LOANS AND OTHER FINANCING BY STATUS AND GUARANTEES RECEIVED

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

    Item

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    COMMERCIAL PORTFOLIO

            

    In Normal Situation

       181,722,808    225,872,023    194,116,454    240,409,007 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       1,900,091    11,838,338    2,832,229    2,586,795 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       13,016,751    12,161,671    11,631,927    17,595,836 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       166,805,966    201,872,014    179,652,298    220,226,376 

    With SpecialFollow-UpIn Observation

       404,508    2,764,225    1,002,543    550,699 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       12,182    —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       324,899    12,306    274,614    442,319 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       79,609    2,751,919    715,747    108,380 
      

     

       

     

     

    With Problems

       —      718,748    446,425    —   
      

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       968    —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       —      675,435    95,016    —   

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       —      43,313    350,441    —   
      

     

       

     

     

    High Insolvency Risk

       2,682,021    309,698    119,579    3,628,103 
      

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       —      —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       759,369    44,683    115,817    1,033,809 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       1,922,652    265,015    3,762    2,594,294 

    Uncollectible

       2,472,004    460    121,483    3,365,400 
      

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       43,689    —      —      59,478 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       166,337    —      —      226,452 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       2,261,978    460    121,483    3,079,470 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL COMMERCIAL PORTFOLIO

       187,281,341    229,665,154    195,806,484    247,953,209 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE B – CLASSIFICATION OF LOANS AND OTHER FINANCING BY STATUS AND GUARANTEES RECEIVED (Continued)

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

    Item

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    CONSUMER AND HOUSING PORTFOLIO

            

    Normal Performance

       221,259,364    268,718,427    389,298,300    281,906,272 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       166,064    373,591    17,117,203    226,081 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       18,075,462    21,856,382    21,076,265    24,573,975 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       203,017,838    246,488,454    351,104,832    257,106,216 

    Low Risk

       6,509,508    8,726,798    1,823,149    8,833,908 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       15,262    19,427    25,637    20,777 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       209,305    234,985    81,510    284,949 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       6,284,941    8,472,386    1,716,002    8,528,182 

    Medium Risk

       4,215,825    6,509,557    999,797    5,734,894 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       7,404    3,484    71,652    10,080 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       162,521    167,035    67,159    221,257 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       4,045,900    6,339,038    860,986    5,503,557 

    High Risk

       6,440,071    6,631,704    2,470,873    8,767,203 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       —      17,869    42,666    —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       174,667    76,701    100,223    237,792 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       6,265,404    6,537,134    2,327,984    8,529,411 

    Uncollectible

       5,209,980    1,782,318    3,697,725    7,093,842 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       11,932    15,254    47,067    16,245 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       119,688    98,856    180,545    162,945 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       5,078,360    1,668,208    3,470,113    6,914,652 

    Uncollectible due to Technical Reasons

       904    10,456 
      

     

       

     

     

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       904    10,456 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL CONSUMER AND HOUSING PORTFOLIO

       243,635,652    292,379,260    398,289,844    312,336,119 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    GRAND TOTAL(1)

       430,916,993    522,044,414    594,096,328    560,289,328 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    Reconciliation between Schedule B and Statement of Financial Position:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Loans and Other Financing

       358,558,869    434,899,689    526,434,119    488,144,152 

    Other Debt Securities

       19,019,630    22,188,992    23,070,377    25,893,436 

    Agreed Credits and Guarantees Granted AccountedOff-Balance Sheet

       40,383,111    50,079,608    17,236,805    28,614,207 

    Plus, Allowances for Uncollectible Accounts

       26,027,114    24,278,469    37,277,248    35,433,465 

    Plus, Adjustments to the IFRS based accounting framework, not Computable for the Statement of Debtors’ Financial Position

       6,572,922    6,521,891    13,901,166    8,948,415 

    Minus OthersNon-computable for the Statement of Debtors’ Financial Position

       (3,728,347   (1,880,806   (19,812,745   (5,075,794

    Minus Government Securities Measured at Fair Value through OCI

       (15,916,306   (14,043,429   (4,010,642   (21,668,553
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       430,916,993    522,044,414    594,096,328    560,289,328 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE C – CONCENTRATION OF LOANS AND OTHER FINANCING

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

      LOANS   LOANS 
      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20 12.31.19 

    Number of Customers

      Outstanding
    Balance
       % of Total
    Portfolio
       Outstanding
    Balance
       % of Total
    Portfolio
       Outstanding
    Balance
       % of Total
    Portfolio
     Outstanding
    Balance
       % of Total
    Portfolio
     

    10 Largest Customers

       44,020,866    10    59,238,795    11    54,335,287    9 59,930,266    11

    next 50 Largest Customers

       65,756,034    15    80,346,482    15    64,276,214    11 89,520,651    16

    next 100 Largest Customers

       30,972,704    7    34,808,937    7    31,622,602    5 42,166,421    8

    Rest of Customers

       290,167,389    68    347,650,200    67    443,862,225    75 368,671,990    65
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL(1)

       430,916,993    100    522,044,414    100    594,096,328    100  560,289,328    100
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    Reconciliation between Schedule C and Statement of Financial Position:

     

      12.31.19   12.31.18   12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Loans and Other Financing

       358,558,869    434,899,689    526,434,119    488,144,152 

    Other Debt Securities

       19,019,630    22,188,992    23,070,377    25,893,436 

    Agreed Credits and Guarantees Granted AccountedOff-Balance Sheet

       40,383,111    50,079,608    17,236,805    28,614,207 

    Plus, Allowances for Uncollectible Accounts

       26,027,114    24,278,469    37,277,248    35,433,465 

    Plus, Adjustments to the IFRS based accounting framework, not Computable for the Statement of Debtors’ Financial Position

       6,572,922    6,521,891    13,901,166    8,948,415 

    Minus OthersNon-computable for the Statement of Debtors’ Financial Position

       (3,728,347   (1,880,806   (19,812,745   (5,075,794

    Minus Government Securities Measured at Fair Value through OCI

       (15,916,306   (14,043,429   (4,010,642   (21,668,553
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       430,916,993    522,044,414    594,096,328    560,289,328 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE D – BREAKDOWN BY TERM OF LOANS AND OTHER FINANCING

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 20192020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20192020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

    The following table shows contractual cash flows, including interest and other expenses to be accrued until contractual maturity.

