Troubled since 2005, the UK credit card industry has been suffering a severe test of profitability. But credit card issuers are hoping to rejuvenate the industry by moving to a more convenience-focused, sustainable and transparent business model.
Latest articles from Banking strategies
Egyptian stock market shows strong growth
May 5, 2010With the Egyptian stock exchange on a high, the EGX chairman, Maged Shakey, explains what is behind its new-found energy. Writer Daniel Maalo
Funding African infrastructure
May 5, 2010The parlous state of infrastructure in Africa is one of the main reasons the continent has never achieved its immense potential. The Banker's roundtable attempts to find out how this situation can be rectified and where the money will come from to fund it. Writer Charlie Corbett
Ready to roar
May 5, 2010Despite its relatively low level of activity, the potential of Beirut Stock Exchange is causing both local and foreign investors to take notice. Writer Daniel Maalo
Banks are competing to fund infrastructure investment
May 5, 2010Hindered by years of armed conflict and governmental infighting, Colombia has launched a long-awaited infrastructure development programme, set to pump $24bn into its ailing transport network and, in turn, stimulate healthy competition among its banks as they bid to provide funding. Writer John Rumsey
Setting a new global standard
May 5, 2010Mohammad Daud Bakar, a Malaysian sharia scholar
Cross-border standardisation and rigorous product development processes will help to diversify the sharia-compliant financial markets. Writer Philip Alexander
Why Islamic finance has not yet reached critical mass
May 5, 2010The market for Islamic bonds, or sukuk, is expected to pick up in 2010, but its appeal will remain limited until the industry can agree a set of global standards and proper legal protection for creditors in case of default.
Prime brokerage returns to life
May 5, 2010Alex Ehrlich, the global head of prime brokerage at Morgan Stanley
The client-base, funding model and counter-party trust upon which the prime brokerage business grew so successful was badly damaged by the crisis. Almost 18 months on, however, the industry is regrouping. Writer Michelle Price
European issuers flourish in Asia
May 5, 2010Fast and effective: KfW's January 10-year dollar deal had a healthy placement in Asia
Despite concerns about government budget deficits, Asian central banks continue to show strong demand for European sovereign bonds. But sovereign, supranational and agency issuers all need to focus much more on the careful execution of deals, and the syndication process has been speeded up because of volatile market conditions. Writer Michael Marray
Paving the way for a market revival
May 5, 2010Thomas Fang, head of Greater China risk management products intermediary sales at UBS
The Asian structured products market is slowly rebuilding itself after the fallout from the global financial crisis. High-net-worth investors are getting their risk appetite back but providers are having to structure shorter-term products in order to win business. Writer Michael Marray