Marcelo Paz is a Bolivian national who joined the IDB Group in 2008. He is currently a lead strategy officer, specialized in development diagnosis of the financial and capital markets sectors. Up until 2015 he was in charge of originating and structuring financial transactions that supported the expansion of financial services in LAC through capital markets development, trade finance and financial intermediaries. Marcelo Paz has over 20 years of experience in the banking and financial markets industry, as well as the public sector. Prior to joining the IDB he worked at commercial banking in Bolivia, where he held different positions, such as Credit Risk Manager and International Business Manager, and was a board member at a brokerage firm and a mutual fund. In addition, he worked at the Bolivian Ministry of Finance, and the Bolivian Stock Exchange. Mr. Marcelo Paz holds an MBA in Finance and Investments from George Washington University.
Governments and multilateral development banks in Latin America & the Caribbean are playing a critical role in supporting financial institutions amid the pandemic, but must be ready to up the ante as the ultimate effects of the lockdown measures become evident in the financial sector, especially key microfinance institutions
Financial systems in Latin America & the Caribbean are performing well in times of COVID-19, and are better prepared for the crisis than ever; however, this doesn't mean that they are immune, and a protracted downturn may test their resilience
Fintech solutions and digital banking services offer a unique opportunity to serve previously underbanked individuals and SMEs. Though most commercial banks are adopting these solutions, there is an opportunity to deepen the collaboration with Fintech firms in order to close financial inclusion gaps in the region, while promoting responsible finance practices.