UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Long Form of Press Release

 

Commission File Number 1-11414

 

BANCO LATINOAMERICANO DE COMERCIO EXTERIOR, S.A.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

FOREIGN TRADE BANK OF LATIN AMERICA, INC.

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

Business Park Torre V, Ave. La Rotonda, Costa del Este

P.O. Box 0819-08730

Panama City, Republic of Panama

(Address of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F x  Form 40-F ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

 

Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

 

Yes ¨ No x

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: February 9, 2018

 

  FOREIGN TRADE BANK OF LATIN AMERICA, INC.
  (Registrant)
       
    By: /s/ Pierre Dulin
       
    Name: Pierre Dulin
    Title:    General Manager

 

 

 

 

 

BLADEX’S ANNOUNCES PROFITS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2017 OF $20.6 MILLION, OR $0.52 PER SHARE, AND $82.0 MILLION, OR $2.09 PER SHARE, RESPECTIVELY

 

PANAMA CITY, REPUBLIC OF PANAMA, February 9, 2018

 

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (NYSE: BLX, “Bladex”, or “the Bank”), a Panama-based multinational bank originally established by the central banks of 23 Latin-American and Caribbean countries to promote foreign trade and economic integration in the Region, today announced its results for the fourth quarter (“4Q17”) and full-year (“FY17”) ended December 31, 2017 (“Y/E17”).

 

The consolidated financial information in this document has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

 

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

 

(US$ million, except percentages and per share amounts)  2017  2016  4Q17  3Q17  4Q16
Key Income Statement Highlights                         
Total income  $138.3   $168.0   $34.5   $31.1   $43.2 
Expenses:                         
Impairment loss from ECL on loans, loan commitments and financial guarantees contracts, and investment securities  $9.4   $35.1   $0.8   $0.7   $17.7 
Operating expenses (1) (*)  $46.9   $45.8   $13.1   $10.0   $12.1 
Profit for the period  $82.0   $87.0   $20.6   $20.5   $13.3 
Profitability Ratios                         
Earnings per Share ("EPS") (2)  $2.09   $2.23   $0.52   $0.52   $0.34 
Return on Average Equity (“ROAE”) (3)   8.0%   8.8%   7.9%   7.9%   5.3%
Return on Average Assets (“ROAA”)   1.27%   1.16%   1.31%   1.30%   0.73%
Net Interest Margin ("NIM") (4)   1.85%   2.08%   1.78%   1.76%   2.05%
Net Interest Spread ("NIS") (5)   1.48%   1.84%   1.38%   1.37%   1.79%
Efficiency Ratio (6)   34%   27%   38%   32%   28%
Assets, Capital, Liquidity & Credit Quality                         
Commercial Portfolio (7)  $5,999   $6,444   $5,999   $5,706   $6,444 
Treasury Portfolio  $94   $108   $94   $88   $108 
Total assets  $6,274   $7,181   $6,274   $6,200   $7,181 
Total stockholders' equity  $1,043   $1,011   $1,043   $1,032   $1,011 
Market capitalization (8)  $1,061   $1,153   $1,061   $1,159   $1,153 
Tier 1 Basel III Capital Ratio (9)   21.1%   17.9%   21.1%   20.3%   17.9%
Total assets / Total stockholders' equity (times)   6.0    7.1    6.0    6.0    7.1 
Liquid Assets / Total Assets (10)   9.9%   14.0%   9.9%   12.2%   14.0%
NPL to Loan Portfolio (11)   1.07%   1.09%   1.07%   1.20%   1.09%
Total allowance for ECL to Commercial Portfolio (12)   1.47%   1.73%   1.47%   2.04%   1.73%
Total allowance for ECL to NPL (times) (12)   1.5    1.7    1.5    1.8    1.7 

 

(*) 2017 and 4Q17 operating expenses include personnel non-recurring expenses of $3.2 million, and $1.7 million, respectively.

 

4Q17 & FY17 Highlights

 

Reported results:

 

·Profit for the 4Q17 and FY17 totaled $20.6 million (+1% QoQ, +54% YoY) and $82.0 million (-6% YoY), respectively.

 

·4Q17 results were positively impacted on a sequential quarterly basis by increased fees (+59%) mostly from two successfully closed syndicated transactions, offset by non-recurring and seasonally higher operating expenses (+32%), while Net Interest Income (“NII”) totaling $28.1 million and Net Interest Margin “(NIM”) of 1.78% slightly increased (+1% and +2 bps, respectively) on higher average loan book, reversing the declining trend experienced in recent quarters.

 

·YoY quarterly results benefited mostly from lower provision charges for expected credit losses (“ECL”) totaling $0.8 million in 4Q17 compared to $17.7 million in 4Q16, together with increased fees from letters of credit and syndication activities (+37%), which more than compensated lower NII (-25%) on lower average loan portfolio and margins.

 

·2017 annual results were 6% lower, impacted by lower average loan volumes and margins, as the Bank de-risked and diversified its portfolio mix, and shortened its average loan tenors. This decline was partly compensated by a 45% increase in Net Other income on seven closed syndication transactions, increased letters of credit activity, the absence of non-core trading losses, and a decline of $25.7 million in provision charges for ECL.

 

·Total Operating expenses were up 2% for the year. Recurring operating expenses were actually down 4% YoY, as personnel changes non-recurring expenses resulted in $3.2 million in charges for 2017.

 

Key performance metrics:

 

·2017 Return on Average Equity (“ROAE”) stood at 8.0%, compared to 8.8% a year ago, as the result of lower profits for 2017 and strong levels of capitalization. Annualized ROAE was 7.9% in 4Q17, unchanged from the 3Q17 and up from 5.3% in 4Q16, on YoY higher profits.

 

·The Efficiency Ratio reached 38% in 4Q17 (+6 pt. QoQ, +10 pts. YoY), and 34% for FY17 (+7 pts. YoY), mainly due to non-recurring operating expenses which surpassed total income improvement QoQ, and lower total income generation YoY both on a quarterly and annual basis.

 

·The Tier 1 Basel III Capital Ratio increased to 21.1% at Y/E17, compared to 20.3% in 3Q17 and 17.9% at Y/E16, reflecting higher levels of capitalization with risk-weighted assets flat QoQ and down 13% YoY.

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Portfolio & Quality:

 

·Commercial Portfolio resumed growth in 4Q17 with EoP balances reaching $6.0 billion at Y/E17 (+5% QoQ, -7% YoY), and 4Q17 average balances totaling $5.8 billion (+3% QoQ, -12% YoY) as credit demand recovered lately across the Region with higher volume of origination, while still down YoY on the Bank’s focus of de-risking throughout 2017. FY17 average balances reached $5.9 billion (-14% YoY).

 

·Credit quality improved to 1.07% of Loan Portfolio balances at Y/E17, vs. 1.20% in 3Q17 and 1.09% at Y/E16, as non-performing loans (“NPL”) decreased to $58.8 million at Y/E17, as the net result of write-offs against existing individually allocated reserves, a NPL collection and a credit exposure migration to NPL from underperforming.

 

CEO’s Comments

 

Mr. Rubens V. Amaral Jr., Bladex’s Chief Executive Officer, stated the following regarding the Bank’s 4Q17 and FY17 results: “2017 proved yet another challenging year for Bladex. Nevertheless, the fourth quarter has confirmed the positive trends of our business as alluded to in the third quarter’s earnings release. We increased the end-of-period portfolio balances reversing a stretch of declining activity in previous quarters. Fee income increased in 2017, and we delivered a ROE of 8.0% for the year. The projections for 2018 for economic growth in Latin America have been revised up by the World Bank and the IMF which bodes well for our business this year.

 

Our credit quality remains resilient, with NPL levels reduced to 1.07% of total loans at the end of the year, as the Bank continued to finalize agreements on a limited number of exposures that have been closely monitored and had undergone restructuring negotiations for several quarters. During the fourth quarter, the Bank successfully collected a remaining deteriorated exposure in Panama, and wrote off certain non-performing exposures against existing specific provisions.

