UBS has endured a catastrophic three years. Now, under the stewardship of former Credit Suisse chief Oswald Grübel, the bank is attempting to restore its reputation and revive its business. Geraldine Lambe reports.
At your inconvenience: in 2006, Vietnam had only 46 ATMs for every 1 million people
Vietnam's large unbanked population and its growing middle class present a major opportunity for local and foreign banks alike, who see vast potential in the country's underdeveloped retail banking and consumer finance sectors. Writer Michelle Price
Jim Bolger, chairman of New Zealand Post Group's Kiwibank
The former prime minister of New Zealand and now chairman of New Zealand Post Group's fast-growing Kiwibank believes that the company offers a template for post groups around the world attempting to establish a banking brand. Writer Michelle Price
Less of a gamble? Proponents of identity cards say they are as secure as passports for use in financial transactions, but there are concerns that the supporting infrastructures needs to be equally reliable
Identity cards have been largely welcomed by the banking sector for their ability to efficiently prove customers' ID when they open accounts or enrol for new products and services - and it is only a matter of time before their use increases, with economies around the world introducing variations of the fast-growing technology. Writer Wendy Atkins
As customer dissatisfaction with the UK's existing high street banks intensifies, new entrants are sprouting - many of which are extensions of established retail brands, striving to create the winning formula using their innate consumer insight. Will these new operations pose a sustained threat to the existing ones? Writer Michelle Price
Ray Soudah, founder of Switzerland-based Millenium Associates
Deutsche Bank's planned takeover of Sal Oppenheim will leave the German private banking sector dominated by two key players. However, Deutsche and Commerzbank are pursuing very different strategies. Writer Michael Marray
PWM/The Banker’s inaugural Private Banking Awards were established with the aim of provoking a move to greater transparency and accountability in a growing global wealth management industry, which sees itself increasingly under the gaze of national and supra-national regulators. We also felt it was time to properly reward institutions which are doing their best for the private client.
The Russian retail banking sector has survived the crisis largely intact, and the change of focus from growth to funding and risk management could have long-term benefits for its resilience. Writer Philip Alexander
As rising unemployment promotes higher rates of customer delinquency, banks are having to get to know their customers all over again. Decision science can help. Writer Nicholas Pratt
While investors remain cautious, Frances Maguire finds that they are looking to the foreign exchange market for its low correlation with the equity market and using structuring to access it.
Abbey's CEO tells how his decision to pull the bank back from the mortgage market and transform it into a full commercial bank has helped it to thrive during the fallout of the crisis. Writer Brian Caplen
Anthonia Hui, chairman and CEO of AL Wealth Partners
The impact of the financial crisis has been felt particularly hard in the wealth management industry, where client trust is low, the appetite for risk has disappeared, and customers are expecting frequent and time-consuming reassurances from their wealth managers. Writer Silvia Pavoni
The financial crisis has dramatically undermined consumer trust in the retail banking industry. It is now more vital than ever that banks are able to efficiently and effectively communicate with their customers. In this Masterclass, Howard Boville, head of global banking at BT, and Gary Bennett, director of service provider development at Avaya, discuss how banks can model their communications and technology infrastructure in order to improve the quality of their customer service. Writer Michelle Price
Bank product auctions are gradually gaining traction as they reach beyond consumer loans into other products and businesses. But regulatory concerns and hard times will keep the retail banking bazaar from rapid growth in the short term. Writer Karen Epper Hoffman
Financial services providers are looking for better ways to manage their customer operations, with outsourcing on the list of options. This was the topic for discussion at a recent round table organised by The Banker and sponsored by Transcom Worldwide, a provider of outsourced business processes
The European Commission's first draft for its directive on alternative investment fund managers and overseas financial centres has brought about furious accusations of protectionism, anti-Anglo-Saxon bias and unnecessary meddling. Writer Silvia Pavoni
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
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
The reputation of many retail banks has all but evaporated. Unless measures are taken to rebuild the trust consumers have lost in these institutions, many may switch their custom to brands they still believe in and which have spied an opportunity to gain a foothold in the retail banking market. Writer David Haig, founder and CEO of Brand Finance
New world order? As the reputation of established banking names plummets, more trusted retail brands may attract their customers
Although France's banking sector has been dealt a few blows during the past two years, its retail sector remains strong compared with its European peers. Writer Wendy Atkins
The rise of counterparty risk and volatility have fundamentally changed the attitudes of high-net-worth investors towards structured products, but most private bankers believe they still have a role to play in a well-managed portfolio. Writer Philip Alexander
Taiwan's banking industry is in dire straits and remains in desperate need of consolidation. Many banks are hoping better relations with China may open up new revenue opportunities but this remains to be seen. Writer Michelle Price
Vivian Shyy, managing director of customer experience management, consumer banking, Standard Chartered Bank Taiwan
The Czech Republic will not be immune from the slowing global economy but Ceska sporitelna starts from a position of strong risk management and ample liquidity, says CEO Gernot Mittendorfer. Writer Philip Alexander
The retail banking industry in the UK has been unsophisticated and lacking in transparency for too long. Now is the time for the banks to move boldly and learn from other retail sectors. Writer Michelle Price.
