Banking and finance

Morgan & Morgan

‘One of the most prestigious firms in Panama', Morgan & Morgan has an impressive record of acting on both the lender and borrower side of complex financings, advising on cross-border loans, refinancings, acquisition finance and regulatory issues. Project finance is also a key pillar of the practice; the team’s recent workload includes assisting with high-profile transactions in the energy and mining sectors. Inocencio Galindo, who has a wealth of experience in infrastructure finance, leads the practice with the ’fabulous' Kharla Aizpurúa, who also oversees the firm’s fintech offering alongside regulatory specialist Roberto Vidal. Ramón Varela and Ana Carolina Castillo (who focus on energy-related financings) and Francisco Arias are also names to note. The deep bench also includes international associate Miguel Arias M. and associates Arantxa Fernández and Ariana Linares (who joined from BAC Credomatic in June 2023).

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Morgan & Morgan is one of the most prestigious firms in Panama. They are recognised in all sectors. We feel very happy with our business relationship.'
'Kharla Aizpurúa is fabulous - everyone on the team holds her in the highest regard. She is very professional and thorough in her work, and provides ideas, solutions and advice proactively.'
'Morgan & Morgan has excellent skills as a firm, with in-depth knowledge of the energy industry and the financial sector, which allows for the preparation of specialised and complex legal documents that result in effective solutions.'
'Ramón Varela and Ana Carolina Castillo have the experience and deep knowledge to be able to draft complex documentation, analyse scenarios and translate the clients' requirements into solutions within the energy and financing industry.'
'A good practice. Efficient and delivers work on time.'
'They stand out for their swift action and almost immediate availability.'

Key clients

Banistmo
Banco General
BBVA
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation (CAT)
Citibank
Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF)
Credit Suisse
MMG Bank Corporation
Global Bank Corporation
HSBC Bank USA
Empresa Nacional de Autopistas (ENA)
Bank of China
BBP Bank
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Davivienda
Banco Mercantil
ITAU Corpbank
Avianca Holdings
Generadora de Gatun
Republic Bank
The Bank of Nova Scotia (ScotiaBank)
Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy
Consorcio Transeq-Estrella
Waterfield Group
Banco Mercantil
Cirsa
Banistmo Investment Corporation
Global Financial Funds
IDB Invest
Orla Mining – Cerro Quema
Alpha Credit
Minera Panama
AES Panama
Electron Investment
EcoSolar
Greenwood Energy Central America
Empresa Nacional de Energia
EFG Capital International
Lombard Odier & Cie
Ingeniería Estrella
Transeq
Grupo Estrella
ArtCap Strategies
JP Morgan
Japan International Cooperation Agency
Suez
Constructora Urbana (Cusa)
Walid Rada

Work highlights

Advising Generadora de Gatun and AES in relation to the senior and mezzanine financing granted to the companies in order to develop, construct and operate an approximately 670MW combined cycle natural gas-fired power plant on Telfers Island, Panama.
Advised ArtCap LAC Private Credit Services, as administrative agent and co-arranger (together with Apollo Global Funding), and Banistmo Investment Corporation, as trustee, in relation to a ten-year $90m senior secured loan granted to Banesco to finance the growth of its consumer loan portfolios.
Advising Grupo Estrella on obtaining, through newly incorporated Panamanian special purpose vehicles (SPV) and a UK SPV, a $58m syndicated term loan from local banks to acquire 15% of a natural gas-based plant and a liquified gas terminal of a local energy infrastructure project.