UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM 20-F
 

 
¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
OR
 
ý ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
 
OR
 
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
OR
 
¨ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Date of event requiring this shell company report……………………………
 
For the transition period from ______ to _______
 
Commission File Number 1-11414
 
BANCO LATINOAMERICANO DE EXPORTACIONES, S.A.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
LATIN AMERICAN EXPORT BANK
REPUBLIC OF PANAMA
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 

 
Calle 50 y Aquilino de la Guardia
P.O. Box 0819-08730
Panama City, Republic of Panama
(507) 210-8500
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
 

 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
 
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class E Common Stock
New York Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
 
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
 

 
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
 
6,342,189
 
Shares of Class A Common Stock
2,660,847
 
Shares of Class B Common Stock
27,367,113
 
Shares of Class E Common Stock
36,370,149
 
Total Shares of Common Stock
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
¨ Yes  ý No
 
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
¨ Yes  ý No
 
Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
ý Yes            ¨ No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
¨ Large Accelerated Filer    ý Accelerated Filer    ¨ Non-accelerated Filer
 
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
ý U.S. GAAP        ¨ IFRS        ¨ Other
 
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the Registrant has elected to follow.
¨ Item 17        ý Item 18
 
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
¨ Yes        ý No
 




BANCO LATINOAMERICANO DE EXPORTACIONES, S.A.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
PART I
 
   
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
5
   
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
5
   
Item 3. Key Information
5
A.
Selected Financial Data
5
B.
Capitalization and Indebtedness
6
C.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
6
D.
Risk Factors
6
   
Item 4. Information on the Company
9
A.
History and Development of the Company
9
B.
Business Overview
9
C.
Organizational Structure
21
D.
Property, Plant and Equipment
21
   
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
21
   
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
21
A.
Operating Results
22
B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
33
C.
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
38
D.
Trend Information
38
E.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
39
F.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
39
   
Item 6. Directors, Executive Officers and Employees
40
A.
Directors and Executive Officers
40
B.
Compensation
44
C.
Board Practices
48
D.
Employees
52
E.
Share Ownership
52
   
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
52
A.
Major Shareholders
52
B.
Related Party Transactions
54
C.
Interests of Experts and Counsel
54
   
Item 8. Financial Information
54
A.
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
54
B.
Significant Changes
55
   
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
55
A.
Offer and Listing Details
55
B.
Plan of Distribution
55
C.
Markets
55
D.
Selling Shareholders
55
E.
Dilution
56
 
2


F.
Expenses of the Issue
56
   
Item 10. Additional Information
56
A.
Share Capital
56
B.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
56
C.
Material Contracts
56
D.
Exchange Controls
56
E.
Taxation
56
F.
Dividends and Paying Agents
60
G.
Statement by Experts
60
H.
Documents on Display
60
I.
Subsidiary Information
60
   
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
60
   
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
63
     
PART II
 
   
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
63
   
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
63
   
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
63
   
Item 16. Reserved
65
Item 16A. Audit and Compliance Committee Financial Expert
65
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
65
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
65
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
66
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
66
     
PART III
 
   
Item 17. Financial Statements
67
   
Item 18. Financial Statements
67
   
Item 19. Exhibits
67

3

 
In this Annual Report on Form 20-F (this “Annual Report”), references to the “Bank” or “Bladex” are to Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S.A., a specialized supranational bank incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Panama (“Panama”) and its subsidiaries. References to “dollars” or “$” are to United States dollars. The Bank accepts deposits and raises funds principally in United States dollars, grants loans mostly in United States dollars and publishes its consolidated financial statements in United States dollars. The numbers and percentages set out in this Annual Report have been rounded and, accordingly, may not total exactly.
 
Upon written or oral request, the Bank will provide without charge to each person to whom this Annual Report is delivered, a copy of any or all of the documents listed as exhibits to this Annual Report (other than exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents). Written requests for copies should be directed to the attention of Jaime Celorio, Chief Financial Officer, Bladex, as follows: (1) if by regular mail, to P.O. Box 0819-08730, Panama City, Republic of Panama, and (2) if by courier, to Calle 50 y Aquilino de la Guardia, Panama City, Republic of Panama. Telephone requests may be directed to Mr. Celorio at 011-507-210-8563. Written requests also may be faxed to Mr. Celorio at 011-507-269-6333 or sent via e-mail to jcelorio@bladex.com. Information is also available on the Bank’s website at: www.bladex.com.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in any such statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the risks described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” Forward-looking statements include statements regarding:
 
 
·
the anticipated growth of the Bank’s credit portfolio, including its trade finance portfolio;
 
·
the Bank’s ability to increase the number of corporate clients;
 
·
the continuation of the Bank’s preferred creditor status;
 
·
the effects of changing interest rates and of an improving macroeconomic environment in the Region on the Bank’s financial condition;
 
·
the execution of the Bank’s strategies and initiatives, including its revenue diversification strategy;
 
·
the anticipated operating income and return on equity in future periods;
 
·
the implied volatility of the Bank’s Treasury and Asset Management revenues;
 
·
the adequacy of the Bank’s allowance for and provisions for credit losses;
 
·
the Bank’s ability to maintain its investment-grade credit ratings;
 
·
the availability and mix of future sources of funding for the Bank’s lending operations; and
 
·
the adequacy of the Bank’s sources of liquidity to replace large deposit withdrawals.
 
In addition, the statements included under the headings “Strategy” and “Trends” are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Bank as of the date hereof, and the Bank assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

4


PART I
 
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
Item 3. Key Information
 
A.  Selected Financial Data 
 
The following table presents consolidated selected financial data for the Bank. The financial data presented below are at and for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and are derived from the Bank’s consolidated financial statements for the years indicated, which were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 consolidated financial statements were audited by the registered public accounting firm KPMG, and the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 were audited by the registered public accounting firm Deloitte, Inc. The consolidated financial statements of the Bank at December 31, 2006 and 2007 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) are included in this Annual Report, together with the reports of the registered public accounting firms KPMG and Deloitte Inc. The information below is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information included elsewhere herein and should be read in conjunction with Item 4, “Information on the Company”, Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in this Annual Report.
 
Consolidated Selected Financial Information
 
   
At and for the Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2003
 
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ thousand, except per share amounts and ratios)
 
Income Statement Data:
                               
Net interest income  
 
$
53,987
 
$
42,025
 
$
45,253
 
$
58,837
 
$
70,570
 
Fees and commissions, net 
   
7,446
   
5,928
   
5,824
   
6,393
   
5,555
 
Reversal of provision for credit losses 1 
   
58,905
   
112,271
   
38,374
   
13,045
   
1,475
 
Trading gains 
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
879
   
23,866
 
Net gain on sale on securities available for sale 
   
22,211
   
2,922
   
206
   
2,568
   
9,119
 
Total operating expenses 
   
(22,561
)
 
(21,352
)
 
(24,691
)
 
(28,929
)
 
(37,027
)
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
   
111,496
   
141,730
   
77,518
   
57,902
   
72,177
 
Cumulative effect of accounting changes 
   
0
   
0
   
2,583
   
0
   
0
 
Net income 
   
111,496
   
141,730
   
80,101
   
57,902
   
72,177
 
Balance Sheet Data:
                               
Trading assets 
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
130,076
   
52,597
 
Investment securities 
   
77,793
   
192,856
   
208,570
   
471,351
   
468,360
 
Loans 
   
2,275,031
   
2,441,686
   
2,610,019
   
2,980,772
   
3,731,838
 
Allowance for loan losses 
   
224,347
   
106,352
   
39,448
   
51,266
   
69,643
 
Total assets 
   
2,560,612
   
2,732,940
   
3,159,231
   
3,978,337
   
4,790,532
 
Total deposits 
   
702,955
   
864,160
   
1,046,618
   
1,056,277
   
1,462,371
 
Trading liabilities 
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
54,832
   
90,765
 
Short-term borrowings 
   
687,214
   
704,718
   
760,699
   
1,595,604
   
1,504,710
 
Borrowings and long-term debt 
   
485,516
   
403,621
   
533,860
   
558,860
   
1,010,316
 
Total liabilities 
   
1,976,283
   
2,076,810
   
2,542,449
   
3,394,442
   
4,178,281
 
Total stockholders’ equity 
   
584,329
   
656,130
   
616,782
   
583,895
   
612,251
 
Average number of shares outstanding 
   
28,675
   
39,232
   
38,550
   
37,065
   
36,349
 
Average number of diluted shares outstanding 
   
28,675
   
39,372
   
38,860
   
37,572
   
36,414
 
Per Common Share Data:
                               
Basic earnings per share6
   
3.88
   
3.61
   
2.01
   
1.56
   
1.99
 
Diluted earnings per share6 
   
3.88
   
3.60
   
1.99
   
1.54
   
1.98
 
Book value per share (period end) 
   
14.84
   
16.87
   
16.19
   
16.07
   
16.83
 
Regular cash dividends per share  
   
0.00
   
0.50
   
0.60
   
0.75
   
0.88
 
Special cash dividends per share  
   
0.00
   
1.00
   
2.00
   
1.00
   
0.00
 
Selected Financial Ratios:
                               
Performance Ratios:
                               
Return on average assets 
   
4.24
%
 
5.83
%
 
3.00
%
 
1.70
%
 
1.71
%
Return on average stockholders’ equity 
   
23.91
%
 
22.75
%
 
12.85
%
 
9.96
%
 
11.91
%
Net interest margin 2  
   
1.87
%
 
1.65
%
 
1.70
%
 
1.76
%
 
1.71
%
Net interest spread 2  
   
1.23
%
 
0.98
%
 
0.67
%
 
0.70
%
 
0.80
%
Total operating expenses to total average assets 
   
0.86
%   
 
0.88
%
 
0.93
%
 
0.85
%
 
0.88
%
Regular cash dividend payout ratio 
   
0.00
%3   
13.84
%
 
29.84
%
 
48.01
%
 
44.32
%
Special cash dividend payout ratio 
   
0.00
%3   
27.68
%
 
99.46
%
 
64.01
%
 
0.00
%
Asset Quality Ratios:
                               
Impaired loans to total loans 4 
   
19.62
%
 
10.50
%
 
1.11
%
 
0.00
%
 
0.00
%
Charged-off loans to total loans 
   
6.1
%
 
0.5
%
 
0.4
%
 
0.00
%
 
0.00
%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans, net of unearned income and deferred commission 
   
9.89
%
 
4.37
%
 
1.51
%
 
1.72
%
 
1.87
%
Allowance for credit losses to non-accruing credits 
   
53
%
 
48
%
 
217
%
 
n.a.
   
n.a.
 
Capital Ratios:
                               
Stockholders’ equity to total assets 
   
22.82
%
 
24.01
%
 
19.52
%
 
14.68
%
 
12.78
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 5  
   
35.42
%
 
42.90
%
 
33.74
%
 
24.45
%
 
20.92
%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 5 
   
36.67
%
 
44.15
%
 
34.99
%
 
25.70
%
 
22.17
%
 
5

 

1 Includes Reversal (provision) for loan losses to on and off-balance sheet credit risks. For information regarding reversal (provision) for credit losses, see Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects/Operating Results”.
2 For information regarding calculation of the net interest margin and the net interest spread, see Item 5A, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects/Operating Results/Net Interest Income and Margins”.
3 During 2003, the Bank suspended its dividend payment. In 2004, the Bank re-established its dividend payment.
4 Repossessed assets or troubled debt restructurings as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 15 amounted to $23 million in 2005, and $202 million in 2004, and related mostly to Argentine credits.
5 Calculated using the U.S. Federal Reserve Board’s 1992 fully phased-in risk-weighted capital guidelines.
6 For 2005, exclude the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, which represented $0.07 per share.
 
B.  Capitalization and Indebtedness
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
C.  Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
D.  Risk Factors 
 
Risks Relating to the Region
 
The Bank’s credit portfolio is concentrated in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Bank also faces borrower concentration. Adverse economic changes in those countries or in the condition of the Bank’s largest borrowers could affect adversely the Bank’s growth, asset quality, prospects, profitability and financial condition.
 
The Bank’s credit activities are concentrated in Central and South America and the Caribbean (the “Region”), which is a reflection of the Bank’s mission and strategy. Historically, economies of countries in the Region have occasionally experienced significant volatility characterized, in some cases, by political uncertainty, slow growth or recession, declining investments, government and private sector debt defaults and restructurings, significant inflation and/or devaluation. Global economic changes, including oil prices, commodities prices, the U.S. dollar interest rates and exchange rate, and slower economic growth in industrialized countries, could have a significant adverse effect on the economic condition of countries in the Region. In turn, adverse changes affecting the economies of countries in the Region could have a significant adverse impact on the quality of the Bank’s credit portfolio, including increased loan loss provisions, debt restructurings, and loan losses. As a result, this could also have an adverse impact on the Bank’s asset growth, asset quality, prospects, profitability and financial condition.
 
The Bank’s credit activities are concentrated in a relatively small number of countries, which could have an adverse impact on the Bank’s credit portfolio and, as a result, its financial condition, growth, prospects, results of operations and financial condition if one or more of those countries encounters economic difficulties. At December 31, 2007, approximately 67% of the Bank’s credit portfolio was outstanding to borrowers in the following four countries: Brazil ($1,728 million, or 36%); Colombia ($530 million, or 11%); Peru ($484 million, or 10%); and Mexico ($451 million, or 9%).
 
6


In addition, at December 31, 2007, 11% of the Bank’s total credits were to five borrowers in Brazil, and 13% of total credits were to four borrowers from Peru (5%), Colombia (3%), Mexico (2%) and Venezuela (3%). A significant deterioration of the financial or economic condition of any of these countries or borrowers could have an adverse impact on the Bank’s credit portfolio, requiring the Bank to create additional allowances for credit losses, or suffer credit losses with the effect being accentuated because of this concentration.
 
Local country foreign exchange controls or currency devaluation may harm the Bank’s borrowers’ ability to pay U.S. dollar-denominated obligations.
 
The Bank makes mostly U.S. dollar-denominated loans and investments. As a result, the Bank faces the risk that local country foreign exchange controls will restrict the ability of the Bank’s borrowers, even if they are exporters, to acquire dollars to repay loans on a timely basis, and/or that significant currency devaluation will occur, which could increase the cost, in local currency terms, to the Bank’s borrowers of acquiring dollars to repay loans.
 
Increased risk perception in countries in the Region where the Bank has large credit exposure could have an adverse impact on the Bank’s credit ratings, funding activities and funding costs. 
 
Increased risk perception in any country in the Region where the Bank has large exposures could trigger downgrades to the Bank’s credit ratings. A credit rating downgrade would likely increase the Bank’s funding costs, and reduce its deposit base and access to the debt capital markets. In that case, the Bank’s ability to obtain the necessary funding to carry on its financing activities in the Region at meaningful levels could be severely hampered.
 
Risks Relating to the Bank’s Business
 
Bladex faces liquidity risk, and its failure to adequately manage this risk could result in a liquidity shortage, which could adversely affect its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 

Bladex, like all financial institutions, faces liquidity risk, or the risk of not being able to maintain adequate cash flow to repay its deposits and borrowings, and fund its credit portfolio on a timely basis. Failure to adequately manage its liquidity risk could produce a cash shortage as a result of which the Bank would not be able to repay these obligations as they become due.

Approximately one third of the Bank’s funding represents short-term borrowings from international banks, the majority of which are European and North American institutions, which also compete with the Bank in its credit extension activity, and represent a source of business for the Bank, as well. If these international banks ceased to provide funding to the Bank, the Bank would have to seek funding from other sources, which may not be available, or if available, may be at higher interest cost.
 
Financial turnmoil in the international markets could negatively impact liquidity in the financial markets, reducing the Bank’s access to credit or increasing its cost of funding, which could lead to tighter lending standards. An example of this situation is the liquidity constraint experienced since the second half of 2007 in the international financial markets, driven by the subprime crisis in the United States. The persistence or worsening of these unfavorable market conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Bank's liquidity.
 
As a U.S. dollar-based economy, Panama does not have a central bank in the traditional sense, and there is no lender of last resort to the banking system in the country. Central banks in other Latin American and Caribbean countries would not be obligated to act as lenders of last resort if Bladex were to face a liquidity shortage. Accordingly, if the Bank faced a liquidity shortage, it would have to rely on commercial liquidity sources to resolve the liquidity shortage.
 
The Bank’s allowances for credit losses could be inadequate to cover credit losses related to its loans and contingencies.
 
The Bank determines the appropriate level of allowances for credit losses based on a process that estimates the probable loss inherent in its portfolio, which is the result of a statistical analysis supported by the Bank’s historical portfolio performance and the Bank’s management’s qualitative judgment. The latter includes assumptions and estimates made in the context of changing political and economic conditions in the Region. The Bank’s allowances could be inadequate to cover losses in its credit portfolio due to exposure concentration, which in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

7

 
The Bank’s businesses are subject to market risk.
 
Market risk generally represents the risk that values of assets and liabilities or revenues will be adversely affected by changes in market conditions. Market risk is inherent in the financial instruments associated with many of the Bank’s operations and activities, including loans, deposits, investment and trading securities, short-term borrowings, long-term debt, derivatives and trading positions. Among many other market conditions that may shift from time to time are fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates, changes in the implied volatility of interest rates and changes in securities prices, due to changes in either market perception or actual credit quality of either the issuer or its country of origin. Accordingly, depending on the instruments or activities impacted, market risks can have wide ranging, complex adverse affects on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business. See Item 11, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk”.
 
The Bank faces interest rate risk which is caused by the mismatch in maturities of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. If not properly managed, this mismatch can reduce net interest income as interest rates fluctuate.
 
As a bank, Bladex faces interest rate risk because interest-bearing liabilities generally reprice at a different pace than interest-earning assets. Failure to adequately manage eventual mismatches may reduce the Bank’s net interest income during periods of fluctuating interest rates.
 
Operational problems or errors can have a material adverse impact on the Bank’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Bladex, like all financial institutions, is exposed to operational risks, including the risk of fraud by employees and outsiders, failure to obtain proper internal authorizations, failure to properly document transactions, equipment failures, and errors by employees. Operational problems or errors may occur, and their occurrence may have a material adverse impact on the Bank’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 
 
Bladex, has an Operational Risk department that evaluates the operational risk level of every key product or process that could have an impact on the financial statements. This department coordinates periodic training for all personnel and auto-evaluations with the participation of those personnel controlling each process. Each incident reported, with real or potential loss, is registered in an operational risk database, and on a quarterly basis, the Bank’s management is informed of the relevant incidents that occurred (if any) and the suggested mitigation plan.
 
The Bank’s credit portfolio may not continue to grow at the same or similar rate. 
 
No assurance can be given that, in the future, the Bank’s credit portfolio, including the Bank’s foreign trade portfolio, will continue to grow at historical rates. A reversal in the growth rate of the Region’s economy and trade volumes could adversely affect the growth rate of the Bank’s credit portfolio.
 
Increased competition and banking industry consolidation could limit the Bank’s ability to grow and may adversely affect results of operations.
 
Most of the competition the Bank faces in the trade finance business comes from international banks, the majority of which are European and North American institutions. Many of these international banks have substantially greater resources than the Bank and enjoy access to less expensive funding than the Bank does. There can be no assurance that increased competition will not adversely affect the Bank’s growth prospects and results of operations.
 
Merger activity in the financial services industry has produced companies that are capable of offering a wide array of financial products and services at competitive prices. Globalization of the capital markets and financial services industries exposes the Bank to further competition. The Bank's ability to grow its business and, therefore, its earnings, is affected by these competitive pressures.

8

 
Any delays or failure to implement business initiatives that the Bank may undertake could prevent the Bank from realizing the anticipated revenues and benefits of the initiatives. 
 
Part of the Bank’s strategy is to diversify income sources through business initiatives, including targeting new clients and developing new products and services. These initiatives may not be fully implemented within the time frame the Bank expects, or at all. In addition, even if such initiatives are fully implemented, they may not generate revenues as expected. Any delays in implementing these business initiatives could prevent the Bank from realizing the anticipated benefits of the initiatives, which could adversely affect the Bank’s business, results of operations and growth prospects.
 
Item 4. Information on the Company
 
A. History and Development of the Company 
 
The Bank, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is a specialized supranational bank originally established by central banks of Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote trade finance in the Region. The Bank was established pursuant to a May 1975 proposal of the XX Assembly of Governors of central banks in the Region, which recommended the creation of a supranational organization to increase the Region’s foreign trade financing capacity. The Bank was constituted in 1978 as a corporation pursuant to the laws of the Republic of Panama as “Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S.A.” and commenced operations on January 2, 1979. The Bank operates under the commercial name of “Bladex.” Panama was selected as the location of the Bank’s headquarters because of the country’s importance as a Regional banking center, the benefits of a fully U.S. dollar-based economy, the absence of foreign exchange controls, its geographic location, and the quality of its communications facilities. Under special legislation enacted in 1978, the Bank was granted certain privileges by the government of Panama, including an exemption from payment of income taxes in Panama.
 
Bladex offers its services through the Bank’s head office and subsidiaries in Panama City, and its subsidiaries and offices in New York City, including its agency (the "New York Agency") and Bladex Asset Management, Inc. (“Bladex Asset Management”), its subsidiaries in Brazil and the Cayman Islands, its international administrative office in Miami and its representative offices in Mexico City and Buenos Aires as well as through a worldwide network of correspondent banks. Bladex’s head office is located at Calle 50 y Aquilino de la Guardia, Panama City, Panama, and its telephone number is 011-507-210-8500. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 1.
 
B. Business Overview 
 
Overview
 
The Bank’s mission is to provide seamless support to Latin America’s foreign trade, while creating value for its stockholders. The Bank is principally engaged in providing trade financing to selected commercial banks and corporations in the Region.
 
Bladex intermediates in the financial and capital markets throughout the Region, through three business platforms:
 
The Commercial Division, which comprises the Bank’s financial intermediation and fee generation activities, including the Bank’s trade finance products, such as loans for pre - and post-export financing and import of goods, letters of credit, banker’s acceptances and guarantees. The majority of the Bank’s loans are extended in connection with specific identified foreign trade transactions. Through its revenue diversification strategy, the Bank’s Commercial Division has introduced a broader range of products, services and solutions associated with foreign trade, including co-financing arrangements, underwriting of syndicated credit facilities, structured trade financing, asset-based financing in the form of factoring, vendor financing and leasing, as well as other fee-based business, like U.S.-clearing electronic services.
 
The Treasury Division, which is responsible for ensuring the Bank’s funding and liquidity, for the management of its interest rate, liquidity and currency risks, and for Bladex’s investments in fixed-income securities.
 
The Bank’s lending and investing activities are funded by interbank deposits, primarily from central banks and financial institutions in the Region, by borrowings from international commercial banks and, to a lesser extent, by sales of the Bank’s debt securities to financial institutions and investors in Japan, Europe, North America and the Region. The Bank does not provide retail banking services to the general public, such as retail savings accounts or checking accounts, and does not take retail deposits.

9

 
The Asset Management Division, which is based in New York and commenced operations in April 2006, provides investment advisory services to funds and managed accounts, and conducts business through the Bladex Offshore Feeder Fund (“the Feeder”) and the Bladex Capital Growth Fund (“the Fund”) incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The Asset Management Division incorporates the investment manager, Bladex Asset Management, and the Bank’s investment in any of the managed funds or accounts. The Asset Management Division’s objective is to achieve above average long-term rates of return, while also attempting to preserve capital, mitigate risk and produce returns, which, over the long-term, have low correlation to the returns of the major U.S. equity and investment grade fixed income indices.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Bank had 49 officers across its offices responsible for marketing the Bank’s financial products and services to existing and potential customers.
 
Historically, trade finance generally has not been negatively affected by Latin American debt restructurings. This has been due, in part, to the perceived importance that governments and borrowers in the Region attach to maintaining their access to trade finance. In the case of Bladex, the Bank generally has enjoyed “preferred creditor” status in several countries in the Region, which has strengthened its position in respect of debt restructurings. The Bank, due in part to its preferred creditor status, generally has been allowed to negotiate directly with the governments of these countries concerning its loans, as opposed to negotiating indirectly as a member of a group of creditors in debt restructuring proceedings. In addition, the Bank’s preferred creditor status has generally exempted it from convertibility and transfer limitations of U.S. dollars for payment of external obligations. The Bank believes that its preferred creditor status is partially attributable to its relationship with its Class A stockholders consisting of central banks or governmental financial institutions from 23 countries in the Region.
 
Developments During 2007
 
During 2007, the Bank continued the successful execution of its revenue diversification strategy among its three business divisions.
 
The Commercial Division achieved corporate client base growth and portfolio diversification, resulting in a 16% increase in its average credit portfolio over 2006, with approximately $8 billion in credits granted. The growth of the Bank’s credit and other business activities was achieved while maintaining credit quality, resulting in no past due or non-accrual loans at the end of the year 2007.
 
The Treasury Division continued the expansion of its revenue-driven activities, increasing its securities available-for-sale portfolio by 35%. This portfolio is comprised of liquid, Latin American fixed income securities of high credit quality. In addition, the Treasury Division was able to effectively manage and strengthen the Bank’s liquidity position, in spite of the increased level of uncertainty in international markets since August of 2007, as a result of the subprime crisis in the United States. During 2007, the Bank closed its first-ever funding transactions denominated in local currencies of the Region, including a bond issuance in Peruvian Nuevo Soles and inter-bank borrowings and loans denominated in Mexican Pesos; the Bank also signed a five-year international loan syndication for an amount of $150 million, and a three-year borrowing for an additional $75 million, and updated its $2.25 billion European Medium-Term Note (“EMTN”) program.
 
The Asset Management Division was successful in its proprietary asset management activities and earned above-average returns. As a result, along with the Bank’s commitment to the industry’s best practices in risk management and operational control, the Bank obtained the approval of U.S. regulators to offer investment advisory services to qualified offshore investors.
 
In quantitative terms, these activities resulted in a 25% increase in net income, which totaled $72 million, compared to $58 million in 2006. See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects/Operating Results/Net Income” and Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 22.

10


Strategy for 2008
 
For 2008, Bladex intends to continue focusing its efforts on diversifying its revenue sources across its three business units, with the objective of achieving improved return on equity levels, while preserving and optimizing the Bank’s stockholders’ equity.
 
The Commercial Division intends to continue developing a stronger client base, focused towards a growing corporate segment, and continuing the implementation of a wider product range, including factoring, vendor financing and leasing, which in turn should result in increasing the Bank’s capacity and execution of fee income generation.
 
The Bank also intends to continue to expand its Treasury Division activities, by increasing its available-for-sale and held-to-maturity fixed income portfolio throughout the Region, and to issue additional bonds in other Latin American markets.
 
The Asset Management Division intends to continue to expand its operations and expects to offer its services to third-party investors, in order to generate additional fee income.
 
Lending Policies
 
The Bank extends credit directly to banks, corporations and state-owned export organizations within the Region. The Bank analyzes credit requests from eligible borrowers in light of credit risk criteria, including economic and market conditions. The Bank maintains a consistent lending policy and applies the same credit criteria to all types of potential borrowers in evaluating creditworthiness.
 
The Bank finances import and export transactions for all goods and products, with the exception of articles such as weapons, ammunition, military equipment, hallucinogenic drugs or narcotics not utilized for medical purposes. Imports and exports financed by the Bank are destined for buyers/sellers in countries both inside and outside the Region.
 
The Bank’s loans generally are unsecured. However, in certain instances, based upon its credit review of the borrower and the economic and political situation and trends in the borrower’s home country, the Bank has determined that the level of risk involved requires that a loan be secured by pledged deposits.
 
Country Credit Limits
 
Bladex has a methodology for capital allocation by country and its risk weights for assets. The Credit Policy and Risk Assessment Committee of the Board of Directors (“CPER”) approves a level of “allocated capital” for each country, instead of nominal exposure limits. These country capital limits are reviewed at least annually in the quarterly meetings of the CPER. The system establishes the capital equivalent of each transaction, based on the internal numeric rating assigned to each country, which is approved by the CPER.
 
The amounts of capital allocated take into account the customer type (sovereign, state-owned or private, corporate or financial institutions), the type of transaction (trade or non-trade), and the average remaining term of the transaction (from 1 to 180 days, 181 days to a year, between one and three years, or more than three years). Capital utilizations by the business units should not exceed the Bank’s reported stockholders’ equity.
 
Borrower Lending Limits
 
Generally the Bank establishes lines of credit for each borrower according to the results of its risk analysis and potential business prospects; however, the Bank is not required to lend under these lines of credit. Once a line of credit has been established, credit generally is extended after receipt of a request from the borrower for financing, usually related to foreign trade. Loan pricing is determined in accordance with prevailing market conditions and the borrower’s creditworthiness.
 
For existing borrowers, the Bank’s management has authority to approve credit lines up to the legal lending limit prescribed by Panamanian law (see Item 4, “Information on the Company/Business Overview/Regulation—Panamanian Law”), provided that the credit lines comply fully with the country credit limits and conditions for the borrower’s country of domicile set by the Bank’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Approved borrower lending limits are reported to the CPER quarterly. Panamanian Banking Law prescribes certain concentration limits, which are applicable and strictly adhered to by the Bank, including a thirty percent (30%) limit as a percentage of capital and reserves for any one borrower and borrower group, in the case of financial institutions, and a twenty-five percent (25%) limit as a percentage of capital and reserves for any one borrower and borrower group, in the case of corporate and sovereign borrowers. As of December 31, 2007, the legal lending limit prescribed by Panamanian law for corporations and sovereign borrowers amounted to approximately $153 million, and for financial institutions and financial groups amounted to approximately $184 million. On a quarterly basis, the CPER reviews the impaired portfolio, if any, along with certain non-impaired credits.

11

 
At December 31, 2007, the Bank was in full compliance with all regulatory limits. See Item 4, “Information on the Company/Business Overview/Regulation/Panamanian Law”.
 
Credit Portfolio
 
The Bank’s credit portfolio consists of the commercial portfolio and the treasury portfolio.
 
The Bank’s credit portfolio increased from $3,616 million at December 31, 2005 to $4,006 million at December 31, 2006 and $4,753 million at December 31, 2007.
 
Commercial Portfolio
 
The commercial portfolio includes the book value of loans, securities purchased under agreements to resell and contingencies and other assets (including confirmed and stand-by letters of credit and guarantees, credit commitments, reimbursement undertakings, equity investments and customers’ liabilities under acceptances).
 
The Bank’s commercial portfolio (excluding non-accruing credits in 2005) increased from $3,365 million at December 31, 2005 to $3,634 million at December 31, 2006 and $4,281 million at December 31, 2007.
 
At December 31, 2007, 63% of the Bank’s commercial portfolio represented trade related credits. The corporate market segment represented 49% of the total commercial portfolio, of which 68% represented trade financing. The following table sets forth the distribution of the Bank’s commercial portfolio (excluding non-accruing credits), by product category at December 31 of each year:
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2003
 
% 
 
2004
 
% 
 
2005
 
% 
 
2006
 
% 
 
2007
 
% 
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Loans 
 
$
1,830
   
79.8
 
$
2,186
   
88.7
 
$
2,581
   
76.7
 
$
2,981
   
82.0
 
$
3,732
   
87.2
 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
   
132
   
5.8
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
0.0
   
0.0
 
Contingencies and other assets 
   
330
   
14.4
   
277
   
11.3
   
784
   
23.3
   
654
   
18.0
   
550
   
12.8
 
Total 
 
$
2,292
   
100.0
 
$
2,463
   
100.0
 
$
3,365
   
100.0
 
$
3,634
   
100.0
 
$
4,281
   
100.0
 
 
Loan Portfolio
 
At December 31, 2007, the Bank’s total loans amounted to $3,732 million, compared to $2,981 million at December 31, 2006. See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects/Operating Results/Changes in Financial Condition” and Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 6.
 
Loans by Country
 
The following table sets forth the distribution of the Bank’s loans by country at December 31 of each year:
 
   
At December 31,
 
 
 
2003
 
 %
 
2004
 
 %
 
2005
 
 %
 
2006
 
 %
 
2007
 
 %
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Argentina 
 
$
398
   
17.5
 
$
207
   
8.5
 
$
51
   
2.0
 
$
203
   
6.8
 
$
264
   
7.1
 
Bolivia 
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
5
   
0.2
   
5
   
0.1
 
Brazil 
   
1,011
   
44.4
   
1,054
   
43.2
   
1,095
   
42.0
   
1,317
   
44.2
   
1,379
   
37.0
 
Chile 
   
131
   
5.8
   
322
   
13.2
   
283
   
10.8
   
175
   
5.9
   
10
   
0.3
 
Colombia 
   
96
   
4.2
   
148
   
6.1
   
249
   
9.5
   
163
   
5.5
   
400
   
10.7
 
Costa Rica 
   
59
   
2.6
   
38
   
1.5
   
54
   
2.1
   
85
   
2.9
   
77
   
2.1
 
Dominican Republic 
   
24
   
1.1
   
0
   
0.0
   
1
   
0.0
   
9
   
0.3
   
29
   
0.8
 
Ecuador 
   
22
   
1.0
   
51
   
2.1
   
25
   
1.0
   
43
   
1.4
   
61
   
1.6
 
El Salvador 
   
26
   
1.1
   
44
   
1.8
   
81
   
3.1
   
82
   
2.8
   
47
   
1.2
 
Guatemala 
   
34
   
1.5
   
38
   
1.6
   
41
   
1.6
   
89
   
3.0
   
96
   
2.6
 
Honduras 
   
0
   
0.0
   
6
   
0.2
   
26
   
1.0
   
36
   
1.2
   
49
   
1.3
 
Jamaica 
   
14
   
0.6
   
26
   
1.1
   
24
   
0.9
   
49
   
1.6
   
77
   
2.1
 
Mexico 
   
183
   
8.0
   
262
   
10.7
   
161
   
6.1
   
168
   
5.6
   
410
   
11.0
 
Nicaragua 
   
9
   
0.4
   
5
   
0.2
   
2
   
0.1
   
10
   
0.3
   
13
   
0.3
 
Panama 
   
44
   
1.9
   
89
   
3.7
   
156
   
6.0
   
180
   
6.1
   
140
   
3.7
 
Paraguay 
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
 
Peru 
   
65
   
2.8
   
55
   
2.2
   
180
   
7.0
   
262
   
8.8
   
454
   
12.2
 
Trinidad & Tobago 
   
100
   
4.4
   
92
   
3.8
   
177
   
6.8
   
104
   
3.5
   
88
   
2.3
 
Uruguay 
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
4
   
0.1
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
 
Venezuela 
   
61
   
2.7
   
5
   
0.2
   
0
   
0.0
   
1
   
0.0
   
135
   
3.6
 
Total
 
$
2,275
   
100.0
 
$
2,442
   
100.0
 
$
2,610
   
100.0
 
$
2,981
   
100.0
 
$
3,732
   
100.0
 

12

 
Loans by Type of Borrower
 
The following table sets forth the amounts of the Bank’s loans by type of borrower at December 31 of each year:
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2003
 
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ million)
 
Private sector commercial banks 
 
$
986
 
$
1,243
 
$
1,583
 
$
1,167
 
$
1,491
 
State-owned commercial banks 
   
422
   
563
   
118
   
273
   
241
 
Central banks 
   
0
   
13
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Sovereign debt 
   
50
   
58
   
49
   
123
   
113
 
State-owned exporting organizations 
   
424
   
363
   
402
   
138
   
282
 
Private corporations 
   
392
   
201
   
458
   
1,279
   
1,605
 
Total
 
$
2,275
 
$
2,442
 
$
2,610
 
$
2,981
 
$
3,732
 

During 2007, the Bank increased its exposure to private corporations by $326 million, reflecting its strategy of developing a stronger client base, focused towards a growing corporate segment.
 
