While focusing on the Latin American region's experience and progress in fighting corruption and enhancing transparency during the last 20 years, the article seeks to share how international institutions have addressed the complexities of corruption through various systems. As a result, we have seen differing approaches put in place to support governments in their efforts to tackle this global issue through greater regional collaboration. In that sense, the article presents the most recent developments in both the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, focused on increasing recognition of country systems and the real need to strengthen institutions at the state and national levels, instead of 'ring-fencing' their operations. The article then suggests that such a strategy has the potential to induce deeper changes and lasting results in the fight against corruption and for greater transparency in the long term.