Bladex Reports Second Quarter Net Income of $10.5 Million, or $0.29 per Share

PANAMA CITY, July 22  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (NYSE: BLX, "Bladex", or "the Bank") announced today its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

                           Business Highlights

  --  Net interest income in the second quarter 2009 amounted to $16.8
      million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 9% from first quarter 2009,
      mainly due to increased lending spreads.  Quarter end commercial
      portfolio increased by 2% versus the previous quarter.
  --  Net operating income (1) for the second quarter 2009 amounted to $19.7
      million, compared to a net operating income of $22.3 million in the
      first quarter 2009 and $26.1 million in net operating income in the
      second quarter 2008.  The decrease was due principally to lower
      trading gains.
  --  Net income amounted to $10.5 million in the second quarter 2009,
      compared to a net income of $16.7 million in the first quarter 2009,
      and $26.3 million gain during the second quarter 2008.  The decrease
      was principally the result of the creation of $12.0 million in
      specific reserves against loans in the process of restructuring. 
      Operating expenses during the second quarter 2009 decreased to $8.6
      million, from $11.1 million in the first quarter 2009.
  --  Commercial Division's net operating income for the second quarter 2009
      was $12.6 million, representing $0.1 million below the first quarter
      2009, and $0.3 million lower than in the second quarter 2008, due to
      lower average loan portfolio balances, which were essentially offset
      by wider lending margins.  Credit disbursements during the second
      quarter increased by 25%.
  --  Treasury Division reported net operating income of $4.4 million,
      compared to a net operating income of $1.0 million in the first
      quarter 2009, and $3.0 million in the second quarter 2008, mostly due
      to the appreciation of trading securities.  Deposits as of June 30,
      2009 increased $44 million (4%) from the first quarter, 2009.
  --  Asset Management Division's net operating income for the quarter was
      $2.6 million, compared to $8.5 million in the first quarter 2009, and
      $10.2 million in the second quarter 2008.  The quarterly decrease was
      due to lower trading gains in the Investment Fund.
  --  As a result of net income generation and the appreciation of the
      available-for-sale securities portfolio, book value per common share
      increased approximately 7% during the quarter to $17.61.  The Bank's
      Tier 1 capital ratio as of June 30, 2009 stood at 21.1%, compared to
      21.7% as of March 31, 2009, and compared to 19.1% as of June 30, 2008.
      The Bank's leverage ratio as of these dates was 6.3x, 6.8x and 8.4x,
      respectively. The Bank's equity consists entirely of common shares.
  --  The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to the commercial
      portfolio strengthened to 3.5%, compared to 3.2% as of March 31, 2009,
      and 1.9% as of June 30, 2008.  During the quarter, the Bank recorded
      $12.0 million in specific reserves for loan losses.

  --  The Bank's efficiency ratio improved to 30% in the second quarter
      2009, compared to 33% in the first quarter 2009, and compared to 32%
      in the second quarter 2008.


                              CEO's Comments



Mr. Jaime Rivera, Bladex's Chief Executive Officer, stated the following regarding the Bank's results: "Bladex's second quarter results reflect a well balanced performance from each of our divisions: the Commercial Division expanded its portfolio based on attractive margins, the Treasury Division saw the value of its securities portfolio improve across the board, and the Asset Management Division posted its seventh profitable quarter in the last two years.  Combined with reduced operating expenses and liquidity costs, this performance continued to afford the Bank the strong earnings power necessary to comfortably fund its growth, its dividend, and to further strengthen its loan loss coverage.

Our dialogue with markets across the Region supports the view that general economic stress levels in most of Latin America seem to have peaked, and might already be easing in some sectors of the market, most often as a result of effective government support programs and the return of investor confidence.  We also believe that any economic recovery, once established, will be gradual but volatile; however, it will inevitably involve an expansion in the Region's trade flows, for which Bladex is ideally positioned.  From the perspective of individual companies, we are of the opinion that balance sheets and income statements will continue to reflect the impact of the crisis for some time, even after the economy starts to improve.  Therefore, Bladex's will continue to closely monitor risk levels and provision accordingly.

Our management of the Bank is consistent with our view of the market and our position as a profitable financial institution with solid capital and liquidity resources: we continue to successfully navigate ongoing market turbulence so as to protect our expanding franchise, while positioning Bladex to take advantage of the opportunities that will emerge when the economy recovers, at which time, Bladex will represent one of only a handful of financial organizations with regional trade finance expertise and reach."

  CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  KEY FINANCIAL FIGURES AND RATIOS



The following table illustrates the consolidated results of operations of the Bank for the periods indicated below:

  (US$ million, except percentages
   and per share amounts)             6M09    6M08    2Q09    1Q09    2Q08
  --------------------------------    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
  Net Interest Income                $32.2   $41.4   $16.8   $15.4   $20.2
  Net Operating Income by Business
   Segment:
     Commercial Division             $25.4   $27.9   $12.6   $12.8   $12.9
     Treasury Division                $5.4    $4.0    $4.4    $1.0    $3.0
     Asset Management Division       $11.1   $13.3    $2.6    $8.5   $10.2
  Net Operating Income               $41.9   $45.3   $19.7   $22.3   $26.1
  Net Income                         $27.2   $45.5   $10.5   $16.7   $26.3

  Net Income per Share (2)           $0.75   $1.25   $0.29   $0.46   $0.72
  Book Value per common share
   (period end)                     $17.61  $17.74  $17.61  $16.50  $17.74
  Return on Average Equity ("ROE")     8.9%   14.7%    6.6%   11.4%   16.7%
  Operating Return on Average
   Equity ("Operating ROE") (3)       13.8%   14.6%   12.4%   15.2%   16.6%
  Return on Average Assets ("ROA")     1.3%    1.8%    1.0%    1.6%    2.0%
  Net Interest Margin                 1.56%   1.66%   1.62%   1.50%   1.56%
  Efficiency Ratio (4)                  32%     32%     30%     33%     32%