Maturities and Sensitivites of the Loan Portfolio
 
The following table sets forth the maturity profile of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2007, by type of rate and type of borrower:
 
   
At December 31, 2007
 
   
(in $ million)
 
   
Due in one year or less
 
Due after one year
through five years
 
Due after five
years
 
Total
 
FIXED RATE
                         
Private sector commercial banks 
 
$
830
 
$
30
 
$
0
 
$
860
 
State-owned commercial banks 
   
145
   
20
   
0
   
165
 
Sovereign debt 
   
30
   
83
   
0
   
113
 
State-owned exporting organizations 
   
148
   
0
   
0
   
148
 
Private corporations 
   
538
   
29
   
2
   
569
 
Sub-total 
 
$
1,692
 
$
162
 
$
2
 
$
1,856
 
FLOATING RATE
                         
Private sector commercial banks 
 
$
355
 
$
220
 
$
56
 
$
631
 
State-owned commercial banks 
   
41
   
35
   
0
   
76
 
State-owned exporting organizations 
   
131
   
3
   
0
   
134
 
Private corporations 
   
307
   
710
   
19
   
1,036
 
Sub-total 
 
$
833
 
$
968
 
$
75
 
$
1,876
 
Total 
 
$
2,525
 
$
1,129
 
$
77
 
$
3,732
 
 
13


Contingencies and other assets
 
The Bank’s contingencies and other assets included in the commercial portfolio consist of selected financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk and customer liabilities under acceptances.
 
The Bank, on behalf of its client base, advises and confirms letters of credit to facilitate foreign trade transactions. The Bank also provides stand-by letters of credit and guarantees, including country risk guarantees, which cover the country risk arising from the risk of convertibility and transferability of local currency of countries in the Region into hard currency and from political risks, such as expropriation, nationalization, war and/or civil disturbances. The Bank also provides commitments to extend credit, which are a combination of either non-binding or legal agreements to lend to a customer.
 
The Bank applies the same credit policies used in its lending process to its evaluation of these instruments, and, once issued, the commitment is irrevocable and remains valid until its expiration. At December 31, 2007, total contingencies and other assets in the commercial portfolio amounted to $550 million, representing 13% of the Bank’s total commercial portfolio. See Item 18, “Financial Statements,” note 16.
 
Treasury Portfolio
 
The treasury portfolio includes investment securities and credit default swaps (an off-balance sheet credit derivative product), which totaled $468 million and $3 million, respectively, at December 31, 2007.
 
Investment Securities
 
The Bank’s investment securities consist mostly of debt securities held to maturity and securities available for sale. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 2 (g) and 5.
 
In the normal course of business, the Bank utilizes interest rate swaps for hedging purposes in its assets (mainly its investment securities) and liabilities management activities.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Bank's investment securities portfolio totaled $468 million and consisted of investments with issuers in the Region, of which 67% were banks and sovereign borrowers and 33% were corporations. For the year 2007, the Bank’s total securities portfolio had a weighted average interest rate of 5.99% per annum.
 
Asset Management Portfolio
 
The asset management portfolio includes trading assets and liabilities of the Asset Management Division, which is the investment manager of the Fund. At December 31, 2007, the fair value of trading assets was $53 million and the fair value of trading liabilities was $91 million. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 1, 2 (f), 4, and 20.
 
The Fund follows a multi-strategy/multi-product trading approach striving to take advantage of Latin American and Caribbean opportunities. The Fund takes long and short positions within the equity, fixed income and foreign exchange markets.
 
The Board of Directors of the Fund controls the exposure of the Fund to certain risks through a risk matrix, which contains guidelines and parameters that the Fund’s managers must follow. Specific risk management guidelines include constraints regarding capital usage, portfolio concentration, among other factors.
 
Total Outstandings by Country
 
The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of the Bank’s cross-border outstandings, consisting of cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, investment securities, trading assets and loans, but not including contingencies and other assets (collectively “cross-border outstandings”) at December 31 of each year:
 
14

 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
Amount
 
% of Total 
Outstandings
 
Amount
 
% of Total 
Outstandings
 
Amount
 
% of Total 
Outstandings
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Argentina 
 
$
55
   
1.8
 
$
229
   
5.9
 
$
283
   
6.0
 
Austria 
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
45
   
1.0
 
Brazil 
   
1,193
   
39.1
   
1,494
   
38.2
   
1,544
   
32.7
 
Chile 
   
315
   
10.3
   
210
   
5.4
   
52
   
1.1
 
Colombia 
   
260
   
8.5
   
278
   
7.1
   
526
   
11.1
 
Costa Rica 
   
54
   
1.8
   
85
   
2.2
   
77
   
1.6
 
Ecuador 
   
25
   
0.8
   
43
   
1.1
   
61
   
1.3
 
El Salvador 
   
101
   
3.3
   
87
   
2.2
   
57
   
1.2
 
France 
   
1
   
0.0
   
50
   
1.3
   
45
   
1.0
 
Germany 
   
40
   
1.3
   
0
   
0.0
   
60
   
1.3
 
Guatemala 
   
41
   
1.4
   
89
   
2.3
   
96
   
2.0
 
Honduras 
   
26
   
0.8
   
36
   
0.9
   
49
   
1.0
 
Jamaica 
   
24
   
0.8
   
51
   
1.3
   
77
   
1.6
 
Mexico 
   
199
   
6.5
   
268
   
6.8
   
442
   
9.4
 
Panama 
   
161
   
5.3
   
200
   
5.1
   
212
   
4.5
 
Peru 
   
180
   
5.9
   
271
   
6.9
   
484
   
10.2
 
Spain 
   
48
   
1.6
   
73
   
1.9
   
48
   
1.0
 
Trinidad & Tobago. 
   
177
   
5.8
   
104
   
2.6
   
88
   
1.9
 
United States 
   
5
   
0.2
   
135
   
3.5
   
110
   
2.3
 
Venezuela. 
   
0
   
0.0
   
1
   
0.0
   
135
   
2.8
 
Other countries1 
   
142
   
4.6
   
209
   
5.3
   
240
   
5.1
 
Total
 
$
3,048
   
100.0
 
$
3,914
   
100.0
 
$
4,730
   
100.0
 
 

1 Other consists of cross-border outstandings to countries in which cross-border outstandings did not exceed 1% of total assets outstandings.
 
In allocating country risk limits, the Bank takes into consideration several factors, including the Bank’s perception of country risk levels, business opportunities, and economic and political analysis, applying a portfolio management approach.
 
Cross-border outstandings in countries outside the Region correspond principally to the Bank’s liquidity placements. See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects/Liquidity and Capital Resources/Liquidity”.
 
The following table sets forth the amount of the Bank’s cross-border outstandings by type of institution at December 31 of each year:
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ million)
 
Private sector commercial banks 
 
$
1,784
 
$
1,595
 
$
1,943
 
State-owned commercial banks 
   
184
   
324
   
306
 
Central banks 
   
20
   
0
   
0
 
Sovereign debt 
   
157
   
424
   
436
 
State-owned exporting organizations 
   
434
   
219
   
364
 
Private corporations 
   
470
   
1,352
 
$
1,680
 
Total 
 
$
3,048
 
$
3,914
 
$
4,730
 
 
Revenues Per Country
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the Bank’s net revenues per country at the dates indicated, with net revenues calculated as the sum of net interest income, fees and commissions, net, activities of hedging derivative instruments, trading gains, net gain on sale of securities available for sale, gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange and other income (expense), net1.
 
   
For the year ended December 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ million)
 
Argentina 
 
$
5.7
 
$
4.2
 
$
4.8
 
Brazil 
   
23.4
   
31.4
   
33.2
 
Chile 
   
2.9
   
2.7
   
1.4
 
Colombia 
   
3.4
   
3.6
   
7.8
 
Costa Rica 
   
0.0
   
1.6
   
0.9
 
Dominican Republic 
   
1.0
   
1.0
   
0.9
 
Ecuador 
   
2.5
   
2.9
   
3.2
 
El Salvador 
   
1.2
   
1.5
   
0.9
 
Guatemala 
   
0.0
   
1.3
   
1.5
 
Jamaica 
   
1.2
   
1.5
   
1.5
 
Mexico 
   
4.7
   
5.0
   
12.4
 
Panama 
   
1.6
   
3.6
   
3.8
 
Peru 
   
1.4
   
3.4
   
4.5
 
Trinidad and Tobago 
   
0.0
   
1.8
   
2.4
 
Venezuela 
   
0.7
   
1.0
   
3.3
 
Other countries2  
   
3.9
   
1.2
   
1.5
 
Asset Management Division  
   
0.0
   
0.6
   
24.1
 
Total 
 
$
53.6
 
$
68.2
 
$
108.2
 
 
1
Net revenues per country exclude operating expenses, reversal (provision) for loan losses, reversal (provision) for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk, recoveries on assets, net of impairments and cumulative effect on prior years of changes in accounting principles.
2
Other consists of net revenues per country in which net revenues did not exceed $1 million for any of the periods indicated above

15

 
Net revenues per country reflect the net revenues derived from the Bank’s commercial portfolio (loans and contingencies), treasury portfolio (investment securities and credit default swaps) and asset management portfolio (trading assets and liabilities), throughout the Region. See Item 4, “Information on the Company/Business Overview/Commercial Portfolio, Treasury Portfolio and Asset Management Portfolio” and Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects/Operating Results/Net Income”.
 
Competition
 
The Bank operates in a highly competitive environment in most of its markets, and faces competition principally from regional and international banks in making loans, and providing fee-generating services. The Bank competes in its lending and deposit taking activities with other banks and international financial institutions, many of which have greater financial resources and offer sophisticated banking services. Whenever economic conditions and risk perception improve in the largest countries of the Region, competition from commercial banks, the securities markets and other new participants tends to increase. Competition may have the effect of reducing the spreads of the Bank’s lending rates over its funding costs and constraining the Bank’s profitability.
 
The trade finance business is subject to change. Increased open account exports and new financing requirements from multinational corporations are changing the way banks intermediate foreign trade financing. The Bank cannot predict with certainty the changes that may occur and how these may affect the competitiveness of its businesses.
 
The Bank believes that competition also comes from investment banks and the local and international securities markets, which provide liquidity to the financial systems in certain countries in the Region, as well as non-bank specialized financial institutions. The Bank competes primarily on the basis of pricing and quality of service. See Item 3, “Key Information/Risk Factors”.
 
Regulation
 
General
 
The Superintendency of Banks of Panama (the “Superintendency of Banks”) regulates, supervises and examines Bladex. The New York Agency is regulated, supervised and examined by the New York Banking Department and the Federal Reserve Board and the Florida International Administrative Office is regulated, supervised and examined by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation and the Federal Reserve Board. Bladex Offshore Feeder Fund and Bladex Capital Growth Fund are regulated by government authorities in the Cayman Islands. The regulation of the Bank by relevant Panamanian authorities differs from the regulation generally imposed on banks, including foreign banks, in the United States by U.S. federal and state regulatory authorities.
 
The Superintendency of Banks has signed and executed agreements or letters of understanding with twenty-four foreign supervisory authorities for the sharing of supervisory information under the principles of reciprocity, appropriateness, national agreement, and confidentiality. Those twenty-four entities include the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of Currency and the Board of Governors, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of Thrift Supervision. In addition, the Statement of Cooperation between the United States and Panama promotes cooperation between U.S. and Panamanian banking regulators and demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. regulators and the Superintendency of Banks to the principles of comprehensive consolidated supervision.

16

 
Panamanian Law
 
The Bank operates in Panama under a General Banking License issued by the National Banking Commission, predecessor of the Superintendency of Banks, and is subject to supervision and examination by the Superintendency of Banks, pursuant to Decree-Law No. 9 of February 26, 1998 (the “Banking Law”). Banks operating under a General Banking License (“General License Banks”) may engage in all aspects of the banking business in Panama, including taking local and offshore deposits, as well as making local and international loans.
 
General License Banks must have paid-in capital of not less than $10 million. Additionally, General License Banks must maintain minimum capital of 8% of their total risk-weighted assets. The capital adequacy standards used by the Superintendency of Banks are based on the Basel Capital Accord. The Superintendency of Banks is authorized to increase the minimum capital requirement percentage in Panama in the event that generally accepted international capitalization standards as set forth in the Basel Capital Accord become more stringent.
 
General License Banks are required to maintain 30% of their global deposits in liquid assets (which include short-term loans to other banks and other liquid assets) of the type prescribed by the Superintendency of Banks. Under the Banking Law, deposits from central banks and other similar depositories of the international reserves of sovereign states are immune from attachment or seizure proceedings.
 
Pursuant to the Banking Law, banks cannot grant loans or issue guarantees or any other obligation (“Credit Facilities”) to any one person or a group of related persons in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Bank’s total capital. However, the Banking Law established that in cases of loans and other credits granted by mixed-capital banks with headquarters in Panama whose principal business is the granting of loans to other banks, the limit will be thirty percent (30%) of the Bank´s capital funds. As confirmed by the Superintendency of Banks, the Bank currently applies the limit of thirty percent (30%) of the Bank’s total capital with respect to the Bank’s credit facilities in favor of financial institutions and the limit of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Bank’s total capital with respect to the Bank’s credit facilities in favor of corporations and sovereign borrowers.
 
Under the Banking Law, a bank may not grant loans or issue guarantees or any other obligation to “related parties” that exceed (1) 5% of its total capital, in the case of unsecured transactions, (2) 10% of its total capital, in the case of collateralized transactions (other than loans secured by deposits in the bank), and (3) 50% of its total capital in the case of loans secured by deposits in the bank. For these purposes, a “related party” is (a) any one or more of the bank’s directors, (b) any stockholder of the bank who directly or indirectly owns 5% or more of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the bank, (c) any company of which one or more of the bank’s directors is a director or officer or where one or more of the bank’s directors is a guarantor of the loan or credit facility, (d) any company or entity in which the bank or any one of its directors or officers can exercise a controlling influence, (e) any company or entity in which the bank or any one of its directors or officers owns 20% or more of the outstanding and issued capital stock of the company or entity and (f) managers, officers and employees of the bank, or their respective spouses (other than home mortgage loans or guaranteed personal loans under general programs approved by the bank for employees).
 
The Superintendency of Banks may authorize the total or partial exclusion of loans or credits from the computation of these limitations in cases of unsecured loans and other credits granted by mixed-capital banks with headquarters in Panama whose principal business is the granting of loans to other banks, which is the case of the Bank. This authorization is contingent on the following conditions: (i) the ownership of shares in the debtor bank -directly or indirectly-by the shared director or shared officer, may not exceed five percent (5%) of the bank's capital, or may not amount to any sum that would ensure his or her majority control over the decisions of the bank; (ii) the ownership of shares in the creditor bank-directly or indirectly-by the debtor bank represented in any manner by the shared director or shared officer, may not exceed five percent (5%) of the shares outstanding of the creditor bank, or may not amount to any sum that would ensure his or her majority control over the decisions of the bank; (iii) the shared director or shared officer must abstain from participating in the deliberations and in the voting sessions held by the creditor bank regarding the loan or credit request, and (iv) the loan or credit must strictly comply with customary standards of discretion set by the grantor bank's credit policy. The Superintendency of Banks will determine the amount of the exclusion in the case of each loan or credit submitted for its consideration.

17

 
The Banking Law contains additional limitations and restrictions with respect to related party loans and credit facilities. For instance, under the Banking Law, all loans made to managers, officers, employees or stockholders who are owners of 5% or more of the lending Bank’s outstanding and issued capital stock will be made on terms and conditions similar to those given by the bank to its clients in arm’s-length transactions and which reflect market conditions. Shares of a bank cannot be pledged or offered as security for loans or credit facilities issued by the bank.
 
In addition to the foregoing requirements, there are certain other restrictions applicable to General License Banks, including (1) a requirement that a bank must notify the Superintendency of Banks before opening or closing a branch or office in Panama and obtain approval from the Superintendency of Banks before opening or closing a branch or subsidiary outside Panama, (2) a requirement that a bank obtain approval from the Superintendency of Banks before it liquidates its operations, merges or consolidates with another bank or sells all or substantially all of its assets, (3) a requirement that a bank must notify the Superintendency of Banks, within sixty (60) days prior to the beginning of each fiscal term, the name of the certified public accounting firm that it wishes to contract to carry out the duty of external auditing for the new fiscal term, and (4) a requirement that a bank obtains prior approval from the Superintendency of Banks of the risk rating entity it wishes to hire to perform the risk rating. The subsidiaries of Panamanian banks established in foreign jurisdictions must observe the legal and regulatory provisions applicable in Panama regarding the sufficiency of capital, as prescribed under the Banking Law.
 
The Banking Law provides that banks in Panama are subject to inspection by the Superintendency of Banks, which must take place at least once every two years. These supervisory powers of the Superintendency of Banks also extend to a bank’s subsidiaries and branches. The Superintendency of Banks last inspected the Bank during April and May 2006, and the results of this inspection were fully satisfactory.
 
The Superintendency of Banks is empowered to request from any bank or any company that belongs to the economic group of which a bank in Panama is a member, the documents and reports pertaining to its operations and activities. Banks are required to file with the Superintendency of Banks monthly, quarterly and annual information, including financial statements, an analysis of their credit facilities and any other information requested by the Superintendency of Banks. In addition, banks are required to make available for inspection any reports or documents that are necessary for the Superintendency of Banks to ensure compliance with Panamanian banking laws and regulations. Banks subject to supervision may be fined by the Superintendency of Banks for violations of Panamanian banking laws and regulations.
 
On February 22, 2008, the Panamanian cabinet voted to adopt Decree-Law No. 2 (the “New Banking Law”), which is a revision and restatement of the Banking Law. This new legislation will take effect on August 25, 2008. The New Banking Law regulates banks and the entire “banking group” to which each bank belongs. Banking groups are defined as the holding company and all direct and indirect subsidiaries of the holding company, including the bank in question. Banking groups must comply with audit standards and various limitations set forth in the New Banking Law, in addition to all compliance required of the bank in question.
 
Under the New Banking Law, a bank’s capital composition will include tertiary capital in addition to primary and secondary capital, and the sum of secondary and tertiary capital cannot exceed primary capital. Tertiary capital will be made up of short-term subordinated debt incurred for the management of market risk. Capital adequacy standards will require primary capital equal to no less than 4% of the bank’s assets and off-balance sheet operations that represent a contingency to the bank, as well as the previous requirement of maintaining a minimum capital of 8% of its total risk-weighted assets. Additionally, the Superintendency of Banks may take into account market risks, operational risks and country risks, among others, to evaluate capital adequacy standards.
 
The New Banking Law will limit loans, guarantees and other similar obligations granted to “related parties” by the bank as well as by the ultimate parent of the banking group. The new definition of related parties also includes parties related to the ultimate parent of the banking group.
 
The supervisory powers of the Superintendency of Banks will extend to the bank and the banking group, and any inspection carried out by the Superintendency of Banks may involve an inspection of the banking group. As a result, the bank, as well as the banking group, must make available for inspection any reports or documents that are necessary for the Superintendency of Banks to ensure compliance with Panamanian banking laws and regulations.

18

 
The Bank has not been significantly impacted by the incorporation of these changes regarding the New Banking Law.
 
Panamanian Anti-Money Laundering laws and regulations. In Panama, all banks and trust corporations must take necessary measures to prevent their operations and/or transactions from being used to commit the felony of money laundering, terrorism financing or any other illicit activity contemplated in the laws and regulations addressing this matter.
 
United States Law
 
Bladex operates a New York state-licensed agency in New York, New York and maintains a direct wholly-owned non-banking subsidiary in Delaware, Bladex Holdings Inc. (“Bladex Holdings”), that is not engaged in activities other than owning one wholly owned subsidiary incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware: Bladex Asset Management, Inc. incorporated on May 24, 2006. In february 2007, another wholly-owned subsidiary Clavex, LLC,which was incorporated on June 15, 2006, was dissolved. On October 30, 2006, the Bank established an International Administrative Office in Miami, Florida (the “Florida International Administrative Office”).  
 
New York State Law. The New York Agency, established in 1989, is licensed by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York (the “Superintendent”) under the New York Banking Law. The New York Agency maintains an international banking facility that also is regulated by the Superintendent and the Federal Reserve Board. The New York Agency is examined by the New York State Banking Department and is subject to banking laws and regulations applicable to a foreign bank that operates a New York agency. New York agencies of foreign banks are regulated substantially the same as, and have similar powers to, New York state-chartered banks, except with respect to capital requirements and deposit-taking activities.
 
The Superintendent is empowered by law to require any branch or agency of a foreign bank to maintain in New York specified assets equal to a percentage of the branch or agency’s liabilities, as the Superintendent may designate. Under the current requirement, the New York Agency is required to maintain a pledge of a minimum of $2 million with respect to its total third-party liabilities and such pledge may be up to 1% of the agency’s third party liabilities, or upon meeting eligibility criteria, up to a maximum amount of $100 million. At December 31, 2007, the New York Agency maintained a pledge of $5.5 million, complying with the minimum required amount.
 
In addition, the Superintendent retains the authority to impose specific asset maintenance requirements upon individual agencies of foreign banks on a case-by-case basis. No special requirement has been prescribed for the New York Agency.
 
The New York Banking Law generally limits the amount of loans to any one person to 15 percent of the capital, surplus fund and undivided profits of a bank. For foreign bank agencies, the lending limits are based on the capital of the foreign bank and not that of the agency.
 
The Superintendent is authorized to take possession of the business and property of a New York agency of a foreign bank whenever an event occurs that would permit the Superintendent to take possession of the business and property of a state-chartered bank. These events include the violation of any law, unsafe business practices, an impairment of capital, and the suspension of payments of obligations. In liquidating or dealing with an agency’s business after taking possession of the agency, the New York Banking Law provides that the claims of creditors which arose out of transactions with the agency may be granted a priority with respect to the agency’s assets over other creditors of the foreign bank.
 
Florida Law. The Florida International Administrative Office, established in October 2006, is licensed and supervised by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation under the Florida Financial Institutions Codes. The activities of the Florida International Administrative Office are subject to the restrictions described below as well as to Florida banking laws and regulations that are applicable generally to foreign banks that operate offices in Florida. The Florida International Administrative Office is also subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board under the International Banking Act of 1978 (the “IBA”).
 
Pursuant to Florida law, the Florida International Administrative Office is authorized to conduct certain “back office” functions on behalf of the Bank, including administration of the Bank’s personnel and operations, data processing and record keeping activities, and negotiating and servicing loans or extensions of credit and investments. Under the provisions of the IBA and the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, the Florida International Administrative Office is also permitted to function as a representative office of the Bank. In this capacity it may solicit new business for the Bank and conduct research. It may also act in a liaison capacity between the Bank and its customers.

19

 
Federal Law. In addition to being subject to New York and Florida state laws and regulations, the New York Agency and the Florida International Administrative Office are subject to federal regulations, primarily under the IBA, and are subject to examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board. The IBA generally extends federal banking supervision and regulation to the U.S. offices of foreign banks and to the foreign bank itself. Under the IBA, the U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks, including the New York Agency, are subject to reserve requirements on certain deposits. At present, the New York Agency has no deposits subject to such requirements. The New York Agency also is subject to reporting and examination requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board similar to those imposed on domestic banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System. The Foreign Bank Supervision Enhancement Act of 1991 (the “FBSEA”) has amended the IBA to enhance the authority of the Federal Reserve Board to supervise the operations of foreign banks in the United States. In particular, the FBSEA has expanded the Federal Reserve Board’s authority to regulate the entry of foreign banks into the United States, supervise their ongoing operations, conduct and coordinate examinations of their U.S. offices with state banking authorities, and terminate their activities in the United States for violations of law or for unsafe or unsound banking practices.
 
In addition, under the FBSEA, state-licensed branches and agencies of foreign banks may not engage in any activity that is not permissible for a “federal branch” (i.e., a branch of a foreign bank licensed by the federal government through the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the Treasury Department (“OCC”), rather than by a state), unless the Federal Reserve Board has determined that such activity is consistent with sound banking practices.
 
The New York Agency does not engage in retail deposit-taking in the United States, and deposits with the New York Agency are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Under the FBSEA, the New York Agency may not obtain FDIC insurance and generally may not accept deposits of less than $100,000.
 
The IBA also restricts the ability of a foreign bank with a branch or agency in the United States to engage in non-banking activities in the United States, to the same extent as a U.S. bank holding company. Bladex is subject to certain provisions of the Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHCA”) because it maintains an agency in the United States. Generally, any nonbanking activity engaged in by Bladex directly or through a subsidiary in the United States is subject to certain limitations under the BHCA. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 (the “GLB Act”), a foreign bank with a branch or agency in the United States may engage in a broader range of non-banking financial activities, provided it is qualified and has filed a declaration with the Federal Reserve Board to be a “financial holding company” (“FHC”). As of the date hereof, Bladex has not filed such a declaration with the Federal Reserve Board. At present, Bladex has one subsidiary in the United States, Bladex Holdings that is incorporated under Delaware law. That subsidiary is not engaged in any activity, other than owning one Delaware company, which is Bladex Asset Management, Inc.
 
In addition, pursuant to the Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Federal Reserve Board finalized Regulation R. Regulation R defines the scope of exceptions provided for in the GLB Act for securities activities which banks may conduct without registering with the SEC as securities brokers or moving such activities to a broker-dealer affiliate. The “push out” rules exceptions contained in Regulation R enable banks, subject to certain conditions, to continue to conduct securities transactions for customers as part of the bank’s trust and fiduciary, custodial, and deposit “sweep” functions, and to refer customers to securities broker-dealer pursuant to a networking arrangement with the broker-dealer. The New York Agency is subject to Regulation R with respect to its securities activities.
 
USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “PATRIOT Act”) substantially broadened the scope of U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significantly new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the United States. Failure of a financial institution to comply with the PATRIOT Act’s requirements could have serious legal and reputational consequences for an institution. Both the New York Agency and the Florida International Administrative Office are “financial institutions” within the meaning of the PATRIOT Act. The New York Agency has adopted comprehensive policies and procedures to address the requirements of the PATRIOT Act.

20

 
Cayman Islands Law
 
Bladex Offshore Feeder Fund and Bladex Capital Growth Fund are exempted companies incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability, incorporated on February 21, 2006 under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands. The registered office of these companies is at PO Box 309GT, Ugland House, South Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
 
The Companies Law (2007 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (the "Companies Law") is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England, although there are significant differences between the Companies Law and the current Companies Act of England. Section 193 of the Companies Law requires that Bladex Offshore Feeder Fund and Bladex Capital Growth Fund shall not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of these companies carried on outside the Cayman Islands. This does not prevent Bladex Offshore Feeder Fund and Bladex Capital Growth Fund from effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands.
 
The Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Law (2007 Revision) and the Terrorism Law, 2003 of the Cayman Islands impose reporting obligations on residents of the Cayman Islands who know or suspect the involvement of another person in money laundering or terrorist activities.
 
C. Organizational Structure 
 
For information regarding the Bank’s organizational structure see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 1.
 
D. Property, Plant and Equipment 
 
The Bank owns its main branch, with space of 6,161 square meters, located at Calle 50 and Aquilino de la Guardia in Panama City. The Bank leases 11.2 square meters of computer equipment hosting located at Gavilan Street Balboa in Panama City and 21.2 square meters of office space and Internet access to be used in case of a contingency, located at 75E Street San Francisco in Panama City. In addition, the Bank leases office space for its representative offices in Mexico and Buenos Aires, Bladex Representação Ltda. in Brazil, its New York Agency, Bladex Asset Management in New York, and its International Administrative Office in Miami. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 2 (m) and 17.
 
 Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Bank’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
 
Nature of Earnings
 
The Bank derives income from net interest income, fees and commissions, trading gains, and net gains on sale of securities available-for-sale. Net interest income, or the difference between the interest income the Bank receives on its interest-earning assets and the interest it pays on interest-bearing liabilities, is generated principally by the Bank’s lending activities. The Bank generates fees and commissions mainly through the issuance, confirmation and negotiation of letters of credit and guarantees covering commercial and country risk, and through loan origination and sales.

21


A. Operating Results 
 
The following table summarizes changes in components of the Bank’s net income and performance at and for the periods indicated.  
 
   
At and For the Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ thousand, except per share amounts and percentages)
 
Total interest income 
 
$
116,823
 
$
203,350
 
$
264,869
 
Total interest expense 
   
71,570
   
144,513
   
194,299
 
Net interest income 
   
45,253
   
58,837
   
70,570
 
Reversal (provision) for loan losses 
   
54,155
   
(11,846
)
 
(11,994
)
Net interest income after reversal of (provision for) loan losses 
   
99,408
   
46,991
   
58,576
 
Other income (expense):
                   
Reversal (provision) for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk 
   
(15,781
)
 
24,891
   
13,468
 
Fees and commissions, net 
   
5,824
   
6,285
   
5,555
 
Activities of hedging derivatives instruments 
   
2,338
   
(225
)
 
(989
)
Recoveries of assets, net of impairments 
   
10,206
   
5,551
   
(500
)
Trading gains 
   
0
   
879
   
23,866
 
Net gain on sale of securities available for sale 
   
206
   
2,568
   
9,119
 
Gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange 
   
3
   
(253
)
 
115
 
Other income (expense), net 
   
5
   
144
   
(6
)
Net other income 
   
2,801
   
39,840
   
50,628
 
Total operating expenses 
   
(24,691
)
 
(28,929
)
 
(37,027
)
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles 
 
$
77,518
 
$
57,902
 
$
72,177
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology 
   
2,733
   
0
   
0
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of an early adoption of the fair-value-based method of accounting stock-based employee compensation 
   
(150
)
 
0
   
0
 
Net income 
 
$
80,101
 
$
57,902
 
$
72,177
 
Basic earnings per share 
 
$
2.01
 
$
1.56
 
$
1.99
 
Diluted earnings per share 
 
$
1.99
 
$
1.54
   
1.98
 
Return on average assets 
   
3.0
%
 
1.7
%
 
1.7
%
Return on average stockholders’ equity 
   
12.9
%
 
10.0
%
 
11.9
%
 
Net Income
 
For 2007, net income was $72 million, compared with $58 million for 2006, a $14 million, or 25%, increase, mainly attributable to a $12 million, or 20%, increase in net interest income (mostly from the Commercial Division), $23 million in higher trading gains from the Asset Management Division, and a $7 million increase from gain on sale of securities available-for-sale from the Treasury Division. These increases were partly offset mainly by an $8 million increase in operating expenses.
 
The Commercial Division’s net income, which includes net interest income from loans, fees and commissions and other income derived from financial services and off-balance sheet credits (such as letters of credit, guarantees and credit commitments), allocated operating expenses and reversals (provisions) for credit losses, amounted to $43 million in 2007, compared to $47 million in 2006. The $4 million decrease was mainly driven by lower reversals for credit losses which amounted to $1 million in 2007 compared to $13 million in 2006. This decrease was partly offset mainly by net interest income growth, due to higher average balances of the loan portfolio and higher weighted average lending spreads over cost of funds.
 
The Treasury Division’s net income, which includes net interest income on investment securities, gains and losses on the sale of securities, on activities of hedging derivative instruments and on foreign currency exchange transactions, allocated operating expenses and recoveries on assets, net of impairment, amounted to $10 million in 2007, compared to $11 million in 2006. The $1 million, or 7%, decrease is mainly attributable to recoveries on assets which amounted to $0 during 2007, compared to $6 million during 2006 (related to collections of Argentine securities which had been written-off and charged to earnings in prior years). This decrease was partly offset mainly by gains in the available-for-sale portfolio.
 
22

 
The Asset Management Division’s net income, which includes net interest income on trading securities, trading gains and allocated operating expenses, totaled $19 million for the year 2007, compared to $21 thousand in 2006. The increase is attributable principally to higher trading gains from asset management activities, which amounted to $24 million in 2007 compared to $0.9 million in 2006.
 
For 2006, net income was $58 million, compared to $80 million for 2005. The $22 million reduction in net income during 2006 mainly resulted from lower reversals of credit provisions and recoveries on assets, net of impairments, which, for 2006, amounted to $19 million, compared to $51 million in 2005. This reduction was partly offset mainly by higher net interest income derived from the Commercial Division’s loan portfolio growth and diversification.
 
For further information on net income by business segment, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 22.
 
Net Interest Income and Margins
 
The following table sets forth information regarding net interest income, the Bank’s net interest margin (the net interest income divided by the average balance of interest-earning assets), and the net interest spread (the average yield earned on interest-earning assets, less the average yield paid on interest-bearing liabilities) for the periods indicated.
 
   
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Net interest income
                   
Commercial Division 
                   
Accruing portfolio 
 
$
33.2
 
$
49.0
 
$
64.1
 
Non-accruing portfolio 
   
6.2
   
2.0
   
0.0
 
Commercial Division 
 
$
39.4
 
$
50.9
 
$
64.1
 
Treasury Division 
   
5.9
   
6.9
   
6.2
 
Asset Management Division 
   
0.0
   
1.0
   
0.2
 
Consolidated
 
$
45.3
 
$
58.8
 
$
70.6
 
Net interest margin 
   
1.70
%
 
1.76
%
 
1.71
%
Net interest spread 
   
0.67
%
 
0.70
%
 
0.80
%
 
The $12 million, or 20%, increase in net interest income in 2007 compared to 2006 was the result of higher average balances in the loan portfolio (24%) and increased weighted average lending spreads over the cost of funds. The increase in loan portfolio average balances and lending spreads is attributable to the Bank’s strategy to improve client and geographic portfolio diversification, by increasing its exposure to the corporate client segment in several countries in the Region. The 5 basis point decrease in net interest margin during 2007 compared to 2006 was mainly due to higher leveraging of the balance sheet and by non-recurring interest income on non-accrual loans received on a cash basis during 2006, both of which offset higher lending spreads during 2007.
 
The $14 million increase in net interest income and the 6 basis point increase in net interest margin in 2006 compared to 2005 were mainly due to an increase in the average accruing loan and investment portfolio, increasing interest rates on the Bank’s available capital, wider lending spreads reflecting changes in the Bank’s portfolio mix, and a lower cost of funds. These factors were partially offset by the lower interest collections on the Bank’s non-accruing portfolio over 2006, compared to 2005.
 
Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity; Interest Rates and Differentials
 
The following table presents the distribution of consolidated average assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, the dollar amounts of interest expense and average interest-bearing liabilities, and corresponding information regarding rates. All impaired loans are on a non-accruing basis, and interest on these loans is accounted for on a cash basis. Average balances have been computed on the basis of consolidated daily average balance sheets.
 
23

 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
 2005
 
 2006
 
2007
 
Description
 
Average balance
 
Interest
 
Average yield/rate
 
Average balance
 
Interest
 
Average yield/rate
 
Average balance
 
Interest
 
Average yield/rate
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Interest-Earning Assets
                                                     
Interest-bearing deposits with banks 
$
158
 
$
5
   
3.19
%
$
180
 
$
9
   
4.90
%
$
327
 
$
17
   
5.12
%
Loans, net 
 
2,211
   
93
   
4.15
   
2,697
   
163
   
5.96
   
3,366
   
222
   
6.49
 
Impaired loans 
 
106
   
9
   
8.10
   
18
   
3
   
14.77
   
0
   
0
   
n.a.
 
Trading assets 
 
0
   
0
   
n.a.
   
