Ralph Gonsalves, St Vincent and Grenadines prime minister
The currency union of the Organisation of East Caribbean States is eyeing additional members and full economic union status. The prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines ponders the future of the OECS and its impact on the wider Caricom group of countries. Writer Brian Caplen
At their annual meeting last month, the Caricom heads of state struggled to make headway on trade and immigration restrictions, although one issue which was met with unanimity was climate change.
On top of the economic slowdown, Trinidad has other matters to contend with, including the government bail-out of its largest insurance company, Clico, and the acquisition of its second largest bank, RBTT, by Royal Bank of Canada. Writer Brian Caplen
Formerly constricted by its traditional public sector mould, India's Bank of Baroda has reinvented itself with a branding overhaul and a forward-thinking realignment of its business model. Writer Brian Caplen
Demonstrating the merits of the co-operative structure, The Netherlands' Rabobank has performed stronger in the crisis than many commercial banks enticed by high-profit yet high-exposure investment banking practices. Writer Brian Caplen
The chairman of PrivatBank explains how the bank intends to ride out the downturn through its focus on increasing liquidity and improving the quality of its loan portfolio. Writer Brian Caplen
The merger of Itaú and Unibanco is not to be rushed, says Roberto Setubal, CEO of the new bank, who believes the two very different management styles will be dovetailed to create a highly productive organisation.
Strict regulation, high capital and reserve requirements, and low levels of debt mean Brazil's banks are flourishing and in a good position to capitalise if their US and European competitors should pull back. Writer Brian Caplen
Cover stars: Brazilian bankers are still feted rather than reviled, unlike their colleagues in the US and Europe
A set of good results from an international bank is all too rare an occurrence in the current financial climate but Standard Chartered showed it is possible by announcing last month that income rose by 26% and profits by 13% in 2008. Chief executive Peter Sands explains how it was done. Writer Brian Caplen
Global representatives from the banking sector at this year’s World Economic Forum took stock of the economic crisis and the perilous challenges which lie ahead. Writer Brian Caplen.
