Once renowned as one of the most dangerous countries on the planet, Colombia has tackled much of its drug-related problems and boasts one of the best-performing economies in Latin America, which is attracting international investment and in turn creating myriad opportunities for the country's banks.
Hindered by years of armed conflict and governmental infighting, Colombia has launched a long-awaited infrastructure development programme, set to pump $24bn into its ailing transport network and, in turn, stimulate healthy competition among its banks as they bid to provide funding. Writer John Rumsey
With bank lending drying up last year, many Latin American corporates turned to the bond market to strengthen their cash positions. The resulting boom has instilled a sense of confidence in the region, with firms in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia leading the way. Writer Jason Mitchell
While the Western world has been struggling through the global financial crisis, Latin America has shown a remarkable resilience to the upheaval. Two countries in particular - Colombia and Peru - are showing particularly impressive growth, and look set to become important emerging economies. Writer Jason Mitchell
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 is one such country that has used the current benign conditions to improve public finances but that does not mean that all the pieces of an economic growth formula are in place. The country has the same pitiful loans to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio of 25% that it had in the 1970s.
Last year proved stellar for Bancolombia, one of Latin America’s oldest banks and the largest in Colombia in terms of equity and assets. The institution reported pre-tax profits of $339m, up 53%, ranking it as one of the world’s best performing banks.Earnings reported so far in 2005 are also positive. “The bank is growing at a healthy rate thanks to our basic strategy of sticking to a wide range of retail offerings,” says Jorge Londoño, president of Bancolombia.