Another financial crisis has rocked the country. As it slips into what could be a deep recession, time is running out to achieve the recovery that could create the conditions for a pro-market candidate to win next year’s presidential elections.

When president Macri’s finance team settled with the bond hold-outs and re-opened Argentina to the capital markets, the good times rolled. But following that emerging markets feast came indigestion. Investment bankers in the country face an uncertain future.

They are used to dealing with a crisis, but they can usually see one coming. Does the shock of the IMF bailout leave local firms vulnerable?

It was always going to be a tough year for debt capital markets in Latin America. A turbulent election calendar in three of its biggest economies and rising US rates had been expected to dampen issuance volumes. But few anticipated the drop-off would be so severe.

Jair Bolsonaro's election today as Brazil’s next president could well spell more market upside, but the nationalist protectionism that is likely to follow should give investors pause

If Argentina’s financial crisis is going to turn into a banking crisis, as it did in 2001, that transmission will first be identifiable in the deposits data.

All eyes will be on the next Brazilian president’s first steps towards a much-needed fiscal adjustment. That will likely be Jair Bolsonaro – who is well ahead of Fernando Haddad as the final round of voting approaches on 28 October.

Brazil’s banks are now an election issue.

The resignation letter of Luis Caputo, until September 25 the president of Argentina’s central bank, is effectively the IMF’s receipt for the purchase of the country’s monetary policy.

Credit scoring changes could be the key to breaking Brazil’s interest-rate burden.

As the pool of fintech startups in Latin America deepens, ambitious founders have regional expansion in their sights. But varying regulations and difficulty accessing capital make such growth difficult.

For the first time since HSBC’s acquisition of a Mexican bank in 2002, its franchise is enjoying positive momentum. Country chief Nuno Matos says more customers and a new culture are key to getting the bank’s market share back.

Banks have found it hard to lend to Mexico’s large SME segment, but persistence is beginning to pay off for those with the requisite focus – and skills.

With presidential elections and the threat to Nafta hanging over Mexico, international investors pared risk to the country and deal flow slowed. Finally, clarity is returning and the prospects for capital markets activity are looking better. But could Amlo’s presidency change prospects?

The informal economy in effect blocks growth, so why is no one proposing tax and social security reform to bring workers and companies into the formal sector?

Recent growth puts Banorte ahead of its 2020 targets; strong cash generation expected to lead to greater 2019 dividends.

Regulatory changes to Brazil’s positive credit bureau open way for fintech start-up; better data predicted to lead to lower cost credit and GDP growth.

Investors hoping new president adopts pragmatic approach; proposed referendum raises more questions than answers.

President-elect cuts pay, uses new level as public-sector ceiling; BNP Paribas expanding in Mexico.

Any slowdown in the economy of the country that consumes so much local output will bring short-term pain and should be a long-term warning.

Restricting Itaú’s purchase of XP is good for competition.

Bradesco Asset Management is the third-largest asset manager in Brazil, with R$600 billion AuM. In March, it appointed a new chief executive with an equities background. Is this a sign of where the organization expects the money to go?

Markets take Andrés Manuel López Obrador (Amlo) victory in stride; analysis shows Santander could outperform under next administration.

The bulge-bracket firms are back in Latin America – and their resolve will surely be tested over the next 12 months.

The industry needs a change in the macroeconomic environment.

The period under review for Euromoney’s Awards for excellence neatly captured a peak of strong performance by banks and investment banks in Latin America. Between April 1, 2017 and the end of March this year, there was a return to positive growth and, probably more importantly, genuine optimism about the fortunes of two of the largest economies in the south of the region, Argentina and Brazil.

The rising economic fortunes of the largest countries lifted nearly all investment banking boats. Local investment banking franchises continued to notch up strong deal flow and fees, but last year was noticeable for the improvement in the fortunes of the international banks.

Citi wins the region’s best bank for financing award. The investment banking team, led by Chris Gilfond, head of capital markets origination at Citi Latin America, has enjoyed greater focus from management as the bank pulled out of all but one of the region’s retail markets. After a string of disposals in recent years, it has been reinvesting.

The award for the region’s best digital bank goes to Brazil’s Banco Inter. The bank conducted its $200 million IPO just after the April 1 deadline and continues to lead an exciting industry with great potential. But it was Inter’s ability to attract financing and provide a positive data point for the local exchange’s fintech sector that makes it stand out.

What is striking about BBVA’s operations in Latin America is how the bank is willing adapt to regional demands. At a time when its Spanish operations are grappling with the arrival of open banking and real-time payments, the bank knows that having staff on the ground in Latin America is the main concern of its customers.