Washington DC, September 20, 2005- The
International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World
Bank Group, signed an agreement to provide a $40 million five-year loan
to Banco Banex S.A., a leading private bank in Costa Rica, to help diversify
and increase the average maturity of the bank’s funding base as well as
support its expansion in corporate and consumer lending, especially mortgage
operations.
IFC’s funding will help Banex continue providing long-term financing to
corporations and consumers. Such financing is not easily available
in Costa Rica, and it is crucial to the country’s economic growth. IFC’s
transaction with Banex will support private sector participation in the
country’s banking sector, which can improve benchmark standards and competition
while customers benefit from greater efficiency and international experience.
IFC’s term funding will also help Banex better match the balance
sheet structure of its assets and liabilities as it continues making longer-term
loans.
Jyrki I. Koskelo, Director of IFC's Global Financial Markets
Department, said, "IFC’s financing of Banex shows our commitment
to strengthening Costa Rica’s financial sector. We are helping local
banks finance the country’s consumer segment, particularly in the housing
market, as well as its corporate segment. In a relatively small economy,
the financial sector provides crucial support to local economic activity.”
Atul Mehta, Director of IFC's Latin America and Caribbean Department, noted,
"We are pleased to support Banco Banex and the financial sector in
Costa Rica. This operation fits well with IFC's strategy to support development
of the financial sector in Central America, at a time when the prospect
of CAFTA is creating new challenges and opportunities."
Banco Banex is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corporación Banex, a diversified
financial services holding company based in Costa Rica that is in turn
owned by Banco del Istmo S.A., one of the largest financial groups in Central
America.
Sergio Ruiz, CEO of Banco Banex, said, “Receiving the $40 millon credit
line from an institution of IFC´s caliber proves that Banco Banex has grown
into a solid financial institution and established a clear vision for growth
and sustainability. We are constantly striving to develop new and better
products to serve our clientele, and we excel in the service and quality
we can offer them.”
The mission of IFC (www.ifc.org)
is to promote sustainable private sector investment in developing countries,
helping to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. IFC finances private
sector investments in the developing world, mobilizes capital in the international
financial markets, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability,
and provides technical assistance and advice to governments and businesses.
From its founding in 1956 through FY04, IFC has committed more than US$44
billion of its own funds and arranged US$23 billion in syndications for
3,143 companies in 140 developing countries. IFC’s worldwide committed
portfolio as of FY04 was US$17.9 billion for its own account and US$5.5
billion held for participants in loan syndications.
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