Banking and finance in El Salvador

The banking and finance team at Arias acts for local and international banks and financial institutions, advising on high-value, multi-jurisdictional financial transactions. Described by clients as ‘true strategic partners‘, team members offer assistance with the full range of matters, including debt restructuring, loan agreements, equity investments, asset securitisation, due diligence and project finance. The team is led by Roberta Gallardo, who also heads the M&A practice, structured financing expert Luisa Rivas, experienced negotiator Ana Mercedes López and investment project specialist Carolina Lazo. It is supported by new partner Mario Lozano and senior associates Adán Araujo and Rafael Burgos. The group’s client roster includes international names such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Bank of Nova Scotia and Citibank, and spans the banking and financial services, hospitality and energy sectors.

The powerhouse banking and finance team at BLP assists national and multinational clients with the full range of matters, including credit restructuring, risk assessments, consumer rights issues, the structuring of credits of investments, capital markets transactions, regulatory compliance, and banking litigation and arbitration proceedings. The team is led by respected finance authority Zygmunt Brett and supported by Mariana Nóchez, who has expertise in domestic and cross-border transactions, director Luis Vega, who specialises in consumer protection issues, and associate Jose Raul Gochez, who advises on regulatory compliance, but did see the departure of Ricardo Cevallos in August 2020 to establish his own firm. The group represents regional and international banks and financial institutions, including the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest), Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala, Bancolombia and the Bank of Nova Scotia.

The banking and finance practice at Consortium Legal remains a market leader, with clients including international banks and financial institutions engaged in high-value cross-border transactions. The group provides a wide range of services, advising on due diligence processes, project finance, asset securitisation, derivatives, leasing, loan agreements and structured finance transactions. Spearheaded by experienced partner Óscar Samour, and supported by associate Felipe Aragón, who has expertise in structured finance, the team’s diverse roster includes such clients as the government of the Republic of El Salvador, spanning sectors including banking and financial services and consumer goods.

The team at ECIJA combines the experience of its team with a global reach to provide a comprehensive service for its local and international clients. The team advises on a wide range of matters, including corporate financing, asset financing, debt restructuring, capital markets matters, bank contracting, due diligence and regulatory compliance. The group is led by 'outstanding' office founder and managing partner Alfredo Navas Duarte and Carlos Gil, who is experience in transactions in the finance, energy and telecoms sectors,  and backed by associate and public contractual agreement expert Luis Paulino Selva. The group’s client portfolio spans a diverse spectrum of sectors, from food, financial services and logistics, to e-commerce and insurance.

The banking and finance team at LatinAlliance El Salvador maintains a strong regional presence, advising banks and financial institutions on a diverse range of matters, including the constitution of trusts, compliance issues, securitisations, the structuring of syndication of credits, investment funds and representation before regulatory bodies. The group is led by founder and managing partner José Adolfo Torres and backed by regional director Michelle Sutter and associates Mario Costa and Norma Villalobos, who has expertise in high-value credit line transactions. The team’s portfolio contains local and regional banks and financial institutions, including Banco de Fomento Agropecuario, Banco G&T Continental and Grupo Prival.

The experienced group at Lexincorp continues to assist banks and financial institutions at the local and international levels. The team offers a full service, advising on such matters as securitisations, the structuring of syndicated loans, refinancing, guarantees, debt management and the constitution of trusts. Led by corporate and banking expert Enrique Escobar, and supported by Antonio Guirola, who is experienced in advising on international transactions, and associate Adriana Portillo, the group’s client roster spans the banking, manufacturing and tech sectors.

The banking and finance group at Mayora & Mayora, S.C. coordinates with its regional offices in Guatemala and Honduras to advise local and international corporations and financial institutions. The team assists with a wide range of matters, such as foreign direct investment, securitisation, restructuring, derivatives, trusts, guarantees, project finance, due diligence, and banking and finance regulation. The experienced Manuel Telles leads with team, with support from associate Jennifer Rodríguez. The firm’s roster spans the energy, telecoms, pharmaceuticals, and banking and finance industries.

The multi-disciplinary team at Romero Pineda combines the strength of its corporate, commercial and banking and finance departments to advise national and regional insurance companies and financial institutions. The group handles such matters as project finance, securities, tax issues, regulatory compliance, microfinance, due diligence processes, share transfers and loan agreements. The team is headed by foreign investment expert Francisco Martínez, and supported by senior associate Camila Villafuerte. The group's client roster includes multinational clients such as Microsoft and UPS, and spans such sectors as aviation, energy, banking, real estate and tourism.