About

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.

We have represented diverse international Banks that have entered into credit facilities with Panamanian banks.

Recent work highlights:

  • Inversiones Atlántida's acquisition of Pacific Bank
  • US$2 billion multi-facility transaction for Phoenix Tower International
  • Banco Itaú Unibanco's acquisition of a 30% stake in Uruguayan fintechs Prex and Paigo
  • Hotel La Compañía, a one-of-a-kind project aimed to support the revitalization and economic growth of Panama city’s historic district
  • 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.



Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - Panama

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

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.

Work Highlights

  • Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega represented Banco Aliado as lender in a syndicated loan transaction totalling USD58 million, extended to Grupo Estrella.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Ricardo M Arango
S
Ricardo M Arango
S
Senior Statespeople

Senior statesperon Ricardo Arango boasts extensive experience representing notable Panamanian and international clients in their banking and finance mandates. Clients also benefit from his strong practice in the capital markets arena.

Ricardo Arango is a recognised figure in banking and finance.

Estif Aparicio
1
Estif Aparicio
Head of Banking & Finance
1
Band 1
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. He is held in the highest esteem by interviewees in Panama.

Estif Aparicio is a lawyer who everyone wants to have on their side on banking issues. He is a master in the legal aspects of transactions, while contributing to the business side too.

Estif Aparicio enjoys a strong reputation in the banking sector, which translates into reliable solutions that give confidence.

Cedric Kinschots
Associates to watch

Cedric Kinschots receives praise from clients for his advice on financial regulations in Panama and structured deals.

Cedric Kinschots is a diligent lawyer on financial matters.

Ranked Lawyers at
Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Panama

Banking & Finance

Ricardo M Arango
S
Ricardo M Arango
S
Senior Statespeople
Estif Aparicio
1
Estif Aparicio
Head of Banking & Finance
1
Band 1
Cedric Kinschots
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

Ana Isabel Quijano

Andres Rubinoff

Cedric Kinschots

Daniela Delvalle

Donald P. Canavaggio

Estif Aparicio

Estif Aparicio

Head of Department

Fernando Arias F

Javier Yap Endara

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

Financial Services

Food & Drink Producers

Government

Insurance

Media

Mining & Metals

Real Estate Finance

Transportation

Travel & Leisure

Utilities