Countries/Regions

Brazilian miner Vale is cutting its...

Itau, Brazil’s second largest private sector...

Recent Federal Reserve measures to extend...

Outstripping the Population Chile’s Santander, the country’s biggest deposit-taking bank, has seen its client base jump to three million people, an increase of 40% during the past three years. It has a network of 2,016 ATMs and 468 branches, the biggest reach in the country, according to the bank. Its total deposits amounted to $22.3 billion at the end of June.

Brazilian utility Eletrobras is upgrading its...

Brazil’s Grupo Votorantim’s continues to amass...

Telmex Internacional, the unit of Telmex,...

Bucking the Trend Ecuador’s Banco del Pichincha is clinging on to a AA+ rating from Fitch subsidiary Bank Watch Ratings, despite global financial crisis and a government that many foreign investors would not have on their shopping lists. In fact, Bank Watch lists political risk as one of the main threats to Pichincha.

Anglo American’s Brazilian subsidiary has launched...

S&P has lowered the Argentina’s rating...

Brazilian refractory materials producer Magnesita has...

Despite horrific market conditions plaguing every brand of issuance, Mexico has seen recent flow that demonstrate limited signs of life.

Expansion in Peruvian retail banking will likely be slowed by the global meltdown. But a rise in thrifts opens up new frontiers to offset contraction.

The canal seems a done deal, but Panama has plenty of other infrastructure projects lined up. Amid crisis, some may not see the light of day.

Panama is defiant in the face of the global storm. However, inflation is a problem and its positioning as a hub may end up backfiring.

Global evaporation of liquidity has put several large LatAm infrastructure projects on ice. The Panama canal says it can continue unhindered, with the help of multilaterals.

Diverse for all Seasons Most of the large institutions operating in Mexico fail to convince across all investment bank lines. BBVA Bancomer is the debt leader by volume this year, but it lacks the same commitment to M&A, as does Santander.

Bank to Beat? After establishing itself as a leading homegrown regional investment bank franchise, over the past couple of years Itaú BBA has begun to occupy a niche as a hub for anything Brazil-related. A marginal player just five years ago, it has become the investment bank to beat in LatAm’s biggest economy.

Golden Opportunity Larrain Vial, one of Chile’s most active investment banks, believes it will fare well after the recent turmoil on Wall Street, which should diminish competition. And it does not think the reputation of investment banking generally has been tarnished.

Positioned to Survive Santander Río, Argentina’s leading bank in terms of number of clients after the two public ones, is one of the most profitable financial institutions in the country. All banks in Argentina had their reputations tarnished during the 2001 economic crisis but Santander Río has one of the best images locally.

Bradesco is unlikely to recover its...

BMSC Wrestles Conflict Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz (BMSC), Bolivia’s biggest bank, says the recent social unrest has not yet impacted on the economy or the banking system. However, the bank, which has 235,000 clients and 57 branches throughout Bolivia, believes that could change.

Brazil’s Magnesita Refratarios, the region’s leading...

Cemex, once one of LatAm’s bluest...

Banco Bradesco has been named LatinFinance’s...

Mighty Challenger The executive suite of Banco de Bogotá’s headquarters has one of the best views of Colombia’s capital. Alejandro Figueroa Jaramillo, the bank’s president, has just delivered first half performance figures to the board, which includes members of Grupo Aval, the majority owner of the bank and Colombia’s largest financial conglomerate. As he sits down for a rare interview – his aides say Figueroa does not speak to local press – he is interrupted by an urgent note from his assistant.

Monsanto has agreed to acquire Aly...

Bridge to Salvador Banco Agrícola is the centerpiece of Bancolombia’s strategy to establish a meaningful presence in Central America. The May 2007 purchase earned the Colombian powerhouse a solid footprint in a highly sought after region, and just in time.