In the World Economic Forum ranking, the Canal country is the only Central American included.
The Financial Development Report ranks 55 of the world’s leading financial systems and capital markets. It analyses the drivers of financial system development and economic growth in developed and developing countries to serve as a tool for countries to benchmark themselves and establish priorities for reform.
Banks credit intermediation and its influence in the generation of goods and services on behalf of the productive system.
In a SECMCA report, Nelson Oswaldo Ramirez presents a brief analysis of the development of banking credit in comparison with the region's economic activity in the first five months of the year. In the way he studies relationships that may exist between the variables of Credit and GDP.
Profitability drops as asset liquidity increases, but liquidity is what ensures the life of the banking business and their customers' money.
Panamanian banks have not used the extra funds that the financial incentive program (PEF) made available to them in order to stimulate lending. In addition, it must be considered that said funds are very expensive, and they have simply not been needed.
In the small Central American economies, the effects of the intrusion of drug money would be devastating.
Although there are increasing rumors of money laundering from the sale of drugs in the Central American financial system, the phenomenon is far from having the magnitude that it has in Mexico and Colombia. However, the pressure that is being exerted in these countries against drug trafficking activities is forcing criminals to look to other countries in the region, searching for lesser repression. Central American countries are, for various reasons, including the weakness of their police forces, the most likely for this undesirable migration.
Fitch Ratings reported that the risks to regional banks during the current crisis are growing and represent a major challenge for 2009.
The combination of reduced credit expansion, fund restrictions and increasing loan provisions have limited the profits of most banks and it is expected for these factors to continue to pressure the results in the coming months.
Fitch Ratings reported that the risks to regional banks during the current crisis are growing and represent a major challenge for 2009.
The combination of reduced credit expansion, fund restrictions and increasing loan provisions have limited the profits of most banks and it is expected for these factors to continue to pressure the results in the coming months.
Summa Financial Special: Presenting the classification and analysis of the regional financial system.
In the April edition, Revista Summa will present its bank, insurer and stock exchange rankings. On the whole, it shows a healthy sector with the capacity to face the challenges ahead. Regional banking groups have gained greater importance and the magazine identified ten that represented 33% of the assets for 2008.
Protecting what matters: the sixth annual Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) Global Financial Services Industry (GFSI) Practice information security survey.
The goal of the 6th Annual Global Security Survey for financial institutions is to help respondents assess and understand the state of information security within their organization relative to comparable financial institutions around the world.
From abundance to scarcity: Challenges faced by Central American banks in an
environment of tight liquidity.
After having been hit hard by the US mortgage crisis in 2008, large US and international banks have considerably weakened, in some cases escaping from bankruptcy only thanks to strong government intervention. Such an event has eroded the public’s confidence in the financial system worldwide.
From abundance to scarcity: Challenges banks face in an environment of little liquidity.
After losses caused by the real estate crisis in the United States in 2008, big American banks and those from other developed countries have been greatly weakened and, in some cases, have only escaped bankruptcy thanks to help from their governments. This situation has contributed to the erosion of confidence in the financial markets at the global level.
It is indispensable for the economy to continue using credit to finance production and commercial operations.
The analysis by Raul Moreira published in the La Estrella in Panama emphasizes that "the demand for internal credit by the private sector was at $31.6 billion in October and continued to grow at 20.38%, while deposits had an increase of 24.69%, which shows that the main source of financing for the expansion of credit comes from domestic savings by individuals. Prudence and caution is recommended for credit policies and it is important to maintain the rhythm of capturing funding."