Ferrere‘s banking and finance team has been involved in significant capital market deals involving Paraguayan corporations and key bond programs registered in Paraguay. The team provides a wide range of financing services to local corporations, international banks and multilateral organisations, including regulatory compliance work and advice on private banking and wealth management activities. Carlos Codas leads the practice and provides legal advice on banking, insurance and financial law; he also works on the legal structuring of all types of financial products and transactions. Néstor Loizaga represents foreign banks and multilateral organisations in a wide range of banking and finance transactions, while Carlos Vasconsellos focuses on international corporate finance, acting for financial institutions on corporate and structured finance transactions. Codas will replace Loizaga as office manging partner from January 2024 onwards, in line with the firm's policies for the development of leadership capabilities. At associate level, Claudia Arietti, Pamela Lezcano and Maurizio De Oliveira are key members of the team.
Banking and finance in Paraguay
Ferrere
Responsables de la pratique:
Carlos Codas
Les références
‘Ferrere has a great team, with a great depth of knowledge in many areas of expertise. Its advice to us covers (among others) tax, labour, regulatory, corporate, and our companies use the firm for matters related to banking, brokerage, securities, and mutual funds.’
‘I mainly work with Pamela Lezcano and Carlos Codas. They provide us with legal opinions and content in a very expedient manner. I have recommended their services to a number of local and foreign colleagues and expect to continue teaming up with them.’
Principaux clients
Puente Administradora de Fondos de Inversión
Consorcio del Sur
IDB Invest
IDB
FMO
Agence Française de Développement (Proparco)
CAF (Andean Development)
Itaú
Avalon Administradora de Fondos Patrimoniales de Inversión
Banco Santander Uruguay
Netel
Prexcard
Financiera Ueno
Solar Ahorro y Finanzas
Regional Administradora de Fondos Patrimoniales de Inversión
Punto Farma
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Rabobank, the major shareholder of Banco Regional, on the merger of Banco Regional with Banco Sudameris.
- Retained by Nederlandse Financierings – Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO) on an unsecured financing facility to Bancop for an aggregate amount of up to $30m.
- Advising Ueno on obtaining a license from the Central Bank of Paraguay to operate as a local bank.
Estudio Jurídico Gross Brown
Estudio Jurídico Gross Brown‘s banking and finance team has a comprehensive knowledge of banking regulations, and handles significant financial deals and transactions. The firm has extensive experience in cross-border transactions and advises high-profile national and international clients, including Sudameris and Citigroup. Practice co-head Jorge Gross Brown has extensive experience in the practice area and advises clients on a full range of banking and financing matters. He heads the team alongside Sigfrido Gross Brown, who takes a lead role in many of the firm’s key cases. At the associate level, Pablo Debuchy has experience in cross-border transactions and Kamila Gimenez has an in-depth knowledge of banking regulations. Camila Basili represents lenders in financial transactions and has an intricate understanding of securitisation under Paraguayan law.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jorge Gross Brown; Sigfrido Gross Brown
Les références
‘The firm has a team of professionals with in-depth knowledge of the area, constantly updating regulations and banking practice, which makes a difference compared to other firms. Jorge Gross Brown has knowledge of banking sector law and practice, as well as creativity in approaching solutions.‘
‘Pablo Debuchy is always up-to-date on the matters, offering clarity in his opinions and availability.‘
‘The firm’s strengths include efficient response times and noticeable improvement in the adoption/non-rejection process of innovative and disruptive ideas.’
Principaux clients
Sudameris Bank
Paraguayan Bank Association (Asoban)
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (Miga)
Citibank
Citigroup Global Markets and Santander
Banco GNB Paraguay
Banco Itaú Paraguay
Goldman Sachs & Co
BTG Pactual
Citibank
Provalor Créditos E Inversiones
Financiera Ueno
Commerzbank
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Goldman Sachs & Co as the arranger and potential financing party for Paracel in a $2bn project finance for the construction and operation of a greenfield pulp mill.
- Advising Citigroup Global Markets and Goldman Sachs & Co in the eleventh issuance of 3.849% sovereign bonds of the Republic of Paraguay.
