Banking: The week in 10 stories

Regional banking federation Felaban issued a report showing strong expansion of financial inclusion in Latin America, though less dynamic growth than in other regions of the world.

The Paris-based organization OECD cut some of its multi-year growth forecasts for Argentina and Brazil, while also downgrading several other emerging markets.

The presidents of Brazil and Chile signed a free trade agreement.

Argentina

Figures show that banks' stock of private sector peso-denominated loans contracted in September for the first time since April 2017.

Brazil

The incoming government has decided who will become the new heads at Banco do Brasil and Caixa, which are both owned by the federal government.

The state government of Rio Grande do Sul decided to cancel a planned IPO for the card unit of state bank Banrisul due to market conditions.

Chile

Local lender Bci obtained the regulatory nod to acquire Walmart's financial services assets including a credit card business and an insurance broker.

Mexico

The senate majority leader behind a resolution to eliminate many bank fees in Mexico has stirred controversy with the incoming government, as the public debate deepens and concerns grow.

Trinidad and Tobago

The country's attorney general Faris Al-Rawi said de-risking by correspondent banks is inflicting "death by a thousand cuts" on the country's banking sector.

Venezuela

And a former national treasurer of Venezuela admitted in the US to receiving more than US$1bn in bribes as part of an illicit forex scheme.