50
   
6
   
11.46
   
84
   
5
   
6.27
 
Investment securities 
 
181
   
10
   
5.43
   
390
   
23
   
5.76
   
345
   
21
   
5.99
 
Total interest-earning assets 
$
2,656
 
$
117
   
4.34
%  
$
3,336
 
$
203
   
6.01
%  
$
4,122
 
$
265
   
6.34
%
Non-interest-earning assets 
$
81
             
$
90
             
$
90
             
Allowance for loan losses 
 
(79
)
             
(44
)
             
(62
)
           
Other assets 
 
9
               
21
               
59
             
Total Assets 
$
2,667
             
$
3,403
             
$
4,209
             
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
                                                     
Deposits 
$
869
 
$
30
   
3.36
%
 
1,106
 
$
57
   
5.05
%
$
1,321
 
$
70
   
5.26
%
Trading liabilities 
 
0
   
0
   
n.a.
   
35
   
5
   
13.17
   
59
   
4
   
6.98
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 
 
40
   
1
   
2.92
   
306
   
16
   
5.29
   
253
   
14
   
5.30
 
Short-term borrowings 
 
565
   
19
   
3.36
   
738
   
39
   
5.16
   
1,019
   
57
   
5.49
 
Borrowings and long-term debts 
 
451
   
22
   
4.72
   
500
   
28
   
5.57
   
809
   
49
   
6.02
 
Total interest-bearing liabilities 
$
1,925
 
$
72
   
3.67
%
$
2,684
 
$
145
   
5.31
%
$
3,462
 
$
194
   
5.54
%
Non-interest bearing liabilities and other liabilities 
$
118
             
$
137
             
$
141
             
Total Liabilities
$
2,044
             
$
2,821
             
$
3,603
             
Stockholders’ equity 
 
623
               
581
               
606
             
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity 
$
2,667
             
$
3,403
             
$
4,209
             
Net Interest Spread  
             
0.67
%
             
0.70
%
             
0.80
%
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin 
     
$
45
   
1.70
%
     
$
59
   
1.76
%
     
$
71
   
1.71
%
 
Changes in Net Interest Income — Volume and Rate Analysis
 
Net interest income is affected by changes in volume and changes in interest rates. Volume changes are caused by differences in the level of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Rate changes result from differences in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in net interest income of the Bank resulting from changes in average interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability balances (volume) and changes in average interest rates for 2006 compared to 2005 and for 2007 compared to 2006. Volume and rate variances have been calculated based on movements in average balances over the period and changes in interest rates on average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities. Variances caused by changes in both volume and rates have been allocated equally to volume and rate.
 
   
2006 vs. 2005
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
   
Volume
 
Rate
 
Net Change
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Net Change
 
   
(in $ thousand)
 
Increase (decrease) in interest income
                                     
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
 
$
914
 
$
2,939
 
$
3,853
 
$
7,461
 
$
566
 
$
8,027
 
Loans, net
   
24,916
   
45,141
   
70,058
   
42,262
   
16,278
   
58,540
 
Impaired loans
   
(10,180
)
 
4,196
   
(5,984
)
 
(1,360
)
 
(1,360
)
 
(2,721
)
Trading assets
   
2,905
   
2,905
   
5,810
   
3,024
   
(3,518
)
 
(495
)
Investment securities
   
11,836
   
955
   
12,791
   
(2,677
)
 
844
   
(1,832
)
Total increase (decrease)
 
$
30,391
 
$
56,135
 
$
86,527
 
$
48,710
 
$
12,810
 
$
61,519
 
Increase (decrease) in interest expense
                                     
Deposits
   
10,090
   
16,961
   
27,051
   
11,275
   
2,557
   
13,832
 
Trading liabilities
   
2,320
   
2,320
   
4,640
   
2,505
   
(2,948
)
 
(443
)
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   
11,065
   
4,167
   
15,232
   
(2,860
)
 
11
   
(2,848
)
Short-term borrowings
   
7,460
   
11,901
   
19,361
   
15,205
   
2,939
   
18,144
 
Borrowings and long term debt
   
2,540
   
4,120
   
6,660
   
18,147
   
2,954
   
21,101
 
Total increase (decrease)
 
$
33,474
 
$
39,469
 
$
72,943
 
$
44,273
 
$
5,513
 
$
49,786
 
Increase (decrease) in net interest income
 
$
(3,082
)
$
16,666
 
$
13,584
 
$
4,437
 
$
7,297
 
$
11,734
 

24

 
As depicted in the table above, the main factor contributing to the $12 million increase in net interest income during 2007 compared to 2006 was the increase in rates, which resulted in a $7 million increase in net interest income, reflecting higher average lending spreads over the cost of funds for the Bank’s loan portfolio and higher average inter-bank market rates in the Bank’s assets and liabilities. The $4 million increase in net interest income derived from higher volumes during 2007 is mainly attributable to an increase in the average loan portfolio and higher average liquidity balances (interest-bearing deposits with banks), partly offset by an increase in the Bank’s funding through higher average liability deposits and borrowings.
 
For 2006, the $13 million increase in net interest income compared to 2005 was mainly attributable to higher inter-bank market rates in the Bank’s assets and liabilities, partly offset by a reduction in the average balance of the Bank’s impaired portfolio.
 
 
Reversal (Provision) for Loan Losses
 
During 2007, as the Bank reduced its impaired portfolio to zero at December 31, 2006, there were no reversals of specific provisions for loan losses related to the impaired and restructured portfolio. These impaired portfolio reversals totaled $11 million in 2006 and $61 million in 2005.

The Bank’s $12 million provision for loan losses during 2007 was mainly due to the net effect of:
    · an $18 million generic provision charge, due to increased loan exposure; and
· a $6 million recovery on previously charged-off loans.
 
The Bank’s $12 million provision for loan losses during 2006 was mainly due to the net effect of:
    · a $23 million generic provision charge, due to increased loan exposure;
 
·
a $10 million reversal related to the collection of Argentine restructured loans during the year; and
· a $1 million reversal related to the collection of a Brazilian restructured loan during the year.
 
The Bank’s $54 million reversal of provision for loan losses during 2005 was mainly due to the net effect of:
 
·
a $48 million reversal related to the decrease in Argentine restructured loans, reflecting loan sales, payments and prepayments during the year;
 
·
a $13 million reversal related to the decrease in Brazilian restructured loans, reflecting payments and prepayments during the year;
· a $3 million recovery on previously charged-off loans;
· a $16 million generic provision charge, due to increased loan exposure; and
· a $6 million reversal due to the change in the credit loss reserve methodology during 2005.
 
For detailed information, see Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects/Operating Results/Asset Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses”.
 
Reversal (provision) for Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk
 
The $13 million reversal of provision for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk in 2007 was mainly due to decreased letter of credit exposure in higher risk countries, as well as improved risk profiles in certain countries.

The $25 million reversal of provision for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk in 2006 was mainly due to a $15 million reduction in generic reserves driven by exposure reductions in certain countries and a $10 million reversal in specific reserves resulting from the maturity of Argentine impaired contingencies. The $16 million provision for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk in 2005 was mainly related to the effect of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology during 2005.
 
Fees and Commissions, net
 
The Bank generates fee and commission income primarily from originating letters of credit confirmation, guarantees (including commercial and country risk coverage), loan origination and distribution, and service activities. The following table shows the components of the Bank’s fees and commissions, net, for the periods indicated.

25



   
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
 
 
 
 
(in $ thousand)
 
 
 
Letters of credit
 
$
3,396
 
$
4,121
 
$
2,842
 
Guarantees
   
2,012
   
1,419
   
1,088
 
Loans
   
297
   
556
   
836
 
Other (1)
   
119
   
297
   
789
 
Fees and commissions, net 
 
$
5,824
 
$
6,393
 
$
5,555
 
(1) Net of commission expense.
 
The decrease of $838 thousand in net fees and commissions for 2007 compared to 2006 is attributable to lower letter of credit and guarantee activity during the first part of the year, partially offset by increased loan fees and other service activities.
 
The increase of $569 thousand in net fees and commissions for 2006 compared to 2005 reflects mainly a 12% increase in the average volume of letters of credit.

Activities of Hedging Derivative Instruments
 
During 2007 and 2006, the Bank recorded losses of $989 thousand and $225 thousand, respectively, related to hedging derivative instruments. During 2005, the Bank recorded income of $2 million mainly related to the unwinding of interest rate swaps associated with the sale of securities available-for-sale. The 2007 losses relate mainly to the fair value at their inception of interest rate swaps contracted for fair value hedge relationships that classify under the short-cut method. The difference in price at inception of these derivatives is attributable solely to differing prices within the bid-ask spread between the entry transaction and a hypothetical exit transaction. The Bank has the policy of recognizing this difference in prices in the results of operations at the inception of a hedge relationship. For additional information, see Item 11, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk”.
 
Recoveries on Assets, Net of Impairments
 
For information, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 2(g) and 5.
 
Trading gains
 
During 2007, the Bank achieved $24 million in trading gains compared to $879 thousand in 2006.
 
Net Gain on Sale of Securities Available for Sale
 
From time to time, the Bank purchases debt instruments as part of its Treasury activity with the intention of selling them prior to maturity. These debt instruments are classified as securities available-for-sale and are included as part of the Bank’s credit portfolio.
 
For the year 2007, the Bank’s net gains on the sale of securities available-for-sale were $9 million. This net gain relates to the sale of securities for a nominal amount of $509 million.
 
During 2006, the Bank’s net gain on the sale of securities available-for-sale was $3 million, compared to $0.2 million in 2005. The 2006 gain was related to the sale of securities available-for-sale for a nominal amount of $105 million.
 
Operating Expenses
 
The following table shows a breakdown of the components of the Bank’s total operating expenses for the periods indicated.

26



   
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
 
 
(in $ thousand)
 
Salaries and other employee expenses
 
$
13,073
 
$
16,826
 
$
22,049
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
869
   
1,406
   
2,555
 
Professional services
   
3,281
   
2,671
   
3,562
 
Maintenance and repairs
   
1,172
   
1,000
   
1,188
 
Other operating expenses
   
6,295
   
7,026
   
7,673
 
Total Operating Expenses
 
$
24,691
 
$
28,929
 
$
37,027
 

The $8 million, or 28%, increase in operating expenses for 2007 compared to 2006 was mainly due to:

 
·
a $5 million increase in salaries and other employee expenses mainly driven by a $3 million increase in performance-based variable compensation for the Bank's proprietary asset management team, and the remaining $2 million mainly related to higher senior management’s stock compensation plan, a one-time event accrual of employee vacation, and an increase in performance-based variable compensation provision for business lines other than proprietary asset management.
 
·
a $1 million increase in maintenance and depreciation expenses related to the Bank’s new technology platform;
 
·
a $1 million increase in professional services, mainly due to legal expenses related to the Bank’s business; and
 
·
a $1 million increase in expenses related to marketing and business travel.
 
The $4 million, or 17%, increase in operating expenses for 2006 compared to 2005 was mainly due to higher salary expenses associated with the development of the corporate segment and the implementation of new business initiatives, including proprietary asset management, leasing, and digital identity, as well as increased depreciation expenses related to the Bank’s new technology platform.
 
Changes in Financial Condition
 
The following table presents components on the Bank’s balance sheet at December 31 of each year:

27


   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ thousand)
 
Assets
                   
Cash and due from banks
 
$
687
 
$
401
 
$
596
 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks
   
229,200
   
331,764
   
476,983
 
Trading assets
   
0
   
130,076
   
52,597
 
Investment securities
   
208,570
   
471,351
   
468,360
 
Loans
   
2,610,019
   
2,980,772
   
3,731,838
 
Less:
                   
Allowance for loan losses
   
(39,448
)
 
(51,266
)
 
(69,643
)
Unearned income and deferred loan fees
   
(5,577
)
 
(4,425
)
 
(5,961
)
Loans, net
   
2,564,994
   
2,925,081
   
3,656,234
 
Customers’ liabilities under acceptances
   
110,621
   
46,006
   
9,104
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
3,253
   
11,136
   
10,176
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
30,254
   
55,238
   
62,884
 
Derivative instruments-used for hedging - receivable
   
357
   
541
   
122
 
Other assets
   
11,295
   
6,743
   
53,476
 
Total Assets
 
$
3,159,231
 
$
3,978,337
 
$
4,790,532
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                   
Deposits
   
1,046,618
   
1,056,277
   
1,462,371
 
Trading liabilities
   
0
   
54,832
   
90,765
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   
128,599
   
438,356
   
283,210
 
Short-term borrowings
   
632,100
   
1,157,248
   
1,221,500
 
Borrowings and long-term debt
   
533,860
   
558,860
   
1,010,316
 
Acceptances outstanding
   
110,621
   
46,006
   
9,104
 
Accrued interest payable
   
14,736
   
28,420
   
39,198
 
Derivative instruments used for hedging - payable
   
297
   
2,634
   
16,899
 
Reserve for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk
   
52,086
   
27,195
   
13,727
 
Redeemable preferred stock
   
5,149
   
0
   
0
 
Other liabilities
   
18,383
   
24,614
   
31,191
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
2,542,449
 
$
3,394,442
 
$
4,178,281
 
Stockholders’ Equity
                   
Common stock, no par value
   
279,979
   
279,980
   
279,980
 
Capital surplus
   
134,340
   
134,945
   
135,142
 
Capital reserves
   
95,210
   
95,210
   
95,210
 
Retained earnings
   
212,916
   
205,200
   
245,348
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
619
   
3,328
   
(9,641
)
Treasury stock
   
(106,282
)
 
(134,768
)
 
(133,788
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
616,782
 
$
583,895
 
$
612,251
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
3,159,231
 
$
3,978,337
 
$
4,790,532
 

The $812 million increase in total assets during 2007 was mainly due to a $751 million increase in the loan portfolio, resulting from the continued execution of the Bank’s strategy of diversifying its portfolio concentration specifically by increasing its loans within the corporate segment. At December 31, 2007, the average maturity of the loan portfolio was 429 days, and 68% of the portfolio was scheduled to mature within one year. 60% of the portfolio was trade related and 40% constituted non-trade loans mainly extended to banks, sovereign or exporting corporations. The corporate segment (which includes state-owned exporting organizations and private corporations) represented 51% of the loan portfolio in 2007 compared to 48% in 2006 and, of this corporate segment, 66% and 74% was trade related in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The increase in assets during 2007 was mainly financed by a $406 million increase in deposits from central and commercial banks of the Region, and by a $451 million increase in medium- and long-term borrowings and debt, including a bond issuance in Peruvian Nuevo Soles, interbank borrowings in Mexican Pesos, a five-year international loan syndication for an amount of $150 million, and a three-year borrowing for an additional $75 million, among other borrowings.
 
The $819 million increase in assets during 2006, compared to 2005, was mainly due to a $371 million increase in loans which reflects the Bank’s strategy to diversify its client base, involving principally an increase in its activity with corporations. The corporate portfolio increased $600 million and represented 45% of the total portfolio, as compared to one third of the portfolio in 2005. In addition, during 2006, the Bank increased its investment securities portfolio -which mainly consisted of debt securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity with banks and sovereign borrowers-, and its trading assets, as the Bank initiated operations of its Asset Management Division, which acts as investment manager for the Fund engaged in the management of a multi-strategy portfolio of Latin American fixed income investment securities, foreign exchange and equity securities and derivatives.

28


The increase in assets during 2006 was mainly financed by a $525 million increase in short-term borrowings primarily from North American and European banks, and by a $310 million increase in securities sold under repurchase agreements related to the investment securities portfolio.
 
Asset Quality
 
The Bank believes that its asset quality is linked to the composition of its client base, the importance that governments and borrowers in the Region attach to maintaining continued access to trade financing, its preferred creditor status, and the Bank’s strict adherence to commercial criteria in its credit activities.
 
The Bank’s management and the CPER periodically review a report of all loan delinquencies. The Bank’s collection policies include rapid internal notification of any delinquency and prompt initiation of collection efforts, usually involving senior management.
 
Impaired Assets and Contingencies
 
The Bank’s impaired assets consist of impaired loans and impaired securities. For more information on impaired loans, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 2 (i) and 6. For more information on impaired securities, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 2 (g) and 5.
 
Contingencies are identified as impaired and placed on non-accrual status when any payment of fees or commissions relating thereto is over 90 days past due or if the Bank’s management determines that the item may become payable by the Bank and its ultimate collection of principal or commission is doubtful. For more information on contingencies, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 16.
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the Bank’s impaired assets and contingencies at December 31 of each year:
 
   
2003
 
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
 
 
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Impaired loans
 
$
445
 
$
256
 
$
29
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
Allocation from the allowance for loan losses
   
191
   
82
   
11
   
0
   
0
 
Impaired loans as a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income and deferred commission
   
19.6
%
 
10.5
%
 
1.1
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Impaired contingencies
 
$
32
 
$
32
 
$
13
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
Allocation from the reserve for losses on off balance-sheet credit risks
   
20
   
21
   
9
   
0
   
0
 
Impaired contingencies as a percentage of total contingencies
   
8.8
%
 
10.5
%
 
1.7
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Impaired securities (par value)
 
$
10
 
$
5
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
Estimated fair value adjustments on options and impaired securities1 
   
5
   
4
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Estimated fair value of impaired securities
 
$
5
 
$
1
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
Impaired securities as a percentage of total securities2
   
6.8
%
 
0.5
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Impaired assets and contingencies as a percentage of total credit portfolio3
   
17.0
%
 
9.8
%
 
1.2
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
______________________
1 Includes impairment losses on securities, estimated unrealized gain (loss) on impaired securities, premiums and discounts.
2 Total securities consist of investment securities considered part of the Bank’s credit portfolio.
3 The total credit portfolio consists of loans net of unearned income, fair value of investment securities, securities purchased under agreements to resell and contingencies.
 
As of December 31, 2006 and 2007 the Bank did not have any impaired credits on its portfolio nor any credits with specific reserves.
 
Allowance for Credit Losses 
 
The allowance for credit losses (which includes the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk) covers the credit risk on loans and contingencies. The allowance for credit losses includes an asset-specific component and a formula-based component in line with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 5 “Accounting for Contingencies” (“SFAS No. 5”). The asset-specific component relates to a provision for losses on credits considered impaired and measured on a case-by-case basis pursuant to SFAS No. 114 “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan”. For additional information regarding allowance for credit losses, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 2 (j) and 7.

29


During 2005, Bladex implemented a new methodology for estimating generic allowances for credit losses. The new methodology is driven primarily by Bladex’s own historical default and loss experience, as well as an internal country risk classification, rather than relying exclusively on third-party data, as was formerly the case. This change in methodology was the result of the Bank’s decision to adopt best practices in the banking industry, and is in line with SFAS No.5, which calls for the use of internal historical performance data in estimating credit loss reserves. The Bank began compiling its eight-year historical database in 2004 and completed this effort during 2005.
 
The reserve balances for estimating generic allowances, for both on and off-balance sheet credit exposures are calculated applying the following formula: 
 
Reserves = S(E x PD x LGD)
 
where:
 
a)
Exposure (E) = the total accounting balance (on and off-balance sheet) at the end of the period under review, segregated by country.
 
b)
Probabilities of Default (PD) = one-year probability of default applied to the portfolio in each country. Default rates are based on Bladex’s historical portfolio performance per rating category during a ten-year period, complemented by probabilities of default data from international credit rating agencies for high risk cases, in view of the greater robustness of credit rating agencies data for such cases.
 
c)
Loss Given Default (LGD) = a factor of 45% is utilized, based on best practices in the banking industry. This factor applies to all countries, except those classified as higher risk, in which case management applies historical loss experience on a case-by-case basis.
 
The effect of this new methodology for 2005 was a decrease in net income by $10 million, or $0.26 per share (resulting from a loan loss reserve provision reversal of $6 million, and an off-balance sheet reserve provision charge of $16 million). In addition, the adjustment to apply retroactively the new methodology (to December 31, 2004) increased net income for 2005 by $3 million (resulting from a loan loss reserve provision reversal of $6 million and an off-balance sheet reserve provision charge of $3 million). See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 2 (j) and 7.
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the Bank’s allowance for credit losses with respect to total credits outstanding at December 31 of each year:
   
2003
 
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Components of the allowance for credit losses
                               
Allowance for loan losses
                               
Balance at beginning of the year
 
$
430
 
$
224
 
$
106
 
$
39
 
$
51
 
Provision (reversal)
   
(70
)
 
(111
)
 
(48
)
 
12
   
12
 
Effect of change in methodology
   
0
   
0
   
(6
)
 
0
   
0
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (2004) of a change in credit loss reserve methodology
   
0
   
0
   
(6
)
 
0
   
0
 
Recoveries
   
2
   
6
   
3
   
0
   
6
 
Loans charged-off
   
(138
)
 
(13
)
 
(9
)
 
0
   
0
 
Balance at the end of the year
 
$
224
 
$
106
 
$
39
 
$
51
 
$
70
 
Reserve for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk:
                               
Balance at beginning of the year
 
$
23
 
$
34
 
$
33
 
$
52
 
$
27
 
Provision (reversal)
   
11
   
(1
)
 
(0
)
 
(25
)
 
(13
)
Effect of change in methodology
   
0
   
0
   
16
   
0
   
0
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (2004) of a change in credit loss reserve methodology
   
0
   
0
   
3
   
0
   
0
 
Balance at end of the year
 
$
34
 
$
33
 
$
52
 
$
27
 
$
14
 
Total allowance for credit losses
 
$
258
 
$
139
 
$
92
 
$
78
 
$
83
 
Allowance for credit losses to total credit portfolio
   
9.1
%
 
4.7
%
 
2.5
%
 
2.0
%
 
1.8
%

30

 
The following table sets forth information regarding the Bank’s allowance for credit losses allocated by country of exposure at December 31 of each year:
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
Total
 
%
 
Total
 
%
 
Total
 
%
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Argentina
 
$
21
   
23.0
 
$
25
   
32.4
 
$
32
   
38.4
 
Brazil
   
19
   
20.2
   
11
   
14.3
   
11
   
13.2
 
Colombia
   
1
   
0.5
   
2
   
2.2
   
2
   
2.7
 
Dominican Republic
   
1
   
1.3
   
3
   
3.3
   
0
   
0.3
 
Ecuador
   
46
   
50.4
   
30
   
38.3
   
17
   
20.2
 
Jamaica
   
0
   
0.3
   
2
   
3.1
   
4
   
5.0
 
Mexico
   
0
   
0.1
   
1
   
1.6
   
3
   
3.5
 
Nicaragua
   
0
   
0.1
   
0
   
0.6
   
1
   
1.7
 
Peru
   
3
   
3.0
   
1
   
0.8
   
2
   
2.9
 
Venezuela
   
0
   
0.3
   
0
   
0.1
   
7
   
8.3
 
Other1
   
1
   
0.9
   
3
   
3.4
   
3
   
3.7
 
Total Allowance for Credit Losses
 
$
92
   
100.0
 
$
79
   
100.0
 
$
83
   
100.0
 
____________________
1 Other consists of allowance for credit losses allocated to countries in which allowance for credit losses outstanding did not exceed $1 million as of December 31, 2007.
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the Bank’s allowance for credit losses by type of borrower at December 31 of each year:
 
 
 
 
2005 
 
 
2006 
 
 
2007 
 
 
 
 
(in $ million) 
 
Private sector commercial banks
 
$
20
 
$
15
 
$
22
 
State-owned commercial banks
   
18
   
5
   
2
 
Central banks
   
36
   
21
   
9
 
Sovereign debt
   
1
   
1
   
1
 
State-owned exporting organization
   
3
   
2
   
10
 
Private corporations
   
14
   
35
   
39
 
Total
 
$
92
 
$
79
 
$
83
 
 
The following table sets forth the distribution of the Bank’s loans charged-off against the allowance for loan losses by country at December 31 of each year:
 
   
2003
 
 
2004
 
 
2005
 
 
2006
 
 
2007
 
%
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Argentina
 
$
137
   
99.4
 
$
13
   
100.0
 
$
5
   
53.7
 
$
0
   
0.0
 
$
0
     
0.0
 
Brazil
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
4
   
46.3
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
     
0.0
 
Paraguay
   
1
   
0.6
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
   
0.0
   
0
     
0.0
 
Total
 
$
138
   
100.0
 
$
13
   
100.0
 
$
9
   
100.0
 
$
0
   
0.0
 
$
0
     
0.0
 
 
Reversals of Argentine Specific Provision for Credit Losses
 
At the end of 2001 and during 2002, the Bank classified as impaired most of its $1 billion Argentine credit exposure at the time, due to the country’s economic and financial crisis of 2001, which caused the Bank’s Argentine obligors to face payment difficulties. Accordingly, the Bank increased its allowance for credit losses during 2001 and 2002 by $77 million and $279 million, respectively, bringing the total credit reserves assigned to its Argentine portfolio to $380 million at December 31, 2002. From 2002 to 2005, the Bank negotiated the restructuring of its Argentine portfolio and sold at a discount most of the positions that the Bank estimated had the lowest probability of collection. At the close of 2005, the Bank had restructured, sold or charged-off all of its non-performing exposures.
 
As a result, the Bank was able to decrease its impaired Argentine loan portfolio to $23 million at December 31, 2005 and to zero at December 31, 2006, resulting in reversals of loan loss provisions related to the portfolio for $48 million and $10 million for 2005 and 2006, respectively. These reversals resulted from loan collections and sales that exceeded their respective net book values.
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the Bank’s reversals (provisions) of allowance for loan losses during the years indicated:

31

 
   
For the year ended December 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ million)
 
Argentine reversals related to sale of loans
 
$
2.9
 
$
0.0
 
$
0.0
 
Argentine reversals related to credit restructurings and collections, and changes in expected loss levels
   
45.1
   
10.2
   
0.0
 
Total Argentine Specific Reserves Reversals
 
$
47.9
 
$
10.2
 
$
0.0
 
Brazil Specific Reserves Reversals (Provisions)
   
13.2
   
1.0
   
0.0
 
Total Specific Reserves Reversals
 
$
61.1
 
$
11.2
 
$
0.0
 
Generic Reserves Reversals (Provisions) - due to changes in credit portfolio composition and risk levels
 
$
(15.5
)
$
(23.0
)
 
(18.4
)
Generic Reserves Reversals - due to change in credit loss reserve methodology
   
6.0
   
0.0
   
0.0
 
Total Generic Reserves Reversals (Provisions)
 
$
(9.6
)
$
(23.0
)
$
(18.4
)
Recoveries - Argentine credits
   
0.3
   
0.0
   
2.0
 
Recoveries - Other credits
   
2.3
   
0.0
   
4.4
 
Total Recoveries
 
$
2.6
 
$
0.0
 
$
6.4
 
Total Reversals (Provisions) of Allowance for Loan Losses
 
$
54.2
 
$
(11.8
)
$
(12.0
)
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
General
 
The Bank prepares its Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. As such, the Bank is required to use methods, make estimates, judgments and assumptions in applying its accounting policies that have a significant impact on the results it reports in its Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of the Bank’s accounting policies require management to make subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Bank’s management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from the estimates.
 
The Bank’s most critical accounting estimates include the assessment of allowance for credit losses, impairments on the value of securities that are “other than temporary” and the fair value of financial instruments. For information regarding the Bank’s significant accounting policies, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 2.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The classification of the Bank’s credit portfolio for allowances for credit losses under U.S. GAAP is determined through statistical modeling and estimates. Informed judgments must be made when identifying deteriorated loans, the probability of default, the expected loss, the value of collateral and current economic conditions. Even though the Bank’s management considers its allowances for credit losses to be adequate, the use of different estimates and assumptions could produce different allowances for credit losses, and amendments to the allowances may be required in the future due to changes in the value of collateral, the amount of cash to be received or other economic events. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 2(j).
 
The estimates of the Bank’s portfolio’s inherent risks and overall recovery vary with changes in the economy, individual industries, and countries and individual borrowers’ or counterparties’ ability and willingness to repay their obligations. The degree to which any particular assumption affects the allowance for credit losses depends on the severity of the change and its relationship to the other assumptions. The methods and assumptions used by management in estimating the fair values of each type of financial instruments are described in Item 18, “FInancial Statements”, note 20.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

In calculating the fair value of the Bank’s financial instruments, the Bank’s management uses market data available and its best judgment. However, there are limitations in any estimation technique. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends. Fair value calculations are only provided for a limited portion of the Bank’s assets and liabilities. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 20.

32


Notwithstanding the level of subjectivity inherent in determining fair value, the Bank’s management believes that its estimates of fair value are adequate. The use of different models or assumptions could lead to changes in the Bank’s reported results.
 
 
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources 
 
Liquidity
 
Liquidity refers to the Bank’s ability to maintain adequate cash flows to fund operations and meet obligations and other commitments on a timely basis. The Bank maintains its liquid assets mainly in demand deposits, overnight funds and time deposits with well-known international banks, as well as highly rated marketable securities. These liquid assets are adequate to cover 24-hour deposits from customers, which theoretically could be withdrawn on the same day. At December 31, 2007, the Bank’s 24-hour deposits from customers (overnight deposits, demand deposit accounts and call deposits) amounted to $111 million, representing 8% of the Bank’s total deposits. The liquidity requirement resulting from these maturities is met by the Bank’s liquid assets, which at December 31, 2007, were $418 million (representing 29% of total deposits), and by daily maturities of approximately $172 million to $205 million.
 
As established by the Bank’s liquidity policy, the Bank’s liquid assets are held in the form of inter-bank deposits with reputable international banks that have A1, P1, or F1 ratings from two of the major rating agencies, and are located outside of the Region. These banks must have a correspondent relationship with the Bank and be approved by the Board on an annual basis. In addition, the Bank’s liquidity policy allows for investing in negotiable money market instruments, including Euro certificates of deposit, commercial paper, bankers’ acceptances and other liquid instruments with maturities of up to three years. These instruments must be of investment grade quality A or better and must have a liquid secondary market.
 
The Bank performs daily review and controls on its liquidity position, including the application of a series of limits to restrict its overall liquidity risk. Specific limits have been established to control cumulative maturity “gaps” between assets and liabilities, for each maturity classification presented in the Bank’s internal liquidity reports, as well as to control concentrations of deposits taken from any client or economic group maturing in one day and total maximum deposits maturing in one day. The Bank has also established a minimum amount of liquidity to be maintained at the end of each day, as a percentage of total assets. As a precautionary measure, since the onset of the global liquidity crisis in August 2007, Bladex has consistently maintained a cash position substantially in excess of the minimum required.
 
In 2007, Bladex updated its Contingent Liquidity Plan, which provides for regular stress-testing of its liquidity position. The plan contemplates the regular monitoring of several quantified internal and external reference points (such as deposit level, quality of assets, Emerging Markets Bonds Index Plus (“EMBI+”), cost of funds and market interest rates), which, in moments of high volatility, would trigger implementation of a series of precautionary measures to reinforce the Bank's liquidity position.
 
The following table shows the Bank’s liquid assets, which consist of short-term funds deposited with other banks broken down by principal geographic area, at December 31 of each year:
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ million)
 
Europe
 
$
189
 
$
224
 
$
298
 
United States
   
1
   
49
   
39
 
Other O.E.C.D.
   
35
   
54
   
81
 
Total
 
$
225
 
$
327
 
$
418
 
 
While the Bank’s liabilities generally mature over somewhat shorter periods than its assets, the associated liquidity risk is diminished by the short-term nature of the loan portfolio, as the Bank is engaged primarily in the financing of foreign trade. At December 31, 2007, the average original term to maturity of the Bank’s short-term loan portfolio was approximately 217 days.

33

 
Medium term assets (maturing beyond one year) totaled $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2007. Of that amount, $448 million was comprised of liquid bonds held primarily in the Bank’s securities available-for-sale portfolio. The remaining $1.2 billion in medium-term assets represented commercial loans. These medium-term loans are funded by medium-term borrowings (49%) and the Bank’s equity (51%).
 
Funding Sources
 
The Bank’s principal sources of funds are deposits, borrowed funds and floating- and fixed-rate placements. While these sources are expected to continue to provide the majority of the funds needed by the Bank in the future, the exact composition of the Bank´s funding sources, as well as the possible use of other sources of funds, will depend upon future economic and market conditions. The following table shows the Bank’s funding distribution at December 31 of each year:
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
       
(in percentages)
     
Inter-bank deposits
   
41.2
%
 
31.1
%
 
35.0
%
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   
5.1
%
 
12.9
%
 
6.8
%
Borrowings and debts
   
45.9
%
 
50.6
%
 
53.4
%
Other liabilities.
   
7.9
%
 
5.4
%
 
4.8
%
Total liabilities
   
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
Deposits
 
The Bank obtains deposits principally from central and commercial banks in the Region. At December 31, 2007, approximately 31% of the deposits held by the Bank were deposits made by central banks of countries in the Region. Many of these banks deposit a portion of their dollar reserves with the Bank. The average term remaining to maturity of deposits from central banks of countries in the Region at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was 36 days and 44 days, respectively. The bulk of the Bank’s other deposits is obtained primarily from commercial banks located in the Region. At December 31, 2007, deposits from the Bank´s five largest depositors, of which three were central banks in the Region, represented 43% of the Bank’s total deposits.
 
The following table shows the Bank’s deposits by country at December 31 of each year:
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
 (in $ million)
 
Argentina
 
$
75
 
$
91
 
$
75
 
Barbados
   
10
   
5
   
28
 
Brazil
   
424
   
400
   
322
 
Cayman Island
   
0
   
27
   
33
 
Colombia
   
44
   
47
   
154
 
Costa Rica
   
2
   
7
   
10
 
Dominican Republic
   
22
   
27
   
21
 
Ecuador
   
182
   
99
   
70
 
El Salvador
   
32
   
27
   
26
 
Finland
   
0
   
10
   
10
 
Guatemala
   
0
   
1
   
0
 
Haiti
   
2
   
3
   
3
 
Honduras
   
10
   
14
   
27
 
Jamaica
   
2
   
2
   
2
 
Mexico
   
128
   
35
   
332
 
The Netherlands
   
17
   
18
   
21
 
Nicaragua
   
0
   
2
   
11
 
Panama
   
15
   
48
   
80
 
Peru
   
5
   
43
   
41
 
Trinidad and Tobago
   
11
   
10
   
20
 
United Kingdom
   
0
   
0
   
40
 
United States
   
0
   
19
   
20
 
Venezuela
   
65
   
121
   
117
 
Total
 
$
1,047
 
$
1,056
 
$
1,462
 

34

 
Short-Term Borrowings and Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements
 
The Bank’s short-term borrowings consist of borrowings from banks that have maturities of up to 365 days. These borrowings are made available to the Bank on an uncommitted basis for the financing of trade-related loans. Approximately 35 European and North American banks provide these short-term borrowings to the Bank.
 
As of December 31, 2007, short-term borrowings amounted to $1,222 million, an increase of $64 million from the amount as of December 31, 2006. The increase in short-term borrowings was due to funding, liquidity and asset/liability management needs.
 
The average term remaining to maturity of short-term borrowings at December 31, 2007 was approximately 104 days. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 10.
 
The Bank also enters into repurchase agreements (“repos”) with international banks, utilizing its investment securities portfolio as collateral to secure cost-effective funding. As of December 31, 2007, repos amounted to $283 million, a decrease of $155 million from the amount as of December 31, 2006, reflecting an increase of borrowings as a funding strategy.
 
The following table presents information regarding the amounts outstanding, and interest rates on, the Bank’s short-term borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements at the dates and during the periods indicated.
 
   
At and for the Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Short-term borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements
                   
Advances from banks
 
$
608
 
$
1,147
 
$
1,222
 
Discounted acceptances
   
24
   
10
   
0
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   
129
   
438
   
283
 
Total short-term borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements
 
$
761
 
$
1,596
 
$
1,505
 
                     
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end
 
$
761
 
$
1,634
 
$
1,505
 
Amount outstanding at year-end
 
$
761
 
$
1,596
 
$
1,505
 
Average amount outstanding
 
$
601
 
$
1,044
 
$
1,272
 
Weighted average interest rate on average amount outstanding
   
3.39
%
 
5.20
%
 
5.45
%
Weighted average interest rate on amount outstanding at year end
   
4.73
%
 
5.51
%
 
5.34
%
 
Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
 
The interest rates on long-term borrowings are adjusted semi-annually based on short-term LIBOR rates plus a credit spread (which is based on several factors, including credit ratings, risk perception, and the remaining term to maturity). The Bank uses these funds to finance its medium-term and long-term loan portfolio. At December 31, 2007 the average term remaining to maturity of the Bank’s medium and long-term debt was two years.
 
