The credits of the various economic sectors reached 45 thousand 136 million dollars in 2015, exceeding by $ 4.784 million, obtained in the same period of 2014, driven largely by consumer loans.
Figures from the Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP) show that personal consumption loans, including credit cards, personal loans and car, increased about 1.114 million in 2015 compared to 2014.
For specialists this increase demonstrates the lack of capacity of Panamanians to address their needs, because the salary can not afford, especially because wages are not commensurate with the high cost of living.
The arguments of the experts explain why consumer loans have been increasing significantly.
At the close of 2015 they totaled about 9,010 million dollars, while in 2014 totaled $ 7.896 million and in 2013 reached 7,110 million, showing an increase of 26.7% over three years.
Personal loans increased in 2015 compared to 2014 about 572 million dollars, the car grew $ 249 million and the amount owed on credit cards 293 million increased.
Given this, Olmedo Estrada, president of the Association of Economists of Panama noted that when the indicator of consumer finance increases, there are several elements that combine and some of them is the lack of liquidity of some people and the trend of consumption, because Panama is a country focused on fuel consumption.
However, the economist pointed out that failure to do so with moderation, can cause a financial collapse, thus creating often the loss of important assets such as homes, cars and other property, because they have no money to pay finan
With it coincides Pedro Acosta, president of the National Consumers Union of Panama (Uncurepa), who believes that the risk of the loans is the debt overhang of some people, because then they can not afford.
"By increasing lending does not mean the economy is, on the contrary, shows that the economy is bad, because people have to be borrowing to mortgage the future," said the leader of consumers.
To prevent over-indebtedness Acosta recommended plan and be aware before making a spending also consult the family before carrying out the investment.
Moreover, the economist John Jované was more emphatic and pointed out that people have needs that can not meet and then go and ask for more credits.
However, it considers that ultimately the credit runs out and people end up asking for new loans just to pay what they have already asked.
The president of the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP), Julio De La Lastra, called attention to the money is invested and not spent.cing.
Consumidores se exceden en los gastos por artículos innecesarios
Expertos señalan que solicitar un préstamo no es malo, sin embargo, es importante que hagan uso del crédito de una forma mesurada o, de lo contrario, obtendrán un grave problema.
Según Pedro Acosta, presidente de la Unión Nacional de Consumidores de Panamá (Uncurepa), si se vive en una sociedad de consumo en la que le gusta gastar en lo que no tiene, entonces se endeudarán innecesariamente.
Destacó que hay personas que utilizan la tarjeta de crédito para comprar artículos y después se dan cuenta que no los necesitaban o no eran necesarios.
En Panamá hay 650 mil tarjetas de crédito, según la Asociación Bancaria de Panamá.