     

       Terms Remaining to Maturity      Terms Remaining to Maturity   

    Item

     Past-due
    Loan
    Portfolio
     1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months 24 Months Over 24
    Months
     Total  Past-due
    Loan
    Portfolio
     1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months 24 Months Over 24
    Months
     Total 

    Non-financial Public Sector

      —    769,997   —     —     —     —     —    769,997   —    966,210   —     —     —     —     —    966,210 

    Financial Sector

      —    5,548,063  2,591,417  1,139,878  2,554,012  2,742,300  771,816  15,347,486   —    11,146,614  2,134,838  873,292  1,101,873  699,566  134,539  16,090,722 

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

     18,845,456  171,455,652  70,939,228  73,747,954  65,993,752  85,782,245  55,109,528  541,873,815  12,882,538  256,842,146  116,789,460  127,717,254  147,475,699  68,383,858  64,820,792  794,911,747 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    TOTAL

      18,845,456   177,773,712   73,530,645   74,887,832   68,547,764   88,524,545   55,881,344   557,991,298   12,882,538   268,954,970   118,924,298   128,590,546   148,577,572   69,083,424   64,955,331   811,968,679 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE E – DETAIL OF INTERESTS IN OTHER COMPANIES

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

       Shares               Data from the last financial statement 

    Denomination

      Class   Nominal
    Value per
    Share
       Votes per
    Share
       Quantity   12.31.20   12.31.19   Principal
    Line of
    Business
       Year-
    end
    Date
       Capital   Shareholders´
    Equity
       Net
    Income
    / (Loss)
     

    In complementary service companies

                          

    Associates and Joint Ventures

                          

    Argentine

                          

    Play Digital S.A.

       
    Ords.
    Esc.
     
     
       1    1    186,496,457    89,142    —      Services    31.12.20    1,197,221    797,107    (571,938
              

     

     

       

     

     

               

    TOTAL

               89,142    —             
              

     

     

       

     

     

               

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE F – CHANGES IN PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

     Depreciation Net Book Value as of   Depreciation Net Book Value as of 

    Item

     Value at
    Beginning
    of Fiscal
    Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life in
    Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.19 12.31.18  Value at
    Beginning
    of Fiscal
    Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life in
    Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Transfers Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.20 12.31.19 

    Measurement at Cost

                           

    Real Estate

     22,559,451  50  1,136,278  (600,307 125,353  (2,102,860 573,989  (442,772 (1,971,643 21,249,132  20,456,591  31,612,897  50  185,927  (11,314 350,294  (2,684,207 (15 11,314  (609,178 (3,282,086 28,855,718  28,928,690 

    Furniture and Facilities

     4,312,889  10  289,317  (1,109,513 1,172,024  (2,841,845 273,922  (328,809 (2,896,732 1,767,985  1,471,044  6,350,571  10  126,464  (21,621 831,813  (3,943,625  —    19,319  (520,739 (4,445,045 2,842,182  2,406,946 

    Machines and Equipment

     13,806,989  3 y 5  1,323,557  (771,661 9  (9,212,746 521,587  (1,637,710 (10,328,869 4,030,025  4,594,243  19,548,282  3 y 5  3,093,145  (4,828,173 109,039  (14,061,784  —    4,659,889  (2,304,709 (11,706,604 6,215,689  5,486,498 

    Vehicles

     169,084  5  64,182  (58,982  —    (77,496 31,128  (27,492 (73,860 100,424  91,588  237,271  5  55,339  (12,698  —    (100,553  —    8,753  (47,320 (139,120 140,792  136,718 

    Right of use of real property

      —     —    4,645,665   —     —     —     —    (964,519 (964,519 3,681,146   6,324,636   —    629,385  (289,598 31,405  (1,313,102 (31,405 13,573  (1,312,301 (2,643,235 4,052,593  5,011,534 

    Personal Property Acquired for Finance Leases

     67,892  5   —     —     —    (67,892  —     —    (67,892  —     —    92,429  5   —    (92,429  —    (92,429  —    92,429   —     —     —     —   

    Sundry

     1,446,170  5 y 10  108,146  (227,578 215,544  (606,702  —    (244,952 (851,654 690,628  839,468  2,099,672  5 y 10  14,432  (178,120 694,777  (1,159,447  —    129,368  (366,470 (1,396,549 1,234,212  940,225 

    Work in Progress

     2,332,996   —    624,580   —    (1,512,930  —     —     —     —    1,444,646  2,332,996  1,966,749   —    240,422  (16,656 (1,800,281  —     —     —     —     —    390,234  1,966,749 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

      44,695,471    8,191,725   (2,768,041  —     (14,909,541  1,400,626   (3,646,254  (17,155,169  32,963,986   29,785,930   68,232,507    4,345,114   (5,450,609  217,047   (23,355,147  (31,420  4,934,645   (5,160,717  (23,612,639  43,731,420   44,877,360 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     
     Depreciation Net Book Value as of   Depreciation Net Book Value as of 

    Item

     Value at
    Beginning
    of Fiscal
    Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life in
    Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.18 12.31.17  Value at
    Beginning
    of Fiscal
    Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life in
    Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Transfers Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.19 12.31.18 

    Measurement at Cost

                           

    Real Estate

     22,339,358  50  29,411  (80,834 271,516  (1,821,584 61,647  (342,923 (2,102,860 20,456,591  20,517,774  30,712,569  50  1,546,936  (817,265 170,657  (2,862,846  —    781,432  (602,793 (2,684,207 28,928,690  27,849,723 

    Furniture and Facilities

     3,678,847  10  376,448  (75,381 332,975  (2,708,777 54,714  (187,782 (2,841,845 1,471,044  970,070  5,871,592  10  393,878  (1,510,499 1,595,600  (3,868,904  —    372,920  (447,641 (3,943,625 2,406,946  2,002,688 

    Machines and Equipment

     12,566,984  3 y 5  1,696,838  (285,318 (171,515 (8,452,820 235,380  (995,306 (9,212,746 4,594,243  4,114,164  18,796,916  3 y 5  1,801,898  (1,050,544 12  (12,542,287  —    710,092  (2,229,589 (14,061,784 5,486,498  6,254,629 

    Vehicles

     131,569  5  48,408  (11,570 677  (66,512 6,121  (17,105 (77,496 91,588  65,057  230,192  5  87,378  (80,299  —    (105,504  —    42,379  (37,428 (100,553 136,718  124,688 

    Right of use of real property

      —     —    6,324,636   —     —     —     —     —    (1,313,102 (1,313,102 5,011,534   —   

    Personal Property Acquired for Finance Leases

     68,569  5   —     —    (677 (68,197 305   —    (67,892  —    372  92,429  5   —     —     —    (92,429  —     —     —    (92,429  —     —   

    Sundry

     1,166,964  5 y 10  9,051  (4,744 274,899  (444,277 1,288  (163,713 (606,702 839,468  722,687  1,968,824  5 y 10  147,231  (309,826 293,443  (825,968  —     —    (333,479 (1,159,447 940,225  1,142,856 

    Work in Progress

     1,621,239   —    1,435,202  (49,602 (673,843  —     —     —     —    2,332,996  1,621,239  3,176,154   —    850,307   —    (2,059,712  —     —     —     —     —    1,966,749  3,176,154 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

      41,573,530    3,595,358   (507,449  34,032   (13,562,167  359,455   (1,706,829  (14,909,541  29,785,930   28,011,363   60,848,676    11,152,264   (3,768,433  —     (20,297,938  —     1,906,823   (4,964,032  (23,355,147  44,877,360   40,550,738 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE F – CHANGES IN INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

    Changes in investment properties recorded in the “OtherNon-financial Assets” account are detailed below.