 

On the other hand, we have adjusted the size of the Bank to reflect the reality of our business, and our determination to improve productivity and efficiency across the organization. This organizational restructuring produced a non-recurring impact on our operating expenses in the fourth quarter related to severance costs. We are confident that with a leaner organization and more efficient processes we have positioned the Bank to achieve our target of excellence throughout the organization, setting the basis to return to higher levels of profitability.

 

Our Board of Directors approved to maintain a dividend of US$ 0.385 for the fourth quarter confirming their favorable view of our financial strength and our ability to resume portfolio growth with sustainable double-digit ROEs moving forward. The Bank has a cleaner and stronger balance sheet and has left behind a negative credit cycle which impacted our financial performance in the last two years, and it is ready to resume growth on a sustainable basis.” Mr. Amaral concluded.

 

RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

 

The Bank’s activities are managed and executed in two business segments, Commercial and Treasury. The business segment results are determined based on the Bank’s managerial accounting process as defined by IFRS 8 – Operating Segments, which assigns consolidated statement of financial positions, revenue and expense items to each business segment on a systemic basis.

 

  2

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BUSINESS SEGMENT

 

The Commercial Business Segment encompasses the Bank’s core business of financial intermediation and fee generation activities developed to cater to corporations, financial institutions and investors in Latin America. These activities include the origination of bilateral and syndicated credits, short-term and medium-term loans, customers’ liabilities under acceptances, loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts. Profits from the Commercial Business Segment include (i) net interest income from loans; (ii) Fees and Other Income from the issuance, confirmation and negotiation of letters of credit, guarantees and loan commitments, and through loan structuring and syndication activities; and (iii) gain on the sale of loans generated through loan intermediation activities, such as sales in the secondary market and distribution in the primary market; (iv) impairment loss (recovery) from ECL on loans, loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts; and (v) direct and allocated operating expenses.

 

The Commercial Portfolio resumed growth in the 4Q17 as EoP and average portfolio balances reached $6.0 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively, resulting in QoQ increases of 5% and 3%, respectively, as credit demand recovered lately across the Region with higher volume of origination, while still down 7% and 12% compared to a year ago, on the Bank’s focus of de-risking throughout 2017. On an annual basis, FY17 average Commercial Portfolio balances were $5.9 billion, a 14% YoY decrease compared to $6.8 billion a year ago. As of December 31, 2017, 81% of the Commercial Portfolio was scheduled to mature within a year, the same level from a quarter ago and up from 77% a year ago, while trade finance transactions represented 60% of the Commercial Portfolio at Y/E17, down from 66% a quarter and year ago, but still focused on trade-related operations.

 

 

  3

 

 

 

The following graphs illustrate the geographic distribution of the Bank’s Commercial Portfolio, highlighting the portfolio´s diversification by country of risk, and across industry segments:

 

 

Refer to Exhibit X for additional information relating to the Bank’s Commercial Portfolio distribution by country, and Exhibit XII for the Bank’s distribution of credit disbursements by country.

 

(US$ million)  2017  2016  YoY (%)  4Q17  3Q17  4Q16  QoQ (%)  YoY (%)
Commercial Business Segment:                                        
Net interest income  $120.6   $140.4    -14%  $28.9   $28.3   $35.0    2%   -17%
Net other income (13)   18.9    16.3    16%   6.5    3.7    4.7    75%   39%
Total income   139.5    156.7    -11%   35.4    32.1    39.7    11%   -11%
Impairment loss from ECL on loans and loan commitments and financial guarantees contracts   (9.9)   (35.1)   72%   (0.9)   (0.6)   (18.0)   -55%   95%
Operating expenses   (35.9)   (34.6)   -4%   (9.7)   (7.7)   (9.2)   -26%   -6%
Profit for the period  $93.7   $87.0    8%  $24.9   $23.8   $12.5    5%   98%

 

4Q17 and FY17 Commercial Business Segment’s results were mainly impacted by:

 

i.YoY lower net interest income and margins as the Bank shortened its tenors, and experienced margin pressures from high USD liquidity in key markets, partly compensated by the increase in LIBOR-based market rates;
ii.Higher net other income mostly from improved activity in the letters of credit business in the 4Q17 and FY17, and increased commissions from the syndication business, which successfully closed two more structured transactions in 4Q17, for a total of seven transactions for FY17;
iii.YoY decreased provisions for ECL mostly reflecting finalized restructurings and lower requirements from reduced portfolio levels; and
iv.Higher allocated operating expenses, mainly due to personnel changes non-recurring expenses incurred in 4Q17 and during 2017.

 

  4

 

 

 

TREASURY BUSINESS SEGMENT

 

The Treasury Business Segment is responsible for the Bank’s funding and liquidity management, along with the management of its activities in investment securities, and the Bank’s interest rate, liquidity, price and currency positions. Interest-earning assets managed by the Treasury Business Segment include liquidity positions (cash and cash equivalents), and financial instruments related to the investment management activities, consisting of financial instruments at fair value through OCI and securities held-to-maturity (“Investment Securities Portfolio”). The Treasury Business Segment also manages the Bank’s interest-bearing liabilities, which constitute its funding sources, mainly deposits, short- and long-term borrowings and debt.

 

Profit from the Treasury Business Segment includes net interest income derived from the above mentioned treasury assets and liabilities, and related net other income (net results from derivative financial instruments and foreign currency exchange, gain (loss) per financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss, gain (loss) per financial instruments at fair value through OCI, and other income), impairment loss from ECL on investment securities, and direct and allocated operating expenses.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Treasury Business Segment totaled $0.8 billion, down 15% from a quarter ago and 36% from a year ago, mainly on lower cash and cash equivalent balances, as the Bank reverts to its historical adequate levels of prudent liquidity management. The Bank establishes and monitors requirements for internal liquidity management through limits and policies based on the Basel III Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”). Liquidity balances amounted to $0.6 billion as of December 31, 2017, of which 98% of the Bank’s liquid assets were held in deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, compared to $0.8 billion, or 99% of liquid assets, at the end of 3Q17, and compared to $1.0 billion, or 59% of liquid assets, at the end of 4Q16. As of these quarter-end dates, the liquid assets to total assets ratio was 9.9%, 12.2%, and 14.0%, respectively, while the liquid assets to total deposits ratio was 21.1%, 25.2%, and 36.0%, respectively.

 

The Investment Securities Portfolio balances of $94 million at the end of the 4Q17 accounted for 1% of total assets at the end of 4Q17, compared to $88 million, or the same level of total assets, a quarter ago, and compared to $108 million, or 2% of total assets, a year ago, as the Bank aims to reduce market risk. The Investment Securities Portfolio mostly consisted of readily-quoted Latin American securities, 79% of which represented sovereign or state-owned risk (refer to Exhibit XI for a per-country risk distribution of the Investment Securities Portfolio).

 

Deposit balances amounted to $2.9 billion at the end of 4Q17, down 2% QoQ and up 4% YoY, representing 57% of total funding sources, compared to 59% and 46%, at the end of 3Q17 and 4Q16, respectively. Deposits placed by central banks or designees (i.e.: Class A shareholders of the Bank) represented 67% of total deposits as of December 31, 2017. At that same date, short-term borrowings and debt increased 46% QoQ while long-term borrowings and debt decreased 16% QoQ, (-27% and -36% YoY, respectively), to reach each one $1.1 billion at the end of the 4Q17, increasing the short-term composition of the overall funding sources, aligned with the lending book moving towards shorter tenors. The 4Q17 and FY17 weighted average funding cost was 2.10% (up 4 bps QoQ and 60 bps YoY) and 1.95% (up 56 bps YoY), respectively, mainly reflecting the increase in LIBOR-based market rates, partly compensated by decreasing funding spreads.

