Panama retains its position as one of the best markets for banking in Central America, but success stories can also be found in Nicaragua and Guatemala.

The Banker’s Top 200 Latin American banks ranking for 2014 sees Brazilian institutions stay on top, while Argentina maintains its status as most profitable, despite mounting challenges. 

While BAC Panama remained in top position, other Colombian-owned lenders fared less well in the Top 100 Central American Banks ranking, leaving the way open for Panamanian, Costa Rican and Guatemalan banks to make up ground.

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. 

The Honduran finance minister tells The Banker that the country is moving towards a period of greater stability following an agreement with the IMF, the first with an international financial institution since elections in the country re-established civilian rule. Interview Brian Caplen and Jane Monahan