Audley Shaw, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, JamaicaA raft of economic and financial reforms implemented by the Jamaican government is designed to return the country to a path of sustainable growth and development.
Charles W Calomiris, banking professorThe Dodd-Frank bill's failure to deal with the key problems that triggered the economic crisis is a missed opportunity.
From the ashes: Haitian banks such as Sogebank and Unibank have started the long and cautious road to recovery after the country's devastating earthquake earlier this yearCaribbean economies have been hit hard by the global crisis, the Haiti earthquake and the near-collapse of CL Financial in Trinidad though its top performers still have plenty to shout about. Writer Silvia Pavoni
Poor harvest: but Banco Galicia, a leader in the agricultural sector, closed 2009 with a $301.5m profitDespite the twin threats of the worst drought to strike South America in decades and the continuing fallout from global financial crisis, Argentina's lenders have survived relatively unscathed. And now a debt swap offer could allow the country to access international credit markets. Writer Silvia Pavoni
Scaling up: Peru's fishing industry is a sector that is drawing in foreign investmentPolitical and economic turbulence has long afflicted Peru's reputation, but having finally found a way of using its natural resources to the country's best advantage, the scale of its rising prosperity has international investors excited. Writer Silvia Pavoni
Luis Arce, Bolivia's finance ministerSince president Evo Morales took office in Bolivia in 2006, political stability has gone hand-in-hand with a period of robust economic growth. The country's finance minister shares with The Banker how Bolivia has managed to protect itself from the worst of the global economic crisis and spells out plans for future expansion. Writer Jane Monahan
Aiming high: Well-capitalised banks such as Banamex are giving cause for optimism over Mexico's futureMexico's ties to the US economy, its well-capitalised banks and the business-friendly reforms it has in the pipeline mean the country is perfectly positioned to ride the wave of any global economic recovery. Optimism is such, that there is even talk of the country being classified alongside the BRIC economies. Writer Silvia Pavoni
Protection plan: regulators are keen to prevent another blow-up on the scale of the Lehman Brothers, which some believe to have been triggered by derivativesRegulators are intent on reforming the role that derivatives play in bankruptcies, with the aim of preventing a future AIG or Lehman Brothers. But some are warning that, without a direct ban of these controversial financial instruments, this will be no easy task. Writer Suzanne Miller
Cleaning up: the FDIC plans to bring a more grassroots style to the US banking industryThe Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, under the tutelage of chairwoman Sheila Bair, has been spearheading a banking clean-up on a massive scale. And while the sector faces much uncertainty, one thing is sure: the US banking landscape is set to change for good. Writer Suzanne Miller
On the move: Colombia has embarked upon a $24bn infrastructure programmeHindered by years of armed conflict and governmental infighting, Colombia has launched a long-awaited infrastructure development programme, set to pump $24bn into its ailing transport network and, in turn, stimulate healthy competition among its banks as they bid to provide funding. Writer John Rumsey
Alberto Jose Guevara Obregon, Nicaragua's finance ministerNicaragua's finance minister tells The Banker how government efforts to attract foreign direct investment to the relatively untapped energy sector are seen as crucial if the region is finally to shake itself out of poverty. Writer Silvia Pavoni
Foreign policy, fiscal pressures, financial reforms and far-reaching litigation are all provoking a flow of cases that threaten to overburden international banks doing business in the US. But the banks are fighting back. Philip Alexander reports.
Ecuador's finance minister, Maria Elsa ViteriEcuador's private banks are up in arms about the effects of government intervention on their profits. The country's finance minister, however, rejects such accusations, saying that the relationship between bank and customer was in need of a rebalancing. Writer Rodrigo Amaral in Madrid
Luis Alberto Moreno, president of the Inter-American Development BankThe president of the Inter-American Development Bank - the international body which supports the growth of Latin America and the Caribbean - outlines his short-term and long-term priorities. Writer Silvia Pavoni
Before the storm: former Argentine central bank governor Martin Redrado (left) and president Cristina Kirchner
The 'soap opera' surrounding the protracted dismissal of the Argentine central bank governor by president Cristina Kirchner has damaged the country's international image and highlighted major weaknesses within its institutions. Writer Jason Mitchell
Celina Vansetti-Hutchins, senior analyst at Moody's in New YorkRecent rumours about Brazilian bank expansion would suggest that the country's main players are thinking big. Itaú Unibanco in particular has been linked with a number of deals across the globe, while Banco do Brasil is believed to be considering a move into Argentina. The reality, however, looks likely to be much more prosaic. Writer John Rumsey
President elect: Sebastián Piñera swept to power in Chile in JanuaryChile's new right-wing government has promised to sustain the country's growth trajectory with a series of reforms, aimed at diversifying its economy, which is highly dependent on the copper industry, and improving conditions for SMEs. Writer Jason Mitchell
Gerdau steel plant in Brazil: issued a $1.25bn investment grade bond in NovemberWith bank lending drying up last year, many Latin American corporates turned to the bond market to strengthen their cash positions. The resulting boom has instilled a sense of confidence in the region, with firms in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia leading the way. Writer Jason Mitchell
Steaming on: Panama's good economic prospects, aided by the expansion of its canal, have seen the country's banks thriveAll but three of the Top 75 central American banks remained in profit last year according to The Banker's ranking, with Panama recording stand-out results. Writer Silvia Pavoni
Canada, rarely observed in the international bond markets, sparked intense interest at the beginning of the year with its debut euro-denominated 10-year bond issue. Will there be more sightings to come, or is this just a one-time foray? Writer Edward Russell-Walling
Which way now? Puerto Rico's banking district
Puerto Rico's dependence on the US meant that the subprime crisis hit its banking sector particularly hard. A period of consolidation is now expected, but who the winners will be - the big domestic players or foreign-owned entities - remains to be seen. Writer Jane Monahan in Puerto Rico
Brazil's past battles with hyperinflation have left the legacy of a payment system whose efficiency assists its economy's stability to such an extent that it has garnered a host of global admirers. Writer John Rumsey
Henrique Meirelles, Central bank governor of Brazil
Brazil's central bank governor reflects on how the country managed to keep the worst of the financial crisis at bay and what further pitfalls lie ahead on its road to full recovery. Writer Charlie Corbett
Eugene Ludwig, Founder and CEO of Promontory Financial Group
Capital should simply be one of the barons of good risk management - not the king.
