Every e-mail that is sent, every tweet that is posted and every Facebook update that is published creates data that gets logged and backed up – somewhere. This ‘somewhere’ is 'the cloud'. With the continuous growth of digital social networks, this data cloud is expanding – creating both a buzz and opportunities for banks but also fears about data storage and maintenance.

With Asian economies expected to account for half of the world’s financial assets by 2050, there are huge implications for the financial architecture of Asia and the world. 

With a series of scandals shaking confidence in large listed banks and the financial crisis badly damaging their profits, European interest in co-operative lenders has been revived. Is this a passing phase – a knee-jerk reaction to a difficult couple of years – or is it the beginning of a larger, more permanent shift in sentiment?

The eurozone's troubles of the past few years have meant that the headlines have been dominated by those countries deemed likely to leave the currency union. However, there are EU members that still wish to sign up to euro membership. The question is, why?

Peru is one of the fastest growing economies in South America and is making strong progress in developing its infrastructure to establish itself as a gateway between Asia and Latin America. However, its finance minister is still focused on boosting the country's prosperity and eradicating poverty.

As South Korea's economy has developed in recent decades, its major companies have grown in tandem. However, as questions are raised about these companies' lack of contribution to Korean 'society' and concerns are aired over their over-importance to the country's economy, what does the future hold for the likes of Samsung?

Emilio Botín, the chairman of Banco Santander, explains how the bank's geographical diversification and philosophy of operating standalone subsidiaries has helped it thrive during the worst years of the crisis, and stand it in good stead for the future.

The Dodd-Frank Act, Section 1073 is going to alter the practice of retail cross-border payments services – not just for US-based financial institutions but also for their correspondent banking relationships abroad. The deadline is near, but a practical solution to meet the requirements of the rule still seems far off. The Banker looks at some alternatives that have finally started to emerge.

Ahead of Sibos 2012, Gottfried Leibbrandt, chief executive officer of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or Swift, sat down for an exclusive interview with The Banker to discuss the conference agenda and the company's position in a rapidly changing global landscape. 

Market reforms are flooding the financial sector and banks are facing the challenge of managing their liquidity more efficiently. But the industry remains divided on best practice approaches to intraday liquidity management.