The Bank’s EMTN Program has a maximum aggregate limit of $2.3 billion. Notes issued under the EMTN Program are placed in the Euro (Regulation S), or 144A markets and are general obligations of the Bank. The EMTN Program may be used to issue notes with maturities ranging from 90 days up to a maximum of 30 years, at fixed or floating interest rates and in various currencies. As of December 31, 2007, the total amount outstanding under the EMTN Program with medium-term maturities was $25 million.

During the third quarter of 2007, the Bank established a program for bond issuances in Peru. The program has a maximum aggregate limit of the equivalent of $300 million. Bonds issued under the program are denominated in Peruvian Nuevo Soles (PEN), may be issued in several series with different maturities and interest rate structures, will be offered exclusively to institutional investors domiciled in the Republic of Peru, and will rank pari-passu with other debt obligations of the Bank. The funds raised from the program will be used to finance the Bank’s credit portfolio and to cover its general long-term financial needs. The first placement of bonds under the program consisted of bonds with a maturity of seven years and a fixed rate of interest, and was subsequently swapped into U.S. dollars through a cross-currency swap. As of December 31, 2007, the total amount outstanding under the program was PEN 123,000,000 (equivalent to $41.0 million).

35


As part of its interest rate and currency risk management, the Bank may from time to time, enter into foreign exchange forwards, cross-currency contracts and interest rate swaps to hedge the risk associated with a portion of the notes issued under its various programs. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 11, and Item 11, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk”.
 
Cost and Maturity Profile of Borrowed Funds and Floating- and Fixed-Rate Placements
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the weighted average cost and the remaining maturities of the Bank’s borrowed funds and floating- and fixed-rate placements at December 31, 2007:
 
   
Amount
 
Weighted Average Cost
 
   
(in $ million)
     
Short-term borrowings at fixed interest rate
             
Due in 0 to 30 days
 
$
250
   
5.47
%
Due in 31 to 90 days
   
403
   
5.45
%
Due in 91 to 180 days
   
255
   
5.30
%
Due in 181 to 365 days
   
298
   
5.01
%
Total
 
$
1,207
   
5.31
%
Short-term borrowings at floating interest rate
             
Due in 0 to 30 days
 
$
283
   
5.49
%
Due in 181 to 365 days
   
15
   
5.17
%       
Total
 
$
298
   
5.48
%
Medium and long-term borrowings at fixed interest rate
             
Due in 0 to 30 days
 
$
3
   
8.31
% 1 
Due in 31 to 90 days
   
5
   
8.31
% 1 
Due in 91 to 180 days
   
18
   
6.83
% 1 
Due in 181 to 365 days
   
78
   
5.74
% 1
Due in 1 through 6 years
   
132
   
6.85
% 1 
Total
 
$
236
   
6.53
%
Medium and long-term borrowings at floating interest rate
             
Due in 91 to 180 days
 
$
25
   
5.08
%
Due in 181 to 365 days
   
270
   
5.57
%
Due in 1 through 6 years
   
414
   
5.41
%
Total
 
$
709
   
5.46
%
Medium and long-term at fixed-rate placements
             
Due in 7 through 12 years
 
$
41
   
6.50
%
Total
 
$
41
   
6.50
%
Medium and long-term floating-rate placements
             
Due in 0 to 30 days
 
$
10
   
6.19
%
Due in 91 to 180 days
   
10
   
5.33
%
Due in 1 through 6 years
   
5
   
5.65
%
Total
 
$
25
   
5.74
%
 
1 Represent fixed-rate interest-bearing liabilities booked in local currency to fund fixed-rate interest-earning assets in the same local currency.
 
Asset/Liability Management
 
The Bank seeks to manage its assets and liabilities to reduce the potential adverse impact on net interest income that could result from interest rate changes. The Bank controls interest rate risk through systematic monitoring of maturity mismatches. The Bank’s investment decision-making takes into account not only the rates of return and the respective underlying degrees of risk, but also liquidity requirements, including minimum cash reserves, withdrawal and maturity of deposits and additional demand for funds. For any given period, a matched pricing structure exists when an equal amount of assets and liabilities are repriced. An excess of assets or liabilities over these matched items results in a “gap” or “mismatch”, as shown in the table under “Interest Rate Sensitivity” below. A negative gap denotes liability sensitivity and normally means that a decline in interest rates would have a positive effect on net interest income, while an increase in interest rates would have a negative effect on net interest income. Substantially all of the Bank’s assets and liabilities are denominated in dollars and, therefore, the Bank has no material foreign exchange risk.

36

 
Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
The following table presents the projected maturities and interest rate adjustment periods of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity based upon the contractual maturities and adjustment dates at December 31, 2007. The Bank’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the related interest rate sensitivity gap shown in the following table may not reflect positions in subsequent periods.
 
   
Total
 
0-30 Days
 
31-90 Days
 
91-180 Days
 
181-365 Days
 
More than
 365 Days
 
Non-Interest 
Sensitive
 
   
(in $ million, except percentages)
 
Interest-earning assets
                                           
Cash and due from banks
 
$
72
 
$
72
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
   
405
   
405
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Investment securities
                                           
Trading assets
   
53
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
16
   
36
 
Securities available for sale
   
468
   
148
   
190
   
84
   
0
   
47
   
0
 
Loans, net
   
3,656
   
992
   
1,310
   
985
   
210
   
234
   
(76
)
Total interest-earning assets
   
4,655
   
1,617
   
1,500
   
1,069
   
210
   
298
   
(39
)
Non-interest earning assets
   
133
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
133
 
Other assets
   
2
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
2
 
Total assets
 
$
4,791
 
$
1,617
 
$
1,500
 
$
1,069
 
$
210
 
$
298
 
$
97
 
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                           
Deposits
                                           
Demand
 
$
111
 
$
111
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
Time
   
1,351
   
1,061
   
207
   
73
   
10
   
0
   
0
 
Trading liabilities
   
91
   
1
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
32
   
58
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   
283
   
283
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Short-term borrowings(1)
   
1,287
   
250
   
408
   
280
   
350
   
0
   
0
 
Borrowings and long-term debt(1)
   
945
   
376
   
232
   
101
   
20
   
216
   
0
 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
   
4,068
   
2,083
   
847
   
453
   
380
   
248
   
58
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
   
110
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
110
 
Total liabilities
   
4,178
   
2,083
   
847
   
453
   
380
   
248
   
168
 
Stockholders’ equity
   
612
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
612
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
   
4,791
   
2,083
   
847
   
453
   
380
   
248
   
780
 
Interest rate sensitivity gap
         
(466
)
 
653
   
616
   
(170
)
 
51
   
(684
)
Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap
         
(466
)
 
187
   
803
   
633
   
684
       
Cumulative gap as a % of total interest-earning assets
         
-10
%
 
4
%
 
17
%
 
14
%
 
15
%
     
 
(1) The sum of totals of Short-term borrowings and Borrowings and long-term debt are equal as the sum of these same accounts presented on Balance Sheet of financial statements.
 
The Bank’s interest rate risk is the exposure of earnings (current and potential) and capital to adverse changes in interest rates and is managed by attempting to match the term and repricing characteristics of the Bank’s interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities. The Bank’s interest rate risk arises from the Bank’s liability sensitive short-term position, which means that the Bank’s interest-bearing liabilities reprice more quickly than the Bank’s interest-earning assets. As a result, there is a potential adverse impact on the Bank’s net interest income from interest rate increases. The Bank’s policy with respect to interest rate risk provides that the Bank establishes limits with regards to: (i) changes in net interest income due to a potential impact given certain movements in interest rates, (ii) changes in the amount of available equity funds of the Bank (given a one basis point movement in interest rates) and (iii) changes in value-at-risk (“VaR”) of the Bank’s portfolio (based on statistical analysis of the historical volatility of the Bank’s portfolio). The Bank also has used interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management. Interest rate swaps are made either in a single currency or cross-currency for a prescribed period to exchange a series of interest rate flows, which involve fixed- for floating-rate interest payments or vice versa.
 
Stockholders’ Equity
 
The following table presents information concerning the Bank’s capital position at the dates indicated.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
   
(in $ thousand)
 
Common stock 
 
$
279,978
 
$
279,980
 
$
279,980
 
Capital surplus 
   
134,340
   
134,945
   
135,142
 
Capital reserves 
   
95,210
   
95,210
   
95,210
 
Retained earnings 
   
212,916
   
205,200
   
245,348
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 
   
619
   
3,328
   
(9,641
)
Treasury stock 
   
(106,282
)
 
(134,768
)
 
(133,788
)
Total stockholders’ equity 
 
$
616,782
 
$
583,895
 
$
612,252
 

37

The $28 million increase in stockholders’ equity during 2007 was mainly due to the following factors:
 
 
·
Increased retained earnings due to the Bank’s net income of $72 million, partially offset by a total of $32 million in dividends paid to common stockholders; offset by
 
·
Decreased accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivative hedging instruments, due to the lowering of interest rates by the Federal Reserve Board during the credit crisis. This loss was not offset by the investment securities portfolio, which is covered by interest rate swaps, due to an increase in credit spreads as a result of the liquidity shortage in the market.
 
The net decrease in stockholders’ equity during 2006 was mainly due to the following factors:
 
 
·
Dividends paid to common stockholders of $66 million ($27 million paid in quarterly dividends and $38 million paid in special dividends); and
 
·
The repurchase of $29 million Class E shares pursuant to the Bank’s stock repurchase program.
 
·
These factors were offset by net income of $58 million and higher accumulated other comprehensive income related to the available-for-sale portfolio.
 
The Bank completed its $50 million stock repurchase program at December 31, 2006, which was commenced in August 2004. See Item 10, “Additional Information/Dividends” and Item 16E, “Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers”.
 
Capital reserves are established by the Bank from retained earnings and are a form of retained earnings required by Panamanian banking regulations. Capital reserves are intended to strengthen the Bank’s capital position. Reductions of these reserves, for example to pay dividends, require approval of the Board of the Bank and Panamanian banking authorities. Panamanian banking regulations do not require the Bank to maintain any particular level of capital reserves.
 
At December 31, 2007, the capital ratio of total stockholders’ equity to total assets was 12.8%. Although the Bank is not subject to the capital adequacy requirements of the United States Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), if the Federal Reserve Board’s fully phased-in risk-based capital guidelines applied to the Bank, the Bank's ratios would have exceeded all applicable capital adequacy requirements. At December 31, 2007, the Bank’s Tier 1 and total capital ratios calculated according to these guidelines were 21% and 22%, respectively. The Banking Law (as defined under Item 4, “Information on the Company/Business Overview/Regulation”) in Panama, which became effective on June 12, 1998, requires the Bank to maintain a minimum total capital to risk-weighted asset ratio of 8% (each, as defined in the Banking Law). At December 31, 2007, the Bank’s total capital to risk-weighted asset ratio, calculated according to the guidelines of the Banking Law, was 14.12%. See Item 4, “Information on the Company/Business Overview/Regulation/Panamanian Law”.
 
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc. 
 
Not applicable.
 
D. Trend Information 
 
The following are the most important trends, uncertainties and events that are reasonably likely to materially affect the Bank or that would cause the financial information disclosed herein not to be indicative of the Bank’s future operating results or financial condition:
 
 
·
The effect of changes in global economic conditions, including oil and other commodities prices, the U.S. dollar exchange rate, interest rates, and slower economic growth in developed countries and trading partners, and the effect that these changes may have on the economic condition of countries in the Region, including the Region´s foreign trade growth, and hence on the Bank’s capacity to grow its trade financing business.
 
·
The effect that an economic slowdown or political events in large Latin American countries may have on the Bank’s asset quality, results of operations and growth prospects.
 
·
Continued improvement in risk perception in the Bank’s markets, increased competition and U.S. dollar liquidity which could affect spreads over the cost of funds on the Bank’s loan portfolio, and in turn, reduce the Bank’s net interest spreads.

38


 
·
A downturn in the capital markets or a downturn in investor confidence which could affect the Bank’s access to funding or increase its costs of funding.
 
In addition, see Item 3, “Key Information/Risk Factors” for a discussion of the risks the Bank faces, which could affect the Bank’s business, results of operations or financial condition.
 
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 
 
In the ordinary course of business, in order to meet the financing needs of its customers, the Bank enters into arrangements that are not recognized on its balance sheet. At December 31, 2007, the Bank’s off-balance sheet arrangements included stand-by letters of credit, guarantees (commercial risk and country risk), credit default swaps and credit commitments (including unused commitments and other commitments). See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 16. These arrangements are kept off-balance sheet as long as the Bank does not incur an obligation from them or itself become entitled to an asset. A reserve for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk is recognized on the balance sheet, with the resulting loss recorded in the income statement.
 
For 2007, fees and commission income from off-balance sheet arrangements amounted to $6 million. For additional information, see Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects/Operating Results/Fees and Commissions, net”. In 2007, the Bank was committed to invest $1.5 million, ($1.9 million in 2006) in a private investment fund whose main objective is to generate capital appreciation in the long-term through the purchase of equity securities and convertible debt mainly from Mexican manufacturing corporations or foreign corporations looking to establish or expand their operations in Mexico.
 
No obligations have arisen from variable interest entities as defined in Financial Interpretation (“FIN”) 46R “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - Revised” (“FIN 46R”), including indemnification agreements with its executive officers and directors, and provides indemnity insurance pursuant to which directors and officers are indemnified or insured against liability or loss under certain circumstances, including liabilities or related losses arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
 
F. Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments 
 
The following tables set forth information regarding the Bank’s contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2007.

   
Payments Due by Period
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1 - 3 years
 
3 - 5 years
 
More than 5 years
 
   
(in $ million)
 
Deposits
 
$
1,462
 
$
1,462
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
Trading liabilities
   
91
   
91
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreement
   
283
   
283
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Short-term borrowings
   
1,222
   
1,222
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Borrowings and long-term debt 1 
   
1,010
   
357
   
352
   
260
   
41
 
Accrued Interest Payable
   
39
   
33
   
5
   
1
   
0
 
Service agreements
   
3
   
1
   
1
   
1
   
0
 
Leasehold obligations
   
4
   
1
   
1
   
1
   
1
 
Total contractual obligations
 
$
4,114
 
$
3,450
 
$
359
 
$
263
 
$
42
 
 
   
Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period
 
Other Commercial Commitments
 
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1 - 3 years
 
3 - 5 years
 
More than 5 years
 
   
(in $ million)
 
Letters of credit
   
97
   
97
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Stand-by letters of credit
   
152
   
152
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Guarantees
   
159
   
111
   
48
   
0
   
0
 
Credit default swaps
   
3
   
0
   
3
   
0
   
0
 
Other commercial commitments
   
129
   
67
   
61
   
0
   
22
 
Total Commercial Commitments
 
$
541
 
$
427
 
$
112
 
$
0
 
$
2
 
______________________
 
1 Certain debt obligations are subject to covenants that could accelerate the payment of these obligations.
2 This amount is without maturity.

39


Purchase Agreements
 
The Bank has signed service agreements with certain vendors that provide services that are necessary for the ongoing operations of its business and are mainly related to the maintenance of a new technology platform and telecommunications services. The terms of these agreements are up to eight years and some of them can be re-negotiated for annual or semi-annual price adjustments after the fifth year. Under the terms of these agreements, the Bank has committed to contractually specified minimum payments over the contractual periods. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 17.
 
Item 6. Directors, Executive Officers and Employees 
 
A. Directors and Executive Officers 
 
Directors
 
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Directors of the Bank as of the date of this Annual Report.
 
Name
 
Country of
Citizenship
 
Position Held 
with
The Bank
 
Year 
Term Expires
 
 
Director 
Since
 
Age
 
CLASS A
                     
Guillermo Güémez García 
Deputy Governor
Banco de Mexico, Mexico
   
Mexico
   
Director
   
2011
   
1997
   
67
 
José Maria Rabelo
Vice-President of International Wholesale Business
Banco do Brasil, Brazil
   
Brazil
   
Director
   
2010
   
2007
   
52
 
Roberto Feletti
Vice-President
Banco de la Nación Argentina
   
Argentina
   
Director
   
2011
   
2008
   
49
 
CLASS E
         
 
   
 
             
Mario Covo
Chief Executive Officer
Finaccess International, Inc., U.S.A.
   
U.S.A
   
Director
   
2011
   
1999
   
50
 
Will C. Wood 
Principal
Kentwood Associates, U.S.A.
   
U.S.A.
   
Director
   
2009
 
 
1999
   
68
 
Herminio Blanco
Chief Executive Officer
Soluciones Estratégicas Consultoría, Mexico
   
Mexico
   
Director
   
2010
   
2004
   
57
 
William D. Hayes
President
Wellstone Global Finance, LLC, U.S.A.
   
U.S.A.
   
Director
   
2010
   
2004
   
64
 
Maria da Graça França  
Brazil
   
Brazil
   
Director
   
2010
   
2004
   
59
 
ALL CLASSES OF COMMON STOCK
                     
 
       
Gonzalo Menéndez Duque  
Director
Banco de Chile, Chile
   
Chile
   
Chairman of the
Board of Directors
   
2009
   
1990
   
59
 
Jaime Rivera  
Chief Executive Officer
Bladex, Panama
   
Guatemala
   
Director
   
2009
   
2004
   
55
 
 
Guillermo Güémez García has served as Deputy Governor of Banco de Mexico since 1995 and served as a Board Member of the National Insurance Commission and Casa de Moneda de Mexico since 1995. He served as President of the Executive Committee in Grupo Azucarero Mexico and Vice Chairman of Grupo de Embotelladoras Unidas, S.A. de C. V. from 1993 to 1994. Mr. Güémez served as Co-Chairman of the North American Committee, Board Member of Home Mart, S.A. de C.V. and Vice Chairman of the Board of Grupo Embotelladoras Unidas, S.A. de C.V. from 1986 to 1994. Mr. Güémez served on the Mexican Business Coordinating Council for the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) in the capacity of Executive Director from 1991 to 1993. He was employed by Banco Nacional de Mexico (Banamex) in various capacities from 1974 to 1991, including Manager for Foreign Currency Funding and International Credits from 1974 to 1978, Representative in London from 1979 to 1981, Executive Vice President of International Treasury and Foreign Exchange, Exchange Controls and Ficorca from 1982 to 1986, and Executive Vice President for International Products. He also was the founder and President of Euromex Casa de Cambio and Euroamerican Capital Corporation from 1986 to 1990. He has also served as a Board Member of the Institute of International Finance and Board Member and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Mexican Bank Ltd. Prior to that he was employed by Bank of America in Mexico as Assistant Representative.

40

José Maria Rabelo has served as Vice President of International and Wholesale Business of Banco do Brasil, since July 2005. He has been employed by Banco do Brasil in various capacities since 1996, holding the positions of Director of Foreign Trade from 2004 to 2005, General Manager of the Operational Assets Restructuring Unit from 2003 to 2004, Executive Superintendent of the Credit Unit from 1999 to 2000, Executive Superintendent of the Sao Paulo Business Unit from 1998 to 1999, Executive Manager of the Credit Function Unit in 1997, Executive Manager of the Distribution Unit from 1996 to 1997, and Superintendent of the Rio Grande do Norte State Unit in 1996. Mr. Rabelo was Commercial Director of Aliança do Brasil Insurance Company from 2000 to 2002.
 
Roberto Feletti has served as Vice President of Banco de la Nación Argentina, Argentina since 2006, President of Nación Fideicomisos since March 2008, Member of the Administrative Council of Economic and Finance Center Foundation for Argentina’s Development since April 2007, Technical Representative for the Third Meeting of the Strategic Commission of Reflection on South American Integration Process held in September and October 2006 and March 2007. He also served as Secretary of Infrastructure and Planning of Government of the City of Buenos Aires from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Feletti served as President of Banco de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina from 2001 to 2003 and Director from 1998 to 2000. He also served as Director of Red Link from 2002 to 2003 and Chairman of the Board from 2001 to 2002. Mr. Feletti was Coordinator of Economic Studies Area of the Institute of Studies on State and Participation of State Workers’Association, Argentina from 1991 to 1997. Mr. Feletti was employed by Banco Central de la Republica Argentina from 1981 to 1991 in various capacities in the Supervising Equipments of Banking and Financial Institutions division. Mr. Feletti was a fiscal audit assistant for General Tax Administration, Argentina from 1980 to 1981 and a cost analyst for La Vascongada in Argentina from 1978 to 1979.

Mario Covo is a founding partner of Finaccess International, Inc. and has been Managing Partner of Helios Advisors in New York since 2000. He also is one of the founders of Columbus Advisors, where he worked from 1995 to 1999. Mr. Covo was previously at Merrill Lynch, where he was Head of Emerging Markets-Capital Markets from 1989 to 1995.  Prior to working at Merrill Lynch, he was employed by Bankers Trust Company  of  New York as Vice President in the Latin American Merchant Banking Group from 1985 to 1989, focusing on  corporate finance and debt-for-equity swaps.   Prior to that Mr. Covo was employed as an International Economist for Chase Econometrics from 1984 to 1985, focusing primarily on Venezuela and Colombia.
 
Will C. Wood has served as the founding principal of Kentwood Associates of Menlo Park, California since 1993. He is a trustee of the Dodge & Cox mutual funds. He was employed by Wells Fargo in the International Banking Group and served as an Executive Vice President from 1986 to 1989. While at Wells Fargo, Mr. Wood also was a Director of the Bankers’ Association for Foreign Trade and PEFCO, a privately owned export finance company. He was employed by Crocker Bank and served as Executive Vice President in charge of the International Division and Manager of the Latin America Area from 1975 to 1986. Mr. Wood previously worked for Citibank in La Paz, Bolivia, Lima, Peru and Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil, and began his career with Citibank’s Overseas Division in New York in 1964.
 
Herminio A. Blanco has served as Chief Executive Officer of Soluciones Estrategicas Consultoria, Mexico City, since 2002, business consultant to some of the leading corporations in the world, advisor to the Inter-American Development Bank, advisor to national governments on trade negotiations, member of the International Advisory Committee of Mitsubishi Corporation and member of the Trilateral Commission since 2000. He was Secretary of Trade and Industry of Mexico, Chairman of the National Council for Deregulation of Mexico, Chairman of the Advisory Council for Trade Negotiations of Mexico, Chairman of the Board of Exportadora de Sal, S.A., Chairman of the Board of Fideicomiso de Fomento Minero and Vice Chairman of the Board of Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, in Mexico from 1994 to 2000. Mr. Blanco was Under Secretary for International Trade and Negotiations of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Mexico from 1993 to 1994 and from 1988 to 1990. From 1990 to 1993, he was Mexico’s Chief Negotiator of NAFTA. Mr. Blanco was one of the three members of the Council of Economic Advisors to the President of Mexico from 1985 to 1988. He was Assistant Professor of Economics at Rice University, Houston, Texas from 1980 to 1985. Mr. Blanco was senior advisor to the Finance Minister of Mexico from 1978 to 1980.

41

 
William D. Hayes has served as President of Whaleco, Inc., New York, President of Wellstone Global Finance, LLC, San Francisco, California and Connecticut, and Managing Director and charter member of the Board of Directors and the Investment Committee of WestLB-Tricon Forfaiting Fund Limited, Bermudas since 1999. He served as Managing Director-Emerging Markets and in various other capacities for West Merchant Bank and Chartered WestLB from 1987 to 1999. Mr. Hayes served as Senior Vice President- Trading for Libra Bank Limited, New York Agency from 1986 to 1987, Principal of W.D. Hayes and Associates, California from 1984 to 1986, and in various capacities for Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., San Francisco, California from 1969 to 1984.
 
Maria da Graça França served as Director of Internal Control of Banco do Brasil from 2006 to 2007. She also has been employed by Banco do Brasil in various other capacities since 1971, including Head of North America and General Manager of Banco do Brasil, New York branch from 2004 to 2005, Executive General Manager of the International Division in Brasilia, Brazil from 2002 to 2003, Regional Manager for the operations of the Bank in South America based in Argentina in 2002, General Manager of Banco do Brasil, Paris branch from 1999 to 2002, Deputy General Manager of Banco do Brasil, Miami branch from 1993 to 1999, General Manager of the department responsible for Banco do Brasil’s foreign network from 1992 to 1993, Deputy General Manager for foreign exchange from 1989 to 1992, Assistant Manager within the Risk Management Area from 1988 to 1989, Assistant Manager for foreign exchange internal controls from 1984 to 1987 and employee in the Foreign Exchange Department from 1971 to 1984.
 
Gonzalo Menéndez Duque is a senior director of the Luksic companies in Chile and serves as a director of the following Luksic group holding companies: Banco de Chile since 2001, Holdings Quiñenco since 1996, and Antofagasta PLC since 1985. In addition, he serves as President of the following Luksic group companies: Banchile Corredores de Bolsa, S.A. since 2007 and Inversiones Vita since 2000. Previously, Mr. Menéndez Duque served as a director and President of several companies related to Grupo Luksic since 1985, including the following: Banco de A. Edwards and related companies, Banco Santiago, Empresas Lucchetti, S.A., Banco O’Higgins, Antofagasta Group, and Banchile Administradora General de Fondos.
 
Jaime Rivera has served as a director of the Bank since 2004, when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer. He joined the Bank in 2002 as Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Mr. Rivera served in various capacities for Bank of America Corporation beginning in 1978, including Managing Director of the Latin America Financial Institutions Group in Miami and the Latin America Corporate Finance team in New York, as General Manager in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Guatemala, as Marketing Manager in Chile, and as Manager of Latin America Information Systems in Venezuela. He has held Board positions with the Council of the Americas, the Florida International Bankers’ Association, and the Latin American Agribusiness Development Corporation. Mr. Rivera is a member of the International Advisory Committee (IAC) to the Board of Directors of the New York Stock Exchange. He has an MBA degree from Cornell University, a Master of Science degree from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Northrop University.

42

 
Executive Officers
 
The following table and information sets forth the names of the executive officers of the Bank and their respective positions as of the date hereof and positions held by them with the Bank and other entities in prior years:
 
Name 
 
Position Held with The Bank
 
Country of Citizenship
 
Age
             
Jaime Rivera
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
Guatemala
 
55
Rubens V. Amaral Jr.
 
Executive Vice President - Chief Commercial Officer
 
Brazil
 
49
Gregory D. Testerman
 
Executive Vice President - Senior Managing Director, Treasury & Capital Markets
 
U.S.A.
 
45
Miguel Moreno
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
 
Colombia
 
55
Miguel A. Kerbes
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer
 
Uruguay
 
48
Bismark E. Rodriguez
 
Senior Vice President, Controller
 
Venezuela
 
40
Jaime Celorio
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
 
Mexico
 
36
Ana Maria de Arias
 
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration
 
Panama
 
44
Manuel Mejía-Aoun
 
Head of Asset Management Division
(Bladex Asset Management)
 
Panama
 
49

Jaime Rivera has served as a director of the Bank since 2004, when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer. He joined the Bank in 2002 as Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Mr. Rivera served in various capacities for Bank of America Corporation beginning in 1978, including Managing Director of the Latin America Financial Institutions Group in Miami and the Latin America Corporate Finance team in New York, as General Manager in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Guatemala, as Marketing Manager in Chile, and as Manager of Latin America Information Systems in Venezuela. He has held Board positions with the Council of the Americas, the Florida International Bankers’ Association, and the Latin American Agribusiness Development Corporation. Mr. Rivera is a member of the International Advisory Committee (IAC) to the Board of Directors of the New York Stock Exchange. He has an MBA degree from Cornell University, a Master of Science degree from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Northrop University.
 
Rubens V. Amaral Jr. became Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer of the Bank in March 2004. He previously served as General Manager and Managing Director for North America of Banco do Brasil, New York Branch, since 2000. Mr. Amaral served in various capacities with Banco do Brasil since 1975, holding the positions of Managing Director of the International Division and alternate member of the board of directors in 1998, Executive General Manager of the International Division in Sao Paulo from 1998 to 2000, Deputy General Manager in the New York Branch in charge of the Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking Department from 1994 to 1998, Head of Staff of the International Division from 1993 to 1994 and Advisor, Head of Department and General Manager in the Trade Finance Area at the International Department Division - Head Office from 1989 to 1993. Mr. Amaral also served as a representative in banking supervision for the Central Bank of Brazil from 1982 to 1988.
 
Gregory D. Testerman has served as Executive Vice President - Senior Managing Director, Treasury and Capital Markets of the Bank since 2007. Mr. Testerman previously served as Senior Vice President, Treasury of the Bank from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Testerman served in various capacities with Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. from 1986 to 2003, including General Manager, Miami Agency, from 1999 to 2003, General Manager, Tokyo Branch and Country Manager in Japan from 1995 to 1999, Vice President, Head of Financial Control, Benelux and Asia Pacific, from 1991 to 1995, Second Vice President, Special Credit Valuation Assignment, London Branch, in 1991, Second Vice President, Treasury Operations Manager, Belgium, from 1989 to 1991, and Second Vice President, Management Reporting, Belgium, from 1986 to 1989. Mr. Testerman began his career with The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. as Assistant Treasurer in Belgium in 1986 and as part of the Corporate Controllers Development Program in New York from 1984 to 1986.
 
Miguel Moreno became Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer in July 2007 after the replacement of Mr. Ernesto Bruggia. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Controller of the Bank since September 2001. He was a Management Consulting Partner for Price Waterhouse, Bogotá, Colombia from 1988 to 2001, and served as Vice President of Information Technology and Operations for Banco de Crédito, Bogotá, Colombia from 1987 to 1988. Mr. Moreno served as Chief Executive Officer of TM Ingeniería, Bogotá, Colombia, from 1983 to 1987, and as Head of Industrial Engineering Department, Los Andes University, Colombia, from 1982 to 1984. Mr. Moreno was employed by SENA as Chief of the Organization and Systems Office, Colombia from 1977 to 1981, and served as Advisor to the Minister for the Finance and Public Credit Ministry of Colombia from 1976 to 1977.

43


Miguel A. Kerbes has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer for the Bank since July 2002. Mr. Kerbes previously served as Vice President, Risk Management from 2000 to 2002. He served as the Risk Officer, Southern Cone Area for Banco Santander, with domicile in Chile, from 1995 to 2000, overseeing the Country Risk Managers for the area. From 1992 to 1995, he served with Bank of Boston, Chile as the Risk Director for credit and treasury risks and as Senior Risk Officer. From 1989 to 1992, Mr. Kerbes participated in the start-up of ING Bank in Chile, continuing as its Risk Officer, with domicile in Chile. He had previously served with ING Bank in Uruguay and participated in the start-up of ING Bank in Argentina from 1982 to 1992.
 
Bismark E. Rodríguez became the Bank’s Controller on July 2007 after being appointed by the Bank in replacement of Mr. Miguel Moreno. Previously Mr. Rodriguez served as the Bank’s Vice President of the Internal Audit Department since 2004. Mr. Rodriguez also served as Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers in various capacities and countries from 1991 to 2003. Mr. Rodriguez is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), a Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), and a Certified Control Self-Assessment Specialist (CCSA), which are all designations granted by The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
 
Jaime Celorio was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Bank, after the retirement of Mr. Carlos Yap in February 2008. Mr. Celorio previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer for Merrill Lynch México, S.A. de C.V., Casa de Bolsa, Mexico from 2002 to 2007. Mr. Celorio served as Controller Associate of Emerging Markets in New York from 1998 to 2001, and served as a Controller Associate in Mexico from 1995 to 1998, both for the Goldman Sachs Group. Mr. Celorio also served in various capacities in PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mexico, from 1991 to 1994, as a Senior Auditor in the Audit Division, and as Supervisor in Financial Advisory Services.
 
Ana Maria de Arias has served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration since July 2007. Ms. Arias previously served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Operations of the Bank from 2004 to 2007. Prior to her employment with the Bank, she served as Vice President of Human Resources of Banco General, S.A., Panama from 2000 to 2004 and as Assistant Vice President of Human Resources from 1999 to 2000. She served in various capacities with the Panama Canal Commission, Panama from 1990 to 1999.

Manuel Mejía-Aoun, has served as Head of Asset Management Division (Bladex Asset Management) since November 2005. Mr. Mejía-Aoun has over 19 years of investment experience in emerging markets. Prior to joining the Bank, he was Chief Executive Officer of Maxblue, Deutsche Bank’s first personal financial consultancy business, focusing on high net worth investors in Latin America. Prior to that, he headed the Latin American Foreign Exchange and Local Money Markets Sales and Trading Group at Deutsche Bank. In 1995, Mr. Mejía-Aoun served as Chief Emerging Markets Strategist at Merrill Lynch covering fixed income securities in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. From 1987 to 1995, he established and headed the Emerging Markets Trading Group at Merrill Lynch.
 
B. Compensation 
 
Cash and Stock-Based Compensation
 
Executive Officers Compensation
 
The aggregate amount of cash compensation paid by the Bank during the year ended December 31, 2007 to the executive officers employed in the Bank’s Head Office as a group for services in all capacities was $2,587,413. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Bank accrued, and in February 12, 2008 paid performance-based bonuses to the Bank’s executive officers in the aggregate amount of $1,585,000. At December 31, 2007, the total amount set aside or accrued by the Bank to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for executive officers was approximately $651,389.

44


In addition, the aggregate amount of cash compensation paid by the Bank during the year ended December 31, 2007 to the executive and non-executive employees of Bladex Asset Management, as a group for services in all capacities was $730,579. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Bank accrued, and on February 12, 2008 paid performance-based bonuses to this group of executives in the aggregate amount of $3,225,000.

The aggregate number of stock options awarded during the year ended December 31, 2007 to executive officers and other non-executive employees of the Bank as a group under the Bank’s 2006 Stock Option Plan was 188,634, representing a total compensation cost of $889,956, of which $281,022 was charged against income in 2007, and $635,223 will be charged to income over a period of 3.12 years. The options granted have a vesting period of four years and are based on the level of achievement by the Bank’s executive officers measured against established corporate financial performance goals. The 2006 Stock Option Plan was discontinued by the Board on February of 2008. Options granted under this plan have an exercise price of $16.34 and will expire on February 13, 2014.
 
The Bank sponsors a defined contribution plan for its expatriate officers. The Bank’s contributions are determined as a percentage of the eligible officer’s annual salary, with each officer contributing an additional amount withheld from his salary and deposited in a savings account with the Bank, earning interest at market rates until March 2007, when the Bank transferred all contributions to a trust administered by an independent third party. During the year 2007, the Bank charged to salaries expense $175,466 with respect to this plan. As of December 31, 2007, the accumulated liability payable under this contribution plan amounted to $381,760.
 
 
2007 Chief Executive Officer Compensation
 
The 2007 compensation of the Bank's Chief Executive Officer included a base salary of $300,000, a performance-based cash bonus of $286,000, a performance-based stock option grant with a value of $250,000, a retirement plan that included a contribution from the Bank of $21,310 during 2007, and other benefits amounting to $8,570. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Bank accrued, and in February 2008 paid a performance-based bonus to the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer in the aggregate amount of $350,000. At December 31, 2007, the total amount set aside or accrued by the Bank to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for the Chief Executive Officer was approximately $249,623. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer has a contractual severance payment in case of termination without cause of $300,000.
 