Rage-Ometer
Is a bank website the same as a bank branch? Canada's finance minister thinks so, which means that banks, which are not allowed to sell insurance through branches, are to be banned from selling it online too. Writer Michael Imeson
Heavy-handed regulatory reform in response to the financial crisis runs the risk of damaging the economy further. A measured response that accepts a certain level of risk makes good fiscal sense and will be a more sensible outcome.
Money talks: the state bank of Brazil's Federal District, which contains capital city Brasilia, has been in buy-out negotiations with Banco do BrasilThe economic downturn has temporarily alleviated the pressure on Brazil's regional banks. They are using that breathing space to seek efficiencies, including cost cutting, improving customer service and seeking capital from new sources. They need to move fast: as national banks recover, acquisition of regional banks will once again become an attractive expansion strategy. Writer John Rumsey
Key country: Brazil is the most important market in Latin America for HSBCHSBC's spectacular expansion in Latin America over the past 10 years has certainly paid dividends, with the group now the fifth largest in the region. Head of HSBC Latin America, Emilson Alonso, offers his views on the business and its strategy for the future. Writer Jane Monahan
Santiago: centre of one of the most dynamic economies in South AmericaWith one of the most liberalised economies in the world, prudent policies, and trading links with the Far East, Chile is poised to emerge from the downturn as a Latin American front-runner. Writer Jason Mitchell
Upward steer: Panama's canal expansion project will keep its economy moving in the right directionWith the exception of Panama, whose macroeconomy is cushioned by its canal expansion plan, GDP growth forecasts for the small economies of central America are negative this year as trade and investment from the US slows. Writer Jane Monahan
Although the pre-tax profits of Latin American banks have slipped, Tier 1 capital figures have grown by 14% and Brazil has firmly held onto its regional dominance. Writer Silvia Pavoni
State-owned institution Banco do Brasil has dethroned Itaú-Unibanco to once again become the country's biggest bank. Now there is a debate about whether such rapid growth is sustainable. Writer John Rumsey
Good neighbours: Colombian president Alvaro Uribe (left) shakes hands with Peruvian president Alan GarciaWhile the Western world has been struggling through the global financial crisis, Latin America has shown a remarkable resilience to the upheaval. Two countries in particular - Colombia and Peru - are showing particularly impressive growth, and look set to become important emerging economies. Writer Jason Mitchell
Hands-on leadership: Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has come under criticism for his involvement in the country's banking sectorA casual glance at Venezuela's banking sector would suggest that it is in good health. However, intervention from president Hugo Chavez's government is threatening the stability of the country's financial environment. Writer Brian Caplen
Luis Carranza, Peru's finance ministerPeru's finance minister talks about his commitment to a market-led economy and discusses the policies which he believes will transform the country into a major player on the world stage. Writer Jason Mitchell
Ralph Gonsalves, St Vincent and Grenadines prime ministerThe currency union of the Organisation of East Caribbean States is eyeing additional members and full economic union status. The prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines ponders the future of the OECS and its impact on the wider Caricom group of countries. Writer Brian Caplen
On top of the economic slowdown, Trinidad has other matters to contend with, including the government bail-out of its largest insurance company, Clico, and the acquisition of its second largest bank, RBTT, by Royal Bank of Canada. Writer Brian Caplen
At their annual meeting last month, the Caricom heads of state struggled to make headway on trade and immigration restrictions, although one issue which was met with unanimity was climate change. Writer Brian Caplen
Piotr Mazurkiewicz, policy officer for environmental and social development at the IFCBanks across Latin America are gradually signing up to the rules designed to ensure major project finance is environmentally responsible. But take-up is still slow and commitment varies from institution to institution. Writer Jane Monahan
Waking up the neighbours: Argentina's central bank governor Martín Redrado has achieved a first for Latin America through the currency swap with China
Argentina's central bank governor, Dr Martín Redrado, explains the rationale behind the country's currency swap with China, which was the first of its type in Latin America and may be emulated by others in the region. Writer Jason Mitchell in Buenos Aires
The US has been at the heart of the financial crisis. Of total losses of $1040.7bn in the financial sector worldwide, the US accounts for more than half, at $582.6bn. Of the top 10 worst losses during the crisis, six of them are from the US. Between them, banks in the top 10 of the North American ranking have lost a staggering $473.66bn since the crisis began. In 2008, the 152 US banks present in the Top 1000 made a pre-tax loss $91,078m.