- Advising Sudameris as the lead arranger on a syndicated loan for $120m for Paracel Forestal.
Vouga Abogados
Vouga Abogados advises clients on a range of banking and finance matters, including multilateral loans, project financing, security structuring and the issuance of bonds. The team works with both national and international clients, such as Paracel and Banco Santander, and has extensive experience in cross-border transactions, often assisting multilateral credit agencies with operations in Paraguay. The firm recently created a specialised venture capital department, and also has a specific team, processes and protocols for the handling of collateral in financing deals. Cynthia Fatecha specialises in trusts, mutual funds, securities markets and capital markets regulations, and heads the team alongside Carlos Vouga, who takes a lead role in many of the firm’s most complex transactions. Rodolfo Guillermo Vouga also takes the lead on some key matters, and is praised by clients. Associate Georg Birbaumer is an active member of the team, who has experience in cross-border transactions, with a particular focus on financing and capital market matters. Cecilia Vera and Andres Vera are associates to note.
Responsables de la pratique:
Cynthia Fatecha; Carlos Vouga
Les références
‘It is very reactive, quick to respond and very professional. Its level is well above other law firms in the same jurisdiction.’
‘Carlos Vouga has provided me with excellent services. He always responds on time, in a very complete and profound way.’
‘Georg Birbaumer is very attentive and provides adequate information in a timely manner.’
Principaux clients
Banco De Desarrollo De America Latina (CAF)
Banco Santander
TMF Group
Bolsa De Valores Y Productos De Asunción (Asunción Stock Exchange)
BTG Pactual
WorldBusiness Capital (WBC)
Multibank
Tape Pora
Banco Aliado
Itau BBA
ACWM Casa de Bolsal
Clariden Leu Bank (Credit Suisse Group)
Deutsche Investitions Und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG)
Bid Invest (BID)
Banco Itau Paraguay
Latin American Agribusiness (LAAD)
Development Corporation
John Deere Financial Chile
Incofin Investment Management / Rural Impulse Fund
Towerbank International
Copetrol
Banco Río
Visión Banco
Santander Investment Securities
JP Morgan Securities
Paracel
Rabobank
Cargo Line Paraguay
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Paracel on the development of a greenfield cellulose plant for approximately $4bn.
- Advising the financiers to BSBIOS Paraguay, in a project finance deal for the construction and operation of a biofuel plant in the region of Villeta, Paraguay.
- Advised Banco Santander on the financing transaction for the acquisition of the Brazilian company Vale by J&F Investimentos, which included the acquisition of a Paraguayan subsidiary Transbarge Navegación.
BKM | Berkemeyer
BKM | Berkemeyer‘s banking and finance team offers advice on the full spectrum of Paraguay’s financial market. The team has experience in both domestic and international transactions, in which the group represents all sides, from lenders to borrowers to structuring entities. The firm is actively involved in capital markets transactions and acts as the attorney to the Paraguayan stock exchange. The leasing and sales of aircrafts is another area of expertise. The team is led by Hugo Berkemeyer, the firm's figurehead; Manuel Arias, who leads the firm’s banking and capital markets practice, with extensive experience advising high-profile local and international banks; and Martín Carlevaro, who takes charge of the dedicated infrastructure and project finance practice which, alongside Arias’ banking team, has been involved in the financing of some of Paraguay’s key public infrastructure project finance deals in recent years. At the associate level, Milena Sljivich‘s experience at the attorney general’s office brings a public sector insight to finance matters. Senior associate Andres Nasser has experience and proficiency in banking regulation, and at associate level, Adriana Ocampos and Alvaro Rojas come with client recommendation. Gastón Segovia joined the team as an associate from the National Securities Commission in 2022.
Responsables de la pratique:
Hugo Berkemeyer; Manuel Arias; Martín Carlevaro
Les références
‘It has extensive experience in project finance, with an interdisciplinary team, in national and international transactions.’
‘Martín Carlevaro has extensive experience in project finance, including international experience. He is not only involved in projects in Paraguay, but also in other countries, which means that he contributes international practices in financing structuring. Adriana Ocampos has extensive experience in administrative procedures, with precise knowledge of applicable local law. Alvaro Rojas stands out in the drafting of international financing contracts, having knowledge of practices in other countries.’
