A healthy energy sector is fuelling economic growth in Trinidad and Tobago, but not everyone is feeling the benefits. Monica Campbell writes from Port of Spain on the challenges facing the government.

The republican chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Richard Shelby, has thrown his support behind the new chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Christopher Cox. He also criticised former chair William Donaldson for failing to listen to his Republican peers.

The medium-term outlook for profits at US banks is gloomy, according to Andrew Smithers and George Leventis.

Monica Campbell takes a close look at which banks are likely to snap up Brazilian, Mexican and Central American banks for sale.

Two main candidates are lining up to replace Enrique Iglesias as president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the biggest multilateral development bank in Latin America. Mr Iglesias, who has held the position since 1988, has decided to step down at the end of September.

Argentina’s debt exchange plan is in limbo after a court froze Argentine assets on US soil, including $7bn worth of bonds. Sophie Roëll reports from New York.

Implementation may be delayed again as the Americans say the changes in minimum required capital are too wide-ranging.

Banks will benefit from CAFTA if it goes through, as it will increase trade among the member countries but there is considerable political opposition, both in the US and some Central American states.Monica Campbell reports from Honduras.
San Pedro Sula, an industrial hub in Honduras, looks like an average Central American mid-sized city. Diesel-belching buses – mostly filled with workers, many of whom are young and female – dodge potholes while heading to nearby garment factories.

As China’s growth continues apace, Jonathan Wheatley reports from São Paulo on how Brazilian banks are moving into the market there and agreeing joint ventures at home.

Deutsche Bank’s successful euro issuance for Brazil helped the dollar market to rally, setting the stage for it to do subsequent dollar and euro deals for a diverse range of issuers. Sophie Roell reports.
The Greeks may have won Euro 2004 but the Germans are firmly in the lead when it comes to euro issuance out of Latin America.