United States - The Banker

Capital should simply be one of the barons of good risk management - not the king.

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Heavy-handed regulatory reform in response to the financial crisis runs the risk of damaging the economy further. A measured response that accepts a certain level of risk makes good fiscal sense and will be a more sensible outcome.

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The US has been at the heart of the financial crisis. Of total losses of $1040.7bn in the financial sector worldwide, the US accounts for more than half, at $582.6bn. Of the top 10 worst losses during the crisis, six of them are from the US. Between them, banks in the top 10 of the North American ranking have lost a staggering $473.66bn since the crisis began. In 2008, the 152 US banks present in the Top 1000 made a pre-tax loss $91,078m.

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It is unsurprising that two of the US's biggest former investment banks take the top two spots in this year's list of new entrants. Both Goldman Sachs, which enters the Top 1000 in 13th place, and Morgan Stanley, which enters at 17th place, were forced to take commercial banking licences at the end of 2008. How long the two iconic Wall Street brands will remain in the rankings is another matter. Many are speculating that the banks will seek to shed their commercial bank status as soon as the economy and financial markets pick up.

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Camden Fine, president of the Independent Community Bankers of America

In the US’s multi-layered banking sector, the credit crisis is being felt on all levels. But as the Treasury launches wave after wave of initiatives to protect the larger banks, and the smaller community banks stand firm due to their low exposure to subprime, it is the medium-sized banks that face the greatest threat. Writer Jane Monahan in Washington, DC.

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As US regulators and government work together to increase liquidity and help stabilise the economy, mixed opinions abound on just how much public money should be used to alleviate the problems stemming from the country’s banking sector. Writer Jane Monahan.

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Carlos M Gutierrez, the US commerce secretary

In the final months of the Bush administration, there is to be no slacking off with the president pushing for trade agreements with the likes of Colombia, says the US commerce secretary. Writer Courtney Fingar.

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Barack Obama

Dan Tarullo explains the impact an Obama presidency would have on foreign investment. Writer Lara Williams.

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John McCain

Douglas Holtz-Eakin tells how a McCain presidency would react to foreign bids for US firms. Writer Courtney Fingar.

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Bill Rhodes, chairman of Citibank

Bill Rhodes, chairman of Citibank and winner of The Banker’s Lifetime Achievement Award talks to Stephen Timewell about his 50-year career, offering insights on the Latin American debt crises of the 1980s through the end of communism and expansion eastwards, to the present day rise of protectionism.

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It is not just London that is taking business from New York, Asian markets are also rapidly growing in stature. Jules Stewart explains.

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