SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 6-K

                        Report of Foreign Private Issuer
                    Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 Or 15d-16 Of The
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                           Long Form of Press Release

                  BANCO LATINOAMERICANO DE EXPORTACIONES, S.A.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

                           LATIN AMERICAN EXPORT BANK
                 (Translation of Registrant's name into English)

                        Calle 50 y Aquilino de la Guardia
                                 Apartado 6-1497
                             El Dorado, Panama City
                               Republic of Panama
              (Address of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)

                           Form 20-F _x_ Form 40-F ___

(Indicate by check mark whether the  registrant  by furnishing  the  information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing  information to the Commission
pursuant to Rule 12g-3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

                                 Yes ___ No _x_

(If "Yes" is marked,  indicate below the file number  assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b). 82__.)


                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

May 6, 2004

                                    Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S.A.

                                              By: /s/ Pedro Toll

                                              Name: Pedro Toll
                                              Title: General Manager


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

             BANCO LATINOAMERICANO DE EXPORTACIONES, S.A. ("BLADEX")

            REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2004 NET INCOME OF US$29.8 MILLION

1Q04 Financial Highlights

o     Net Income was US$29.8 million in the 1Q04, compared to US$16.2 million
      for the 4Q03, and US$10.4 million for the 1Q03.

o     Exposure in Argentina (net of allowance for credit losses and impairment
      loss) is US$222 million, down 45% from a year ago, and down 7% from last
      quarter.

Panama  City,  Republic  of  Panama,  May 4,  2004 -  Banco  Latinoamericano  de
Exportaciones,  S.A. ("BLADEX" or "the Bank") (NYSE:  BLX),  announced today its
results for the first  quarter  ended  March 31,  2004.  (The  Bank's  financial
statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and all figures are stated
in U.S. dollars.)

The Bank  reported net income of US$29.8  million for the first quarter of 2004,
or US$0.76 per share,  compared to net income of US$16.2 million, or US$0.41 per
share, in the previous  quarter,  and net income of US$10.4 million,  or US$0.58
per share, in the first quarter of 2003.

Net income for the first  quarter of 2004  reflected the effect of US$36 million
in partial  payments and  prepayments  of Argentine  restructured  loans,  which
contributed to the reversals of the allowance for credit losses in the amount of
US$19 million out of a total of US$21.4 million.

                                   Key Figures

             -------------------------------------------------------
                                              1Q03     4Q03     1Q04
             -------------------------------------------------------
             Net Income (In US$ million)     $10.4    $16.2    $29.8

             EPS*                            $0.58    $0.41    $0.76

             Return on Average Equity        12.1%    11.2%    20.2%

             Tier 1 Capital Ratio            18.2%    35.4%    37.9%

             Net interest margin             1.73%    2.07%    1.69%
             -------------------------------------------------------
            *Earnings  per  share  calculations  are  based on the
            average  number  of  shares  outstanding  during  each
            period.  During the first  quarter of 2004 the average
            number of common shares was 39.4 million,  compared to
            39.3 million in the fourth  quarter of 2003,  and 17.3
            million during the first quarter of 2003.


                                                                               1


Comments from the Chief Executive Officer

Jaime Rivera,  Chief Executive Officer of BLADEX stated, "With the turnaround of
the Bank now complete,  the overall framework of our operations is being defined
by significantly improved prospects for economic growth in the Region, continued
progress on our plan to strengthen  and broaden the scope of our business  model
and, generally, a stable or improved risk profile in our portfolio.  Within this
context,  the first  quarter's  financial  results were driven by three factors:
first,  strong principal  repayments in Argentina;  second, a market temporarily
flushed with  liquidity,  resulting in declining  interest rates and pressure on
lending  margins,  and third,  continued  progress on improving  our  efficiency
levels.

The strong  performance  of our  portfolio in Argentina was related to generally
increasing levels of liquidity in the local market, and to record high commodity
(export)  prices.  I'm  pleased to report  that we  collected  US$36  million in
principal  repayments  during the  period,  bringing  our total net  exposure to
US$222 million, 7% lower than at year-end 2003.

Regarding the pressure on margins that we saw during the quarter,  we have taken
the position that,  given the improved  economic growth prospects in the Region,
this  trend is likely to  reverse  itself as  credit  demand  strengthens.  As a
result,  we  elected  to slow  down our  lending  in order to  preserve  lending
capacity  within our credit  limits and have it  available  once  pricing  terms
improve in our favor.

The  approximate 5 basis point decrease in short-term  LIBOR interest rates over
the  quarter  hurt us  because,  with  our  assets  re-pricing  faster  than our
liabilities,  our balance sheet is positioned to take advantage of interest rate
increases. We maintain our view that interest rates are heading for an increase,
however, and currently expect to keep our maturity profile unchanged.  All other
things being equal,  we estimate that a 25 basis points  increase in the general
level of interest rates would result in a US$2.1 million additional net interest
income through year-end.

The most exciting  developments  during the quarter took place outside the scope
of the financial  statements,  however. With the arrival of Mr. Rubens Amaral to
head our commercial  operations out of our New York Agency,  we put in place the
last of the missing  pieces  needed to put the  transformation  of the Bank into
high gear. We are taking steps to optimize our client coverage  model,  changing
the  segmentation  of our client base to allow for more effective  cross selling
tactics  identifying  and pursuing  new product  opportunities,  optimizing  the
structure of our sales force, and  incorporating  the feedback  developed during
our brand and perception study into our plans.  Most  importantly,  we have been
very successful in attracting top caliber people to our team.

I'm  pleased to report  that at our Annual  Shareholders'  Meeting,  we received
approval  by  practically  100% of the  votes  cast on all  items  submitted  to
shareholders. Furthermore, we are seeing greater interest from the market in our
company,  evidenced  by a  greater  flow  of our  information,  broader  analyst
coverage, and an overall higher level of Investor Relations activity.


                                                                               2


Lastly, we continue studying the capital management question closely,  aiming to
arrive  at a  solution  that will  make the most  sense in view of risk  levels,
growth  opportunities,  and our shareholders' best interests.  Assuming a stable
scenario,  it is the Bank's  intention to take additional  action on the capital
management front during 2004."

