Panama: Deposits Double in Five Years


News from Panama / Saturday, August 20th, 2011

 

This article caught my eye when scanning La Prensa acknowledging the health of the banking systems and the financial strength in the country. 

Most of the savings are held by individuals and local licensed banks.
Total deposits rose from about $28 billion in 2006 to more than $54 billion currently, according to the Panamanian Superintendency of Banks. 
Of the total, 77% corresponds to savings by individuals, while 85% of them are deposited in banks with a national license.

This sharp rebound reflects the country’s strong economic performance where individuals and companies savings capacity has increased.

An article in Prensa.com reports: “The executive vice president of ABP, Mario de Diego, pointed out that the liquid assets in the central banks accounts have been reducing, now that fears of possible effects of the crisis have passed, becoming productive assets.

He added that the bank profits from this favorable external and internal scenario with positive growth prospects.
The ECLAC projects GDP growth of 8.5% this year in Panama, compared with 7.5% recorded last year, while the Indesa firm predicts growth of 9% this year. “