Banking: The week in 10 stories

BRAZIL

M&A activity is on the rise in Brazil due to the country's economic recovery.

The largest Brazilian banks could see a positive impact on earnings in the coming quarters as a result of an end to a long-running legal dispute with savings account customers.

MEXICO

The world's largest money manager BlackRock should soon be selling its products in Mexico after agreeing to buy Citibanamex's fund management unit, taking over management of nearly US$31bn in existing assets.

As expected, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto named monetary policy board member Alejandro Díaz de León to take over as governor of the central bank, with all signs pointing to continuity in monetary policy.

ARGENTINA

Senators approve draft pension legislation as Moody's joins S&P in revising up the country's rating.

CHILE

Chilean bank Bci has agreed to buy US lender TotalBank for US$528mn.

Chile's banks keep raking in money as the wider economy improves.

Scotiabank has offered BBVA US$2.2bn for the controlling stake in its Chilean unit. A question mark now hangs over what minority shareholder the Said family will do.

COLOMBIA

Snapshot: Colombia facing hurdles to economic recovery

ECUADOR