The accident at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake and tsunami has led many countries to slow down or cease their nuclear energy programmes.

Not every country needs stronger, better capitalised banks. Gord Nixon, chief executive of the Royal Bank of Canada, explains why this is the case for Canada.

Scotia Capital provides its oil and gas clients with in-depth geophysical expertise, something that vice-chairman Adam Waterous believes is just as important as advice on the structuring of mergers and acquisitions.

With one of the most stable and well-capitalised banking systems in the world, Canadian banks are riding high on the back of a strong mortgage market. But will high consumer debt levels and international banking regulation restrict activity? 

China's quest to meet its natural resources needs has been largely concentrated on Africa, but its presence in Latin America has been creeping up over the past decade. Latam governments, however, are proving to be less co-operative than their African counterparts. 

As the financial crisis all but decimated venture debt in Europe, the possibility of its return is a thorny issue. While some countries are seeking alternative methods to fund start-up companies, others are preparing for business as usual.

Though the Central American banking sector shows some mixed results, The Banker's ranking demonstrates just why the region's leading banks are drawing global attention.

Once renowned as one of the most dangerous countries on the planet, Colombia has tackled much of its drug-related problems and boasts one of the best-performing economies in Latin America, which is attracting international investment and in turn creating myriad opportunities for the country's banks.