Wholesale Banking

The taming of Merrill

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has had a rough year. Its CEO is being forced to retire, it is under intense regulatory scrutiny and senior investment bankers have left in droves. Yet it is holding up well in the league tables, and deal flow is looking pretty strong. Is Bank of America beating the odds and making a success of the acquisition? Geraldine Lambe reports.

Retail & Private Banking

Rebuilding UBS: Can UBS revive its business and reputation?

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.

Islamic Finance

Scholars and scale

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

Management & Strategy

Top 500 Banking Brands

In such volatile times for the financial sector, strong branding is more important than ever. The Banker's Top 500 Banking Brands listing ranks the leading brands. Brian Caplen reports.

Legal & Regulatory

Battling the odds

Largely robust: the banks at Bahrain Financial Harbour have shown resilience in the global crisisLargely robust: the banks at Bahrain Financial Harbour have shown resilience in the global crisis

Bahrain has had to deal with its fair share of problems on the back of the global economic downturn, but a sound regulatory and supervisory structure and deft handling of the crisis by the central bank has ensured it will emerge as a stronger, more confident nation as a result. Writer Charlie Corbett

Banker rankings

Panama's show of strength

Steaming on: Panama's good economic prospects, aided by the expansion of its canal, have seen the country's banks thriveSteaming on: Panama's good economic prospects, aided by the expansion of its canal, have seen the country's banks thrive

All but three of the Top 75 central American banks remained in profit last year according to The Banker's ranking, with Panama recording stand-out results. Writer Silvia Pavoni

Politics & Economics

Niels Thygesen

Niels ThygesenNiels Thygesen

The University of Copenhagen's professor of international economics evaluates stimulus policies and explains why it is time to start implementing exit strategies from them, despite the doubts that remain over the recovery.

Insurance

Insurance directive prompts rethink

Timetable: although RBS is selling its insurance businesses it must still meet the Solvency II directiveTimetable: although RBS is selling its insurance businesses it must still meet the Solvency II directive

Banks that own insurers are preparing for the Solvency II insurance directive, which in its current form could require huge amounts of extra capital to be set aside. Meanwhile, investment banks are busy advising their insurance clients on how their risk management and capital structures will have to change as a result. Writer Michael Imeson


Addressing the reference data challenge


Deutsche Masterclass: Staying ahead of the game

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