🇵🇦 Panama Offshore Banking
Intelligence Center

The SBP issued supplementary AML/CFT guidance this week reinforcing due diligence obligations for correspondent banking relationships, effective for all licensed banks operating in Panama. The circular aligns with updated FATF recommendations and requires enhanced beneficial ownership verification for accounts holding assets above USD 150,000. Banks have been given a 90-day implementation window to update internal compliance frameworks.

The SBP has issued Acuerdo No. 8-2026 and announced it to the banking sector through Circular SBP-DR-CIRCULAR-2026-0102. The circulars board lists it only by title. The fetched data does not give the subject matter, the issue date or the effective date. Supervised banks should review the full text to establish any new obligations.

The SBP has issued Circular SBP-DJ-CIRCULAR-2026-0109 on temporary public-service hours for November 2026. The fetched data does not give the specific dates or hours. Clients and institutions that need to file documents or visit the Superintendency in person in November 2026 should read the circular for the adjusted schedule.

The SBP has issued Acuerdo No. 9-2026 and announced it to the banking sector through Circular SBP-DR-CIRCULAR-2026-0103. The circulars board lists it only by title. The fetched data does not give the subject matter, the issue date or the effective date. Banks supervised by the SBP, and clients of Panamanian banks, should read the full Acuerdo to see whether it changes prudential, compliance or operational requirements.

The SBP has issued Acuerdo No. 10-2026 and announced it through two circulars. SBP-DR-CIRCULAR-2026-0108 covers the banking sector and SBP-DR-FID-CIRCULAR-2026-0110 covers the fiduciary sector. These are the most recent items on the circulars board. The notice board summary does not state the subject matter, effective date or issue date of the Acuerdo. Banks and trust entities should read the full text to establish their obligations.

The SBP has issued fiduciary-sector Circular SBP-DR-FID-CIRCULAR-2026-0105. It gives a temporary extension (prórroga temporal) relating to information requirements under General Resolution SBP-RG-FID-R-2025-00219. The notice board summary does not state the length of the extension, the new deadline or the issue date. Licensed trust and fiduciary entities in Panama should check the circular for the revised reporting timeline.

The SBP has issued Circular SBP-SG-CIRCULAR-2026-0107 on the adoption of IFRS 18 (NIIF 18). An annex is attached as a spreadsheet. The notice board summary does not give the issue date, the effective date or the transition requirements. Supervised banks should review the circular and annex to see how the adoption affects their financial statement presentation and reporting to the Superintendency.

The SBP has issued Circular SBP-DR-CIRCULAR-2026-0104 on the amendment of Article 194 of the Banking Law through Law No. 547 of 2026. The circular is listed on the SBP circulars board and links to the text of the law. The notice board summary does not state the content of the amendment, the circular's issue date or the law's effective date. Banks and offshore banking clients should read the law text to see how the amended Article 194 affects them.

The Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá (SBP) continues to enforce updated anti-money laundering compliance guidance, reinforcing enhanced due diligence requirements for correspondent banking relationships. Licensed banks are required to complete updated KYC re-verification cycles, building a foundation of trust and security for international clients as Panama aligns with FATF recommendations.

The SBP issued guidance reminding institutions to update their correspondent banking risk matrices. This proactive compliance measure protects Panama's financial ecosystem and ensures smooth, secure operations for high-net-worth families and offshore investors.

The SBP has entered the fourth quarter of 2026 with a continued focus on enhanced beneficial ownership disclosure requirements. Institutions failing to meet ongoing compliance deadlines risk administrative sanctions, a necessary step to fortify the integrity of Panama's banking sector.

The SBP confirmed today marks the end of the Q3 2026 compliance reporting cycle. Banks are completing their quarterly beneficial ownership and PEP monitoring attestations, ensuring transparency across the financial community.

The SBP requires licensed banks to conduct timely re-evaluations of their correspondent banking risk matrices. This reflects a shared commitment to maintaining Panama's robust standing on international AML watchlists.

The SBP issued guidance reminding banks to ensure all correspondent banking risk assessments include updated beneficial ownership documentation, aligning with Agreement 10-2015 as amended, to safeguard client assets.

The SBP continues reinforcing enhanced due diligence requirements for politically exposed persons (PEPs) operating accounts through Panamanian private wealth structures, elevating the standard of care for international banking.

The SBP expects all licensed trust companies to continually update their risk assessment models for foreign-settled trusts, aligning with global FATF recommendations to protect multi-generational wealth.

The SBP expects enhanced transaction monitoring for cross-border digital asset flows, directing compliance officers to review their AML screening protocols for Q4 2026.

Banks operating in Panama are implementing enhanced UBO verification for all corporate accounts registered in offshore jurisdictions. This aligns with Agreement 10-2015 frameworks to maintain transparency.

The SBP confirmed Q3 2026 compliance reporting workflows are progressing, with institutions prioritizing routine beneficial ownership reviews for high-net-worth non-resident accounts.

The SBP updated guidance on transaction monitoring thresholds for corporate entities operating within designated free trade zones, ensuring a safe and compliant business environment.

