Finance

Strengthened by recent profits, global banks enter a new phase defined by falling rates, political volatility, and the disruptive promise of AI. Banks’ most basic job is to be a safe haven in a turbulent world. That turbulence is increasing. Even so, the industry enters this uncertain period from a …

The country’s prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, must calm unrest and debt while steering the island toward diversification and renewal. Mauritius has long been recognized for its reputation for stability in socio-economic development. Business-friendly policies and reforms fueled its growth, which mainly came from traditional sectors such as financial services, tourism, …

Major Latin American banks are racing toward 100% digital models. Despite the rise of fintechs, traditional banks are determined not to be left behind. Digital transformation is no longer a buzzword in Latin America; it is an existential imperative. Digital natives like Brazilian neobank Nubank, Argentine fintech Ualá, and regional …

North Africa is emerging as a growth engine, led by Egypt and Morocco. But structural challenges persist. This year again, North Africa is the fastest growing region in Africa and the Arab world. Combined GDP growth in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya is expected to reach 4% in …

The future of the $160 billion industry hangs in the balance as stricter US immigration policies take hold. After a record-breaking 2024, when remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for a total of $160 billion, or 2.5% of the region’s GDP, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), …

US tariffs are hitting African exports hard. Now, governments and businesses must devise a Plan B to expand trade and grow their economies. US President Donald Trump is not an Africa enthusiast; he has mocked Lesotho as a place “nobody has ever heard of ” and has never set foot …

Joseph Giarraputo, Founder and Editorial Director of Global Finance, speaks with Sabine Zucker, RBI’s Head of Group Transaction Banking, about the products and services required to support cross-border growth with smooth transactions and operational continuity in CEE markets. Based on RBI’s over three decades of experience operating in these economies with 12 full-service banks, Zucker believes corporates have a lot to be excited about when looking at the …

Trump and Xi agreed to a one-year trade truce, easing tariffs and controls, though China’s deeper economic troubles are far from resolved. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to a one-year trade truce, easing tariffs and controls. The agreement seemingly rolls back the plans Trump unveiled on …

Deindustrialization and recommodification have been setting Latin American economies back for decades. Can a push for greater productivity put them on track again? In the 10 years from 2014 to 2023, Latin America’s aggregate economy managed to quietly reach depths unknown even during the dismal Lost Decade that followed the …

Global Finance (GF): What are the highlights of your professional journey, and what was appealing about your move to Scotiabank? Francisco Aristeguieta (FA): Before joining Scotiabank in April 2023 to lead the group’s International and Global Transaction Banking (IGTB) businesses, I was CEO for custody services at State Street. Prior to …