Panama Business & Economy News

  S&P Global Ratings Raises Bladex's Long-Term Rating to BBB+ with a Stable Outlook Bladex serves banks and large corporations across the Americas. Founded in Panama in 1977 with the backing of 23 central banks and the participation of other institutions, its mission is to promote regional foreign trade. Source: EFE S&P Global Ratings raised Bladex's long-term global scale credit rating from 'BBB' to 'BBB+' with a stable outlook, based on the bank's strong asset quality and capitalization, as well as its diversified portfolio, among other factors, the Panama-based bank announced Monday. S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed Bladex's short-term rating at 'A-2', upgraded the bank's senior unsecured notes to 'BBB+', and its hybrid primary capital (AT1) notes to 'BB'. In its report, the agency explains that the rating upgrade reflects the strength of Bladex's risk profile, underpinned by the resilience of its business mode...

  BAC Panama Completes Operational Merger with Multibank BAC Panama has completed its operational merger with Multibank, marking the beginning of a new era for its clients, employees, and the country. Following authorization from the Superintendency of Banks of Panama, both banks now operate as a single entity, after completing the integration process. Source: Destino Panamá (Panama Business Economy News). With combined assets exceeding $45 billion and a loan portfolio surpassing $32 billion, BAC Panama is positioned as the leading bank in the region in terms of asset and portfolio size. As a result of the merger, Panama expands its presence within BAC's regional network, representing approximately 31% of the group's loan portfolio and deposits, compared to 21% and 23%, respectively, within the organization. The entity is part of a regional financial platform with an investment-grade rating, management backed by a solid track record and rigorous standards of management and corp...

  JP Morgan believes the reopening of Cobre Panamá could represent 4% of GDP by 2027. The financial institution considers that the return of mining operations could become one of the main drivers of economic growth, public finances, and investor confidence in Panama. Source: El Panamá América (Panama Business Economy News). Panama continues to strengthen its position as one of the economies with the best growth prospects in Latin America. This is reflected in a recent JP Morgan report, which incorporates the reopening of Cobre Panamá into its baseline scenario for the second half of 2027 and identifies it as one of the factors with the greatest potential to boost the national economy in the coming years. The analysis is part of a broader assessment of the country's fiscal and economic outlook. In it, the institution highlights that Panama maintains favorable conditions for preserving its investment grade rating, supported by progress in fiscal consolidation, economic performance, a...

  Panama's Balboa, Cristobal ports see recovery in container transit Panama's container transit at Balboa and Cristobal ports has shown a positive trend towards recovery after a slump in February, with significant increases in May. Source: Reuters   (Panama Business News). Panamas Ports Authority On Monday June 22nd Said That Container Transit Along Its Balboa And Cristobal Ports Saw A Positive Trend Towards Recovery Following The Slump In Transit Seen In February After The Government Annulled Key Contracts And Took Control Of The Administration Of The Ports The Balboa Port. Panama's ​Ports ‌Authority on Monday said ​that container transit along ‌its Balboa and Cristobal ports saw a positive trend towards recovery ‌following the slump in transit ‌seen in February after the government annulled key contracts and took control ​ of the administration of the ports. The Balboa port, on the country's Pacific coast, saw container transit reach 221,536 moves in May fro...

Tocumen Panama surpasses 9.5 million passengers between January and May 2026 Average daily passenger traffic reached 63,990 movements, with peaks on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays. Source:La Estrella de Panamà (Panama Business News). Tocumen International Airport continues to solidify its position as the leading air hub in Latin America. Between January and May 2026, it handled a total of 9,597,977 passengers, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period of the previous year, equivalent to 998,680 additional travelers. In May 2026 alone, Tocumen registered 1,983,874 passengers, supported by a network of more than 90 international connections. 77% of travelers (1,519,380 people) were transit or transfer passengers, reaffirming Panama's importance as a strategic connectivity point.  A total of 228,723 passengers disembarked, a 2% increase compared to May 2025. The 235,771 passengers who boarded reflected a 1% increase. The average daily passenger flow reached 63,990 movemen...