A combination of responsible fiscal control, economic diversification and social inclusion make for a resilient economy. While Colombia has made significant strides towards achieving such equilibrium there is still headway to be made, with issues such as the country's stubbornly high unemployment rate, social inequality, and the threat from narcotraffickers still to be tackled.

Thanks to shale drilling, the US is brimming with cheap gas and has turned itself into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers. Most analysts now expect it to be all but energy independent within 15 years, shattering mainstream assumptions from as recently as five years ago. The implications for global energy markets and geopolitics are profound. 

Within the IMF, some members are more equal than others. Only when fast-growing development economies such as the BRICS nations are fairly represented in its decision-making processes can it be described as a truly multilateral organisation.

Blessed with a geographical location that sees it link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the trade that comes with it, Panama is keen to show that there is more to the country than its world-famous canal. Mining, tourism and finance are rapidly growing areas in Panama, though, as senior figures in the country discuss, a labour shortage poses a threat to this impressive growth story. 

Growing public debt, falling GDP rates and rising unemployment are casting a shadow over the Caribbean region. Banks are responding by raising capital and many are still delivering good returns.

While The Banker's Top 1000 World Banks ranking published every July gives an insightful and unique snapshot of the state of the global banking market, our ranking of those banks featuring just below the ranking gives an excellent indication of the way in which the market is heading, and which countries and regions are on the rise.

Blamed for magnifying the effects of the financial crisis, credit derivatives may be given a boost by the post-crisis regulatory changes.

Libor has come under huge scrutiny since Barclays was fined for manipulating it. While few bankers believe it can be replaced, even its staunchest supporters say it needs to be reformed. But it is not obvious how. 

With Cuba facing another round of austerity measures, its population is pinning its hopes on vast quantities of oil being found in the drilling operations going on off the country's coast. However, the president of its national assembly remains cautious about any potential oil boom, and stresses that the country cannot neglect its agriculture and business sectors.