Uruguay's finance minister, Fernando Lorenzo, tells The Banker how his country has managed to remain resilient in the face of the global economic crisis, and why he still longs for a more open Latin America.

Ecobank has been hurt recently by several allegations concerning its corporate governance. But Thierry Tanoh, its chief executive, insists it has done nothing wrong. He also explains why the pan-African lender represents a unique investment opportunity. 

Moves to establish an EU-wide banking union have developed at a rapid pace in recent months, and, if carried out properly, would complete the creation of a single market for financial services throughout Europe.

Although his time as Dutch finance minister gives him a deep understanding of policy-making, ABN Amro chief Gerrit Zalm has mixed views on the current tide of regulatory initiatives in Europe.

Bank of Korea governor Choongsoo Kim tells Jane Cooper how he aims to bridge the gap at international meetings between emerging and developed economies, and how he plans to globalise South Korea’s central bank. 

A new inflation targeting framework, efforts to improve the supply of credit and the implementation of Basel III all pose challenges for the Bank of Russia, as well as opportunities to modernise the country's financial system.

The resilience of the Italian economy should not be underestimated, says the CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo, and the country, which is now on the road to recovery, should no longer be considered as part of the flailing eurozone periphery.

With Cyprus’s economy moving out of the danger zone, its finance minister is laying the groundwork for a smaller but better regulated banking system.

Sim Tshabalala, the recently appointed co-chief executive of South Africa’s Standard Bank, tells Paul Wallace about his plans to grow in Africa and connect the region to the world’s investors. He also explains why replacing Jacko Maree with joint CEOs was the right decision.