Argentina’s economy is powering ahead but it comes at the price of old-fashioned price controls and, it is alleged, the manipulation of unwelcome economic data. Karina Robinson reports from Buenos Aires.

Elected on an anti-poverty mandate, Ecuador’s government may be clashing with private banks over microloan fees but it accepts the economy should be capitalist, underpinned by a competitive banking system. Jane Monahan reports from Quito.

By adopting practices more akin to the retail industry, two US banks are being hailed as models for boosting cross-sales rates. Tony Gandy reports on their winning formulae.

What makes a successful international financial centre? Michael Imeson reports on the imperfect art of ascertaining which world city is truly the greatest.

Bolivia’s central bank vice-president Gustavo Blacutt Alcalá talks to Hugh O’Shaughnessy in La Paz about the dramatic improvement of the country’s finances.

Brazil’s equity markets are booming, with many IPOs, but investor interest may have peaked and finding staff is a real headache. John Rumsey explains.

Tapping into the huge and underserved housing market is the next challenge for Brazilian banks. John Rumsey reports on the growth of mortgages and the consequent development of the securitisation market.

Tapping into the huge and underserved housing market is the next challenge for Brazilian banks. John Rumsey reports on the growth of mortgages and the consequent development of the securitisation market.

US investment banks have been slow to enter Brazil’s capital markets, and while they now want in, the major acquisition targets have long gone. Brian Caplen reports.

The outcome of the tussle for ABN AMRO will have a decisive effect on the Brazilian banking scene, which is currently dominated by domestic players. John Rumsey reports.