Latin America

COLOMBIA
Juan Manuel Santos’ second term as president of Colombia might prove a bit harder than his first—and not only because he won this election with a lower majority.

SPECIAL REPORT: LATIN AMERICAN INVESTMENT BANKING
Small, but quite competitive, Latin America’s investment banking markets are upbeat this year, driven mainly by infrastructure growth.

NEWSMAKERS: PANAMA
Conservative Varela surprises with progressive social agenda.
 

COUNTRY REPORT
Although the hardships are far from over, the Spanish economy and banking system may finally be on the mend, with three components interrelating in a virtuous cycle: rebounding exports, rising consumer confidence, and a commitment to reform geared toward economic adjustments.

While Latin American banks continued to expand their client base and footprints, the sector still faced important challenges.

Brazilian Finance minister Guido Mantega may be dealing with both internal and external headwinds, but he—and Brazil—are still standing.

Recent economic reforms in Mexico and upgrades by rating agencies have strengthened Mexico’s position in global markets. The country’s economic performance is improving as well.

In our 21st annual survey, Global Finance identifies the best banks in 150 countries and eight regions. The winners are not always the biggest banks, but rather, the best—those with the qualities that corporations should look for when choosing a bank.

Infographic: A look at key figures affecting the economy and growth in Brazil.

ANNUAL AWARDS: HIGH-OCTANE YEAR Global investment banks will face a tremendous challenge as they strive to continue running their underwriting businesses at the elevated levels they reached in 2013. Many of the largest banks on Wall Street reaped a windfall ...

MILESTONES By Tiziana Barghini Ranked 91st by the World Economic Forum for the relatively poor quality of its infrastructure, Peru is gaining importance on the international stage for its ability to attract capital. Its economic growth is expected to surpass ...

EMERGING MARKETS ROUNDUP By Antonio Guerrero Brazil posted a net foreign exchange outflow of $12.3 billion for 2013, marking the first negative balance since the 2008 global financial crisis—putting paid to Brazilian Finance minister Guido Mantega’s claims that developed markets ...

MILESTONES By Tiziana Barghini Argentina has it tough. With GDP growth expected to fall to approximately 1.5% this year (compared with growth of more than 8% in 2011), foreign reserves at a seven-year-record low and an unofficial inflation rate well ...

NEWSMAKERS By Forrest Jones Alberto Arenas returns to government as Finance minister with some big plans for a country looking to enact education, labor and other reforms. A budget director during Chilean president Michelle Bachelet’s first term in office from ...

LOCATION: LONDON, UK Global Finance held its Best Trade Finance Banks 2014 ceremony during the BAFT global annual meeting in London in January. Corporate and financial leaders from around the world were present to accept their awards and honor other ...

THE TRADE CONUNDRUM By Antonio Guerrero Do open-door trade policies provide greater long-term benefits? Or is protectionism worth the costs? Brazil and Mexico have taken completely different routes when it comes to foreign trade. And the results are telling. Brazil’s ...

GOLD STANDARD By Rebecca Brace and Anita Hawser Global Finance presents the winners of its annual Best Treasury & Cash Management Providers awards. Global multinational corporates may have come out of the 2008 global financial crisis better off than the ...

STAR PERFORMERS By Anita Hawser Over the past six years transaction banking has been one of the best performers in an otherwise lackluster banking sector. Even in the midst of a global financial crisis, suppliers and salaries still need to ...

MILESTONES By Valentina Pasquali Ever since Raúl Castro took over from his brother Fidel in 2008, he has been opening up Cuba’s struggling centralized economy. Though the ongoing liberalization process is gradual and aimed at preserving the political status quo, ...

EMERGING MARKETS ROUNDUP   By Antonio Guerrero   Two international consortia won the latest round of Brazilian airport privatizations, in deals totaling $9 billion.   One consortium, which includes Brazilian construction company Odebrecht and Singaporean airport operator Changi, paid $8.24 ...