The Islamic finance industry has undergone rapid growth in recent years, but in representing just 1.5% of global banking assets, it remains a hugely underpenetrated market across many asset classes and geographies. This has led the heavyweight global Islamic players to redefine their strategies to capitalise on these opportunities.

Deep uncertainty over sovereign debt exposures and new regulation has locked many banks out of the senior unsecured funding markets, leading to a frantic search for solutions.

Most African currencies are in demand thanks to high rates of economic growth across the continent. Analysts foresee this trend continuing over the next decade, with foreign inflows pushing up foreign exchange trading volumes in many African countries.

When Chinese investors sought to secure a supply of niobium metal, UBS had the unique challenge of coordinating five state-owned enterprises to a punishing timetable, all the while taking on board the differing needs of each enterprise. 

The breakdown of historic trends in foreign exchange since the financial crisis has driven institutional investors to consider a higher hedge ratio on their international portfolios, but cost remains a thorny consideration.

Short selling bans are almost always implemented at the crux of a financial crisis, but some economists suggest that they may not aid recovery, but rather they may negatively affect the market.

Global currency markets have become increasingly volatile as European policy-makers struggle to resolve the sovereign debt crisis and emerging economies try to limit currency rises at the same time as taming inflation. Traditional safe haven countries have been prompted to take historic action in a bid to stem currency appreciation and support exports. But are there any safe havens any more?

By taking on their non-performing loans, Nigeria’s state-owned bank, Amcon, has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the country’s banks are up and running again just two years after their crisis. However, its chief executive is keen to stress that its work is far from over.