Latin America Outlook for 2009: Taking stock of the financial crisis and adjusting plans

Latin America witnessed the erosion of its enviable macroeconomic position in a matter of weeks as capital flew the coop and currency prices plummeted. After six years of consecutive growth, global business became accustomed to and even reliant upon a steadily expanding Latin American market. Now companies are questioning their plans for 2009 and wondering out loud how best to address the risks and potential opportunities facing them in the year ahead.

Weathering the Economic Storm: How the financial industry can respond

As the current economic situation continues to unfold, financial institutions - including commercial and investment banks, brokerages, and insurance companies - must focus not just on the short term crisis but also on the long term effects they will likely experience. If history is any guide, they will see a substantial increase in fraud claims, legal disputes, and regulatory actions.

Economic Slowdowns and Capital Movement: Reactions in the remittance market

Remittance payments declined in recent months as a result of high unemployment, especially in the construction and real estate sectors, and rising interest rates. Recipient countries are beginning to feel the “aftershocks” of the economic crisis as they receive less funds from abroad. In an effort to cut costs, informal methods of money transfers are on the rise.