‘One of the most sophisticated firms in Guatemala‘ and now part of a region-wide network, Alta QIL+4 Abogados has an impressive record of handling complex financial transactions, ranging from acquisition finance and restructurings to project finance and capital markets matters. The team is well placed to take on cross-border mandates (including transactions governed by New York law, thanks to the dual qualification of several of its lawyers) and has standout recent experience of advising on international debt issuances by Guatemalan companies. Its broad client base includes regional banks, international funds, multilateral development agencies and major domestic borrowers. Alejandro Cofiño, a leading figure for energy and infrastructure project finance; managing partner Marcos Ibargüen; José Quiñones, who provides complementary expertise in tax issues; and Andrés Lowenthal, whose practice takes in project finance and capital markets matters, lead the team. The enviably deep bench also includes Melissa Echeverría and senior associates Santiago Granados and Ignacio Grazioso (a specialist in project finance).

Regional outfit Arias is particularly highly regarded for its prowess on the lender side of financial transactions, acting for a host of leading regional and international banks, impact investors and, most notably, multilateral development agencies, which the ‘extremely reliable and responsive‘ team frequently advises on financing the expansion of Central American entities. Well versed in assisting with cross-border matters, the Guatemalan office has extensive experience of leading teams from the firm’s other branches on region-wide transactions. The diverse offering spans syndicated loans, debt refinancings, acquisition finance and project finance, as well as regulatory issues. Luis Pedro Del Valle, who has a strong reputation for both domestic and international transactions, heads the team. He is supported by a talented cohort of junior lawyers, including Cindy Arrivillaga, an expert in sustainable finance projects, who was promoted to director in August 2023; Francisco Zuluaga and Florencio Gramajo, who were elevated to senior associate at the same time; and associate Andrés Marroquín.

A longstanding powerhouse in the banking and finance arena, regional firm Consortium Legal is skilled in handling complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions and is praised for its ‘capacity to address Central American issues‘, with the Guatemalan office often joining up with the firm’s other branches in the region on cross-border mandates. The team advises an extensive roster of domestic and international banks, multilateral development organisations and corporate borrowers on syndicated loans, acquisition finance, project finance and capital markets transactions, among other matters. The firm also stands out for its strength on the regulatory front, with growing expertise in fintech issues. Firm president Álvaro Castellanos, who boasts a strong profile in the banking and insurance spheres, leads the team. Experienced senior associate Melissa Morán is another key contact in the practice and is noted for her robust skill set in capital markets, project finance and fintech matters (she is also a member of the firm’s region-wide fintech group).

Counting an array of domestic and international banks, financial institutions and online payment platforms among its clients, Central American firm Mayora & Mayora, S.C. offers ‘comprehensive services‘ across the full range of banking and finance matters, including cross-border loans, refinancings and project finance. The team is particularly well placed to handle regional transactions, working alongside its counterparts from the firm’s offices in Honduras and El Salvador. In addition, the group plays an active role in capital markets and regulatory issues (particularly in the fintech sphere), as well as banking M&A and the incorporation of financial entities in Guatemala. Claudia Pereira leads the practice, bringing longstanding experience in capital markets, trusts and project finance to the table. Other key figures include María Fernanda Morales Pellecer, a go-to adviser on banking regulation; regional managing partner Eduardo Mayora, ‘an outstanding professional with recognised national and international prestige‘ whose practice spans banking and finance and capital markets matters; and senior associate Carlos Ortega.

Regional firm Aguilar Castillo Love enjoys a stellar reputation for handling cross-border financial transactions, with a notable strong suit in advising major international and regional lenders on loans to domestic companies, although the practice is equally adept at acting for borrowers (particularly on energy-related financings). International capital markets matters are also a core area of expertise for the ‘excellent‘ team, whose impressive recent caseload includes advising the bookrunner on two sovereign bond issuances by the Republic of Guatemala. On the regulatory front, the team is frequently sought out by foreign clients for advice on fintech matters. At the head of the practice, Juan Carlos Castillo Chacón is widely regarded as a market leader in energy finance and capital markets transactions, while Natalia Callejas Aquino shines on project finance and fintech mandates. Associate Rudy Villatoro provides key support, particularly on regulatory matters.

Garnering praise for its ‘availability to provide assistance and clarity in its advice‘, the banking and finance offering at Central American heavyweight BLP saw a significant boost in June 2023 with the arrival of practice head Jorge Luis Arenales from Arias, bringing a wealth of experience in high-profile domestic and cross-border financings. The team acts for a wide range of international lenders, including banks and multilateral development agencies, and is also a strong choice for local borrowers seeking financing for projects in the agroforestry, renewable energy and waste management sectors. Core areas of expertise include syndicated and cross-border loans, capital markets matters and fintech issues, with the team frequently joining forces with the firm’s other offices to handle regional transactions. The capable pool of junior lawyers includes senior associate Gustavo Gamboa and special counsel Carolina Saadeh (a specialist in regulatory matters).

Boutique firm Clarity Law punches above its weight to advise an array of international lenders, including development finance institutions, impact investors and banks, on the Guatemalan law aspects of cross-border transactions, and is particularly skilled in assisting with the provision of loans to domestic microfinance entities. José Augusto Toledo, a go-to name for banking, real estate and capital markets mandates, leads the team alongside Ligia Salazar, who has built up strong experience in advising on the lender and borrower side of multi-jurisdictional financial transactions. Associate Georgina Jiménez also plays a key role in microfinance projects.

Headed by Ignacio Andrade Aycinena, the former managing partner of Sfera Legal's Guatemalan office, the banking and finance practice of Lex Atlas draws on ‘exceptional knowledge of the market and legislation‘ to advise local and international banks and investment funds, in addition to assisting leading domestic corporations. The team is well versed in both transactional and regulatory matters, including loans, notes issuances, credit restructuring and the creation of investment funds. Andrade Aycinena has longstanding experience in banking and capital markets matters in Guatemala, counting prominent banks and multilaterals among his clients. Alejandro Solares Solares is also a key contact.