‘A team of lawyers always up-to-date on the various legislations, giving a global vision.‘
Principaux clients
BSBIOS (ECB Group)
Banco Continental
Banco Itaú Paraguay
NeoGreen Hydrogen
FCE Bank
ING Capital
Mastercard
Consorcio Corredor Vial Bioceanico
Rutas del Este
GLT Funding
Prosegur Paraguay
Xcoop
Wilmington Trust
Puente Casa de Bolsa
Gletir Casa de Bolsa
Cadiem Casa de Bolsa
Investor Casa de Bolsa
Bolsa de Valores de Asunción
Firstlink Network
Telefonica Celular del Paraguay
Mango Payment
Avalon Casa de Bolsa
Principaux dossiers
- Advised BSBIOS on the development of the Omega Green Project.
- Advised Rutas del Este in a new bank loan for $29m with local bank Sudameris, under Paraguayan law, used for financing for the Variante the Itacurubi of the PY 02 Road Project in Paraguay.
- Acting for Centro Médico Jerovia, a hospital complex, in association with Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, on seeking accreditation by the Joint Commission International.
Moreno Ruffinelli & Asociados
Local banks in Paraguay continue to rely on the banking and finance team at Moreno Ruffinelli & Asociados for advice on all legal aspects within the practice area. The firm counts Sudameris, Bancop and Agencia Financiera de Desarrollo (AFD) among its banking and finance clients, offering advice on both cross-border matters, and transactions aimed at increasing economic growth in Paraguay. With extensive experience in the legal market, José Moreno Ruffinelli leads the team. He is supported by Maria Esmeralda Moreno and Roberto Moreno. Mercedes Gimenez comes with client recommendation as 'efficient in corporate and banking matters'.
Responsables de la pratique:
José Moreno Ruffinelli
Les références
‘It has recognised professionals in different fields of law, with a wide trajectory and providing comprehensive advice.’
‘Mercedes Gimenez is efficient in corporate and banking matters.’
Principaux clients
Agencia Financiera de Desarrollo (AFD)
Bancop
Sudameris Bank
Gical Almacenes Generales de Depósito
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Sudameris Bank on a senior loan with DEG, FMO, and Proparco.
- Advised Iso on the legal structure of a real estate trust.
- Advising AFD on the negotiation process of an uncommitted and non-revolving line of credit to be granted by Corporacion Andina de Fomento.
Olmedo Abogados
Olmedo Abogados is retained by major banks in Paraguay to structure and close complex transactions, as well as by financial institutions to provide day-to-day advice. The team offers advice on a wide range of banking matters, including fiduciary issues, debt structuring, syndicated project finance and credit facilities. The banking and finance practice has a strong trust department, led by practice co-head Graciela Royg, that works on creating new types of trusts in order to expand clients’ businesses. Royg leads the wider banking and finance team alongside Gustavo Olmedo, an expert in foreign investment and public bidding, and Ana Peña who has extensive experience in litigation and contributes to the firm’s strong litigation team. Alejandra Olmedo and Jose Vargas Peña participate in some of the firm’s key transactions, and Carolina Lebrón is a further name to note.
Responsables de la pratique:
Gustavo Olmedo; Ana Peña; Graciela Royg
Les références
‘We note the agility and complete assistance, with the permanent presence of Gustavo Olmedo.‘
‘The predisposition to informal consultations with immediate and accurate responses.‘
‘Graciela Royg stands out for her great knowledge, clarity and predisposition.‘
Principaux clients
Banco Regional
Compañia Administradora De Riesgos (Carsa)
Cater Piller Financial Services
Financiera Paraguayo Japonesa
Finexpar
Amtrust Gestion Paraguay
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Banco Regional on its merger by absorption by Sudameris Bank.
- Assisting Compañia Administradora de Riesgos with the review and negotiation of agreements for the purchase of credit portfolios, restructuring client debts, financing contracts with third parties and credit granting.
- Advising Caterpillar Financial Services on the negotiation with its clients for the restructuring of debts.
