Best / recommended banks in Panama?

Hi,

I'm considering opening up another bank account since the one I currently have I opened it when I wasn't a resident and I grabbed what I could (i.e. one of the few banks that didn't show me the door the moment I was telling them I wasn't a resident).

Essentially what I'm looking for is a:

- savings account
- clave card
- credit card
- large number of ATMs through the territory
- decent website and legit looking online banking portal

And I'm thinking Banistmo, Global Bank, Banco General, and BAC -- these seem the ones that have the largest presence. I'm open to smaller ones as well as long as their website and online banking portal look reliable.

Any other bank I should be considering?

Also, is there a bank offering free clave card and free credit card? Or is it a dream here in Panama? It's amazing that all the banks mentioned above charge $25 or more /year for a debit card (!), an 70+/year for a nothing special VISA credit card. When these things are given by granted to be free in most banks in US and Europe.

Thank you in advance for any suggestion!

ATM cards cost at least 25/y
CC have a mandatory life insurance charge
if you are lucky only one of the banks you mention will let you open an account

triffic wrote:

if you are lucky only one of the banks you mention will let you open an account


why?

welcome to panama