 

  5

 

 

 

(US$ million)  2017  2016  YoY (%)  4Q17  3Q17  4Q16  QoQ (%)  YoY (%)
Treasury Business Segment:                                        
Net interest income  $(0.8)  $14.8    -105%  $(0.8)  $(0.4)  $2.7    -82%   -129%
Net other loss (13)   (0.4)   (3.6)   88%   (0.2)   (0.6)   0.8    73%   -118%
Total income (loss)   (1.2)   11.3    -111%   (0.9)   (1.0)   3.5    5%   -127%
Recovery (Impairment) loss from ECL on investment securities   0.5    (0.0)   n.,m.    0.1    (0.1)   0.3    232%   -64%
Operating expenses   (11.0)   (11.2)   2%   (3.4)   (2.2)   (3.0)   -53%   -16%
(Loss) Profit for the period  $(11.7)  $0.0    n.m.   $(4.3)  $(3.3)  $0.8    -29%   n.m. 

"n.m." means not meaningful.

 

4Q17 and FY17 Treasury Business Segment’s results were mainly impacted by:

 

i.An increase in funding rates on higher LIBOR-based market rates (also impacting interest-earning assets lending rates), partly compensated with lower funding spreads; and
ii.A relatively stable funding mix source YoY (i.e. medium- and long-term borrowings and debt) despite higher short-term trade finance lending book, limited gap income.

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGINS

 

(US$ million, except percentages)  2017  2016  YoY (%)  4Q17  3Q17  4Q16  QoQ (%)  YoY (%)
Net Interest Income ("NII") by Business Segment                                        
Commercial Business Segment  $120.6   $140.4    -14%  $28.9   $28.3   $35.0    2%   -17%
Treasury Business Segment   (0.8)   14.8    -105%   (0.8)   (0.4)   2.7    -82%   -129%
Combined Business Segment NII  $119.8   $155.2    -23%  $28.1   $27.9   $37.7    1%   -25%
Net Interest Margin   1.85%   2.08%   -11%   1.78%   1.76%   2.05%   1%   -13%

 

4Q17 and FY17 Net Interest Income and margins were mainly impacted by:

 

i.Higher NIM in 4Q17 (+2 bps QoQ) with increased average lending balances (+1% QoQ);
ii.YoY reductions on average loan portfolio balances as a result of the Bank’s efforts to de-risk and diversify its portfolio towards short-term trade finance exposures;
iii.Tighter net lending spreads in 2017 as the Bank shifted towards shorter tenor lending and experienced margin pressures from high USD liquidity in key markets, partly compensated by the effects of increased lending LIBOR-based rates; and
iv.YoY increased funding rates on higher LIBOR-based market rates, partly compensated with lower funding spreads.

 

FEES AND OTHER INCOME

 

Fees and Other Income includes the fee income associated with letters of credit and other contingent credits, such as guarantees and credit commitments, as well as fee income derived from loan structuring and syndication activities, together with loan intermediation and distribution activities in the primary and secondary markets.

 

  6

 

 

 

(US$ million)  2017  2016  YoY (%)  4Q17  3Q17  4Q16  QoQ (%)  YoY (%)
Fees and Commissions *  $17.5   $14.3    22%  $5.7   $3.6   $4.1    59%   37%
Letters of credit and other contingent credits   10.9    8.5    28%   2.9    2.3    2.8    29%   4%
Loan structuring and distribution fees   6.6    5.8    14%   2.7    1.3    1.3    111%   109%
Gain on sale of loans   0.2    0.8    -78%   0.1    0.0    0.3    353%   -78%
Other income, net   1.7    1.4    25%   0.9    0.2    0.3    354%   184%
Fees and Other Income  $19.4   $16.5    18%  $6.6   $3.8   $4.8    76%   40%

* Net of commission expenses

 

4Q17 and FY17 Fees and Other Income were mainly impacted by:

 

i.Increased commissions from the syndication business, which successfully closed two more structured transactions in 4Q17, for a total of seven transactions for FY17; and
ii.Higher fees from improved activity in the letters of credit business in the 4Q17 and FY17.

 

PORTFOLIO QUALITY AND ALLOWANCE FOR ECL ON LOANS, LOAN COMMITMENTS AND FINANCIAL GUARANTEE CONTRACTS

 

(US$ million, except percentages)  31-Dec-17  30-Sep-17  30-Jun-17  31-Mar-17  31-Dec-16
Allowance for ECL on loans                         
Balance at beginning of the period  $111.7   $115.6   $109.9   $106.0   $106.3 
Provisions   (1.1)   0.4    5.7    4.0    17.6 
Write-offs, net of recoveries   (29.3)   (4.2)   0.0    0.0    (17.9)
End of period balance  $81.3   $111.7   $115.6   $109.9   $106.0 
                          
Allowance for ECL on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts:                         
Balance at beginning of the period  $4.8   $4.6   $5.9   $5.8   $5.4 
Provisions (Reversals)   2.0    0.2    (1.3)   0.2    0.4 
End of period balance  $6.8   $4.8   $4.6   $5.9   $5.8 
                          
Total allowance for ECL (allowance for ECL on loans plus allowance for ECL on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts)  $88.1   $116.6   $120.2   $115.9   $111.8 
                          
Total allowance for ECL to Commercial Portfolio   1.47%   2.04%   2.06%   1.89%   1.73%
NPL to gross loan portfolio   1.07%   1.20%   1.12%   1.14%   1.09%
Total allowance for ECL to NPL (times)   1.5    1.8    1.9    1.8    1.7 

 

The total allowance for ECL amounted to $88.1 million at December 31, 2017, representing 1.47% of the total Commercial Portfolio, compared to $116.6 million and 2.04%, respectively, as of September 30, 2017, and compared to $111.8 million and 1.73%, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. The QoQ and YoY decreases of $28.5 million and $23.7 million, respectively, were mostly attributable to write-offs against existing individually allocated reserves following finalized restructuring processes.

 

At the end of 4Q17, NPL balances decreased to $58.8 million, representing 1.07% of Loan Portfolio balances, compared to $64.1 million, or 1.20% of Loan Portfolio in 3Q17, and $65.4 million, or 1.09% of Loan Portfolio in 4Q16, as the net result of write-offs against existing individually allocated reserves, a NPL collection and a credit exposure migration to NPL from underperforming. The ratio of the total allowance for ECL to NPLs stood at 1.5 times as of the end of December 31, 2017, compared to 1.8 times from the previous quarter, and 1.7 times a year ago.

 

  7

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Operating expenses reflect the following line items of the consolidated statements of profit or loss:

 

(US$ million, except percentages)  2017  2016  YoY (%)  4Q17  3Q17  4Q16  QoQ (%)  YoY (%)
Salaries and other employee expenses  $27.7   $25.2    10%  $7.3   $5.8   $6.2    26%   19%
Depreciation of equipment and leasehold improvements   1.6    1.5    8%   0.4    0.4    0.4    6%   1%
Amortization of intangible assets   0.8    0.6    33%   0.3    0.2    0.2    64%   31%
Other expenses   16.8    18.5    -9%   5.1    3.6    5.3    43%   -5%
Total Operating Expenses  $46.9   $45.8    2%  $13.1   $10.0   $12.1    32%   8%
                                         
Efficiency Ratio   34%   27%   24%   38%   32%   28%   19%   35%

 

4Q17 and FY17 Operating Expenses were mainly impacted by:

 

i.Higher salaries and other employee expenses due to personnel changes non-recurring expenses incurred in 4Q17; and
ii.YoY reduction in other operating expenses mostly from lower administrative, maintenance and professional services expenses, as a result of the Bank’s focus on cost reduction and high productivity throughout the organization.

 

The Bank’s Efficiency Ratios reached 38% in 4Q17 (+6 pt. QoQ, +10 pts. YoY), and 34% for FY17 (+7 pts. YoY), mainly due to non-recurring operating expenses which surpassed total income improvement QoQ, and lower total income generation YoY both on a quarterly and annual basis.

