Latin America

Turning old violent areas into competitive coffee producers still faces some obstacles.

Meirelles has fed his political ambitions since vacating his position as president of global banking at FleetBoston Financial in 2002, when he retired and returned to the state of Goiás, his homeland. 

Venezuela’s external debt is variously estimated between $120 billion and $143 billion, including as much as $63 billion of foreign bonds. 

As Latin America’s laggards recover, growth is trending toward a regional norm of slow but steady.

The country recorded a GDP growth of 2.7% for the second quarter of  2017 after almost two years of negative growth. 

The bank's CEO Jose Marcos Ramirez Miguel sees less risk now from revising the regional trade deal, even a "very positive impact" on Mexico's economy.

After more than seven years at the head of Bank of Mexico, Agustín Carstens, 59, leaves a country “more resilient,” he tells Global Finance Magazine, as he moves to a new post at the Bank for International Settlements. With the Americas at risk from rising protectionism, Carstens emphasizes the benefits of NAFTA. It’s better, he says, to tackle directly the negative impacts of globalization than to push back against widely beneficial economic integration.  

The bank's chief economist Rodrigo Aravena sees more growth for the country and the region although economic risks remain.

These are the ratings for central bank governors for the Americas region in 2017. 

With the state-owned National Bank for Economic and Social Development ending its subsidized credit lending practice in Brazil,  state and private retail banks will have to step in to support the long-term credit market unlike at present.

With a growing budget deficit, Brazil is struggling to climb out of recession and become globally competitive.

Peru is expected to invest $1.5 billion in infrastructure for the games, including sporting facilities required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and at least 16 projects to improve chaotic traffic in the capital.

Emerging markets took 9% of the global total of $240 billion invested by private capital funds during the  the first half of 2017, the highest share since before emerging markets’ sudden fall from grace in 2011.

Argentina’s leaders believe they can attract more foreign investment, and have huge expectations for its benefits.

Venezuela’s state-owned oil company is struggling to make bond payments, and could put US oil company Citgo up for sale to Russia’s Rosneft.  

With Latin growth poised to accelerate, Santander is positioned to benefit from improved growth and stability, says Antonio Cortina, deputy director of economic research

Facing domestic vulnerabilities and external shocks, Latin American banks adapt to a changing environment

El Nino storms have caused Peru more than $12 billion in damage, and are expected to shave a full percentage point off the country’s GDP this year.

Famously fit Fabio Schvartsman faces environmnetal, financial and market challenges as newly appointed CEO of Brazilian iron-ore maker Vale.  

With asset prices low while fundamentals are improving, Latin American economies are poised for a rebound.