Latest articles from Analysis & Opinion

Forget cashless and branchless, it’ll never happen

March 1, 2012

Despite calls for fewer bank branches and for less cash to be in circulation, branch numbers are on the rise in some countries. But why?

Global banks go back to basics

March 1, 2012

Investors appear to have lost confidence in diversified cross-border banking models, forcing banks to decide what they do best.

Libyans play economic waiting game

March 1, 2012

Amid the celebrations to mark the first anniversary of Libya's revolution, strong economic leadership of the country is yet to emerge.

Jurgen Ligi

Europe's real crisis is one of democracy, not debt

February 1, 2012

A return to economic growth in Estonia shows that it is possible to benefit from eurozone membership, even amid Europe's financial crisis. But governments must first acknowledge the limits of what the state can do.

Keep a balanced view on Hungary

February 1, 2012

The international community should not use the threat of financial ruin to overrule Hungary's democratically elected government.

A profit focus may leave banks behind in innovation

February 1, 2012

With more innovative tools being introduced to banking, banks cannot afford to simply seek profits. If they do, they will get left behind.

BNP Paribas team (left to right): Arjan Verbeek,  Derry Hubbard and Heiko Langer

CBA makes it third time lucky for Australian covered bond issuance

February 1, 2012

Commonwealth Bank of Australia's €1.5bn five-year issue was the third and comfortably the most successful Australian transaction since the country passed supportive legislation for covered bonds in late 2011. Joint bookrunner on the deal, BNP Paribas, put its success down to timing and the choice of currency.

What Kenya can teach the world about banking to the masses

February 1, 2012

The example set by Kenya's banks when it comes to not only reaching the unbanked, but also making a profit from them, is something that the rest of the world should look to emulate.

Politics can still trump prudence

February 1, 2012

Regulators are making much of macroprudential tools to prevent future bubbles. But regulatory capture remains an obvious risk.

Babatunde Fashola

The democratic and economic rewards of solving Africa's infrastructure deficit

January 3, 2012

Africa’s poor infrastructure has caused it to lag behind other emerging markets over the past few decades. And while better infrastructure is crucial for the continent’s economic development, it can also boost democracy and good governance.

The Banker on Twitter