List of banks in Panama

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The banking system system of Panama is mainly made up of private banks, much of it with international capital. During the last two decades of the 20th century, Panama's banking system has strengthened as one of the most important financial centers in Latin America. This is due to the legal facilities for establishing banks in Panama, support provided by the Government of Panama, its geographical location, its relative economic and political stability and the dollarization of its economy.

Contents

History

The first attempts to create a banking institution in Panama date back to the time when the country was part of Gran Colombia; in 1826 the "Revenga Project" was created, which attempted to establish a national bank for Gran Colombia that would have its headquarters in Bogotá and three other branches located in Caracas, Guayaquil and Panama City; however, the project was never completed and the idea was discarded.

The first bank established in Panama dates back to 1861 and was known as the Banco de Circulación y Descuentos Pérez y Planas, which was in charge of circulating paper money that was printed by the American Bank Note Company. The Banco de Pérez y Planas cancelled its patent in 1867 and in 1869 a new bank called Banco de Panamá was established. In 1866 the Exchange Bank of Colon appeared, also in charge of issuing banknotes, but it quickly disappeared due to breach of contract in 1873. In 1865 and 1867 two banks were created, first the public Banco del Estado Soberano de Panamá, which in 1880 would become the issuer and the other the Banco de Ehrman, in charge of the purchase of foreign currency, which continued to operate after the separation of Panama from Colombia. In 1885 the Saving Bank was created based in Colón, but a fire destroyed the bank and it disappeared.

Beginning of modern banking

Headquarters of First National City Bank of New York in Casco Viejo, Panama Citibank Panama.jpg
Headquarters of First National City Bank of New York in Casco Viejo, Panama

In 1903, the first two modern Panamanian banking institutions were created: the International Bank Corporation, which would later be called First National City Bank of New York, now Citibank, and the Banco Hipotecario y Prendario, which was enacted by law by Panamanian President Manuel Amador Guerrero on June 13 of that year and began operations shortly thereafter on October 12. The latter changed its name to the current Banco Nacional de Panamá, which initially financed the agricultural and livestock activity of that country. The Government of Panama also created Caja de Ahorros in 1934, an institution that was initially a mortgage institution that later expanded its services. Other notable banking institutions were Banque National de Paris, now BNP Paribas, the first bank with European capital established in Panama, and Banco General, founded in 1955, being the first Panamanian bank with private capital.

Legislation

Headquarters of Banco Nacional de Panama in Panama City Banco Nacional de Panama, en via Espana de la ciudad de Panama.jpg
Headquarters of Banco Nacional de Panamá in Panama City

On July 8, 1941, Law 101 was passed, regulating banking activity in Panama, leaving the Ministerio de Hacienda y Tesoro (Ministry of Finance and Treasury) in charge of controlling the banking system and the Contraloría General de la República (Comptroller General of the Republic) in charge of supervising it. Despite this, activity grew rapidly and without major controls, so the government had to adopt legal measures to avoid financial problems. Thus, Cabinet Decree No. 238 was approved on July 2, 1970, establishing the first Banking Law in that country, which created the Comisión Bancaria Nacional (National Banking Commission) as an entity promoting banking activity in Panama.

The Cabinet Decree No. 238 allowed the development of the International Banking Center in Panama City, promoting the arrival of capital from several banks oriented mainly towards financing in Latin America. Since then, Panama has become one of the main financial centers in the region.

It was not until February 26, 1998 that a regulatory body for banking activity was established in Panama, when the Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá (Superintendency of Banks of Panama) was created.

List of banks in Panama

The following list shows the banks that are registered with the Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá (Superintendency of Banks of Panama) as of September 2024. [1] Banks operating in Panama are classified into three types: those with a general license, which allows them to conduct both domestic and international operations; those with an international license, which allows them to operate only outside of Panama; and representative offices, which serve as liaison offices without conducting banking activities within the country. An official bank is a bank owned by the Government of Panama.

