Latin America: Dancing to a Latin beat

European and US banks are now selling structured products throughout Latin America. And as many equity markets in the region reach historical highs, foreign banks have been seeking regional partners to help them tap the mass affluent classes. Daniel Sheehan reports

When thinking of Latin America most investors think about the role Brazil plays in so-called Bric equities and in the emerging biofuels market. But investment banks regard Brazil and its neighbours as more than just an underlying for foreign investors. Many major players are now building distribution channels for wealthy local investors throughout Latin America, targeting the emerging mass-affluent investor class by acquiring local private banks and building a local presence.

Australian