The Banker meets Nicolás Grau, Chile’s economy, development and tourism minister, in London. Mr Grau is on a European tour which attempts to attract investment to the country.

Change is underway in Chile as its financial institutions face political, economic and operational challenges. 

Presidential elections and the possibility of a new constitution are creating uncertainty for the economic and investment environment in the country. 

Demand for more flexible borrowing terms is putting pressure on international and local banks to be more accommodating in order to remain competitive.

Heraldo Muñoz, Chile’s minister of foreign affairs, talks to Silvia Pavoni about the country’s influence on Latin American trade and what China’s One Belt, One Road initiative means for the region.

Chile has suffered an economic slowdown in the past few years as the price of its main export, copper, tumbled. However, efforts to diversify investment and increase competition are paying off. Now the country must leverage its reputation for stability and hold a steady fiscal course amid political elections in order to continue its hard-won progress, writes the country's finance minister. 

The Banker’s Top 200 Latin American banks ranking for 2014 sees Brazilian institutions stay on top, while Argentina maintains its status as most profitable, despite mounting challenges. 

Trade finance is emerging as a key part of the Latin American banking business model and is bound to be a hot topic on the agenda at this year's Felaban annual meeting being held in Colombia in November. Ahead of this, The Banker speaks to experts about the challenges and opportunities that this growing business line is creating in the Latin American market.