 

CAPITAL RATIOS AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

 

The following table shows capital amounts and ratios as of the dates indicated:

 

(US$ million, except percentages and shares outstanding)  31-Dec-17  30-Sep-17  31-Dec-16  QoQ (%)  YoY (%)
Tier 1 Capital (9)  $1,043   $1,032   $1,012    1%   3%
Risk-Weighted Assets Basel III (9)  $4,931   $5,082   $5,662    -3%   -13%
Tier 1 Basel III Capital Ratio (9)   21.1%   20.3%   17.9%   4%   18%
Total stockholders’ equity  $1,043   $1,032   $1,011    1%   3%
Total stockholders’ equity to total assets   16.6%   16.6%   14.1%   0%   18%
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI")  $0   $(2)  $(3)   124%   115%
Total assets / Total stockholders' equity (times)   6.0    6.0    7.1    0%   -15%
Shares outstanding (in thousand)   39,429    39,365    39,160    0%   1%

 

 

The Bank’s equity consists entirely of issued and fully paid ordinary common stock, with 39.4 million common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017. At the same date, the Bank’s ratio of total assets to stockholders’ equity was 6.0x and its Tier 1 Basel III Capital Ratio increased to 21.1%, reflecting higher levels of capitalization with risk-weighted assets flat QoQ and down 13% YoY.

 

  8

 

 

 

RECENT EVENTS

 

§Quarterly dividend payment: At a meeting held January 16, 2018, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly common dividend of $0.385 per share corresponding to the fourth quarter 2017. The dividend will be paid on February 21, 2018, to stockholders registered as of February 2, 2018.

 

Notes:

 

-Numbers and percentages set forth in this earnings release have been rounded and accordingly may not total exactly.

 

-QoQ and YoY refer to quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year variations, respectively.

 

Footnotes:

 

1)Total operating expenses includes the following expenses line items of the consolidated statements of profit or loss: salaries and other employee expenses, depreciation of equipment and leasehold improvements, amortization of intangible assets, and other expenses.

 

2)Earnings per Share (“EPS”) calculation is based on the average number of shares outstanding during each period.

 

3)ROAE refers to return on average stockholders’ equity which is calculated on the basis of unaudited daily average balances.

 

4)NIM refers to net interest margin which constitutes to net interest income divided by the average balance of interest-earning assets.

 

5)NIS refers to net interest spread which constitutes the average yield earned on interest-earning assets, less the average yield paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

 

6)Efficiency Ratio refers to consolidated operating expenses as a percentage of total income.

 

7)The Bank’s “Commercial Portfolio” includes gross loans (or the “Loan Portfolio”), loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts, such as confirmed and stand-by letters of credit, and guarantees covering commercial risk; and other assets consisting of customers’ liabilities under acceptances.

 

8)Market capitalization corresponds to total outstanding common shares multiplied by market close price at the end of each corresponding period.

 

9)Tier 1 Capital is calculated according to Basel III capital adequacy guidelines, and is equivalent to stockholders’ equity excluding certain effects such as the OCI effect of the financial instruments at fair value through OCI. Tier 1 Capital ratio is calculated as a percentage of risk-weighted assets. Risk-weighted assets are estimated based on Basel III capital adequacy guidelines.

 

10)Liquid assets refer to total cash and cash equivalents, consisting of cash and due from banks, and interest-bearing deposits in banks, excluding pledged deposits and margin calls. Liquidity ratio refers to liquid assets as a percentage of total assets.

 

11)Loan Portfolio refers to loans, gross of the allowance for expected credit losses and unearned interest and deferred fess.

 

12)Total allowance for ECL refers to allowance for expected credit losses on loans plus allowance for expected credit losses on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts.

 

13)Net other income (loss) by Business Segment consists of the following items:

 

-Commercial Business Segment: net fees and commissions, gain on sale of loans, and net related other income.

 

-Treasury Business Segment: net other income from derivative financial instruments and foreign currency exchange, gain (loss) per financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss, gain (loss) per financial instruments at fair value through OCI, and net related other income.

 

  9

 

 

 

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 profit and return on equity in future periods, including income derived from the Treasury Business Segment, 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 expected credit losses; the need for additional allowance for expected 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, a multinational bank originally established by the central banks of Latin-American and Caribbean countries, initiated operations in 1979 to promote foreign trade finance and economic integration in the Region. The Bank, headquartered in Panama, operates throughout the Region with offices in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the United States of America, to support the expansion and servicing of its client base, which includes financial institutions and corporations. Through December 31, 2017, Bladex had disbursed accumulated credits of approximately $258 billion.

 

Bladex is listed on the NYSE in the United States of America (NYSE: BLX), since 1992, and its shareholders include central banks, state-owned banks and entities representing 23 Latin American countries, as well as commercial banks and financial institutions, institutional and retail investors through its public listing.

 

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

 

There will be a conference call to discuss the Bank’s quarterly results on Friday, February 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. New York City time (Eastern Time). For those interested in participating, please dial (800) 311-9401 in the United States or, if outside the United States, (334) 323-7224. 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 webcast of the conference at http://www.bladex.com. The webcast presentation is available for viewing and downloads on http://www.bladex.com.

 

The conference call will become available for review on Conference Replay one hour after its conclusion, and will remain available for 60 days. Please dial (877) 919-4059 or (334) 323-0140, and follow the instructions. The replay passcode is: 97587848.

 

For more information, please access http://www.bladex.com or contact:

 

Mrs. Ana Graciela de Méndez

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +507 210-8563

E-mail address: amendez@bladex.com

 

Mrs. Irma Garrido Arango

SVP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

Tel: +507 210-8559

E-mail address: igarrido@bladex.com

Bladex

 

Business Park Torre V, Piso 5

Avenida La Rotonda, Urbanización Costa del Este

Panama City, Panama

 

  10

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT I

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

   AT THE END OF,                 
   (A)   (B)   (C)   (A) - (B)       (A) - (C)     
   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2017   December 31, 2016   CHANGE   %   CHANGE   % 
   (In US$ thousand)                 
                             
ASSETS:                                   
Cash and cash equivalents  $672,048   $799,435   $1,069,538   $(127,387)   (16)%  $(397,490)   (37)%
Financial Instruments:                                   
At fair value through OCI   25,135    16,796    30,607    8,339    50    (5,472)   (18)
Securities held-to-maturity, net   68,934    70,697    77,214    (1,763)   (2)   (8,280)   (11)
Loans   5,505,658    5,343,191    6,020,731    162,467    3    (515,073)   (9)
Less:                                   
Allowance for expected credit losses   81,294    111,728    105,988    (30,434)   (27)   (24,694)   (23)
Unearned interest and deferred fees   4,985    5,838    7,249    (853)   (15)   (2,264)   (31)
Loans, net   5,419,379    5,225,625    5,907,494    193,754    4    (488,115)   (8)
                                    
Derivative financial instruments used for hedging – receivable   13,338    11,034    9,352    2,304    21    3,986    43 
                                    
Property and equipment, net   7,420    7,849    8,549    (429)   (5)   (1,129)   (13)
Intangibles, net   5,425    2,368    2,909    3,057    129    2,516    86 
                                    
Other assets:                                   
Customers' liabilities under acceptances   6,369    4,902    19,387    1,467    30    (13,018)   (67)
Accrued interest receivable   30,872    32,869    44,187    (1,997)   (6)   (13,315)   (30)
Other assets   24,834    28,545    11,546    (3,711)   (13)   13,288    115 
Total of other assets   62,075    66,316    75,120    (4,241)   (6)   (13,045)   (17)
                                    
