Leading Associates

Banking and finance in Honduras

Aguilar Castillo Love

Regional firm Aguilar Castillo Love houses a comprehensive banking and finance practice, encompassing syndicated loans, acquisition finance, project finance and financial regulatory issues. In particular, the team is commended for its strength on the lender side of complex, cross-border transactions, advising an array of international banks and financial institutions. Drawing on firm-wide expertise in the fintech space, the team also has a strong suit in advising payment services platforms, particularly in relation to their expansion in Central America. Honduras managing partner Enrique Rodríguez Burchard  and Juan José Alcerro Milla lead the practice, with extensive experience across the full range of transactional and regulatory financial matters. Other key names include Carolina Aguirre Larios and Victor Alejandro Martínez, both of whom have notable expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and associates Ondina María Santos and Leonel Contreras.

Responsables de la pratique:

Enrique Rodríguez Burchard; Juan José Alcerro Milla


Principaux clients

Capital Square Partners


Astra Honduras


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting Capital Square Partners (via DLA Piper) with the amendment to the facility agreement between the client and DBS Bank and ING Bank (Singapore Branch).
  • Advised Astra Honduras on the projected expansion within the Central American region of its payments system and e-wallet service Tengo.

Arias

A longstanding leader in the banking and finance arena, Arias‘ Honduras office is renowned for its strength in cross-border transactions, leveraging the support of the firm’s extensive network in Central America. The team advises on syndicated loans, project finance and acquisition finance, and plays a particularly prominent role in advising international banks and multilateral development organisations, including the DFC and IDB Invest, on granting loans to local and regional entities. Office managing partner Evangelina Lardizábal, whose broad client base includes international financial institutions and insurance companies, jointly leads the practice with Mario Agüero, who is noted for his expertise in multi-jurisdictional transactions, particularly in highly regulated sectors such as energy and telecoms. At junior level, senior associate Rodolfo Salgado is a key contact for financial transactions and banking regulatory matters (including fintech).

Responsables de la pratique:

Mario Agüero; Evangelina Lardizábal


Principaux clients

Natixis


Development Finance Corporation (DFC)


Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest)


Cordaid


Global Partnerships


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising the DFC on the coordination and preparation of local security documents related to loans granted to four Honduran entities – Lafise, BAC Honduras, Intermac and Geoplatanares.
  • Advised IDB Invest, as local counsel, on its $40m loan to CMI Alimentos to revive its operations in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
  • Advised Natixis, as local counsel, on a complex syndicated term loan facility of $711.6m granted to Energy Infrastructure Honduras, aimed at acquiring Puma Energy’s energy infrastructure and storage terminals.

Consortium Legal

The 'capable and outstanding' banking and finance team at Consortium Legal is a preferred choice to advise both local and international lenders, benefitting from the firm's regional model when advising on transactions involving multiple Central American jurisdictions. The team also has a notable strong suit in financial regulatory and fintech matters; practice co-head José Ramón Paz Morales is a member of the firm-wide fintech group and is experienced in advising on regulatory filings to the Central Bank of Honduras and the National Commission of Banks and Insurance Companies. José Ramón Paz Padilla, who has a wealth of experience in cross-border financial transactions, José Rafael Rivera, whose areas of expertise include corporate finance, and Gustavo León-Gómez complete the leadership team. Senior associate Karla Andino is also recommended for her experience of advising fintech companies.

Responsables de la pratique:

​​José Ramón Paz Morales;​ ​​Gustavo León-Gómez; ​​José Rafael Rivera;​ ​​José Ramón Paz Padilla​


Les références

‘A capable and outstanding team who offer a prime-quality service. The way they interact with their clients enhances the development of the relationship.’

‘A very distinguished, empowered and organised team with ample knowledge. Jose Ramón Paz Morales is reliable and delivers exceptional work. Karla Andino shows great initiative and efficiency.’

‘We are satisfied with the services and legal advice in terms of costs, diversity and technology.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Blue Like an Orange, as lender, on $20m financing granted to Hybrico Spain and its local subsidiaries in Guatemala and Honduras.
  • Advised Banco Lafise on the feasibility of a new type of trust agreement (fideicomiso) which would allow the trustee to issue certificates of participation regarding the assets managed by the trustee and offered to a select group of local and foreign investors.

Alta Melara & Asociados

Drawing on the support of offices in Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica, the ‘prestigious‘ banking and finance team at Alta Melara & Asociados is well-equipped to international financial institutions, as well as key players in the Honduran banking market, on syndicated loans, corporate finance and regulatory issues, in addition to M&A and other corporate transactions. The firm also stands out for its thriving fintech practice, advising an array of payment services and e-commerce companies on their establishment in Honduras and compliance with local financial regulations. The ‘excellentÓscar Melara, who serves as managing partner of the Honduras office, leads the team. He is ably supported by senior associate Melissa Pastrana, an expert in fintech law, who joined from Latamlex / Matamoros Batson y Asociados in March 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Óscar Melara


Les références

‘It is a well-organised firm with excellent definition of the functions and roles of each of the team members. In terms of collaboration, they always exceed our expectations.’

‘Óscar Melara is an excellent lawyer, with great technical knowledge and exceptional people skills.’

‘The team is constantly up to date with legal, banking and corporate governance issues, incorporating the best international practices into their advice and legal opinions. A prestigious team which meets the level of the advice and confidentiality required by our institution.’

Principaux clients

Millicom (Tigo Money Honduras)


Imperia Capital ES


Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI)


Banco Cuscatlán


Banco de Desarrollo Rural (Banrural) Honduras


HIG Capital


Procesadora de Tarjetas de Crédito


Pagadito Honduras


Vana Guatemala


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Imperia Capital ES on the acquisition of Banco de los Trabajadores, a Honduran financial institution.
  • Advising Tigo Money, the fintech business of Millicom, on its operations in Honduras.
  • Advising Guatemalan company Vana on the launch of a digital financial product in Honduras which will allow users to obtain affordable loans through an app.

Lexincorp

The banking and finance practice at Central American firm Lexincorp is well versed in advising regional financial institutions on their operations in Honduras, including regulatory authorisations and the structuring of loans to national entities. Project finance is another key element of the practice, in line with the firm’s overall strength in the development of energy, infrastructure and telecoms projects. Engels Zelaya, an expert in the public and energy sectors, leads the team, while Nora Amaya and office managing partner Benito Zelaya are also names to note. The team was strengthened in January 2024 by the addition of senior associate Carlos Pecorelli, a specialist in the financial sector, from a role at CEUTEC.

Responsables de la pratique:

Engels Zelaya


Principaux clients

Blue Orchard


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising the Blue Orchard investment fund on various complex financial transactions associated with its expansion.