The practice of companies establishing subsidiaries to insure their own risks directly without accessing the commercial insurance market dates back more than a century. However, the captive insurance industry began to take off in the 1960s, and Bermuda set itself up as the original home for the offshore segment.

Latin America is a fertile region for renewable energy development but government support is sadly lacking. John Rumsey reports from Rio de Janeiro on how banks are getting involved in project investment.

A pragmatic commercial approach and sensible regulation have contributed to the Bermuda Stock Exchange’s development and global success.

The proposed radical shake-up of financial regulation in the US has rattled the banking industry, writes Michael Imeson.

Competition and consolidation among exchanges, on both sides of the Atlantic, is reshaping the clearing models for exchange-traded derivatives, reports Frances Maguire.

Latin America, especially Brazil and Mexico, offers huge opportunities for private wealth management as more individuals break into the $1m bracket. Jason Mitchell reports from Buenos Aires.

Latin America must make careful investment decisions to avoid wasting reserve accumulations on misguided projects, warns Enrique García.

Despite the subprime crisis affecting many areas of Brazil’s capital markets, commodity prices continue to boom, foreign investment remains strong and an investment grade rating is imminent, says Brian Caplen.

Argentina needs to arrest the high inflation that is hindering the development of long-term capital markets. Jason Mitchell reports.

As foreign players enter the market, John Rumsey in San José asks how much competition is healthy for Costa Rica’s banks?