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Aluprint Closing $135m Syndication

Mexican packaging company Aluprint is close to finalizing syndication of a $135m dual-currency loan. Leads GE Capital and Rabobank have obtained participation from BBVA, Bladex, Banorte and Citi. A $20m portion is still waiting to be claimed. The deal will pay on a leverage grid, which at the lowest level of 2.00x pays 225bp over TIIE or Libor, and at the highest level of 4.25x leverage, pays 375bp, according to a banker away from the deal. The company is looking for a $120m senior secured term loan and a $15m credit line. Participants can choose between peso and dollar commitments.

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Mexico Surprises with Rate Hike

In a surprise move, Mexico’s central bank has raised the floor on the overnight rate by 25bp to 7.50%. Most analysts were expecting no change. The bank abandoned the tightening bias but said it was on the lookout for inflation. “Today’s decision will strengthen the central bank’s credibility, particularly as it comes less than one week before the Fed is widely expected to cut rates again,” says Credit Suisse in a Friday report.

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Moody’s Considers Bladex Upgrade (1)

Moody’s is looking into an upgrade for Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones’ (Bladex) Baa3 deposit, debt, and issuer ratings and its D+ bank financial strength rating. The agency lauds the bank’s “track record of increasing core profitability, earnings diversification, and improving asset quality, as well as management’s new strategy to broaden its activities in trade finance and securities business in the Latin American and Caribbean regions.” It adds that the addition of factoring, leasing, and structured trade finance should leverage management’s strong relationship, product and risk assessment capabilities and lead to increasing profitability over time. Liquidity and the funding structure has also been strengthened by growth and diversification in Bladex’s deposit base, and by increasing access to longer term funding from banks and official institutions. Challenges include high competition in core business areas and relatively thin margins, reflecting the bank’s emphasis on high quality names in the region and the predominantly short term trade-related nature of its business. Bladex reported total assets of $4.5bn and equity of $614m as of September 30.

Posted inDaily Brief

Moody’s Considers Bladex Upgrade

Moody’s is looking into an upgrade for Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones’ (Bladex) Baa3 deposit, debt, and issuer ratings and its D+ bank financial strength rating. The agency lauds the bank’s “track record of increasing core profitability, earnings diversification, and improving asset quality, as well as management’s new strategy to broaden its activities in trade finance and securities business in the Latin American and Caribbean regions.” It adds that the addition of factoring, leasing, and structured trade finance should leverage management’s strong relationship, product and risk assessment capabilities and lead to increasing profitability over time. Liquidity and the funding structure has also been strengthened by growth and diversification in Bladex’s deposit base, and by increasing access to longer term funding from banks and official institutions. Challenges include high competition in core business areas and relatively thin margins, reflecting the bank’s emphasis on high quality names in the region and the predominantly short term trade-related nature of its business. Bladex reported total assets of $4.5bn and equity of $614m as of September 30.

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Cabei Plans Thai Baht Issue (1)

Cabei, the Central American multilateral, is set to bring a long awaited issue in Thai Baht. The deal is apparently being marketed at the same spread as nine months ago, when it was abandoned. Another Mexican peso-denominate issue is also apparently lined up, says a person close to the issuer. CAF has also recently registered a shelf in Mexico.

Posted inDaily Brief

Cabei Plans Thai Baht Issue

Cabei, the Central American multilateral, is set to bring a long awaited issue in Thai Baht. The deal is apparently being marketed at the same spread as nine months ago, when it was abandoned. Another Mexican peso-denominate issue is also apparently lined up, says a person close to the issuer. CAF has also recently registered a shelf in Mexico.

Posted inDaily Brief

Movistar Seeks $600m IDB Financing

Colombian mobile operator Movistar has requested loans worth $600m from the IDB. The unit of Spanish telecoms group Telefónica, expects to use the funds for capital investment, debt refinancing and working capital needs. Movistar Colombia spent $600m over the last two years to increase and improve its network coverage and update technologies.

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