The economic growth in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam has not escaped the attention of Thai politicians and finance professionals. They are now working to make the most of the opportunities for Thai banks, companies and the stock exchange in the CLMV region. Peter Janssen reports.

The protests over tax reforms that have hit Jordan in recent months and brought about the resignation of its prime minister set alarm bells ringing in the West as well as the wider Middle East. Adrienne Klasa examines how one of the region's most stable countries can now move forward.

It seems that Europe’s non-performing loan problems are diminishing just as European authorities are issuing long-overdue proposals to deal with them – so are they still relevant? Stefanie Linhardt investigates.

State Bank of India is the country's leading state bank, while HDFC Bank is the leading private sector lender. Rekha Menon profiles the top five banks in each field to assess how they are operating within this notoriously difficult but potentially lucrative market.

Spain’s banks are looking much more stable, having cut non-performing assets in response to European Central Bank pressure. A reduction in overall bank numbers through mergers has streamlined the industry, though observers say increasing profitability remains challenging. Jules Stewart reports.

Stung by a financial crisis in 2003, Myanmar has since taken a strict line on fiscal prudence but now observers fear this is curbing growth. Banks, both domestic and foreign, are lobbying for reforms to relax the rules on lending, as Peter Janssen reports.

After influential campaigns, investor pressure and research pointing to higher returns by more gender-balanced firms, why are banks still male? Silvia Pavoni investigates.

Global regulations are making it harder for banks to lend for much-needed infrastructure projects in the developing world even as governments globally are advocating for private finance to get more involved. Adrienne Klasa looks at possible solutions.