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Derivative financial instruments for hedging purposes (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | $ (393)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet | $ 3,479 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet | $ 11,461 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Fair Value Hedging [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | (20,068)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember | (3,994)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember | 12,311 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember
Gain (loss) on hedged item | 6,372 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember | (11,559)blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember | (24,380)blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember
Net gain (loss) | (13,696)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember | (15,553)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember | (12,069)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Income [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | (361)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember | (39)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember |
Gain (loss) on hedged item | 3,112 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember | 350 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember |
Net gain (loss) | 2,751 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember | 311 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember |
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | 3,737 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | 3,192 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | 1,564 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
Gain (loss) on hedged item | (16,204)blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | (16,204)blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | (12,022)blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
Net gain (loss) | (12,467)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | (13,012)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | (10,458)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Income Available For Sale [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | (1,800)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_InterestIncomeAvailableForSaleMember | (3,088)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_InterestIncomeAvailableForSaleMember | (2,982)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_InterestIncomeAvailableForSaleMember
Gain (loss) on hedged item | 2,345 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_InterestIncomeAvailableForSaleMember | 4,649 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_InterestIncomeAvailableForSaleMember | 4,776 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_InterestIncomeAvailableForSaleMember
Net gain (loss) | 545 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_InterestIncomeAvailableForSaleMember | 1,561 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_InterestIncomeAvailableForSaleMember | 1,794 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_InterestIncomeAvailableForSaleMember
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | (994)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | (3,622)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | 59 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember
Gain (loss) on hedged item | 1,021 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | 3,942 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | 0 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember
Net gain (loss) | 27 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | 320 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | 59 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Interest Income [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | (853)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember | (795)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember | (239)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember
Gain (loss) on hedged item | 1,695 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember | 1,548 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember | 522 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember
Net gain (loss) | 842 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember | 753 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember | 283 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | 4,538 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | 6,905 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | 8,024 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
Gain (loss) on hedged item | (10,031)blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | (12,452)blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | (11,187)blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
Net gain (loss) | (5,493)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | (5,547)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember | (3,163)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember | (430)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember | 5,873 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember
Gain (loss) on hedged item | 0 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember | 458 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember | (6,469)blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember
Net gain (loss) | 0 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember | 28 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember | (596)blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivatives | (24,335)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | (6,117)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | 12 us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember
Gain (loss) on hedged item | 24,434 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | 6,150 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | 0 blx_GainLossOnHedgingActivity / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember
Net gain (loss) | $ 99 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | $ 33 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember | $ 12 blx_NetGainLossOnDerivativeAndHedgeItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CrossCurrencyInterestRateContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = blx_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingMember

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- Definition Gain (loss) incurred in hedging activities. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Gain (loss) on derivative and hedged item during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5618551-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (a),(c),(d),(e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
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- Details
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- Details
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