While times are hard for many in the financial sector, one investor’s loss is another’s gain. The Banker speaks to five veteran investors, who advise that, as long as caution is applied, there has never been a better time to buy stocks. Writer Charles Piggott.
Radovan Jelasic, National Bank of Serbia’s governor
Three elections in two years and an inflation overshoot are compounding the uncertainty for Serbia’s banks, but foreign players still see great potential. Nick Saywell reports from Belgrade.
Kuwait’s booming economy is heavily oil dependent, but banks are beginning to look outside the country to strengthen operations and diversify their offer, Stephen Timewell reports from Kuwait.
As Qatar continues its attempt to become a regional financial hub, the emirate’s largest banks are enjoying a growth spurt and new players are bullish, writes John Hamilton.
Bolivia’s banking sector is thriving on the back of a strong economy, despite fears of a political clash with the leftist government of president Evo Morales. Jules Stewart reports.
Leumi Bank now leads Israel’s booming banking sector, despite the government’s protracted struggle to sell its controlling stake. David Lipkin reports from Tel Aviv.
Gordana Djurovic, deputy prime minister and minister for European integration
Despite its small size, Montenegro is attracting investors with its stable business and banking environment, and looks firmly set on the path to EU membership. Justin Keay reports.
Ecuador’s bankers insist the president’s high stakes political strategy, which has included singling them out as public enemies, is ruining the economy. John Rumsey reports.
Société Générale has added to its Balkan synergies with the purchase of Macedonia’s Ohridska Banka – but local banks are efficient and profits are by no means a certainty. Eric Jansson reports.
The outcome of the tussle for ABN AMRO will have a decisive effect on the Brazilian banking scene, which is currently dominated by domestic players. John Rumsey reports.
The Bank of Georgia’s oversubscribed London IPO epitomised Georgia’s drive towards catching up with the rest of the world. Ben Aris reports from Tbilisi on how chairman Lado Gurgenidze turned the bank around.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Mohammed Yunus talks to Kala Rao about the growing role of microfinance in the global economy, the challenges the sector faces moving from the informal to formal status, the need for regulation and the role that governments can play.
With oil deposits discovered and tourism and FDI booming, Nick Freeman reports from Phnom Penh on the nascent development of Cambodia’s banking sector.
Are the Bank of Cyprus’s days numbered? Nick Kochan reports on the rival predators’ struggle for the bank, and the opposing forces of regulators and nationalists.
Given its sound financial infrastructure and current economic boom, the surge in Jordanian bank profits looks set to continue. Stephen Timewell reports from Amman.
The major payment card players were out in force at the Cartes annual trade show, showing off their latest password generators for conducting online transactions, most thin enough to fit in a wallet. Writer Wendy Atkins.
A recent joint-pilot of the O2 Wallet, which uses mobile phones as payment tools, has proven popular with consumers who enjoyed the convenience and security the method offers. Writer Wendy Atkins.
Telecommunications firms and banks are going into partnership to take a stake in the unbanked markets of the developing world, but encouraging consumers to sign up to full services will be the challenge. Writer Wendy Atkins.
Calls to separate UBS’s private and investment banking divisions have resulted in a heated debate among defenders and opponents alike. Silvia Pavoni reports.
Figures from the World Bank and the United Nations reveal how migratory trends and remittance are affected by the global economic climate. Writer Stephen Timewell.
At your inconvenience: in 2006, Vietnam had only 46 ATMs for every 1 million people
Jim Bolger, chairman of New Zealand Post Group's Kiwibank
Less of a gamble? Proponents of identity cards say they are as secure as passports for use in financial transactions, but there are concerns that the supporting infrastructures needs to be equally reliable
New world order? As the reputation of established banking names plummets, more trusted retail brands may attract their customers
Axel Pierron, senior vice-president at Celent