TOTAL ASSETS  $6,273,754   $6,200,120   $7,180,783   $73,634    1%  $(907,029)   (13)%
                                    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:                                   
Deposits:                                   
Demand  $82,064   $205,133   $127,014   $(123,069)   (60)%  $(44,950)   (35)%
Time   2,846,780    2,797,876    2,675,838    48,904    2    170,942    6 
Total deposits   2,928,844    3,003,009    2,802,852    (74,165)   (2)   125,992    4 
                                    
Derivative financial instruments used for hedging – payable   34,943    25,617    59,686    9,326    36    (24,743)   (41)
                                    
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss   0    0    24    0    n.m.(*)    (24)   (100)
Short-term borrowings and debt   1,072,723    737,129    1,470,075    335,594    46    (397,352)   (27)
Long-term borrowings and debt, net   1,138,844    1,357,796    1,776,738    (218,952)   (16)   (637,894)   (36)
                                    
Other liabilities:                                   
Acceptances outstanding   6,369    4,902    19,387    1,467    30    (13,018)   (67)
Accrued interest payable   15,816    18,191    16,603    (2,375)   (13)   (787)   (5)
Allowance for expected credit losses on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts   6,845    4,830    5,776    2,015    42    1,069    19 
Other liabilities   26,558    16,907    18,328    9,651    57    8,230    45 
Total other liabilities   55,588    44,830    60,094    10,758    24    (4,506)   (7)
                                    
TOTAL LIABILITIES  $5,230,942   $5,168,381   $6,169,469   $62,561    1%  $(938,527)   (15)%
                                    
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:                                   
Common stock   279,980    279,980    279,980    0    0%   0    0%
Treasury stock   (63,248)   (64,667)   (69,176)   1,419    (2)   5,928    (9)
Additional paid-in capital in excess of assigned value of common stock   119,941    119,436    120,594    505    0    (653)   (1)
Capital reserves   95,210    95,210    95,210    0    0    0    0 
Retained earnings   610,516    603,523    587,507    6,993    1    23,009    4 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   413    (1,743)   (2,801)   2,156    (124)   3,214    (115)
                                    
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $1,042,812   $1,031,739   $1,011,314   $11,073    1%  $31,498    3%
                                    
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $6,273,754   $6,200,120   $7,180,783   $73,634    1%  $(907,029)   (13)%

 

(*)"n.m." means not meaningful.

 

  11

 

 

 

EXHIBIT II

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS

(In US$ thousand, except per share amounts and ratios)

 

   FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED                 
   (A)   (B)   (C)   (A) - (B)       (A) - (C)     
   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2017   December 31, 2016   CHANGE   %   CHANGE   % 
                     
NET INTEREST INCOME:                                   
Interest income  $55,799   $55,050   $61,450   $749    1%  $(5,651)   (9)%
Interest expense   (27,658)   (27,153)   (23,765)   (505)   2    (3,893)   16 
                                    
NET INTEREST INCOME   28,141    27,897    37,685    244    1    (9,544)   (25)
                                    
OTHER INCOME:                                   
Fees and commissions, net   5,666    3,566    4,128    2,100    59    1,538    37 
Derivative financial instruments and foreign currency exchange   (425)   (616)   (351)   191    (31)   (74)   21 
(Loss) Gain per financial instrument at fair value through profit or loss   (26)   3    1,208    (29)   (967)   (1,234)   (102)
Gain (Loss) per financial instrument at fair value through OCI   170    0    (110)   170    n.m.(*)   280    (255)
Gain on sale of loans   68    15    316    53    353    (248)   (78)
Other income   913    201    321    712    354    592    184 
NET OTHER INCOME   6,366    3,169    5,512    3,197    101    854    15 
                                    
TOTAL INCOME   34,507    31,066    43,197    3,441    11    (8,690)   (20)
                                    
EXPENSES:                                   
(Recovery) Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loans   (1,122)   362    17,574    (1,484)   (410)   (18,696)   (106)
(Recovery) Impairment loss from expected credit losses on investment securities   (99)   75    (273)   (174)   (232)   174    (64)
Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts   2,015    215    410    1,800    837    1,605    391 
OPERATING EXPENSES:                                   
Salaries and other employee expenses   7,347    5,842    6,188    1,505    26    1,159    19 
Depreciation of equipment and leasehold improvements   407    384    404    23    6    3    1 
Amortization of intangible assets   285    174    218    111    64    67    31 
Other expenses   5,075    3,553    5,332    1,522    43    (257)   (5)
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES   13,114    9,953    12,142    3,161    32    972    8 
TOTAL EXPENSES   13,908    10,605    29,853    3,303    31    (15,945)   (53)
                                    
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD  $20,599   $20,461   $13,344   $138    1%  $7,255    54%
                                    
PER COMMON SHARE DATA:                                   
Basic earnings per share   0.52    0.52    0.34                     
Diluted earnings per share   0.52    0.52    0.34                     
                                    
Weighted average basic shares   39,375    39,362    39,160                     
Weighted average diluted shares   39,408    39,413    39,310                     
                                    
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:                                   
Return on average assets   1.31%   1.30%   0.73%                    
Return on average stockholders' equity   7.9%   7.9%   5.3%                    
Net interest margin   1.78%   1.76%   2.05%                    
Net interest spread   1.38%   1.37%   1.79%                    
Efficiency Ratio   38.0%   32.0%   28.1%                    
Operating expenses to total average assets   0.83%   0.63%   0.66%                    

 

(*)"n.m." means not meaningful.

 

  12

 

 

 

EXHIBIT III

 

SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

(Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss, Financial Position, and Selected Financial Ratios)

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
   (In US$ thousand, except per share amounts & ratios) 
         
PROFIT OR LOSS DATA:          
Net interest income  $119,815   $155,209 
Fees and commissions, net   17,514    14,306 
Derivative financial instruments and foreign currency exchange   (437)   (486)
(Loss) Gain per financial instrument at fair value through profit or loss   (732)   (2,883)
Gain (Loss) per financial instrument at fair value through OCI   249    (356)
Gain on sale of loans   181    806 
Other income   1,723    1,378 
Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loans and loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts   (9,928)   (35,112)
Recovery (Impairment) loss from expected credit losses on investment securities   489    (3)
Operating expenses   (46,875)   (45,814)
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD  $81,999   $87,045 
           
FINANCIAL POSITION DATA:          
Financial instruments at fair value through OCI   25,135    30,607 
Securities held-to-maturity, net   68,934    77,214 
Loans   5,505,658    6,020,731 
Total assets   6,273,754    7,180,783 
Deposits   2,928,844    2,802,852 
Short-term borrowings and debt   1,072,723    1,470,075 
Long-term borrowings and debt, net   1,138,844    1,776,738 
Total liabilities   5,230,942    6,169,469 
Stockholders' equity   1,042,812    1,011,314 
           
PER COMMON SHARE DATA:          
Basic earnings per share   2.09    2.23 
Diluted earnings per share   2.08    2.22 
Book value (period average)   26.00    25.42 
Book value (period end)   26.45    25.83 
           
(In thousand):          
Weighted average basic shares   39,311    39,085 
Weighted average diluted shares   39,329    39,210 
Basic shares period end   39,429    39,160 
           
SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS:          
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:          
Return on average assets   1.27%   1.16%
Return on average stockholders' equity   8.0%   8.8%
Net interest margin   1.85%   2.08%
Net interest spread   1.48%   1.84%
Efficiency Ratio   33.9%   27.3%
Operating expenses to total average assets   0.72%   0.61%
           
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:          
Non-performing loans to gross loan portfolio   1.07%   1.09%
Write-offs to gross loan portfolio   0.61%   0.31%
Allowance for expected credit losses on loans to gross loan portfolio   1.48%   1.76%
Allowance for expected credit losses on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts to total loan commitments, financial guarantee contracts and other assets portfolio   1.39%   1.37%
Total allowance for expected credit losses on loans, loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts to non-performing loans   150%   171%
           
