The Superintendency of Banks of Panama presented the 2024 results of Panama’s International Banking Center, reporting higher assets, profits and credit growth alongside continued compliance with liquidity and capital requirements. Total assets rose 6% to USD 156,392.8 million and profits increased 8.2%. Net loan portfolio grew 9.1% to USD 95,186.7 million, including 17.1% growth in external lending and 4.9% growth in domestic lending, while securities investments increased 7.0%. New credit disbursements rose 11% to USD 25,220 million, exceeding 2019 levels for the first time, and deposits totalled USD 110,484.5 million. The banking system reported an average liquidity ratio of 54.29% and a capital adequacy ratio of 15.29% against an 8% regulatory minimum, and the event also covered progress on financial inclusion, the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy and an ESG risk survey. Superintendent Milton Ayón Wong highlighted priorities to strengthen supervision, improve operational efficiency, reinforce cybersecurity using international standards, and advance a modernised payments systems law aligned with International Monetary Fund and World Bank Financial Sector Assessment Program recommendations.