     

               Depreciation Net Book Value as of   Depreciation Net Book Value as of 

    Item

     Value at
    Beginning
    of Fiscal
    Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life in
    Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.19 12.31.18  Value at
    Beginning
    of Fiscal
    Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life in
    Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Transfers Disposals For
    the

    Fiscal
    Year
     At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.20 12.31.19 

    Measurement at Cost

                           

    Real Estate Leased

     472,833  50   —     —     —    (25,344  —    (11,697 (37,041 435,792  447,489  643,718  50   —     —     —    (50,428  —     —    (12,623 (63,051 580,667  593,290 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

      472,833    —     —     —     (25,344  —     (11,697  (37,041  435,792   447,489   643,718    —     —     —     (50,428  —     —     (12,623  (63,051  580,667   593,290 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     
               Depreciation Net Book Value as of   Depreciation Net Book Value as
    of
     

    Item

     Value at
    Beginning
    of Fiscal
    Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life in
    Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.18 12.31.17  Value at
    Beginning
    of Fiscal
    Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life in
    Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Transfers Disposals For
    the

    Fiscal
    Year
     At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.19 12.31.18 

    Measurement at Cost

                           

    Real Estate Leased

     471,893  50  6   —    934  (15,906  —    (9,438 (25,344 447,489  455,987  643,718  50   —     —     —    (34,503  —     —    (15,925 (50,428 593,290  609,215 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

      471,893    6   —     934   (15,906  —     (9,438  (25,344  447,489   455,987   643,718    —     —     —     (34,503  —     —     (15,925  (50,428  593,290   609,215 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE G – CHANGES IN INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

               Amortization Net Book Value as of   Amortization Net Book Value as of 

    Item

     Value at
    Beginning
    of Year
     Estimated
    Useful Life
    in Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     Transfers At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.19 12.31.18  Value at
    Beginning
    of Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life
    in Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     Transfers At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.20 12.31.19 

    Measurement at Cost

                            

    Licenses

     5,674,596  5  1,783,633  (694,788  —    (3,423,333 783,177  (941,663  —    (3,581,819 3,181,622  2,251,263  9,207,786  5  1,538,775  (883,326 285,602  (4,876,308 880,785  (1,775,717  —    (5,771,240 4,377,597  4,331,478 

    Intangible Assets Acquired through Finance Leases

     181,581  5   —    (181,581  —    (181,581 181,581   —     —     —     —     —     —    5   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   

    Other Intangible Assets

     7,926,420  5  2,567,408  (3,741,361  —    (3,121,165 2,340,655  (460,867  —    (1,241,377 5,511,090  4,805,255  9,192,848  5  1,869,450  (65,848 1,954,963  (1,690,018 43,725  (1,213,896  —    (2,860,189 10,091,224  7,502,830 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

      13,782,597    4,351,041   (4,617,730  —     (6,726,079  3,305,413   (1,402,530  —     (4,823,196  8,692,712   7,056,518   18,400,634    3,408,225   (949,174  2,240,565   (6,566,326  924,510   (2,989,613  —     (8,631,429  14,468,821   11,834,308 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     
               Amortization Net Book Value as of   Amortization Net Book Value as of 

    Item

     Value at
    Beginning
    of Year
     Estimated
    Useful Life
    in Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     Transfers At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.18 12.31.17  Value at
    Beginning
    of Year
     Estimated
    Useful
    Life
    in Years
     Additions Disposals Transfers Accumulated Disposals For the
    Fiscal
    Year
     Transfers At Fiscal
    Year-end
     12.31.19 12.31.18 

    Measurement at Cost

                            

    Licenses

     4,390,538  5  1,388,884  (422,704 317,878  (3,127,318 414,275  (682,659 (27,631 (3,423,333 2,251,263  1,263,220  7,725,431  5  2,428,246  (945,891  —    (4,660,546 1,066,224  (1,281,986  —    (4,876,308 4,331,478  3,064,885 

    Intangible Assets Acquired through Finance Leases

     181,581  5   —     —     —    (179,121  —    (2,460  —    (181,581  —    2,460  247,205  5   —    (247,205  —    (247,205 247,205   —     —     —     —     —   

    Other Intangible Assets

     4,402,894  5  689,023  (1,774 2,836,277  (3,015,101 1,774  (135,469 27,631  (3,121,165 4,805,255  1,387,793  10,791,075  5  3,495,284  (5,093,511  —    (4,249,172 3,186,581  (627,427  —    (1,690,018 7,502,830  6,541,903 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

      8,975,013    2,077,907   (424,478  3,154,155   (6,321,540  416,049   (820,588  —     (6,726,079  7,056,518   2,653,473   18,763,711    5,923,530   (6,286,607  —     (9,156,923  4,500,010   (1,909,413  —     (6,566,326  11,834,308   9,606,788 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE H – CONCENTRATION OF DEPOSITS

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

      DEPOSITS ACCOUNTS   DEPOSITS ACCOUNTS 
      12.31.19 12.31.18   12.31.20 12.31.19 

    Number of Customers

      Debt
    Balance
       % on Total
    Portfolio
     Debt
    Balance
       % on Total
    Portfolio
       Debt Balance   % on Total
    Portfolio
     Debt Balance   % on Total
    Portfolio
     

    10 Largest Customers

       27,901,731    7.0 41,425,857    7.0   83,211,045    12 37,985,581    7

    next 50 Largest Customers

       33,953,316    9.0 33,677,497    6.0   73,182,821    11 46,224,244    9

    next 100 Largest Customers

       18,400,829    4.0 24,128,552    4.0   34,377,015    5 25,050,997    4

    Rest of Customers

       313,479,530    80.0 454,714,382    83.0   485,624,854    72 426,772,874    80
      

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL

       393,735,406    100.0  553,946,288    100.0   676,395,735    100  536,033,696    100
      

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE I – BREAKDOWN OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES BY REMAINING CONTRACTUAL TERM

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

    The following table shows the decline in contractual cash flows, including interest and other expenses to be accrued until undiscounted contractual maturity.