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest  income in the first quarter of 2004  amounted to US$11.3  million,
compared to US$13.3  million in the fourth quarter of 2003, and US$13.8  million
in the first quarter 2003. The US$1.9 million  decline in the first quarter 2004
compared to the fourth quarter of 2003 was mainly  attributable to lower lending
margins,  decreased scheduled interest payments on the Bank's single non-accrual
loan outside Argentina, and lower interest rates, which had a negative impact on
the interest rate gap, which  currently is asset  sensitive.  These factors were
partially offset by higher average loan volumes.

Net interest margin

The table below provides the net interest margin (net interest income divided by
the  average  balance  of  interest-earning  assets),  and net  interest  spread
(average yield earned on interest-earning  assets, less the average rate paid on
interest-bearing liabilities) for the periods indicated:

                                       1Q03      4Q03       1Q04
               -------------------------------------------------
               Net Interest Margin    1.73%     2.07%      1.69%
               Net Interest Spread    1.13%     1.41%      1.11%
               -------------------------------------------------

1Q04 vs. 4Q03
The  decreases  in net  interest  margin and net  interest  spread for the first
quarter of 2004,  compared to the fourth  quarter of 2003,  were 38 basis points
and 30 basis  points,  respectively.  The 38  basis  point  decrease  in the net
interest  margin was mainly due to: (i) lower spreads over LIBOR on the accruing
loan  and  investment   portfolio  (-15  basis  points);   (ii)  lower  interest
collections on the Bank's single  non-accrual loan portfolio outside  Argentina,
resulting  from lower interest  payment  scheduled  maturities  during the first
quarter of 2004 (-13 basis points);  and (iii) falling interest rates, which had
a negative  impact on the asset  sensitive  interest  rate gap, and  generated a
lower  return on the Bank's  available  capital  funds (-10 basis  points).  The
decrease in net interest spread reflects the combination of re-pricing assets in
a falling  interest rate  environment,  and generally lower lending spreads over
LIBOR.


                                                                               3


COMMISSION INCOME

The following  table shows the  components of commission  income for the periods
indicated:

      --------------------------------------------------------------------
      (In US$ thousands)                          1Q03      4Q03      1Q04
      --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Letters of credit                         $1,241      $794    $1,124

      Guarantees:

            Country risk coverage business         328       309       306

            Other guarantees                       294       145       130

      Loans                                        576       346       165
                                                ------    ------    ------
      --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Commission Income                   $2,438    $1,595    $1,724
                                                ======    ======    ======
      --------------------------------------------------------------------

Commission  income for the first quarter of 2004 increased by 8% compared to the
fourth quarter of 2003 mostly due to increased volumes in letters of credit.

PROVISIONS FOR CREDIT LOSSES

During  the first  quarter of 2004,  the Bank  reversed  US$21.4  million of its
allowance  for  credit  losses,  mainly as a result  of  principal  payments  on
Argentine restructured loans. During the quarter as well, the Bank increased its
general reserve  coverage for Dominican  Republic  credits,  and lowered certain
general reserves in line with reduced country  exposure levels.  (For additional
information, please refer to Asset Quality section on page 10.)

OPERATING EXPENSES

The following  table shows a breakdown of the  components of operating  expenses
for the periods indicated:

     (In US$ thousands)
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1Q03      4Q03      1Q04
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Salaries and other employee expenses         $2,549    $4,298    $2,377

     Depreciation                                    376       381       359

     Professional services                           488       984       507

     Maintenance and repairs                         214       335       256

     Other operating expenses                        958     1,813     1,190
                                                  ------    ------    ------
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           Total Operating Expenses               $4,585    $7,812    $4,689
                                                  ======    ======    ======
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------

1Q04 vs. 4Q03

Salaries and other  employee  expenses for the fourth  quarter of 2003 and first
quarter of 2004 include variable compensation and severance provisions of US$2.1
million  and  US$0.4  million,  respectively.  Excluding  the  impact  of  these
provisions,  salaries and other employee  expenses for the first quarter of 2004
decreased by 12%.  Professional  service  expenses for the first quarter of 2004
decreased by US$0.5 million (49%),  reflecting the one-time nature of recruiting
and legal fees during the fourth quarter of 2003.  Other operating  expenses for
the first quarter of 2004 decreased by US$0.6  million  (34%),  primarily due to
expenses  related to the Bank's brand image project  incurred  during the fourth
quarter of 2003.


                                                                               4


BUSINESS OVERVIEW

   [The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]

                         Credit Portfolio Disbursements

                                        US$ Million
                             1QTR03         974
                             2QTR03         962
                             3QTR03         986
                             4QTR03       1,208
                             1QTR04         991

   [The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]

                                Credit Portfolio

                                          US$ Million
                        ---------------------------------------------
                                                Non-Accrual
                                                  Credit
                        Trade     Non-Trade      Portfolio
                        -----     ---------     -----------
          31-Mar-03     1,528        997            758         3,283
          30-Jun-03     1,455        857            632         2,944
          30-Sep-03     1,580        717            500         2,797
          31-Dec-03     1,719        646            482         2,847
          31-Mar-04     1,740        524            446         2,710


Lower  disbursements  in the first  quarter of 2004  reflect the decision by the
Bank to preserve availability within its credit facilities in the face of narrow
spreads.

The geographic  composition  (excluding the non-accruing portfolio in Argentina)
of the Bank's  credit  portfolio by type of client as of March 31, 2004,  was as
follows:



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Caribbean
                Brazil     Mexico     Dominican     and Central      South      Other (*)      Total        Total
                                       Republic       America       America                   03/31/04     12/31/03
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      
Banks             78%        48%         100%            49%          65%         100%           69%          67%

Other             22%        52%           0%            51%          35%           0%           31%          33%

Trade             82%        81%          91%            98%          60%           5%           75%          71%

Non-Trade         18%        19%           9%             2%          40%          95%           25%          29%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(*) Other - consists of reverse repurchase agreements classified as U.S. country
risk of US$132  million,  guarantees  for US$7 million  issued to a multilateral
bank in Honduras and a US$52 thousand  letter of credit  confirmed for a bank in
Spain.


                                                                               5


As of March 31, 2004, 87% of the Bank's credit portfolio  (excluding  Argentina)
was scheduled to mature on or before March 31, 2005.

The Bank's total assets and contingencies,  and risk-weighted assets by country,
as of March 31, 2004 were as follows:

   [The following table was depicted as a pie chart in the printed material.]

