Panama's buoyant economy has allowed its banking sector to flourish. And, with future economic growth as good as guaranteed with the forthcoming completion of the Panama Canal expansion, many of the country's lenders are making moves to further capitalise on the country's prosperous position.

While Panama's banks held their lead as the biggest banks in Central America, Nicaragua steamed ahead in terms of return on capital and return on assets. 

Blessed with a geographical location that sees it link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the trade that comes with it, Panama is keen to show that there is more to the country than its world-famous canal. Mining, tourism and finance are rapidly growing areas in Panama, though, as senior figures in the country discuss, a labour shortage poses a threat to this impressive growth story. 

With an economy on the rise and an influx of new foreign investment, Panama's businessman-turned-president Ricardo Martinelli is planning to push on with taking advantage of the country's location and expanding the Panama Canal, as more ships look to transport goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. 

With the exception of Panama, whose macroeconomy is cushioned by its canal expansion plan, GDP growth forecasts for the small economies of central America are negative this year as trade and investment from the US slows. Writer Jane Monahan