As his country hosts the EU presidency, Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel says the European competitiveness agenda can be boosted.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez’s anti-US stance is causing consternation in Washington, says Peter Hakim.

Foreign correspondent banks will be major losers as a result of further anti-money laundering regulation in the form of Section 312 of the USA Patriot Act, writes Michael Imeson.

Lebanon’s top two banks have boosted profits and set their sights on regional and global expansion, despite political turmoil at home. Stephen Timewell reports.

With the introduction of project finance instruments to complement more familiar short-term trade finance and consumer lending, Islamic banking has found a sound but innovative home in Bahrain. Jon Marks and Ian Lewis report.

Competition to draw international banks into the Gulf region is stronger than ever but Bahrain is confident that it can retain its leading edge, write Jon Marks and Ian Lewis.

Banco Agromercantil may not be Guatemala’s biggest bank and claims less than 10% market share, but it is one of the healthiest and most profitable institutions in the country.

Guatemala’s growing banking sector needs to consolidate to remain competitive, especially as foreign banks are eyeing up the country. Monica Campbell reports from Guatemala City.

In mid-2003, Vittorio Corbo became Chile’s central bank governor in the wake of a financial scandal.

Chile’s banks are scrambling for market share in the retail sector, where rich profits lie. Ian Gill reports on the courting of clients at the market’s lower end.