Late-payment interest, penalty clauses and damages: when Colombian law allows collecting them together

FinanceColombiaDiario del SurOct 28, 2026, 10:31 AM40 s readAI summary

Banco de la República reported that Colombian households' obligations reached 384.1 trillion pesos at the end of 2025, a 3.2% real annual increase, and estimated household debt at 424 trillion pesos as of March 2026, of which 17% corresponded to entities not supervised by the Financial Superintendency. Amid rising household debt, a legal analysis reviews when a creditor may claim principal, late-payment interest, a penalty clause and damages for the same breach.

In 40 seconds

Household obligations totaled 384.1 trillion pesos at the end of 2025, a 3.2% real annual increase, according to Banco de la República.
The report estimated household debt at 424 trillion pesos as of March 2026, with 17% held by entities not supervised by the Financial Superintendency.
Article 1600 of the Civil Code generally bars claiming both a penalty clause and damages, unless expressly agreed.

Read the full story at Diario del Sur

IASummary generated by artificial intelligence from a story by Diario del Sur. It may contain errors: the original source prevails.

endeudamiento
Banco de la República
crédito
hogares
Código Civil

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Late-payment interest, penalty clauses and damages: when Colombian law allows collecting them together

In 40 seconds

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Keep reading

IMF backs economic rescue bill as Banco de la República calls for rigor in its review

Parks and attractions in Colombia generated US$1.095 billion in 2024, according to IAAPA

President requests urgent congressional passage of fiscal adjustment bill

Oil edges lower after U.S. bombs Iran ahead of Election Day