Opening exchange rate of the dollar today, February 19th, from USD to PAB

Posted on 2026-02-19

The value of the dollar rose compared to the previous day.

Following the opening of markets, the US dollar is trading at an average of 1 balboa at the start of sessions , representing a change of 2.32% compared to the 0.98 balboa of the previous day, reports Dow Jones .

If we consider the data from the last week, the US dollar shows slight changes; however, in year-on-year terms it still accumulates a rise of 2.21% .

Compared to previous days, it reverses the trend of the previous session, which ended with a 0.12% decrease, demonstrating an inability to establish a clear trend. Over the past seven days, volatility has reached 24.23%, a figure significantly higher than the annual volatility (17.46%), indicating that it is currently experiencing a period of instability.

Parity with the dollar strengthens Panama's economic stability towards 2026

Panama projects GDP growth of nearly 4% by 2026 , driven by sectors such as logistics, banking, tourism, construction, and the Panama Canal, according to real estate agency Casa Solution. Panama's role as a global services hub is underpinned by its strategic geographic location and, especially, its dollarized economy .

Monetary stability, derived from the use of the US dollar as the official currency, eliminates exchange rate risk and protects the country against inflationary risks that affect other markets in the region. By 2026, the Panamanian balboa (PAB) is expected to maintain its historical 1:1 parity with the US dollar.

The external context shows better prospects, with less volatility in international trade , favorable financing conditions and the diminishing impact of recent shocks, such as the drought and the temporary suspension of the copper mine, according to the UBS report.

The performance of Panamanian dollar-denominated bonds in 2025 was above 24%, significantly outperforming other emerging market assets , according to data from the same financial institution. The outlook for 2026 is more balanced, although Panama continues to offer attractive yield spreads compared to US bonds, accompanied by specific risks related to fiscal policy and the political situation.

Among the main risks identified for the year are a potential fiscal deterioration and an increase in public debt that could threaten the country's investment grade rating, persistent political and governance challenges, and the outcome of critical litigation and contractual settlements. These factors are compounded by the possibility of external shocks related to the global economy, US trade policy , or extreme events that could affect demand for services and capital flows.

Facts about the Balboa

The Panamanian balboa is the legal tender in Panama and is abbreviated PAB; it is divided into 100 centésimos and what characterizes it is that it is not an independent currency, but a local version of the US dollar.

The Panamanian government issues its own coins in centésimos and balboas, pegged to US dollars, although these coins are not accepted in the United States. This is not an isolated case, as the Tuvaluan and Kiribati dollars are pegged to the Australian dollar.

This link to the US dollar was established in 1904 following the National Convention of Panama. Later, in 2010, the one balboa coin entered circulation, with 40 million units issued.

Panamanians did not welcome this new currency and accused the government of forcing its use to the detriment of the US dollar, so the currency was called "Martinelli," in reference to Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, who promoted it.

An attempt was also made to produce two- and five-balboa coins, but the project was later cancelled. Currently in circulation are coins of one and five centésimos; one-tenth, one-quarter, and one-half of a balboa, as well as one balboa.