Latest articles from Philip Alexander

Scholars and scale

March 3, 2010

Growing demand: two women open sharia bank accounts at Bank Negara Indonesia

Leading Islamic retail banks are developing increasingly sophisticated systems to maintain sharia compliance in an evolving market. Writer Philip Alexander

Latvia: Searching for a new path to economic growth

March 3, 2010

Flooded with Scandinavian liquidity during the boom years, Latvia has suffered the most severe bust in the EU and bankers are devising a new business model while clearing up the consequences of the old one. Writer Philip Alexander

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Politics holds key to lending

March 3, 2010

There are no guarantees that a new president will usher in greater economic and political stability in Ukraine, which makes further consolidation likely in the country's under-pressure banking sector. Writer Philip Alexander

CoCo bonds: Mixed reception

February 1, 2010

Contingent convertible (CoCo) bonds seem to be flavour of the month with regulators, but issuers and investors alike may need some convincing. Writer Philip Alexander

Stage set for mergers

February 1, 2010

As the central bank of Russia tightens capital requirements, the country's Top 50 banks look set to continue accumulating capital and assets at the expense of smaller players. Writer Philip Alexander

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What really happened at Hypo Group Alpe Adria

February 1, 2010

The nationalisation of Austria's Hypo Alpe Adria had more to do with regulation and ownership models than exposure to emerging Europe. Writer Philip Alexander

Russia's ambitious plan for economic reform

February 1, 2010

The economic advisor to the Russian president explains why he is cautiously optimistic about the country's economic prospects for 2010. Interview by Philip Alexander.

Naftogaz prises open financial pipeline

December 30, 2009

The successful debt restructuring by Ukraine's gas importer has eased short-term difficulties and offered hope for better government and corporate financial management in the future. However, the country's track record of disappointment in such matters still hangs heavy. Writer Philip Alexander

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Cleaning up sovereign debt

December 23, 2009

The US and European governments have so far managed to maintain investor appetite for greatly increased issuance of public debt. But decisive action will be needed to avoid paying a high price in the near future. Writer Philip Alexander

Cleaning up Sovereign debt

December 23, 2009

The US and European governments have so far managed to maintain investor appetite for greatly increased issuance of public debt. But decisive action will be needed to avoid paying a high price in the near future.

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