                   Assets and Contingencies - Credit Exposure
                      (in US$ Million, except percentages)

                     Argentina                $399      15%
                     Brazil                 $1,074      40%
                     Chile                    $137       5%
                     Dominican Republic        $25       1%
                     Mexico                   $333      12%
                     Venezuela                 $48       2%
                     Other Countries (1)      $694      26%

(1) Other countries - includes securities purchased under agreements to resell
of US$132 million classified as US country risk, US$7 million in guarantees
issued to a multilateral bank in Honduras and a US$52 thousand letter of credit
confirmed for a bank in Spain.

Does not include US$206 million correspondent to cash and due from banks,
interest-bearing deposits with banks, unearned income, premises and equipment,
accrued interest receivable, deriviative financial instruments-assets, and other
assets.

   [The following table was depicted as a pie chart in the printed material.]

                              Risk Weighted Assets
                      (In US$ Million, except percentages)

                     Argentina                $399      26%
                     Brazil                   $507      32%
                     Chile                     $65       4%
                     Dominican Republic         $5       0%
                     Mexico                   $186      12%
                     Venezuela                 $48       3%
                     Other Countries (1)      $352      23%

(1) Other countries - includes securities purchased under agreements to resell
of US$132 million classified as US country risk, US$7 million in guarantees
issued to a multilateral bank in Honduras and a US$52 thousand letter of credit
confirmed for a bank in Spain.

Does not include US$51 million correspondent to cash and due from banks,
interest-bearing deposits with banks, unearned income, premises and equipment,
accrued interest receivable, deriviative financial instruments-assets, and other
assets.


                                                                               6


ARGENTINE EXPOSURE

   [The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]

                               Argentine Exposure

                                                         Reserve and
                               US$ Million              mark-to-market
                     ------------------------------       as a % of
                     Nominal Value     Net Exposure     nominal value
          Dec-01          1,155           1,002              13%
          Mar-02          1,001             828              17%
          Jun-02            961             494              49%
          Sep-02            929             462              50%
          Dec-02            847             394              53%
          Mar-03            824             401              51%
          Jun-03            618             350              43%
          Sep-03            457             272              40%
          Dec-03            440             240              45%
          Mar-04            403             222              45%

As of March 31, 2004,  the Bank's US$222 million  exposure in Argentina,  net of
allowance for credit losses,  represented 36% of the total equity capital of the
Bank, compared to 41% as of December 31, 2003, and 115% as of March 31, 2003.

The Bank's  exposure in Argentina  as of March 31,  2004,  December 31, 2003 and
March 31, 2003 is presented in the following table:




(In US$ million)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Acceptances
                                         Loans     Investments          and          Total     Repurchase
                                                                   Contingencies               Agreements
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   
Nominal Value ("gross portfolio")        $362          $10              $31          $403         $132

Impairment loss                          n.a.           (4)             n.a.           (4)           0
                                         ----          ---              ---          ----         ----

Credit Portfolio at Mar. 31, 2004         362            5               31           399          132

Specific allowance for credit losses     (157)         n.a.             (20)         (176)           0

Collateral (U.S. Treasury Strips)           0            0                0             0         (132)
                                         ----          ---              ---          ----         ----
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Exposure at Mar. 31, 2004            $205           $5              $11          $222           $0
                                         ====          ===              ===          ====         ====
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Exposure at Dec. 31, 2003            $223           $5              $11          $240           $0
                                         ====          ===              ===          ====         ====
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Exposure at Mar. 31, 2003            $332          $42              $28          $401           $0
                                         ====          ===              ===          ====         ====
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


As of March 31, 2004, the Bank's gross portfolio in Argentina amounted to US$403
million, a reduction of US$421 million,  or 51%, compared to March 31, 2003, and
US$37 million,  or 8%, since  December 31, 2003. The US$37 million  reduction in
the first quarter of 2004 was mainly due to the  repayments  under  restructured
Argentine loans.


                                                                               7


The Bank's  entire  exposure in Argentina  continues to be  denominated  in U.S.
dollars (93%) and Euros (7%). The Argentine  credit  portfolio  distribution  by
industry type as of March 31, 2004 was as follows:

   (In US$ million, except percentages)
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Claims (Credit Portfolio)
                Industry                       As of Mar. 31/04         %
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Non-Financial Entities

       Beverage                                      $22                 5%

       Telecommunications                              4                 1%

       Food production                                15                 4%

       Mining and oil and gas extraction              50                12%

       Primary metal manufacturing                     6                 1%

       Utilities                                      46                12%
                                                    ----               ---
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total Non-Financial Entities               $142                36%
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Financial Institutions

       Controlled subsidiaries of
         major US and European Banks                 $48                12%

       State owned banks guaranteed
         by third party paper                         64                16%

       State-owned banks                             144                36%
                                                    ----               ---
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total Financial Institutions               $256                64%
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total                                      $399               100%
                                                    ====               ===

In addition,  as of March 31, 2004, the Bank had reverse  repurchase  agreements
with  Argentine   counterparties  totaling  US$132  million,  which  were  fully
collateralized with U.S. Treasury securities,  an amount unchanged from December
31, 2003 and March 31, 2003. These assets are classified as U.S. country risk.

Interest  payments on Argentine credits (loans and securities) are recorded on a
cash  basis.   The  Bank  collected   interest  from   Argentine   borrowers  of
approximately  US$5 million  during the first quarter 2004, an amount  unchanged
from the fourth quarter of 2003. The ratio of interest  collected from Argentine
borrowers to total interest payments due and payable from these borrowers during
the first quarter 2004 was 98%, a figure unchanged from the fourth quarter 2003,
and  compared  to 74% during the first  quarter  of 2003.  Although  significant
amounts of interest  have been  received on a consistent  basis from most of the
Bank's  clients in the country,  the ultimate  collection  of principal on these
credits is evaluated separately.

The composition and maturity  profile of the Argentine credit portfolio in terms
of restructured loans as of March 31, 2004 was as follows:


                                                                               8




(In US$ million, except percentages)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Payments scheduled
                                                           Outstanding     ------------------------------------------------------
                                                              As of                                                          Past
Status                                                    Mar. 31, 2004     %       2004     2005     2006     2007-2010      Due
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         
Performing under original terms                                 $28          7%      $3       $11      $12         $2          $0

Restructured and performing under renegotiated terms            321         81%      56        62       73        129           0

In negotiations to be restructured (current in interest)         16          4%      16         0        0          0           0

Not yet restructured and not paying interest                     34          8%       5         8        0          0          22
                                                               ----        ---      ---       ---      ---       ----         ---
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                          $399        100%     $80       $81      $85       $131         $22
                                                               ====                 ===       ===      ===       ====         ===
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The portfolio of  restructured  and  performing  loans,  under the  renegotiated
terms,  has an  average  life of 2.3  years.  No  restructurings  have  involved
discounts or losses of  principal.  Assets not yet  restructured  and not paying
interest consist of obligations from four companies in the utilities sector.

