The Superintendency of Banks of Panama’s latest banking activity report shows that new lending by the National Banking System (SBN) increased 8.2% to USD 21,413 million between January and September 2026. Deposit growth outpaced expansion in the loan portfolio, while asset quality improved and liquidity and capital ratios remained above regulatory minimums. New loan disbursements in September reached the highest monthly level in the series available since 2012, driven by lending to the public sector. New lending to the private sector grew 3.3% over the first nine months. The combined ratio of delinquent and past due domestic loans in the SBN declined from 5.6% to 5.2%. Across the International Banking Center (CBI), past due loans represented 2.06% of total loans, down from 2.24% a year earlier. CBI deposits rose 6.82% year over year to USD 121,617.2 million, compared with 6.20% growth in its net loan portfolio. Regulatory liquidity ratios stood at 55.33% for the CBI and 54.36% for the SBN, against a 30% minimum. The capital adequacy ratio was 15.72% as of June 2026, compared with an 8% minimum. CBI net income for January through September remained broadly unchanged at USD 2,225.2 million. A 6.04% increase in profit before provisions almost fully offset the increase in provisioning expenses.
Superintendency of Banks of Panama reports 8.2% growth in new lending and improved asset quality
The Superintendency of Banks of Panama reported an 8.2% increase in National Banking System new lending to USD 21,413 million between January and September 2026. September disbursements reached a record for the series beginning in 2012, driven by the public sector, while cumulative new lending to the private sector rose 3.3%. Deposits grew faster than the loan portfolio, credit quality improved, and liquidity and capital ratios remained above regulatory minimums.