Brasil Plural is a relative newcomer to the financial markets, but has already played an important part in the world’s biggest initial public offering of 2013, to date. However, as Brazil's economy slows, will the bank's diverse approach help it to maintain its early momentum?

Bank earnings across the Caribbean are down, as the region's lenders continue to struggle against a difficult economic backdrop. But there are still some bright spots, with a handful of banks managing to boost their asset base and retain impressive profitability.

Bitcoin – an audacious, innovative and 'mathematically fantastic' virtual currency, or an unregulated, volatile and opaque money channel? The Banker puts that question to banks, regulators and technology experts to get their take. 

Colombia's finance minister, Mauricio Cardenas, tells The Banker about the country’s adoption of a new taxation regime aimed at addressing inequality, and why he believes other Latin American countries should be doing the same. 

Once dominated by global firms, Brazil’s investment banking space is being reclaimed by local players, putting the squeeze on returns. But, despite increased competition and lower returns, is Brazil’s economy just too big to be ignored?

Global head of channels and distribution in transaction services at Royal Bank of Scotland’s international banking unit, Ken Deveaux, talks about the bank’s efforts to consolidate its channels and build an integrated systems architecture.