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Financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
--- | --- | ---
Confirmed letters of credit | $ 106,415 | $ 266,547
Stand-by letters of credit and guarantees - Commercial risk | 25,167 | 18,899
Credit commitments | 103,294 | 75,962
Financial Instruments With Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk | $ 234,876 | $ 361,408

X
- Definition It represents the outstanding credit commitments issued by the Bank. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | blx_CreditCommitments
Namespace Prefix: | blx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The total amount of instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk at the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | blx_FinancialInstrumentsWithOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk
Namespace Prefix: | blx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition No authoritative reference available. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | blx_StandbyLettersOfCreditAndGuaranteesCommercialRisk
Namespace Prefix: | blx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant