Biography: Banking

Ricardo M Arango joined the firm in 1987 and became a partner in 1995. He is a member of the firm's executive committee and operations committee. He is also head of the firm's capital markets and banking practice group.

Mr Arango's practice focuses on securities regulations; banking and finance; mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures; corporations; and taxation.

Recent transactions include: representing Citibank in a €200 million financing contracts with Finmeccanica entities for national security and surveillance system; representing Deutsche Bank in a US$45 million Petaquilla Minerals prepaid forward gold purchase agreement; advising BLADEX in connection with a US$270 million syndicated term loan facility; representing CABEI and FMO in a US$42 million loan to Consorcio Eólico Amayo; and counselling Barclays Capital in a €120 million amendment and extension of Codere senior facilities agreement.

Mr Arango is secretary of the board of directors of BLADEX, a NYSE-listed company; director and secretary of the Panama Stock Exchange; director of BG Investments, a securities firm affiliated with Banco General; director of Corporación La Prensa, the largest circulation paper in Panama; and member of Consejo Empresarial de América Latina. From 1997 to 1999, he headed the Presidential Commission that drafted Panama's 1999 Securities Act.

Mr Arango completed his LLB at the Panama University, (1983); an LLM at Harvard Law School (1984); and an LLM at Yale Law School (1985). He was a Fulbright Scholar. He worked for White & Case from 1985 to 1987. He is a member of the New York Bar and Panama Bar.

Biography: Capital Markets

Ricardo M Arango is a partner in ARIFA and heads its capital markets and banking; and M&A and corporations practice groups. He is a member of the firm's executive committee.

Mr Arango has been instrumental in creating many financial structures that are now commonly used in Panama. With more than 25 years of experience, he has participated in such landmark transactions as the Republic of Panama's Brady Bonds offer; the first securitisations of credit cards receivables, toll road payments, swifts and residential mortgages in Panama; and the IPOs of 5 Panamanian companies on the NYSE.

Recently, Mr Arango represented Banco General in the US$60 million financing of the largest hydroelectric developed by Panamanian investors. He counselled HSBC Panama in a US$1 billion negotiable certificates registration in Mexico, and Bladex in a US$200 million bond issuance in Chile. Both were the first Panamanian registrations in these countries. He represented Global Bank in the first public exchange offer carried out in Panama. He advised the Panama Stock Exchange and Latin Clear, the only clearance agency in the country, in a strategic reorganisation.

Mr Arango is secretary of the board of Bladex, director of the Panama Stock Exchange and director of Corporación La Prensa. From 1997 to 1999, he headed the presidential commission that drafted Panama's Securities Act. He is a member of the Bar in New York and Panama.

Mr Arango completed his LLB at University of Panama; an LLM at Harvard Law School; and an LLM at Yale Law School. He is a Fulbright scholar, and worked for White & Case from 1985 to 1987.

Biography: Mergers and Acquisitions

Ricardo M Arango joined the firm in 1987 and became a partner in 1995. He is a member of the firm's executive committee and operations committee. He heads the firm's banking and finance, and M&A and corporations practice groups. Mr Arango's practice focuses on securities regulations; banking and finance; M&A; corporations; and taxation.

Recent transactions include: advising the Republic of Panama in its evaluation of alternatives for creation of a sovereign wealth fund and monetisation of government assets; Coca-Cola FEMSA; acquisition of Grupo Industrias Lácteas; Interbank Group's acquisition of Inkafarma; Grupo Gildemeister's acquisition of Grupo Los Tres; LAN Airlines' US$12 million acquisition of AIRES; SAPRISA's sale to Grupo Casa Luker; Casa Luker's US$91 million acquisition of Café Durán; Oiltanking Colón; US$30 million stake in Colon Port Terminal and Colon Oil and Services; Hopsa and Schuff; joint venture for steel engineering division; and ConSalfa's US$32 million acquisition of Intercoastal Marine, Inc.

Mr Arango is secretary of the board of directors of BLADEX, a NYSE-listed company; director and secretary of the Panama Stock Exchange; director of BG Investments, a securities firm affiliated with Banco General; and director of Corporación La Prensa, the largest circulation paper in Panama. From 1997 to 1999, he headed the presidential commission that drafted Panama's 1999 securities act.

Mr Arango completed his LLB at the Panama University (1983); an LLM at Harvard Law School (1984); and an LLM at Yale Law School (1985). He was a Fulbright scholar. He worked for White & Case from 1985 to 1987 and is a member of the New York and Panama bars.

Other Practice Areas

Ricardo M Arango also features in the following practice areas:

• Mining
• Corporate Governance