Alan Greenspan may have left his successor a legacy of policy credibility but with it comes an economy that is worse for wear.

...great things can come, as microfinance pioneer Banmujer shows. Hugh O’Shaughnessy reports from Caracas on how the tiny bank aimed at poor women is attracting international attention and emulation.

With profits healthy, private banks seem happy to play ball with their ideological nemesis, president Hugo Chávez. Jane Monahan reports from Caracas.

Argentina’s economic revival is building confidence in its ability to clinch investment grade in a few years’ time. Jason Mitchell reports from Buenos Aires.

As interest in socially responsible investment increases in Brazil, the stock exchange plans an ethical index that will track responsible companies. By Oliver Balch.

Investment banks are often criticised in emerging markets for being fair weather friends: moving in when times are good, running for the exit when the market turns down. But if you take over a major domestic player, you are pretty much obliged to stick around.

As the main political parties choose their candidates for next year’s presidential election, Monica Campbell reports on the contenders, and prospects for the economy and investment if they succeed.

St Kitts and Nevis is taking steps to sustain stable growth, benefit from regional integration and develop the financial sector according to prime minister Denzil Douglas.

If the US and Europe cannot agree on a common capital adequacy system, the idea of a level playing field will become a vain hope.

Barbados premier Owen Arthur tells James Eedes what lies behind his economic policies, which he continues to follow against the advice of the IMF.