Latest articles from Americas

The long arm of US law reaches for overseas assets

March 31, 2010

Foreign policy, fiscal pressures, financial reforms and far-reaching litigation are all provoking a flow of cases that threaten to overburden international banks doing business in the US. But the banks are fighting back. Philip Alexander reports.

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Bond boom fires up Latin America

March 3, 2010

With bank lending drying up last year, many Latin American corporates turned to the bond market to strengthen their cash positions. The resulting boom has instilled a sense of confidence in the region, with firms in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia leading the way. Writer Jason Mitchell

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Argentina: Sacking of central bank governor damages country's reputation

March 3, 2010

The 'soap opera' surrounding the protracted dismissal of the Argentine central bank governor by president Cristina Kirchner has damaged the country's international image and highlighted major weaknesses within its institutions. Writer Jason Mitchell

Brazilian banks tread cautiously on expansion

March 3, 2010

Recent rumours about Brazilian bank expansion would suggest that the country's main players are thinking big. Itaú Unibanco in particular has been linked with a number of deals across the globe, while Banco do Brasil is believed to be considering a move into Argentina. The reality, however, looks likely to be much more prosaic. Writer John Rumsey

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Will Chile's right turn mean business?

March 3, 2010

Chile's new right-wing government has promised to sustain the country's growth trajectory with a series of reforms, aimed at diversifying its economy, which is highly dependent on the copper industry, and improving conditions for SMEs. Writer Jason Mitchell

IDB focuses on LatAm inequality

March 3, 2010

Luis Alberto Moreno, president of the Inter-American Development Bank - the international body which supports the growth of Latin America and the Caribbean - outlines his short-term and long-term priorities. Writer Silvia Pavoni

Panama shows the way in Top 75 central American banks

March 3, 2010

All but three of the Top 75 central American banks remained in profit last year according to The Banker's ranking, with Panama recording stand-out results.

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Argentine reserves row rocks investor confidence

February 1, 2010

Argentina's president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's decision to request central bank governor Martin Redrado's resignation has led to international investor concern about the monetary authority's independence.

Multicultural banking

February 1, 2010

Scotiabank's need to provide a more rounded service for its customers across the globe led to a co-operation with Western Union, which has developed over the past 18 months. As the Canadian bank's managing director of core deposits and payments acknowledges, this arrangement has been mutually beneficial.

Canada's rare euro excursion pays off

February 1, 2010

Canada, rarely observed in the international bond markets, sparked intense interest at the beginning of the year with its debut euro-denominated 10-year bond issue. Will there be more sightings to come, or is this just a one-time foray? Writer Edward Russell-Walling