Panama's banking sector advances with positive results in 2025, although in an environment that continues to pose challenges.
Not having a credit history harms people because it makes them a higher-risk credit subject. Regarding initiatives related to cryptocurrencies and virtual assets, the guild insisted that any legislation must be consistent with the use of the dollar in Panama and with the norms issued in the United States.
During the meeting, projects and bills that remain under discussion in the National Assembly were reviewed, and according to the guild, they could generate unforeseen impacts on customers, creditors, and banking operations. Berguido called for a more careful review of these initiatives.
For Berguido, the risk is that a new law “will conflict with all the existing regulations,” recalling that banking activity “is one of the most regulated and supervised activities in the country.”
The guild also expressed concern about projects that seek to modify the statute of limitations on debts and assign to banks functions that correspond to judges.
“All we ask is prudence when launching legislative initiatives. It is also important ‘that those who are experts on the matter be heard, who can explain what the good and bad consequences are for the population, obviously for the banks and for the country’.”
One of the cases mentioned was that of projects that propose new transparency requirements in contracts, even though this aspect is already regulated. He added that the prohibition of agreements between parties after judicial processes have begun “ends up harming the client,” as it would increase the perceived risk and, with it, the cost of credit.
Regarding credit histories, Berguido reiterated that limiting information harms above all those who seek to build a history.
“There is one that says that bank contracts must now guarantee the consumer's right to accessible, clear, and truthful information. “These are topics inspired by good ideas or good intentions, however, I believe they cause problems.”
Another point discussed was the proposal to regulate debt collection activities. This is how sector representatives framed it, who observe a year marked by the growth of financial indicators, but also by pressures derived from rising interest rates, the higher cost of liabilities, and the discussion of special laws that could impact banking activity.
However, that is already part of the banking regulatory framework.” “I don't know where more subsidies can be produced in a fiscal balance that is negative and that everyone knows must be improved and spending reduced,” the guild pointed out when recalling the state of public finances.
During the session, the president of the ABP, Ernesto Boyd, complemented the guild's observations by highlighting the importance of evaluating the real impact of each initiative. He noted that, as in the private sector, proposals must be accompanied by cost-benefit analyses and clear financing sources.
“A credit history is a tool that helps a person obtain credit. It also helps those who do not pay to pay less,” he said. Boyd also reiterated that the ABP is open to analyzing proposals “that are going to strengthen the national financial system” and contribute to adequate and safe access to credit.
In the question and answer space, moderated by Boyd, topics such as the expected behavior of interest rates towards the end of the year, cooperation with the Financial Analysis Unit and other authorities, and the importance of the banking system in economic activity were addressed.
The guild pointed out that some initiatives seek to limit or prohibit contact with clients in default. “Prudence, the time to study, understand the consequences of what is being done, and to be heard,” said Berguido, recognizing that “introducing a regulation that is not abusive” is positive, but warning that “one should not go to the extreme that one cannot collect.”
“Rights come with responsibilities and one must do the complete job,” he said. The ABP's recommendation is “to understand well what that law says” before advancing with any local proposal.
Also mentioned was the project of preferential interest rates for used homes, which the guild rated as positive in intention but difficult to implement in the current fiscal context.
In the midst of this scenario, the International Banking Center (IBC) closed the third quarter with $158,793 million in assets, a year-on-year increase of 4.72%, while deposits totaled $113,851 million and the credit portfolio reached $99,844 million, a growth of 6.10% compared to 2024.
The executive president of the Banking Association of Panama (ABP), Carlos Berguido, presented the figures and highlighted that the Legal Liquidity Index of the National Banking System stood at 53.44% as of October 2025, above the regulatory minimum.
He also mentioned the so-called “Genius law,” which will come into force in 2027, still pending regulation. Berguido recalled that there are regulations in force in the Commercial Code since 1917 and warned that some projects are presented just as a new Code of Civil Procedure has just come into force.