     

     Terms until Maturity     Terms until Maturity     

    Item

     1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months 24 Months More than
    24 Months
     Total   1 Month   3 Months   6 Months   12 Months   24 Months   More than
    24 Months
       Total 

    Deposits(1)

     358,461,867  36,630,070  5,122,033  2,184,736  23,413  53,993  402,476,112    636,596,852    41,458,685    3,548,892    2,563,927    79,300    43,104    684,290,760 

    Non-financial Public Sector

     1,642,786  313,363   —     —     —     —    1,956,149    19,851,114    1,591,515    221,268    —      —      —      21,663,897 

    Financial Sector

     450,934   —     —     —     —     —    450,934    1,947,127    —      —      —      —      —      1,947,127 

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

     356,368,147  36,316,707  5,122,033  2,184,736  23,413  53,993  400,069,029    614,798,611    39,867,170    3,327,624    2,563,927    79,300    43,104    660,679,736 

    Liabilities Measured at fair value through profit or loss

     1,422,157   —     —     —     —     —    1,422,157    —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

     881,099   —     —     —     —     —    881,099    57,450    —      —      —      —      —      57,450 

    Repurchase Transactions

      —     —     —     —     —     —     —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

     71,226,543  14,266  11,853  28,766  49,396  64,802  71,395,626    93,159,254    310,057    439,288    822,739    1,241,160    3,915,802    99,888,300 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

     3,997,848  6,440,202  4,385,899  4,504,237  3,297,047  2,907,032  25,532,265    2,607,987    566,135    2,724,761    6,137,695    2,209,308    1,527,556    15,773,442 

    Debt Securities

     3,118,083  5,344,144  13,240,531  4,176,371  5,682,640  6,289,406  37,851,175    736,438    1,142,112    5,014,445    8,055,337    3,440,751    2,908,502    21,297,585 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

     607,968   —     —    607,968  1,215,935  21,022,988  23,454,859    855,858    —      —      855,858    1,711,717    27,719,442    31,142,875 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL

      439,715,565   48,428,682   22,760,316   11,502,078   10,268,431   30,338,221   563,013,293    734,013,839    43,476,989    11,727,386    18,435,556    8,682,236    36,114,406    852,450,412 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

     

    (1)

    Maturities in the first month include:

    Checking Accounts Ps.64,981,553.

    Savings Accounts Ps.180,314,499.

    Time Deposit Ps.110,225,705.

    Other Deposits Ps.2,939,696.

    Interest to be Accrued Ps.414.

    Checking Accounts Ps.64,981,553.

    Savings Accounts Ps.180,314,499.

    Time Deposit Ps.110,225,705.

    Other Deposits Ps.2,939,696.

    Interest to be Accrued Ps.414.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE J – CHANGES IN PROVISIONS

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

              Decreases   Balances as of   Balances as of           Decreases   Balances as of 

    Item

      Balances at
    the Beginning

    of the
    Year
       Increases   Reversals Charge
    offs
     Inflation
    Effect
     12.31.19   12.31.18   Balances at
    the Beginning
    of the Year
       Increase   Reversals Charge offs Inflation
    Effect
     12.31.20   12.31.19 

    FROM LIABILITIES

                          

    For Administrative, Disciplinary and Criminal Penalties

       8,162    33    —    (31 (2,858 5,306    8,162    7,224    517    —    (517 (1,918 5,306    7,224 

    Provisions for Termination Benefits

       133,720    112,548    —    (15,338 (59,572 171,358    133,720 

    For Termination Benefits

       233,287    68,372    —    (14,880 (65,955 220,824    233,287 

    Others

       2,087,646    1,765,389    (50,265 (207,589 (1,024,879 2,570,302    2,087,646    3,499,223    2,895,867    (1,694 (1,699,888 (1,143,341 3,550,167    3,499,223 
      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL PROVISIONS

       2,229,528    1,877,970    (50,265  (222,958  (1,087,309  2,746,966    2,229,528    3,739,734    2,964,756    (1,694  (1,715,285  (1,211,214  3,776,297    3,739,734 
      

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE K – CAPITAL STOCK STRUCTURE

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

    Shares

    Shares

       Capital Stock 

    Shares

       Capital Stock 
                  Issued                               Issued                 

    Class

      Quantity   Nominal Value
    per
    Share(*)
       Votes per Share   Outstanding   Portfolio shares   Pending
    Issuance or
    Distribution
       Allocated   Paid-in   Not Paid-in   Quantity   Nominal Value
    per

    Share(*)
       Votes per Share   Outstanding   Portfolio shares   Pending
    Issuance or
    Distribution
       Allocated   Paid-in   Not Paid-in 

    Class “A”

       281,221,650    1    5    281,222    —      —      —      281,222    —      281,221,650    1    5    281,222    —      —      —      281,222    —   

    Class “B”

       1,145,542,947    1    1    1,145,543    —      —      —      1,145,543    —      1,193,470,441    1    1    1,145,543    —      47,927    —      1,193,470    —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    Total

       1,426,764,597        1,426,765    —      —      —      1,426,765    —      1,474,692,091        1,426,765    —      47,927    —      1,474,692    —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

     

    (*)

    Face value per share stated in Pesos.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE L – FOREIGN CURRENCY BALANCES

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

              12.31.19               12.31.20     

    Items

      Headquarters
    and

    Branches in
    the country
       12.31.19   Dollar   Euro   Real   Others   12.31.18   Headquarters
    and Branches
    in the country
       12.31.20   Dollar   Euro   Real   Others   12.31.19 

    ASSETS

                                

    Cash and Due from Banks

       90,904,875    90,904,875    88,419,525    2,285,329    1,134    198,887    146,381,970    154,833,168    154,833,168    150,152,951    4,294,070    34,040    352,107    123,758,431 

    Debt Securities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       5,562,978    5,562,978    5,562,978    —      —      —      2,244,898    4,491,304    4,491,304    4,491,304    —      —      —      7,573,471 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Assets

       2,402,974    2,402,974    2,402,974    —      —      —      1,071,898    2,566,427    2,566,427    2,566,427    —      —      —      3,271,423 

    Loans and Other Financing

       95,006,127    95,006,127    94,978,645    26,730    —      752    147,228,404    52,701,585    52,701,585    52,682,847    6,794    —      11,944    129,341,899 

    Non-financial Public Sector

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    BCRA

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Institutions

       1,634,122    1,634,122    1,634,122    —      —      —      1,356,426    1,637,121    1,637,121    1,637,121    —      —      —      2,224,703 

    To theNon-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       93,372,005    93,372,005    93,344,523    26,730    —      752    145,871,978    51,064,464    51,064,464    51,045,726    6,794    —      11,944    127,117,196 

    Other Debt Securities

       5,315,314    5,315,314    5,315,314    —      —      —      6,740,225    336,293    336,293    336,293    —      —      —      7,236,300 

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       2,597,410    2,597,410    2,597,410    —      —      —      5,154,093    2,150,738    2,150,738    2,150,738    —      —      —      3,536,129 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       42,163    42,163    36,805    5,358    —      —      43,404    56,667    56,667    50,433    6,234    —      —      57,401 

    Assets for Insurance Contracts

       —      —      —      —      —      —      4,146    9,885    9,885    9,885    —      —      —      —   

    OtherNon-financial Assets

       14,145    14,145    14,145    —      —      —      35,863    15,247    15,247    15,247    —      —      —      19,257 

