Banking & Finance
Global Guide 2024 : Panama
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+507 205 7000About
Provided by Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega
Representing foreign financial institutions making cross-border loans to borrowers in Panama
With continuous years of healthy economic growth and an extremely well regulated banking centre, Panama has become a real regional player in Central America, the Caribbean and perhaps the northern of South America, and a great place for Latin American banks to set up their regional headquarters, producing a lot of work in the areas in which we have significant expertise and market share like bank financing, both in the public and private sectors.
ARIFA lawyers frequently participate in government and industry committees set up to draft or revise banking laws and regulations or attend to issues pertaining to the industry. They represented diverse international Banks that have entered into credit facilities with Panamanian banks.
Recent work highlights:
- Initial purchasers in a US$1.38 billion Senior Secured Notes by AES Panama.
- McDermott International's restructuring of US$4.6 billion of funded debt under the protection of United States Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
- Norwegian Cruise Line in a US$675 million revolving credit line.
- Initial purchasers in Banistmo’s US$500 million debut international bond offering; and US$400 million second international bond offering.
- Underwriters and initial purchasers in a US$6 billion convertible note and common stock offering by Carnival Corporation.
Chambers Review
Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega advises on a plethora of banking and finance matters in Panama. The team demonstrates expert capabilities handling both regulatory and transactional matters for international financial institutions, including sector-specific M&A. The department routinely assists lead arrangers with syndicated financing structures, both secured and unsecured. The firm's expertise encompasses corporate, acquisition and project finance mandates, with significant exposure to cross-border transactions. Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega also has experience advising on aircraft financing and leasing issues.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega is a traditional law firm with a big multinational clientele. They also possess a network of contacts and strong relationships with key international law firms. They dominate the market in Panama."
"Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega are very conscious of market practices and what customers want, and also what problems there are in particular areas of our business. They offer effective and quick turnaround times."
"Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega is a traditional law firm with a big multinational clientele. They also possess a network of contacts and strong relationships with key international law firms. They dominate the market in Panama."
"Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega are very conscious of market practices and what customers want, and also what problems there are in particular areas of our business. They offer effective and quick turnaround times."
Notable Practitioners
Eminent practitioner Ricardo Arango boasts extensive experience representing notable Panamanian and international clients on their banking and finance mandates. Clients also benefit from his strong practice in the capital markets arena.
"Ricardo Arango is one of the finest lawyers in Latin America."
Pre-eminent partner Estif Aparicio continues to offer a market-leading practice assisting clients with project finance, as well as with the acquisition and divestiture of banking assets. As well as being held in the highest esteem by interviewees in Panama, he is dual-qualified to practise in both Panama and New York. He also has experience working at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York participating in project finance transactions.
"Estif Aparicio is involved in every step of the way. He is commercially oriented and proactively provides his view on the matter. He shows technical excellence and ability to work as a tag team with foreign counsel."
"Estif Aparicio's advice is impeccable and always goes the extra mile. He is always willing to analyse complex structures in detail, considering market trends."
Ranked Lawyers at
Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega
Panama
Members
Provided by Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega
Ana Isabel Quijano
Andres Rubinoff
Cedric Kinschots
Daniela Delvalle
Donald P. Canavaggio
Head of Department
Fernando Arias F.
Javier Yap Endara
María Carolina Arroyo
Rodrigo Cardoze
Roy C. Durling Jr.
Clients
Provided by Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega
BNP Paribas
Banco General
Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, BLADEX
Bancolombia
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
CABEI
Citibank
Credit Suisse
Deutsche Bank
JPMorgan Chase
Standard Chartered Bank
The International Monetary Fund
UBS
Wells Fargo/Wachovia
Industries
Provided by Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega
Banks
Energy
Finance
Financial Services
Food & Drink
Government
Insurance
Media
Mining & Metals
Real Estate
Transportation
Travel & Leisure
Utilities