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Allowance for credit losses (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of the period | $ 72,751 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance | $ 72,976 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance | $ 88,547 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance
Provision (reversal of provision) for loan losses | 6,895 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses | (1,598)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses | (8,343)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses
Loan recovenies and other | 29 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts | 1,373 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts | 262 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts
Loans written-off | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs | (7,490)us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs
Balance at end of the period | 79,675 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance | 72,751 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance | 72,976 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance
Components: |  |  |
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 allowance for loan losses | 79,675 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance | 72,751 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance | 72,976 us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance
Corporations [Member] |  |  |
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of the period | 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
Provision (reversal of provision) for loan losses | 11,250 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember | (972)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember | (8,887)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember
Loan recovenies and other | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember
Loans written-off | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember | (7,490)us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateMember
Balance at end of the period | 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
Components: |  |  |
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 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
Banking and financial institutions [Member] |  |  |
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of the period | 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
Provision (reversal of provision) for loan losses | 647 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember | 656 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember | (1,704)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember
Loan recovenies and other | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember | 1,373 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember | 17 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember
Loans written-off | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_BankingandFinancialInstitutionsMember
Balance at end of the period | 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
Components: |  |  |
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 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
Middle market companies [Member] |  |  |
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of the period | 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
Provision (reversal of provision) for loan losses | (5,001)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember | (518)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember | 1,690 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember
Loan recovenies and other | 29 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember | 245 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember
Loans written-off | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_MiddleMarketCompaniesMember
Balance at end of the period | 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
Components: |  |  |
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 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
Sovereign [Member] |  |  |
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of the period | 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
Provision (reversal of provision) for loan losses | (1)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember | (764)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember | 558 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember
Loan recovenies and other | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember
Loans written-off | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember | 0 us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = blx_SovereignMember
Balance at end of the period | 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
Components: |  |  |
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 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

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- Definition Amount of loans and leases that have been written off from both loan receivables and allowance reserve for credit loss. + 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 (c)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
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- Definition Amount of recovery of loans and lease receivables which had previously been fully or partially written-off as bad debts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (c)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524 + 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 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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