    TOTAL ASSETS

       201,845,986    201,845,986    199,327,796    2,317,417    1,134    199,639    308,904,901    217,161,314    217,161,314    212,456,125    4,307,098    34,040    364,051    274,794,311 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    LIABILITIES

                                

    Deposits

       143,197,513    143,197,513    143,197,513    —      —      —      250,235,413    166,261,399    166,261,399    166,261,399    —      —      —      194,949,936 

    Non-financial Public Sector

       77,779    77,779    77,779    —      —      —      9,577,556    3,103,854    3,103,854    3,103,854    —      —      —      105,889 

    Financial Sector

       13,890    13,890    13,890    —      —      —      15,177    3,411    3,411    3,411    —      —      —      18,910 

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       143,105,844    143,105,844    143,105,844    —      —      —      240,642,680    163,154,134    163,154,134    163,154,134    —      —      —      194,825,137 

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       372,732    372,732    372,732    —      —      —      178,078    —      —      —      —      —      —      507,440 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       2,203    2,203    2,203    —      —      —      32,571    —      —      —      —      —      —      2,999 

    Repurchase Transactions

       —      —      —      —      —      —      2,914,933    —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       12,902,325    12,902,325    12,602,546    272,381    —      27,398    12,311,681    13,815,626    13,815,626    13,044,070    725,685    —      45,871    17,565,301 

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       17,991,249    17,991,249    17,917,356    73,893    —      —      21,251,276    8,610,719    8,610,719    8,610,719    —      —      —      24,493,392 

    Debt Securities

       6,169,620    6,169,620    6,169,620    —      —      —      5,923,612    4,828,657    4,828,657    4,828,657    —      —      —      8,399,357 

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       15,499,212    15,499,212    15,499,212    —      —      —      15,026,155    21,653,546    21,653,546    21,653,546    —      —      —      21,100,718 

    Liabilities for Insurance Contracts

       2,457    2,457    2,457    —      —      —      4,564    2,070    2,070    2,070    —      —      —      3,345 

    OtherNon-financial Liabilities

       479,633    479,633    479,633    —      —      —      467,495    1,033,146    1,033,146    1,032,065    1,081    —      —      652,975 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL LIABILITIES

       196,616,944    196,616,944    196,243,272    346,274    —      27,398    308,345,778    216,205,163    216,205,163    215,432,526    726,766    —      45,871    267,675,463 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE N – CREDIT ASSISTANCE TO AFFILIATES

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

    Situation          With Problems /
    Medium Risk
       With High Insolvency
    Risk / High

    Risk
               Total 

    Items

      Normal   With
    Special
    Follow-
    up / Low
    Risk
       Not Past
    Due
       Past
    Due
       Not Past
    Due
       Past Due   Uncollectible   Uncollectible
    due to
    Technical
    Reasons
       12.31.19   12.31.18 

    Loans and Other Financing

       629,788    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      629,788    960,179 

    - Advances

       42,222    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      42,222    565,165 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       42,222    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      42,222    565,165 

    - Overdraft

       384,503    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      384,503    101,069 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Without Preferred Guarantees or

    Counter-guarantees

       384,503    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      384,503    101,069 

    - Mortgage and Collateral Loans

       35,185    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      35,185    53,251 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       25,004    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      25,004    47,453 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or

    Counter-guarantees

       10,181    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      10,181    5,798 

    - Personal Loans

       1,288    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      1,288    3,154 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

       1,288    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      1,288    3,154 
    Situation          With Problems /
    Medium Risk
       With High Insolvency
    Risk / High

    Risk
               Total 

    Items

      Normal   With
    Special
    Follow-
    up / Low

    Risk
       Not
    Past
    Due
       Past
    Due
       Not Past
    Due
       Past Due   Uncollectible   Uncollectible
    due to
    Technical

    Reasons
       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    Loans and Other Financing

       952,242    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      952,242    857,397 

    - Advances

       458,828    —      —      —     

     

    —  

     

       —      —      —      458,828    57,481 

    With Preferred Guarantees

    and Counter-guarantees “A”

       928    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      928    —   

    With Preferred Guarantees

    and Counter-guarantees “B”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Without Preferred Guarantees or

    Counter-guarantees

       457,900    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      457,900    57,481 

    - Overdraft

       204,694    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      204,694    523,465 

    With Preferred Guarantees

    and Counter-guarantees “A”

       180    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      180    —   

    With Preferred Guarantees

    and Counter-guarantees “B”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Without Preferred Guarantees or

    Counter-guarantees

       204,514    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      204,514    523,465 

    - Mortgage and Collateral Loans

       16,911    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      16,911    47,901 

    With Preferred Guarantees

    and Counter-guarantees “A”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    With Preferred Guarantees

    and Counter-guarantees “B”

       12,591    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      12,591    34,041 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or

    Counter-guarantees

       4,320    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      4,320    13,860 

    - Personal Loans

       39,539    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      39,539    1,753 

    With Preferred Guarantees

    and Counter-guarantees “A”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    With Preferred Guarantees

    and Counter-guarantees “B”

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Without Preferred Guarantees or

    Counter-guarantees

       39,539    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      39,539    1,753 

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE N – CREDIT ASSISTANCE TO AFFILIATES (Continued)

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020 AND 20182019

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

    Situation     With Problems /
    Medium Risk
     With High
    Insolvency Risk / High

    Risk
         Total           With Problems /
    Medium Risk
       With High Insolvency
    Risk / High

    Risk
               Total 

    Items

     Normal With Special
    Follow-
    up / Low
    Risk
     Not
    Past

    Due
     Past
    Due
     Not
    Past

    Due
     Past
    Due
     Uncollectible Uncollectible
    due to
    Technical
    Reasons
     12.31.19 12.31.18   Normal   With
    Special
    Follow-
    up / Low

    Risk
       Not
    Past
    Due
       Past
    Due
       Not Past
    Due
       Past Due   Uncollectible   Uncollectible
    due to
    Technical

    Reasons
       12.31.20   12.31.19 

    - Credit Cards

      149,919   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     149,919   224,911    217,867    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    217,867    204,101 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —      424    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      424    —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

     149,919   —     —     —     —     —     —     —    149,919  224,911    217,443    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      217,443    204,101 

    - Other

      16,671   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     16,671   12,629    14,403    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      14,403    22,696 

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “A”

      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —      2    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      2    —   

    With Preferred Guarantees and Counter-guarantees “B”

     633   —     —     —     —     —     —     —    633  4,530    2,660    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      2,660    862 

    Without Preferred Guarantees or Counter-guarantees

     16,038   —     —     —     —     —     —     —    16,038  8,099    11,741    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      11,741    21,834 

    Debt Securities

      97,192   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     97,192   149,305    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      132,318 

    Investments in Equity Instruments

      201,815   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     201,815   110,782    392,757    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      392,757    274,752 