BRAZILIAN EXPOSURE

At March 31, 2004, December 31, 2003, and March 31, 2003, the Bank's exposure in
Brazil was as follows:

(In US$ million)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Loans   Investments   Contingencies  Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal Value                        $948        $15          $110       $1,073

Fair value adjustments               n.a.          1          n.a.            1
                                     ----       ----         -----       ------

Credit Portfolio at Mar. 31, 2004     948         16           110        1,074

Allowance for credit losses           (33)      n.a.            (1)         (33)
                                     ----       ----         -----       ------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Exposure at Mar. 31, 2004        $915        $16          $109       $1,040
                                     ====       ====         =====       ======
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Exposure at Dec. 31, 2003        $978        $16          $125       $1,119
                                     ====       ====         =====       ======
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Exposure at Mar. 31, 2003        $851        $31          $187       $1,069
                                     ====       ====         =====       ======
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As of March 31, 2004,  the Bank's credit  exposure in Brazil was composed of 78%
obligations due from banks and 22% from non-financial  entities,  a distribution
unchanged  from  December 31,  2003.  As of March 31,  2004,  the trade  finance
segment  of the  Brazilian  credit  portfolio  was  82%,  compared  to 78% as of
December 31, 2003, and 65% as of March 31, 2003.

 At the end of the first quarter of 2004,  the  Brazilian  portfolio had no past
due interest  amounts,  and included one impaired loan on non-accrual  status in
the amount of US$47 million to a Brazilian  corporation,  for which the Bank has
established a US$17 million specific allowance for possible loan losses.  During
the first quarter of 2004, the Bank collected interest income on a cash basis of
US$0.9  million from this  borrower,  versus US$1.6  million of interest  income
collected in the fourth quarter of 2003, due to lower interest payment scheduled
maturities.


                                                                               9


LIQUIDITY

Deposits  increased  by 25%  to  US$719  million  from  a  year  ago,  primarily
reflecting  new deposits  from central  banks and  state-owned  companies in the
Region.

Since the third quarter of 2003, the Bank has been managing its liquidity  funds
to gradually  match  historical  levels.  The Bank's net cash position (cash due
from banks,  plus interest  bearing  deposits with banks) as a percentage of its
overall balance sheet was 7.6% at the end of the first quarter of 2004, compared
to 9.9% as of December 31, 2003,  and 18.8% as of March 31, 2003,  respectively.
The Bank's net cash position represented 25.6% of deposits as of March 31, 2004,
35.9% as of December 31, 2003, and 92.9% as of March 31, 2003.

ASSET QUALITY

The Bank's  US$237  million  allowance  for credit  losses as of March 31,  2004
compares to an allowance of US$258  million as of December 31, 2003,  and US$446
million as of March 31, 2003.  The US$21  million  decrease in the allowance for
credit  losses in the first quarter of 2004 was  principally  due to: i) a US$19
million reduction in specific reserves assigned to Argentine credits as a result
of principal payments received on restructured loans and prepayments; ii) a US$5
million reduction in general reserves mainly as a result of the reduction of the
Bank's  exposure  in Brazil and  Venezuela;  and iii) US$3  million  increase in
general reserves in the Dominican Republic.

The following table sets forth changes in the Bank's allowance for credit losses
for the quarters ended at the dates indicated:



(In US$ million)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           31-MAR-03   30-JUN-03   30-SEP-03   31-DEC-03   31-MAR-04
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               
Allowance for credit losses
At beginning of period                        $453.1      $445.6      $322.8      $272.3      $258.3
   Provisions  charged  to  expense (1)          0.3       -44.6        -5.1        -9.4       -21.4
   Credit recoveries                             0.0         0.0         2.0         0.0         0.0
   Credits  written-off against the
   allowance                                    -7.8       -78.2       -47.4        -4.6         0.0
                                              ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of period                      $445.6      $322.8      $272.3      $258.3      $236.9
                                              ======      ======      ======      ======      ======
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)   Includes  reversals in the provision  for loan losses of US$44.1  million,
      US$9.9  million  and US$8.7  million as a result of the sale of  Argentine
      loans during the 2Q03, 3Q03 and 4Q03, respectively.

At March 31, 2004,  the  allowance  for credit  losses and net exposure on a per
country basis was as follows:


                                                                              10




(In US$ million)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Investments
                       Loans and                        Loans and       (Net of
                     Contingencies    Allowance for   Contingencies   impairment
                    (Nominal Value)   credit losses    (Net Value)       loss)     Net Exposure
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       
Argentina                $393            $(176)           $217            $5            $222

Brazil                  1,058             (33)           1,024            16           1,040

Other Countries         1,180             (27)           1,153            57           1,210
                       ------           -----           ------           ---          ------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                  $2,631           $(237)          $2,394           $78          $2,473
                       ======           =====           ======           ===          ======
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PERFORMANCE AND CAPITAL RATIOS

At the end of the first quarter of 2004, the number of common shares outstanding
was 39.4 million,  compared to 17.3 million  common shares  outstanding at March
31,  2003,  reflecting a 22 million  increase in the number of shares  resulting
from the issuance of new equity  capital in the amount of US$147  million at the
end of the second quarter of 2003.

The return on average  shareholder's equity and the return on average assets for
the first quarter of 2004 were 20.2% and 4.7%,  respectively,  compared to 11.2%
and 2.7%,  respectively,  for the fourth  quarter  of 2003,  and 12.1% and 1.5%,
respectively, for the first quarter of 2003.

Although  the Bank is not subject to the capital  adequacy  requirements  of the
Federal Reserve Board, if the Federal Reserve Board risk-based  capital adequacy
requirements  were  applied,  the Bank's Tier 1 and Total  Capital  Ratios as of
March 31, 2004 would have been 37.9% and 39.2%, respectively. Equivalent figures
for December 31, 2003, would have been 35.4% and 36.7%, respectively,  and 18.2%
and 19.4%, respectively, for March 31, 2003.

