Dr Alex Otti, Group Managing Director and CEO, Diamond Bank PLC

Nigeria’s Diamond Bank has weathered the recent financial crisis well, returning to profitability this year and occupying a strong position in the market. Dr Alex Otti outlines its principled stand to empower people and grow small businesses, without sacrificing its leading role in the country’s large energy sector.

Elena Chong, Vicepresident, Credicorp Bank

Panama’s new investment-grade rating, combined with its strong banking sector, lends belief to projections that the country will continue to be a key performer in Latin America. Elena Chong describes how Panama’s banking system withstood the financial crisis, the government’s infrastructure plans for growth, and explains how Credicorp Bank’s unique services positions it ahead of its competitors.

Abdulkareem Abu Al Nasr, CEO, National Commercial Bank

While most people still consider Saudi Arabia to be heavily reliant on oil, economic diversification has been one of the country’s strategic pillars since the 1980s. Today oil accounts for only 28 percent of GDP, in part thanks to the commitment of banks like NCB to supporting SMEs and local corporates. CEO Abdulkareem Abu Al Nasr discusses the current business environment and the bank’s commitment to sustainability.

Pedro Duarte, CEO, Banco Carregosa

Banco Carregosa is the oldest financial institution in the Iberian Pensinula, dating back to 1833. In that time it has evolved from a foreign exchange trading house, to a full service financial brokerage company, and today focuses exclusively on private banking. Pedro Duarte discusses the bank’s strong sense of heritage, the challenges faced by the Portuguese economy, and why having a small and stable group of shareholders helps the company maintain independence.

José Morgado, CEO, Inapa Group

Inapa is a specialist in paper, packaging and visual communication, based in Portugal but with most of its sales coming from the rest of Europe. As such it has been particularly at risk from ongoing austerity and the eurocrisis – but with José Morgado’s leadership it has successfully developed its client relationships, improved efficiency and tightened its resource management to beat the downturn.

Rui Cartaxo, CEO and Chairman, REN

Energy security is one of the hot-button issues for countries around the world – and with Europe committed to a significant shift to renewables over the next decade it is a big concern across the continent. REN’s activities in the transportation of natural gas gives it a reliable source of electricity to supplement the less consistent contribution of wind power. Rui Cartaxo discusses the state of the European energy market and REN’s expansion plans.