CAPITAL RATIOS:          
Stockholders' equity to total assets   16.6%   14.1%
Tier 1 Basel III Capital Ratio   21.1%   17.9%

 

  13

 

 

 

EXHIBIT IV

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED         
   (A)   (B)   (A) - (B)     
   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016   CHANGE   % 
   (In US$ thousand)         
NET INTEREST INCOME:                    
Interest income  $226,079   $245,898   $(19,819)   (8)%
Interest expense   (106,264)   (90,689)   (15,575)   17 
                     
NET INTEREST INCOME   119,815    155,209    (35,394)   (23)
                     
OTHER INCOME:                    
Fees and commissions, net   17,514    14,306    3,208    22 
Derivative financial instruments and foreign currency exchange   (437)   (486)   49    (10)
(Loss) Gain per financial instrument at fair value through profit or loss   (732)   (2,883)   2,151    (75)
Gain (Loss) per financial instrument at fair value through OCI   249    (356)   605    (170)
Gain on sale of loans   181    806    (625)   (78)
Other income   1,723    1,378    345    25 
NET OTHER INCOME   18,498    12,765    5,733    45 
                     
TOTAL INCOME   138,313    167,974    (29,661)   (18)
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loans   8,859    34,760    (25,901)   (75)
(Recovery) Impairment loss from expected credit losses on investment securities   (489)   3    (492)   n.m.(*)
Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts   1,069    352    717    204 
OPERATING EXPENSES:                    
Salaries and other employee expenses   27,653    25,196    2,457    10 
Depreciation of equipment and leasehold improvements   1,578    1,457    121    8 
Amortization of intangible assets   838    629    209    33 
Other expenses   16,806    18,532    (1,726)   (9)
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES   46,875    45,814    1,061    2 
TOTAL EXPENSES   56,314    80,929    (24,615)   (30)
                     
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD  $81,999   $87,045   $(5,046)   (6)%

 

(*)"n.m." means not meaningful.

 

  14

 

 

 

EXHIBIT V

 

CONSOLIDATED NET INTEREST INCOME AND AVERAGE BALANCES

 

   FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 
   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2017   December 31, 2016 
   AVERAGE       AVG.   AVERAGE       AVG.   AVERAGE       AVG. 
   BALANCE   INTEREST   RATE   BALANCE   INTEREST   RATE   BALANCE   INTEREST   RATE 
   (In US$ thousand)
                                     
INTEREST EARNING ASSETS                                             
Cash and cash equivalents  $730,965   $2,444    1.31%  $798,466   $2,995    1.47%  $868,855   $1,266    0.57%
Financial Instruments at fair value through profit or loss   0    0    0.00    1    0    0.00    1    0    0.00 
Financial Instruments at fair value through OCI   16,771    125    2.91    16,823    124    2.89    47,294    298    2.47 
Securities held-to-maturity (1)   69,446    499    2.81    66,623    474    2.78    79,279    520    2.57 
Loans, net of unearned interest   5,454,016    52,732    3.78    5,389,948    51,457    3.74    6,314,717    59,366    3.68 
                                              
TOTAL INTEREST EARNING ASSETS  $6,271,198   $55,799    3.48%  $6,271,861   $55,050    3.43%  $7,310,146   $61,450    3.29%
                                              
Allowance for expected credit losses on loans   (107,679)             (115,631)             (99,405)          
Non interest earning assets   94,884              86,060              94,316           
                                              
TOTAL ASSETS  $6,258,402             $6,242,290             $7,305,056           
                                              
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES                                             
Deposits  $3,210,409   $12,537    1.53%  $3,301,112   $12,510    1.48%  $3,067,574   $5,160    0.66%
Trading liabilities   3    0    0.00    6    0    0.00    (117)   0    0.00 
Securities sold under repurchase agreement and short-term borrowings and debt   717,956    3,704    2.02    446,652    2,209    1.94    1,325,850    4,298    1.27 
Long-term borrowings and debt, net (2)   1,214,190    11,418    3.68    1,398,233    12,434    3.48    1,805,004    14,306    3.10 
                                              
TOTAL INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES  $5,142,557   $27,659    2.10%  $5,146,003   $27,153    2.06%  $6,198,311   $23,765    1.50%
                                              
Non interest bearing liabilities and other liabilities  $83,694             $72,152             $97,157           
                                              
TOTAL LIABILITIES   5,226,251              5,218,155              6,295,468           
                                              
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   1,032,151              1,024,134              1,009,589           
                                              
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $6,258,402             $6,242,290             $7,305,056           
                                              
NET INTEREST SPREAD             1.38%             1.37%             1.79%
                                              
NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN       $28,140    1.78%       $27,897    1.76%       $37,685    2.05%

 

(1)Gross of the allowance for expected credit losses relating to securities held-to-maturity.
(2)Net of prepaid commissions.

Note: Interest income and/or expense includes the effect of derivative financial instruments used for hedging.

 

  15

 

 

 

EXHIBIT VI

 

CONSOLIDATED NET INTEREST INCOME AND AVERAGE BALANCES

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
   AVERAGE       AVG.   AVERAGE       AVG. 
   BALANCE   INTEREST   RATE   BALANCE   INTEREST   RATE 
   (In US$ thousand)
                         
INTEREST EARNING ASSETS                              
Cash and cash equivalents  $908,661   $10,261    1.11%  $844,801   $4,472    0.52%
Financial Instruments at fair value through profit or loss   0    0    0.00    16,081    0    0.00 
Financial Instruments at fair value through OCI   19,175    545    2.80    97,602    2,254    2.27 
Securities held-to-maturity (1)   67,678    1,947    2.84    99,542    2,780    2.75 
Loans, net of unearned interest   5,498,246    213,326    3.83    6,421,069    236,392    3.62 
                               
TOTAL INTEREST EARNING ASSETS  $6,493,759   $226,079    3.43%  $7,479,095   $245,898    3.23%
                               
Allowance for expected credit losses on loans   (109,983)             (95,865)          
Non interest earning assets   84,613              96,146           
                               
TOTAL ASSETS  $6,468,390             $7,479,376           
                               
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES                              
Deposits  $3,176,175   $42,847    1.33%  $3,080,289   $20,131    0.64%
Trading liabilities   22    0    0.00    (25)   0    0.00 
Securities sold under repurchase agreement and short-term borrowings and debt   710,021    11,967    1.66    1,448,642    16,530    1.12 
Long-term borrowings and debt, net (2)   1,477,788    51,450    3.43    1,874,435    54,028    2.84 
                               
TOTAL INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES  $5,364,007   $106,264    1.95%  $6,403,342   $90,689    1.39%
                               
Non interest bearing liabilities and other liabilities  $82,185             $82,513           
                               
TOTAL LIABILITIES   5,446,191              6,485,855           
                               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   1,022,199              993,521           
                               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $6,468,390             $7,479,376           
                               
NET INTEREST SPREAD             1.48%             1.84%
                               
NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN       $119,815    1.85%       $155,209    2.08%

 

(1)Gross of the allowance for expected credit losses relating to securities held-to-maturity.
(2)Net of prepaid commissions.

Note: Interest income and/or expense includes the effect of derivative financial instruments used for hedging.