Board of Directors Compensation
 
In July 2007, the Board adopted a new compensation policy for non-employee directors. Each non-employee director of the Bank receives an annual cash retainer of $40,000 for his services as a director and the Chairman of the Board receives an annual cash retainer in the amount of $85,000. This annual retainer covers seven Board and/or shareholders meetings. When the Board has met more than seven times, the Bank will pay each director an attendance fee of $1,500 for each additional Board and/or stockholders meeting. The Chairman of the Board is eligible to receive an additional 50% for each such additional Board, stockholders or Committee meeting attended. The aggregate amount of cash compensation paid by the Bank during the year ended December 31, 2007 to the directors of the Bank as a group for their services as directors was $738,000.

In July 2007, the Board amended the Bank’s restricted stock plan (the “Board Restricted Stock Plan”). Under the amended terms of the Board Restricted Stock Plan, each non-employee director of the Bank is awarded annually a number of shares of Class E common stock equal to the number that results from dividing $50,000 ($75,000 in the case of the Chairman of the Board) by the market price of a Class E share on the date the award is made.

The aggregate number of shares of restricted stock awarded during the year ended December 31, 2007 to non-employee directors of the Bank as a group under the Board Restricted Stock Plan was 22,240 Class E shares and the compensation expense charged against income in 2007 relating to such issuances was $42,929 and $431,895 will be charged to income over a period of 4.55 years.

45


In addition, the aggregate number of options awarded during the year ended December 31, 2007 to non-employee directors under the Bank’s 2006 Stock Option Plan was 20,131, representing a total compensation cost of $94,976, of which $20,947 was charged against income in 2007, and $74,029 will be charged to income over a period of 3.12 years.

For a detailed description of the Board Restricted Stock Plan and other discontinued stock based compensation plans, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 14.

2008 Stock Incentive Plan

On February 12, 2008, the Board of Directors approved the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”). The 2008 Plan replaces the 2006 Stock Option Plan and the Board Restricted Stock Plan. The 2008 Plan covers non-executive directors, executive officers and other employees of the Bank and gives the Board greater flexibility to grant stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock grants, dividend equivalent rights and stock appreciation rights, under terms and conditions to be determined from time to time by the Board and specified in the award agreements.

On February 12, 2008, the Bank awarded an aggregate number of 39,239 restricted stock units and 172,106 stock options to executive officers of the Bank. An additional aggregate number of 13,743 restricted stock units and 60,297 stock options were granted to other non-executive employees of the Bank on February 12, 2008. The stock options granted have an exercise price of $15.43 and will expire on February 12, 2015. The restricted stock units have a four-year cliff vesting period.

No grants have been made to directors of the Bank under the 2008 Plan to this date.

On April 14, 2008, the Board of Directors modified stock option grants made under the 2004 Indexed Option Plan, the 2006 Stock Option Plan, and the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, converting part of the grants to restricted stock units.
 
Beneficial Ownership
 
As of December 31, 2007, the Bank’s executive officers and directors, as a group, owned an aggregate of 59,246 Class E shares, which was approximately 0.2% of all issued and outstanding Class E shares.
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the number of shares, stock options, deferred equity units, and indexed stock options owned by the Bank’s executive officers as of December 31, 2007, as well as the restricted stock units and stock options granted in February 2008 under the 2008 Plan.

46



Name and Position of
Executive Officer
 
Number of 
Shares 
Beneficially 
Owned as of 
Dec. 31, 2007
 
Number of 
Shares that 
may be 
Acquired 
within 60 days 
of Dec. 31, 2007
 
Stock 
Options (1)
 
Deferred 
Equity 
Units (2)
 
Indexed 
Stock 
Options (3)
 
2008 Stock 
Plan 
Restricted 
Stock Units (4)
 
2008 
Stock 
Plan 
Options (4)
 
Jaime Rivera
Chief Executive Officer
   
1,400
   
0
   
52,989
   
770
   
155,709
   
9,721
   
42,636
 
Rubens V. Amaral Jr.
Executive Vice President
Chief Commercial Officer
   
0
   
0
   
26,494
   
0
   
102,638
   
8,101
   
35,530
 
Gregory D. Testerman
Executive Vice President
Senior Managing Director,
Treasury & Capital Markets
   
0
   
0
   
21,195
   
0
   
20,998
   
9,397
   
41,215
 
Miguel Moreno
Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer
   
2,000
   
0
   
10,597
   
597
   
35,757
   
5,184
   
22,739
 
Miguel A. Kerbes
Senior Vice President,
Chief Risk Officer
   
0
   
0
   
19,646
   
621
   
29,830
   
3,240
   
14,212
 
Bismark E. Rodriguez L.
Senior Vice President
Controller
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
1,296
   
5,684
 
Carlos Yap S. (5)
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
   
0
   
0
   
21,163
   
545
   
26,574
   
0
   
0
 
Jaime Celorio
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
437
   
1,918
 
Ana Maria de Arias
Senior Vice President,
Human Resources and Administration
   
590
   
0
   
10,597
   
0
   
21,176
   
1,863
   
8,172
 
Total (6)
   
3,990
   
0
   
162,681
   
2,533
   
392,682
   
39,239
   
172,106
 
______________________ 
 
(1)
Includes 137,768 stock options granted to executive officers on February 13, 2007 under the 2006 Stock Option Plan and 24,913 stock options granted under the Bank's 1995 and 1999 Stock Option Plans. In addition, an aggregate amount of 34,970 stock options were granted to other non-executive employees and 15,896 were granted to Mr. Ernesto Bruggia, who resigned as the Bank’s Chief Operations Officer in July 2007, under the 2006 Stock Option Plan. Vested options under the 1995 and 1999 Stock Option Plans and options expected to vest under the 2006 Stock Option Plan have no intrinsic value as of December 31, 2007 because the options’ exercise price was greater than the quoted market price of the Bank’s common stock at that date.
(2)
Deferred equity units granted under the Bank's Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DC Plan”). In addition, as of the date hereof, there are 1,894 outstanding units that were granted to former executive officers of the Bank under the DC Plan.
(3)
An aggregate amount of 23,549 stock options were granted to other non-executive employees and 37,992 stock options were granted to Mr. Ernesto Bruggia, under the Bank’s 2004 Indexed Stock Option Plan. Options expected to vest under this plan have no intrinsic value as of December 31, 2007 because the options’ strike price was greater than the quoted market price of the Bank’s common stock at that date.
(4)
In addition, an aggregate amount of 60,297 stock options and 13,743 restricted stock units were granted to other employees of the Bank (other than the named executive officers) on February 12, 2008.
(5)
Mr. Carlos Yap, who resigned as the Bank’s Chief Financial Officer on February 22, 2008, is eligible to exercise 15,163 stock options, granted under the Bank’s 1995 and 1999 Stock Option Plans, by May 22, 2008. 6,000 stock options granted to Mr. Yap under these same plans were forfeited on February 6, 2008. In addition, Mr. Yap is eligible to exercise 10,498 indexed stock options by June 1, 2008. 16,076 indexed stock options granted to Mr. Yap under this plan were forfeited on February 22, 2008.
(6)
The executive and non-executive employees of Bladex Asset Management, Inc. are not eligible to receive grants under the 2008 Plan.

47


The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of the Bank’s shares by members of its Board, including restricted shares, indexed stock options, and stock options, held as of December 31, 2007.
 
Name of
Director
 
Number of 
Shares 
Beneficially 
Owned as of 
Dec. 31, 2007 (1)
 
Number of 
Shares that may 
be Acquired 
within 60 days 
of Dec. 31, 2007
 
Stock Options
 
Restricted 
Shares (2)
 
Indexed Stock 
Options 
 
Guillermo Güémez García (3) 
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Santiago Perdomo Maldonado (4)
   
5,191
   
0
   
2,119
   
5,191
   
5,960
 
José Maria Rabelo (5)
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
 
Will C. Wood 
   
7,191
   
0
   
2,119
   
5,191
   
5,960
 
Mario Covo 
   
5,191
   
0
   
2,119
   
5,191
   
5,960
 
Herminio Blanco  
   
4,186
   
0
   
2,119
   
4,186
   
5,960
 
William Hayes 
   
12,986
   
0
   
2,119
   
4,186
   
5,960
 
Maria da Graça França
   
2,341
   
0
   
0
   
2,341
   
0
 
Gonzalo Menéndez Duque 
   
7,788
   
0
   
3,179
   
7,788
   
8,942
 
Total
   
44,874
   
0
   
13,774
   
34,074
   
38,742
 
______________________ 
 
(1)
Includes Class E shares held under the Board Restricted Stock Plan.
(2)
Under the Board Restricted Stock Plan, directors receiving restricted shares will have all the rights of stockholders of the Bank, except that all such shares will be subject to restrictions on transferability, which will lapse on the fifth anniversary of the award date.
(3)
5,191 Class E shares corresponding to Mr. Güémez’s entitlement under the Board Restricted Stock Plan have been issued to his employer, Banco de Mexico. In addition, an aggregate number of 2,119 stock options to which Mr. Güémez was entitled under the 2006 Stock Option Plan have been granted to Banco de Mexico.
(4)
Mr. Santiago Perdomo served as a director until April 14, 2008.
(5)
2,341 Class E shares corresponding to Mr. Rabelo’s entitlement under the Board Restricted Stock Plan have been issued to his employer, Banco do Brasil.

For additional information regarding stock options granted to executive officers and directors, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 14.
 
C. Board Practices 
 
Corporate Governance
 
The Board has decided not to constitute a corporate governance committee. Given the importance that corporate governance has for the Bank, the Board decided to address all matters related to corporate governance at the Board level and the Audit and Compliance Committee is responsible for promoting continued improvement in the Bank’s corporate governance and to verify compliance with all applicable policies.
 
The Bank has included the information regarding its corporate governance practices necessary to comply with Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual/Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) on its website (www.bladex.com/InvestorsCenter/Corporate Governance). Additionally, the Bank’s website (under “Corporate Governance”) provides a summary of the significant differences between corporate governance practices commonly used by the Bank and other public companies in Panama and the NYSE Standards for U.S. domestic companies.
 
Shareholders, employees of the Bank, and other interested parties may communicate directly with the Board by corresponding to the address below. Relevant correspondence will be discussed at the next scheduled meeting of the Board, or as indicated by the urgency of the matter.
 
Attn: Board of Directors of Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S.A.
c/o Mr. Gonzalo Menéndez Duque
Director & Chairman of the Board of Directors
Calle 50 and Aquilino de la Guardia
P.O. Box 0819-08730
Panama City, Republic of Panama
 
In addition, Bladex has selected EthicsPoint, an on-line reporting system, to provide stockholders, employees of the Bank, and other interested parties with an alternative channel to report anonymously actual or possible violations of the Bank’s Code of Ethics, as well as other work-related situations or irregular or suspicious transactions, accounting matters, internal audit or accounting controls. In order to file a report, a link is provided in the Bank’s website (www.bladex.com/Investors Center/Corporate Governance) under “Corporate Governance - Private Filing of Reports”.

48

 
Information as to Non-Executive Officers of the Board (“Dignatarios”)
 
The following table sets forth the names, countries of citizenship, and ages of the Bank’s non-executive officers (“Dignatarios”), and their current office or position with other institutions. Dignatarios are elected annually by the members of the Board. Dignatarios attend meetings of the Board, participate in discussions and offer advice and counsel to the Board, but do not have the power to vote (unless they also are directors of the Bank).

Name
 
Country of Citizenship
 
Position held by Dignatario
with the Bank
 
Age
Gonzalo Menéndez Duque 1
Director
Banco de Chile, Chile
 
Chile
 
Chairman of the Board
 
59
Maria da Graça França
 
Brazil
 
Treasurer
 
59
Ricardo Manuel Arango 
Partner
Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega
 
Panama
 
Secretary
 
47
______________________ 
 
1 Mr. Gonzalo Menéndez Duque was re-elected Chairman in April 2008 by the Board.

Committees of the Board of Directors
 
The Board conducts its business through meetings of the Board and through its committees. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Board held eleven meetings. Each director attended an average of 98% of the total number of Board meetings held during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. Each director also attended the prior year’s annual meeting.
 
The following table sets forth the five committees established by the Board, the current number of members of each committee and the total number of meetings held by each committee during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007:
 
Committee
 
Number of members
 
Total number of meetings held
 
Audit and Compliance Committee
   
4
   
10
 
Credit Policy and Risk Assessment Committee
   
5
   
5
 
Assets and Liabilities Committee
   
5
   
12
 
Nomination and Compensation Committee
   
4
   
5
 
Business Committee1
   
5
   
0
 
______________________ 
 
1 Established in February of 2008.

The Bank has included the charters of its four committees established by the Board on its website at www.bladex.com/Investors Center/Corporate Governance/Committees of the Board of Directors-Charters.
 
 
Audit and Compliance Committee
 
The Audit and Compliance Committee is a standing committee of the Board. According to its Charter, the Audit and Compliance Committee must be comprised of at least three independent directors. As of April 15, 2008 the current members of the Audit and Compliance Committee are Will C. Wood (Chairman of the Committee), Gonzalo Menéndez Duque, Maria da Graça França and Roberto Feletti.
 
The Board has determined that all members of the Audit and Compliance Committee are independent directors, as defined under the terms defined by applicable laws and regulations, including rules promulgated by the SEC under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 303A of the rules of the NYSE, and Agreement No. 04-2001 of the Superintendency of Banks. In addition, at least one of the members of the committee is a “financial expert,” as defined in the rules enacted by the SEC under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Audit and Compliance Committee’s financial expert is Gonzalo Menéndez Duque.
 
The purpose of the Audit and Compliance Committee is to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding the processing of the Bank’s financial information, the integrity of the Bank’s financial statements, the Bank’s system of internal controls over financial reporting, the process of internal and external audit, the Bank’s corporate governance, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the Bank’s Code of Ethics.

49

 
 
The Audit and Compliance Committee meets at least six times a year, as required by the Superintendency of Banks, or more often if the circumstances so require. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Audit and Compliance Committee met ten times.
 
The Audit and Compliance Committee, in its capacity as a committee of the Board, is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the Bank’s independent auditors, including the resolution of disagreements regarding financial reporting between the Bank’s management and such independent auditors. The Bank’s independent auditors are required to report directly to the Audit and Compliance Committee.
 
The Audit and Compliance Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services. The Charter of the Audit and Compliance Committee requires an annual self-evaluation of the committee’s performance. The Audit and Compliance Committee’s Charter may be found on the Bank’s website at www.bladex.com/Investors Center/Corporate Governance/Committees of the Board of Directors-Charters.
 
See Item 16A, “Audit and Compliance Committee Financial Expert” and Item 16C, “Principal Accountant Fees and Services”.
 
Credit Policy and Risk Assessment Committee (“CPER”)
 
The CPER is a standing committee of the Board. No member of the CPER can be an employee of the Bank. The Board has determined that all members of the CPER are independent. The current members of the CPER are Guillermo Güémez García (Chairman), Gonzalo Menéndez Duque, Will C. Wood, Herminio Blanco, and José Maria Rabelo.
 
The CPER is in charge of reviewing and recommending to the Board all credit policies and procedures related to the management of the Bank’s risks. It also reviews the quality and profile of the Bank’s credit facilities, and the risk levels that the Bank is willing to assume. The CPER’s responsibilities also include, among others, the review of operational and legal risks, the presentation for Board approval of country limits and limits exceeding delegated authority, and the approval of exemptions to credit policies.
 
The CPER performs its duties through the review of periodic reports from Risk Management, and by way of its interaction with the Chief Risk Officer and other members of the Bank’s management team. The CPER meets at least four times per year. During the fiscal period ended December 31, 2007, the CPER held five meetings.
 
The Credit Policy and Risk Assessment Committee’s Charter may be found on the Bank’s website at www.bladex.com/Investors Center/Corporate Governance/Committees of the Board of Directors-Charters.
 
Assets and Liabilities Committee
 
The Assets and Liabilities Committee is a standing committee of the Board. No member of the Assets and Liabilities Committee can be an employee of the Bank. The Board has determined that all members of the Assets and Liabilities Committee are independent directors. The current members of the Assets and Liabilities Committee are Mario Covo (Chairman), Herminio Blanco, Guillermo Güémez García, William Hayes, and José Maria Rabelo.
 
The Assets and Liabilities Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending to the Board all policies and procedures related to the Bank’s management of assets and liabilities to meet profitability, liquidity, and market risk control objectives. As part of its responsibilities, the committee reviews and recommends to the Board, among others, policies related to the Bank’s funding, interest rate and liquidity gaps, investment of liquidity, derivative positions, funding strategies, and market risk.
 
The Assets and Liabilities Committee carries out its duties by reviewing periodic reports that it receives from management, and by way of its interaction with the Executive Vice President-Senior Managing Director, Treasury & Capital Markets and other members of the Bank’s management team. The committee meets at least four times per year. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the committee held twelve meetings.
 
The Assets and Liabilities Committee’s Charter may be found on the Bank’s website at www.bladex.com/Investors Center/Corporate Governance/Committees of the Board of Directors-Charters.
 
50


Nomination and Compensation Committee
 
The Nomination and Compensation Committee is a standing committee of the Board. No member of the Nomination and Compensation Committee can be an employee of the Bank. The Board has determined that all members of the Nomination and Compensation Committee are independent, under the terms defined by applicable laws and regulations, including rules promulgated by the SEC under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 303A of the rules of the NYSE, and Agreement No.04-2001 of the Superintendency of Banks. As of April 15, 2008, the current members of the Nomination and Compensation Committee are Maria da Graça França (Chairman), Mario Covo, William Hayes, and Roberto Feletti.
 
The Nomination and Compensation Committee meets at least four times per year. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the committee held five meetings.
 
The Nomination and Compensation Committee’s primary responsibilities are to assist the Board by identifying candidates to become Board members, and recommending nominees for the annual meetings of stockholders; by making recommendations to the Board concerning candidates for Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers and counseling on succession planning for executive officers; by recommending compensation for Board members and committee members, including cash and equity compensation; by recommending compensation for executive officers and employees of the Bank, including cash and equity compensation, and policies for senior management and employee benefit programs and plans; and by reviewing and recommending changes to the Bank’s Code of Ethics; and by advising executive officers on issues related to the Bank’s personnel.
 
The Nomination and Compensation Committee will consider qualified director candidates recommended by stockholders. All director candidates will be evaluated in the same manner regardless of how they are recommended, including recommendations by stockholders. For director nominees, the committee considers candidate qualifications and other factors, including, but not limited to, diversity in background and experience, industry knowledge, educational level and the needs of the Bank. Stockholders can mail any such recommendations and an explanation of the qualifications of such candidates to the Secretary of the Bank at Calle 50 and Aquilino de la Guardia, P.O. Box 0819-08730, Panama City, Republic of Panama.
 
The Charter of the Nomination and Compensation Committee requires an annual self-evaluation of the committee’s performance.
 
The Nomination and Compensation Committee’s Charter may be found on the Bank’s website at www.bladex.com/Investors Center/Corporate Governance/Committees of the Board of Directors-Charters.
 
Mr. Rivera is the only executive officer that serves as a member of the Board. None of the Bank’s executive officers serves as a director or a member of the Nomination and Compensation Committee, or any other committee serving an equivalent function, of any other entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of the Board or the Nomination and Compensation Committee. None of the members of the Nomination and Compensation Committee has ever been an employee of the Bank.
 
Business Committee
 
The Business Committee is a standing committee of the Board that was established in February 2008. The Board has determined that all members of the Business Committee are independent directors. The current members of the Business Committee are William Hayes (Chairman), Gonzalo Menéndez Duque, Mario Covo, Herminio Blanco and José Maria Rabelo.
 
The Business Committee is primarily responsible for reviewing commercial and treasury business development and providing strategic guidance.
 
The Business Committee carries out its duties by supporting the business divisions in the achievement of their business objectives, following up on business strategies articulated by the Board of Directors, evaluating new business ideas and their profitability and focusing on continued improvement in business efficiency through adequate management of capital and resources. The committee will meet at least four times per year.
 
The Business Committee’s Charter, once approved in its final form by the Board, will be found on the Bank’s website at www.bladex.com/Investors Center/Corporate Governance/Committees of the Board of Directors-Charters.
 
51

 
Advisory Council
 
The Advisory Council was created by the Board in April 2000 pursuant to the powers granted to the Board under the Bank’s Articles of Incorporation. The duties of Advisory Council members consist primarily of providing advice to the Board with respect to the business of the Bank in their areas of expertise. Each member of the Advisory Council receives $5,000 for each Advisory Council meeting attended. The aggregate amount of fees for services rendered by the Advisory Council during 2007 amounted to $15,000. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Advisory Council met once. The Advisory Council meets when convened by the Board.
 
The following table sets forth the names, positions, countries of citizenship and ages of the members of the Advisory Council of the Bank.
 
Name 
 
Position
 
Country of Citizenship
 
Age
 
Roberto Teixeira da Costa
   
Board Member
Sul America, S.A.
   
Brazil
   
73
 
Carlos Martabit
   
General Manager, Finance Division
Banco del Estado de Chile
   
Chile
   
54
 
Alberto Motta, Jr
   
President
Inversiones Bahía Ltd.
   
Panama
   
61
 
Enrique Cornejo
   
Secretary
Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation, Peru
   
Peru
   
51
 
Santiago Perdomo (1)
   
President
Banco Colpatria - Red Multibanca Colpatria
   
Colombia
   
50
 

(1) As of April 15, 2008, Mr. Perdomo was included as part of the Advisory Council.
 
D. Employees 
 
As of December 31, 2007, the total number of permanent employees was 188, which were geographically distributed as follows: Head Office in Panama: 157; New York Agency: 8; Bladex Asset Management: 3; Representative Office in Argentina: 3; Representative Office in Brazil: 10; Representative Office in Mexico: 4; and an International Administrative Office in Miami: 3.
 
E. Share Ownership 
 
See Item 6, “Directors, Senior Management and Employees/Compensation/Beneficial Ownership”.
 
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
 
A. Major Shareholders 
 
As of December 31, 2007, the Bank was not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or any foreign government, and no person was the registered owner of more than 10% of the total outstanding shares of voting capital stock of the Bank.
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the Bank’s stockholders that are the beneficial owners of 5% or more of any one class of the Bank’s voting stock at December 31, 2007:
 
52

 
   
At December 31, 2007
 
   
Number of Shares
 
% of Class
 
% of Total
 
Class A
             
Banco de la Nación Argentina
Bartolomé Mitre 326
1036 Buenos Aires, Argentina
   
1,045,348.00
   
16.5
   
2.9
 
Banco do Brasil1 
SBS Cuadra 1-Bloco A
CEP 70.0070-100
Brasilia, Brazil 
   
974,551.00
   
15.4
   
2.7
 
Banco de Comercio Exterior de Colombia
Edif. Centro de Comercio Internacional
Calle 28 No. 13A-15
Bogotá, Colombia
   
488,547.00
   
7.7
   
1.3
 
Banco de la Nación (Perú)
Ave. Republica de Panamá 3664
San Isidro, Lima, Perú
   
446,556.00
   
7.0
   
1.2
 
Banco Central del Paraguay
Federación Rusa y Sargento Marecos
Asunción, Paraguay
   
434,658.00
   
6.9
   
1.2
 
Banco Central del Ecuador
Ave. Amazonas entre Juan Pablo Sanz y Atahualpa
Quito, Ecuador
   
431,217.00
   
6.8
   
1.2
 
Banco del Estado de Chile
Ave. Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins 1111
Santiago, Chile
   
323,412.75
         
5.1
   
0.9
 
Sub-total shares of Class A Common Stock
   
4,144,289.75
   
65.4
%
 
11.4
%
Total Shares of Class A Common Stock
   
6,342,189.16
   
100.0
%    
 
17.4
%
                     
Class B
   
Number of Shares
   
% of Class
   
% of Total
 
Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires.
San Martin 137
C1004AAC Buenos Aires, Argentina
   
884,460.98
   
33.2
   
2.4
 
Banco de la Nación Argentina
Bartolomé Mitre 326
1036 Buenos Aires, Argentina
   
295,944.50
   
11.1
   
0.8
 
The Korea Exchange Bank
181, Euljiro 2GA
Jengu, Seoul, Korea
   
147,172.50
   
5.5
   
0.4
 
Sub-total shares of Class B Common Stock
   
1,327,577.98
   
49.8
%
 
3.6
%
Total Shares of Class B Common Stock
   
2,660,846.63
   
100.0
%
 
7.3
%
                     
Class E 2
   
Number of Shares
   
% of Class
   
% of Total
 
Oppenheimer Funds Inc
6803 South Tucson Way
Centennial, Colorado 80112-3924
   
3,588,615.00
   
13.1
   
9.9
 
Brandes Investment Partners, LP
11988 El Camino Real, Suite 500
San Diego, California 92130
   
3,403,361.00
   
12.4
   
9.4
 
Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105-4300
   
2,480,070.00
   
9.1
   
6.8
 
Mondrian Investment Partners Ltd
5th Floor, 10 Gresham Street
London, EC2V 7JD
   
1,862,300.00
   
6.8
   
5.1
 
Sub-total shares of Class E Common Stock
   
11,334,346.00
   
41.4
%
 
31.2
%
Total Shares of Class E Common Stock
   
27,367,113.00
   
100.0
%
 
75.2
%
                     
Total Shares of Common Stock
   
36,370,148.79
         
100.0
%
 

1 Does not include an aggregate of 2,341 Class E shares corresponding to Mr. José Maria Rabelo’s entitlement under the Board Restricted Stock Plan issued to his employer, Banco do Brasil.
2  Source: Schedule 13F filings with the SEC dated December 31, 2007.

53

 
All common shares have the same rights and privileges regardless of their class, except that:
 
 
·
The affirmative vote of three-quarters (3/4) of the issued and outstanding Class A shares is required (1) to dissolve and liquidate the Bank, (2) to amend certain material provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, (3) to merge or consolidate the Bank with another entity and (4) to authorize the Bank to engage in activities other than those described in its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation;
 
·
The Class E shares are freely transferable, while the Class A shares and Class B shares can only be transferred to qualified holders;
 
·
The Class B shares may be converted into Class E shares;
 
·
The holders of Class A shares and Class B shares benefit from pre-emptive rights, but the holders of Class E shares do not; and
   ·  All classes vote separately for their respective Directors.
 
B. Related Party Transactions 
 
Certain directors of the Bank are executive officers and/or directors of banks and/or other financial institutions located in Latin America, the Caribbean and elsewhere. Some of these banks and/or other financial institutions own shares of the Bank’s common stock and have entered into loan transactions with the Bank in the ordinary course of business. The terms and conditions of such loan transactions, including interest rates and collateral requirements, are substantially the same as the terms and conditions of comparable loan transactions entered into with other persons under similar market conditions. As a matter of policy, directors of the Bank do not participate in the approval process for credit facilities extended to institutions of which they are executive officers or directors nor do they participate with respect to decisions regarding country exposure limits in countries in which such institutions are domiciled.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Bank did not have any outstanding credit facility with related parties as defined by the Superintendency of Banks.
 
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
Item 8. Financial Information
 
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
 
 The information included in Item 18 of this Annual Report is referred to and incorporated by reference into this Item 8.A.

Dividends
 
The Board’s policy is to declare and distribute quarterly cash dividends on the Bank’s common stock, and, from time to time has declared special dividends to its stockholders. Dividends are declared at the Board’s discretion.
 
The following table shows information about common dividends paid on the dates indicated.
 
Payment date
 
Record date
 
Dividend per share
 
January 18, 2007
   
January 8, 2007
 
$
0.19
 
April 10, 2007
   
March 30, 2007
 
$
0.22
 
July 6, 2007
   
June 26, 2007
 
$
0.22
 
October 5, 2007
   
September 25, 2007
 
$
0.22
 
January 17, 2008
   
January 7, 2008
 
$
0.22
 
April 4, 2008
   
March 25, 2008
 
$
0.22
 
 
On February 2007, the Board declared an increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.1875 per share to $0.22 per share.
 
54

 
The following table shows information about preferred dividends paid on the dates indicated.
 
Payment date
 
Record date
 
Dividend per share
 
May 17, 2004
   
April 30, 2004
 
$
0.40
 
November 15, 2004
   
November 8, 2004
 
$
1.90
 
May 16, 2005
   
April 29, 2005
 
$
2.15
 
November 15, 2005
   
October 31, 2005
 
$
2.18
 
May 15, 2006
   
April 28, 2006
 
$
2.22
 

B. Significant Changes
 
Not applicable
 
Item 9. The Offer and Listing 
 
A. Offer and Listing Details 
 
The Bank’s Class E shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BLX”. The following table shows the high and low sales prices of the Class E shares on the NYSE for the periods indicated.
 
   
Price per Class E Share (in $)
 
   
High
 
Low
 
2003
   
19.95
   
4.01
 
2004
   
20.00
   
14.00
 
2005
   
25.50
   
15.34
 
2006
   
18.70
   
14.59
 
2007
   
23.17
   
15.52
 
               
2006:
             
First Quarter
   
18.70
   
15.65
 
Second Quarter
   
17.44
   
14.59
 
Third Quarter
   
16.90
   
15.38
 
Fourth Quarter
   
17.05
   
15.10
 
2007:
             
First Quarter
   
17.12
   
15.52
 
Second Quarter
   
21.60
   
16.50
 
Third Quarter
   
23.17
   
16.53
 
Fourth Quarter
   
21.29
   
15.81
 
2008:
   
 
       
First Quarter
   
16.53
   
13.33
 
2007:
             
December
   
18.76
   
15.81
 
2008:
             
March
   
16.53
   
14.33
 
February
   
16.34
   
13.44
 
March
   
15.94
   
13.33
 
April
   
19.46
   
15.50
 
May
   
19.14
   
16.39
 
 
B. Plan of Distribution
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
C. Markets 
 
The Bank’s Class A shares and Class B shares were sold in private placements or sold in connection with the Bank’s 2003 rights offering, are not listed on any exchange and are not publicly traded. The Bank’s Class E shares, which constitute the only class of shares publicly traded (on the NYSE), represent approximately 75% of the total shares of the Bank’s common stock issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007. The Bank’s Class B shares are convertible into Class E shares on a one to one basis.
 
D. Selling Shareholders
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
55

 
E. Dilution
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
F. Expenses of the Issue
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
Item 10. Additional Information 
 
A. Share Capital
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association 
 
The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the SEC on February 24, 2003, and Item 10.B of the Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the SEC on June 23, 2005 are referred to and incorporated by reference into this Item 10.B.
 
C. Material Contracts 
 
The Bank has not entered into any material contract outside the ordinary course of business during the two-year period immediately preceding the date of this Annual Report. See Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 17.
 
D. Exchange Controls 
 
Currently, there are no Panamanian restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls, and no restrictions on the payment of dividends or interest, nor are there limitations on the rights of foreign stockholders to hold or vote stock.
 
E. Taxation 
 
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal and Panamanian tax matters that may be relevant with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Class E shares. Prospective purchasers of Class E shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the United States, Panamanian or other tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Class E shares.
 
This summary does not address the consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of Class A or Class B shares.
 
United States Taxes
 
This summary describes the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Class E shares, but does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to holders of Class E shares. This summary applies only to current holders that hold Class E shares as capital assets and does not address classes of holders that are subject to special treatment under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), such as dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions, tax-exempt entities, regulated investment companies, insurance companies, securities traders that elect mark-to-market tax accounting, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, certain U.S. expatriates, persons holding Class E shares as part of a hedging, constructive ownership or conversion transaction or a straddle, holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or a holder that owns 10% or more (directly, indirectly or constructively) of the voting shares of the Bank.
 
This summary is based upon the Code, existing, temporary and proposed regulations promulgated there under, judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements, as all in effect on the date of this Annual Report and which are subject to change (possibly on a retroactive basis) and to differing interpretations. Purchasers or holders of Class E shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Class E shares in their particular circumstances.
 
56


As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” refers to a beneficial holder of Class E shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (1) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation, or an entity treated as a corporation, organized or created in or under the laws of the U.S. or any political subdivision thereof, (3) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation without regard to the source of its income, (4) a trust, if both (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and (B) one or more U.S. persons (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or a trust that has made a valid election under U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a domestic trust, and (5) any holder otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis with respect to Class E shares (including a non-resident alien individual or foreign corporation that holds, or is deemed to hold, any Class E share in connection with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business). If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of Class E shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder of Class E shares that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Class E shares.
 
Taxation of Distributions
 
Subject to the “Passive Foreign Investment Company Status” discussion below, to the extent paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Bank as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles (“earnings and profits”), distributions made with respect to Class E shares (other than certain pro rata distributions of capital stock of the Bank or rights to subscribe for shares of capital stock of the Bank) will be includable in income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary dividend income in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes whether paid in cash or Class E shares. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the Bank’s earnings and profits, such distribution will be treated, first, as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class E shares and will reduce the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such shares, and thereafter as a capital gain from the sale or disposition of Class E shares. See Item 10, “Additional Information/Taxation/United States Taxes-Taxation of Capital Gains”. The amount of the distribution will equal the gross amount of the distribution received by the U.S. Holder, including any Panamanian taxes withheld from such distribution.
 
Distributions made with respect to Class E shares out of earnings and profits generally will be treated as dividend income from sources outside the United States. U.S. Holders that are corporations will not be entitled to the “dividends received deduction” under Section 243 of the Code with respect to such dividends. Dividends may be eligible for the special 15% rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” received by an individual, provided, that (1) the Bank is not a “passive foreign investment company” in the year in which the dividend is paid nor in the immediately preceding year, (2) the class of stock with respect to which the dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S., and (3) the U.S. Holder held his shares for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days prior to the ex-dividend date and meets other holding period requirements. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, Panamanian tax withheld from dividends will be treated as a foreign income tax eligible for deduction from taxable income or as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Distributions of dividend income made with respect to Class E shares generally will be treated as “passive” income or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, “general category income,” for purposes of computing a U.S. Holder’s U.S. foreign tax credit.
 
Less than 25 percent of the Bank’s gross income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and the Bank expects this to remain true. If this remains the case, a holder of Class E shares that is not a U.S. Holder (a “non-U.S. Holder”) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on distributions received on Class E shares that are treated as dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Special rules may apply in the case of non-U.S. Holders (1) that are engaged in a U.S. trade or business, (2) that are former citizens or long-term residents of the United States, “controlled foreign corporations,” corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, and certain foreign charitable organizations, each within the meaning of the Code, or (3) certain non-resident alien individuals who are present in the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year. Such persons should consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. federal income or other tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Class E shares.

57

 
Taxation of Capital Gains
 
Subject to the “Passive Foreign Investment Company Status” discussion below, gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of Class E shares will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class E shares and the amount realized on the disposition. Such gain will be treated as long-term capital gain if the Class E shares are held by the U.S. Holder for more than one year at the time of the sale or other disposition. Otherwise, the gain will be treated as a short-term capital gain. Gain realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of Class E shares generally will be treated as U.S. source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, unless the gain is attributable to an office or fixed place of business maintained by the U.S. Holder outside the United States or is recognized by an individual whose tax home is outside the United States, and certain other conditions are met. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, capital losses are subject to limitations on deductibility. As a general rule, U.S. Holders that are corporations can use capital losses for a taxable year only to offset capital gains in that year. A corporation may be entitled to carry back unused capital losses to the three preceding tax years and to carry over losses to the five following tax years. In the case of non-corporate U.S. Holders, capital losses in a taxable year are deductible to the extent of any capital gains plus ordinary income of up to $3,000. Unused capital losses of non-corporate U.S. Holders may be carried over indefinitely.
 
A non-U.S. Holder of Class E shares will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale or other disposition of Class E shares. However, special rules may apply in the case of non-U.S. Holders (1) that are engaged in a U.S. trade or business, (2) that are former citizens or long-term residents of the United States, “controlled foreign corporations,” corporations which accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, and certain foreign charitable organizations, each within the meaning of the Code, or (3) certain non-resident alien individuals who are present in the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year. Such persons should consult their own tax advisors as to the United States or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Class E shares.
 
