The International Banking Center (CBI for its acronym in Spanish) has consolidated its role as a trusted regional platform for savings and investment. This is evidenced by its deposit portfolio, which totaled USD 113,163.7 million as of June 2025, representing a 6.74% increase (an additional USD 7,144.5 million) compared to the same period the previous year.
This performance was driven mainly by external deposits, which increased 13.5%, totaling USD 45,569.1 million—an increase of USD 5,417.1 million over the USD 40,152 million recorded in the previous year, according to the latest Banking Activity Report issued by the Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP).
Meanwhile, domestic personal deposits grew 2.6% to reach USD 67,594.6 million, compared to USD 65,867.2 million in the same period of 2024, representing an additional USD 1,727.5 million.
Meanwhile, the sustained growth of term‑deposit instruments consolidates a solid and stable funding structure, enabling the system to face global challenges with resilience and reinforcing its role as a pillar of stability and a financial engine for the country.
The net credit portfolio established itself as the main driver of asset expansion, reaching USD 99,712.8 million, representing an 8.72% increase or USD 7,995.2 million more; this performance is primarily attributed to the external segment, which recorded a balance of USD 36,820.7 million, reflecting a 19.4% rise or USD 5,973.8 million above the same period of the previous year, while the domestic portfolio, at USD 62,892.2 million, saw a more moderate growth of 3.32% or USD 2,021.4 million compared to the same period in 2024.
The International Banking Center (CBI) of Panama closed June 2025 with a 6.7% year‑on‑year expansion in assets, totaling USD 158,606.9 million. This growth is explained by prudent, yet profitable management based on the strengthening of productive assets—especially credit and investments—within a regionally competitive liquidity environment. CBI’s asset expansion was driven by the external credit portfolio and efficient resource allocation.
CBI’s net assets recorded an annual increase of 6.7%, amounting to USD 158,606.9 million, which represents approximately USD 9,960.2 million more compared to the prior period.
This performance reflects the continuation of a strategy focused on expanding productive assets and optimizing balance‑sheet usage in an environment characterized by regional liquidity competition and more demanding international financial conditions.
The observed evolution suggests an efficient allocation of resources and prudent balance‑sheet management, helping preserve strong solvency metrics and leverage levels consistent with a moderate risk profile.
The CBI also shows strong liquidity and solvency metrics: the legal liquidity ratio stands at 54.49%, and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) comfortably exceeds the regulatory threshold. The Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remains with ample margin above the required minimum at 15.71%, ensuring a sufficient buffer to absorb potential external or credit shocks.
This performance demonstrates the resilience of Panama’s banking system in the face of increased external uncertainty and pressure on profit margins. Financial results confirm the sector’s ability to generate profits, albeit with less momentum than in 2024.
In this context, it is essential to strengthen operational efficiency, optimize the funding structure to mitigate rising costs, and further diversify income streams, while preserving asset quality and solid prudential standards.
The SBP will maintain a risk-based supervisory approach, with special attention to macrofinancial indicators and the financial performance of the CBI, in order to anticipate vulnerabilities and preserve its financial stability.
For more details on this report, visit our website at www.superbancos.gob.pa, in the Financial and Statistical section.
