The Superintendency of Banks of Panama has published statistics from its Banking Activity Report showing that Panama’s International Banking Center maintained a robust financial position, supported by prudent buffers and stable asset quality in aggregate. The release points to continued balance sheet expansion despite compressed financial margins and high funding costs, with growth in deposits, lending and net assets alongside liquidity and solvency indicators that remained comfortably above regulatory minimums. Total deposits reached USD 118,521.6 million, up 6.59 percent, including a 2.40 percent increase in domestic deposits and a 13.03 percent rise in foreign deposits. Retail deposits, domestic and foreign combined, totaled USD 93,910.6 million, or 79.2 percent of the total, and accounted for 95.6 percent of the increase in funding. The net loan portfolio rose 3.9 percent year on year to USD 101,414.5 million from USD 97,646.7 million, while net assets increased 4.50 percent to USD 164,208.5 million from USD 157,129.8 million. Banks’ liquidity and solvency ratios stood at 55.51 percent and 16.27 percent, respectively, versus regulatory minimums of 30 percent and 8 percent. The Superintendency indicated it will continue supervision focused on financial soundness, risk management, portfolio quality, capital adequacy and operational efficiency.