This paper explores the dynamics of the credit-crunch affecting Colombia during the second half of the 1990s. Its main objectives are to present statistical evidence regarding the phenomenon in question, to ascertain rhythms deriving from it and some working hypotheses shedding some light on determinants of Colombian credit market behaviour. The study distinguishes between exogenous and endogenous factors explaining this behaviour. External capital flows play a key role in the former as their size and direction highly influence internal credit conditions and economic activity. However, changes in these flows are channelled through a domestic financial system that amplifies their negative effect on the economy, thus playing a procedural-cyclical role
