The new CEO of Akbank, Hakan Binbaşgil, explains to Brian Caplen how the past decade has seen the bank transformed by its embracing of new technology, pioneering new channels, targeting Turkey's youthful population, and keeping the customer central to everything it does.
Western Europe
Latest articles from Western Europe
Confindustria president confident over Italy's future
March 1, 2012Despite the doom and gloom surrounding Italy's future prospects, the president of its employers association, Confindustria, is confident that the country's new government has already made great strides towards putting it back on a path to growth.
Europe's banking sale of the century
March 1, 2012Regulatory pressure and the high cost of capital are driving a radical change of asset ownership in Europe. But most banks could take years to sell their non-core assets.
FIG issuers feel the heat in MTN market
March 1, 2012Europe’s MTN market has proved to be accessible for most SSAs and corporate borrowers since the start of the year. But it is a different story for bank issuers, most of whom are restricted to selling covered bonds.
Iceland's recovery hindered by political and consolidation worries
March 1, 2012Iceland's rebuilding efforts following its economic collapse have borne some fruit, with the IMF predicting 2.5% growth for this year, but the country is still faced with a number of challenges.
Europe’s sovereign-linked issuers adapt to the new normal
March 1, 2012The eurozone sovereign debt crisis has not just affected national treasuries, but also European supranationals and government-related entities. Philip Alexander hears from a range of larger and smaller borrowers across the eurozone and beyond.
Global banks go back to basics
March 1, 2012Investors appear to have lost confidence in diversified cross-border banking models, forcing banks to decide what they do best.
Will aircraft pfandbriefe take international flight?
February 1, 2012The creation of a new class of pfandbrief backed by aircraft loan collateral is set to take off in 2012, and given the reliability of this type of covered bond, this could arouse particular interest from outside its domestic German market.
Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut
February 1, 2012In response to a request from the European Commission, a recent consultation paper from the European pensions body looks at ways the proposed Solvency II directive for insurers could be applied to occupational pensions. Many in the industry see far more problems than solutions in its application
Société Générale makes strong covered bond return
February 1, 2012Société Générale was a frequent issuer in the bond market until the conditions in the latter half of 2011 brought the Eurobond market to a standstill. So when investor interest was revived in the opening days of 2012, the French bank was quick to take the opportunity to tap the market, issuing a €1.5bn 10-year covered bond, which attracted investors from across Europe.