A longstanding powerhouse in the banking and finance arena, regional firm Consortium Legal is skilled in handling complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions and is praised for its ‘capacity to address Central American issues’, with the Guatemalan office often joining up with the firm’s other branches in the region on cross-border mandates. The team advises an extensive roster of domestic and international banks, multilateral development organisations and corporate borrowers on syndicated loans, acquisition finance, project finance and capital markets transactions, among other matters. The firm also stands out for its strength on the regulatory front, with growing expertise in fintech issues. Firm president Álvaro Castellanos, who boasts a strong profile in the banking and insurance spheres, leads the team. Experienced senior associate Melissa Morán is another key contact in the practice and is noted for her robust skill set in capital markets, project finance and fintech matters (she is also a member of the firm’s region-wide fintech group).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Consortium team are very available and they are always very friendly when dealing with our requirements.’
‘The team stands out for its agility and willingness to provide support in urgent cases.’
‘They are able to deal with banking issues that go beyond the common ones. They have experience in new regulations issued by the Monetary Board and their processing before the Superintendency of Banks.’
‘The team includes many specialists in specific topics. They have the capacity to address Central American issues.’
Key clients
- Citibank
- Bank of America
- JP Morgan & Chase
- IDB and IDB Invest
- Deutsche Bank
- Banco Azteca
- Banco de América Central
- Credit Suisse
- Bupa Global and Bupa Guatemala
- Bancolombia/Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala
Work highlights
Advised Banco Industrial and IDB Invest on granting a long-term project financing to Fondo PBS for the construction and operation of a private road between Suchitepéquez and Retalhuleu.
Advising JP Morgan Chase Bank on a credit agreement granted in favour of Campero for $75m and a guarantee agreement with various companies in Central America and the Dominican Republic.
Advised Banco de América Central, as the borrower, on a term loan facility agreement with FMO.
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Practice head
Álvaro Castellanos