Latest articles from World

Amman Stock Exchange

Can Jordan's banks rise to the challenge?

September 1, 2011

A sharply declining growth in GDP, political and social unrest, credit rating downgrades, rising NPL ratios... To say Jordan's banks have faced a testing couple of years would be an understatement. However, there are some causes for optimism.

Armenia's agriculture sector

Armenia's banking caution looks set to pay off

September 1, 2011

Although the global financial crisis led to a significant contraction in the Armenian economy, the country’s banks were largely unaffected by the turmoil. With low banking penetration and regulation that is both progressive and cautious, the future for these institutions looks bright.

Choongsoo Kim r

South Korea's shifting economic focus

September 1, 2011

South Korea has the second highest debt-to-disposable income ratio in the world, but Choongsoo Kim, governor of the Bank of Korea, insists that the country’s financial system is not at risk, and suggests that balancing the focus between export and domestic demand will lead to sustainable economic growth.

Eastern Europe grows while the west stagnates

September 1, 2011

Newer EU member countries in central and eastern Europe are notable for their performance in terms of returns and growth, as The Banker's Top 200 EU Banks ranking shows.

United states of Africa?

Redrawing the map of Africa

September 1, 2011

African countries are being held back by a lack of integration across the continent. Some say it is time to redraw the map by breaking down borders and deepening regional blocs, which will enable free trade to flourish. 

Seeds for Brazil's blossoming

Unlocking Brazil's entrepreneurial spirit

September 1, 2011

Brazil may be the world’s seventh largest economy in terms of gross domestic product, but its legislation and taxation policies, not to mention its infrastructure, still needs a lot of work if the country is to realise its full potential.

Julio Velarde

Peru's private path to growth

September 1, 2011

Peru's central bank governor, Julio Velarde, explains that with increasing levels of private investment, there is potential for further growth in the country.

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Sowing the seeds of growth in Tajikistan

September 1, 2011

Non-performing loans soared after a steep economic slowdown in Tajikistan, but improvements in its regulation and management practices have laid the foundations for a much more stable banking system in the country.

South Korea's economy has recovered but interest margins continue to be squeezed

South Korean banks look beyond their borders

September 1, 2011

While South Korean manufacturers have achieved global success, the country’s banks have struggled to break out of the domestic market. The government is now looking to introduce new regulations aimed at boosting the international competitiveness of its financial institutions. 

Donald Kaberuka

AFDB: All Africans must benefit from the continent's economic growth

September 1, 2011

Economically, Africa has been growing apace according to Donald Kaberuka, the president of the African Development Bank. But socially the continent is still struggling. The north African uprisings show that now, more than ever, it is time to focus on what Africans actually want.

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