  Tier 1 Capital (5)                  $662    $648    $662    $655    $648
  Total Capital (6)                   $701    $690    $701    $693    $690
  Risk-Weighted Assets               3,129   3,392   3,129   3,014   3,392
  Tier 1 Capital Ratio (5)            21.1%   19.1%   21.1%   21.7%   19.1%
  Total Capital Ratio (6)             22.4%   20.3%   22.4%   23.0%   20.3%
  Stockholders' Equity                $643    $645    $643    $601    $645
  Stockholders' Equity to Total
   Assets                             15.8%   11.9%   15.8%   14.6%   11.9%
  Other Comprehensive Income
   Account ("OCI")                    ($21)    ($6)   ($21)   ($57)    ($6)

  Leverage (times) (7)                 6.3     8.4     6.3     6.8     8.4
  Liquid Assets / Total Assets (8)    11.2%    6.9%   11.2%   13.7%    6.9%
  Liquid Assets / Total Deposits      36.2%   21.5%   36.2%   46.3%   21.5%

  Non-Accruing Loans to Total
   Loans, net                          0.0%    0.0%    0.0%    0.0%    0.0%
  Allowance for Credit Losses to
   Commercial Portfolio                3.5%    1.9%    3.5%    3.2%    1.9%

  Total Assets                      $4,067  $5,410  $4,067  $4,108  $5,410
  ------------                      ------  ------  ------  ------  ------

  Footnotes:

  (1) Net Operating Income (Loss) refers to net interest income plus
      non-interest operating income, minus operating expenses.

  (2) Net Income per Share calculations are based on the average number of
      shares outstanding during each period.

  (3) Operating ROE: Annualized net operating income divided by average
      stockholders' equity.

  (4) Efficiency ratio refers to consolidated operating expenses as a
      percentage of net operating revenues.

  (5) Tier 1 Capital is calculated according to the US Federal Reserve
      Board, and Basel I capital adequacy guidelines, and is equivalent to
      stockholders' equity excluding the OCI effect of the available for
      sale portfolio.  Tier 1 Capital ratio is calculated as a percentage of
      risk weighted assets.  Risk-weighted assets are, in turn, also
      calculated based on US Federal Reserve Board, and Basel I capital
      adequacy guidelines.

  (6) Total Capital refers to Tier 1 Capital plus Tier 2 Capital, based on
      US Federal Reserve Board, and Basel I capital adequacy guidelines.
      Total Capital ratio refers to Total Capital as a percentage of risk
      weighted assets.

  (7) Leverage corresponds to assets divided by stockholders' equity.

  (8) Liquidity ratio refers to liquid assets as a percentage of total
      assets.  Liquid assets consist of investment-grade 'A' securities, and
      cash and due from banks, excluding pledged regulatory deposits.

  SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT


This press release contains forward-looking statements of expected future developments.  The Bank wishes to ensure that such statements are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements pursuant to the safe harbor established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The forward-looking statements in this press release refer to the growth of the credit portfolio, including the trade portfolio, the increase in the number of the Bank's corporate clients, the positive trend of lending spreads, the increase in activities engaged in by the Bank that are derived from the Bank's client base, anticipated operating income and return on equity in future periods, including income derived from the Treasury Division and Asset Management Division, the improvement in the financial and performance strength of the Bank and the progress the Bank is making.  These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Bank's management and are based on currently available data; however, actual experience with respect to these factors is subject to future events and uncertainties, which could materially impact the Bank's expectations.  Among the factors that can cause actual performance and results to differ materially are as follows: the anticipated growth of the Bank's credit portfolio; the continuation of the Bank's preferred creditor status; the impact of increasing/decreasing interest rates and of the 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 adequacy of the Bank's allowance for credit losses; the need for additional provisions for credit losses; the Bank's ability to achieve future growth, to reduce its liquidity levels and increase its leverage; 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; potential trading losses; the possibility of fraud; and the adequacy of the Bank's sources of liquidity to replace deposit withdrawals.

About Bladex

Bladex is a supranational bank originally established by the Central Banks of Latin American and Caribbean countries to support trade finance in the Region.  Based in Panama, its shareholders include central banks and state-owned entities in 23 countries in the Region, as well as Latin American and international commercial banks, along with institutional and retail investors.  Through June 30, 2009, Bladex had disbursed accumulated credits of approximately $160 billion.

Conference Call Information

There will be a conference call to discuss the Bank's quarterly results on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. New York City time (Eastern Time).  For those interested in participating, please dial [phone] in the United States or, if outside the United States, [phone].  Participants should use conference ID# 8034, and dial in five minutes before the call is set to begin.  There will also be a live audio web cast of the conference at http://www.bladex.com/.

The conference call will become available for review on Conference Replay one hour after its conclusion, and will remain available through September 23, 2009.  Please dial [phone] or [phone], and follow the instructions.  The Conference ID# for the replayed call is 79484056.  For more information, please access http://www.bladex.com/ or contact: 

DATASOURCE: Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A.



CONTACT:  Mr. Jaime Celorio, Chief Financial Officer of Bladex,

[phone], ; or Investor Relations: Mrs. Melanie

Carpenter or Mr. Peter Majeski, both of i-advize Corporate Communications,

Inc., [phone], 



Web Site:  http://www.bladex.com/ 

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