Mizuho and Chang Hwa Bank Arrange $165M Latin American Cross-Border Syndicated Refinance for Bladex in Asia

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Sep 1, 2011) - Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. ("Mizuho") (NYSE: MFG) and Chang Hwa Commercial Bank ("Chang Hwa") today announced the successful close of a three-year US$165 million cross-border syndicated refinancing for Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. ("Bladex"). This transaction is a refinance of two previous cross-border syndicated loans arranged for Bladex in the Asian financial markets in August and November 2009. The facility was jointly arranged by Mizuho and Chang Hwa.

Mizuho, the Coordinator of the facility, was also the Bookrunner on the transaction, with Chang Hwa as Joint Mandated Lead Arranger. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., Tokyo Branch and First Commercial Bank, Offshore Banking Branch participated as Mandated Lead Arrangers; Bank of Taiwan, Offshore Banking Branch and The Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China, participated as Arrangers; and Land Bank of Taiwan, Offshore Banking Branch, Mega International Commercial Bank Co., Ltd., Offshore Banking Branch, and Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Ltd., Offshore Banking Branch participated as Senior Managers.

In addition to this transaction, Mizuho has arranged a number of other cross-border syndicated loans for its clients in the Americas in the past year. Mizuho has one of the largest loan syndication groups in Asia, with offices in sixteen countries throughout the region.

About Mizuho Corporate Bank
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. provides financial and strategic solutions for the increasingly diverse and sophisticated needs of clients, focusing its efforts on serving major corporations, financial institutions, and public sector entities. A relationship management approach to serving clients enables Mizuho Corporate Bank, together with affiliates such as Mizuho Securities, to develop customized solutions in areas such as corporate, structured and project finance, investment banking, transaction banking and risk management. With offices in more than 30 countries, Mizuho Corporate Bank offers clients both localized service and the extensive reach of a global business network. Mizuho Corporate Bank is a subsidiary of the Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: MFG), one of the largest financial services companies in the world, with total assets of over $1.9 trillion as of March 31, 2011.

About Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A.
Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. is a supranational bank established in 1975 by the central banks of Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote trade finance in the Region. The Bank's mission is to support Latin American foreign trade while creating value for its shareholders. Bladex focuses on trade finance services, primarily providing short-term financing. The Bank is principally engaged in providing trade financing to selected commercial banks and corporations in the Region.

Bladex is based in Panama, and 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. It was established pursuant to a May 1975 proposal of the 20th Assembly of Governors of central banks in the Region, which recommended the creation of a supranational organization to increase the foreign trade financing capacity of the Region. Bladex was incorporated in 1978 under the laws of Panama and commenced operations on January 2, 1979. The Bank has been listed on the NYSE since 1992, becoming the first Latin American bank listed and rated "Investment Grade." For more information on the Bladex's activities, please visit www.bladex.com