67 WALL STREET, New York - April 24, 2013 - The Wall Street Transcript has just published its Money Center Banks Report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This special feature contains expert industry commentary through in-depth interviews with public company CEOs and Equity Analysts. The full issue is available by calling (212) 952-7433 or via The Wall Street Transcript Online.
Topics covered: Investing in Regional Banks - Increase In Investor Risk Tolerance - Regulatory Obstacles and Fee Income Replacement - Fiscal Cliff Effects on Banking - Interest Rates and Loan-Growth Strategies - Regulatory Outlook Gains Clarity
Companies include: Banco Latinoamericano de Expor (BLX) and many more.
In the following excerpt from the Money Center Banks Report, the Vice President and CFO of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (BLX) discusses company strategy and the outlook for this vital industry:
TWST: If you would, please start with a brief history of Bladex and an overview of the bank's business and geographic presence today.
Mr. Schech: Bladex was founded in the mid-1970s, started operations in the late 1970s. The founding fathers were basically threefold. On one side were the central banks of 23 Latin American countries who came together to create this organization. But they were also joined by the private sector, because the central banks invited regional and local banks throughout the region to participate in the creation of Bladex as a shareholder.
And thirdly, since this was viewed as an organization that would not only cater to the interests of Latin America but also the rest of the world, it was decided at the time to also invite parties from outside the region. As an example, the IFC was a founding father of Bladex as well, along with a host of other international banks that operate throughout the world.
This organization was set up to work and function as a commercial bank focused on foreign trade - on exports leaving the region, heading to all parts of the rest of the world, as well as imports into the region. The mission of this institution is to support the growth of Latin American businesses exporting to the rest of the world as well as importing goods from other parts of the world.
That focus hasn't changed over the course of time, because based on the statutes of the bank it would require the approval of at least 75% of the central bank shareholders to agree to a change of course of what Bladex does; that has resulted in Bladex remaining true to its original purpose, and that is to support companies engaged in foreign trade that has to do with Latin America...
For more of this interview and many others visit the Wall Street Transcript - a unique service for investors and industry researchers - providing fresh commentary and insight through verbatim interviews with CEOs, portfolio managers and research analysts. This special issue is available by calling (212) 952-7433 or via The Wall Street Transcript Online.