Americas
A ray of light for Mexico
Although Mexico's exports and remittances are in decline, its oil production and tourism sectors weakened and unemployment rising, the country's banking industry entered the global crisis in good shape and may be able to provide the credit needed to reactivate the economy. Writer Jane Monahan
Asia
Vietnam braced for retail ramp-up
At your inconvenience: in 2006, Vietnam had only 46 ATMs for every 1 million peopleVietnam's large unbanked population and its growing middle class present a major opportunity for local and foreign banks alike, who see vast potential in the country's underdeveloped retail banking and consumer finance sectors. Writer Michelle Price
Central and Eastern Europe
Turkey goes it alone
Turkey's government, led by prime minister Tayyip Erdogan, is exploring alternatives to an IMF loan to finance its budget deficitFacing an exploding budget deficit and enormous domestic debts, the Turkish government continues to have a ravenous appetite for borrowing, but still wants to avoid funds from the IMF. Writer Metin Demirsar