BankType of bankCountry of Origin of CapitalFoundedNotes
BAC Credomatic General licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 1995
Banco AliadoGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1992
Banco Azteca General licenseFlag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 2005
Banco Davivienda General licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 1966
Banco de Bogotá General licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 2013
Banco DeltaGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2006
Banco FicohsaGeneral licenseFlag of Honduras.svg  Honduras 2013
Banco GeneralGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1955
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica General licenseFlag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 1976
Banco La HipotecariaGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2010
Banco LAFISE PanamáGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2010
Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior (Bladex)General licenseMultinational1979
Banco Nacional de Panamá General licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1904Official Bank
Banco Pichincha General licenseFlag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 2006
Banco PrivalGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2010
Bancolombia General licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 2012
Banesco Panamá General licenseFlag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela 2007
BANISIGeneral licenseFlag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 2008
Banistmo General licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2010
Bank of China General licenseFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 1994
BBP BankGeneral licenseFlag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 2009
BCT Bank InternationalGeneral licenseFlag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 2008
Bi-BankGeneral licenseFlag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 2016
Caja de AhorrosGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1934Official Bank
Canal BankGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2014
Citibank General licenseFlag of the United States.svg  United States 2014
Credicorp BankGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1993
Global BankGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1994
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China General licenseFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 2021
Keb Hana Bank General licenseFlag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1980
Mega International Commercial Bank General licenseFlag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan 1974
Mercantil Banco General licenseFlag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela 1978
MetrobankGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1991
MMG BankGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2003
MultibankGeneral licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 1987
Pacific BankGeneral licenseFlag of Honduras.svg  Honduras 2013
St. Georges BankGeneral licenseFlag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 2004
Scotiabank General licenseFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1974
TowerbankGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1971
UnibankGeneral licenseFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2010
Atlantic Security BankInternational licenseFlag of the Cayman Islands.svg  Cayman Islands 1984
Austrobank OverseasInternational licenseFlag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 1995
Banca Privada d'Andorra International licenseFlag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 2011Bank in forced liquidation
Crèdit Andorrà International licenseFlag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 2008Bank in voluntary liquidation
Banco Davivienda Internacional International licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 2015
Banco de Bogotá International licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 1988
Banco de Crédito del Perú International licenseFlag of Peru.svg  Peru 2002
Banco de Occidente International licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 2015
Bancolombia International licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 1973
BHD International Bank International licenseFlag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 2006
BPR BankInternational licenseFlag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 2016
GNB Sudameris BankInternational licenseFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1970
Inteligo BankInternational licenseFlag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas 1997
Itaú International licenseFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 1998
Abanca Representative officeFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 2014
Banco General OverseasRepresentative officeFlag of the Cayman Islands.svg  Cayman Islands 1986
Commerzbank Representative officeFlag of Germany.svg  Germany 2007
EFG International Representative officeFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 2023
JP Morgan Chase Representative officeFlag of the United States.svg  United States 2011
Proven BankRepresentative officeFlag of Saint Lucia.svg  Saint Lucia 2015
Safra National Bank of New York Representative officeFlag of the United States.svg  United States 2008
UBS AG Representative officeFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 2007
UBS Switzerland AG Representative officeFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 2015

Defunct banks of Panama

The following list provides banks that have ceased operations in Panama. These closures may have occurred for a variety of reasons, including mergers, acquisitions, financial insolvency, or regulatory measures.