Colab
Having entered the market in November 2021, Colab continues to grow as a firm. The banking and finance team benefits from the extensive experience of founding partner Jorge Gross Brown, and offers advice on complex financial transactions, project finance, capital markets, banking regulations and cross-border finance. The firm has recently taken on significant new clients, such as Atome Energy. At the associate level, Mauricio Salgueiro comes with client recommendation for his 'great expertise in financing', handling negotiations and advising key clients including IDB Invest. Juan Pablo Zaputovich and Paola Sapienza also play active roles in the team.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jorge Gross Brown
Les références
‘Colab is knowledgeable about clients’ industries and the market practices, and its effective application to the needs of the transactions in which their advice was required is noted. On the other hand, it stands out in proactivity and problem solving. The cost of its services is competitive, which complements the quality of its service and makes it a highly efficient provider.’
‘The firm’s lawyers demonstrate excellent technical skills and knowledge. They are also extremely proactive and predisposed, always in pursuit of the satisfactory execution of transactions. In a short time of working together, they quickly earned our trust. We have worked with Juan Pablo Zaputovich, an excellent lawyer and colleague who also promotes the generation of new businesses and labour relations that exceed our expectations.’
‘It is a team of lawyers with a much higher expertise in the area of financing and, at the same time, that is flexible and contributes innovative ideas in the application of law.’
Principaux clients
IDB Invest
Rabobank
Atria Logistica
FIC Finanzas
US International Development Finance
Corporación Andina de Fomento
Pow.re Holding
Atome Energy
Ithink
Fundación Moisés Bertoni
Salum & Wenz
Torrecom Partners
Principaux dossiers
- Advising IDBA, IDB Invest, US DFC, CAF, and JICA as lenders in the Paracel project for the construction of an integrated greenfield sustainable pulp mill located in Paraguay.
- Advising Atome Paraguay on a project financing of a 420MW world-scale green hydrogen and ammonia plant to supply Paraguay and the region’s agricultural and fertiliser markets with sustainable alternatives.
- Advising IDB and IDB Invest in a secured project financing for the design, development, construction, and operation of a new tertiary hospital in Asuncion, Paraguay in affiliation with Mount Sinai International.
Palacios, Prono & Talavera
Palacios, Prono & Talavera advises key banks in Paraguay, such as Banco Basa and Banco GNB. The banking and financing team also advises corporate clients on various financing structures, such as loan facilities and bond issuances. The group is led by Carlos Palacios and Raúl Prono, who each have more than 4o years of experience in banking and finance matters. Leticia Prono has also taken a lead role in some of the firm’s key transactions. Raúl Prono Zelaya leads the firm’s Ciudad del Este office, handling a number of banking and finance transactions, with a particular focus on the agribusiness industry.
Responsables de la pratique:
Carlos Palacios; Raúl Prono
Principaux clients
Banco Basa
Banco Sudameris
Banco GNB Paraguay
Banco Nacional de Fomento
Seguridad
Royal & Sun Alliance
Providencia
CIE
Cecon
Agrofértil
Trafigura PTE
Agrotec
Bunge
Tecnomyl
Glymax Paraguay
Somax Agro Paraguay
Bunge Paraguay
Stoller Paraguay
Distribuidora del Paraguay
Bebidas del Paraguay
Agropecuaria Campos Nuevos
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Banco GNB Paraguay on its merger by absorption of BBVA Paraguay before the Central Bank of Paraguay and the National Competition Commission.
- Assisted Cecon with a $27.5m corporate bond issuance as part of the financing for the construction of a cement and lime plant.
- Advised Banco Basa on the opening of an insurance company to operate in the Paraguayan market.
Altra Legal
The banking and finance team at Altra Legal continues to provide comprehensive advice to long-standing client Finlatina de Finanzas and its fiduciary. The team has also been expanding into the fintech sector, advising clients on the creation of companies related to digital wallets and cryptocurrencies. Practice co-head José Antonio Moreno Rodríguez specialises in corporate, banking, capital markets, foreign investment, and international contracting. He leads the team alongside Adriana Sánchez Mussi, who focuses on banking, finance and investment. Associates Gabriela Melgarejo Allen and Larissa Lacout Podestá are also active members of the team.
