Many of Latin America's high-net-worth individuals are repatriating their funds and an increasing number of foreign investors are targeting the region, thanks to its rapidly expanding economy. With such demand for local product providers, domestic firms are finding themselves having to pit their specialist knowledge against the international reach of large foreign banks, making competition tough.
Americas
Latest articles from Mexico
Will new listing rules bring IPO rush for Mexico?
March 1, 2012A new proposal in Mexico is urging foreign-owned banks to list on the country's stock exchange. But while these banks achieve high returns on equity and the global equity markets remain volatile, the Mexican regulators may have a wait on their hands before these plans come to fruition.
We need a rule book on how to fail
January 3, 2012Strengthening the legal framework to manage an international financial failure does not make failures more likely.
Are CEE bank foreign ownership risks exaggerated?
November 8, 2011
Banking sectors in central and eastern Europe have some of the highest foreign ownership rates in the world, but risks from eurozone parents could be curtailed by deleveraging since 2008.
Mexico's banks go from problem to solution
November 1, 2011Mexico's banks have gone from fuelling the country's economic disasters of the mid-1990s to creating a strong financial system that has provided the economy with robust support throughout the global economic downturn.
Agustin Carstens: central banks hold the key to financial stability
September 1, 2011Agustín Carstens, central bank governor of Mexico suggests that central banks must play a more pivotal role in order to prevent such a widespread and deep-rooted crisis hitting again.
Mexican banks up their game
February 17, 2011The recently approved merger of Banorte and Ixe might not spur a consolidation trend within Mexico's locally owned banks but it is a positive sign of change as the market seeks out growth opportunities and increased liquidity.
Highway to recovery: Interview with Ernesto Cordero, Mexico’s finance minister
February 14, 2011Mexico's finance minister explains how investing in infrastructure will rebalance the country's export-heavy economy
Mexico is well positioned for any global recovery
May 28, 2010Mexico's ties to the US economy, its well-capitalised banks and the business-friendly reforms it has in the pipeline mean the country is perfectly positioned to ride the wave of any global economic recovery. Optimism is such, that there is even talk of the country being classified alongside the BRIC economies. Writer Silvia Pavoni
Bond boom fires up Latin America
March 3, 2010With 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