* S&P Global Ratings upgraded Jamaica's long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings to B+ from B, reflecting the country's improving external liquidity. The rating agency noted a more robust overall external position and compliance with the government's fiscal targets provide greater cushion for the country against external shocks.
* The Brazilian government has given more powers to the country's central bank to authorize the entry of foreign capital into Brazilian financial institutions, which has been, until now, solely the responsibility of the country's president, Valor Econômico reported. With this decree, the central bank may also authorize foreign financial institutions to set up new branches in the country.
MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA
* The Mexican central bank will open today the CoDi digital payment platform, which allows the purchase and sale of goods and service payments through mobile phones, El Financiero reported. Thirty-three Mexican banks will be required to offer this service to their customers.
* A delay in the ratification of USMCA free trade deal would put both the Mexican financial system and the credit rating of the country's sovereign debt at risk, El Financiero reported, citing the Mexican financial system stability council CESF.
CARIBBEAN
* Republic Financial Holdings Ltd. said Ronald Frederick deCreeft Harford will retire as chairman of the company and of subsidiary Republic Bank Ltd. on Dec. 31. Vincent Pereira will replace Harford as chairman of both companies in 2020.
* The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago maintained its benchmark rate at 5.00%, citing delicate international economic conditions, such as U.S.-China trade tensions, Brexit in the U.K., and risks to oil market stability, among others.
BRAZIL
* Brazilian police raided the homes of four Banco do Brasil SA managers allegedly involved in money laundering operations between 2011 and 2014, as part of the ongoing Lava Jato corruption investigation. The managers allegedly facilitated the transfer of more than 200 million reais from accounts maintained by an unnamed criminal organization, with large amounts of the money later being converted to cash for bribe payments to contractors allegedly involved in corruption at state-owned petroleum firm Petrobras.
* Brazil's economy will regain momentum and "can grow above 2% in 2020," Reuters reported, citing Economy Minister Paulo Guedes. The central bank's latest Focus survey results pointed to 2.00% next year.
* Banco do Brasil and Switzerland's UBS Group AG hope to close the conversations for their investment banking joint venture by the end of 2019 and start to operate the investment bank in mid-2020, O Estado de S. Paulo reported.
ANDEAN
* Peruvian central bank chief Julio Velarde Flores said the monetary authority does not anticipate a rate cut anytime in the next few months from the present rate of 2.5% as it is already "very expansive," Reuters reported. Velarde said cutting rates would not yield much effect if credit demand is lacking.
* Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra will seek a vote of confidence from Congress in an aim to end a struggle over his anti-graft reforms, Reuters reported. If legislators give a vote of no confidence twice, the president may dissolve Congress. The current legislature has already withdrawn support for government once.
* Bancolombia SA said Jaime Alberto Velásquez Botero is resigning as CFO, and is expected to step down in January 2020. Jose Humberto Acosta, the bank's vice president for finance, will replace Velásquez. Meanwhile, Mauricio Rosillo Rojas will become corporate vice president of the bank effective Oct. 1.
* The Colombian financial regulator Superfinanciera approved the purchase of 100% of the shares of Banco ProCredit Colombia SA by Créditos y Ahorro Credifinanciera S.A. Compañía de Financiamiento.
* Chilean asset manager HMC SA AGF will open an office in Mexico, Diario Financiero reported. HMC appointed Eduardo Vásquez as country head in Mexico.
SOUTHERN CONE
* A magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit Chilean waters on Sept. 29, Reuters reported, citing the U.S. Geological Survey. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center does not expect a tsunami to form.
PAN LATIN AMERICA
* Santander InnoVentures, the fintech-focused venture capital fund backed by Spain's Banco Santander SA, is seeking out more opportunities in Latin America following its announced investment in Klar, Reuters reported. Manuel Silva, managing partner for InnoVentures, reportedly said the fund is mainly interested in investments in Brazil and Mexico, though it will also look at Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru.
IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD
* Asia-Pacific: US denies report on delisting Chinese firms; Japanese banks in Aramco IPO
* Middle East & Africa: Saudi insurers Walaa, MetLife AIG ANB to merge; Kenya expects more bank M&A
* Europe: Commerzbank sees more costs; Barclays fined; EC extends Dexia guarantees
Pablo Jimenez Arandia contributed to this article.
This S&P Global Market Intelligence news article may contain information about credit ratings issued by S&P Global Ratings. Descriptions in this news article were not prepared by S&P Global Ratings.
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