    Contingent Commitments

      172,941   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     172,941   251,047    646,605    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      646,605    235,443 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL

      1,101,736   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     1,101,736   1,471,313    1,991,604    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      1,991,604    1,499,910 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    ALLOWANCES

      7,270   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     7,270   11,094    57,387    —      —      —      —      —      —      —      57,387    9,897 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE O – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

    Type of Contract

     

    Objective of the
    Operations

     

    Underlying

    Asset

     

    Type of

    Settlement

     Scope of Negotiation
    or

    Counterpart
      Weighted
    Average
    Term
    Originally-

    Agreed
      Residual
    Weighted
    Average
    Term
      Weighted
    Average
    Term to
    Settle
    Differences
      Amount(*) 

    Forwards in Foreign Currency

            

    OTC - Purchases

     Brokerage - own account Foreign currency Daily settlement of the difference  MAE   3   1   1   590,805 

    OTC - Sales

     Brokerage - own account Foreign currency Daily settlement of the difference  MAE   2   1   1   466,425 

    ROFEX - Purchases

     Brokerage - own account Foreign currency Daily settlement of the difference  ROFEX   4   2   1   17,616,303 

    ROFEX - Sales

     Brokerage - own account Foreign currency Daily settlement of the difference  ROFEX   6   3   1   12,186,427 

    Forwards with Customers

            

    Purchases

     Brokerage - own account Foreign currency 

    Upon maturity

    of differences

      


    OTC - Residents in

    Argentina -

    Non-financial
    sector

     

     

     
     

      4   3   133   9,939,003 

    Sales

     Brokerage - own account Foreign currency 

    Upon maturity of

    differences

      


    OTC - Residents in

    Argentina -

    Non-financial
    sector

     

     

     
     

      3   2   90   15,469,476 

    Repurchase Transactions

            

    Forward Sales

     Brokerage - own account 

    Argentine

    government

    securities

     With delivery of the underlying asset  MAE   —     —     —     29,968,733 

    Swaps with Customers

            

    Swaps of Fixed Interest Rate for Variable Rate

     Brokerage - own account Others Others  MAE   27   4   1   360,242 

    Type of Contract

     Objective of
    the
    Operations
      Underlying
    Asset
      Type of
    Settlement
      Scope of Negotiation
    or

    Counterpart
     Weighted
    Average
    Term
    Originally-

    Agreed
      Residual
    Weighted
    Average
    Term
      Weighted
    Average
    Term to
    Settle
    Differences
      Amount(*) 

    Forwards in Foreign Currency

            

    OTC - Purchases

      

    Brokerage
    - own
    account
     
     
     
      
    Foreign
    currency
     
     
      
    Daily settlement
    of the difference
     
     
     MAE  4   1   1  

     

    7,921,087

     

    ROFEX - Purchases

      

    Brokerage
    - own
    account
     
     
     
      
    Foreign
    currency
     
     
      

    Daily settlement
    of

    the difference

     
     

     

     ROFEX  3   2   1   17,795,643 

    ROFEX - Sales

      

    Brokerage
    - own
    account
     
     
     
      
    Foreign
    currency
     
     
      

    Daily settlement
    of

    the difference

     
     

     

     ROFEX  3   2   1   14,328,423 

    Forwards with Customers

            

    Purchases

      

    Brokerage
    - own
    account
     
     
     
      
    Foreign
    currency
     
     
      

    Upon maturity
    of

    differences

     
     

     

     OTC -
    Residents in

    Argentina -

    Non-financial
    sector

      7   3   202   1,549,356 

    Sales

      

    Brokerage
    - own
    account
     
     
     
      
    Foreign
    currency
     
     
      

    Upon maturity
    of

    differences

     
     

     

     OTC -
    Residents in

    Argentina -

    Non-financial
    sector

      4   2   123   12,563,375 

    Repurchase Transactions

            

    Forward Sales

      

    Brokerage
    - own
    account
     
     
     
      

    Argentine
    government
    securities
     
     
     
      

    With delivery of
    the

    underlying asset

     
     

     

     MAE  
    -
      
     
     
      
    -
      
     
     
      -      61,923,889 

    Swaps with Customers

            

    Swaps of Fixed Interest Rate for Variable Rate

      

    Brokerage
    - own
    account
     
     
     
      Others   Others  MAE  36   3   1   82,909 

     

    (*)

    Relates to the notional amount.

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE P – CATEGORIES OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

              Fair Value
    through Profit

    or Loss
       Fair Value Hierarchy           Fair Value
    through Profit
    or Loss
       Fair Value Hierarchy 

    Items

      Amortized Cost   Fair Value
    through OCI
       Mandatory
    Measurement
       Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Amortized Cost   Fair Value
    through
    OCI
       Mandatory
    Measurement
       Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 

    FINANCIAL ASSETS

                            

    Cash and Due from Banks

       130,649,061    —      —      —      —      —      175,423,476    —      —      —      —      —   

    Cash

       52,728,463    —      —      —      —      —      66,932,871    —      —      —      —      —   

    Financial Institutions and Correspondents

       77,920,598    —      —      —      —      —      108,490,605    —      —      —      —      —   

    Debt Securities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

         —      65,690,460    2,172,074    58,141,095    5,377,291    —      —      155,419,560    24,824,475    129,236,300    1,358,785 

    Derivative Financial Instruments

         —      2,329,074    —      1,398,539    930,535    —      —      2,165,032    —      547,929    1,617,103 

    Repurchase Transactions

       30,075,478    —      —      —      —      —      60,995,643    —      —      —      —      —   

    Argentine Central Bank

       30,075,478    —      —      —      —      —      60,995,643    —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Institutions

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Assets

       5,890,829    —      5,024,505    4,987,105    37,400    —      7,301,643    —      2,791,983    2,760,728    31,255    —   

    Loans and Other Financing

       358,558,869    —      —      —      —      —      526,434,119    —      —      —      —      —   

    Non-financial Public Sector

       4,977    —      —      —      —      —      334    —      —      —      —      —   

    Argentine Central Bank

       22,374    —      —      —      —      —      13,195    —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Institutions

       10,612,457    —      —      —      —      —      14,700,600    —      —      —      —      —   

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       347,919,061    —      —      —      —      —      511,719,990    —      —      —      —      —   

    Advances

       15,892,268    —      —      —      —      —      29,219,431    —      —      —      —      —   

    Overdraft

       75,080,343    —      —      —      —      —      143,769,344    —      —      —      —      —   

    Mortgage Loans

       15,052,635    —      —      —      —      —      16,486,335    —      —      —      —      —   

    Pledge Loans

       3,208,665    —      —      —      —      —      11,586,593    —      —      —      —      —   

    Personal Loans

       27,645,893    —      —      —      —      —      36,504,158    —      —      —      —      —   

    Credit-card loans

       149,459,966    —      —      —      —      —      241,793,015    —      —      —      —      —   

