Banks are devising structured products for private banking clients that are more diverse than they previously were but still have an element of protection. Michael Marray investigates.

Sharia-compliant investing and structured products are two of the largest and highest margin growth areas for investment banks. Both are born out of specialist structuring teams, rich with fiscal and regulatory experts, so it is almost inevitable that compliant structured products are fast becoming voguish. Natasha de Terán explores the market.

Information is essential to the finance business – but sometimes it can weigh heavy. The UK’s Post Office was so worried about the weight of HSBC’s annual report that it limited the number that an individual postman could carry, to avoid back injuries.

If British banks are forced to cut the penalties they charge on current accounts, there is a danger that they will make up the shortfall elsewhere, writes Michael Imeson.

Saudi Arabia seems to be entering a new golden age, with barriers to the financial sector being lowered and project finance booming. Stephen Timewell reports from Riyadh and Jeddah.

With the retail market key, Malaysian banks are placing great emphasis on cross-selling while rolling out simple technologies that improve service. Dan Barnes reports.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Mohammed Yunus talks to Kala Rao about the growing role of microfinance in the global economy, the challenges the sector faces moving from the informal to formal status, the need for regulation and the role that governments can play.

Nordic banks have traditionally adopted decentralised management structures, incorporating collective business practices while eschewing securitisation. Brian Caplen assesses whether this model can be made to work overseas.

The growth of loan issuance has been accompanied by a record increase in secondary market trading and the arrival of derivatives linked to these assets. Natasha de Terán explores how the market is developing.