RECENT EVENTS

o     Indexed  Option Plan:  On April 13, 2004,  the Board of Directors  granted
      options to purchase  Class E shares  under a new  indexed  option plan for
      Executive Officers and Directors.  The plan uses an option exercise price,
      which is indexed to a customized  Latin American general market index. The
      underlying  rationale of the plan is to reward  option  holders for BLADEX
      stock price  performance  superior  to the market  index.  Options  have a
      seven-year  term,  with cliff  vesting  after  four  years.  Depending  on
      position and individual  performance,  executive officers are eligible for
      grants equivalent to 40% to 100% of yearly salary.  Directors are eligible
      for grants valued at US$10,000 per year,  except for the Chairman,  who is
      eligible for a US$15,000 yearly grant.

o     Payment of Quarterly Dividends - On April 5, 2004, BLADEX's paid quarterly
      cash dividends of US$0.10 per common share.


                                                                              11


o     Annual Shareholders  Meeting - BLADEX's Annual  Shareholders  Meeting took
      place on April 14, 2004,  in Panama.  At this  meeting,  Herminio  Blanco,
      William  Hayes and  Alexandre  Lodygensky  were  elected to fill the three
      available  Director  positions  representing  Class E shares. Two of these
      three  Class  E  Board  seats   represent   positions   formerly  held  by
      representatives of the Bank's Class B shares,  which were forfeited to the
      Class E  shareholders  when the Class B  ownership  of the Bank fell below
      10%. Also, during the Annual Shareholders'  meeting, Maria da Graca Franca
      was elected as a Class A Director,  and CEO Jaime  Rivera was elected as a
      Director to represent all share classes.

ABOUT BLADEX

BLADEX is a multinational  Bank  originally  established by the Central Banks of
Latin  American and Caribbean  countries to promote trade finance in the Region.
Based in Panama,  its  shareholders  include central and commercial  banks in 23
countries of the Region, as well as international  banks and private  investors.
Through March 31, 2004,  over its 25 years of  operations,  BLADEX had disbursed
accumulated credits of over US$125 billion in the Region.

Note:  Various  numbers and  percentages set out in this press release have been
rounded, and accordingly, may not total exactly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This press  release  contains  forward-looking  statements  of  expected  future
developments.  The Bank wishes to ensure that such statements are accompanied by
meaningful  cautionary statements pursuant to the safe harbor established by the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements
in this press release refer to the trend of pressure on margins reversing itself
as credit demand  strengthens  and the increase in interest rates in the future.
These  forward-looking   statements  reflect  the  expectations  of  the  Bank's
management and are based on currently available data; however, actual experience
with  respect to these  factors is subject to future  events and  uncertainties,
which could materially  impact the Bank's  expectations.  Among the factors that
can cause actual  performance and results to differ materially are as follows: a
decline in the  willingness of  international  lenders and depositors to provide
funding  to the Bank,  causing a  contraction  of the Bank's  credit  portfolio,
adverse  economic  or  political  developments  in the Region,  particularly  in
Argentina or Brazil,  which could  increase  the level of impaired  loans in the
Bank's  loan  portfolio  and,  if  sufficiently  severe,  result  in the  Bank's
allowance for probable  credit losses being  insufficient to cover losses in the
portfolio,  unanticipated  developments  with respect to  international  banking
transactions   (including   among  other  things,   interest  rate  spreads  and
competitive  conditions),  a change  in the  Bank's  credit  ratings,  events in
Argentina and Brazil or other countries in the Region unfolding in a manner that
is  detrimental to the Bank, or which might result in adequate  liquidity  being
unavailable to the Bank, or the Bank's  operations  being less  profitable  than
anticipated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There will be a conference call to discuss the quarterly  results on May 5, 2004
at 11:00 a.m. New York City time. For those interested in participating,  please
call (800)  500-0177  in the United  States  or, if outside  the United  States,
please dial (719)  457-2679.  All  participants  should give the conference name
"BLADEX  Quarterly Call" or the conference  ID#202247 to the telephone  operator
five  minutes  before the call is set to begin.  There will also be a live audio
webcast of the event at www.blx.com.

The BLADEX Conference Call will become available for review on Conference Replay
one hour after the conclusion of the conference  call, and will remain available
through May 6, 2004. Please dial (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 and follow the
instructions. The Conference ID# for the call that will be replayed is 202247.






                                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET                                                       EXHIBIT I
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              AT THE END OF,
                                                 ---------------------------------------
                                                     (A)           (B)           (C)
                                                   Mar. 31,      Dec. 31,      Mar. 31,    (C) - (B)        (C) - (A)
                                                     2003          2003          2004       CHANGE      %     CHANGE         %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       (In US$ thousands, except percentages)
                                                                                                     
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks .....................        $1,030          $868        $2,565      $1,697   196 %     $1,535     149 %
Interest-bearing deposits with banks (1) ....       537,127       253,946       183,800     (70,146)  (28)    (353,327)    (66)
Securities purchased under agreements
  to resell .................................       132,022       132,022       132,022           0     0            0       0
Securities available for sale ...............       145,341        48,341        48,858         517     1      (96,483)    (66)
Securities held to maturity .................        10,798        29,452        29,087        (365)   (1)      18,289     169
Loans .......................................     2,380,877     2,275,031     2,181,538     (93,493)   (4)    (199,340)     (8)
Less:
  Allowance for loan losses .................      (414,553)     (224,347)     (206,010)     18,338    (8)     208,544     (50)
  Unearned income ...........................        (7,333)       (4,282)       (2,711)      1,571   (37)       4,622     (63)
                                                 ----------    ----------    ----------   ---------          ---------
Loans, net ..................................     1,958,991     2,046,402     1,972,817     (73,585)   (4)      13,826       1

Customers' liabilities under acceptances ....        28,473        29,006        40,516      11,510    40       12,043      42
Premises and equipment ......................         4,798         4,119         3,886        (232)   (6)        (912)    (19)
Accrued interest receivable .................        14,511        10,931        10,585        (345)   (3)      (3,925)    (27)
Derivatives financial instruments - assets ..         3,082         2,256         2,366         110     5         (717)    (23)
Other assets ................................        15,824         6,214         5,495        (719)  (12)     (10,329)    (65)
                                                 ----------    ----------    ----------   ---------          ---------

TOTAL ASSETS ................................    $2,851,998    $2,563,556    $2,431,997   ($131,558)   (5)%  ($420,000)    (15)%
                                                 ==========    ==========    ==========   =========          =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits
  Noninterest-bearing - Demand ..............       $24,456       $19,370       $21,101      $1,731     9 %    ($3,355)    (14)%
  Interest-bearing - Time ...................       552,935       683,585       698,011      14,426     2      145,076      26
                                                 ----------    ----------    ----------   ---------          ---------
Total Deposits ..............................       577,391       702,955       719,112      16,157     2      141,721      25