 

  16

 

 

 

EXHIBIT VII

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

(In US$ thousand, except per share amounts and ratios)

 

   FOR THE YEAR   FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED   FOR THE YEAR 
   ENDED                       ENDED 
   DEC 31/17   DEC 31/17   SEP 30/17   JUN 30/17   MAR 31/17   DEC 31/16   DEC 31/16 
                             
NET INTEREST INCOME:                                   
Interest income  $226,079   $55,799   $55,050   $56,099   $59,131   $61,450   $245,898 
Interest expense   (106,264)   (27,658)   (27,153)   (26,754)   (24,699)   (23,765)   (90,689)
                                    
NET INTEREST INCOME   119,815    28,141    27,897    29,345    34,432    37,685    155,209 
                                    
OTHER INCOME:                                   
Fees and commissions, net   17,514    5,666    3,566    5,013    3,269    4,128    14,306 
Derivative financial instruments and foreign currency exchange   (437)   (425)   (616)   473    131    (351)   (486)
(Loss) Gain per financial instrument at fair value through profit or loss   (732)   (26)   3    (649)   (60)   1,208    (2,883)
Gain (Loss) per financial instrument at fair value through OCI   249    170    0    (35)   114    (110)   (356)
Gain on sale of loans   181    68    15    12    86    316    806 
Other income   1,723    913    201    255    354    321    1,378 
                                    
NET OTHER INCOME   18,498    6,366    3,169    5,069    3,894    5,512    12,765 
                                    
TOTAL INCOME   138,313    34,507    31,066    34,414    38,326    43,197    167,974 
                                    
Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loans   8,859    (1,122)   362    5,666    3,953    17,574    34,760 
(Recovery) Impairment loss from expected credit losses on investment securities   (489)   (99)   75    (11)   (454)   (273)   3 
(Recovery) Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts   1,069    2,015    215    (1,324)   163    410    352 
Operating expenses   46,875    13,114    9,953    12,602    11,206    12,142    45,814 
                                    
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD  $81,999   $20,599   $20,461   $17,481   $23,458   $13,344   $87,045 
                                    
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA                                   
                                    
PER COMMON SHARE DATA                                   
Basic earnings per share  $2.09   $0.52   $0.52   $0.44   $0.60   $0.34   $2.23 
                                    
PERFORMANCE RATIOS                                   
Return on average assets   1.27%   1.31%   1.30%   1.08%   1.39%   0.73%   1.16%
Return on average stockholders' equity   8.0%   7.9%   7.9%   6.9%   9.4%   5.3%   8.8%
Net interest margin   1.85%   1.78%   1.76%   1.80%   2.02%   2.05%   2.08%
Net interest spread   1.48%   1.38%   1.37%   1.44%   1.71%   1.79%   1.84%
Efficiency Ratio   33.9%   38.0%   32.0%   36.6%   29.2%   28.1%   27.3%
Operating expenses to total average assets   0.72%   0.83%   0.63%   0.78%   0.66%   0.66%   0.61%

 

  17

 

 

 

EXHIBIT VIII

 

BUSINESS SEGMENT ANALYSIS

(In US$ thousand)

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 
   DEC 31/17   DEC 31/16   DEC 31/17   SEP 30/17   DEC 31/16 
                     
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS SEGMENT:                         
                          
Net interest income (1)  $120,581   $140,375   $28,933   $28,333   $34,994 
Net other income (2)   18,926    16,333    6,516    3,723    4,701 
Total income   139,507    156,708    35,449    32,056    39,695 
Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loans, loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts   (9,928)   (35,112)   (893)   (577)   (17,984)
Operating expenses (3)   (35,916)   (34,598)   (9,699)   (7,723)   (9,187)
                          
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD  $93,663   $86,998   $24,857   $23,756   $12,524 
                          
Average interest-earning assets (4)   5,498,246    6,421,069    5,454,016    5,389,948    6,314,717 
End-of-period interest-earning assets (4)   5,500,673    6,013,482    5,500,673    5,337,353    6,013,482 
                          
TREASURY BUSINESS SEGMENT:                         
                          
Net interest income (1)  $(766)  $14,834   $(792)  $(436)  $2,691 
Net other loss (2)   (428)   (3,568)   (150)   (554)   811 
Total income (loss)   (1,194)   11,266    (942)   (990)   3,502 
Recovery (Impairment) loss from expected credit losses on investment securities   489    (3)   99    (75)   273 
Operating expenses (3)   (10,959)   (11,216)   (3,415)   (2,230)   (2,955)
                          
(LOSS) PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD  $(11,664)  $47   $(4,258)  $(3,295)  $820 
                          
Average interest-earning assets (5)   995,514    1,058,026    817,182    881,913    995,429 
End-of-period interest-earning assets (5)   757,912    1,177,961    757,912    887,149    1,177,961 
                          
COMBINED BUSINESS SEGMENT TOTAL:                         
                          
Net interest income (1)  $119,815   $155,209   $28,141   $27,897   $37,685 
Net other income (2)   18,498    12,765    6,366    3,169    5,512 
Total income   138,313    167,974    34,507    31,066    43,197 
Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loans, loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts   (9,928)   (35,112)   (893)   (577)   (17,984)
Recovery (Impairment) loss from expected credit losses on investment securities   489    (3)   99    (75)   273 
Operating expenses (3)   (46,875)   (45,814)   (13,114)   (9,953)   (12,142)
                          
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD  $81,999   $87,045   $20,599   $20,461   $13,344 
                          
Average interest-earning assets   6,493,760    7,479,095    6,271,198    6,271,861    7,310,146 
End-of-period interest-earning assets   6,258,585    7,191,443    6,258,585    6,224,502    7,191,443 

 

The Bank’s activities are managed and executed in two business segments, Commercial and Treasury. The business segment results are determined based on the Bank’s managerial accounting process as defined by IFRS 8 - Operating Segments, which assigns consolidated statement of financial positions, revenue and expense items to each business segment on a systematic basis.

 

(1) Interest income on interest-earning assets, net of allocated cost of funds.

(2) Net other income (loss) by Business Segment consists of the following items: - Commercial Business Segment: net fees and commissions, gain on sale of loans, and net related other income. - Treasury Business Segment: net other income from derivative financial instruments and foreign currency exchange, gain (loss) per financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss, gain (loss) per financial instruments at fair value through OCI, and net related other income.

(3) Operating Expenses allocation methodology assigns overhead expenses based on resource consumption by business segment. Total operating expenses includes the following line items of the consolidated statements of profit or loss: salaries and other employee expenses, depreciation of equipment and leasehold improvements, amortization of intangible assets, and other expenses.

(4) Includes loans, net of unearned interest and deferred fees.

(5) Includes cash and cash equivalents, financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss, financial instruments at fair value through OCI and securities held-to-maturity, gross of the allowance for expected credit losses.

 

  18

 

 

 

EXHIBIT IX

 

CREDIT PORTFOLIO

DISTRIBUTION BY COUNTRY

(In US$ million)

 

   AT THE END OF, 
   (A)   (B)   (C)         
   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2017   December 31, 2016   Change in Amount 
COUNTRY (*)  Amount   % of Total
Outstanding
   Amount   % of Total
Outstanding
   Amount   % of Total
Outstanding
   (A) - (B)   (A) - (C) 
                                 
ARGENTINA  $302    5   $321    6   $325    5   $(19)  $(23)
BELGIUM   11    0    14    0    4    0    (3)   7 
BOLIVIA   15    0    10    0    19    0    5    (4)
BRAZIL   1,032    17    1,023    18    1,185    18    9    (153)
CHILE   191    3    214    4    75    1    (23)   116 
COLOMBIA   949    16    734    13    762    12    215    187 
COSTA RICA   376    6    415    7    403    6    (39)   (27)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   250    4    142    2    270    4    108    (20)
ECUADOR   347    6    307    5    319    5    40    28 
EL SALVADOR   56    1    79    1    106    2    (23)   (50)
GERMANY   38    1    43    1    50    1    (5)   (12)
GUATEMALA   321    5    238    4    323    5    83    (2)
HONDURAS   75    1    82    1    74    1    (7)   1 
JAMAICA   24    0    14    0    7    0    10    17 
MEXICO   906    15    943    16    959    15    (37)   (53)
NICARAGUA   30    0    33    1    37    1    (3)   (7)
PANAMA   556    9    533    9    552    8    23    4 
PARAGUAY   60    1    58    1    108    2    2    (48)
PERU   229    4    352    6    510    8    (123)   (281)
SINGAPORE   55    1    9    0    70    1    46    (15)
SWITZERLAND   4    0    6    0    47    1    (2)   (43)
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO   184    3    166    3    193    3    18    (9)
UNITED STATES   44    1    23    0    73    1    21    (29)
URUGUAY   18    0    19    0    55    1    (1)   (37)
MULTILATERAL ORGANIZATIONS   0    0    0    0    11    0    0    (11)
OTHER   20    0    16    0    15    0    4    5 
                                         
