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Business segment information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest income |  | $ 212,730 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther | [1] | $ 205,303 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther | [1] | $ 192,437 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther | [1]
Interest expense |  | 71,599 us-gaap_InterestExpense | [1] | 82,211 us-gaap_InterestExpense | [1] | 87,460 us-gaap_InterestExpense | [1]
Net interest income |  | 141,131 us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet | [1] | 123,092 us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet | [1] | 104,977 us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet | [1]
Net other income |  | 27,551 us-gaap_OtherIncome | [1],[2] | 10,461 us-gaap_OtherIncome | [1],[2] | 26,828 us-gaap_OtherIncome | [1],[2]
Operating expenses |  | (53,702)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses | [1] | (54,306)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses | [1] | (55,814)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses | [1]
Net operating income |  | 114,980 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss | [1],[3] | 79,247 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss | [1],[3] | 75,991 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss | [1],[3]
Reversal of provision (provision) for loan and off-balance sheet credit losses |  | (8,522)blx_ReversalProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk | [1] | 1,217 blx_ReversalProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk | [1] | 12,389 blx_ReversalProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk | [1]
Recoveries, net of impairment of assets |  | 7 blx_OtherAssetImpairmentChargesRecoveries | [1] | 108 blx_OtherAssetImpairmentChargesRecoveries | [1] | 0 blx_OtherAssetImpairmentChargesRecoveries | [1]
Net income - business segment |  | 106,465 blx_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestBeforeUnallocated | [1] | 80,572 blx_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestBeforeUnallocated | [1] | 88,380 blx_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestBeforeUnallocated | [1]
Net income (loss) attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest |  | (475)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest | [1] | (4,185)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest | [1] | 293 us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest | [1]
Net income attributable to Bladex stockholders - business segment |  | 106,940 blx_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeUnallocated | [1] | 84,757 blx_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeUnallocated | [1] | 88,087 blx_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeUnallocated | [1]
Other income unallocated - gain on sale of premises and equipment | 5,600 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment | 0 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment | [1] | 0 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment | [1] | 5,626 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment | [1]
Discontinued operations (Note 3) |  | 0 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity | [1] | (4)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity | [1] | (681)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity | [1]
Net income attributable to Bladex stockholders |  | 106,940 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss | [1] | 84,753 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss | [1] | 93,032 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss | [1]
Total assets and contingencies (end of period balances): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest-earning assets |  | 7,908,977 blx_InterestEarningAssets | [1],[4],[5] | 7,468,136 blx_InterestEarningAssets | [1],[4],[5] | 6,743,769 blx_InterestEarningAssets | [1],[4],[5]
Other assets and contingencies |  | 500,665 blx_OtherAssetsAndContingencies | [1],[6] | 482,117 blx_OtherAssetsAndContingencies | [1],[6] | 237,077 blx_OtherAssetsAndContingencies | [1],[6]
Redeemable noncontrolling interest |  | 0 blx_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterest | [1] | (49,898)blx_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterest | [1] | (3,384)blx_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterest | [1]
Total interest-earning assets, other assets and contingencies |  | 8,409,642 blx_TotalInterestEarningAssetsOtherAssetsAndContingencies | [1] | 7,900,355 blx_TotalInterestEarningAssetsOtherAssetsAndContingencies | [1] | 6,977,462 blx_TotalInterestEarningAssetsOtherAssetsAndContingencies | [1]
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest income |  | 201,908 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 192,979 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 183,365 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1]
Interest expense |  | (79,674)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | (77,931)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | (73,398)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1]
Net interest income |  | 122,234 us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 115,048 us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 109,967 us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1]
Net other income |  | 21,068 us-gaap_OtherIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[2] | 15,338 us-gaap_OtherIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[2] | 12,216 us-gaap_OtherIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[2]
Operating expenses |  | (42,508)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | (40,945)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | (38,322)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1]
Net operating income |  | 100,794 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[3] | 89,441 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[3] | 83,861 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[3]
Reversal of provision (provision) for loan and off-balance sheet credit losses |  | (8,522)blx_ReversalProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 1,217 blx_ReversalProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 12,389 blx_ReversalProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1]
