Miguel Heras, Member of the Board since 2015, and as Chairman of the Board since 2019. Mr. Heras is the Founder and Managing Partner at MKH Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Florida, U.S.A.  Since 1999, he has served as Managing Director and as a member of the board of directors of Inversiones Bahia, Ltd. in Panama, the largest investment group in Central America, focusing on the financial, infrastructure, energy, real estate, and communications markets. Mr. Heras currently serves on the boards of Fertilitas, Avelo Airlines, Wax Center Partners, Copa Colombia, Televisora Nacional and Bahía Motors. He is also a member of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Executive Board for Latin America and is Vice President of the board of the Panama Food Bank Foundation. He obtained extensive knowledge and experience in the banking industry while serving as a member of the board of directors and Asset-Liability Committee (ALCO) of Banco Continental de Panama for more than 5 years. Mr. Heras structured the acquisition of several companies and banking institutions, and in 2007 led the negotiation for the integration of the banking businesses of Banco Continental de Panamá and Banco General, which converted Banco General into one of the largest banks in Central America. In addition, Mr. Heras was also a member of the board of directors of Amnet Telecommunications Holdings, Clean Streak Ventures, Cable and Wireless (Panama) Inc. and the Panamanian Stock Exchange. Mr. Heras was Minister of the Treasury of the Republic of Panama and President of the Council on Foreign Trade from 1996 to 1998. He served as Vice Minister of the Treasury from 1994 to 1996.

Mr. Heras holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Heras’ professional expertise in economics, finance and private equity, executive management leadership and his experience as a board member of different companies qualifies him to serve on the Board.
 

Ricardo Manuel Arango, Member of the Board since 2016, is Senior Partner of the law firm of Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega in Panama. Since 2004.  Mr. Arango has held several leadership positions in the firm, contributing to shape the organization into a leading Latin-American law firm. Mr. Arango has served as a member of the board of directors of the Panama Canal Authority since 2016 and as a member of the board of directors and audit and compliance committees of Banco General since 2012. Mr. Arango served as a member of the board of directors of Corporación La Prensa and as Chairman of its Editorial Committee. He also served as a member of the board of directors of the Panama Stock Exchange and as its Chairman. Mr. Arango is a member of the Latin American Business Council (CEAL). Mr. Arango worked at White & Case in New York. Mr. Arango worked as an associate with Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega in Panama, becoming a partner of the firm in 1995. Mr. Arango’s professional practice focuses on finance, capital markets, banking regulations, corporate governance and compliance, and mergers and acquisitions. During his career, Mr. Arango has acted as lead counsel in some of the largest and most complex financial transactions and acquisitions in Panama and Central America. From 1998 to 1999, Mr. Arango headed the Presidential Commission that drafted Panama’s current securities act.  Mr. Arango is admitted to practice law in New York and Panama.

Mr. Arango holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Political Science from the University of Panama, a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School and a Master of Laws degree from Yale Law School. Mr. Arango’s strong knowledge of the regulatory frameworks under which the Bank operates; skills in managing legal, compliance, operational and credit risks of the banking industry; diversified perspective based on his combined legal/business acumen; in-depth understanding of the Bank’s business and operations; and experience as a board member for different companies, qualify him to serve on the Board.
 

Jorge L. Salas Taurel is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank since March 9, 2020. Previously Mr. Salas was President and Chief Executive Officer of Banesco USA, Coral Gables, Florida, United States from 2014 to 2020 and in various capacities in Banesco since 2000, including General Manager of Banesco, S.A., Panama from 2008 to 2014, Founder and General Manager of Banesco -Todo Ticket- Venezuela from 2005 to 2008, and Vice President-Corporate Banking from 2000 to 2005. Previously, Mr. Salas has served as Head of Oil and Gas Corporate Banking Division at Corpbanca, Venezuela from 1998 to 1999.

Mr. Salas holds a Degree in Business Administration (Banking and Finance) from Universidad Metropolitana, Venezuela, a Diploma for Specialization in Economics from the University of Colorado and Masters in Public Policy and in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
 

Jorge Luis Real serves as Executive Vice President - Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. He joined Bladex as Vice President, Head of Legal Risk in 2014, was appointed Secretary of the Board of Directors in April 2016 and in December of the same year, was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer of the Bank.

Before joining the Bank, he served as Coordinator of Latin American Legal Affairs at BNP Paribas New York from 2010 to 2014, Head of Legal Department at BNP Paribas Panama from 2005 to 2010. Previously, he was the Head of Legal Department at Panama Group of BBVA from 2000 to 2005, and Lawyer at Mauad & Mauad Panama in 2000.

Mr. Real holds a Master’s degree in Commercial Law from Université de Paris II - Panthéon-Assas, a Law and Political Science degree from Universidad Santa María la Antigua and was admitted to practice law in Panama by the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama in 1998.