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status
 
Under the Code, certain rules apply to an entity classified as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”). A PFIC is defined as any foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation if either (1) 75% or more of its gross income for the taxable year is passive income (generally including, among other types of income, dividends, interest and gains from the sale of stock and securities) or (2) 50% or more of its assets (by value) produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. The Code provides an exception for foreign institutions in the active conduct of a banking business, provided the institution is licensed to do business in the United States. Under proposed regulations, the exception is extended to a foreign corporation that is not licensed to do business as a bank in the United States so long as such foreign corporation is an “active foreign bank.” Based on its current and intended method of operations as described herein, the Bank believes that it is not a PFIC under current U.S. federal income tax law because it is eligible for the exception available to active foreign banks in the Code and the proposed regulations. The Bank intends to continue to operate in a manner that will entitle the Bank to rely upon that exception to avoid classification as a PFIC.
 
If the Bank were to become a PFIC for purposes of the Code, unless a U.S. Holder makes the election described below, a U.S. Holder generally will be subject to a special tax charge with respect to (a) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of Class E shares and (b) any “excess distribution” by the Bank to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions including return of capital distributions, received by the U.S. Holder on the Class E shares in a taxable year that are greater than 125 percent of the average annual distributions received by the U.S. Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period). Under these rules (1) the gain or excess distribution would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class E shares, (2) the amount allocated to the current taxable year would be treated as ordinary income, (3) the amount allocated to each prior year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for that year; and (4) an interest charge at the rate generally applicable to underpayments of tax would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such prior year. For purposes of the foregoing rules, a U.S. Holder of Class E shares that uses such stock as security for a loan will be treated as having disposed of such stock.
 
58


If the Bank were a PFIC, U.S. Holders of interests in a holder of Class E shares may be treated as indirect holders of their proportionate share of the Class E shares and may be taxed on their proportionate share of any excess distributions or gain attributable to the Class E shares. An indirect holder also must treat an appropriate portion of its gain on the sale or disposition of its interest in the actual holder as gain on the sale of Class E shares.
 
If the Bank were to become a PFIC, a U.S. Holder could make an election, provided the Bank complies with certain reporting requirements, to have the Bank treated, with respect to such U.S. Holder, as a “qualified electing fund” (hereinafter referred to as a “QEF election”), in which case, the electing U.S. Holder would be required to include annually in gross income the U.S. Holder’s proportionate share of the Bank’s ordinary earnings and net capital gains, whether or not such amounts are actually distributed. If the Bank were to become a PFIC, the Bank intends to so notify each U.S. Holder and to comply with all reporting requirements necessary for a U.S. Holder to make a QEF election and will provide to record U.S. Holders of Class E shares such information as may be required to make such QEF election.
 
If the Bank is a PFIC in any year, a U.S. Holder that beneficially owns Class E shares during such year must make an annual return on Internal Revenue Service Form 8621, which describes the income received (or deemed to be received if a QEF election is in effect) from the Bank. The Bank will, if applicable, provide all information necessary for a U.S. Holder of record to make an annual return on Form 8621.
 
A U.S. Holder that owns certain “marketable stock” in a PFIC may elect to mark-to-market such stock and, subject to certain exceptions, include in income any gain (increases in market value) or loss (decreases in market value to the extent of prior gains recognized) realized as ordinary income or loss to avoid the adverse consequences described above. U.S. Holders of Class E shares are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the consequences of owning stock in a PFIC and whether such U.S. Holder would be eligible to make either of the aforementioned elections to mitigate the adverse effects of such consequences.
 
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
 
Each U.S. payor making payments in respect of Class E shares will generally be required to provide the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with certain information, including the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner of Class E shares, and the aggregate amount of dividends paid to such beneficial owner during the calendar year. Under the backup withholding rules, a holder may be subject to backup withholding at a current rate of 28% with respect to proceeds received on the sale or exchange of Class E shares within the United States by non-corporate U.S. Holders and to dividends paid, unless such holder (1) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories (including securities broker-dealers, other financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, qualified pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts), and, when required, demonstrates this fact or (2) provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Non-U.S. Holders are generally exempt from information reporting and backup withholding, but may be required to provide a properly completed Form W-8BEN (or other similar form) or otherwise comply with applicable certification and identification procedures in order to prove their exemption. This backup withholding tax is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld from a payment to a holder of Class E shares will be refunded (or credited against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any) provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
There is no income tax treaty between Panama and the United States.
 
Panamanian Taxes
 
The following is a summary of the principal Panamanian tax consequences arising in connection with the ownership and disposition of the Bank’s Class E shares. This summary is based upon the laws and regulations of Panama, as well as court precedents and interpretative rulings, in effect as of the date of this Annual Report, all of which are subject to prospective and retroactive change.

59

 
General Principle
 
The Bank is exempt from income tax in Panama under a special exemption granted to the Bank pursuant to Law 38 of July 25, 1978. In addition, under general rules of income tax in Panama, only income that is deemed to be Panama source income is subject to taxation in Panama. Accordingly, since the Bank’s income is derived primarily from sources outside of Panama and is not deemed to be Panama source income, even in the absence of such a special exemption, the Bank would have limited income tax liability in Panama.
 
Taxation of Distributions
 
Dividends whether cash or in kind, paid by the Bank in respect of its shares are also exempt from dividend tax or other withholding under the aforementioned special legislation. If such special legislation did not exist, Panama would impose a 10% withholding tax on dividends or distributions paid in respect of the Bank’s registered shares to the extent such dividends are paid from income derived by the Bank from Panamanian sources.
 
Taxation of Capital Gains
 
Inasmuch as the Bank’s Class E shares are listed on the NYSE, any capital gains realized by an individual or a corporation, regardless of its nationality or residency, on the sale or other disposition outside of Panama, would be exempted from capital gains taxes or any other taxes in Panama.
 
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
G. Statement by Experts
 
Not required in this Annual Report.
 
H. Documents on Display
 
Upon written or oral request, the Bank will provide without charge to each person to whom this Annual Report is delivered, a copy of any or all of the documents listed as exhibits to this Annual Report (other than exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents). Written requests for copies should be directed to the attention of Mr. Jaime Celorio, Chief Financial Officer, Bladex, as follows: (i) if by regular mail, to P.O. Box 0819-08730, Panama City, Republic of Panama, and (ii) if by courier, to Calle 50 y Aquilino de la Guardia, Panama City, Republic of Panama. Telephone requests may be directed to Mr. Celorio at 011-507-210-8563. Written requests may also be faxed to Mr. Celorio at 011-507-269-6333 or sent via e-mail to jcelorio@bladex.com. Information is also available on the Bank’s website at: www.bladex.com.
 
I. Subsidiary Information
 
Not applicable
 
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk 
 
The Bank’s risk management policies, as approved by the Board from time to time, are designed to identify and control the Bank’s credit and market risks by establishing and monitoring appropriate limits on the Bank’s credit and market exposures. Certain members of the Board constitute the Assets and Liabilities Committee, which meets on a regular basis and monitors and controls the risks in each specific area. At the management level, the Bank has a Risk Management Department that measures and controls the credit and market exposure of the Bank.
 
The Bank’s businesses are subject to market risk. The components of market risk are interest rate risk inherent in the Bank’s balance sheet, price risk in the Bank’s principal investment portfolio and market value risk in the Bank’s trading portfolios. For quantitative information relating to the Bank’s interest rate risk and information relating to the Bank’s management of interest rate risk, see Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects/Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 2 (q)  and 18.
 
60


For information regarding derivative financial instruments see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, notes 2 (q) and 18. For information regarding investment securities, see Item 4, “Information on the Company/Business Overview/Investment Securities”, and Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 5.
 
 
The table below lists for each of the years 2008 to 2012 the notional amounts and weighted interest rates, as of December 31, 2007, for derivative financial instruments and other financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates: the Bank’s investment securities, loans, borrowings and placements, interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps, forward currency exchange agreements, and trading assets and liabilities.
 
 
  Expected maturity dates 
   
2008 
 
2009 
   
2010 
   
2011 
   
2012 
   
There-
after 
   
Without
Maturity 
   
Total
2007 
   
Fair Value
2007 
 
   
 ($ Equivalent in thousand) 
 
NON-TRADING
                                                   
ASSETS
                                                   
Investment Securities
                                                   
Fixed rate
                                                   
US Dollars
 
15,000
 
24,000
   
40,000
   
33,296
   
30,000
   
245,700
         
387,996
   
437,038
 
Average fixed rate
 
4.38
% 
8.69
%
 
7.63
%
 
9.24
%
 
9.79
%
 
9.18
%
       
8.86
%
     
Variable rate
                                                   
US Dollars
 
5,000
       
11,000
         
5,000
   
10,000
         
31,000
   
31,322
 
Average variable rate
 
5.82
%       
6.29
%
       
5.72
%
 
6.68
%
       
6.25
%
     
Loans
                                                   
Fixed rate
                                                   
US Dollars
 
1,661,392
 
1,949
   
34,245
   
21,886
   
20,806
   
1,966
         
1,742,244
   
1,708,544
 
Average fixed rate
 
6.05
% 
7.06
%
 
7.42
%
 
7.07
%
 
6.29
%
 
7.03
%
       
6.09
%
     
Mexican Peso
 
30,334
 
33,564
   
37,143
   
12,255
                     
113,296
   
125,160
 
Average fixed rate
 
10.15
% 
10.17
%
 
10.18
%
 
9.32
%
                   
10.08
%
     
Variable rate
                                                   
US Dollars
 
813,945
 
362,788
   
195,486
   
200,230
   
205,084
   
75,347
         
1,852,880
   
1,819,231
 
Average variable rate
 
6.16
% 
6.44
%
 
6.64
%
 
6.31
%
 
6.37
%
 
6.97
%
       
6.34
%
     
Mexican Peso
 
18,322
                                     
18,322
   
16,984
 
Average variable rate
 
9.89
%                                     
9.89
%
     
Euro
 
1,091
 
1,354
   
1,648
   
820
   
183
               
5,096
   
5,059
 
Average variable rate
 
4.89
% 
5.01
%
 
4.91
%
 
5.12
%
 
5.58
%
             
4.99
%
     
LIABILITIES
                                                   
Borrowings and Placements (1)
                                               
Fixed rate
                                                   
US Dollars
 
1,267,300
 
35,000
   
30,203
                           
1,332,503
   
1,333,315
 
Average fixed rate
 
5.31
% 
5.03
%
 
4.52
%
                         
5.28
%
     
Mexican Peso
 
32,783
 
32,783
   
32,782
   
11,227
                     
109,575
   
122,157
 
Average fixed rate
 
8.31
% 
8.31
%
 
8.31
%
 
8.23
%
                   
8.30
%
     
Peruvian Soles
                             
41,048
         
41,048
   
40,442
 
Average fixed rate
                             
6.50
%
       
6.50
%
     
Variable rate
                                                   
US Dollars
 
594,710
 
103,000
   
184,190
         
150,000
               
1,031,900
   
1,032,209
 
Average variable rate
 
5.52
% 
5.41
%
 
5.47
%
       
5.32
%
             
5.47
%
     
DERIVATIVES INSTRUMENTS
                                               
Interest Rate Swaps
                                                   
US Dollars variable to fixed
     
24,000
   
40,000
   
33,296
   
50,000
   
245,700
         
392,996
   
(14,415
)
Average pay rate
     
8.69
%
 
7.63
%
 
9.24
%
 
8.25
%
 
9.18
%
       
8.88
%
     
Average receive rate
     
8.62
%
 
7.58
%
 
9.5
%
 
8.64
%
 
9.24
%
       
8.98
%
     
Cross Currency Swaps
                                                   
Receive US Dollars
 
1,016
 
1,109
   
1,432
   
716
   
162
               
4,435
   
(622
)
US Dollars fixed rate
 
6.43
% 
6.45
%
 
6.45
%
 
6.45
%
 
6.47
%
           
6.45
%
     
Pay US Dollars
                             
41,020
         
41,020
    (857
US Dollars fixed rate
                             
5.35
%
       
5.35
%      
Pay EUR
 
1,016
 
1,109
   
1,432
   
716
   
162
               
4,435
       
EUR fixed rate
 
5.46
% 
5.49
%
 
5.48
%
 
5.51
%
 
5.58
%
             
5.49
%
     
Received Peruvian Soles
                             
41,020
         
41,020
       
Peruvian Soles fixed rate
                         
6.50
%
       
6.50
%
     
 
61

 
  Expected maturity dates 
   
2008 
 
2009 
   
2010 
   
2011 
   
2012 
   
There-
after 
   
Without
Maturity 
   
Total
2007 
   
Fair Value
2007 
 
Forward Currency Exchange Agreements
                                                   
Receive US Dollars/Pay Mexican Pesos
 
19,196
 
2,235
   
4,749
   
982
                     
27,162
   
(885
)
Average exchange rate
 
11.08
 
11.79
   
11.83
   
11.94
                     
11.30
       
Pay US Dollars/Receive Mexican Pesos
 
853
 
27
                                 
880
   
2
 
Average exchange rate
 
11.03
 
11.23
                                 
11.04
       
TRADING
                                                   
Trading Assets
                                                   
Investments in securities
                                                   
Debt securities:
                                                   
Fixed rate
                                                   
US Dollars
                             
15,000
         
15,000
   
16,097
 
Average fixed rate
                             
5.54
%
       
5.54
%
     
Equities:
                                                   
US Dollars
                                   
36,315
   
36,315
   
36,315
 
Credit default swaps
                                                   
US Dollars
 
10,000
                                     
10,000
   
20
 
Average fixed rate
 
0.8
%                                     
0.8
%
     
US Dollars
 
(10,000
)                                     
(10,000
)
 
10
 
Average fixed rate
 
1.4
%                                     
1.4
%
     
Interest rate swaps
                                                   
Brasilian Real fixed to floating
                       
50,837
               
50,837
   
155
 
Average paying rate
                       
12.8
%
             
12.8
%
     
Average receiving rate
                       
11.1
%
             
11.1
%
     
Trading Liabilities
                                                   
Securities sold short
                                                   
Fixed rate
                                                   
US Dollars
                             
31,860
         
31,860
   
31,734
 
Average fixed rate
                             
8.48
%
       
8.48
%
     
Equities:
                                                   
US Dollars
                                   
57,863
   
57,863
   
57,863
 
Forward currency exchange agreements
                                                   
Receive US Dollars/Pay Brazilian Reales
 
(171,173
)                                     
(171,173
)
 
788
 
Average exchange rate
 
1.794
                                     
1.794
       
Pay US Dollars/Receive Brazilian Reales
 
171,173
                                     
171,173
       
Average exchange rate
 
1.793
                                     
1.793
       
Receive US Dollars/Pay Mexican Pesos 
 
(20,000
)                                     
(20,000
)
 
-
 
Average exchange rate
 
10.93
                                     
10.93
       
Pay US Dollars/Receive Mexican Pesos 
 
20,000
                                     
20,000
   
-
 
Average exchange rate
 
10.93
                                     
10.93
       
Receive US Dollars/Pay Colombian Pesos
 
(89,849
)                                     
(89,849
)
 
326
 
Average exchange rate
 
2,042
                                     
2,042
       
Pay US Dollars/Receive Colombian Pesos
 
89,849
                                     
89,849
       
Average exchange rate
 
2,034
                                     
2,034
       
Receive US Dollars/Pay Chilean Pesos
 
(10,000
)                                     
(10,000
)
 
41
 
Average exchange rate
 
500
                                     
500
       
Pay US Dollars/Receive Chilean Pesos
 
10,000
                                     
10,000
       
Average exchange rate
 
500
                                     
500
       
Credit default swaps
                                                   
US Dollars
           
3,000
                           
3,000
   
13
 
Average fixed rate
           
0.50
%
                         
0.50
%
     
 
(1) Borrowings and placements include securities sold under repurchase agreements, and short and long-term borrowings and debt.
 
62


Although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods of re-pricing, they may be impacted in varying degrees to changes in market interest rates. The maturity of certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market rates, while the maturity of other types of assets and liabilities may lag behind changes in market rates. In the event of a change in interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels could deviate significantly from the maturities assumed in calculating the table above.

For information regarding the fair value disclosure of financial instruments, see Item 18, “Financial Statements”, note 20.
 
Foreign Exchange Risk Management and Sensitivity
 
The Bank accepts deposits and raises funds principally in U.S. dollars, and makes loans mostly in U.S. dollars. Currency exchange risk arises when the Bank accepts deposits or raises funds in one currency and lends or invests the proceeds in another. Whenever possible, foreign currency-denominated assets are funded with liability instruments denominated in the same currency. In those cases where assets were funded in different currencies, forward foreign exchange or cross-currency swap contracts were used to fully hedge the risk resulting from this cross currency funding. During 2007, the Bank did not hold significant open foreign exchange positions, except for trading purposes. The Fund invests in securities denominated in foreign currency as well as in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, for trading purposes. At December 31, 2007, the Bank had an equivalent of $288 million of non-dollar financial liabilities, which matched funded asset transactions in the same currency.
 
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
PART II
 
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies 
 
None.
 
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds 
 
None.
 
Item 15. Controls and Procedures 
 
a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Bank maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Such controls include those designed to ensure that information for disclosure is accumulated and communicated to the members of the Board and management, including the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The CEO and the Chief Financial Officer (the "CFO"), with the participation of management, evaluated the effectiveness of the Bank’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007. Based on such evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Bank's disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

63

 
 
b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f). With the participation and supervision of the Bank´s CEO and CFO, its management has assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007.

The assessment includes the documentation and understanding of the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting. Management evaluated the design effectiveness and tested the operational effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting to form its conclusion.

Management’s evaluation was based on criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Bank´s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the Bank´s transactions and dispositions of its assets;

(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the Bank´s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Bank´s management and the Board; and

(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Bank’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Based on the COSO criteria and the Bank´s management’s evaluation, the Bank’s management has concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.

c) Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Company's independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte Inc, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Bank's internal control over financial reporting, which is included in Item 18, “Financial Statements”, for reference.

d) Changes in Internal Controls
 
There has been no change in the Bank´s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

64


Item 16. Reserved 

Item 16A. Audit and Compliance Committee Financial Expert 
 
The Bank’s Board of Directors has determined that at least one member of the Audit and Compliance Committee is a “financial expert,” as defined in the rules enacted by the SEC under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Audit and Compliance Committee’s financial expert is Mr. Gonzalo Menéndez Duque.
 
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
 
The Bank has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Bank’s principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officers. The Bank includes the information regarding its corporate governance practices necessary to comply with Section 303A of the NYSE's Listed Company Manual/Corporate Governance Rules. A current copy of this code of ethics is file as Exhibit 14.1 to this Form 20-F. Shareholders may request a hard copy of Bladex’s code of ethics, free of charge, from the following contact:
 
Mr. Jaime Celorio
Chief Financial Officer
Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S.A. (Bladex)
Tel.: (507) 210-8563
Fax: (507) 269-6333
e-mail: jcelorio@bladex.com
 
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 
 
At the Bank’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 18, 2007, in Panama City, Panama, stockholders appointed Deloitte Inc. as the Bank’s new independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. The change was approved and recommended to stockholders by the Audit and Compliance Committee of the Bank’s Board of Directors. The recommendation was based on cost efficiency reasons.
 
Deloitte Inc. is a registered public accounting firm. In the year ended December 31, 2006, and prior to the appointment on April 18, 2007, the Bank did not engage Deloitte Inc. on any matters. The Bank has been advised by Deloitte Inc. that neither that firm nor any of its affiliates has any relationship with the Bank or its subsidiaries, other than the relationship that typically exists between independent auditors and their clients.
 
The reports of Deloitte Inc., the Bank’s independent auditor from April 19, 2007 through December 31, 2007, on the Bank’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.
 
The reports of KPMG, the Bank’s independent auditor through April 18, 2007, on the Bank’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle. In addition, there have been no reportable events, as defined in Item 304 (a) (1) (v) of Regulation S-K. The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 for professional services rendered by the Bank’s former independent auditors, KPMG, and for the professional services rendered by the Bank’s current independent auditors, Deloitte Inc.:
 
   
Year 2006
 
Year 2007
 
   
KPMG
 
Deloitte Inc.
 
           
Audit Fees
 
$
471,693
 
$
426,495
 
Tax Fees
   
37,500
   
0
 
All Other Fees
   
22,485
 
$
39,509
 
Total
 
$
531,678
 
$
466,004
 
 
 
The following is a description of the type of services included within the categories listed above:
 
 
·
Audit fees include aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Deloitte Inc. in 2007 and KPMG in 2006, for the audit of the Bank’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. During 2007 and 2006, no audit-related fees (which relate to the assurance and services related to the performance of the audit or review of the Bank’s financial statements) were paid by the Bank.

65


 
·
Tax fees include aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Deloitte Inc. in 2007 and KPMG in 2006 for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. For the year 2007, the Bank hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to prepare and sign as a preparer the Bank’s U.S. Federal, New York State and New York City, and Florida, and corporate income/franchise tax returns, as well as calculate quarterly estimated tax payments and prepare required estimated tax payment forms.
 
·
All other fees include aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by Deloitte Inc. in 2007 and KPMG in 2006 to the Bank, other than the services reported in the three preceding paragraphs.
 
 
Audit and Compliance Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
 
The Audit and Compliance Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services to be provided to the Bank by the Bank’s independent auditors.

Item 16D.  Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
 
On August 5, 2004, the Bank established a $50 million three-year open market stock repurchase program under which it could, from time to time, repurchase its Class E shares of common stock on the open market at the then prevailing market price. Repurchases under the program were made in accordance with applicable law and subject to all required regulatory approvals. The repurchases were made using Bladex’s cash resources, and the program could have been suspended or discounted at any time without prior notice.
 
On July 17, 2006, the Bank completed the $50 million repurchase program with 3,042,618 shares repurchased. The following table shows information regarding shares repurchased by the Bank in the open market.
 
Period 
 
Total Number of Shares 
Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per 
Share
 
Total Number of Shares 
Purchased as Part of 
Publicly Announced 
Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number of 
Shares That May Yet Be 
Purchased Under the 
Plans or Programs
 
September 2004 (9.10.04 – 9.22.04)
   
231,200
 
$
16.41
   
231,200
   
2,814,811
 
October 2004 (10.5.04 – 10.20.04)
   
230,700
 
$
16.18
   
230,700
   
2,625,136
 
March 2005 (03.17.05)
   
10,000
 
$
21.93
   
10,000
   
1,926,724
 
May 2005 (05.13.05 – 05.26.05)
   
297,500
 
$
17.08
   
297,500
   
2,175,838
 
August 2005 (08.11.05 – 08.31.05)
   
121,500
 
$
17.06
   
121,500
   
2,057,247
 
September 2005 (09.1.05 – 09.30.05)
   
376,000
 
$
17.09
   
376,000
   
1,677,895
 
November 2005 (11.18.05 – 11.18.05)
   
900
 
$
17.07
   
900
   
1,678,808
 
February 2006 (02.23.06 – 02.23.06)
   
3,200
 
$
17.80
   
3,200
   
1,606,478
 
March 2006 (03.7.06 – 03.31.06)  
   
278,700
 
$
17.10
   
278,700
   
1,393,462
 
April 2006 (04.3.06 – 04.13.06)
   
102,700
 
$
17.28
   
102,700
   
1,276,706
 
May 2006 (05.11.06 – 05.31.06)
   
188,500
 
$
16.63
   
188,500
   
1,137,953
 
June 2006 (06.1.06 – 06.30.06)
   
992,200
 
$
15.70
   
992,200
   
213,097
 
July 2006 (07.3.06 – 07.17.06)
   
209,518
 
$
15.97
   
209,518
   
0
 
Total
   
3,042,618
 
$
16.43
   
3,042,618
       

 
66


 
PART III
 
 
Item 17. Financial Statements
 
The Bank is providing the financial statements and related information specified in Item 18.

Item 18. Financial Statements

List of Consolidated Financial Statements
   
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
 
F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2006
 
F-8
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
 
F-9
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
 
F-10
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
 
F-11
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
 
F-12
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
F-13
 
Item 19. Exhibits
 
 
List of Exhibits
 
 
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation*
Exhibit 1.2.
 
By-Laws*
Exhibit 4.1.
 
Mandate Letter*
Exhibit 12.1.
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
Exhibit 12.2.
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
Exhibit 13.1.
 
Rule 13a-14(b) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
 
Rule 13a-14(b) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
Exhibit 14.1.
 
 
Code of Ethics
 
 
* Filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the SEC on February 24, 2003.

67



SIGNATURES
 
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 
BANCO LATINOAMERICANO DE EXPORTACIONES, S.A.
 
/s/ JAIME RIVERA
 
Jaime Rivera
Chief Executive Officer
 
June 19, 2008

68

 
Banco Latinoamericano
de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

With Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm


Consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006

Deloitte-Panamá

F-1


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and subsidiaries

Independent Auditors’ Report and
Consolidated Financial Statements 2007 and 2006

Pages
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
F-3
   
Consolidated balance sheet
F-8
   
Consolidated statement of income
F-9
   
Consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity
F-10
   
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income
F-11
   
F-12
   
Notes to consolidated financial statements
F-13

F-2

 
F-3

 
F-4

 
F-5

 
F-6

 
F-7


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and subsidiaries

Consolidated balance sheets
December 31, 2007 and 2006
(in US$ thousand, except per share amounts)

   
Notes
 
2007
 
2006
 
Assets
                   
Cash and due from banks
   
3,20
   
596
   
401
 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks (including pledged deposits of $59,308 in 2007 and $33,470 in 2006)
   
3,20
   
476,983
   
331,764
 
Trading assets
   
4,20
   
52,597
   
130,076
 
Securities available for sale
   
5,20
   
468,360
   
346,194
 
Securities held to maturity (market value of $125,118 in 2006)
   
5,20
   
-
   
125,157
 
Loans
   
6,20
   
3,731,838
   
2,980,772
 
Less:
   
 
             
Allowance for loan losses
   
7,20
   
69,643
   
51,266
 
Unearned income and deferred fees
         
5,961
   
4,425
 
Loans, net
         
3,656,234
   
2,925,081
 
                     
Customers' liabilities under acceptances
   
20
   
9,104
   
46,006
 
Premises and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $9,704 in 2007 and $8,043 in 2006)
         
10,176
   
11,136
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
20
   
62,884
   
55,238
 
Derivative instruments used for hedging - receivable
   
18,20
   
122
   
541
 
Brokerage receivable
   
20
   
44,289
   
-
 
Other assets
   
8
   
9,187
   
6,743
 
Total assets
         
4,790,532
   
3,978,337
 
                     
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
                   
                     
Deposits:
   
9,20
             
Noninterest-bearing - Demand
         
890
   
1,620
 
Interest-bearing - Demand
         
110,606
   
130,510
 
Time
         
1,350,875
   
924,147
 
Total deposits
         
1,462,371
   
1,056,277
 
                     
Trading liabilities
   
4,20
   
90,765
   
54,832
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   
5,20
   
283,210
   
438,356
 
Short-term borrowings
   
10,20
   
1,221,500
   
1,157,248
 
Borrowings and long-term debt
   
11,20
   
1,010,316
   
558,860
 
Acceptances outstanding
   
20
   
9,104
   
46,006
 
Accrued interest payable
   
20
   
39,198
   
28,420
 
Derivative instruments used for hedging - payable
   
18,20
   
16,899
   
2,634
 
Reserve for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk
   
7
   
13,727
   
27,195
 
Other liabilities
   
12
   
31,191
   
24,614
 
Total liabilities
   
 
   
4,178,281
   
3,394,442
 
     
 
             
Stockholders' equity:
   
13,14,15,19
             
Class "A" common stock, no par value, assigned value of $6.67 (Authorized 40,000,000; outstanding 6,342,189)
   
 
   
44,407
   
44,407
 
Class "B" common stock, no par value, assigned value of $6.67 (Authorized 40,000,000; outstanding 2,660,847 in 2007 and 2,725,390 in 2006)
   
 
   
21,528
   
21,959
 
Class "E" common stock, no par value, assigned value of $6.67 (Authorized 100,000,000; outstanding 27,367,113 in 2007 and 27,261,495 in 2006)
   
 
   
214,045
   
213,614
 
Additional paid-in capital in excess of assigned value to common stock
   
 
   
135,142
   
134,945
 
Capital reserves
   
 
   
95,210
   
95,210
 
Retained earnings
   
 
   
245,348
   
205,200
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
5,19
   
(9,641
)
 
3,328
 
Treasury stock
   
13
   
(133,788
)
 
(134,768
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
 
   
612,251
   
583,895
 
 
   
 
             
Commitments and contingent liabilities
   
8,16,17,18,21
             
     
 
             
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
   
 
   
4,790,532
   
3,978,337
 

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-8


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of income
Years ended december 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
(in US$ thousand, except per share amounts)

   
Notes
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
Interest income:
                         
Deposits with banks
         
17,001
   
8,973
   
5,121
 
Trading assets
         
5,315
   
5,810
   
-
 
Investment securities:
                         
Available for sale
         
19,595
   
16,780
   
7,755
 
Held to maturity
         
1,337
   
5,985
   
2,219
 
Loans
         
221,621
   
165,802
   
101,728
 
Total interest income
         
264,869
   
203,350
   
116,823
 
Interest expense:
                         
Deposits
         
70,443
   
56,611
   
29,559
 
Trading liabilities
         
4,197
   
4,639
   
-
 
Short-term borrowings
         
70,244
   
55,000
   
20,408
 
Borrowings and long-term debt
         
49,415
   
28,263
   
21,603
 
Total interest expense
         
194,299
   
144,513
   
71,570
 
Net interest income
         
70,570
   
58,837
   
45,253
 
                           
Reversal (provision) for loan losses
   
7
   
(11,994
)
 
(11,846
)
 
54,155
 
Net interest income, after reversal of provision for loan losses
   
 
   
58,576
   
46,991
   
99,408
 
     
 
                   
Other income (expense):
   
 
                   
Reversal (provision) for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk
   
7
   
13,468
   
24,891
   
(15,781
)
Fees and commissions, net
   
 
   
5,555
   
6,393
   
5,824
 
Activities of hedging derivative instruments
   
18
   
(989
)
 
(225
)
 
2,338
 
Recoveries on assets, net of impairments
   
5,8
   
(500
)
 
5,551
   
10,206
 
Trading gains
   
 
   
23,866
   
879
   
-
 
Net gain on sale of securities available for sale
   
5
   
9,119
   
2,568
   
206
 
Gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange
   
 
   
115
   
(253
)
 
3
 
Other income (expense), net
   
 
   
(6
)
 
36
   
5
 
Net other income
   
 
   
50,628
   
39,840
   
2,801
 
     
 
                   
Operating expenses:
   
 
                   
Salaries and other employee expenses
   
 
   
22,049
   
16,826
   
13,073
 
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
   
 
   
2,555
   
1,406
   
869
 
Professional services
   
 
   
3,562
   
2,671
   
3,281
 
Maintenance and repairs
   
 
   
1,188
   
1,000
   
1,172
 
Other operating expenses
   
 
   
7,673
   
7,026
   
6,296
 
Total operating expenses
   
 
   
37,027
   
28,929
   
24,691
 
     
 
                   
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
   
 
   
72,177
   
57,902
   
77,518
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology
   
7,15
   
-
   
-
   
2,733
 
Cumulative effect on prior year (to December 31, 2004) of an early adoption of the fair-value-based method of accounting stock-based employee compensation plan
   
14,15
   
-
   
-
   
(150
)
Net income
   
 
   
72,177
   
57,902
   
80,101
 
     
 
                   
Basic earnings per share:
   
7,14,15
                   
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
   
 
   
1.99
   
1.56
   
2.01
 
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
   
 
   
0.00
   
0.00
   
0.07
 
Net income per share
   
 
   
1.99
   
1.56
   
2.08
 
     
 
                   
Diluted earnings per share:
   
7,14,15
                   
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
   
 
   
1.98
   
1.54
   
1.99
 
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
   
 
   
0.00
   
0.00
   
0.07
 
Net income per share
   
 
   
1.98
   
1.54
   
2.06
 
     
 
                   
     
 
                   
Basic earnings per share
   
 
   
1.99
   
1.56
   
2.01
 
     
 
                   
Diluted earnings per share
   
 
   
1.98
   
1.54
   
1.99
 
     
 
                   
Average basic shares
   
 
   
36,349
   
37,065
   
38,550
 
     
 
                   
Average diluted shares
   
 
   
36,414
   
37,572
   
38,860
 

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-9


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity
Years ended december 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
(in US$ thousand)

                   
Accumulated
         
       
Additional
         
other 
     
Total
 
   
Common
 
paid-in
 
Capital
 
Retained
 
comprehensive
 
Treasury
 
stockholders’
 
   
stock
 
capital
 
reserves
 
earnings
 
income (loss)
 
stock
 
equity
 
                               
Balances at January 1, 2005
   
279,978
   
133,786
   
95,210
   
233,701
   
6,082
   
(92,627
)
 
656,130
 
Net income
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
80,101
   
-
   
-
   
80,101
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(5,463
)
 
-
   
(5,463
)
Compensation cost - indexed stock options plan
   
-
   
555
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
555
 
Issuance of restricted stocks
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(57
)
 
-
   
152
   
95
 
Exercised stock options pursuant to compensation plan
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(4
)
 
-
   
8
   
4
 
Repurchase of Class "E" common stock
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(13,815
)
 
(13,815
)
Difference in fractional shares in conversion of common stocks
   
1
   
(1
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Dividends declared
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(100,825
)
 
-
   
-
   
(100,825
)
Balances at December 31, 2005
   
279,979
   
134,340
   
95,210
   
212,916
   
619
   
(106,282
)
 
616,782
 
Net income
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
57,902
   
-
   
-
   
57,902
 
Comprehensive income
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2,709
   
-
   
2,709
 
Compensation cost - indexed stock options plan
   
-
   
606
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
606
 
Issuance of restricted stocks
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(49
)
 
-
   
144
   
95
 
Exercised stock options pursuant to
                                           
compensation plan
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(14
)
 
-
   
27
   
13
 
Repurchase of Class "E" common stock
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(28,657
)
 
(28,657
)
Difference in fractional shares in conversion of common stocks
   
1
   
(1
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Dividends declared
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(65,555
)
 
-
   
-
   
(65,555
)
Balances at December 31, 2006
   
279,980
   
134,945
   
95,210
   
205,200
   
3,328
   
(134,768
)
 
583,895
 
Net income
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
72,177
   
-
   
-
   
72,177
 
Comprehensive income
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(12,969
)
 
-
   
(12,969
)
Compensation cost - stock options plan
   
-
   
1,130
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
1,130
 
Issuance of restricted stocks
   
-
   
(644
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
531
   
(113
)
Exercised stock options pursuant to compensation plan
   
-
   
(289
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
449
   
160
 
Dividends declared
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(32,029
)
 
-
   
-
   
(32,029
)
Balances at December 31, 2007
   
279,980
   
135,142
   
95,210
   
245,348
   
(9,641
)
 
(133,788
)
 
612,251
 

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-10


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of comprehensive income
Years ended december 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
(in US$ thousand)

   
Notes
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
                   
Net income:
                         
                           
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
         
72,177
   
57,902
   
77,518
 
 
                         
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology
   
7
   
-
   
-
   
2,733
 
                           
Cumulative effect on prior year (to December 31, 2004) of an early adoption of the fair value-based method of accounting stock-based employee compensation plan
   
14,15
   
-
   
-
   
(150
)
Net income
         
72,177
   
57,902
   
80,101
 
                           
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                   
                           
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale:
                         
Unrealized gains (losses) arising from the year
   
19
   
(1,912
)
 
5,349
   
(5,257
)
Less: Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income
   
5,19
   
(9,119
)
 
(2,568
)
 
(206
)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale
         
(11,031
)
 
2,781
   
(5,463
)
                           
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments:
                         
Unrealized losses arising from the year
   
19
   
(2,081
)
 
(72
)
 
-
 
Less: Reclassification adjustments for net losses included in net income
   
19
   
143
   
-
   
-
 
                           
Net change in unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments
         
(1,938
)
 
(72
)
 
-
 
                           
Other comprehensive income (loss)
         
(12,969
)
 
2,709
   
(5,463
)
                           
Comprehensive income
         
59,208
   
60,611
   
74,638
 

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-11


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
(in US$ thousand)

   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                   
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
   
72,177
   
57,902
   
77,518
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology
   
-
   
-
   
2,733
 
Cumulative effect on prior year (to December 31, 2004) of an early adoption of the fair-value based method of accounting stock-based employee compensation plan
   
-
   
-
   
(150
)
Net income
   
72,177
   
57,902
   
80,101
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                   
Activities of hedging derivative instruments
   
1,258
   
312
   
(85
)
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
   
2,555
   
1,406
   
869
 
Provision (reversal) for loan losses
   
11,994
   
11,846
   
(54,155
)
Provision (reversal) for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk
   
(13,468
)
 
(24,891
)
 
15,781
 
Impairment loss on assets
   
500
   
-
   
469
 
Net gain on sale of securities available for sale
   
(9,119
)
 
(2,568
)
 
(206
)
Compensation cost - stock options plans
   
1,130
   
606
   
555
 
Issuance of restricted stock
   
(113
)
 
95
   
95
 
Deferred compensation awards
   
-
   
13
   
3
 
Amortization of premiums and discounts on investments
   
6,268
   
4,748
   
2,343
 
Net decrease (increase) in operating assets:
                   
Trading assets
   
77,479
   
(130,076
)
 
-
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
(7,646
)
 
(24,984
)
 
(14,806
)
Derivative financial instruments
   
-
   
-
   
25
 
Brokerage receivable
   
(44,289
)
 
-
   
-
 
Other assets
   
(2,944
)
 
4,552
   
(5,804
)
Net increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
                   
Trading liabilities
   
35,933
   
54,832
   
-
 
Accrued interest payable
   
10,778
   
13,684
   
8,259
 
Other liabilities
   
4,261
   
2,108
   
(5,958
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
146,754
   
(30,415
)
 
27,486
 
                     
Cash flows from investing activities:
                   
Net increase in pledged interest bearing deposits
   
(25,838
)
 
(28,470
)
 
(800
)
Net increase in loans
   
(864,971
)
 
(384,433
)
 
(179,315
)
Proceeds from the sale of loans
   
121,824
   
12,500
   
-
 
Net acquisition of premises and equipment
   
(1,595
)
 
(9,289
)
 
(614
)
Proceeds from the redemption of securities available for sale
   
19,074
   
20,000
   
26,000
 
Proceeds from the maturity of securities held to maturity
   
125,000
   
9,000
   
-
 
Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale
   
578,697
   
129,731
   
276,524
 
Purchases of investment securities
   
(716,472
)
 
(419,143
)
 
(326,307
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(764,281
)
 
(670,104
)
 
(204,512
)
                     
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Net increase in due to depositors
   
406,094
   
9,659
   
182,458
 
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements
   
(90,894
)
 
834,905
   
55,981
 
Proceeds from borrowings and long-term debt
   
613,126
   
133,680
   
309,962
 
Repayments of borrowings and long-term debt
   
(161,670
)
 
(108,680
)
 
(179,723
)
Dividends paid
   
(29,713
)
 
(63,364
)
 
(100,825
)
Redemption of redeemable preferred stock
   
-
   
(3,216
)
 
(2,711
)
Exercised stock options
   
160
   
-
   
-
 
Repurchase of common stock
   
-
   
(28,657
)
 
(13,815
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
737,103
   
774,327
   
251,327
 
                     
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
119,576
   
73,808
   
74,301
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
   
298,695
   
224,887
   
150,586
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year
   
418,271
   
298,695
   
224,887
 
                     
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                   
Cash paid during the year for interest
   
183,521
   
130,829
   
63,298
 

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-12

 
Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


1.
Organization
   
 
Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A. (“Bladex Head Office” and together with its subsidiaries “Bladex” or the “Bank”), headquartered in Panama City, Republic of Panama, is a specialized supranational bank established to finance trade in Latin America and the Caribbean (the “Region”). The Bank was established pursuant to a May, 1975 proposal presented to the Assembly of Governors of Central Banks in the Region, which recommended the creation of a multinational organization to increase the foreign trade financing capacity of the Region. The Bank was organized in 1977, incorporated in 1978 as a corporation pursuant to the laws of the Republic of Panama, and officially initiated operations on January 2, 1979.

