Deposits of the International Banking Center (IBC) continue to stand as the system’s primary source of funding, reaching a total balance of USD 118,204 million, representing a year-on-year increase of USD 8,005.9 million, or 7.27%. This performance reaffirms Panama’s role as a solid and reliable regional platform for savings and investment.
This growth was driven mainly by the dynamism of external deposits, which increased by 14.72% to USD 48,097 million (an additional USD 6,170.5 million compared to the previous year). Meanwhile, domestic deposits totaled USD 70,107 million, reflecting moderate but sustained growth of 2.69%.
Regarding the composition of external deposits, countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic account for more than 58% of these funds, underscoring the region’s confidence in Panama’s banking system.
This trend strengthens the IBC’s position as a regional funding hub, with a funding structure that continues to favor external resources. At the same time, a shift toward time deposits is observed within the retail segment, both domestically (6.33%) and externally (15.52%).
This evolving liability structure—where time deposits play a more prominent role—facilitates asset and liability management as well as treasury operations.
Meanwhile, the net loan portfolio reached USD 100,647 million, representing an increase of 5.21%, or an additional USD 4,983 million. This expansion was led by the external loan portfolio, which grew by 15.19%, or USD 5,085 million, reaching a total of USD 38,644.4 million.
The largest disbursements were concentrated on the personal consumption, commerce, and mortgage segments.
IBC assets recorded a year-on-year expansion of 4.83%, or USD 7,525.5 million, totaling USD 163,232.9 million. This performance reflects a strategy focused on expanding productive assets and optimizing the balance sheet in the context of regional competition for liquidity and still-demanding international financial conditions.
These results demonstrate that the system continues to maintain strong liquidity and solvency indicators. The legal liquidity ratio stood at 57.14%, while the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) remained comfortably above the regulatory minimum. The Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) reached 16.27%, ensuring a sufficient buffer to absorb potential external or credit-related shocks.
Contingent operations of IBC grew by 12.7% in 2025, driven mainly by undrawn credit lines (69% of the total, +14%), reflecting increased financing capacity.
Letters of credit rose by 14%, in line with a rebound in international trade, while guarantees and sureties increased by 13.1%, driven by construction activity and public-private partnership projects.
In contrast, derivatives declined by 25.8%, indicating lower demand for hedging instruments. These results point to higher future commitments without an immediate increase in risk, although latent risks remain in the face of potential external shocks that could affect the fulfillment of obligations.
These results confirm that the IBC maintains solid basics in terms of liquidity, capital, and profitability, positioning it favorably in an evolving financial environment.
In this context, the Superintendency of Banks of Panama will continue to exercise timely and prudent supervision aimed at preserving the strength, stability, and confidence in the national banking system.
For more details on the results of this report, please visit our website at www.superbancos.gob.pa, in the Financial and Statistics section.