    Finance Leases

       2,181,712    —      —      —      —      —      1,819,883    —      —      —      —      —   

    Others

       59,397,579    —      —      —      —      —      30,541,231    —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Debt Securities

       3,103,324    15,916,306    —      15,916,306    —      —      18,885,279    4,185,098    —      604,996    3,580,102    —   

    Financial Assets Pledged as Collateral

       9,814,894    —      1,735,692    703,669      1,032,023    16,681,884    —      2,035,559    2,035,559    —      —   

    Investments in Equity Instruments

       —      —      4,554,453    162,003    —      4,392,450    —      —      5,711,684    234,774    —      5,476,910 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSETS

       538,092,455    15,916,306    79,334,184    23,941,157    59,577,034    11,732,299    805,722,044    4,185,098    168,123,818    30,460,532    133,395,586    8,452,798 
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE P – CATEGORIES OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Continued)

     

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20192020

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

              Fair Value
    through Profit

    or Loss
       Fair Value Hierarchy           Fair Value
    through Profit
    or Loss
       Fair Value Hierarchy 

    Items

      Amortized Cost   Fair Value
    through OCI
       Mandatory
    Measurement
       Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Amortized Cost   Fair Value
    through
    OCI
       Mandatory
    Measurement
       Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 

    FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

                                  

    Deposits

       393,735,406    —      —      —      —      —      669,282,956    —      —      —      —      —   

    Non-financial Public Sector

       1,933,141    —      —      —      —      —      21,537,481    —      —      —      —      —   

    Financial Sector

       450,934    —      —      —      —      —      1,947,127    —      —      —      —      —   

    Non-financial Private Sector and Residents Abroad

       391,351,331    —      —      —      —      —      645,798,348    —      —      —      —      —   

    Checking Accounts

       66,169,034    —      —      —      —      —      101,777,665    —      —      —      —      —   

    Savings Accounts

       177,130,116    —      —      —      —      —      313,702,281    —      —      —      —      —   

    Time Deposit and Term Investments

       140,539,356    —      —      —      —      —      230,318,402    —      —      —      —      —   

    Others

       7,512,825    —      —      —      —      —      7,112,779    —      —      —      —      —   

    Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

       —      —      1,422,157    1,422,157      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Derivative Financial Instruments

       —      —      881,099    —      881,099    —      —      —      57,450    —      57,450    —   

    Repurchase Transactions

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Argentine Central Bank

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Institutions

       —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —   

    Other Financial Liabilities

       71,362,718    —      —      —      —      —      97,471,465    —      —      —      —      —   

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       22,723,687    —      —      —      —      —      13,833,439    —      —      —      —      —   

    Debt Securities

       29,240,851    —      —      —      —      —      17,073,898    —      —      —      —      —   

    Subordinated Debt Securities

       15,499,212    —      —      —      —      —      21,653,546    —      —      —      —      —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    TOTAL FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

       532,561,874    —      2,303,256    1,422,157    881,099    —      826,428,083    —      57,450    —      57,450    —   
      

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

       

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE Q – INCOME STATEMENT BREAKDOWN

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 20192020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019,2020, PRESENTED IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

     Net Financial
    Income/(Expense)
     Net Financial
    Income/(Expense)
        Net Financial Income/(Expense) 

    Items

     Originally
    Designated or
    According to Point
    6.7.1 of IFRS 9
     Mandatory
    Measurement
     OCI  Originally
    Designated or
    According to
    Point 6.7.1 of
    IFRS 9
     Mandatory
    Measurement
     OCI 

    From Measurement of Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

          

    Income (loss) from Government Securities

      —    62,351,265  622,565   —    62,140,975  (337,707

    Income (loss) from Corporate Securities

      —    9,327,165   —     —    4,721,625   —   

    Income (Loss) from Derivative Financial Instruments

      —    1,282,202   —     —    2,469,302   —   

    Repurchase Transactions

      —    1,282,202   —     —    1,746,892   —   

    Interest Rate Swaps

      —     —     —     —    35,862   —   

    Options

      —     —     —     —    686,548   —   

    Income from Other Financial Assets

      —     —    (17,221
     

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total as of 12.31.20

      —     69,331,902   (354,928
     

     

      

     

      

     

     
     Net Financial Income/(Expense) 

    Items

     Originally
    Designated or
    According to
    Point 6.7.1 of
    IFRS 9
     Mandatory
    Measurement
     OCI 

    From Measurement of Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       

    Income (loss) from Government Securities

      —    84,885,379  847,564 

    Income (loss) from Corporate Securities

      —    12,698,057   —   

    Income (Loss) from Derivative Financial Instruments

      —    1,745,597   —   

    Repurchase Transactions

      —    1,745,597   —   

    Income from other Financial Assets

      (21,067 15,311   —    (28,681 20,844 

    From Measurement of Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through in Profit or Loss

      —      —      

    Income (Loss) from Derivative Financial Instruments

      —    (109,340  —     —    (148,856  —   

    Repurchase Transactions

      —      —   

    Interest Rate Swaps

      —    (109,340  —     —    (148,856  —   

    Options

      —      —   
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total as of 12.31.19

      —     72,830,225   637,876   —     99,151,496   868,408 
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     
     Net Financial
    Income/(Expense)
     Net Financial
    Income/(Expense)
        Net Financial Income/(Expense) 

    Items

     Originally
    Designated or
    According to Point
    6.7.1 of IFRS 9
     Mandatory
    Measurement
     OCI  Originally
    Designated or
    According to
    Point 6.7.1 of
    IFRS 9
     Mandatory
    Measurement
     OCI 

    From Measurement of Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

          

    Income (loss) from Government Securities

      —    21,394,872  134,139   —    29,127,105  (182,617

    Income (loss) from Corporate Securities

      —    2,377,171   —     —    3,236,294   —   

    Income (Loss) from Derivative Financial Instruments

      —    3,213,577   —     —    4,374,983   —   

    Repurchase Transactions

      —    3,213,577   —     —    4,374,901   —   

    Income from Other Financial Assets

      —    15,739   —   

    Interest Rate Swaps

      —    82   —   

    Income from other Financial Assets

      —    21,427   —   

    From Measurement of Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through in Profit or Loss

       —       

    Income (Loss) from Derivative Financial Instruments

      —    (307,255  —     —    (418,300  —   

    Repurchase Transactions

      —    (137,966  —     —    (187,828  —   

    Interest Rate Swaps

      —    (169,289   —    (230,472  —   
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total as of 12.31.18

      —     26,694,104   134,139   —     36,341,509   (182,617
     

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     
     Net Financial
    Income/(Expense)
     Net Financial
    Income/(Expense)
       

    Items

     Originally
    Designated or
    According to Point
    6.7.1 of IFRS 9
     Mandatory
    Measurement
     OCI 

    From Measurement of Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

       

    Income (loss) from Government Securities

      —    11,519,265  668,759 

    Income (loss) from Corporate Securities

      —    2,416,056   —   

    Income (Loss) from Derivative Financial Instruments

      —    2,513   —   

    Repurchase Transactions

      —    (2,991  —   

    Interest Rate Swaps

      —    64   —   

    Options

      —    5,440   —   

    From Measurement of Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through in Profit or Loss

      —      —   

    Income (Loss) from Derivative Financial Instruments

      —    (921,554  —   

    Repurchase Transactions

      —    (911,603  —   

    Interest Rate Swaps

      —    (14  —   

    Options

      —    (9,937  —   
     

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total as of 12.31.17

      —     13,016,280   668,759 
     

     

      

     

      

     

     

    GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S.A.

