Credit cards are relatively new to Russia and take-up is still slow as cash remains the dominating payment method. Brian Caplen reports on progress.

Hector Sants, just about to complete his first year as chief executive of the UK’s Financial Services Authority, has proved his mettle during these times of great difficulty for regulators everywhere. Interview by Michael Imeson and Brian Caplen.

As market uncertainty continues, banks need to know how to respond to the economic cycle, writes José María Roldán.

The Financial Stability Forum has launched a regulatory assault on bankers which includes an attack on the bonus system, writes Michael Imeson.

Legislation for a new unified regulatory authority is expected to be passed before the year’s end and the Qatar Financial Centre is working to bring in more new players, writes Nadine Marroushi.

Nick Kochan reports on the phenomenal growth of UCITS, a product of EU legislation that is going down a storm in Asia and Africa, and has US authorities looking on in envy.

IT operations are energy-hungry and eco-unfriendly, making trading operations – banks’ most IT-intensive functions – increasingly unsustainable. But some improvements are being made. Michelle Price reports.

CSFI report identifies the biggest risks facing banks; Deloitte report looks at the cost of financial services regulation.

Financial centres around the world should tackle regulation in harmony to reflect the fact that markets across the globe are interconnected and current problems are global phenomena, writes Angela Knight.

In a drive to improve risk management, banks should ensure their boards of directors have a higher level of expertise, writes Peter D Hahn.