The top Latin American banks are, as usual, headed by Brazilian lenders. And it is in Brazil that the biggest growth story took place last year. Banco Itaú and Unibanco merged in November 2008, forming the largest bank in the country.
It is unsurprising that two of the US's biggest former investment banks take the top two spots in this year's list of new entrants. Both Goldman Sachs, which enters the Top 1000 in 13th place, and Morgan Stanley, which enters at 17th place, were forced to take commercial banking licences at the end of 2008. How long the two iconic Wall Street brands will remain in the rankings is another matter. Many are speculating that the banks will seek to shed their commercial bank status as soon as the economy and financial markets pick up.
David Thompson - Barbados' prime minister
Unimpressed by the lack of representation for the world's smaller nations at the G-20 summit in London in April, Barbados' prime minister David Thompson took it upon himself to visit the city and tell the world of the plight of his country and others in the Caribbean. Writer Hugh O' Shaughnessy
Strict regulation, high capital and reserve requirements, and low levels of debt mean Brazil's banks are flourishing and in a good position to capitalise if their US and European competitors should pull back. Writer Brian Caplen
Cover stars: Brazilian bankers are still feted rather than reviled, unlike their colleagues in the US and Europe
The countries of the Caribbean have so far avoided the worst of the global slowdown, in part due to the region's steadfast regulatory discipline, but also because of the conservative approach adopted by the Canadian banks that dominate the area's financial sector. Writer Jane Monahan
Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and Haiti president Réné Préval. Canada has many business and banking interests in the Caribbean
John Rumsey, contributing editor of The Banker
As corporate social responsibility increases in prominence within business models, new strategies for implementation are being tried and tested across the banking industry. In Brazil, corporate governance has progressed significantly in recent years, yet it still has a long way to go, as The Banker's round table revealed. The round table is sponsored by Bradesco but independently edited by The Banker.
Chile president Michelle Bachelet
A conservative fiscal approach has left Chilean banks well placed to ride out the global financial downturn. However, opinion is divided on just how tough things are likely to get in the immediate future. Writer Jason Mitchell in Santiago.
The worsening global financial outlook combined with a troubled economic environment at home have shaken Argentina’s government, and stalling over its debt negotiations has isolated the country further from international markets. Writer John Rumsey.
Short-term trade finance has come apart in Latin America but banks and governments are focusing on home markets to the detriment of a global solution. The effects are reverberating hard in emerging markets and a dependence on devalued commodities and over-aggressive hedging by exporters are exacerbating the situation. Writer John Rumsey.
Camden Fine, president of the Independent
Community Bankers of America
In the US’s multi-layered banking sector, the credit crisis is being felt on all levels. But as the Treasury launches wave after wave of initiatives to protect the larger banks, and the smaller community banks stand firm due to their low exposure to subprime, it is the medium-sized banks that face the greatest threat. Writer Jane Monahan in Washington, DC.
Panama has been capitalising on its prime location between the Americas to attract foreign companies, and has been ramping up its infrastructure to support growth. So how will it be affected by the global slowdown? Writer John Rumsey.
The Guatemalan economy has big potential, particularly in fuel and food production. The country’s minister of finance talks about his fiscal reform programme and intent to create a sustainable tax base. Writer John Rumsey.
In response to rising inflation, Guatemala has adjusted its interest rates eight times in the past two years, and is working carefully to co-ordinate its monetary and fiscal policies, explains the president of Banco de Guatemala. Writer John Rumsey.
As US regulators and government work together to increase liquidity and help stabilise the economy, mixed opinions abound on just how much public money should be used to alleviate the problems stemming from the country’s banking sector. Writer Jane Monahan.
Jorge Sant’Anna, Cetip
After the merger of Brazil’s stock and derivatives exchanges, the country’s range of derivatives is fast expanding. John Rumsey reports.
Bolivia’s banking sector is thriving on the back of a strong economy, despite fears of a political clash with the leftist government of president Evo Morales. Jules Stewart reports.
Rafael Correa, the leftist President
Ecuador’s bankers insist the president’s high stakes political strategy, which has included singling them out as public enemies, is ruining the economy. John Rumsey reports.
Márcio Cypriano, president of Bradesco
The outcome of the tussle for ABN AMRO will have a decisive effect on the Brazilian banking scene, which is currently dominated by domestic players. John Rumsey reports.
