Recognising the key role that the accountancy profession plays in the development of SMEs, IFAC has extended its services to help facilitate this relationship, writes Sylvie Voghel, chair of IFAC's Small and Medium Practices Committee.

Risk management, the lifeblood of financial services, is undergoing an identity crisis as many experts call into question the validity of traditional risk management methods. In this Masterclass, Keith Saxton, global director for financial markets at IBM, and Francis Lacan, global risk and compliance solution manager for the financial services sector at IBM, discuss how technology can help improve the measuring and monitoring of systemic risk and why internal risk management functions should be regarded as a profit centre. Writer Michelle Price

In the wake of the crisis almost everything to do with banks is being questioned - regulation, business models, corporate governance and ownership. Some fear that once burned, shareholders will be twice shy and may avoid bank stocks and bank debt altogether. State ownership is deemed a temporary measure but have private investors fallen out of love with banks? Writer Geraldine Lambe

As corporate social responsibility increases in prominence within business models, new strategies for implementation are being tried and tested across the banking industry. In Brazil, corporate governance has progressed significantly in recent years, yet it still has a long way to go, as The Banker's round table revealed. The round table is sponsored by Bradesco but independently edited by The Banker.

A set of good results from an international bank is all too rare an occurrence in the current financial climate but Standard Chartered showed it is possible by announcing last month that income rose by 26% and profits by 13% in 2008. Chief executive Peter Sands explains how it was done. Writer Brian Caplen

As banks come to terms with the credit crisis and set about realigning their business strategies, The Banker CEO survey has reviewed opinion from across the sector. Writer Charles Piggott Research Isabel Buruma

A recent history of political turmoil has taught Lebanon to manage its risk carefully. Domestic banks’ highly conservative approach has not only helped insulate them from the crisis but means they are now attracting funds from local depositors who have lost confidence in foreign institutions. Writer Jules Stewart.

Many of the world’s top financial brands took a beating in 2008, but not every bank suffered. The Banker’s Top 500 Banking Brands listing puts a financial value on the leading brands and ranks them accordingly. Philip Alexander reports.

The heads of major international banks spoke to The Banker about the effects of the crisis, covering areas such as pay and incentives, strategies for funding, the implications for the free market orthodoxy and what opportunities for growth, if any, 2009 might bring.

The International Centre for Financial Regulation opens for business next month, providing training, conducting research and exploring new ways of policing the markets and all who work in them. Writer Michael Imeson.