Aguilar Castillo Love‘s banking and finance team has a strong reputation for multi-jurisdictional transactions, leveraging the firm’s network of offices throughout Central America, as well as its growing footprint in South America, to advise international financial institutions with operations in Honduras. Predominantly acting on the lender side – although it is also called upon by local borrowers to assist with loans from international banks – the team covers syndicated loans, refinancings and fintech matters, with a notable strength in financings in the energy sector, including project finance. Office managing partner Enrique Rodríguez Burchard and Juan José Alcerro Milla jointly lead the practice, bringing extensive experience in cross-border project finance transactions, while Carolina Aguirre Larios is particularly experienced in the financial regulatory space. Other names to note include Victor Alejandro Martínez, who frequently assists with related tax issues, and associate Ondina María Santos, who has expertise in fintech matters.

Thanks to its status as a full-service regional firm, Arias is well equipped to advise both domestic and international clients on the full spectrum of banking and finance matters, across all industry segments, although it is best known for its expertise in financings in the energy sector. The team also stands out for its advice to international lenders, with a strong recent track record in advising multilateral development agencies on cross-border loans to domestic companies, banks and microfinance institutions. At the head of the practice, office managing partner Evangelina Lardizábal is widely recognised for her experience in project finance in Honduras – as well as in Central America more widely – and Mario Agüero is particularly active in multi-jurisdictional transactions, with an emphasis on highly regulated sectors. Associate Rodolfo Salgado provides key support in financial transactions and banking regulatory matters.

Consortium Legal houses a comprehensive banking and finance practice, which encompasses loans, securitisations, electronic banking and payment systems matters, and regulatory compliance, as well as the incorporation of financial companies and their authorisation by the Central Bank of Honduras. In particular, the team is commended for its prowess in cross-border matters, frequently joining up with the firm’s regional offices to handle Central America-wide mandates for a host of domestic and international financial institutions. The practice is led by the experienced trio of José Ramón Paz Morales (who is noted for his expertise in multi-jurisdictional transactions and banking regulation), Honduras managing partner José Ramón Paz Padilla (a seasoned expert in advising both lenders and borrowers on international finance matters) and Gustavo León-Gómez (whose practice has an emphasis on corporate and consumer finance and regulatory issues). José Rafael Rivera is also a key name at senior level.

Since joining forces with firms in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala to form a regional outfit in May 2021, Alta Melara & Asociados has seen strong activity in cross-border financial transactions in Central America, with extensive experience in advising both regional and international lenders. Winning praise from clients for its ‘high level of professionalism and ability‘, the team also has standout expertise in the fintech space, where it advises on regulatory issues, including the establishment of fintech companies and the introduction of new e-payment products in Honduras, and in corporate transactions in the banking sector. The experienced Oscar Melara, who serves as managing partner of the Honduras office, leads the practice, while senior associate Andrea Idiáquez is the name to note at junior level, particularly for fintech matters.

BLP‘s banking and finance practice draws on firm-wide expertise in the energy sector to advise on an array of financial transactions in this space, particularly with regard to project finance, including securing loans from multilateral development agencies for the construction and renovation of energy facilities. As a regional firm, it is also well placed to advise international development finance institutions on sustainability-linked loans to Honduran companies. José Miguel Álvarez coordinates the practice and has a notable background in the financing and development of energy and infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on the renewable energy sector. The deep bench of junior lawyers includes senior associate Rafael Chicas and associates Ivis Alvarado and Alí Ordóñez.

The banking and finance team at García & Bodán takes advantage of the firm’s regional presence to advise on cross-border financing transactions, including syndicated loans and project finance. The team also has a strong track record in capital markets matters, advising on notes issuances on the international markets, and brings to bear significant experience in regulatory issues in the fintech space. Honduras managing partner Vanessa Oquelí steers the practice, contributing additional expertise in corporate, energy, tax and aviation matters. Godofredo Siercke is particularly well versed in advising on syndicated loans and project finance in the energy sector.

Benefitting from an extensive network in Central America, Lexincorp‘s banking and finance team routinely advises international financial institutions on loans to national banks. Project finance is also among the team’s core areas of expertise, and it is noted for its strong skill sets in the energy (particularly renewable energy), infrastructure and telecoms spaces. Among the senior names to note are Engels Zelaya, who specialises in the public and energy sectors and is recognised for his project finance expertise, and Nora Amaya, who has longstanding experience in handling banking and finance transactions in Honduras and El Salvador.