Banco Latinoamericano de ercio Exterior(BLX) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, the company achieved record net income of $227 million, up 10% year-over-year, with an adjusted return on equity (ROE) of 15.8% [8][9] - Net interest income reached another record, increasing by 5% year-over-year, with a net interest margin (NIM) of 2.36%, slightly above guidance [4][25] - Non-interest income grew 54% year-over-year, now representing 20% of total revenues, up from 13% four years ago [5][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The commercial portfolio grew 11.5% year-over-year, driven by a solid expansion in the loan book and a contingent portfolio increase of over 20% [3][11] - Loan growth was led by Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina, reflecting selective origination in attractive risk-adjusted opportunities [3][12] - Non-interest income from letters of credit increased by 20% year-over-year, while syndication fees rose more than 70% [5][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The investment portfolio totaled $1.4 billion, representing a 19% increase year-over-year, with approximately 91% investment-grade exposure [15] - Total liquidity closed the quarter at $1.9 billion, representing about 15% of total assets, with 91% of liquidity placed with the Federal Reserve [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transition into a more transactional trade banking platform for Latin America, focusing on scalability and capturing trade flows [34][35] - The 2026 guidance reflects a disciplined approach to profitable growth, with expectations for commercial portfolio growth between 13% and 15% [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The macro environment remains uncertain, with expectations of two additional rate cuts in 2026, but the company anticipates continued growth supported by a resilient Latin American market [32][33] - The company is well-positioned to expand the loan book without altering its credit risk profile, focusing on prudent capital management [14] Other Important Information - The efficiency ratio closed at 26.7%, reflecting ongoing cost discipline while investing in strategic initiatives [30] - The board approved an increase in quarterly cash dividends to $0.6875 per share, representing a 46% payout of fourth-quarter earnings [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on ROE guidance - The guidance is for adjusted ROE, excluding the impact of additional Tier 1 capital issued in September [39] Question: Expectations for non-interest income in 2026 - Fee income is expected to be around what was seen in 2025, with nominal growth but similar relative performance due to one-off transactions in 2025 [40] Question: Impact of portfolio duration on NIM - The record NIM in 2025 was influenced by medium-term transactions and efficient liquidity management, with expectations for stability in 2026 [41][43] Question: Portfolio growth guidance breakdown - The growth is expected to be well-balanced across regions, with specific opportunities in Guatemala and Argentina, while monitoring risks in Colombia and Brazil [60][61]