As investors look for ways to access booming commodities markets, banks report that interest in structured products and commodity derivatives is growing. But systemic risk and an overheated market are serious dangers, reports Alan McNee.

As Cypriot banks expand abroad they will become more attractive acquisition targets for foreign banks – forcing defensive moves towards consolidation.

The Cyprus Stock Exchange is setting up a common trading platform with its Greek counterpart, giving Cypriot companies a greater international presence.

Giorgos Lillikas, minister of commerce, industry and tourism, tells The Banker how Cyprus is attracting capital investment and know-how.

To download “Keeping up with the Goldmans” cover story, please log in using the fields on the left.
If you are not currently registered, please click here to register and download these articles as well as have free access to 7 years of The Banker.

Romania’s central bank is not the only one in the region that is trying to curb the strong demand for foreign-currency loans. Yet the effectiveness and appropriateness of the restrictions are questionable.

Goldman Sachs has morphed from old-school investment bank to modern investment and trading house with huge earnings growth and, despite heavy criticism for opaqueness, where it goes, others are bound to follow. Geraldine Lambe reports.
Good results are not always good news. At least, they do not always generate good news. Goldman Sachs’ Q1 results blew away every prediction. Earnings were up 62% on the same quarter in 2005; there was massive growth in just about every area of its business, but it was in the triple digits for fixed income, currencies and commodities (FICC, 102%), debt underwriting (129%) and equities trading (167%).

2006 promises to be a stellar year for FIG M&A and capital raising will be strong in emerging markets as banks reorganise their balance sheets to comply with Basel II. The Banker’s round table explores these and other issues.

Under Basel II, banks operating in a foreign (“host”) country will be supervised for capital adequacy purposes by both the host regulator and the regulator in their home country.