Short- and long-term economic challenges and shifting growth paradigms are the topics of discussion for the Latam economists participating in The Banker’s roundtable. 

Mushegh Tovmasyan, founder of Puerto Rico-based Zenus Bank, lays out its growth plans amid a changing fintech landscape.

The country has developed a resilient banking sector over the years, but challenges such as falling behind in competitiveness and Gafilat’s grey-listing remain.

The banking industry in Peru is nascent but stands to benefit from planned government measures, explains Alex Contreras, minister of economy and finance.

The sustainability-linked bond provides a way for Uruguay to highlight its commitment to the Paris Agreement by introducing financial consequences for missing its sustainability targets.

Héctor Alexander, Panama’s minister of economy and finance, discusses the country’s economic outlook and its most pressing issues, such as the crisis in its pension system.

While economic growth is back on track, the country needs to address the sustainability of its social security system, assure the viability of its mining sector and fix long-term challenges in its labour market.

Fintechs have disrupted the payments sector in Latin America, with solutions targeting the low-value segment. Now the banks are trying to get back in the game and market conditions are testing fintechs’ business model.

As we come to the end of this year, our editors look back on their own coverage for The Banker in 2022: Here are our ‘best bits’. 

The alliance insists the move is of great ecological benefit, but historically banks have not held the agribusinesses they finance to proper account. A legislative response rather than individual efforts seems necessary.