Latest articles from Analysis & Opinion

Rodrigo Vergara

Chile's central bank governor keeps calm on currency

February 27, 2013

The expansionary monetary policies of developed countries is making life difficult for those in the developing world. So says Chile's central bank governor, who is keen to resist a 'currency war' – for now – and also tells The Banker why central bank independence is of great importance.

Reputation: a matter for the board, not just the press office

February 25, 2013

The reputational damage from governance scandals can very rapidly turn into financial damage for banks and their shareholders.

Don't take revenge on the raters for sovereign downgrades

February 25, 2013

Sovereigns taking action against rating agencies are aiming at the wrong target.

Africa needn’t be scared of bond investors

February 25, 2013

Africa's upturn in fortunes in the past few years shows the advantages of having an open economy.

Emerging markets come of age for Standard Chartered

Emerging markets come of age for Standard Chartered

February 1, 2013

Bringing vanilla investment banking products to emerging markets has proved a highly successful formula for Standard Chartered, and the model needs only modest refinement to cope with new regulations, according to its wholesale banking chief.

TEASER-Angola CBG looks to use oil wealth wisely

Angola CBG looks to use oil wealth wisely

February 1, 2013

The head of Angola’s central bank – The Banker’s central bank governor of the year for Africa – discusses the development of the oil-rich country’s rapidly growing financial sector and whether the government plans to open up to foreign portfolio investors. 

teaser-Rothschild navigates Peel Ports to calm waters

Rothschild navigates Peel Ports to calm waters

February 1, 2013

As bank debt becomes harder to source and borrowers turn to new bond market structures, independent advisory banks such as Rothschild are seeing their role increase – or perhaps return to historical levels – as was shown in its role refinancing the debt for a UK port owner.

Destroy the bank before the bank destroys you

February 1, 2013

Businesses that fail to innovate will get swallowed by the ones that do and banks that ignore customer demand for online offerings do so at their own peril. 

Liquidity regulation can reduce liquidity

January 28, 2013

Liquidity has the unpleasant habit of vanishing when it is needed most, and liquidity requirements for banks have the potential to make this problem work. The recent decision of the Basel Committee to broaden the set of assets eligible for the liquidity coverage ratio alleviates some of the issues – but more work is needed.

Oman hopes to open Islamic finance floodgates

Oman hopes to open Islamic finance floodgates

January 28, 2013

Oman's late introduction to Islamic finance will work in the favour of the country's bank, as they can learn from the examples of others, says HE Hamood Sangour Al-Zadjali, governor of the country's central bank.

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