🇵🇦 Panama Offshore Banking
Intelligence Center

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.

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.

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.

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 2026-0068 (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.

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 2026-0061 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.

The SBP has issued Notice 5 (2026) reiterating a public warning regarding individuals and entities fraudulently using the logos of the Superintendency of Banks and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) to offer unauthorized loans. Offshore banking clients and investors in Panama are advised to verify the licensing status of any financial institution before engaging in transactions, and to consult the SBP's official warning list at superbancos.gob.pa to identify entities not authorized to conduct banking business 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 issued Public Notice 5 (2026) warning the public about fraudulent entities offering loans while misusing the logo of the Superintendency of Banks of Panama and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. Offshore clients and investors are reminded to verify that any banking institution they engage with appears on the SBP's official register of licensed banks and to consult the SBP warning list before transferring funds to any Panamanian financial entity.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A major legislative update has just occurred: Executive Decree No. 17 was signed yesterday, September 8, 2026. It officially updates the Qualified Investor Visa program, setting the real estate minimum at USD 300,000 for new properties and USD 500,000 for resale properties.

Today, Panama officially signed Executive Decree No. 17 of 2026, replacing Decree 722. This landmark update establishes distinct investment tiers for the Qualified Investor Visa, prioritizing new inventory to stimulate the construction sector and welcome new residents.

In the final days before a major legislative shift, the Qualified Investor Visa program operates under its legacy USD 300,000 flat threshold, as the market anticipates the imminent signing of new regulations.

Discussions are finalizing regarding an upcoming executive decree that will split the Qualified Investor Visa real estate thresholds, aiming to bring fresh capital into new construction projects and offer families tailored investment avenues.

As of early September, the Qualified Investor Visa minimum investment threshold remains temporarily at a flat USD 300,000, though legal advisors are urging clients to act quickly ahead of anticipated regulatory updates later this month.