The Bank operates under a general banking license issued by the National Banking Commission of Panama, predecessor of the Superintendency of Banks of Panama (the “SBP”), and is subject to its supervision and inspection. Bladex Head Office’s subsidiaries are the following:

Bladex Holdings Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary, incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America (USA), on May 30, 2000. Its wholly owned subsidiaries are:

 
·
Bladex Asset Management, Inc., incorporated on May 24, 2006, under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA, serves as investment manager for Bladex Offshore Feeder Fund (the “Feeder”) and Bladex Capital Growth Fund (the “Fund”).

 
·
Clavex LLC, incorporated on June 15, 2006, under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA, ceased operations in February 2007.

The Feeder is a wholly owned subsidiary, incorporated on February 21, 2006 under the laws of Cayman Islands, and in turn is the sole owner of the Fund, which was also incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands on February 21, 2006. Both companies are investment funds that started operations in April 2006 and share the same investment objectives. The Feeder invests substantially all of its assets in the Fund. The objective of the Fund is to achieve capital appreciation by investing in Latin American debt securities, indexed funds, currencies, and trading derivative instruments.

Bladex Representacao Ltda., incorporated under the laws of Brazil on January 7, 2000, acts as the Bank’s representative office in Brazil. Bladex Representacao Ltda. is 99.999% owned by Bladex Head Office and 0.001% owned by Bladex Holdings Inc.

Clavex, S.A., is a wholly owned subsidiary, incorporated on May 18, 2006, under the laws of the Republic of Panama, to mainly provide specialized training.

Bladex Head Office has an agency in New York City, USA (the "New York Agency"), which began operations on March 27, 1989. The New York Agency is principally engaged in financing transactions related to international trade, mostly the confirmation and financing of letters of credit for customers of the Region. The New York Agency is also licensed by the State of New York Banking Department, USA, to operate an International Banking Facility (“IBF”). The Bank also has representative offices in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and in Mexico City, D.F., Mexico, and an international administrative office in Miami, Florida, USA.

F-13


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

 
In addition, Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands ceased its banking operations on November 30, 2004 and was dissolved in 2005. All financial assets and liabilities were transferred to Bladex Head Office and recorded at their carrying amount on the date of the transfer.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

 
a)
Basis of presentation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements and notes are expressed in dollars of the United Stated of America (“US$”), which is the Bank’s functional currency. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been translated from Spanish version to English version for users outside of the Republic of Panama.

b)
Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bladex Head Office, its agencies and subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated for consolidation purposes.

 
c)
Use of estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes relate to the determination of the allowances for credit losses, impairment losses on assets, impairment of securities available for sale and held to maturity, and the fair value of financial instruments. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management believes these estimates are adequate.

 
d)
Cash equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in banks with original maturities of three months or less, except deposits pledged.

 
e)
Repurchase agreements 

Repurchase agreements represent collateralized financing transactions used to increase liquidity and are carried at the amounts at which the securities will be subsequently reacquired including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements. The Bank’s policy is to relinquish possession of the securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The market value of securities to be repurchased is permanently monitored, and additional collateral is provided where appropriate, to protect against credit exposure.

F-14


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


f)
Trading assets and liabilities

Trading assets include mainly debt instruments and shares in indexed funds that have been bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Trading liabilities include debt instruments that the Bank has sold to other parties but does not own (“short” positions). The Bank is obliged to purchase securities at a future date to cover short positions. Included in trading assets and liabilities are the reported receivables (unrealized gains) and payables (unrealized losses) related to derivative instruments. These amounts include the derivative assets and liabilities net of cash received or paid, respectively, under legally enforceable master netting agreements. Trading assets and liabilities are carried at fair value, which is determined based upon quoted prices when available, or if quoted market prices are not available, on discounted expected cash flows using market rates commensurate with the credit quality and maturity of the security. Unrealized and realized gains and losses on trading assets and liabilities are recorded in earnings as trading gains (losses).

Transactions traded not yet settled at the consolidated balance sheet date are recorded as brokerage receivables and payables.

 
g)
Investment securities

Securities are classified at the date of purchase based on the ability and intent to sell or hold them as investments. These securities consist of debt securities such as: negotiable commercial paper, bonds and floating rate notes.

Securities available for sale

These securities consist of debt instruments that the Bank buys with the intention of selling them prior to maturity and are subject to the same approval criteria as the rest of the credit portfolio. These securities are carried at fair value, based on quoted market prices when available, or if quoted market prices are not available, on discounted expected cash flows using market rates commensurate with the credit quality and maturity of the security. Unrealized gains and losses are reported as net increase or decreases to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in equity until they are realized.

Securities held to maturity

Securities classified as held to maturity represent securities that the Bank has the ability and the intent to hold until maturity. These securities are carried at amortized cost and are subject to the same approval criteria as the rest of the credit portfolio.
 
Interest on securities is recognized based on the interest method. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are included in interest income as an adjustment to the yield. Realized gains and losses from the sales of securities which are included in realized gain (loss) from investment securities, are determined using the specific identification method.

F-15


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

 
Impairment of investments is evaluated considering numerous factors, and their relative significance varies case by case. Factors considered include the length of time and extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and the intent and ability of the Bank to retain the security in order to allow for an anticipated recovery in market value. If, based on the analysis, it is determined that the impairment is other-than-temporary, the security is written down to its fair value, and a loss is recognized through earnings as impairment loss on assets. Accrual of income is suspended on fixed maturities that are in default, or on which it is likely that future interest payments will not be received as scheduled.

h)
Other Investments

Other investments, that mainly consist of unlisted stock, are recorded at cost and are included in other assets. The Bank determined that it is not practicable to obtain the market value of these investments, as these shares are not traded in a secondary market. Impairment of these investments is evaluated periodically and declines that are determined to be other than temporary are charged to earnings as impairment on assets.

i)
Loans

Loans are reported at their principal amounts outstanding net of unearned income, deferred fees and allowance for loan losses. Interest income is recognized using the interest method. The amortization of net unearned income and deferred fees are recognized as an adjustment to the related loan yield using the interest method.

Purchased loans are recorded at acquisition cost. The difference between the principal and the acquisition cost of loans, the premiums and discounts, is amortized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to the yield. All other costs related to acquisition of loans are expensed when incurred.

Loans are identified as impaired and placed on a cash (non-accrual) basis when interest or principal is past due for 90 days or more, or before if the Bank's management determines that the ultimate collection of principal or interest is doubtful. Factors considered by the Bank’s management in determining impairment include collection status, collateral value, the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due, and economic conditions in the borrower’s country of residence. Any interest receivable is reversed and charged-off against earnings. Interest on non-accruing loans is only recorded as earned when collected. Non-accruing loans are returned to an accrual status when (1) all contractual principal and interest amounts are current (2) there is a sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the contractual terms of at least six months; and (3) if in the Bank management’s opinion the loan is fully collectible. When current events or available information confirm that specific impaired loans or portions thereof are uncollectible, such impaired loans are charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.

A loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring if a significant concession in amount, maturity or interest rate is granted to the borrower due to the deterioration in its financial condition. Marketable securities received in exchange for loan under debt restructurings are initially recorded at fair value, with any gain or loss recorded as recovery or charge to the allowance, and are subsequently accounted for as securities available for sale.
 
F-16


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


Transfers of financial assets, primarily loans, are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when: (1) the assets have been isolated from the Bank; (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets; and (3) the Bank does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. Upon completion of a transfer of assets that satisfies the conditions described above to be accounted for as a sale, the Bank recognizes the assets as sold and records in earnings any gain or loss on the sale. The Bank may retain interest in loans sold in the form of servicing rights. Service rights are only recognized when the benefits of the service exceeds the costs associated with the responsibility of that service.

j)
Allowance for credit losses

The allowance for credit losses is provided for losses derived from the credit extension process, inherent in the loan portfolio and off-balance sheet financial instruments, using the reserve method of providing for credit losses. Additions to the allowance for credit losses are made by charges to earnings. Credit losses are deducted from the allowance, and subsequent recoveries are added. The allowance is also decreased by reversals of the allowance back to earnings. The allowance attributable to loans is reported as a deduction of loans and the allowance for off-balance sheet credit risk, such as: letters of credit and guarantees, is reported as a liability.

The allowance for possible credit losses includes an asset-specific component and a formula-based component. The asset-specific component relates to provision for losses on credits considered impaired and measured on a case-by-case basis. An allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value of observable market price) of the credit is lower than the carrying value of that credit. The formula-based component covers the Bank’s performing credit portfolio and is established based in a process that estimates the probable loss inherent in the portfolio, based on statistical analysis and management’s qualitative judgment. The statistical calculation is a product of internal risk classifications, probabilities of default and loss given default. The probability of default is supported by Bladex’s historical portfolio performance complemented by probabilities of default provided by external sources for higher risk cases, in view of the greater robustness of this external data for such cases. The loss given default is based on Bladex’s historical losses experience and best practices.

 
k)
Fair value of guarantees including indirect indebtedness of others

The Bank recognizes a liability for the fair value of obligations undertaken such as stand-by letters of credit and guarantees. Fair value is calculated based on the present value of the premium to be received or a specific allowance for off-balance sheet credit contingencies, whichever is greater.

F-17


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


l)
Fees and commissions

Loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, are deferred, and the net amount is recognized as revenue over the contractual term of the loans as an adjustment to the yield. These net fees are not recognized as revenue during periods in which interest income on loans is suspended because of concerns about the realization of loan principal or interest. Underwriting fees are recognized as revenue when the Bank has rendered all services to the issuer and is entitled to collect the fee from the issuer, when there are no contingencies related to the fee. Underwriting fees are recognized net of syndicate expenses. In addition, the Bank recognizes credit arrangement and syndication fees as revenue after satisfying certain retention, timing and yield criteria. Fees received in connection with a modification of terms of a troubled debt restructuring are applied as a reduction of the recorded investment in the loan. Fees earned on letters of credit, guarantees and other commitments are amortized using the straight-line method over the life of such instruments.

 
m)
Premises and equipment

Premises and equipment, including the electronic data processing equipment, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, except land, which is carried at cost. Depreciation and amortization are charged to operations using the straight-line method, over the estimated useful life of the related asset. The estimated original useful life for building is 40 years and for furniture and equipment is 3 to 5 years.

The Bank defers the cost of internal-use software that has a useful life in excess of one year in accordance with SOP 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”. These costs consist of payments made to third parties related to the use of licenses and installation of both, software and hardware. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Capitalized internal use software costs will be amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, generally consisting of 5 years.
 
n)
Capital reserves

Capital reserves are established as a segregation of retained earnings and are, as such, a form of retained earnings. Even though their constitution is not required by the SBP, reductions of these capital reserves require the approval of the Bank’s Board of Directors and the SBP.

o)
Cash and stock-based compensation plan

In year 2005, the Bank chose to early adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No.123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, which established the use of the fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation to key employees and directors. The Bank elected to use the “modified prospective application” for new and previously granted awards that are not fully vested on the effective date. Compensation cost is based on the fair value of the awards granted and is recognized over the requisite service period of the award. The fair value of each option is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Bank has the policy of re-issuing shares from treasury shares, when options are exercised.
 
F-18

 
Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


 
p)
Redeemable preferred stock

The Bank accounts for as liabilities all financial instruments that embody an obligation to the Bank. The accrual of interest payable is charged to interest expense.

 
q)
Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting

The Bank makes use of derivative financial instruments for its management of interest rate and foreign exchange risks, which represent the majority of the Bank’s derivatives, as well as for trading purposes. The accounting for changes in value of a derivative depends on whether the contract is for trading purposes or has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting.

Derivatives held for trading purposes include interest rate swaps, forward foreign exchange contracts and credit default swaps, as part of the Fund’s trading activity, and those used for risk management purposes that do not qualify for hedge accounting. The fair value of trading derivatives is reported as trading assets and trading liabilities, as applicable. Changes in realized and unrealized gains and losses and interest flows from these trading instruments are included in trading gains (losses).

Derivatives for hedging purposes primarily include interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts. Derivative contracts designated and qualifying as fair value hedge are reported as other assets and other liabilities and hedge accounting is applied. In order to qualify for hedge accounting, a derivative must be considered highly effective at reducing the risk associated with the exposure being hedged. Each derivative must be designated as a hedge, with documentation of the risk management objective and strategy, including identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item and the risk exposure, as well as how effectiveness will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively. The extent to which a hedging instrument is effective at achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows must be assessed at least quarterly. Any ineffectiveness must be reported in current-period earnings. The Bank discontinues hedge accounting prospectively in the following situations:

 
1.
It is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item.
 
2.
The derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised.
 
3.
The Bank otherwise determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate.
 
The Bank carries all derivatives in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. For qualifying fair value hedges, all changes in the fair value of the derivative and the fair value of the item for the risk being hedged are recognized in earnings. If the hedge relationship is terminated, then the fair value adjustment to the hedge item continues to be reported as part of the basis of the item and is amortized to earnings as a yield adjustment. For qualifying cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income and recognized in the income statement when the hedged cash flows affect earnings. Ineffective portion is recognized in the income statement as activities of hedging derivative instruments. If the cash flow hedge relationship is terminated, related amounts in other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings when hedged cash flows occur.

F-19


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


r)
Foreign currency transactions

   
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents using period-end spot foreign exchange rates. The effects of re-measuring assets and liabilities into the U.S. dollar as the functional currency are included in earnings.

s)
Income taxes

 
·
Bladex Head Office is exempted from payment of income taxes in Panama in accordance to its Constitutive Law that granted special benefits, including the total exemption of income tax payment.
 
·
The Feeder and the Fund are not subject to income taxes in accordance to Laws of the Caiman Islands.
 
·
Clavex, S.A. is subject to income taxes in Panama on profits from local operations.
 
·
Bladex Representacao Ltd. is subject to income taxes in Brazil.
 
·
The New York Agency and Bladex’s subsidiaries incorporated in the USA are subject to USA federal and local taxation based on the portion of income that is effectively connected with its operations in that country.

Such amounts of income taxes have been immaterial to date.

t)
Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders (the numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator) during the year. Diluted earning per share measures performance incorporating the effect that potential common shares, such as stock options outstanding during the same period, would have on earning per share. The computation is similar to the computation of earning per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the diluted potential common shares had been issued.

u)
Recently Issued Accounting Standards

SFAS No. 157: Fair Value Measurement

SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP, and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. This Standard applies when other accounting pronouncements require fair value measurements. This Standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those years. The Bank does not anticipate any significant effect on its consolidated financial position, operations and cash flows with the adoption of SFAS No.157.

SFAS No. 159: The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.
 
SFAS No. 159 will allow the Bank to report at fair value many of its financial instruments and certain other items that are not currently required to be reported at fair value. The valuation of a financial instrument at fair value is irrevocable once adopted. All changes in fair value are reported in earnings. This standard is effective for years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Bank is currently evaluating the potential impact on its consolidated financial statements of adopting this standard.

F-20


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


3.
Cash and cash equivalents

 
Cash and cash equivalents are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
(In thousand of US$)
         
               
Cash and due from banks
   
596
   
401
 
Interest bearing deposits in banks
   
476,983
   
331,764
 
Total
   
477,579
   
332,165
 
Less:
             
Pledged deposits
   
59,308
   
33,470
 
     
418,271
   
298,695
 

At December 31, 2007 and 2006 pledged deposits in banks include $53.8 million and $28 million, respectively, of collateral advanced on trading liabilities. On December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Agency of New York had pledged certificates of deposit with a carrying value of $5.5 million, with the State of New York Banking Department, as required by law since March 1994.

4.
Trading assets and liabilities

The fair value of trading assets and liabilities is as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
(In thousand of US$)
             
               
Trading assets:
             
Government bonds
   
10,891
   
81,077
 
Corporate bonds
   
5,206
   
48,655
 
Shares in indexed funds
   
36,315
   
-
 
Derivative instruments
   
185
   
344
 
Total
   
52,597
   
130,076
 
               
Trading liabilities:
             
Government bonds sold short
   
31,734
   
54,039
 
Shares in indexed funds sold short
   
57,863
   
-
 
Derivative instruments
   
1,168
   
793
 
Total
   
90,765
   
54,832
 

Trading assets secure all short sale transactions.

F-21


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


5.
Investment securities

Securities available for sale

The amortized cost, related unrealized gross gain (loss) and fair value of securities available for sale, are as follows:

   
December 31, 2007
 
 
(In thousand of US$)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gross Gain
 
Unrealized
Gross Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
     
Corporate debt:
                         
Brazil
   
67,971
   
78
   
660
   
67,389
 
Chile
   
42,849
   
-
   
549
   
42,300
 
Panama
   
20,019
   
669
   
-
   
20,688
 
 
   
130,839
   
747
   
1,209
   
130,377
 
Government debt:
                         
Argentina
   
19,546
   
22
   
28
   
19,540
 
Brazil
   
59,464
   
1,897
   
18
   
61,343
 
Colombia
   
123,084
   
2,797
   
206
   
125,675
 
Dominican Republic
   
13,093
   
-
   
182
   
12,911
 
El Salvador
   
10,984
   
-
   
84
   
10,900
 
Mexico
   
27,045
   
-
   
89
   
26,956
 
Panama
   
50,008
   
1,462
   
112
   
51,358
 
Peru
   
29,291
   
24
   
15
   
29,300
 
 
   
332,515
   
6,202
   
734
   
337,983
 
Total
   
463,354
   
6,949
   
1,943
   
468,360
 

   
December 31, 2006
 
 
(In thousand of US$)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gross Gain
 
Unrealized
Gross Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
Corporate debt:
                         
Brazil
   
16,985
   
69
   
129
   
16,925
 
Chile
   
16,086
   
-
   
144
   
15,942
 
Panama
   
20,026
   
-
   
254
   
19,772
 
 
   
53,097
   
69
   
527
   
52,639
 
Government debt:
                         
Argentina
   
9,421
   
69
   
6
   
9,484
 
Brazil
   
112,370
   
3,315
   
61
   
115,624
 
Colombia
   
97,335
   
776
   
16
   
98,095
 
Chile
   
16,091
   
-
   
444
   
15,647
 
El Salvador
   
4,981
   
19
   
-
   
5,000
 
Mexico
   
48,350
   
1,516
   
161
   
49,705
 
 
   
288,548
   
5,695
   
688
   
293,555
 
Total
   
341,645
   
5,764
   
1,215
   
346,194
 

F-22

 
Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

 
At December 31, 2007 and 2006, securities available for sale with a carrying value of $323 million each year, were pledged to secure repurchase agreements.

The following table discloses those securities that have had unrealized losses for less than 12 months or for 12 months or longer:

   
December 31, 2007
 
(In thousand of US$)
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
   
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gross
Losses
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gross
Losses
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gross
Losses
 
                                       
Corporate debt
   
68,244
   
1,107
   
30,495
   
102
   
98,739
   
1,209
 
Government debt
   
113,093
   
706
   
15,962
   
28
   
129,055
   
734
 
     
181,337
   
1,813
   
46,457
   
130
   
227,794
   
1,943
 

   
December 31, 2006
 
(In thousand of US$)
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
   
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gross
Losses
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gross
Losses
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gross
Losses
 
                                       
Corporate debt
   
19,772
   
254
   
30,791
   
273
   
50,563
   
527
 
Government debt
   
6,187
   
16
   
36,004
   
672
   
42,191
   
688
 
     
25,959
   
270
   
66,795
   
945
   
92,754
   
1,215
 

Gross unrealized losses are related mainly to an overall increase in market interest rates and market credit spreads and not due to underlying credit concerns about the issuers. At December 31, 2007, the Bank believes that none of the securities in its investment portfolio are other-than-temporarily impaired.

During 2006 and 2005, the Bank collected Argentine impaired securities for $5.6 million and $10.7 million, respectively, which had been written-off and charged to earnings in prior years. These recoveries were recorded in earnings as recoveries on assets. During the year 2005, an impaired security with a net carrying value of $0.5 million was written-off and charged to earnings as a decrease to recoveries on assets.

The following table presents the realized gains and losses on securities available for sale:

(In thousand of US$)
 
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
Gains
   
9,550
   
2,568
   
253
 
Losses
   
(431
)
 
-
   
(47
)
Net
   
9,119
   
2,568
   
206
 

F-23


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale distributed by contractual maturity at December 31, 2007, are shown in the following table:

 
(In thousand of US$)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
               
Due within 1 year
   
19,998
   
19,953
 
After 1 year but within 5 years
   
153,382
   
153,628
 
After 5 years but within 10 years
   
289,974
   
294,779
 
     
463,354
   
468,360
 

Securities held to maturity

The amortized cost, related unrealized gross gain (loss) and fair value of securities held to maturity are as follows:

   
December 31, 2006
 
 
(In thousand of US$)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gross Gain
 
Unrealized
Gross Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
                           
Corporate debt:
                         
Switzerland
   
40,044
   
-
   
10
   
40,034
 
United States of America
   
60,048
   
-
   
27
   
60,021
 
     
100,092
   
-
   
37
   
100,055
 
Government debt:
                         
Mexico
   
25,065
   
-
   
2
   
25,063
 
Total
   
125,157
   
-
   
39
   
125,118
 

At December 31, 2006, the contractual maturity of the securities held to maturity was within one year and none of the securities in this portfolio was considered other-than-temporarily impaired since such securities did not maintain significant gross unrealized losses for more then 12 months. At December 31, 2006, securities held to maturity with a carrying value of $125.2 million were pledged to secure repurchase agreements. All held to maturity investments matured during the first semester of 2007.

6.
Loans

The following table set forth details of the Bank’s loan portfolio:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
               
Corporate
   
1,886,580
   
1,417,777
 
Banks:
             
Private
   
1,485,313
   
1,130,490
 
State-owned
   
241,322
   
273,090
 
Other
   
118,623
   
159,415
 
               
Total
   
3,731,838
   
2,980,772
 

F-24


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


The remaining loan maturities are summarized as follows:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
Maturities:
             
Up to 1 month
   
667,612
   
297,920
 
From 1 month to 3 months
   
667,393
   
719,966
 
From 3 months to 6 months
   
572,597
   
649,147
 
From 6 months to 1 year
   
617,482
   
456,528
 
From 1 year to 2 years
   
399,655
   
375,954
 
From 2 years to 5 years
   
729,786
   
412,565
 
More than 5 years
   
77,313
   
68,692
 
     
3,731,838
   
2,980,772
 

The following table provides a breakdown of loans by country risk:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
Country:
             
Argentina
   
263,814
   
203,015
 
Bolivia
   
5,000
   
5,000
 
Brazil
   
1,379,394
   
1,316,650
 
Chile
   
10,000
   
175,147
 
Colombia
   
400,458
   
163,132
 
Costa Rica
   
76,506
   
85,028
 
Dominican Republic
   
28,770
   
8,805
 
Ecuador
   
60,529
   
42,926
 
El Salvador
   
46,563
   
82,250
 
Guatemala
   
95,902
   
88,573
 
Honduras
   
48,631
   
36,466
 
Jamaica
   
77,401
   
48,904
 
Mexico
   
410,164
   
167,808
 
Nicaragua
   
12,616
   
10,121
 
Panama
   
139,720
   
180,511
 
Peru
   
454,226
   
261,617
 
Trinidad and Tobago
   
87,565
   
103,513
 
Venezuela
   
134,579
   
1,306
 
     
3,731,838
   
2,980,772
 

The fixed and floating interest rate distribution of the loan portfolio is as follows:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
               
Fixed interest rates
   
1,855,540
   
1,498,338
 
Floating interest rates
   
1,876,298
   
1,482,434
 
     
3,731,838
   
2,980,772
 

F-25


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


At December 31, 2007 and 2006, 84% and 89%, respectively, of the loan portfolio at fixed interest rates has remaining maturities of less than 180 days.

The following is a summary of information on non-accruing loans, and interest amounts on non-accruing loans:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
                     
Loans on non-accrual status
   
-
   
-
   
28,822
 
Interest which would had been recorded if the loans had not been on a non-accrual status
   
-
   
-
   
7,004
 
Interest income collected on non-accruing loans
   
-
   
2,721
   
7,670
 
Foregone interest revenue
   
-
   
-
   
-
 

The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
                     
Impaired loans with specific allowance for credit losses
   
-
   
-
   
28,822
 
                     
Specific allowance for impaired loans (under SFAS 114)
   
-
   
-
   
11,184
 
                     
Average balance of impaired loans during the year
   
-
   
18,168
   
105,964
 
                     
Interest income collected on impaired loans
   
-
   
2,721
   
7,670
 

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Bank has credit transactions in the normal course of business with 18% and 22%, respectively, of its Class “A” and “B” stockholders (see Note 13). All transactions are made based on arm’s-length terms and subject to prevailing commercial criteria and market rates and are subject to all of the Bank’s corporate governance and control procedures. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, approximately 22% and 27%, respectively, of the outstanding loan portfolio is placed with the Bank’s Class “A” and “B” stockholders and their related parties. At December 31, 2007, the Bank was not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or any foreign government, and no Class “A” or “B” shareholder was the registered owner of more than 3.5% of the total outstanding shares of the voting capital stock of the Bank.

During the year 2007, the Bank sold loans with a book value of $121.8 million, with a net gain of $271 thousand. 

F-26

 
Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


7.
Allowance for credit losses

The allowance for credit losses is available to absorb estimated probable credit losses existing in the credit portfolio at the date of the consolidated balance sheets. During 2005, Bladex implemented a new methodology for estimating generic allowances for credit losses. The new methodology incorporates statistical data on Bladex’s historical loss performance to calculate the expected loss and loss given default ratios, replacing the use of general probability of default information from rating agencies used in the former model. The Bank believes that this new methodology represents a change in determining an adequate level of allowance for credit losses. The effect of the change in methodology for periods ending before December 31, 2005 is included into the 2005 earnings and represented a net reversal of provisions for $2.7 million (reversal of $5.9 million in provision for loan losses and increase of $3.2 million in provision for off-balance sheet risk). The net effect of the change for the year ended December 31, 2005 was a decrease of $10 million in net income ($0.26 per share).

The Bank classifies the allowance for credit losses into two components:

 
a)
Allowance for loan losses:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
                     
Balance at beginning of the year
   
51,266
   
39,448
   
106,352
 
                     
Provision (reversal) for loan losses:
                   
Current year allocation
   
11,994
   
11,846
   
(48,180
)
Effect of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology - 2005
   
-
   
-
   
(5,975
)
     
11,994
   
11,846
   
(54,155
)
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology
   
-
   
-
   
(5,937
)
Loan recoveries
   
6,434
   
3
   
2,612
 
Loans written-off against the allowance for loan losses
   
(51
)
 
(31
)
 
(9,424
)
Balance at end of the year
   
69,643
   
51,266
   
39,448
 

 
Reversal of provision for credit losses are mostly related to reserves assigned and recovery of the Bank’s Argentine non-accruing portfolio, which was collected during the last three years.

b) Reserve for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
                     
Balance at beginning of the year
   
27,195
   
52,086
   
33,101
 
                     
Provision (reversal) for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk:
                   
Current year allocation
   
(13,468
)
 
(24,891
)
 
(210
)
Effect of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology - 2005
   
-
   
-
   
15,991
 
     
(13,468
)
 
(24,891
)
 
15,781
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology
   
-
   
-
   
3,204
 
Balance at end of the year
   
13,727
   
27,195
   
52,086
 

F-27

 
Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements 

 
The reserve for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk reflects the Bank’s management estimate of probable losses on off-balance sheet credit risk items such as: confirmed letters of credit, stand-by letters of credit, guarantees and credit commitments (see Note 16).

8.
Other Assets

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, other assets include an equity investment in a private investment fund for $2.4 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Its main objective is to generate capital gains in the long term through the purchase of shares and convertible debt, mainly from Mexican manufacturing corporations or foreign corporations looking for establishing or expanding its operations in Mexico. During 2007, the Bank invested $0.4 million in the fund, and received a total of $1.1 million of capital distribution that generated a net loss of $106 thousand. During 2006 the Bank invested $0.9 million.

At December 31, 2007 the Bank is committed to invest $1.5 million in this fund.

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Bank has not identified any events or changes in their financial condition that may have had a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of this investment. The Bank does not consider this investment to be other-than-temporary impaired.

At December 31, 2006, other assets also included an equity investment of $500 thousand in a company specialized in digital solutions. During the first semester of 2007, this investment was written off and charged to earnings as its impairment was considered other than temporary.

9.
Deposits

 
The maturity profile of the Bank’s deposits is as follows:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
           
Demand
   
111,496
   
132,130
 
Up to 1 month
   
1,060,706
   
578,220
 
From 1 month to 3 months
   
206,889
   
317,153
 
From 3 months to 6 months
   
73,280
   
28,774
 
From 6 months to 1 year
   
10,000
   
-
 
     
1,462,371
   
1,056,277
 
 
F-28


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

 
The following table presents additional information about deposits:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
           
Aggregate amounts of time deposits of $100,000 or more
   
1,350,875
   
924,147
 
Aggregate amounts of deposits in offices outside Panama
   
290,501
   
422,359
 
Interest expense paid to deposits in offices outside Panama
   
22,636
   
19,963
 

10.
Short-term borrowings

The breakdown of short-term borrowings due to banks and other creditors is as follows:
 
(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
At fixed interest rates:
         
Advances from corporations
   
25,000
   
-
 
Advances from banks
   
1,181,500
   
1,147,248
 
Discounted acceptances
   
-
   
10,000
 
     
1,206,500
   
1,157,248
 
At floating interest rates:
             
Advances from banks
   
15,000
   
-
 
               
Total short-term borrowings
   
1,221,500
   
1,157,248
 
               
Average outstanding balance during the year
   
1,272,986
   
497,830
 
               
Maximum balance at any month-end
   
1,221,500
   
1,208,348
 
               
Weighted average interest rate at end of the year
   
5.31
%
 
5.56
%
               
Weighted average interest rate during the year
   
5.48
%
 
5.50
%
 
F-29


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

11.
Borrowings and long-term debt

Borrowings consist of long-term and syndicated loans obtained from international banks. Debt instruments consist of Euro-Notes and other issuances in Latin America. The breakdown of borrowings and long-term debt (original maturity of more than one year) is as follows:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
Borrowings:
         
At fixed interest rates with due dates from June 2008 to July 2011
   
235,578
   
105,180
 
At floating interest rates with due dates from January 2008 to March 2012
   
708,690
   
428,680
 
Total borrowings
   
944,268
   
533,860
 
Debt:
             
At fixed interest rates with due dates in November 2014
   
41,048
   
-
 
At floating interest rates with due dates from January 2008 until October 2010
   
25,000
   
25,000
 
Total debt
   
66,048
   
25,000
 
               
Total borrowings and long-term debt outstanding
   
1,010,316
   
558,860
 
               
Average outstanding balance during the year
   
808,890
   
497,830
 
               
Maximum outstanding balance at any month-end
   
1,059,224
   
558,860
 
               
Weighted average interest rate at the end of the year
   
5.75
%
 
5.82
%
Weighted average interest rate during the year
   
5.94
%
 
5.50
%

The Bank's funding activities include a Euro-Note program, which may be used to issue notes for up to $2.3 billion, with maturities from 90 days up to a maximum of 30 years, at fixed or floating interest rates, or at discount, and in various currencies.