Short-term borrowings and placements ........       664,923       687,214       575,627    (111,587)  (16)     (89,296)    (13)
Medium and long-term borrowings
  and placements ............................     1,146,448       485,516       416,305     (69,211)  (14)    (730,142)    (64)

Acceptances outstanding .....................        28,473        29,006        40,516      11,510    40       12,043      42
Accrued interest payable ....................         9,437         5,432         5,778         347     6       (3,659)    (39)
Derivatives financial instruments -
  liabilities ...............................        18,810        13,021         8,271      (4,750)  (36)     (10,539)    (56)
Reserve for losses on off-balance sheet
  credit risk ...............................        31,011        33,973        30,922      (3,051)   (9)         (90)     (0)
Redeemable preferred stock (2) ..............             0        10,946        11,039          92     1       11,039       0
Other liabilities ...........................        12,580        11,163        13,147       1,983    18          567       5
                                                 ----------    ----------    ----------   ---------          ---------
Total other liabilities .....................       100,312       103,542       109,673       6,131     6        9,361       9
TOTAL LIABILITIES ...........................    $2,489,073    $1,979,227    $1,820,717   ($158,510)   (8)%  ($668,357)    (27)%
                                                 ----------    ----------    ----------   ---------          ---------

REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK (2) ..............       $12,458            $0            $0          $0     0%    ($12,458)   (100)%

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, no par value ..................       133,236       279,978       279,978
Treasury stock ..............................       (85,634)      (85,570)      (85,570)
Capital surplus .............................       145,489       133,817       133,817
Capital reserves ............................        95,210        95,210        95,210
Accumulated other comprehensive income ......        11,049         9,876        10,933
Retained earnings ...........................        51,116       151,017       176,912
                                                 ----------    ----------    ----------

 TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .................      $350,466      $584,329      $611,280     $26,952     5 %   $260,814      74 %
                                                 ----------    ----------    ----------   ---------          ---------

TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED
  STOCK, AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ...........    $2,851,998    $2,563,556    $2,431,997   ($131,558)   (5)%  ($420,000)    (15)%
                                                 ==========    ==========    ==========   =========          =========
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)   Interest-bearing  deposits  with  banks  include  pledged  certificate  of
      deposit of US$2.2 million at March 31, 2004, and at December 31, 2003, and
      US$2.0 million at March 31, 2003.
(2)   SFAS 150 regarding the inclusion of reedemable  preferred stock as part of
      the "other liability" line item was effective as of July 1, 2003.





                              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS                                                     EXHIBIT II
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           -----------------------------------------
                                                             (A)        (B)        (C)
                                                           Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Mar. 31,  (C) - (B)           (C) - (A)
                                                             2003       2003       2004      CHANGE      %       CHANGE      %
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           (In US$ thousands, except percentages)
                                                                                                      
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Interest income .......................................    $27,840    $21,522    $19,508    ($2,014)     (9)%   ($8,331)    (30)%
Interest expense ......................................    (14,069)    (8,253)    (8,186)        67      (1)      5,883     (42)
                                                           -------    -------    -------    -------             -------
NET INTEREST INCOME ...................................     13,770     13,270     11,322     (1,947)    (15)     (2,448)    (18)

Provision for loan losses .............................      7,325     14,661     18,338      3,678      25      11,013     150
                                                           -------    -------    -------    -------             -------
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES ...     21,096     27,930     29,660      1,730       6       8,565      41

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Commission income, net ................................      2,430      1,400      1,674        275      20        (755)    (31)
Provision for losses on off-balance sheet
  credit risk .........................................     (7,642)    (5,127)     3,051      8,178    (160)    10,693     (140)
Derivatives and hedging activities ....................       (802)      (199)       113        313    (157)       915     (114)
Impairment loss on securities .........................         (3)         0          0          0    n.a.          3     (100) (*)
Gain on early extinguishment of debt ..................          0          0          6          6    n.a.          6     n.a.  (*)
Gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange ..............        (27)         3         (1)        (3)   (125)        26      (98)
Other income ..........................................        (91)        38         14        (24)   (64)        105     (115)
                                                           -------    -------    -------    -------             -------
NET OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) ............................     (6,135)    (3,886)     4,858      8,744    (225)    10,993     (179)

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries and other employee expenses ..................     (2,549)    (4,298)    (2,377)     1,921     (45)        173      (7)
Depreciation of premises and equipment ................       (376)      (381)      (359)        22      (6)         17      (4)
Professional services .................................       (488)      (984)      (507)       478     (49)        (18)      4
Maintenance and repairs ...............................       (214)      (335)      (256)        79     (24)        (42)     20
Other operating expenses ..............................       (958)    (1,813)    (1,190)       623     (34)       (233)     24
                                                           -------    -------    -------    -------             -------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES ..............................     (4,585)    (7,812)    (4,689)     3,123     (40)       (104)      2

NET INCOME ............................................    $10,376    $16,233    $29,830    $13,597      84     $19,453     187
                                                           =======    =======    =======    =======             =======
NET INCOME AVAILABLE FOR COMMON
 STOCKHOLDERS .........................................    $10,127    $16,233    $29,830    $13,597      84     $19,703     195

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:
Net income, after Preferred Stock dividend ............       0.58       0.41       0.76
Diluted earnings per share ............................       0.58       0.41       0.76

COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Period average ........................................     17,343     39,343     39,353

PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Return on average assets ..............................       1.46%      2.71%     4.71%
Return on average common stockholders' equity .........      12.13%     11.15%    20.20%
Net interest margin ...................................       1.73%      2.07%     1.69%
Net interest spread ...................................       1.13%      1.41%     1.11%
Total operating expenses to total average assets ......       0.65%      1.31%     0.74%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(*)   The  meaning  of the  abbreviation  "n.a."  for the  percentage  change of
      periods presented means not applicable.




