Banking and Finance
At Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez (AFRA), we represent local banks and international private financial institutions. Our spectrum of services ranges from addressing day-to-day regulatory matters to structuring complex financial and securitization agreements.
Our team handles transactional and regulatory cases, with a notable strength in advising international lenders, although it is also active on the borrower side. Likewise, we are the trusted advisors of local and international companies interested in obtaining credit lines for the construction of major public and private works. We provide legal assistance in multilateral financings by foreign development agencies, helping with the financing of energy and real estate projects.
We offer a comprehensive service to regional financial entities on a variety of banking and financial matters in Panama. Our team is well positioned to provide advice on secured and unsecured loans and the financing of public and private projects in various fields, including public works construction. Likewise, we provide legal services to multilateral entities in the structuring of credit lines for SMEs and “green” financing.
One of our advantages is our multidisciplinary approach, which enables collaboration and timely assistance to our clients across the broad spectrum of services related to banking and financial law.
Our project finance team represents multilateral institutions, such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the Inter-American Investment Corporation, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG), and the Andean Development Corporation, among others, in financial transactions for projects ranging from hydroelectric plants to infrastructure construction.
We offer our clients efficient solutions, innovative products, and risk assessment programs in compliance with new legislation, through a highly trained team capable of viewing matters from both a business and legal perspective.
Our experience in local and multi-jurisdictional matters includes:
- Regulatory permits.
- Creation of contracts regarding customer relations.
- Personnel licensing.
- Preparation of operational manuals.
- Administrative proceedings before regulators such as the Superintendency of Banks of Panama and the Ministry of Commerce.
Acknowledgments
- Recognized in Band 3 by the prestigious British directory Chambers and Partners in its Latin America Guide.
- “Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez are key in helping us with day-to-day banking mandates, and their work is exceptional. They have become essential allies who support us and provide high-quality services. Client for Chambers and Partners, Latin America – 2024.
- Recognized in Tier 2 by the prestigious British directory The Legal 500 in its Latin America Guide.
- This group helps advise banks on corporate structuring procedures, as well as carrying out project financing and lending work. The team has also worked on Panama's debt capital markets and equity offerings, while advice on insurance and reinsurance is also offered. We recently supported IDB Invest in a subordinated loan of up to 20 million dollars to St Georges Bank of Panama. We also participated in a financing of $28.5 million to the Panamanian commercial bank Unibank, with funds provided by the Dutch development bank FMO. Editorial Latin Lawyer 250 – 2023.
- Recognized as “Highly Recommended” by Latin Lawyer 250 – 2023.
Featured Transactions
- Legal assistance to FCC (Spanish construction company) in the US$ 450 Million financing led by CABEI for a highly anticipated public project called “Playas Corridor – Section I”.
- Legal counsel to Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG) regarding a USD$15MM loan to Banco Internacional de Costa Rica, S.A. for the purpose of on-lending to SMEs and small businesses in Central America during 2020.
- Legal advisor to IDB Invest on a USD$60,000,000 financing to a Panamanian entity, wholly owned by Selina Holding Company, S.E., to promote the reactivation of sustainable tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Advising Banco Aliado on the acquisition of Banco Panamá for US$ 130 million.
- Assisted Global Bank Corporation (as borrower) with an unsecured loan of USD$60 million granted by the Inter-American Development Bank as part of the IDB's initiative for SMEs and women-led businesses.
Acknowledgments
- Recognized in Band 3 by the prestigious British directory Chambers and Partners in its Latin America Guide.
- “Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez are key in helping us with day-to-day banking mandates, and their work is exceptional. They have become essential allies who support us and provide high-quality services. Client for Chambers and Partners, Latin America – 2024.
- Recognized in Tier 2 by the prestigious British directory The Legal 500 in its Latin America Guide.
- This group helps advise banks on corporate structuring procedures, as well as carrying out project financing and lending work. The team has also worked on Panama's debt capital markets and equity offerings, while advice on insurance and reinsurance is also offered. We recently supported IDB Invest in a subordinated loan of up to 20 million dollars to St Georges Bank of Panama. We also participated in a financing of $28.5 million to the Panamanian commercial bank Unibank, with funds provided by the Dutch development bank FMO. Editorial Latin Lawyer 250 – 2023.
- Recognized as “Highly Recommended” by Latin Lawyer 250 – 2023.
Featured Transactions
- Legal assistance to FCC (Spanish construction company) in the US$ 450 Million financing led by CABEI for a highly anticipated public project called “Playas Corridor – Section I”.
- Legal counsel to Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG) regarding a USD$15MM loan to Banco Internacional de Costa Rica, S.A. for the purpose of on-lending to SMEs and small businesses in Central America during 2020.
- Legal advisor to IDB Invest on a USD$60,000,000 financing to a Panamanian entity, wholly owned by Selina Holding Company, S.E., to promote the reactivation of sustainable tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Advising Banco Aliado on the acquisition of Banco Panamá for US$ 130 million.
- Assisted Global Bank Corporation (as borrower) with an unsecured loan of USD$60 million granted by the Inter-American Development Bank as part of the IDB's initiative for SMEs and women-led businesses.