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.
Category: Awards
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.
Best Bank − Argentina: Banco Santander
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.
Best Multilateral: Inter-American Development Bank
Forward Lateral
Long before it was making $6 billion available to boost regional liquidity, providing $400 million to the Panama Canal, or preparing $150 million to prop up Mexican RMBS, the IDB had gone from lender of last resort to innovator of first choice. The institution’s funding was as crucial to keeping tiny businesses afloat as it was to pushing through gigantic projects. The leadership, ingenuity and raw sums of money it put in outshine other multilaterals in a banner year for the sector.
Best Bank − Bolivia: Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz
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.
Best Bank − Colombia: Banco de Bogotá
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.
Best Bank − Chile: Banco Santander
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.
Best Bank – Costa Rica: Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Bigger Fish, Shrinking Pond
Worsening global conditions in the past year have done little to shake up the Costa Rican banking landscape. Lenders are taking a conservative stance until the full impact is known, particularly regarding the vital tourism sector.
Best Bank − Dominican Republic: Banco Popular
Welcome to the Top
Banco Popular Dominicano is beating its peers in the Dominican Republic in terms of market share by assets, surpassing even the government-backed Banco de Reservas, the previous leader. And although the economy of the Dominican Republic is seeing signs of deceleration, Popular’s non performing loans (NPLs) are at a minimum when compared to those seen in other banks operating in the country. Popular is also seeing a rise in deposits, ROA and ROE.
Best Bank − Ecuador: Banco Pichincha
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.
