As the world’s population ages, the challenges for wealth managers, economists and governments are significant if countries are to maintain productivity and generate growth. 

This year’s Top 200 Latin American banks ranking sees Brazil’s behemoth banks reducing in size, while Argentine and Venezuelan lenders continue to show jaw-dropping profitability ratios.

Colombia stands on the brink of a peace deal with the FARC rebels, while its economy, buoyed by cycles of strong foreign investment levels and rising GDP growth, looks set to only get stronger. President Juan Manuel Santos tells Silvia Pavoni why the country's future looks brighter than ever.

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.

Having revelled in the economic growth that characterised the past few years, Brazil's banks are now struggling to adapt to a less favourable environment. In response to stalling gross domestic product and disposable income growth, many lenders are curbing their lending, leaving gaps, particularly in the small and medium-sized enterprise segment, for other players to step in.

A controversial US ruling against Argentina has shaken the world of sovereign debt restructuring and provided so-called vulture funds with a sharp new litigation strategy. As both multilateral organisations and private sector professionals attempt to stop a lawsuit pandemic, The Banker takes an in-depth look at the key issues. 

London retains its title as the top international finance centre in the world, although New York’s stock market capitalisation is almost four times that of the UK capital. Meanwhile, Johannesburg has made the most dramatic of advances up the rankings, jumping 18 places to rank 17th.