Latest articles from Americas

Sanofi Aventis defies global turmoil to close $20bn takeover of Genzyme

June 1, 2011

The caution in the markets following the tsunami in Japan and unrest in north Africa provided an unpromising backdrop to French company Sanofi Aventis's $20bn takeover of US biotech firm Genzyme. However, the deal passed off as a resounding success.

Luis Arce

Bolivia's economy minister reaps the rewards of prudence

June 1, 2011

Bolivia's economy minister, Luis Arce explains that the careful management of the country's finances over the past few years have left it in a strong position to not only cope with such demands, but to continue to grow.

Andres Esteves

BTG Pactual riding high on Brazil's economic strength

June 1, 2011

Armed with new capital, BTG Pactual has been busy deal-making this year under the direction of CEO Andre Esteves.

Sebastian Pinera

Consumer markets set to fuel Chilean banking growth

June 1, 2011

A year on from a devastating earthquake and the delayed impact of the international financial crisis, banks in Latin America's most stable economy now need to focus on supporting the expansion of the middle class.

US community banks

Why did some community banks fail and others thrive in the US crisis?

May 9, 2011

Some US community banks managed themselves conservatively and stuck to their knitting while others expanded too quickly on the back of the real-estate boom. While the former are prospering, the problems and failures among the latter are adding up.

Adam Waterous

Scotia Capital’s oil and gas expertise boosts M&A business

May 4, 2011

Scotia Capital provides its oil and gas clients with in-depth geophysical expertise, something that vice-chairman Adam Waterous believes is just as important as advice on the structuring of mergers and acquisitions.

Chavez cropped

President Chávez's presence looms large over Venezuela's private banks

May 4, 2011

Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez has ushered in massive changes to the country's banking sector, nationalising or closing banks, while introducing community banking terminals in slum areas to make banking more accessible. But is this level of public spending sustainable?

Crumbling Infrastructure

America's crumbling infrastructure: can private capital save it?

May 4, 2011

The US is in trouble. Its infrastructure is in dire need of repair but the heavily indebted country cannot afford to pay for it. All the more surprising then that the overtures of private – and in many cases foreign – capital are being met with resistance.

canada property boom

Consumer debt and Basel III pose problems for Canadian banks

May 4, 2011

With one of the most stable and well-capitalised banking systems in the world, Canadian banks are riding high on the back of a strong mortgage market. But will high consumer debt levels and international banking regulation restrict activity? 

End of the gold standard for US sovereign ratings

May 4, 2011

Ratings agencies would lose their credibility if they did not now cast doubt on the US government’s AAA ratings.