Energizing the Base
After an unsuccessful foray into the Dominican Republic, Republic Bank has curtailed regional expansion plans and is focusing on Trinidad and Tobago. It sold its Dominican assets to BHD in October 2007 and has since greatly improved risk management.
Category: 2008
COMMENT: Into the Vortex
Is your money safe, or is it in a bank? The bad joke doing the rounds in the US says as much about the financial cataclysm – laugh, or you will cry –as it does about how risk globally is being radically reassessed.
Local Investment Bank − Colombia: Bancolombia
Bancolombia sees an opportunity to use local knowledge to build investment banking at a time when foreign competitors are challenged. It will also be tested.
Best Bank − Uruguay: Banco de la Republica
FDI Booster
Uruguay’s Banco de la República, the country’s largest bank in terms of deposits, has started to notch up an excellent performance on the back of firm economic growth. The Uruguayan economy has been roaring ahead at more than 7% a year following the 2002 economic crisis, according to the IMF. At first, expansion in banking did not follow the economic rise, but during the past two years it has started to match it.
Derivatives Hammer Exporters
Exporters face investor scrutiny of derivatives positions after failed FX bets forced multibillion dollar losses. They may also suffer restrictions on credit.
Local Investment Bank − Chile: Larrain Vial
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.
Best Bank − Venezuela: Banco Mercantil
Minding the Business
Venezuela’s government may meddle in the banking sector, but Mercantil Banco Universal –one of the country’s biggest financial institutions – continues to grow. However, a global economic slowdown threatens continued expansion.
Mexico Extracts Mining Funds
Mexico is employing some innovative local financing solutions to maintain competitiveness in the mining sector. A new PE fund is also on the drawing board.
Endesa Shuffles the Deck
Endesa’s LatAm units are striving to keep a lock on their continental lead as markets expand. Amid increased demand for power, the firm is boosting renewables output.
A Mighty Wind
As hydrocarbons prices soar, investors are betting on wind farms and other renewable energies to meet pressing needs for electric power in LatAm.
