It is not just London that is taking business from New York, Asian markets are also rapidly growing in stature. Jules Stewart explains.

Latin American market investors’ sanguine reaction to the debt crisis shows how far the continent has come in cushioning itself through strong macro policies and solid growth. John Rumsey explains.

Ecuador’s bankers insist the president’s high stakes political strategy, which has included singling them out as public enemies, is ruining the economy. John Rumsey reports.

In the current market environment, not every bank chief executive feels relaxed talking to the press unless it is part of a public relations strategy to calm frayed nerves among investors. But Stan O’Neal, chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch, was happy to talk to The Banker’s editor Brian Caplen about the volatility in the markets and the firm’s longer-term strategic positioning as well as social issues arising from globalisation, such as inequality.

Brazil’s banks dominate the listing with their healthy assets and profitability, and Mexico also does well.

A relaxation of pension funds allocation rules in Latin America will hugely benefit regional private equity investment – but governments must keep better tallies of inflows, says Jason Mitchell in Buenos Aires.

The Colombian economy’sstellar performance has been one of the main reasons for the unprecedented rise in foreign direct investment, from about $500m in 2002 to a forecast $8bn this year, as president Alvaro Uribe, who came to power in 2002, recently pointed out to The Banker (for full interview, see page 20).

Colombia’s security and economic situation has improved to the extent that foreign banks are looking for takeover targets. Karina Robinson reports from Bogotá and Medellín.

Colombia’s president Álvaro Uribe has a lot of support and criticism as he faces huge challenges in his second term. Karina Robinson reports.

A huge number of construction projects are under way as the Dominican Republic focuses on improving its infrastructure across the board.