Bladex Leads Successful Banking Syndication of a $130 Million Senior Credit Facility for Cables de Energia y Telecomunicaciones S.A. and Affiliates (CENTELSA)

PANAMA CITY, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. ("Bladex", or "the Bank", NYSE: BLX) announced today the closing of a US$130 million syndicated dual–currency, senior, multi-tranche revolving and term loan credit facility for Colombia-based CENTELSA, a leading player in the electrical and telecommunications wire and cable markets, with Bladex as the sole bookrunner and administrative agent. Participating banks included several leading financial institutions from Colombia, Panama, and Brazil. The transaction was completed during December 2012.   

Mr. Gregory Testerman, Executive Vice President for Treasury & Capital Markets at Bladex stated, "This important transaction demonstrates Bladex's expertise in providing financial solutions to our Latin American clients.  The Bank is particularly well-positioned to add value in arranging syndications to support cross-border acquisition finance transactions, which in this case involved established Bladex clients both in Mexico and in Colombia.  Bladex's worldwide network of correspondent banks, and its distinctive Latin American footprint, offer access to a diversified funding base for clients in the Region, and promote intra-regional capital flows throughout Latin America." 

Bladex is a supranational bank originally established by the central banks of Latin American and Caribbean countries ("the Region"), to support trade finance in the Region. Established in Panama, its shareholders include central and commercial banks in 23 countries in the Region, as well as international and Latin American banks, and private investors.

Bladex has disbursed approximately $188 billion to its Latin American clients since its inception.

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

Mr. Christopher Schech, Chief Financial Officer
Bladex
Business Park Torre V, Piso 5 / Avenida La Rotonda / Urbanización Costa del Este
Panama City, Panama
Tel: (507) 210-8630
E-mail address: [email protected]  

or

i-advize Corporate Communications, Inc.
Mrs. Melanie Carpenter / Mr. Peter Majeski
20 Broad Street, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10005
Tel: (212) 406-3694
E-mail address:  [email protected]

SOURCE Bladex