Under pressure from rating agencies, Reykjavik’s top financial brass politely make their case – unlike Venezuela’s premier Hugo Chávez.

Antonio Brufau, chairman and CEO of Repsol YPF, tells Karina Robinson of his softly-softly response to Latin American energy nationalism.
Antonio Brufau is CEO and chairman of Repsol YPF, one of the top 10 listed oil companies in the world. He is involved with leading Spanish gas distributor Gas Natural in its hostile bid for Endesa, the Spanish utility.

Colombia is one such country that has used the current benign conditions to improve public finances but that does not mean that all the pieces of an economic growth formula are in place. The country has the same pitiful loans to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio of 25% that it had in the 1970s.

Karina Robinson canvasses the CEOs of four of Mexico’s top five banks as the country looks increasingly set to elect a less banker-friendly president.

A crisis lies in waiting for Mexico in the shape of its frontrunning presidential candidate. Karina Robinson reports from Mexico City on the likely risk scenarios.

US exchanges are taking advantage of improving relations with China and clinching significant business deals. Jim Kharouf reports.

The recently ratified DR-CAFTA will change the face of trade for the Dominican Republic. Although the local business jury is still out, trade transparency and opportunities look set to improve dramatically.

Despite international progress on microfinancing initiatives and good results in Mexico’s microcredit industry, Mexican banks are still not keen to lend to the poor. Monica Campbell reports from Mexico City.

The US has watched the rapid development of the covered bond market in Europe and elsewhere from afar. Now, with questions hanging over the country’s giant mortgage-backed securities providers and tempted by insatiable investor appetite, US issuers are about to dip their toes in the water. Michael Marray reports.

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