From sovereign debt woes to political brinkmanship and the swathe of new regulations hitting banks, the events of 2011 have reverberated across markets and around the world. There have been a few bright spots, not least the growing confidence of local currency debt markets, but overall it has been a gloomy year. Most believe the fate of 2012 lies in the hands of European policy-makers.
Latest articles from Banking strategies
Goldman's variety pack helps Com Hem defy eurozone mayhem
December 1, 2011Issuing in Europe in 2011 has been a hazardous task, but Com Hem's highly leveraged buyout bridge underwritten by joint mandated lead arranger Goldman Sachs managed to defy the odds, thanks in no small part to the diverse elements of the deal.
Will Islamic finance's asset management potential finally be fulfilled
December 1, 2011In 2010 it seemed that the Islamic asset management industry was taking off when it recorded a 7.6% increase in its assets. But with most sharia-compliant vehicles not satisfying global industry standards, and a large number of relatively small, equity-heavy funds in the sector, growth is needed in many other directions before the industry can fulfil its potential.
A new blueprint for funding global infrastructure
December 1, 2011The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development may have found a new and much-needed source of infrastructure funding in pension funds, but the problem is far from solved, as governments still need to set up the framework to help them invest.
Regulatory focus moves towards ETFs
November 4, 2011As regulators have scrutinised structured products over the past few years, exchange-traded funds have managed to stay under the radar. However, with the G-20’s Financial Stability Board raising concerns about ETFs, this situation looks set to change.
Indian bond markets take slow road to maturity
November 1, 2011India's vast infrastructure needs should make a larger bond market in the country indispensable. However, there are many regulatory obstacles to overcome.
Islamic finance roars again
November 1, 2011After recording relatively sluggish growth in last year's survey, this year's ranking shows the Islamic finance industry posting impressive figures, passing the $1000bn mark in assets for the first time.
Top 500 Islamic Financial Institutions: Methodology
November 1, 2011A look at how The Banker and Maris Strategies put together the Top 500 Islamic Financial Institutions survey.
The new value proposition for Islamic finance
November 1, 2011Amid calls for greater reporting transparency and more engagement with the lower end of the economic pyramid, Islamic finance is experiencing a revival. But for sharia-compliant institutions to take advantage of the trends emerging in the marketplace, several key events need to take place.
Russian joint venture pays off for Sibur and SolVin
November 1, 2011Sibur and SolVin's highly innovative joint venture to build a PVC plant in Russia was unusual in many ways, not least because of its lack of an offtake scheme in such a risk-averse environment. However, the four-year wait for the deal to come to fruition is paying off for the many players involved.