On the surface, it may seem that the EU's 2007 MiFID legislation, which aimed to create a pan-European investment market on a level playing field, has changed little. However, a closer analysis reveals an industry in the process of change, as new upstarts make inroads and traditional exchanges respond with new technology. Writer Chris Skinner
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Not a drop to drink
September 2, 2009After years of easy finance, companies across the world have had to face up to some harsh realities since the onset of the financial crisis. As credit dried out at the end of last year, they were forced to diversify their financing options and squeeze liquidity from within. Writer Charlie Corbett
The liquidity trap
September 2, 2009The FSA's new regime to plug the holes in the UK's liquidity risk management system is being criticised by the sector as overzealous and potentially harmful. Michelle Price reports.
A reliable model for a risk-averse world
August 4, 2009Portugal's traditionally cautious approach to banking with a strong leaning towards public investment is being recognised by other countries as an effective, if temporary, approach during the current downturn. Writer Peter Wise
All eyes on Copenhagen
August 4, 2009The world is waiting with anticipation for the December climate summit in Copenhagen, where the world's biggest polluters, the US and China, are expected to announce proposals that could significantly reduce global emissions. Writer Hamish Risk
A rethink on risk management
August 4, 2009Murky times: uncertainty over oil prices is causing concern that the risk management practices of energy traders are insufficient
The fluctuating energy prices over the past year have caused problems for financial and non-financial energy trading firms alike, leading to a greater focus on their risk management practices. Writer Michelle Price
FX proves critical in a crisis
August 4, 2009Rob Mandeno, global head of FX spot and e-commerce at Deutsche Bank in London
As the credit crisis took hold, foreign exchange trading, regarded as a reliable source of profit, surged in popularity among investors. Now, as trading volumes begin to return to pre-crisis levels, the inference is that confidence is slowly returning to the global economy. Writer Charlie Corbett
A roller-coaster ride to making history
August 4, 2009On a high: Enel chief risk officer Claudio Machetti
The past 24 months have seen Italian energy provider Enel acquire Spanish counterpart Endesa, face threats of a credit downgrade from Standard & Poor's, and launch a successful €8bn rights issue, the largest ever by an Italian company. Writer Edward Russell-Walling
Building a solid structure
August 4, 2009Left to right: Simon Parry-Wingfield and Ben Babcock
HeidelbergCement has successfully restructured the debt accumulated from its Hanson acquisition with the help of Morgan Stanley, who were tasked with Europe's largest-ever stressed refinancing exercise. Writer Edward Russell-Walling
Dixit Joshi
August 4, 2009The acquisition of Lehman Brothers' US capital markets and investment banking arm presented Barclays Capital with the ideal circumstances for its return to equities.