James Eedes quizzes chief financial officers and, on page 30, corporate treasurers about the hot financial topics as well as the prevailing economic environment and reasons for optimism.

Banks have a huge range of resources available to aid risk managers, but human nature can still result in a bad decision. Behavioural finance and prospect theory lifts the veil on poorinvestment judgement, writes Gerald Ashley.

As global consolidation continues apace, one essential ingredient for success is becoming evident – to integrate the respective parties quickly.

As overcapacity in the banking sector heats up competition even further, banks are seeking new strategies to keep them afloat. Melvyn Westlake looks at some of the models being considered.

Crashing markets and a stalled economic recovery are starting to hit banks, causing problems which will make them vulnerable to acquisition.

Regulators are determined to avoid a repeat of Enron and other scandals. But will the corporate governance measures now being considered make things better or worse? Melvyn Westlake reports on the great corporate clean-up.

The Enron scandal has put the spotlight back on ethics. Banks can no longer ignore the issue of social responsibility and those which do may not survive.