                         SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA                                             EXHIBIT III
 (Consolidated Statement of Operations, Balance Sheet and Selected Financial Ratios)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                                                           2003              2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               (In US$ thousands, except per share amounts & ratios)
                                                                                                      
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Net interest income ............................................................          $13,770           $11,322
Provision for loan losses and off-balance sheet credit risk ....................             (317)           21,389
Commission income, net .........................................................            2,430             1,674
Derivatives and hedging activities .............................................             (802)              113
Impairment loss on securities ..................................................               (3)                0
Gain on early extinguishment of debt ...........................................                0                 6
Gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange .......................................              (27)               (1)
Other income ...................................................................              (91)               14
Operating expenses .............................................................           (4,585)           (4,689)
                                                                                        ---------         ---------
NET INCOME .....................................................................          $10,376           $29,830
                                                                                        =========         =========
Net income available for common stockholders ...................................          $10,127           $29,830

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Loans, net .....................................................................        1,958,991         1,972,817
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ................................          132,022           132,022
Investment securities ..........................................................          156,139            77,945
Total assets ...................................................................        2,851,998         2,431,997
Deposits .......................................................................          577,391           719,112
Short-term borrowings and placements ...........................................          664,923           575,627
Medium and long-term borrowings and placements .................................        1,146,448           416,305
Redeemable preferred stock (1) .................................................                0            11,039
Total liabilities ..............................................................        2,489,073         1,820,717
Redeemable preferred stock .....................................................           12,458                 0
Common stockholders' equity ....................................................          350,466           611,280

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:
Net income, after Preferred Stock dividend .....................................             0.58              0.76
Diluted earnings per share .....................................................             0.58              0.76
Book value (period average) ....................................................            19.50             15.09
Book value (period end) ........................................................            20.19             15.53

COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Period average .................................................................           17,343            39,353
Period end .....................................................................           17,343            39,353

SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS:
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Return on average assets .......................................................             1.46%             4.71%
Return on average stockholders' equity .........................................            12.13%            20.20%
Net interest margin ............................................................             1.73%             1.69%
Net interest spread ............................................................             1.13%             1.11%
Total operating expenses to total average assets ...............................             0.65%             0.74%

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
Non-accruing loans and investments to total loan and investment  portfolio .....            26.66%            17.35%
Net charge offs to total loan and investment portfolio .........................             0.29%             0.00%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans .......................................            17.47%             9.46%
Allowance for loan losses to non-accruing loans ................................            62.06%            50.37%
Allowance for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk to total
  contingencies ................................................................             5.05%             9.73%

CAPITAL RATIOS:
Common stockholders' equity to total assets ....................................            12.29%            25.13%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets .........................................            18.16%            37.91%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets ..........................................            19.41%            39.16%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)   SFAS 150 regarding the inclusion of reedemable  preferred stock as part of
      the "other liability" line item was effective as of July 1, 2003.




                              CONSOLIDATED NET INTEREST INCOME AND AVERAGE BALANCES                                       EXHIBIT IV

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED,
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 March 31, 2003               December 31, 2003                March 31, 2004
                                        -----------------------------   -----------------------------   ----------------------------
                                          AVERAGE               AVG.      AVERAGE               AVG.      AVERAGE              AVG.
                                          BALANCE    INTEREST   RATE      BALANCE    INTEREST   RATE      BALANCE    INTEREST  RATE
                                        -----------------------------   -----------------------------   ----------------------------
                                                                    (In US$ thousands, except percentages)
                                                                                                    
INTEREST EARNING ASSETS
Interest-bearing deposits
  with banks ........................     $531,334    $1,655    1.25%     $301,941      $720    0.93%     $268,117      $637   0.94%
Securities purchased under
  agreements to resell ..............      132,022       681    2.06       132,022       624    1.85       132,022       617   1.85
Loans, net of discount ..............    1,720,598    16,734    3.89     1,556,705    12,096    3.04     1,797,936    11,326   2.49
Impaired loans ......................      678,265     6,107    3.60       460,126     6,599    5.61       425,624     5,499   5.11
Investment securities ...............      158,475     2,662    6.72        90,135     1,484    6.44        77,513     1,429   7.30

TOTAL INTEREST EARNING ASSETS .......   $3,220,693   $27,840    3.46%   $2,540,929   $21,522    3.31%   $2,701,212   $19,508   2.86%

Non interest earning assets .........      $57,194                         $59,504                         $57,149
Allowance for loan losses ...........    (422,924)                        (235,680)                       (217,696)
Other assets ........................       21,532                           8,768                           8,453

TOTAL ASSETS ........................   $2,876,496                      $2,373,521                      $2,549,117

INTEREST BEARING LIABILITITES
Deposits ............................     $561,471    $2,001    1.43%     $636,163    $1,915    1.18%     $709,712    $2,093   1.17%
Short-term borrowings
  and placements ....................      647,790     3,509    2.17       513,653     2,138    1.63       652,615     2,406   1.46
Medium and long-term borrowings
  and placements ....................    1,210,421     8,559    2.83       536,080     3,834    2.80       476,810     3,504   2.91
Redeemable preferred stock (1) ......            0         0    n.a.        10,405             13.75        10,885             6.64
                                                                                         366                             183

TOTAL INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES ..   $2,419,682   $14,069    2.33%   $1,696,301    $8,253    1.90%   $1,850,023    $8,186   1.75%

Non interest bearing liabilities
  and other liabilities .............     $105,885                         $99,738                        $105,177

TOTAL LIABILITIES ...................    2,525,567                       1,796,038                       1,955,200

REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK (1) ......       12,472                               0                               0
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ................      338,457                         577,483                         593,917

TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE
PREFERRED STOCK AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ................   $2,876,496                      $2,373,521                      $2,549,117

NET INTEREST SPREAD .................                           1.13%                           1.41%                          1.11%
                                                                ----                            ----                           ----
NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET
  INTEREST MARGIN ...................                $13,770    1.73%                $13,270    2.07%                $11,322   1.69%
                                                     -------    ----                 -------    ----                 -------   ----
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)   SFAS 150 regarding the inclusion of reedemable  preferred stock as part of
      the "other liability" line item was effective as of July 1, 2003.




