Holland & Knight Advises Bladex on Syndicated Loans Totaling $99 Million to Two Panamanian Financial Institutions

NEW YORK (May 27, 2016) – Holland & Knight, together with the Panamanian law firm of Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega, has advised Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (Bladex) as sole lead arranger and bookrunner and administrative agent on a $59 million senior unsecured syndicated loan to Panama’s Banco Aliado and a $40 million senior unsecured syndicated loan to Panama’s Metrobank. Both deals closed on May 20.

Bladex, a supranational bank established by the central banks of Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote foreign trade finance and economic integration, led the syndicate of banks in each loan.

“The transaction represented another example of the strong growth of the Bladex Latin America syndicated loan business, in particular in the area of lending to financial institutions in the region,” said Holland & Knight New York partner Stephen Double, who advised Bladex as to New York law on the transactions.

Mr. Double was assisted by senior counsel Carlos Meza and associate Laura Guemes.

Both borrowers were advised by Arnold & Porter and the Panamanian firm of Fábrega, Molino y Mulino advised Metrobank.