Recently, Banco Atlas and Banco Familiar announced the initiation of a merger process between both entities, which started with the execution of key agreements setting the grounds for the transaction. The merger also involves the subsidiaries Atlas S.A. de Seguros, Atlas Casa de Bolsa S.A., and Atlas Administradora de Fondos Patrimoniales de Inversión S.A. on one side, and Familiar Seguros S.A., Familiar Casa de Bolsa S.A., and Familiar Administradora de Fondos Patrimoniales de Inversión S.A. on the other side.
This merger represents the largest and most significant M&A transaction in Paraguay in 2024, resulting in the creation of a new entity, Banco Atlas Familiar, which will become one of the largest banks in the market. The new bank will have total assets exceeding USD 2.7 billion, a net equity of USD 320 million, and a loan portfolio amounting to USD 1.92 billion. The transaction, which sets a historic milestone for the broader market, is subject to regulatory approval.
Vouga Abogados advised Banco Atlas S.A., Atlas S.A. de Seguros, Atlas Casa de Bolsa S.A., Atlas Administradora de Fondos Patrimoniales de Inversión S.A., and their shareholders in structuring this innovative transaction. The advised covered areas such as banking law, capital markets, insurance, corporate, transactional, regulatory, tax, competition law, among others. Our assistance also included drafting and negotiating the transaction agreements, as well as planning the subsequent steps in this process.
This significant and complex transaction involves a multi-layered merger, including the merger of two banks, two insurance companies, two brokerage firms, and two investment fund management firms. The completion of the transaction will require the fulfillment of certain conditions and the approvals from multiple regulators. Unlike previous precedents where financial institutions were absorbed without forming a new entity, this transaction is a landmark case as it leads to the creation of a new entity.
Vouga’s team is led by partners Rodolfo G. Vouga Zuccolillo and Cynthia Fatecha, along with senior associates Cecilia Vera, Andrés Vera, and Horacio Sánchez. We expect to involve additional associates from the firm in the upcoming stages of this pivotal transaction. Jorge Vera has participated as in-house counsel for Banco Atlas, while Banco Familiar and its subsidiaries were represented by the team from Fiorio Cardozo & Alvarado Law Firm, consisting of Juan Bautista Fiorio, Bruno Fiorio, and Jean Saavedra.
