There seems to be something of an inevitability about the renminbi's rise to reserve currency and global dominance. However, there are mutterings that this ascents will be curtailed by China's development model, corporate governance and financial system.

Global currency markets have become increasingly volatile as European policy-makers struggle to resolve the sovereign debt crisis and emerging economies try to limit currency rises at the same time as taming inflation. Traditional safe haven countries have been prompted to take historic action in a bid to stem currency appreciation and support exports. But are there any safe havens any more?

Most African currencies are in demand thanks to high rates of economic growth across the continent. Analysts foresee this trend continuing over the next decade, with foreign inflows pushing up foreign exchange trading volumes in many African countries.

New regulations, specifically the push towards central counterparty clearing, are having a huge impact on banks' over-the-counter foreign exchange operations. As the banking sector undergoes significant changes, what will this mean for banks' organisational structures and the foreign exchange market?

Non-bank payment specialists are cropping up all over the world. But are these companies a threat to the more traditional providers of payments, or do these largely niche businesses present partnership opportunities to banks?

Should the payment card industry be a free market? Or does it need to be regulated? The debate is raging in countries across the world, with both retailers and card issuers arguing that tweaks to interchange fees and leaving them shortchanged.

Asian policy-makers have been trying to balance currency management with controlling inflation. Rising inflation and rising currencies suggest policy makers have failed to get the balance right.