Hong Kong is the world's leading international finance centre in terms of total foreign-owned banking assets.
Latest articles from Silvia Pavoni
Beyond Brazil: Latin America's capital markets gather momentum
February 1, 2013For years, activity in the Latin American equity capital markets had been largely limited to Brazil. However, this changed in 2012 when big deals in Mexico and Chile brought the countries to the fore. Is Brazil's dominance over for good?
The co-operative lesson
January 2, 2013With a series of scandals shaking confidence in large listed banks and the financial crisis badly damaging their profits, European interest in co-operative lenders has been revived. Is this a passing phase – a knee-jerk reaction to a difficult couple of years – or is it the beginning of a larger, more permanent shift in sentiment?
Foreign-owned banking assets flock to Hong Kong
December 3, 2012Hong Kong leads the world with the largest foreign-owned banking assets of any city, while Moscow offers investors the best return on assets.
New Bank of England governor on the importance of being regulated
November 26, 2012The recently appointed governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, explains how tightening regulatory framework is essential in order to ensure economic stability.
Top Latin American banks ranking, 2012
November 1, 2012While the top 10 Latin American banks remain unchanged from 2011, it is the region's smaller operations that are leading the pack in terms of profitability and returns.
Foreign-owned subsidiaries take root in Latin America
November 1, 2012Latin America's buoyant economies are attracting a slew of foreign institutions, with banks from within Latin America itself and from further afield establishing substantial networks across the continent. Unsurprisingly, the largest foreign-owned subsidiary presence is in Brazil, but the large domestic market has quelled Brazilian banks' ambitions elsewhere and it is Colombian lenders that are forging ahead with cross-border acquisitions.
Asia and Latin America: a special relationship in the making?
November 1, 2012With advanced economies still languishing in the doldrums, trade between Asia and Latin America is driving global economic growth, and it appears that this blossoming relationship is mutually beneficial. However, could protectionist policies in Latin America dampen this ardour?
Brazil and Mexico still top draws for Latam financial FDI
November 1, 2012São Paulo may have retained its position as the leading financial centre in Latin America with regards to financial services activity, but the most impressive deal was pulled off in Mexico.
Established centres keep hold of asset management survey top spots
October 1, 2012With the recent Libor scandal failing to shake asset managers' confidence in London, emerging centres will have to work hard if they are to overtake the UK capital as the world's leading asset management centre.