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Allowance for credit losses (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Allowance for loan losses |  |  |  |
Specific allowance | $ 0 | $ 14,800 | $ 11,500 |
Generic allowance | 72,976 | 73,747 | 67,115 |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 72,976 | 88,547 | 78,615 | 73,789
Loans |  |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 0 | 32,000 |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 5,715,556 | 4,927,573 |  |
Total loans | 5,715,556 | 4,959,573 |  |
Corporate [Member] |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan losses |  |  |  |
Specific allowance | 0 | 14,800 |  |
Generic allowance | 32,488 | 34,065 |  |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 32,488 | 48,865 | 54,160 |
Loans |  |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 0 | 32,000 |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 2,741,251 | 2,290,413 |  |
Total loans | 2,741,251 | 2,322,413 |  |
Banking and Financial Institutions [Member] |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan losses |  |  |  |
Specific allowance | 0 | 0 |  |
Generic allowance | 28,836 | 30,523 |  |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 28,836 | 30,523 | 18,790 |
Loans |  |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 0 | 0 |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 2,192,023 | 2,164,163 |  |
Total loans | 2,192,023 | 2,164,163 |  |
Middle Market Companies [Member] |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan losses |  |  |  |
Specific allowance | 0 | 0 |  |
Generic allowance | 10,887 | 8,952 |  |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 10,887 | 8,952 | 5,265 |
Loans |  |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 0 | 0 |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 681,912 | 445,731 |  |
Total loans | 681,912 | 445,731 |  |
Sovereign [Member] |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan losses |  |  |  |
Specific allowance | 0 | 0 |  |
Generic allowance | 765 | 207 |  |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 765 | 207 | 400 |
Loans |  |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 0 | 0 |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 100,370 | 27,266 |  |
Total loans | $ 100,370 | $ 27,266 |  |

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- Definition Balance of generic allowance at the end of the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | blx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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- Definition Total loans with Generic allowance at the end of the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Total loans with specific allowance at the end of the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Balance of specific allowance at the end of the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of allowance to cover probable credit losses on loans and leases. Includes carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations. Excludes allowance for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 8, 9 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b)(1)(ii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher OTS -Name Federal Regulation (FR) -Number Title 12 -Section 563c.102 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph a(ii) -Chapter V -Subsection I -LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph d -Article 9 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 114 -Paragraph 20 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section L -Subsection 1 + Details
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- Definition Amount before allowance of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6375948&loc=d3e4428-111522 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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