NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - January 27, 2011) - Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. ("Mizuho") and Taiwan Cooperative Bank ("TCB") successfully closed a three-year, US$130 million cross-border syndication for Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. ("Bladex"). This financing represents the third cross-border syndicated loan arranged for Bladex in the Asian financial markets, after the successful closing of two previous Bladex deals in August and November 2009. The Facility was jointly arranged by Mizuho and TCB.
Gregory Testerman, Executive Vice President -- Treasury and Capital Markets at Bladex, added, "After the closing of the first two Asian syndications in 2009, we are very pleased to see such keen interest on the part of Japanese and Taiwanese banks in Bladex's third Asian transaction. 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."
Mizuho, the Coordinator of the Facility, was the Joint Bookrunner on the transaction, together with TCB. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., Tokyo Branch participated as Mandated Lead Arranger, Taiwan Business Bank, Offshore Banking Branch participated as Lead Arranger, and Bank SinoPac, Chang Hwa Commercial Bank Ltd, Offshore Banking Branch, Land Bank of Taiwan, Offshore Banking Branch, Mega International Commercial Bank Company, Limited-Panama Branch, The Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China and Yuanta Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. participated as Arrangers.
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 Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei.
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, Ltd., together with affiliates such as Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd., 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, Ltd. offers clients both localized service and the extensive reach of a global business network. Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. is a subsidiary of the Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (
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, with stockholders' equity of US$25 million paid-in by 186 stockholders. The Bank has been listed on the NYSE since 1992.
For more information on the Bladex's activities, please visit www.bladex.com
Contact Information:
Contact:
Patrick Phalon
(212) 282-3867