Bladex (NYSE: BLX) outlined its strategic plan through 2030 at its investor day event, targeting a commercial portfolio of $18-20 billion and adjusted return on equity of 16-17%.

The Panama-based multinational bank presented financial targets including a net interest margin of approximately 2.30%, non-interest income of approximately $125 million, and an efficiency ratio of 25-27%. The bank also targets a Tier 1 capital ratio of 15-16%.

Chief Executive Officer Jorge Salas said the strategy focuses on adding transactional services to capture more value from existing client flows. The plan builds on the bank's four core verticals: Structured Trade Finance, Letters of Credit, Syndications, and Project Finance & Infrastructure.

Bladex reported that between 2021 and 2025, its commercial portfolio grew 71%, lending spread expanded by 86 basis points, and the cost-to-income ratio improved from 38.3% to 26.7%. Return on equity more than doubled during this period.

The 2030 strategy centers on three pillars: disciplined growth, lower cost of funds, and higher contribution from non-interest income. The bank plans to gradually roll out transactional services to capture deposits, payments, and fee opportunities from trade flows it already finances.

Chief Financial Officer Annette Van Hoorde said the bank expects to reinvest earnings to support growth while returning value to shareholders through dividends based on a payout ratio of around 40% over time.

The bank also introduced a new brand identity as part of its transformation toward a more diversified and transactional platform. Bladex was established in 1979 by central banks of 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote regional trade and economic integration.