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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Special Report: International Financial Centres
November 5, 2007In association with Paris Europlace, Invest HK, Cyprus High Commission Commercial Section
State underpins booming sector
November 5, 2007Diversification by banks away from industry and into retail indicates Russia’s growing banking prowess.
New generation must set sights on profit and returns
November 5, 2007How profitable are Islamic financial institutions? With Islamic instruments and different reporting standards in some cases, direct comparisons with traditional western interest-bearing instruments have often been difficult to make.
Growth attracts new players
November 5, 2007In this vibrant young industry, many new players are emerging. The combination of huge liquidity in the Gulf region from oil prices in excess of $80 a barrel and the attraction of new opportunities through Islamic finance has led to a large expansion of Islamic institutions both in the Gulf and elsewhere.
Iran dominates in the world of sharia compliance
November 5, 2007The Top 25 country ranking of the Top 500 Islamic institutions clearly demonstrates that Iran, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are by far the three largest countries providing Islamic finance, with Iran’s total amounting to $154.6bn of sharia-compliant assets (SCAs) accounting for 30.9% of the global aggregate total of $500.5bn.
From niche to mainstream
November 5, 2007The Islamic finance industry is rapidly evolving and expanding, with growth of banking assets estimated at $750bn and growing at a rate of 15% to 20% a year. Nabeel Shoaib explains.
TOP 500 Islamic Institutions
November 5, 2007How fast is the Islamic finance industry growing? The Banker attempts to answer this question with the launch of a new listing: Top 500 Islamic Financial Institutions. The pioneering role of the listing is to provide a benchmark for the future, which can be improved on for the good of the industry. Better disclosure is expected to flow from the publication of listings such as this as greater competition puts pressure on institutions to increase transparency in this area. Stephen Timewell and Joe DiVanna report.
Brazil shows its strengths
October 1, 2007Brazil’s banks dominate the listing with their healthy assets and profitability, and Mexico also does well.
Polished performance
October 1, 2007Mergers work through with little change and aggregate Tier 1 capital is up.