Peter Wise reports on the Portuguese firms that are making a name for themselves on the international stage.

Competition and consolidation among exchanges, on both sides of the Atlantic, is reshaping the clearing models for exchange-traded derivatives, reports Frances Maguire.

The credit crunch has exposed flaws in the way that hedge funds transact with their prime brokers. Michelle Price reports on how the relationship will change going forward.

Structured products are one of the few business areas on which banks still have a positive outlook – and the Asian side of the market is the busiest of all. Natasha de Terán reports on developments in Asia.

Stock market turbulence has not swayed high-net-worth investors away from structured products in emerging markets, which bring them excellent returns, but they are being forced to adjust to the new environment, writes Michael Marray.

Borrower-friendly loan terms in 2006/07 will allow embattled companies to postpone debt restructuring despite tough conditions in 2008. But they might be wiser to engage creditors early, says Philip Alexander.

A desire for liquidity drove Wolters Kluwer to issue a 10-year bond last month in an otherwise barren market. It was lapped up by investors.

HSBC’s covered bond team planned its winning strategy for ING’s covered bond issue around confidence building, and gathered interest in a cautious market through shadow bookbuilding. Edward Russell-Walling reports.

Market unrest has helped Asian investors to buy AAA rated paper from Europe at best-ever prices, yet there is growing competition from around the world, reports Michael Marray.

As the credit crunch continues to bite, Rich Herman, global head of institutional clients at Deutsche Bank, tells Geraldine Lambe that banks and clients alike have to morph to fit the new landscape. But the crisis brings with it opportunities as well as challenges.