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Allowance for credit losses (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance For Loan Losses |  |  |  |  |  |
Generic allowance | $ 77,260 blx_GenericAllowance |  | $ 71,797 blx_GenericAllowance |  | $ 72,976 blx_GenericAllowance |
Specific allowance | 2,415 blx_SpecificAllowance |  | 954 blx_SpecificAllowance |  | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 79,675 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance |  | 72,751 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance |  | 72,976 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance | 88,547 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance
Loans |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 6,682,210 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance |  | 6,145,173 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 4,034 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance |  | 3,125 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance |  |  |
Total loans | 6,686,244 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount | [1] | 6,148,298 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount | [1] |  |
Corporate [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance For Loan Losses |  |  |  |  |  |
Generic allowance | 40,482 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  | 30,562 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  | 32,488 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |
Specific allowance | 2,284 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  | 954 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 42,766 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  | 31,516 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  | 32,488 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember | 48,865 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember
Loans |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 3,828,835 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  | 3,310,931 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 3,125 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  | 3,125 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  |  |
Total loans | 3,831,960 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  | 3,314,056 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember |  |  |
Banking and Financial Institutions [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance For Loan Losses |  |  |  |  |  |
Generic allowance | 31,512 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  | 30,865 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  | 28,836 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |
Specific allowance | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 31,512 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  | 30,865 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  | 28,836 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember | 30,523 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember
Loans |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 2,370,936 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  | 2,259,991 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 0 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  | 0 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  |  |
Total loans | 2,370,936 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  | 2,259,991 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember |  |  |
Middle Market Companies [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance For Loan Losses |  |  |  |  |  |
Generic allowance | 5,266 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  | 10,369 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  | 10,887 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |
Specific allowance | 131 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 5,397 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  | 10,369 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  | 10,887 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember | 8,952 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember
Loans |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 482,439 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  | 574,107 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 909 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  | 0 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  |  |
Total loans | 483,348 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  | 574,107 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember |  |  |
Sovereign [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance For Loan Losses |  |  |  |  |  |
Generic allowance | 0 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  | 1 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  | 765 blx_GenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |
Specific allowance | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  | 0 blx_SpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |
Total of allowance for loan losses | 0 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  | 1 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  | 765 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember | 207 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember
Loans |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans with generic allowance | 0 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  | 144 blx_LoansWithGenericAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  |  |
Loans with specific allowance | 0 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  | 0 blx_LoansWithSpecificAllowance / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  |  |
Total loans | $ 0 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  | $ 144 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember |  |  |
[1] | Current ratings as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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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 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 2: 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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524 Reference 5: 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 6: 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=28367877&loc=d3e4428-111522 + Details
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