Latest articles from Americas

Top three Caricom banks cement their lead

August 1, 2011

Caribbean economies are still feeling the shockwaves from the global financial crisis and last year's earthquake in Haiti, but the region has shown its resilience, with plenty of bright spots in this year's ranking of the region's top 20 banks. 

Dodd-Frank Act's long arm is felt around the world

August 1, 2011

On the one-year anniversary of Dodd-Frank, much may have been achieved, but almost as many rule-making deadlines have been missed. More importantly, there are growing industry concerns that lack of agreement about how to apply the extraterritorial reach of US regulation is a problem that just will not go away.

Regeneration efforts in Rio de Janeiro shuold help fill Brazil's housing shortage

Long-term funding holds key to Brazil's future economic stability

June 30, 2011

Brazil is undergoing a renaissance, with its improving standards of living and a consumer credit boom. The next challenge is to secure longer-term funding for the fledgling mortgage market and reduce interest rates.

Mark Aedy, head of EMEA, Moelis & Company

Moelis & Co: a boutique no longer?

June 30, 2011

It is becoming more difficult to call four-year old Moelis & Co a boutique firm. Times are good for independent investment banks, but can this run of good business continue?

Christina Kirchner, president, Argentina

Is political posturing preventing Argentina from realising its potential?

June 30, 2011

Argentina has an abundance of natural resources, its industrial sector performs impressively, and it boasts a highly qualified workforce. Despite this, many foreign investors are steering clear of the country.

Petrobras is looking at the euro and sterling markets more closely

Petrobras eyes euro and sterling markets

June 30, 2011

Brazilian oil company Petrobras is planning to take advantage of the changing world order in currency terms by reducing its reliance on the US dollar in favour of the euro and sterling markets.

Brazil’s stock exchange plays catch up

June 30, 2011

Previously reliant on their own resources or bank loans to raise capital, companies in Brazil are now recognising the benefits of listing. But it will take a while before the country's stock exchange catches up with others around the world.

Brazil maintains Latin American dominance

June 30, 2011

Latin America's banking landscape is once again headed by Brazilian lenders, who occupy the top five positions in the Top 25 Latin American banks ranking.

No change among North America's banking giants

June 30, 2011

The top seven banks in North America stayed in the same positions in the regional top 25 ranking of this year's Top 1000, as the financial institutions of the US continued to focus on demonstrating their strength instead of their profitability.

Sanofi Aventis defies global turmoil to close $20bn takeover of Genzyme

June 1, 2011

The caution in the markets following the tsunami in Japan and unrest in north Africa provided an unpromising backdrop to French company Sanofi Aventis's $20bn takeover of US biotech firm Genzyme. However, the deal passed off as a resounding success.