Recoveries, net of impairment of assets |  | 7 blx_OtherAssetImpairmentChargesRecoveries / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 108 blx_OtherAssetImpairmentChargesRecoveries / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 0 blx_OtherAssetImpairmentChargesRecoveries / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1]
Net income attributable to Bladex stockholders |  | 92,279 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 90,766 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 96,250 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1]
Total assets and contingencies (end of period balances): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest-earning assets |  | 6,677,734 blx_InterestEarningAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[4],[5] | 6,141,630 blx_InterestEarningAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[4],[5] | 5,708,456 blx_InterestEarningAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[4],[5]
Other assets and contingencies |  | 500,665 blx_OtherAssetsAndContingencies / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[6] | 482,117 blx_OtherAssetsAndContingencies / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[6] | 237,077 blx_OtherAssetsAndContingencies / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1],[6]
Total interest-earning assets, other assets and contingencies |  | 7,178,399 blx_TotalInterestEarningAssetsOtherAssetsAndContingencies / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 6,623,747 blx_TotalInterestEarningAssetsOtherAssetsAndContingencies / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1] | 5,945,533 blx_TotalInterestEarningAssetsOtherAssetsAndContingencies / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember | [1]
Treasury Segment [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest income |  | 10,822 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | 12,324 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | 9,072 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1]
Interest expense |  | 8,075 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (4,280)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (14,062)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1]
Net interest income |  | 18,897 us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | 8,044 us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (4,990)us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1]
Net other income |  | 6,483 us-gaap_OtherIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1],[2] | (4,877)us-gaap_OtherIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1],[2] | 14,612 us-gaap_OtherIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1],[2]
Operating expenses |  | (11,194)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (13,361)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (17,492)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1]
Net operating income |  | 14,186 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1],[3] | (10,194)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1],[3] | (7,870)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1],[3]
Net income - business segment |  | 14,186 blx_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestBeforeUnallocated / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (10,194)blx_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestBeforeUnallocated / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (7,870)blx_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestBeforeUnallocated / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1]
Net income (loss) attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest |  | (475)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (4,185)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | 293 us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1]
Net income attributable to Bladex stockholders |  | 14,661 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (6,009)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (8,163)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1]
Total assets and contingencies (end of period balances): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest-earning assets |  | 1,231,243 blx_InterestEarningAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1],[5] | 1,326,506 blx_InterestEarningAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1],[5] | 1,035,313 blx_InterestEarningAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1],[5]
Redeemable noncontrolling interest |  | 0 blx_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (49,898)blx_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | (3,384)blx_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1]
Total interest-earning assets, other assets and contingencies |  | $ 1,231,243 blx_TotalInterestEarningAssetsOtherAssetsAndContingencies / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | $ 1,276,608 blx_TotalInterestEarningAssetsOtherAssetsAndContingencies / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1] | $ 1,031,929 blx_TotalInterestEarningAssetsOtherAssetsAndContingencies / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_TreasurySegmentMember | [1]
[1] | The numbers set out in these tables have been rounded and accordingly may not total exactly.
[2] | Net other income excludes reversals (provisions) for loans and off-balance sheet credit losses, recoveries on assets, and gain on sale of premises and equipment.
[3] | Net operating income refers to net income excluding reversals (provisions) for loans and off-balance sheet credit losses and recoveries on assets.
[4] | Includes selected deposits placed, and loans, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees.
[5] | Includes cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks, securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity, trading securities and the balance of investment funds.
[6] | Includes customers’ liabilities under acceptances, letters of credit and guarantees covering commercial and country risk, and credit commitments.

X
- Definition Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items and other income unallocated but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests. + References No definition available. + Details
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