Responsables de la pratique:
José Antonio Moreno Rodríguez; Adriana Sánchez Mussi
Principaux clients
Finlatina de Finanzas
Fiduciaria de Finlatina de Finanzas
Banco Itaú Paraguay
Mutech
Toyotoshi
Tandil
Incresa
Crediminuto Smartphones
Principaux dossiers
- Advising fintech company Mutech on its daily operations.
- Advising Finlatina de Finanzas on specific regulatory issues.
- Advising Finlatina de Finanzas on the structuring of its financial operations with its clients.
Fiorio, Cardozo & Alvarado, Attorneys at Law
Fiorio, Cardozo & Alvarado, Attorneys at Law fields a team that specialises in capital markets and the domestic banking market. The firm counts domestic banks amongst its long-term clients, having advised such clients for over 20 years. The team is led by Juan Bautista Fiorio and Marcelo Alvarado. José María Cardozo and Jorge Angulo are other names to note.
Principaux dossiers
Mersán Abogados
The banking and finance team at Mersán Abogados has experience in structured finance transactions, bond issuance and project finance. The firm offers advice on capital markets, and the development of new banking products. The team advises a number of national and international banks, such as Banco Itaú and Banco do Brasil. Pablo Cheng Lu leads the team, supported by associate Romina Cardozo León.
Responsables de la pratique:
Pablo Cheng Lu
Les références
‘Excellent – Pablo Cheng Lu is brilliant, with great knowledge of the customs of the country.‘
Principaux clients
Banco Itaú Paraguay
Citibank
Banco do Brasil
Bolsa de Valores y Productos de Asunción
Corporación Interamericana de Inversiones
San Francisco (Puerto de Caacupemí)
Itaú BB Brasil
United Nations
Verbank Securities Casa de Bolsa
Sudameris Bank
Sudameris Leasing
NB Casa de Bolsa
Principaux dossiers
Parquet & Asociados
Capital markets transactions are a particular focus of the banking and finance team at Parquet & Asociados, which also advises national and international clients on a range of other matters in the area. Creation of trusts, bond issues and banking regulations are among its other fields of strength. Practice head Javier Parquet Villagra has extensive experience advising the Paraguayan state and public entities, including the National Development Bank, and has participated in the drafting of several statues and laws in the practice area. At the associate level, Daniel Artaza has experience in banking regulations, and provides support across a range of transactions. David Dominguez assists with PPP projects and works with the anti money laundering team. Blas dos Santos joined as a senior associate from private practice in September 2022.
Responsables de la pratique:
Javier Parquet Villagra.
Principaux clients
Ministry of Finance
National Development Bank (BNF)
Oppenheimer & Co.
Altamira Group
La Perseverancia, Pedro Zuccolillo
Paraguayan Chamber of Real Estate Developers (Capadei)
Principaux dossiers
- Advising La Perseverancia on a guarantee trust in order to expand the funding of a large-scale real estate development project in Paraguay.
- Advised Capadei on compliance with money laundering prevention regulations pertaining to its role in the real estate market.
- Providing legal counsel to the Republic of Paraguay in the sovereign bond emission of January 2022 of $500m and in the repurchase of the 2023 bond for $212.9m and the 2026 bond for $72.9m.
Peroni Sosa Tellechea Burt & Narvaja
The banking and finance team at Peroni Sosa Tellechea Burt & Narvaja advises foreign financial institutions, including investment banks and credit institutions, on the establishment of operations in Paraguay. Practice head José Luis Vega Meza has extensive experience in the insurance sector, assisting insurance and reinsurance companies with authorisations, compliance matters and potential disputes. Graciela Narvaja's range of clients includes private equity firms, multilateral institutions, and national and international corporate clients.
Responsables de la pratique:
José Luis Vega Meza
Principaux clients
BBVA
Banco Itaú Unipersonal
Chubb
Lloyd Bank
Macquarie Group
Sancor Seguros
UBS Bank
Visa
Zurich ReInsurance
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Lawen Resources and IGC Group of Guatemala on the acquisition of Azucarera Iturbe.
- Advising Penguin Infrastructure on the construction of a data centre in Paraguay to provide hosting services to bitcoin mining companies and cloud companies.