The spread of mobile phone use across the globe has given new impetus to the world of mobile payments. Service providers in the vanguard of this movement stand to make a fortune but will banks rise to the challenge, asks Stephen Timewell.

IIF suggests Asian growth has peaked while an EFMA report assesses the international domination of the CEE region.

The US government wants to impose cost basis reporting on the investment industry to make it easier to determine how much capital gains tax investors owe on their securities. Michael Imeson reports.

Thailand seemed to be ushering in a golden age of financial security, until high-level political scandal and terrorist attacks sent its fragile economy crashing back down to earth. Simon Montlake reports.

Shamshad Akhtar, governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, talks to Jules Stewart about the influence of the US macroeconomy on Pakistan’s economic landscape and the importance for the developing world in keeping open this window to the West.

Structured products are a result of investors becoming moresophisticated and demanding. Now banks are happy to tailor investments to meet a client’s every wish. Joanne Hart reports.

The Bank of Georgia’s oversubscribed London IPO epitomised Georgia’s drive towards catching up with the rest of the world. Ben Aris reports from Tbilisi on how chairman Lado Gurgenidze turned the bank around.

Bourse operator Hellenic Exchanges has cut trading fees on the Athens exchange and is developing links with other exchanges in the region in its bid for a competitive edge. By Kerin Hope.

With rising demand from the underbanked ‘new’ European states, there are great opportunities for Greek banks intent on expansion.

Merger and acquisition activity is heating up in Greece, with surprise takeover bids, religious opposition and major privatisation. investigates.