Inversiones Atlántida S.A., (“Inversiones Atlántida”) the holding company of Grupo Financiero Atlántida, one of Latin America’s leading financial services groups, today announced it will host a series of high-level private events throughout the Caribbean to introduce BancAtlantic Capital, its newly launched New York-based merchant and investment bank.
The invitation-only events, titled Caribbean Currents, will feature Guillermo Bueso Anduray, Chairman & CEO of Inversiones Atlántida, and John Tonelli, Chairman & CEO of BancAtlantic Capital, and are meant to strengthen the Group’s connectivity with its clients and partners across the Caribbean. The events will take place in:
Grupo Financiero Atlántida intends to expand its Caribbean business through BancAtlantic, led by co-founder and veteran Wall Street investment banker John Tonelli, the Group's longtime banker and formerly Global Head of Debt Capital Markets at Oppenheimer, who brings three decades of experience in the Caribbean. BancAtlantic will focus on providing financing for emerging economies that have long been underserved by global investment banks and historically excluded from the international capital markets. BancAtlantic Capital, backed by the financial strength of Grupo Financiero Atlántida, is distinctly positioned to structure complex financings and provide direct capital support to its clients in the Caribbean.
Grupo Financiero Atlántida's growth beyond Honduras has extended steadily across Central America, the Caribbean, South America, the United States and Europe (in 2024 the Group became the first Honduran financial institution to enter the Spanish financial market). Building on this track record of disciplined international expansion, the Group is now deepening its Caribbean presence through BancAtlantic, bringing dedicated investment banking capabilities to a region where it has long-standing ties.
“The expansion of Grupo Financiero Atlántida’s business into the broader Caribbean represents a natural progression of our platform and is consistent with our 113-year history of supporting clients and fostering economic growth," stated Guillermo Bueso Anduray. "We recognize that establishing a strong Caribbean presence demands institutional commitment. By leveraging our affiliated commercial banks, insurance companies, and asset managers throughout Central and South America, and with John Tonelli’s leadership and vast experience in the Caribbean, we are uniquely suited to deploy our own capital and provide access to international capital markets for our clients in the region."
Grupo Financiero Atlántida has grown under Guillermo Bueso Anduray's leadership to encompass more than 40 companies across eight countries in the Americas and Europe. The Group's conservative yet innovative approach to banking aligns seamlessly with Mr. Tonelli's specialized capital markets expertise and experience in Caribbean markets.
"Corporate and state-owned enterprises in this region possess immense, untapped potential," added John Tonelli. "Our objective during this series of events is to engage directly with regional leaders and our local partners to discuss opportunities and demonstrate how we can work together to accelerate economic diversification and increase access to capital markets."