                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS                                      EXHIBIT V
                                          (In US$ thousands, except percentages & ratios)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                           FOR THE
                                                         FOR THE                                                FOR THE     THREE
                                                           YEAR              FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED           YEAR      MONTHS
                                                          ENDED                                                  ENDED      ENDED
                                                        DEC 31/02  MAR 31/03  JUN 30/03  SEP 30/03  DEC 31/03  DEC 31/03  MAR 31/04
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Interest income ....................................    $165,800    $27,840    $26,265    $22,769    $21,522    $98,395    $19,508
Interest expense (1) ...............................    (101,021)   (14,069)   (12,748)    (9,339)    (8,253)   (44,408)    (8,186)
                                                       ---------    -------    -------    -------    -------   --------    -------
NET INTEREST INCOME ................................      64,779     13,770     13,517     13,430     13,270     53,987     11,322

Provision for loan losses ..........................    (272,586)     7,325     37,429     10,093     14,661     69,508     18,338
                                                       ---------    -------    -------    -------    -------   --------    -------
NET INTEREST INCOME (LOSS) AFTER
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES ..........................    (207,807)    21,096     50,946     23,523     27,930    123,495     29,660

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Commission income, net (1) .........................       8,886      2,430      1,835      1,782      1,400      7,446      1,674
Provision for losses on off-balance sheet
  credit risk ......................................      (6,170)    (7,642)     7,209     (5,043)    (5,127)   (10,603)     3,051
Derivatives and hedging activities .................        (341)      (802)      (320)    (6,667)      (199)    (7,988)       113
Impairment loss on securities ......................     (44,268)        (3)      (875)       (75)         0       (953)         0
Gain on early extinguishment of debt ...............       1,430          0        789          0          0        789          6

Gain on sale of securities available for sale ......         184          0     13,351      8,860          0     22,211          0
Gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange ...........         301        (27)      (534)       176          3       (382)        (1)
Other income .......................................         553        (91)        93          2         38         42         14
                                                       ---------    -------    -------    -------    -------   --------    -------
NET OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) .........................     (39,425)    (6,135)    21,547       (965)    (3,886)    10,562      4,858
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES ...........................     (19,259)    (4,585)    (5,410)    (4,755)    (7,812)   (22,561)    (4,689)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS, NET ......    (266,492)    10,376     67,084     17,803     16,233    111,496     29,830

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Loss from operations and disposal of
  business segment .................................      (2,346)         0          0          0          0          0          0
                                                       ---------    -------    -------    -------    -------   --------    -------
NET INCOME (LOSS) ..................................   ($268,838)   $10,376    $67,084    $17,803    $16,233   $111,496    $29,830
                                                       =========    =======    =======    =======    =======   ========    =======
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE FOR STOCKHOLDERS .......   ($269,850)   $10,127    $66,899    $17,803    $16,233   $111,130    $29,830

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

PER COMMON SHARE DATA
Net income (loss) after preferred stock dividend ...     ($15.56)     $0.58      $3.65      $0.45      $0.41      $3.88      $0.76

PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets ...........................       -6.47%      1.46%      9.79%      2.83%      2.71%      4.24%      4.71%
Return on average common stockholder's equity ......      -60.48%     12.13%     70.25%     12.65%     11.15%     23.91%     20.20%
Net interest margin ................................        1.48%      1.73%      1.78%      1.96%      2.07%      1.87%      1.69%
Net interest spread ................................        0.96%      1.13%      1.18%      1.31%      1.41%      1.23%      1.11%
Total operating expenses to average assets .........        0.46%      0.65%      0.79%      0.76%      1.31%      0.86%      0.74%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)   For 2002,  commission  expenses  related to borrowings and placements were
      re-classified  from  commission  expense  and other  charges  to  interest
      expense to conform with the  presentation  for 2003 in accordance  with US
      GAAP.




                                                                                           EXHIBIT VI

                                           CREDIT PORTFOLIO
                                       DISTRIBUTION BY COUNTRY
                                           (In US$ million)

                                                                              
                                        -------------------------------------------------------------

                                        -------------------------------------------------------------
                                          (A)          (B)          (C)
                                        31MAR03      31DEC03      31MAR04      (C) - (A)    (C) - (B)
COUNTRY                                 -------------------------------------------------------------

 ARGENTINA .......................        $758         $435         $399        ($360)        ($36)
 BOLIVIA .........................          12            0            0          (12)          (0)
 BRAZIL ..........................       1,141        1,154        1,074          (67)         (80)
 CHILE ...........................          70          133          137           67            4
 COLOMBIA ........................          71          123           81            9          (42)
 COSTA RICA ......................          37           75           51           14          (23)
 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ..............         242           37           25         (217)         (11)
 ECUADOR .........................          97           87           77          (20)         (10)
 EL SALVADOR .....................           9           31           34           25            3
 GUATEMALA .......................          30           36           36            5           (0)
 HONDURAS ........................           0            0            1            1            1
 JAMAICA .........................          22           25           22           (0)          (3)
 MEXICO ..........................         214          247          333          118           86
 NICARAGUA .......................          11           14           11            0           (3)
 PANAMA ..........................          29           44           51           21            7
 PARAGUAY ........................           1            0            0           (1)           0
 PERU ............................         139          106          105          (34)          (2)
 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ...............          91          100           86           (5)         (14)
 VENEZUELA .......................         147           61           48          (99)         (13)
 OTHER (1) .......................         160          139          139          (21)           0
                                        ------       ------       ------        -----        -----

TOTAL CREDIT PORTFOLIO (2) .......      $3,283       $2,847       $2,710        ($574)       ($137)

UNEARNED INCOME (3) ..............         ($7)         ($4)         ($3)          $5           $2
                                        ------       ------       ------        -----        -----

TOTAL CREDIT PORTFOLIO,
      NET OF UNEARNED INCOME .....      $3,276       $2,843       $2,707        ($569)       ($136)
                                        ======       ======       ======        =====        =====
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)   Includes:  (i)  securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell  with
      Argentine  counterparties  of US$132 million at March 31, 2004, which were
      fully  collaterized  with US  Treasury  securities,  and  which  the  Bank
      classifies as US country risk; (ii)  guarantees  issued of US$7 million at
      March  31,  2004 to a  Multilateral  Bank  in  Honduras  with  shareholder
      composition  of 16% in  Guatemala,  Costa  Rica,  El  Salvador,  Honduras,
      Nicaragua,  11% in Taiwan,  and 9% in Mexico;  and (iii) a US$52  thousand
      letter of credit confirmed for a bank in Spain.

(2)   Includes  book  value  of  loans,  fair  value of  investment  securities,
      securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell,   acceptances,   and
      contingencies  including confirmed letters of credit,  stand-by letters of
      credit and guarantees  covering  commercial  and country  risks.  Includes
      credit  commitments  of US$39  million at March 31, 2004,  which  includes
      US$16  million in Brazil and US$23  million  in Mexico;  US$56  million at
      December 31, 2003, and US$112 million at March 31, 2003.

(3)   Represents unearned income for loans.