The SBP issued reminders for banks to complete mid-year stress testing on their correspondent banking portfolios, reflecting prudent oversight to protect local and international wealth.

As the SBP enters the final weeks of Q3, banks are instructed to ensure all cross-border wire transfers exceeding USD 50,000 include full originator and beneficiary details.

Annex 1 accompanying SBP-DR-CIRCULAR-2026-0064 provides supplementary data tables or reporting requirements linked to General Resolution SBP-RG-R-2026-00401 of 23 June 2026. Offshore banking institutions supervised by the SBP should ensure compliance with any updated reporting obligations detailed in this annex.

The Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá issued General Resolution SBP-RG-R-2026-00401 on 23 June 2026. Licensed banks and offshore banking clients operating in Panama should review the resolution and its accompanying Annex 1 for updated regulatory requirements. The circular reference SBP-DR-CIRCULAR-2026-0064 formally communicates this resolution to the supervised banking sector.

The SBP has issued General Resolution SBP-RG-R-2026-00401, dated 23 June 2026, referenced via Circular SBP-DR-CIRCULAR-2026-0064. Licensed banks and offshore financial institutions operating in Panama should review this resolution to identify any new general regulatory obligations, prudential requirements, or operational directives introduced by the Superintendency applicable to their supervised activities.

Executive Decree No. 19 of 16 June 2026, communicated via SBP-DJ-CIRCULAR-2026-0060, ordered the closure of all national and municipal public offices on Wednesday 17 June 2026 from 2:00 p.m. onward. Offshore banking clients with time-sensitive regulatory filings or transaction approvals pending on that date should note that SBP operations were suspended for the remainder of that day.

Executive Decree No. 19 of 16 June 2026 is published on the SBP website among the 2026 circular documents. The fetched data does not show its subject matter, the circular that carries it or its effective date. Banks and financial-sector participants should read the decree to see whether it affects banking or financial-services obligations in Panama.

The SBP has issued AML/CFT Prevention Resolution SBP-PSO-R-2026-00288, dated 14 May 2026, directed at other obligated financial subjects. This resolution should be reviewed alongside Resolution SBP-PSO-R-2026-00287 by offshore banking clients and supervised non-bank financial entities in Panama to ensure full compliance with any updated or supplementary AML/CFT prevention requirements introduced by the Superintendency.

Resolution SBP-PSO-R-2026-00287, dated 14 May 2026, was issued by the SBP under its prevention framework for Other Obligated Financial Subjects (Otros Sujetos Obligados Financieros). This resolution updates AML/CFT compliance obligations for non-bank financial entities supervised by the SBP, and offshore clients using such entities in Panama should confirm their service providers are meeting the new requirements.

The SBP has issued AML/CFT Prevention Resolution SBP-PSO-R-2026-00287, dated 14 May 2026, applicable to other obligated financial subjects (Otros Sujetos Obligados Financieros). Offshore banking clients and non-bank financial entities supervised by the SBP in Panama should review this resolution for updated anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance obligations relevant to their operations.

Resolution SBP-PSO-R-2026-00288, also dated 14 May 2026, accompanies Resolution 00287 and forms part of the SBP's updated prevention framework for Other Obligated Financial Subjects. Together, these resolutions reinforce the SBP's AML/CFT supervisory perimeter, directly affecting compliance obligations for financial intermediaries and trust companies operating within Panama's offshore financial sector.

The SBP has published guidance on principles for sound third-party risk management ('Principios para la gestión sólida del riesgo de terceros'), referenced as an annex to a 2026 circular. Offshore banks and licensed financial institutions in Panama should review these principles to ensure their outsourcing arrangements, correspondent banking relationships, and third-party service provider engagements meet the Superintendency's risk governance expectations.

The SBP has issued Circular 2026-0061 addressing reverse factoring operations. This circular is relevant to offshore banking clients and financial institutions engaged in supply chain finance and reverse factoring arrangements in Panama, and supervised entities should review any new classification, reporting, or risk management requirements associated with these transactions.

Acuerdo No. 3-2026 issued by the Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá represents a formal regulatory agreement applicable to supervised institutions. Offshore banking clients and their legal representatives should review this accord to understand any new prudential, operational, or compliance requirements introduced for the 2026 regulatory cycle.

The SBP has published guidance titled 'Principios para la gestión sólida del riesgo de terceros' (Principles for Sound Third-Party Risk Management). This circular annex sets out supervisory expectations for how licensed banks must identify, assess, and manage risks arising from third-party service providers and outsourcing arrangements, a key compliance consideration for international and offshore banking operations in Panama.

The SBP has published Acuerdo No. 3-2026, an official regulatory accord issued by the Superintendency. Licensed banks and offshore financial institutions operating in Panama should review this agreement for any new prudential, operational, or compliance obligations it introduces within the Panamanian banking regulatory framework.

The SBP has issued Circular 2026-0065 (reference CF-L60-18-No.003-2026) addressing Law 60-2018 and its amendment to Law 2 of 1992 relating to the restoration of the Colón Duty-Free Area (Colón Puerto Libre). Offshore banking clients and institutions with operations or financing exposure in the Colón Free Zone should assess the implications of this regulatory update on their trade finance and transactional banking activities in Panama.

