Nic Wirtz, Author at Global Finance Magazine

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Economics, Policy & Regulation

EU Parliament Delays Mercosur Trade Deal

The EU and South America’s Mercosur bloc agreed to a trade deal last month, after 25 years of on-again, off-again negotiations. But the European Parliament has opted to wait on giving the final go-ahead.

Economics, Policy & Regulation

Chile’s New President Moves Country To Right

José Antonio Kast of the far-right Republican Party was elected president of Chile last month in a 58%-to-42% rout of rival Jeannette Jara, the Communist Party standard-bearer.

Emerging & Frontier Markets

Costa Rica: Regional Dynamo

From pineapples and bananas to med tech, Costa Rica has reinvented itself as a high-value-added economy.

Economics, Policy & Regulation

With Push From US, Mexico Hikes Tariffs

Mexico has placed tariffs up to 50% on goods from China and other countries following a 76-5 vote in the country’s Senate last month.

News

Trump’s Maduro Arrest Shakes Venezuela—And The Region

Beyond regime change, the operation raises immediate questions over Venezuela’s oil rebuild, proxy retaliation, and how far Washington will push compliance on migration, security, and trade.

Insurance

Hurricane Melissa Devastation Saddles Jamaica With Multi-Billion-Dollar Bill

Per the World Bank’s and Inter-American Development Bank’s estimates, $8.8 billion-worth of repairs from Hurricane Melissa amount to 41% of Jamaica's GDP.

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

BAC Eyes Panama’s Multibank Deal

BAC Credomatic has announced plans to purchase Panama’s Multibank, potentially making it the largest bank in Central America by market share.

Awards

World’s Best Private Banks 2026: Caribbean & Central America

Digital Adoption Blooms: Integrated offerings and sustainability spur regional growth.

Emerging & Frontier Markets

Latin America: Flipping The Script

Some of Latin America’s smaller nations are stealing the limelight as US tariffs bring economic headwinds to the region.

Banking

Argentina: Revolut Acquires Cetelem

UK fintech Revolut will enter the Argentine market after agreeing to purchase Cetelem Argentina from BNP Paribas Personal Finance.

Banking

As Dominican Republic’s Fintech Sector Booms, Financial Inclusion Is Big Goal

Fintechs are a rapidly growing presence in the Dominican Republic, where they promise to improve inclusiveness in a still-underbanked nation.

Economics, Policy & Regulation

Dominican Republic: The Caribbean’s Economic Diamond In The Rough

Capitalizing on natural resources and a prime geographic location, the island nation considers a host of opportunities to expand exports and encourage foreign investment.