During 2007 the Bank issued long-term debt for a total of 123 million Peruvian Soles with maturity in November 2014. This issuance is hedged with cross-currency swaps at fixed interest rate.

The notes are generally sold in bearer or registered form through one or more authorized financial institutions.

Some borrowing agreements include various events of default and covenants related to minimum capital adequacy ratios, incurrence of additional liens, and asset sales, as well as other customary covenants, representations and warranties. At December 31, 2007, the Bank was in compliance with all covenants.

F-30


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

The future maturities of long-term debt and borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2007, are as follows:

(In thousand of US$)
     
Due in:
 
Outstanding
 
       
2008
   
357,300
 
2009
   
138,000
 
2010
   
214,393
 
2011
   
109,575
 
2012
   
150,000
 
2013
   
-
 
2014
   
41,048
 
     
1,010,316
 
 
12.
Other liabilities

Redeemed Preferred Stock:

On May 15, 2006, the Bank redeemed all non-voting preferred shares outstanding. In case of a liquidation of the Bank, the preferred stockholders were entitled to receive a liquidation preference of $10 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Bank redeemed preferred stock at its par value by 20% of the aggregate par value of the preferred stock outstanding as of March 15, 2002, and on March 15 of each of the subsequent years up to 2006. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Bank had $1.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, representing 126,448 and 193,623 preferred shares, respectively, redeemed but not claimed by preferred shareholders, which are recorded in other liabilities. Preferred stockholders had the right to receive an interest equivalent to the same percentage as the common stockholders (excluding from the calculation any common stock issued as stock dividend).

13.
Common stock

 
The Bank’s common stock is divided into three categories:

 
1)
Class “A”; shares may only be issued to Latin American Central Banks or banks in which the state or other government agency is the majority shareholder.
 
2)
Class “B”; shares may only be issued to banks or financial institutions.
 
3)
Class “E”; shares may be issued to any person whether a natural person or a legal entity.

The holders of Class “B” shares have the right to convert or exchange their Class “B” shares, at any time, and without restriction, for Class “E” shares, at a rate of one to one. On August 3, 2004, the Board of Directors authorized a three-year stock repurchase program under which Bladex may, from time to time, repurchase up to an aggregate of $50 million of its Class E shares of common stock, in the open market at the prevailing market price. In July 2006, this stock repurchase program was completed at an average price of $16.43 per share.

F-31


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

The following table provides detailed information on the Bank’s common stock activity per class for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007:

(Share units)
 
Class “A”
 
Class “B”
 
Class “E”
 
Total
 
                   
Authorized
   
40,000,000
   
40,000,000
   
100,000,000
   
180,000,000
 
                           
Outstanding at December 31, 2004
   
6,342,189
   
3,271,269
   
29,283,621
   
38,897,079
 
Conversions
   
-
   
(56,925
)
 
56,925
   
-
 
Restricted stock issued
   
-
   
-
   
5,320
   
5,320
 
Repurchased stock
   
-
   
-
   
(805,900
)
 
(805,900
)
Exercised stock options - compensation plan
   
-
   
-
   
276
   
276
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
   
6,342,189
   
3,214,344
   
28,540,242
   
38,096,775
 
Conversions
   
-
   
(488,954
)
 
488,954
   
-
 
Restricted stock issued
   
-
   
-
   
5,967
   
5,967
 
Repurchased stock
   
-
   
-
   
(1,774,818
)
 
(1,774,818
)
Exercised stock options - compensation plan
   
-
   
-
   
1,150
   
1,150
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
   
6,342,189
   
2,725,390
   
27,261,495
   
36,329,074
 
Conversions
   
-
   
(64,540
)
 
64,540
   
-
 
Accumulated difference in fraccional shares in coversion of common stocks
         
(3
)
       
(3
)
Restricted stock issued
   
-
   
-
   
22,240
   
22,240
 
Exercised stock options - compensation plan
   
-
   
-
   
18,838
   
18,838
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
   
6,342,189
   
2,660,847
   
27,367,113
   
36,370,149
 

The following table presents information regarding shares repurchased but not retired by the Bank and accordingly classified as treasury stock:

(In thousand, except for share data)
 
Class “A”
 
Class “B”
 
Class “E”
 
Total
 
                   
   
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
                                   
Outstanding at December 31, 2004
   
318,140
   
10,708
   
568,010
   
15,655
   
2,196,616
   
66,264
   
3,082,766
   
92,627
 
Repurchased during 2005
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
805,900
   
13,815
   
805,900
   
13,815
 
Restricted stock issued
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(5,320
)
 
(152
)
 
(5,320
)
 
(152
)
Exercised stock options - compensation plan
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(276
)
 
(8
)
 
(276
)
 
(8
)
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
   
318,140
   
10,708
   
568,010
   
15,655
   
2,996,920
   
79,919
   
3,883,070
   
106,282
 
Repurchased during 2006
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
1,774,818
   
28,657
   
1,774,818
   
28,657
 
Restricted stock issued
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(5,967
)
 
(144
)
 
(5,967
)
 
(144
)
Exercised stock options - compensation plan
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(1,150
)
 
(27
)
 
(1,150
)
 
(27
)
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
   
318,140
   
10,708
   
568,010
   
15,655
   
4,764,621
   
108,405
   
5,650,771
   
134,768
 
Restricted stock issued
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(22,240
)
 
(531
)
 
(22,240
)
 
(531
)
                                                   
Exercised stock options - compensation plan
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(18,838
)
 
(449
)
 
(18,838
)
 
(449
)
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
   
318,140
   
10,708
   
568,010
   
15,655
   
4,723,543
   
107,425
   
5,609,693
   
133,788
 
 
14.
Cash and stock-based compensation plans  

 
The Bank established equity compensation plans under which it administers restricted stock and stock option plans to attract, retain and motivate Directors, and key employees and compensate them for their contributions to the growth and profitability of the Bank.

F-32


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

During 2005 the Bank adopted SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment”. As a result of the early adoption of this rule, compensation cost of $555 thousand was recorded in 2005. The adjustment of $150 thousand to retroactively apply the new method was charged to income of 2005.

Restricted Stock - Directors

During 2003, the Board of Directors approved a restricted stock award plan for Directors of the Bank that was amended during 2007. These Class “E” stocks may be sourced from treasury stock, or authorized unissued shares. Until 2006, the plan allowed Directors to receive Class “E” shares for each Director on an annual basis worth $10 thousand, and to the Chairman of the Board worth $15 thousand. Following the amendment of this award plan, starting in 2007, annually the Board may grant Class “E” shares for each Director worth $50 thousand, and to the Chairman of the Board worth $75 thousand, all based on Bladex’s closing price in the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) at the trading date of the grant. The restricted stocks have a cliff vesting period of five years after the grant date. During 2007, 2006, and 2005, the Bank issued under this plan 22,240, 5,967, and 5,320 Class “E” common shares, respectively. Costs of restricted stock issued under this plan for $475 thousand in 2007, and $95 thousand in 2006 and 2005, are amortized during the cliff vesting period. Related costs charged against income totaled $118 thousand, $65 thousand and $46 thousand in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At December 31, 2007 remaining compensation cost for $587 thousand will be amortized over 3.06 years.
 
Stock Option Plan 2006 - Directors and Key Employees

On December 12, 2006, the Bank’s Board of Directors adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan. The maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued under the 2006 Stock Option Plan is two million Class E common shares. However, if there are any modifications to the number of shares representing the outstanding common stock of the Bank, as a result of a stock dividend, combination of stock or change in the corporate structure, the number of shares that may be issued under the 2006 Stock Option Plan will be revised. Under the 2006 Stock Option Plan, the Bank’s Board of Directors, with the recommendation and advice of the Nomination and Compensation Committee, may authorize the grant of options to any one or more key employees or directors of the Bank, as well as determine or impose conditions upon the grant or exercise of Options under the Plan. The Options expire seven years after the grant date and, except otherwise provided in the award agreement, shall be exercisable beginning on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.

During 2007, the Board of Directors granted $95 thousand in stock options to members of the Board of Directors and $890 thousand in stock options to key employees of the Bank. At December 31, 2007, related cost charged against income was $302 thousand. Remaining compensation cost for $709 thousand will be amortized over 3.12 years. The fair value of each option granted is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, based on the following factors:

   
December 31,
2007
 
       
Weighted average fair value option
 
$
4.72
 
Weighted average expected terms, in years
   
5.50
 
Expected volatility
   
36
%
Risk-free rate
   
4.81
%
Expected dividend
   
3.54
%

F-33


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

A summary of the status of the share options granted to Directors and key employees is presented below:

   
2007
 
   
 
 
Options
 
Weighted Average Option Price Exercisable
 
Outstanding, beginning of year
   
-
   
-
 
Granted
   
208,765
 
$
16.34
 
Forfeited
   
-
   
-
 
Outstanding, end of year
   
208,765
 
$
16.34
 

Indexed Stock Option Plan

During 2003, the Board of Directors approved an indexed stock option plan for Directors and key employees of the Bank, which was subsequently terminated in April 2006. On an annual basis, the plan allowed Directors to receive options to purchase Class “E” shares from treasury shares already held, for an equivalent amount of $10 thousand, and for the Chairman of the Board, an equivalent amount of $15 thousand. The number of options granted for key employees was determined by the Board of Directors based on the target of each eligible position and the value of the option at grant date. The indexed stock options expire in seven years with a cliff-vesting period of four years. The exercise price is adjusted based on the change in a customized Latin America general market index. As of December 31, 2007, the Bank had an unrecognized compensation cost of $689 thousand related to non-vested options granted under the indexed stock option plan, which will be recognized over a period of 1.70 years. Related costs charged against income amounted to $828 thousand in 2007, $635 thousand in 2006, and $385 thousand in 2005. The fair value of each option granted is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, based on the following factors:

   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
               
Weighted average fair value option
 
$
6.02
 
$
4.5
 
$
5.3
 
Weighted average expected term, in years
   
4.11
   
6.1
   
6.2
 
Expected volatility
   
51.4
%
 
51.4
%
 
51.4
%
Risk-free rate
   
3
%
 
3
%
 
3
%
Expected dividend
   
6.7
%
 
6.7
%
 
6.7
%

A summary of the status of the share options granted under the indexed stock option plans is presented below:

   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
   
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise 
Price
 
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise 
Price
 
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise 
Price
 
                           
Outstanding, beginning of year
   
523,723
 
$
14.53
   
307,013
 
$
12.42
   
184,836
 
$
18.53
 
Granted
   
-
 
$
-
   
216,710
 
$
16.00
   
152,084
 
$
17.30
 
Forfeited
   
-
 
$
-
   
-
 
$
-
   
(29,907
)
$
17.30
 
Exercised
   
(18,838
)
$
8.50
   
-
 
$
-
   
-
 
$
-
 
Outstanding, end of year
   
504,885
 
$
14.47
   
523,723
 
$
13.90
   
307,013
 
$
17.30
 
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year
       
$
-
       
$
4.48
       
$
5.18
 


F-34


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

   
December 31, 2007
 
 
 
 
Range of Exercise Prices
 
 
 
Number
Outstanding
 
 
Weighted 
Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted Average 
Contractual Life 
Remaining
(in years)
 
               
$10.00 - 20.00
   
504,885
 
$
14.47
   
4.11
 

Stock Option Plan - Discontinued

During 2000, the Board of Directors approved a stock option plan for Directors and employees of the Bank. The exercise price of each option must equal 100% of the market value of the stock at the grant date and becomes 100% exercisable one year after the grant date and expires on the fifth year after the grant date. In addition, during 1995 and 1999, the Board of Directors approved two stock option plans for employees. Under these stock option plans, stock options were granted at a purchase price equal to the average market value of the common stock at the grant date. One third of the options may be exercised on each successive year after the grant date and expire on the tenth anniversary after the grant date. On July 19, 2003, the Board of Directors approved discontinuing these plans therefore, no additional stock options have been granted.

A summary of the status of the stock options granted to Directors and employees is presented below:

   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
   
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding, beginning of year
   
49,613
 
$
34.84
   
56,093
 
$
34.34
   
102,012
 
$
36.12
 
Forfeited
   
(2,850
)
$
30.95
   
(4,200
)
$
34.47
   
(37,483
)
$
35.35
 
Expired
   
(8,600
)
$
51.19
   
(2,280
)
$
32.88
   
(8,436
)
$
37.88
 
Outstanding, end of year
   
38,163
 
$
31.46
   
49,613
 
$
34.84
   
56,093
 
$
34.34
 
Exercisable at year end
   
38,163
 
$
31.46
   
49,613
 
$
34.84
   
56,093
 
$
34.34
 

   
December 31, 2007
 
   
Outstanding Options
 
Exercisable Options
 
 
 
 
 
Range of Exercise Prices
 
Number Outstanding
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average Contractual
Life
Remaining
 
Number Outstanding
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
                       
$20.00 - 30.00
   
14,143
 
$
23.12
   
2 years
   
14,143
 
$
23.12
 
$30.01 - 40.00
   
15,370
 
$
32.88
   
4 years
   
15,370
 
$
32.88
 
$40.01 - 50.00
   
8,650
 
$
42.56
   
1 year
   
8,650
 
$
42.56
 
Total
   
38,163
 
$
31.46
         
38,163
 
$
31.46
 

F-35

 
Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

Other employee plans

Expatriate Officer Plan:
The Bank sponsors a defined contribution plan for its expatriate top executives. The Bank’s contributions are determined as a percentage of the eligible officers’ annual salaries, with each officer contributing an additional amount withheld from his salary. Contributions from officers were deposited in a saving account with the Bank at market interest rates until March 2007, when the Bank transferred the balance of contributions from both, the Bank and the officers, to a trust that is managed by a fund manager. Officers are entitled to the contributions from the Bank once they have worked with the Bank for at least three years. During the years 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Bank charged to salaries expense, $175 thousand, $261 thousand and $165 thousand, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the accumulated liability payable amounted to $382 thousand, $745 thousand and $484 thousand, respectively.

Deferred Equity Unit Plan (the “DEU Plan”):
In 1999, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of the DEU Plan, which was subsequently terminated in July 2003. This plan expired in February 2006 and employees exercised their rights in cash or shares.

Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DC Plan”):
In 1999, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of the DC Plan, which was subsequently terminated in July 2003. The DC Plan has two separate features. Under the first component, the Bank could grant to each eligible employee a number of DEU equal to an amount equivalent to a percentage, not to exceed 3%, of the employee’s compensation, divided by the market value of a Class “E” share. Eligible employees would vest the DEU after three years of service. Distributions were made in respect of DEU on the later of (i) the date the vested DEU were credited to an employee’s account and (ii) ten years after the employee was first credited with DEU under the DC Plan. Participating employees receive dividends, with respect to their unvested deferred equity units. The second component allowed employees who are not citizens or residents of the United States of America to defer a percentage of their compensation, and receive discretionary matching cash contribution. In no event could the value of (i) the discretionary matching cash contribution made on behalf of an employee and (ii) the grant of deferred equity units made to such employees exceed 6% of the employee’s annual base compensation. A summary of the status of the DC Plan is presented bellow:

   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
               
Outstanding, beginning of year
   
23,779
   
27,953
   
28,351
 
Exercised
   
(1,597
)
 
(4,174
)
 
(398
)
Outstanding, end of year
   
22,182
   
23,779
   
27,953
 
 
As of December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, expenses recorded were $20 thousand, $48 thousand, and $67 thousand, respectively.

F-36


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

15.
Earnings Per Share

 
The following is a reconciliation of the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) computations for the dates indicated:

(In thousand of US$, except per share amounts)
 
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles:
   
72,177
   
57,902
   
77,518
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology
   
-
   
-
   
2,733
 
Cumulative effect on prior year (to December 31, 2004) of an early adoption of the fair-value-based method of accounting stock-based employee compensation
   
-
   
-
   
(150
)
Net income available to common stockholders for both, basic and diluted EPS
   
72,177
   
57,902
   
80,101
 
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding - applicable to basic EPS
   
36,349
   
37,065
   
38,550
 
Basic earnings per share:
                   
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
   
1.99
   
1.56
   
2.01
 
Cumulative effect on prior years of accounting changes
   
0.00
   
0.00
   
0.07
 
Net income per share
   
1.99
   
1.56
   
2.08
 
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding
                   
applicable to diluted EPS
   
36,349
   
37,065
   
38,550
 
Effect of dilutive securities (1):
                   
Indexed stock option plans
   
65
   
507
   
310
 
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding Applicable to diluted EPS
   
36,414
   
37,572
   
38,860
 
                     
Diluted earnings per share:
                   
Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
   
1.98
   
1.54
   
1.99
 
Cumulative effect on prior years of accounting changes
   
0.00
   
0.00
   
0.07
 
Net income per share
   
1.98
   
1.54
   
2.06
 
                     
Basic earning per share
   
1.99
   
1.56
   
2.01
 
                     
Diluted earning per share
   
1.98
   
1.54
   
1.99
 

(1) At December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, weighted average options for 38,467, 53,177 and 98,806, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earning per share because the option’s exercise price was greater than the average quoted market price of the Bank’s common stock.
 
F-37


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

16.
Financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk
 
In the normal course of business, to meet the financing needs of its customers, the Bank is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk. These financial instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and market risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. Credit risk represents the possibility of loss resulting from the failure of a customer to perform in accordance with the terms of a contract.

The Bank’s outstanding financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk were as follows:

(In thousand of US$)
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
           
Confirmed letters of credit
   
97,211
   
109,102
 
Stand-by letters of credit and guarantees:
             
Country risk
   
113,924
   
123,924
 
Commercial risk
   
197,528
   
168,295
 
Other
   
-
   
20,000
 
Credit derivatives
   
3,000
   
-
 
     
314,452
   
312,219
 
               
Credit commitments
   
129,378
   
200,191
 
Reimbursement undertaking
   
-
   
2,687
 
     
541,041
   
624,199
 

As of December 31, 2007, the maturity profile of the Bank’s outstanding financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk is as follows:

(In thousand of US$)
     
Maturities
 
Amount
 
       
Within 1 year
   
427,146
 
From 1 to 2 years
   
70,502
 
From 2 to 5 years
   
41,807
 
After 5 years
   
1,586
 
     
541,041
 
 
F-38


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

 
As of December 31, 2007 and 2006 the breakdown of the Bank’s off-balance sheet exposure by country risk is as follows:

(In thousand of US$)
     
   
2007
 
2006
 
Country:
             
Argentina
   
4,057
   
1,055
 
Brazil
   
220,281
   
213,956
 
Chile
   
590
   
461
 
Colombia
   
4,225
   
67,830
 
Costa Rica
   
71,871
   
11,553
 
Dominican Republic
   
60,601
   
112,234
 
Ecuador
   
81,379
   
80,570
 
El Salvador
   
1,675
   
1,175
 
Guatemala
   
6,293
   
5,980
 
Honduras
   
400
   
-
 
Jamaica
   
15,615
   
-
 
Mexico
   
11,750
   
37,526
 
Panama
   
10,565
   
40,152
 
Peru
   
10
   
18,743
 
Trinidad and Tobago
   
5,000
   
-
 
United States
   
18,616
   
-
 
Venezuela
   
27,963
   
32,782
 
Other
   
150
   
182
 
     
541,041
   
624,199
 

Letters of credit and guarantees
The Bank, on behalf of its client base, advises and confirms letters of credit to facilitate foreign trade transactions. When confirming letters of credit, the Bank adds its own unqualified assurance that the issuing bank will pay and that if the issuing bank does not honor drafts drawn on the credit, the Bank will. The Bank provides stand-by letters of credit and guarantees, including country risk guarantees, which are issued on behalf of institutional customers in connection with financing between its customers and third parties. The Bank applies the same credit policies used in its lending process, and once issued the commitment is irrevocable and remains valid until its expiration. Credit risk arises from the Bank's obligation to make payment in the event of a customer’s contractual default to a third party. Risks associated with stand-by letters of credit and guarantees are included in the evaluation of the Bank’s overall credit risk. The Bank issues stand-by letters and guarantees to provide coverage for country risk arising from the risk of convertibility and transferability of local currency of countries in the Region into hard currency, and to provide coverage for country risk arising from political risks, such as expropriation, nationalization, war and/or civil disturbances.

Credit commitments
Commitments to extend credit are a combination of either non-binding or legal agreements to lend to a customer. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee to the Bank. As some commitments expire without being drawn down, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
 
F-39


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

17.
Leasehold and other commitments

Leasehold commitments

At December 31, 2007, a summary of leasehold commitment is as follows:

   
(In thousand of
US$)
 
 
Year
 
Future Rental Commitments
 
       
2008
   
654
 
2009
   
660
 
2010
   
667
 
2011
   
618
 
2012
   
417
 
Thereafter
   
1,122
 
     
4,138
 

Occupancy expense for years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, amounted to $593 thousand, $637 thousand, and $447 thousand, respectively.

Other commitments

Purchase Agreements
The Bank has signed service agreements with certain vendors that provide services that are necessary for the ongoing operations of its business and mainly related to the maintenance of a new technology platform and telecommunications services. The terms of these agreements are up to 8 years and some of them can be renegotiated for annual or semiannual price adjustments, after the fifth year.

Under the terms of these agreements, the Bank has committed to contractually specified minimums payments over the contractual periods as follows:

The contractual minimum payments are:

(In thousand of US$)
     
Due in:
 
Amount
 
       
2008
   
577
 
2009
   
530
 
2010
   
519
 
2011
   
311
 
2012
   
323
 
Thereafter
   
336
 
     
2,596
 

To the extent that the Bank does not fulfill the contractual minimum amount of services, the Bank must pay the shortfall to the vendors. The Bank believes that it will meet the contractual minimums payments through the normal course of business.

F-40


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

18.
Derivative financial instruments

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, quantitative information on derivative financial instruments held for hedging purposes is as follows:
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
(In thousand of US$)
 
Nominal
 
Fair Value
 
Nominal
 
Fair Value
 
   
Amount
 
Asset
 
Liability
 
Amount
 
Asset
 
Liability
 
Fair value hedges:
                                     
Interest rate swaps
   
372,996
   
122
   
13,408
   
249,338
   
541
   
2,196
 
Forward foreign exchange
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
13,146
   
-
   
201
 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
   
45,455
   
-
   
1,479
   
3,600
   
-
   
164
 
Cash flow hedges:
                                     
Interest rate swaps
   
20,000
   
-
   
1,129
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Forward foreign exchange
   
26,282
   
-
   
883
   
5,022
   
-
   
73
 
                                       
Total
   
464,733
   
122
   
16,899
   
271,106
   
541
   
2,634
 
                                       
Net loss on the ineffective portion of hedging activities
   
(989
)
             
(225
)
           

For control purposes, derivative instruments are recorded at their nominal amount ("notional amount") in memorandum accounts. Interest rate swaps are made either in a single currency or cross currency for a prescribed period to exchange a series of interest rate flows, which involve fixed for floating interest payments. The Bank also engages in some foreign exchange trades to serve customers’ transaction needs and to manage the foreign currency risk. All such positions are hedged with an offsetting contract for the same currency. The Bank manages and controls the risks on these foreign exchange trades by establishing counter party credit limits by customer and by adopting policies that do not allow for open positions in the credit and investment portfolio. Derivative and foreign exchange instruments negotiated by the Bank are executed mainly over-the-counter (OTC). These contracts are executed between two counter parties that negotiate specific agreement terms, including notional amount, exercise price and maturity. During 2005, the Bank settled, prior to maturity, certain hedge relationships accounted for as fair value hedges and recorded $2.1 million in other income under derivative and hedging activities. These interest rate swaps were considered highly effective at reducing the interest rate risk associated with available for sale securities.

The Bank estimates that approximately $127 thousand of gains reported in other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2007, related to forward foreign exchange contracts were expected to be reclassified into interest expense as an adjustment to yield adjustment of hedged liabilities during the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2008.

The Bank estimates that approximately $183 thousand of losses reported in other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2007 related to forward foreign exchange contracts were expected to be reclassified into interest income as an adjustment to yield of hedged loans during the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2008.

F-41


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements


Types of Derivative and Foreign Exchange Instruments
Interest rate swaps are contracts in which a series of interest rate flows in a single currency are exchanged over a prescribed period. The Bank has designated a portion of these derivative instruments as fair value hedges. Cross currency swaps are contracts that generally involve the exchange of both interest and principal amounts in two different currencies. The Bank has designated a portion of these derivative instruments as fair value hedges. Forward foreign exchange contracts represent an agreement to purchase or sell foreign currency on a future date at agreed upon term. The Bank has designated a portion of these derivative instruments as fair value and cash flow hedges.

19.
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 
As of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 the breakdown of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to investment securities available for sale and derivatives is as follows:

 
 
(In thousand of US$)
 
Investment
Securities
 
Derivative
Financial
Instruments
 
Total
 
               
Balance as of December 31, 2004
   
6,082
   
-
   
6,082
 
Net unrealized losses arising from the year
   
(5,257
)
 
-
   
(5,257
)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (1)
   
(206
)
 
-
   
(206
)
Balance as of December 31, 2005
   
619
   
-
   
619
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising from the year
   
5,349
   
(72
)
 
5,277
 
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (1)
   
(2,568
)
 
-
   
(2,568
)
Balance as of December 31, 2006
   
3,400
   
(72
)
 
3,328
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising from the year
   
(1,912
)
 
(2,081
)
 
(3,993
)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (1)
   
(9,119
)
 
143
   
(8,976
)
Balance as of December 31, 2007
   
(7,631
)
 
(2,010
)
 
(9,641
)
                     
(1) Reclassification adjustments include amounts recognized in net income during the current year that had been part of other comprehensive income in this and previous years.

20.
Fair value of financial instruments

 
Bank’s management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Bank’s financial instruments; however, there are limitations in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily an indicative of the amounts the Bank could have realized in a sale transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends, and have not been re-expressed or updated subsequent to the dates of these consolidated financial statements. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.

 
The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the Bank. Fair value calculations are only provided for a limited portion of the Bank’s assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparison of fair value information of the Bank and other companies may not be meaningful for comparative analysis. The following methods and assumptions were used by management in estimating the fair values of each type of financial instruments:
 
F-42


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

Financial instruments with carrying value equal to fair value

The carrying value of certain financial assets, including cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks, accrued interest receivable, customers’ liabilities under acceptances and certain financial liabilities including, customer’s demand and time deposits, short-term borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreement, accrued interest payable, and acceptances outstanding, as a result of their short-term nature, are considered to be equal to fair value.

Trading assets, trading liabilities and investment securities

The fair value of investment securities has been based upon current market quotations, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value has been estimated based upon quoted price of similar instruments, or where these are not available, on discounted expected cash flows using market rates commensurate with the credit quality and maturity of the security.

Loans

The fair value of the performing loan portfolio has been determined principally based upon a discounted analysis of anticipated cash flows adjusted for expected credit losses. The loans have been grouped to the extent possible, into homogeneous pools, segregated by maturity and the weighted average maturity of the loans within each pool. Depending upon the type of loan involved, maturity assumptions have been based on either contractual or expected maturity. Credit risk has been factored into the present value analysis of cash flows associated with each loan type, by allocating allowances for loan losses. The allocated portion of the allowance, adjusted by a present value factor based upon the timing of expected losses, has been deducted from the gross cash flows prior to calculating the present value. The fair value of the non-performing loans has been determined net of the related allowance for loan losses.

Borrowings and long-term debt

The fair value of long-term debt and borrowings is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on the current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Derivative financial instruments

All derivative instruments are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Fair value is based on dealer quotes, pricing models, discounted cash flow analysis or quoted prices for instruments with similar characteristics.
 
F-43


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements
 
The following table provides information on the carrying value and fair value of the Bank’s financial instruments:
 
   
December 31,
 
(In thousand of US$)
 
2007
 
2006
 
   
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
   
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
Financial assets:
                         
Instruments with carrying value equal to fair value
   
593,856
   
593,856
   
433,409
   
433,409
 
Trading assets
   
52,597
   
52,597
   
130,076
   
130,076
 
Securities available for sale
   
468,360
   
468,360
   
346,194
   
346,194
 
Securities held to maturity
   
-
   
-
   
125,157
   
125,118
 
Loans, net of allowance
   
3,656,234
   
3,674,978
   
2,925,081
   
2,940,941
 
Derivative financial instruments - assets
   
122
   
122
   
541
   
541
 
                           
Financial liabilities:
                         
Instruments with carrying value equal to fair value
   
3,015,383
   
3,015,383
   
2,726,307
   
2,726,307
 
Borrowings and long-term debt
   
1,010,316
   
1,023,413
   
558,860
   
563,183
 
Trading liabilities
   
90,765
   
90,765
   
54,832
   
54,832
 
Derivative financial instruments - liabilities
   
16,899
   
16,899
   
2,634
   
2,634
 

21.
Litigation

 
Bladex is not engaged in any litigation that is material to the Bank’s business or, to the best of the knowledge of the Bank’s management, that is likely to have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

22.
Business segment information

The Bank’s activities are operated and managed by three segments, Commercial, Treasury and Asset Management. The segment information reflects this operational and management structure, in a manner consistent with the requirements outlined in SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”. The segment results are determined based on the Bank’s management accounting process, which assigns consolidated balance sheets, revenue and expense items to each reportable division on a systematic basis.

In 2007 the Bank segregated the Asset Management activities from the Treasury Segment. Business segment information reported in the financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 has been restated to segregate the new Asset Management Segment.

Commercial incorporates all of the Bank’s financial intermediation and fee generation activities. Operating income from the Commercial Segment includes net interest income from loans, fee income and allocated operating expenses.

F-44


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements

Treasury incorporates deposits in banks and all of the Bank’s securities available for sale and held to maturity. Operating income from the Treasury Segment includes net interest income from deposits and securities available for sale and held to maturity, derivative and hedging activities, gain and losses on sale of securities available for sale, gain and losses on foreign exchange, and allocated operating expenses.

Asset Management incorporates all of the Fund’s deposits and trading assets. Operating income from the Asset Management Segment includes net interest income from deposits with brokers, trading assets, derivative instruments for trading, gains and losses on trading, and allocated operating expenses.

The following table provides certain information regarding the Bank’s continuing operations by segment:
 
Business Segment Analysis (1)

(In millions of US$)
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
COMMERCIAL
                   
Interest income
   
221.6
   
165.8
   
101.7
 
Interest expense
   
(157.5
)
 
(114.9
)
 
(62.3
)
Net interest income
   
64.1
   
50.9
   
39.4
 
Net other income (2)
   
5.3
   
6.4
   
5.8
 
Operating expenses
   
(27.2
)
 
(23.7
)
 
(21.7
)
Net operating income (3)
   
42.3
   
33.6
   
23.5
 
Reversals for loans and off-balance sheet credit losses
   
1.5
   
13.0
   
38.4
 
Impairment on assets
   
(0.5
)
 
0.0
   
0.0
 
Net income, before cumulative effect of accounting change
   
43.2
   
46.6
   
61.9
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology
   
0.0
   
0.0
   
2.7
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of an early adoption of the fair value-based method of accounting stock-based employee compensation plan
   
0.0
   
0.0
   
(0.2
)
Net income
   
43.2
   
46.6
   
64.5
 
                     
Commercial Assets and Contingencies (end of period balances):
                   
Interest-earning assets (4)
   
3,725.9
   
2,976.3
   
2,604.4
 
Other assets and contingencies (5)
   
549.5
   
653.7
   
796.9
 
Total Interest-Earning Assets, Other Assets and Contingencies
   
4,275.4
   
3,630.0
   
3,401.4
 
TREASURY
                   
Interest income
   
33.7
   
28.8
   
15.1
 
Interest expense
   
(27.5
)
 
(21.9
)
 
(9.2
)
Net interest income
   
6.2
   
6.9
   
5.9
 
Net other income (2)
   
8.5
   
2.1
   
2.5
 
Operating expenses
   
(4.3
)
 
(3.5
)
 
(2.7
)
Net operating income (3)
   
10.3
   
5.6
   
5.8
 
Recoveries on assets
   
0.0
   
5.6
   
10.2
 
Net income
   
10.3
   
11.1
   
16.0
 
                     
Treasury assets and contingencies (end of period of balances):
                   
Interest-earning assets (6)
   
819.6
   
775.2
   
438.5
 
Total Interest-earning assets, other assets and contingencies
   
819.6
   
775.2
   
438.5
 
ASSET MANAGEMENT
                   
Interest income
   
9.6
   
8.7
   
0.0
 
Interest expense
   
(9.4
)
 
(7.7
)
 
(0.0
)
Net interest income
   
0.2
   
1.0
   
0.0
 
Net other income (2)
   
23.9
   
0.9
   
0.0
 
Operating expenses
   
(5.5
)
 
(1.9
)
 
(0.3
)
Net operating income (3)
   
18.6
   
0.0
   
(0.3
)
Net income
   
18.6
   
0.0
   
(0.3
)
 
                   
Fund’s Assets and Contingencies (end of period of balances):
                   
Interest-earning assets (6)
   
178.9
   
158.4
   
0
 
Total interest-earning assets, other assets and contingencies
   
178.9
   
158.4
   
0
 
                     
(Continues)

F-45


Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S. A.
and Subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements
 
(In US$ million)
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
               
TOTAL
                   
Interest income
   
264.9
   
203.3
   
116.8
 
Interest expense
   
(194.3
)
 
(144.5
)
 
(71.5
)
Net interest income
   
70.6
   
58.8
   
45.3
 
Net other income (2)
   
37.7
   
9.4
   
8.4
 
Operating expenses
   
(37.0
)
 
(28.9
)
 
(24.7
)
Net operating income (3)
   
71.2
   
39.3
   
28.9
 
Reversals for loans and off-balance sheet credit losses
   
1.5
   
13.0
   
38.4
 
Recoveries (impairment) on assets
   
(0.5
)
 
5.6
   
10.2
 
Net income, before cumulative effect of accounting change
   
72.2
   
57.9
   
77.5
 
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of a change in the credit loss reserve methodology
   
0.0
   
0.0
   
2.7
 
                     
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 2004) of an early adoption of the fair value-based method of accounting stock-based employee compensation plan
   
0.0
   
0.0
   
(0.2
)
Net income
   
72.2
   
57.9
   
80.1
 
Total Assets and Contingencies (end of period balances):
                   
Interest-earning assets (4 & 6)
   
4,724.4
   
3,909.9
   
3,042.9
 
Other assets and contingencies (5)
   
552.5
   
653.7
   
796.9
 
Total Interest-Earning Assets, Other Assets and Contingencies
   
5,276.9
   
4,563.6
   
3,839.8
 
 
(1)
The numbers set out in these tables have been rounded and accordingly may not total exactly.
(2)
Net other income excludes reversals (provisions) for loans and off-balance sheet credit losses, and recoveries on assets.
(3)
Net operating income refers to net income excluding reversals (provisions) for loans and off-balance sheet credit losses, recoveries on assets, and cumulative effect on prior years of changes in accounting principles.
(4)
Includes loans, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees.
Includes customers’ liabilities under acceptances, letters of credit and guarantees covering commercial and country risk, and credit commitments and equity investments recorded as other assets.
(6)
Includes cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks, securities available for sale and held to maturity and trading securities.

F-46


EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
 
Exhibit 12.1.
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
Exhibit 12.2.
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
Exhibit 13.1.
 
Rule 13a-14(b) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
Exhibit 13.2.
 
Rule 13a-14(b) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
Exhibit 14.1.
 
Code of Ethics