Troubled since 2005, the UK credit card industry has been suffering a severe test of profitability. But credit card issuers are hoping to rejuvenate the industry by moving to a more convenience-focused, sustainable and transparent business model.
Latest articles from Transaction banking
Filling Asia's vacuum
May 28, 2010As international banks have pulled back their trade and commodity finance operations in Asia during the downturn, so increasingly sophisticated local players, particularly in China, are piling in. Writer Charlie Corbett
Russia's second-tier investment banks have ambitious plans
May 28, 2010As Russian capital markets activity revives, second-tier investment banking groups have ambitious plans to share a larger slice of the business. But competition is tough. Writer Philip Alexander
Clearing and settlement remains a barrier to Australian competition
May 28, 2010The much-anticipated competition in Australia's cash equities markets is finally taking hold, but hopeful new entrants may yet be stymied by the challenges presented by the clearing and settlement infrastructure. Writer Elton Cane
Egyptian stock market shows strong growth
May 5, 2010With the Egyptian stock exchange on a high, the EGX chairman, Maged Shakey, explains what is behind its new-found energy. Writer Daniel Maalo
Ready to roar
May 5, 2010Despite its relatively low level of activity, the potential of Beirut Stock Exchange is causing both local and foreign investors to take notice. Writer Daniel Maalo
Prime brokerage returns to life
May 5, 2010Alex Ehrlich, the global head of prime brokerage at Morgan Stanley
The client-base, funding model and counter-party trust upon which the prime brokerage business grew so successful was badly damaged by the crisis. Almost 18 months on, however, the industry is regrouping. Writer Michelle Price
The new line up: investment banks battle for position
May 5, 2010There are two clear leaders at the front of the investment banking pack, but a battle is being waged immediately behind them - and there is everything to play for. Geraldine Lambe reports.
Payments: challenges and rewards
March 31, 2010The payments landscape is changing. Customers are demanding more, so banks are having to decide how to update their payments infrastructures. Competition is becoming fiercer and regulation is getting tougher. Despite this, the rewards can be high. Payments are still the lynchpin between a bank and its customers, and new markets, such as payments for the unbanked and mobile banking, are being explored. These issues and more were discussed in Brussels, Belgium, last month. Writer Michael Imeson
An emerging threat to the established order
March 31, 2010Currency strategists are increasingly looking towards the emerging BRIC and commodity economies to secure future profits. But how sustainable is this tactic and are these markets truly decoupled from the rest of the world? Writer Charlie Corbett