Bladex Announces the Successful Closing of Two-Year Syndicated Loan

PANAMA CITY, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. ("Bladex", or "the Bank", NYSE: BLX) announced today the successful closing of a US$100 million two-year syndicated loan structured and placed through Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. ("Mizuho") and China Development Bank Corporation ("CDB") within the Asian financial markets.

Mr. Gregory Testerman, Senior Managing Director for Treasury & Capital Markets for Bladex stated, "This transaction is the first syndication placed in Asia by a Latin American financial institution, without mitigating the credit risk through the use of guarantees of any sort. The loan enhances the diversification of Bladex's financing sources, while further developing the Bank's presence in the Asian markets. Proceeds from this financing will be used to promote foreign trade, as well as the economic development of Latin America, once again demonstrating Bladex's commitment to the Region. The knowledge, coverage, and experience of Mizuho and CDB in the Asian financial markets was of vital importance to the success of this transaction, which was closed under unique conditions in the global capital markets. Bladex is very satisfied with the result."

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.

Through June 30, 2009, Bladex had disbursed accumulated credits of approximately $160 billion.

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

SOURCE Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A.