The International Banking Center’s (IBC) net credit portfolio reached USD 100,088.9 million, representing a 5.5% increase as of October 2025 compared with the same period last year.
This performance was driven by the external portfolio, which grew 12.38% to USD 36,832.2 million, in contrast to a more moderate expansion of 1.63% in the domestic portfolio, which totaled USD 63,256.7 million over the same period last year.
These results show that the credit portfolio continues to consolidate its position as the main driver of asset growth, and that banks are steadily increasing credit placements while expanding certain business lines, according to the Banking Activity Report (IAB) issued by the Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP).
The report also indicates that deposits remain the primary source of funding, reaching USD 115,289.7 million—an annual increase of USD 6,428.9 million or 5.91% compared with the same period last year.
This performance was led by external deposits, which grew 10.21%, while domestic deposits increased at a more moderate pace of 3.23%. Within the external component, personal deposits stood out, rising 13.25%, driven by increases in both demand deposits (29.66%) and savings accounts (19.50%). This trend further reinforces the IBC’s position as a regional deposit hub.
Regarding the flow of new credit as of October 2025, new loan disbursements within the National Banking System totaled USD 22,199 million, 5.2% higher than in the same period in 2024.
The results confirm a continued pattern of sectoral reallocation, with the commercial credit portfolio accounting for the highest disbursement volume. This segment grew approximately 47%, reaching USD 10,530 million, a 16.6% increase from the previous year, reinforcing its position as the main destination for new credit.
Increases were also observed in personal consumption loans, up 3.2% to USD 2,616 million; livestock loans, up 3.3% to USD 469 million; and in mining and quarrying, where disbursements rose sharply from USD 5 million to USD 119 million, albeit from a very low base.
Net assets of the IBC totaled USD 160,378.3 million, an annual increase of 4.44%, or USD 6,814.6 million. This reflects the continuation of a strategy aimed at expanding productive assets and optimizing balance sheet management in an environment characterized by regional competition for liquidity and more demanding international financial conditions.
It is important to highlight that, during the period under review, the IBC continued to exhibit strong liquidity and solvency levels. Both the legal liquidity index and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) remained above the regulatory threshold of 53.4%. The Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 16.3%, well above the minimum regulatory requirement. Together, these indicators demonstrate a robust capital cushion sufficient to absorb potential external or credit-related shocks.
These results confirm that the IBC maintains solid liquidity, capital, and profitability fundamentals, positioning it well to navigate a more demanding financial environment. To reinforce this strength, it will be essential to continue improving operational efficiency, optimizing asset–liability management, diversifying funding sources, and strengthening the monitoring of asset quality and capital to preserve structural resilience under potential stress scenarios. For more information, the full report is available at www.superbancos.gob.pa under the Financial and Statistical section.