Latest articles from Philip Alexander

JPMorgan's Mark Goldstein on the bank's new debt restructuring team

September 2, 2009

Mark Goldstein, JPMorgan's head of liability management in London is building the business from the bottom up. He is a new arrival at the bank following the acquisition of Bear Stearns, creating a new team as the bank makes a foray into debt restructuring.

Survivors plan their escape from crisis

August 4, 2009

In May, The Banker examined the fate of Kazakhstan's fallen giant, Bank BTA. The Kazakh banks that have stayed solvent now explain their recovery strategies. Writer Philip Alexander

Can pensions bridge the funding gap?

July 7, 2009

Heavy losses on equity portfolios and widening funding deficits are forcing a rethink of pension funds' approach, but trustees need to be equipped to manage derivatives exposure, writes Philip Alexander.

Sukuk market faces stern test of maturity

July 7, 2009

Issuer defaults and high exposure to falling Gulf real estate markets have cast doubt over the stability of Islamic capital markets, but a difficult year could help create a more established asset class in the future. Writer Philip Alexander

Long-term finance in troubled times

June 4, 2009

The importance of small regional development banks in emerging Europe has surged as credit ratings decline and global commercial banks cut back project and trade finance. Writer Philip Alexander

Crisis of faith for private bankers

June 4, 2009

Like their investment banking counterparts, private bankers are also facing an identity crisis as the failure to protect clients' wealth threatens to tarnish the industry and inhibit future growth. There are many different responses. Writer Philip Alexander

UBS returns to its roots

June 4, 2009

Investment banking losses and US tax evasion charges sent clients of the leading wealth manager scurrying for the exits. But the crisis has renewed UBS's determination to succeed in private banking. Writer Philip Alexander

Battered and bruised but ready to move forward

May 5, 2009

BTA Bank has been at the centre of a financial storm involving a state bail-out, Kazakhstan's real estate crash and rotating central bank governors. However the tools to stabilise the situation now appear to be in place. Writer Philip Alexander

Preparing for the rebound: Looking East

May 5, 2009

Few markets in central and eastern Europe have escaped investor fears over excessive corporate debt. Equity offerings are on hold and refinancing conditions have rarely been tougher, but there are opportunities for banks that stay in the game, writes Philip Alexander.

Keeping faith with convergence: Looking East

May 5, 2009

The share prices of leading Italian banks were buffeted in early 2009 as investors anticipated damage to asset quality from their high exposure to emerging Europe. But senior managers say the region is still at the heart of their strategy, writes Philip Alexander.

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