Banco Macro has risen to the top of Argentina’s private sector through a series of fortuitous and well timed acquisitions, in particular of struggling state banks in the wake of the 2001 financial crisis.
Category: Awards
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Best Bank Peru: Quality Counts
The banking race in Peru is a close one, and the global credit crisis appears to have done little to separate the two largest players, BBVA Continental and Banco de Credito del Peru. Backed by its parent¹s powerful network and back-office support, Continental¹s focus on profitability above size has served it well.
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Best Bank Venezuela: Outmaneuvering the Locals
High inflation, a weakening currency and overt political intervention are just some of the reasons running a bank in Venezuela is more challenging than in other parts of LatAm.
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Best Bank Panama: Proceed with Caution
Panama’s Banco General has seen its assets and deposits grow and non-performing loans drop slightly in the 12 months to June 2009, despite the global downturn.
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Best Bank El Salvador: In Hands Less Foreign
While Banco Agrícola now belongs to Bancolombia, its new owner is keeping a respectful distance when it comes to running things, and for good reason.
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Best Bank Costa Rica: Sweet Insulation
Costa Rica’s government backed banks have played an important role in supporting the country’s economy, and continue to dominate at a time when private financial institutions and foreign operations may find it difficult to enter or increase share.
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Best Bank Dominican Republic: Popularity Uncontested
Banco Popular Dominicano, the second largest bank in the Dominican Republic after state-owned Banco de Reservas, with a 25% market share based on assets, is known for a conservative risk culture and adequate asset quality, according to Fitch, which assigns a AA- local rating.
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BEST CORPORATE ISSUER/EQUITY FOLLOW-ON
Gerdau, the Brazilian multinational steel company with assets spread around the region and in the US, has been the most frequent user of LatAm capital markets in the past year.
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BEST SYNDICATED LOAN/CORPORATE BOND ISSUE
Braskem’s March 2007 bid to acquire Ipiranga and Copesul unleashed a series of financings that kept the Brazilian petrochemicals giant in constant discussions with its bankers, lenders and investors through the subsequent 18-month period.
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BEST QUASI-SOVEREIGN BOND/FINANCIAL INSTITUTION BOND
BNDES has not been a frequent issuer in the dollar bond markets this decade. When the time came to refinance notes issued in 1998, however, the Brazilian development bank brought a well priced new 10-year bond that preserved the 0% withholding tax structure featured in the original issue.