BankCountry of Origin of CapitalYears of operationNotas
ABN AMRO Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 1971-2001Operations in Panama acquired by Banco Mercantil del Istmo. [2]
Balboa Bank & Trust Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 2005-2017Acquired by BCT Bank International, following the bank's reorganization after facing sanctions from U.S. authorities for alleged links to a money laundering network based in Panama. [3]
Bancafé PanamáFlag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 1976-2012The parent company, Bancafé Colombia, merged with Banco Davivienda.
Banco ContinentalFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1972-2007Acquired by Banco General. [4]
Banco Comercial de Panamá (Bancomer)Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 1979-2000Acquired by Banco General. [5]
Banco CuscatlánFlag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador 1994-2008Operations in Panama acquired by Citibank, merged with Banco Uno to form Citibank (Panama) S.A. [6]
Banco del Pacífico Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 1980-2019Panama operations acquired by investors to form Pacific Bank. [7]
Banco de UltramarFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1978-1993Bankruptcy due to mismanagement and money laundering. [8]
Banco G&T ContinentalFlag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 2008-2019Merged with GTC Bank.
Banco InternacionalFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1973-2002Acquired by Banco Continental. [9]
Banco InteroceánicoFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1970-1994Bankruptcy due to mismanagement and money laundering. [8]
Banco de Latinoamérica (Bancolat)Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 1982-2001Acquired by Banistmo. [10]
Bank Leumi Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 1982-2015Ceased operations in Panama due to low profits and high regulatory costs. [11]
Banco Mercantil del IstmoFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1966-2003Merged with parent companyBanistmo.
Banco Trasatlántico Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 1979-2012Acquired by Balboa Bank & Trust. [12]
Banco PanamáFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2008-2020Acquired by Banco Aliado. [13]
Banco Panameño de la Vivienda (Banvivienda)Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 1981-2018Acquired by Global Bank. [14]
Banco UniversalFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1994-2016Acquired by Canal Bank. [15]
Banco UnoFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1994-2008Acquired by Citibank, merged with Banco Cuscatlán to form Citibank (Panamá) S.A. [6]
BBVA Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1983-2013Operations in Panama acquired by BAC Credomatic. [16]
BNP Paribas Flag of France.svg  France 2006-2010Operations in Panama acquired by Scotiabank. [17]
Capital BankFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 2008-2023Acquired by Mercantil Banco. [18]
Chase Manhattan Bank Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1955-2000Operations in Panama acquired by HSBC. [19]
Citibank Panamá Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 2008-2015Acquired by Scotiabank. [20]
HSBC Bank Panama Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 2008-2013Acquired by Bancolombia, renamed to Banistmo. [21]
Lloyds TSB Bank Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1990-2004Operations in Panama acquired by Banco Cuscatlán, merged with Panabank to form Banco Cuscatlán-Panabank. [22]
MiBancoFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1997-2014Voluntary liquidation. [23]
PanabankFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1984-2004Acquired by Banco Cuscatlán, merged with Lloyds TSB Bank Panamá to form Banco Cuscatlán-Panabank. [22]
PribancoFlag of Panama.svg  Panama 1962-2001Acquired by Banistmo. [24]
Primer Banco del Istmo (Banistmo) Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 1984-2008Acquired by HSBC, renamed to HSBC Bank Panama. [25]
ProdubankFlag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 2005-2015Acquired by St. Georges Bank.

See also

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References

  1. "Información General de Bancos" (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  2. "ABN AMRO de Holanda vende sucursal de Panamá a Banco Mercantil del Istmo". Panamá América. 28 June 2001. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  3. "Panama regulator to sell money laundering-linked Balboa Bank after restructure". Citywire. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  4. "Banco General compra el Banco Continental". Panamá América. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  5. "Banco General dice adiós a Bancomer". Panamá América. 18 June 2000. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Cuscatlán y Banco Uno se fusionan". La Prensa. 17 March 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  7. "Banco del Pacífico vendió su filial en Panamá". El Universo. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  8. 1 2 Botello Luque, José Félix (11 June 2014). "Evaluación de la administración financiera del sistema de ahorro y capitalización de pensiones de los servidores públicos en la república de panama años 2007— 12" (PDF). Universidad de Panamá: 32. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  9. "Banco Continental culminó proceso de fusión con BIPAN". Panamá América. 25 July 2002. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  10. "Banistmo y Bancolat concluyeron proceso de integración". Panamá América. 23 September 2002. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  11. "Leumi to close Panama branch". Globes. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  12. "Balboa Bank & Trust adquirió el Banco Trasatlántico". El Capital Financiero. June 28, 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  13. "Banco Aliado compra a Banco Panamá por 210 mdd". Forbes México. May 31, 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  14. "Global Bank adquiere a Banvivienda por 245 millones de dólares". Telemetro. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  15. "Venta de Banco Universal, en su recta final". La Prensa. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  16. "BBVA vende su participación en BBVA Panamá por 646 millones de dólares". Bankinter. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  17. "Scotiabank absorbe a BNP Paribas". Panamá América. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  18. "Mercantil Banco compra acciones mayoritarias de Capital Bank". Agencia de Noticias Panamá. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  19. "HSBC compró el Chase Manhattan". Panamá América. 2 May 2000. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  20. "Scotiabank to buy Citigroup assets in Panama and Costa Rica". Reuters. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  21. "Colombiano Bancolombia compra HSBC Panamá por 2.100 mln dlr". Reuters. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  22. 1 2 "Banco Cuscatlán lanza su marca". La Prensa. 30 June 2004. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  23. "Aprobada liquidación voluntaria de MiBanco". El Capital Financiero. February 10, 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  24. "Concluyó integración de las 41 sucursales de Pribanco dentro de Banistmo". Panamá América. 24 September 2001. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  25. "EL HSBC absorberá a Banistmo". La Prensa. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2024.