PANAMA CITY, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior S.A. ("Bladex" or "the Bank") (NYSE: BLX) announced today the successful closing of a US$113 million two-year syndicated loan. This is the second syndication placed by Bladex this year in the Asian financial markets, following the success of the first operation this past August.

The transaction was structured by Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. through the participation of ten commercial banks from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Gregory Testerman, Executive Vice President - Treasury and Capital Markets at Bladex, added, "After the closing of the first Asian syndication in August of 2009, we are very pleased to see such keen interest on the part of Hong Kong and Taiwanese banks in Bladex's second Asian transaction this year. The syndication further diversifies our sources of financing, and expands Bladex's network of Asian correspondent banks. The knowledge, coverage and experience of Mizuho in the Asian financial markets were critical to the success of this transaction."

Bladex is a supranational bank originally established by the Central Banks of Latin America and Caribbean countries to promote trade finance in the Region. Based in Panama, its shareholders include central banks and state- owned entities in 23 countries of the Region, as well as Latin American and international commercial banks and institutional and retail investors.

Through September 30, 2009, Bladex had disbursed accumulated credits of approximately US$161 billion.

For further information, please access our website at www.bladex.com or contact:

    Mr. Christopher Schech
    Chief Financial Officer
    Bladex
    Calle 50 y Aquilino de la Guardia
    Panama City, Panama
    Tel: (507) 210-8567
    E-mail: cschech@bladex.com

    Melanie Carpenter/Peter Majeski
    i-advize Corporate Communications, Inc.
    82 Wall Street, Suite 805
    New York, NY 10005
    Tel: (212) 406-3690
    E-mail: Bladex@i-advize.com

SOURCE Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior S.A.

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