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Results index In recent years it had begun to feel as if Latin America was experiencing a kind of internal continental drift. In the north, the countries were pulling away and out to the Pacific, bound by aspirations for the free market disciplines of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Pacific Alliance, in sharp contrast with the political disunity and economic stasis of the aging Mercosur bloc. However, 2015 was the year that this changed: Colombia struggled as falling oil prices highlighted a weak fiscal base; Mexico continues to frustrate largely due to political risk; and Peru and Chile were subdued as Asian export markets struggled and inward investment slumped.

Results index Investment bankers in Latin America would love to have discovered some momentum over the last year, but economic activity slowed – almost to a stop in some parts of the region. Deal volumes and the banks’ fee income naturally suffered. Profitability was always challenging in a region notable for thin fees and capable and aggressive local banks, and this awards period saw some international banks break. Deutsche’s high-profile withdrawal followed others’ more stealthy exits.

Only excellent bank management teams can satisfy shareholders, regulators and customers all at once today. BNP Paribas has one of the very best.

Results index Thanks to high levels of foreign ownership, banking sectors in CEE saw few sizeable failures during the financial crisis. Latvia’s Parex Banka was the exception. Locally owned and heavily dependent on wholesale funding, it suffered a run on deposits after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and had to be bailed out by the state. Large portfolios of bad debts were subsequently hived off into a bad bank and the relatively healthy rump was reborn as Citadele Banka in March 2010, which is the winner of this year’s best bank transformation award for CEE.

Results index Many banks in Africa donate part of their profits to charitable organisations. But few go beyond these pecuniary donations to dedicate their time and financial skills in support of the social good. Ecobank is one of the exceptions. The pan-African bank sets aside 1% of its profits after tax to supporting the initiatives of its social projects arm, the Ecobank Foundation, it also supports the fight against pandemics in Africa using skills and talents unique to banking. For those reasons, it wins best bank for corporate social responsibility.

JPMorgan Chase wins best bank in the US; RBC Capital Markets and Bank of America Merrill Lynch pick up multiple awards; execution, CSR and digital are the new battlegrounds for financial institutions.

By trying to be different, a lot of the world’s biggest transaction services houses are starting to look remarkably similar.

Results index Last year’s winner of best equity house and best investment bank in Africa, Citi, this year returns to win our new award for financing. The bank, which has long had a strong presence in Africa, is one of the few able to offer a comprehensive range of products throughout most of the continent. Last year it certainly showed that it could deliver on that offering.

Results index When it comes to managing the money of North America’s wealthy, one financial institution stands out. JPMorgan Private Bank wins this year’s award for North America’s best bank for wealth management. Behind it sits a bank, an asset manager, a brokerage firm, an investment bank and a trust company; together they manage a combined $650 billion in client assets.

Results index The current climate of stagnant growth and low interest rates has prompted many companies in North America to start looking for opportunities beyond their borders, some for the very first time. Helping them on that step has been Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which this year wins the award for North America’s best bank for transaction services.

Results index Despite difficult conditions and sanction restrictions which continue to affect the region, Société Générale has affirmed its strong commitment to CEE with a peerless transaction services offering. It is this year’s winner of the award for the best bank for transaction services in CEE.

Results index In M&A, the period covered by the awards can be summarised in one word: complexity. It is rare that both M&A and restructuring are booming at the same time, but this has been the case the past 18 months, and that has played to one firm’s strengths. Lazard wins this year’s award for North America’s best bank for advisory.