The popularity of Islamic bonds signals the opening up of a new banking market. Issuance last year hit $6.7bn but challenges remain to development.

As US president George W Bush starts his second term, will his administration engage with the rest of the world – economically and militarily – or will it be business as usual at the White House?

European banks must act soon if they want to prevent the rapidly growing US giants from muscling in on their turf.

Banks are beginning to realise that financial services for poor people can be commercially viable. The Year of Microfinance is an opportunity for them to play a greater role in alleviating poverty.

Banks that fail to spot new talent have a poor future ahead of them. The root cause of many a corporate crisis can be traced back to a very bad management promotion leaving the person who was best qualified for the job to depart to a rival institution.

Morgan Stanley CEO Phil Purcell talks to Karina Robinson about growing the business, making changes and that letter from the SEC.

The initial public offering of Addar Real Estate Services has stunned Gulf markets with a record 458 times oversubscription.
Despite a brief delay in processing due to the death of UAE president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi-based property developer’s offering had received bids of $103bn when it closed on November 25, even though the value of the 55% of equity it was selling totalled just $225m.

Ansbacher & Co, the London private banking group recently acquired by Qatar National Bank (QNB), has opened a new branch in Dubai as part of its planned Middle East expansion strategy.

Change is in the air for technology purchasing and implementation this year, with the opportunity for system convergence and strategic planning at last becoming a reality.