After the giddy levels of flotation activity seen in Brazil in recent years, even usually optimistic bankers are not anticipating much new IPO business before the second half of 2009, at the earliest. Writer John Rumsey.
In response to rising inflation, Guatemala has adjusted its interest rates eight times in the past two years, and is working carefully to co-ordinate its monetary and fiscal policies, explains the president of Banco de Guatemala. Writer John Rumsey.
The Guatemalan economy has big potential, particularly in fuel and food production. The country’s minister of finance talks about his fiscal reform programme and intent to create a sustainable tax base. Writer John Rumsey.
Just as the banking industry’s big names turned their attention towards Guatemala, the credit crisis struck, plunging the country’s modernisation plans into jeopardy. Writer John Rumsey.
Panama has been capitalising on its prime location between the Americas to attract foreign companies, and has been ramping up its infrastructure to support growth. So how will it be affected by the global slowdown? Writer John Rumsey.
Long dependent on exports and its larger neighbours, Uruguay is using tax breaks, duty-free zones and investor-friendly legislation to make itself an attractive prospect for foreign money. By John Rumsey.
The private sector is showing its confidence in Uruguay’s revitalised banking system by investing more, and a robust deposit base is allowing banks to offer their corporate clients longer tenors. By John Rumsey.
After the merger of Brazil’s stock and derivatives exchanges, the country’s range of derivatives is fast expanding. John Rumsey reports.
Latin America is a fertile region for renewable energy development but government support is sadly lacking. John Rumsey reports from Rio de Janeiro on how banks are getting involved in project investment.
As foreign players enter the market, John Rumsey in San José asks how much competition is healthy for Costa Rica’s banks?
John Rumsey reports on a new generation of firms in the Latin Americas that are breaking free from old traditions.
Latin American companies are snubbing local acquisitions in favour of far-flung deals but SMEs will find it hard to play, writes John Rumsey in São Paulo.
With a thriving economy that appears to be on the up, Panama is seeing a wave of takeovers by foreign banks. John Rumsey reports.
Santander’s takeover of ABN Amro Banco Real has changed Brazil’s banking landscape, but the integration process may not be easy. John Rumsey reports.
Latin American market investors’ sanguine reaction to the debt crisis shows how far the continent has come in cushioning itself through strong macro policies and solid growth. John Rumsey explains.
Despite infrastructure issues and a lack of scenery, São Paulo has seen off local rivals and is emerging as the region’s pre-eminent financial centre. John Rumsey explains.
Ecuador’s bankers insist the president’s high stakes political strategy, which has included singling them out as public enemies, is ruining the economy. John Rumsey reports.
Banks that co-operate with Venezuela’s government can make good profits, but some fear a total takeover of the banking system is the true game plan. John Rumsey explains.
Brazil’s equity markets are booming, with many IPOs, but investor interest may have peaked and finding staff is a real headache. John Rumsey explains.
Tapping into the huge and underserved housing market is the next challenge for Brazilian banks. John Rumsey reports on the growth of mortgages and the consequent development of the securitisation market.