Financial Crisis in Latin America: Consequences for Spain's Banks

The purpose of this book is to discuss the importance of foreign banks for the Latin American emerging markets¿ financial sectors and the consequences of periods of financial and economic crisis for those banks, putting special emphasis on the situation of Spanish Banco Santander and BBVA. The macroeconomic determinants of recent periods of crisis in Latin America are analyzed and positive future growth perspectives are examined. The fact that Spanish banks did not cut and run in times of crisis, but stayed in the region and increased their presence has to be especially stressed. Based on the lessons Spanish banks have drawn from their involvement in Latin America, this work offers a five-point scheme for bank internationalization in emerging markets and for responsible management of uncertainty and economic volatility. Vienna, November 2005