South Korea has a large and vibrant wealth management sector, but it has yet to reach its full potential. Michael Imeson speaks to industry experts to assess how the country and its domestic financial institutions can bridge the gap between them and their Asia-Pacific peers.
The Turkish banking sector is in good health, although the country's lower economic growth, political developments at home and abroad, and the continued impact of financial regulation on retail banking are acting as a brake on growth and profits.
Non-bank organisations are increasingly engaged in bank-like activities, filling the gaps that banks are leaving and finding entirely new opportunities, which has led authorities to take note and tighten up the regulatory and supervisory framework for the shadow banking system.
Customers are increasingly interacting with their bank using different technology platforms, including tablets, mobile phones and laptops. And while customers are enthusiastically embracing new technologies, the more traditional bank branches are also being given a new lease of life.
Regulatory reform, ever-advancing technology and commercial pressures mean that finance departments have to constantly update and improve their procedures and processes. This difficult task falls to finance directors and chief financial officers, whose roles have evolved out of the backroom and onto centre stage in a matter of years.
The Swedish economy has bounced back well from the crisis, with banks among the main beneficiaries. Leading bankers at three of the country's biggest banks - Nordea, Swedbank and Handelsbanken - explain how they have achieved such impressive results.
Malta's domestic banking sector is small and follows traditional principles, yet a steadily growing international banking presence is capitalising on interesting new opportunities such as those presented by the island’s emerging fund management and insurance industries.