TOTAL CREDIT PORTFOLIO (1)  $6,093    100%  $5,794    100%  $6,552    100%  $299   $(459)
                                         
UNEARNED INTEREST AND DEFERRED FEES   (5)        (6)        (7)        1    2 
                                         
TOTAL CREDIT PORTFOLIO, NET OF UNEARNED INTEREST & DEFERRED FEES  $6,088        $5,788        $6,545        $300   $(457)

 

(1)Includes gross loans (or the “Loan Portfolio”), financial instruments at fair value through OCI and securities held-to-maturity, gross of the allowance for expected credit losses, loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts, such as confirmed and stand-by letters of credit, and guarantees covering commercial risk; and other assets consisting of customers’ liabilities under acceptances.
(*)Risk in countries outside the Region related to transactions carried out in the Region.

 

  19

 

 

 

EXHIBIT X

 

COMMERCIAL PORTFOLIO

DISTRIBUTION BY COUNTRY

(In US$ million)

 

   AT THE END OF, 
   (A)   (B)   (C)         
   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2017   December 31, 2016   Change in Amount 
COUNTRY (*)  Amount   % of Total
Outstanding
   Amount   % of Total
Outstanding
   Amount   % of Total
Outstanding
   (A) - (B)   (A) - (C) 
                                 
ARGENTINA  $302    5   $321    6   $325    5   $(19)  $(23)
BELGIUM   11    0    14    0    4    0    (3)   7 
BOLIVIA   15    0    10    0    19    0    5    (4)
BRAZIL   1,019    17    1,015    18    1,164    18    4    (145)
CHILE   186    3    209    4    70    1    (23)   116 
COLOMBIA   920    15    705    12    732    11    215    188 
COSTA RICA   376    6    415    7    403    6    (39)   (27)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   250    4    142    2    270    4    108    (20)
ECUADOR   347    6    307    5    319    5    40    28 
EL SALVADOR   56    1    79    1    106    2    (23)   (50)
GERMANY   38    1    43    1    50    1    (5)   (12)
GUATEMALA   321    5    238    4    323    5    83    (2)
HONDURAS   75    1    82    1    74    1    (7)   1 
JAMAICA   24    0    14    0    7    0    10    17 
MEXICO   886    15    923    16    939    15    (37)   (53)
NICARAGUA   30    0    33    1    37    1    (3)   (7)
PANAMA   538    9    516    9    540    8    22    (2)
PARAGUAY   60    1    58    1    108    2    2    (48)
PERU   229    4    352    6    510    8    (123)   (281)
SINGAPORE   55    1    9    0    70    1    46    (15)
SWITZERLAND   4    0    6    0    47    1    (2)   (43)
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO   175    3    157    3    184    3    18    (9)
UNITED STATES   44    1    23    0    73    1    21    (29)
URUGUAY   18    0    19    0    55    1    (1)   (37)
OTHER   20    0    16    0    15    0    4    5 
                                         
TOTAL COMMERCIAL PORTFOLIO (1)  $5,999    100%  $5,706    100%  $6,444    100%  $293   $(445)
                                         
UNEARNED INTEREST AND DEFERRED FEES   (5)        (6)        (7)        1    2 
                                         
TOTAL COMMERCIAL PORTFOLIO, NET OF UNEARNED INTEREST & DEFERRED FEES  $5,994        $5,700        $6,437        $294   $(443)

 

(1)Includes gross loans (or the “Loan Portfolio”), loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts, such as confirmed and stand-by letters of credit, and guarantees covering commercial risk; and other assets consisting of customers’ liabilities under acceptances.
(*)Risk in countries outside the Region related to transactions carried out in the Region.

 

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EXHIBIT XI

 

TREASURY PORTFOLIO

DISTRIBUTION BY COUNTRY

(In US$ million)

 

   AT THE END OF, 
   (A)   (B)   (C)         
   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2017   December 31, 2016   Change in Amount 
COUNTRY  Amount   % of Total
Outstanding
   Amount   % of Total
Outstanding
   Amount   % of Total
Outstanding
   (A) - (B)   (A) - (C) 
                                 
BRAZIL  $13    14   $8    9   $21    20   $5   $(8)
CHILE   5    5    5    6    5    5    0    0 
COLOMBIA   29    31    29    33    30    27    0    (1)
MEXICO   20    21    20    23    20    19    0    0 
PANAMA   18    20    17    19    12    11    1    6 
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO   9    9    9    10    9    8    0    0 
MULTILATERAL ORGANIZATIONS   0    0    0    0    11    10    0    (11)
                                         
TOTAL TREASURY PORTOFOLIO (1)  $94    100%  $88    100%  $108    100%  $6   $(14)

 

(1)Includes financial instruments at fair value through OCI and securities held-to-maturity, gross of the allowance for expected credit losses.

 

  21

 

 

 

EXHIBIT XII

 

CREDIT DISBURSEMENTS

DISTRIBUTION BY COUNTRY

(In US$ million)

 

   FULL-YEAR   QUARTERLY   Change in Amount 
   (A)   (B)   (C)   (D)   (E)             
COUNTRY (*)  2017   2016   4Q17   3Q17   4Q16   (A) - (B)   (C) - (D)   (C) - (E) 
                                 
ARGENTINA  $432   $468   $112   $181   $174   $(36)  $(69)  $(62)
BELGIUM   12    36    2    1    4    (24)   1    (2)
BOLIVIA   17    26    5    10    4    (9)   (5)   1 
BRAZIL   954    467    367    219    208    487    148    159 
CHILE   479    362    130    45    59    117    85    71 
COLOMBIA   1,472    1,062    492    366    321    410    126    171 
COSTA RICA   686    714    141    223    202    (28)   (82)   (61)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   750    739    209    181    180    11    28    29 
ECUADOR   1,334    853    339    334    256    481    5    83 
EL SALVADOR   128    148    23    25    49    (20)   (2)   (26)
GERMANY   0    100    0    0    0    (100)   0    0 
GUATEMALA   608    680    178    146    148    (72)   32    30 
HONDURAS   137    161    28    48    36    (24)   (20)   (8)
JAMAICA   192    110    52    14    7    82    38    45 
MEXICO   4,586    2,831    1,210    1,244    965    1,755    (34)   245 
NETHERLANDS   16    14    0    0    0    2    0    0 
NICARAGUA   71    63    24    6    19    8    18    5 
PANAMA   911    920    229    242    270    (9)   (13)   (41)
PARAGUAY   48    98    30    6    10    (50)   24    20 
PERU   985    1,186    231    135    294    (201)   96    (63)
SINGAPORE   192    217    57    20    59    (25)   37    (2)
SWITZERLAND   6    129    0    6    27    (123)   (6)   (27)
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO   384    432    52    153    166    (48)   (101)   (114)
UNITED STATES   104    118    26    0    35    (14)   26    (9)
URUGUAY   80    32    3    0    32    48    3    (29)
OTHER   41    31    15    8    6    10    7    9 
                                         
TOTAL CREDIT DISBURSED (1)  $14,625   $11,997   $3,955   $3,613   $3,531   $2,628   $342   $424 

 

(1)Includes gross loan portfolio, financial instruments at fair value through OCI and securities held-to-maturity, gross of the allowance for expected credit losses, loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts (including confirmed and stand-by letters of credit, and guarantees covering commercial risk).
(*)Risk in countries outside the Region related to transactions carried out in the Region.

 

  22

 

 

 

 

  23