The SBP has issued Circular 2026-0068 (reference CF-L3-85-No.003-2026) concerning residential mortgage loans under the framework of Laws 3/85, 11/90, 5/94, 28/95, 50/99, 65/2003, 29/2008, 28/2012, 63/2013, 66/2017, 94/2019, and 255/2021. Licensed banks in Panama offering residential mortgage products should review this circular for updated regulatory requirements or reporting obligations applicable to their mortgage loan portfolios.

Panama's National Immigration Service confirmed that the Friendly Nations Visa program continues to operate under the existing list of 50 qualifying countries with no additions or removals announced in the current review cycle. Processing times for the economic solvency route remain at approximately 4 to 6 months, with the minimum fixed-term deposit requirement holding steady at USD 200,000 for applicants pursuing the bank deposit pathway. Applicants are advised to verify document apostille requirements which were standardized earlier in 2026.

Panama's Friendly Nations Visa program continues to operate under its established framework, welcoming global citizens to establish roots. For the Qualified Investor Visa, Executive Decree No. 17 has officially replaced Decree 722. The minimum real estate investment is B/. 300,000 for new, first-sale properties, and B/. 500,000 for secondary-market assets, providing a structured pathway for families seeking a secure Latin American base.

Following the recent implementation of Executive Decree No. 17, the National Immigration Service is processing Qualified Investor Visas under the new tiered real estate minimums: $300,000 USD for new inventory and $500,000 USD for resale inventory. The Friendly Nations Visa program remains unaffected, offering continued peace of mind to expats finalizing their relocations.

Panama's Friendly Nations Visa program remains stable, maintaining the USD $200,000 real estate or fixed-term deposit threshold. This stability offers reassurance to applicants currently gathering their documentation to begin a vibrant new life in Panama.

The real estate landscape for the Qualified Investor Visa has officially transitioned. With the gazetting of Executive Decree No. 17 earlier this month, investors must now meet the B/. 300,000 threshold for new properties or B/. 500,000 for resale properties to secure their permanent residency.

Immigration experts and real estate developers are updating clients on the new Qualified Investor Visa rules. The shift to a tiered investment structure (USD 300,000 new / USD 500,000 resale) under Decree No. 17 actively encourages growth in Panama's new development sector.

Processing times for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa remain at approximately 4 to 6 months. Applicants are reminded to strictly adhere to the updated framework requiring a minimum fixed-term bank deposit of USD 200,000, a USD 200,000 real estate investment, or a formal labor contract.

For families utilizing the Friendly Nations Visa, legal advisors are ensuring all bank solvency and investment letters meet the current USD 200,000 threshold, fully retiring the outdated USD 5,000 deposit rule from years past to ensure seamless application approvals.

The Panamanian government's modernization of the Qualified Investor Visa via Executive Decree No. 17 is now in full effect. New real estate investments maintain the USD 300,000 minimum, while secondary-market investments now require USD 500,000.

The highly anticipated updates to the Qualified Investor Visa have arrived. Following the recent gazetting of Executive Decree No. 17, the minimum investment is B/. 300,000 for new, first-sale properties and B/. 500,000 for secondary-market properties.

The landscape for foreign buyers seeking Panama residency has evolved. Executive Decree No. 17 has officially split the Qualified Investor Visa real estate minimums, creating an exciting new dynamic for those looking to invest in Panama's growing communities.

Executive Decree No. 17 has been officially published in Official Gazette No. 30613. This pivotal decree replaces Decree 722, confirming the new USD 300,000 threshold for new real estate and USD 500,000 for secondary-market real estate.

Today marks the official gazetting of Executive Decree No. 17. Investors aiming for the Qualified Investor Visa must now navigate the split real estate minimums, while Friendly Nations Visa applicants continue under the standard USD 200,000 real estate or deposit requirement.

With Executive Decree No. 17 signed last week and awaiting publication, immigration attorneys are actively preparing clients for the impending shift to the B/. 300,000 new property and B/. 500,000 resale property thresholds.

Following the signing of Executive Decree No. 17 on September 8, the real estate market is adjusting to the new reality. The tiered Qualified Investor Visa pricing is set to stimulate Panama's new construction sector.

The Friendly Nations Visa continues to be a highly sought-after pathway for global relocation, with standard wait times averaging 4 to 5 months as families await the opportunity to begin their Panamanian journey.

News of the recently signed Executive Decree No. 17 is circulating among legal advisors. The decree's provision for a USD 300,000 minimum for new properties and USD 500,000 for secondary-market properties fundamentally shifts the Qualified Investor landscape.

While awaiting formal publication in the Gaceta Oficial, the industry is absorbing the impacts of Executive Decree No. 17, signed earlier this week, which introduces a structured, tiered approach to real estate residency investments.

The National Immigration Service is preparing for the transition as Executive Decree No. 17 has now been signed. The split threshold for the Qualified Investor Visa promises a new era of investment directed toward Panama's primary real estate market.