International Finance Corporation - Projects
IFC - International Finance Corporation -->> Reducing Poverty, Improving Lives...
 About IFC | IFC Projects | Doing Business with IFC | Sustainability | Media Hub | Research Desk |  Search

Summary of Project Information (SPI)
Project number7350
Project nameBanco Frances del Rio de la Plata S.A. - Credit Line
CountryArgentina
SectorFinance & Insurance
DepartmentGlobal Financial Markets Group
Company nameBBVA Banco Frances S.A.
Environmental categoryFI
Date disclosedMarch 6, 1996
StatusCompleted
Previous EventsInvested: December 2, 1996
Signed: November 8, 1996
Approved: March 27, 1996

REVISED Summary Of Project Information (SPI)
Project NameArgentina-Banco Frances
Underwriting & Project Finance Credit Line
RegionLatin America and the Caribbean

Sector
Project No007350
Projected Board DateMarch 28, 1996
Company NameBanco Frances del Rio de la Plata S.A. (Frances)
Technical Partner and/or Major Shareholders

Frances is 70% publicly held, with listings on both the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange through an ADR (American Depository Receipt). The remaining 30% is held by Sud America Inversiones.

Project Cost Including proposed IFC investment

Total Project Cost: US$40 million

Location of project and Description of site

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Description of Company and Purpose of Project

The project involves a US$40 million credit line for Underwriting Operations and Project Finance. IFC’s resources would support the further development of Frances’ local underwriting operations and project finance lending for middle-market, second-tier and privatized companies in Argentina. The project would provide scarce longer term financing to Argentina’s private sector.

Frances is the third largest local private bank in Argentina and is widely regarded as one of the strongest and soundest banks in the system. As at December 31, 1995, Frances had total assets of US$2.7 billion. Frances is 70% publicly listed, with listings on both the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange through an ADR (American Depository Receipt). The remaining 30% is held by Sud America Inversiones.

Environmental Category and Issues

This is an environmental review category FI project. Frances will be required to undertake an environmental review of projects financed through this facility. IFC will assess Frances’ capability to carry out environmental reviews.

Date SPI sent to PIC:
Revised:
March 6, 1996
March 7, 1996

For Additional Information contact: Corporate Relations Unit -
telephone: (202) 473-7711
facsimile: (202) 676-0365