Panama prepares for 2027 anti-money laundering evaluation

Panama is entering a critical phase to demonstrate the effectiveness of its financial crime prevention systems ahead of a fifth round of evaluations scheduled for August 2027. This process is expected to impact the country’s international reputation, market access, banking correspondent relationships, and investment capacity.

During the XI International Compliance Congress organized by ASOCUPA, experts emphasized that compliance must move beyond mere regulatory exercises to focus on anticipating risks and protecting the financial system's integrity. A key challenge identified is the Single Registry of Beneficial Owners, where Panama must prove its ability to maintain updated information and facilitate timely access for authorities to identify the true controllers of legal structures.

Discussions also highlighted the increasing complexity of financial crimes, including international sanctions evasion, cross-border drug trafficking, cryptocurrencies, digital assets, and the use of vessels to bypass trade restrictions.