    SCHEDULE Q – INCOME STATEMENT BREAKDOWN (Continued)

     

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 20192020 AND ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019,2020, PRESENTED IN COMPARATIVE FORMAT

    Figures Stated in Thousands of Pesos (Ps.), Except as Otherwise Stated

     

    Interest and Adjustments for Application of Effective Interest Rate of
    Financial Assets Measured at Amortized Cost

      12.31.19 12.31.18 12.31.17   12.31.20 12.31.19 12.31.18 

    Interest Income

            

    On Cash and Due from Banks

       7,936  1,221  268    2,842  10,804  1,663 

    On Corporate Securities

       390,267  507,644  383,999    311,974  531,312  691,109 

    On Government Securities

       4,704,910  2,136,312  690,486    9,183,108  6,405,292  2,908,388 

    On Others Financial Assets

       —     —     —   

    On Loans and Other Financing

       118,267,695  116,617,600  81,087,994    148,447,000  161,010,334  158,763,887 

    Non-financial Public Sector

       —    392  5,992    —     —    534 

    Financial Sector

       3,158,649  3,236,249  1,702,372    3,126,359  4,300,203  4,405,849 

    Non-financial Private Sector

       115,109,046  113,380,959  79,379,630    145,320,641  156,710,131  154,357,504 

    Advances

       12,593,867  15,135,165  6,783,029    11,887,470  17,145,365  20,605,103 

    Mortgage Loans

       12,852,517  9,154,279  1,447,174    13,075,809  17,497,492  12,462,689 

    Pledge Loans

       702,390  654,828  283,625    1,421,653  956,238  891,486 

    Personal Loans

       12,219,397  14,073,954  11,871,852    16,298,802  16,635,559  19,160,364 

    Credit Card Loans

       47,673,677  45,163,267  38,309,818    47,207,293  64,903,224  61,485,538 

    Finance Leases

       558,787  930,238  829,962    351,863  760,736  1,266,432 

    Others

       28,508,411  28,269,228  19,854,170    55,077,751  38,811,517  38,485,892 

    On Repurchase Transactions

       7,135,059  1,147,670  1,973,919    8,861,754  9,713,712  1,562,445 

    Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       6,791,906  491,724  (12,288   8,788,748  9,246,541  669,436 

    Other Financial Institutions

       343,153  655,946  1,986,207    73,006  467,171  893,009 
      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

       130,505,867   120,410,447   84,136,666    166,806,678   177,671,454   163,927,492 
      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Interest-related Expenses

      12.31.19 12.31.18 12.31.17   12.31.20 12.31.19 12.31.18 

    On Deposits

       75,773,385  50,315,016  26,941,885    (79,482,905 (103,158,332 (68,499,156

    Non-financial Private Sector

       75,773,385  50,315,016  26,941,885    (79,482,905 (103,158,332 (68,499,156

    Checking Accounts

       —     —    1,615    —     —     —   

    Savings Accounts

       6,300  8,173  8,579    (11,312 (8,577 (11,127

    Time Deposit and Term Investments

       66,719,525  44,005,165  25,665,087    (62,823,955 (90,832,354 (59,908,890

    Others

       9,047,560  6,301,678  1,266,604    (16,647,638 (12,317,401 (8,579,139

    Financing Received from the Argentine Central Bank and Other Financial Institutions

       2,453,531  3,324,424  1,836,820    (1,744,423 (3,340,252 (4,525,891

    On Repurchase Transactions

       676,703  339,591  550,909    (303,406 (921,267 (462,321

    BCRA

       —     —     —   

    Other Financial Institutions

       676,703  339,591  550,909    (303,406 (921,267 (462,321

    On Other Financial Liabilities

       1,306,000  1,196,588  1,543,563    (953,190 (1,777,996 (1,629,043

    On Debt Securities

       14,241,539  12,786,217  6,445,796    (6,097,288 (19,388,515 (17,407,231

    On Subordinated Debt Securities

       1,224,998  1,124,796  861,748    (1,593,246 (1,667,719 (1,531,304
      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

       95,676,156   69,086,632   38,180,721    (90,174,458  (130,254,081  (94,054,946
      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Fee Income

      12.31.19 12.31.18 12.31.17   12.31.20 12.31.19 12.31.18 

    Fee Related to Credit cards

       15,869,038  15,010,387  16,327,030    21,255,723  21,604,202  20,435,229 

    Fee related to Insurance

       1,320,659  1,375,811  334,226    1,715,661  1,797,953  1,873,037 

    Fee related to Obligation

       9,131,806  9,916,480  8,501,691    11,468,853  12,432,094  13,500,354 

    Fee Related to Credits

       4,936,279  7,231,286  9,290,159    8,152,466  6,720,278  9,844,715 

    Fee Related to Loan Commitments and Financial Guarantees

       358,527  327,523  317,112    109,796  488,101  445,892 

    Fee Related to Securities

       1,440,095  1,628,305  1,226,078    1,774,362  1,960,554  2,216,784 

    Fee for Collections Management

       514,934  455,913  370,612    352,494  701,034  620,683 

    Fee for Foreign and Exchange Transactions

       1,573,753  1,584,497  1,200,308    1,646,077  2,142,517  2,157,143 
      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

       35,145,091   37,530,202   37,567,216    46,475,432   47,846,733   51,093,837 
      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Fee-related Expenses

      12.31.19 12.31.18 12.31.17   12.31.20 12.31.19 12.31.18 

    Fees Related to Transactions with Securities

       491,714  85,905  45,364 

    Fees related to credit cards

       3,516,855  2,840,626  2,482,259 

    Fees related to Transactions with Securities

       (161,629 (669,422 (116,951

    Fees related to Credit Cards

       (5,348,957 (4,787,867 (3,867,245

    Fees related to foreign operations and exchange

       (483,529 (214,548 (122,656

    Others

       3,052,879  1,728,587  2,476,291    (3,923,758 (3,941,660 (2,230,653
      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Total

       7,061,448   4,655,118   5,003,914    (9,917,873  (9,613,497  (6,337,505
      

     

      

     

      

     

       

     

      

     

      

     

     

     

    F-106F-110