Bankers used to roll out the red carpet for corporate CEOs who were their most important clients. Now most of their business is coming from other banks. Brian Caplen reports on the rise of the financial institutions group.

Corporate treasurers give The Banker their views on banking services.

Corporate treasurers give The Banker their views on banking services.

As electronic trading platforms report increased trading, some firms are attempting to fill a gap in the market with customer-to-customer trading facilities. But is there a demand? 

As banks face some of the most challenging times in two decades and optimists are talking up a post-Iraq conflict recovery, Karina Robinson looks at the possibility and grim implications of a 10-year bear market.

Charles Piggott analyses the results of The Banker's survey of up and coming electronic trading systems for bonds.

It is not a matter of how, but of when. A major cross-border bank merger in Europe involving core countries is imminent. Investment banks are busy advising their clients on possible deals, bank chief executives are flying back and forth having talks with their counterparts and lawyers are looking at the legal implications.

European and American banks will have to cut costs, deepen customer relationships and search for new opportunities in order to weather the US slowdown.